Biography
MidnightRoba is vocalist, songwriter and producer, Roba El-Essawy.
The voice of London-based electronic trio Attica Blues – (albums Attica Blues [Mo’ Wax 1997] and Test, Don’t Test [Sony, 2000]), Roba has been producing and releasing on her independent label Sonder Records. Golden Seams, her debut solo album (2021) was followed by single releases Quiet Dawn and Maiden Voyage (2022), fundraiser for Gaza For All (2023) and Joy (2024).
MidnightRoba’s latest album, Raise A Symphony, released November 2025, is music of our time. A 15-track album, it comments on topics ranging from colonialism to complicity of silence; from compromised politicians to the power of protest and gratitude to those on the frontlines of change; from displacement and sea migration to the desire to protect our loved ones and the need for kindness; to have faith in the future and the importance of searching for joy in the meantime.
The self-produced, electronic album ‘Raise A Symphony’, sees contributions from Saul Williams, Deschanel Gordon, Michael King and Tony Kofi, amongst others.
The album title takes it’s name from Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have A Dream’ speech where King calls for the nation to rise to gather together and form a ‘beautiful symphony of brotherhood’, a symphony being a collective in which everyone plays their part. Although maybe not weighted equally, everyone has a role, even in their differences, together, to create something beautiful and harmonious.
The name MidnightRoba arose from years living in Trinidad during her musical hiatus, where she would liken the (Anglicised) pronunciation of her name to that of the traditional Carnival character, The Midnight Robber.
Roba has performed with Charles Tolliver, Andre 3000, Saul Williams, Carlos Niño, Surya Botofasina, Shabaka Hutchings, Nate Mercereau, King Britt and has collaborated with Jason Moran, Dego (2000Black), Moksha Black. Her solo album held contributions from many, including Jason Moran, Dezron Douglas, Junius Paul, Ben Williams, David Mrakpor, Bubby Lewis, Artyom Manukyan, Robert Mitchell, Edward Wakili-Hick and Tommaso Cappellato.
