Marla Kether

Born in London to Congolese parents, Marla Kether is a producer, DJ and bassist. Her start in music came while studying at Bristol University when she invited members of Ezra Collective to join a jam after their Bristol show; soon afterwards, she received an invite to work with Yazmin Lacey. Since then, having exceeded 40 million Spotify streams for her work as a session bassist for Yazmin, Loyle Carner, Oscar Jerome, and Obongjayar, Marla released her debut EP All That We Have (Saffron Records) in November 2023 to widespread acclaim. The EP was championed by the likes of Crack Magazine, Mary Anne Hobbs, Jamz Supernova and Gilles Peterson. Bandcamp Daily featured the release in ‘The Best Electronic Music of November 2023’, and closing track BTR2 was voted one of DJ Mag’s Top Tracks of the Year.

After winning Youth Music’s 2024 Producer of the Year award, Marla released a vinyl edition of her EP in June 2025, featuring fresh remixes. She then contributed the UK Funky track ‘Morning Light’ featuring Naima Adams to Somewhere Soul’s Rituals Volume 1 compilation on RE:WARM. Other recent production highlights have included a hazy remix of Footshooter’s ‘Folding’ (Tru Thoughts) and Afro-house jam ‘One Time’ for Kapote’s Wildstyle House Vol. 1 (Toy Tonics).

With her own live band, following performances at The Roundhouse, Cross The Tracks, Brick Lane Jazz Festival, and a support slot for Cymande’s tour in Europe in 2025, Marla sold-out her two first headline shows in London and Bristol in late October 2025, featuring a 6-piece line-up. Continuing the momentum into 2026, she gained new admirers across the UK, supporting national tours for Afrobeat legend Femi Kuti and Zamrock favourites WITCH.

As a DJ, Marla’s burgeoning profile has centred around her packed, inclusive Kilengi Dance Party nights in London and Bristol playing a wide spectrum of new diaspora bass sounds from Afro House, Baile and Kuduro to UK Funky and Garage. “It’s about music that makes you want to shake ass a bit more,” Marla explains. “Those nights bring so many people of different backgrounds together.”
In October 2026, Marla starts a new chapter in her own music, releasing her much-anticipated sophomore EP via respected UK imprint Strut Records. Luso brings her varied musical worlds together into her most ambitious project to date and features hand-picked collaborators from across her musical circle including Nottingham-based MC Mez, Reek0 from the Brighter Days collective, vocalist / songwriter Sofia Grant and Brazilian sister duo Margaridas.

“This project was all about getting musicians into a studio and celebrating the unbeatable energy of live recording,” says Marla of Luso. “I wanted the music to feel human, warm and alive, rooted in rhythm, connection and joy.””

Marla is currently touring worldwide with Little Simz, including support slots for Gorillaz during Autumn 2026.