Empire Child introduces herself with her debut single “Trace The Race,” a song that looks inward while speaking to something much larger, tracing questions of identity, inheritance, and what it means to belong.
The musical project of Ruth Rothwell, Empire Child’s music is rooted in personal history, delivering something that is intimate in both its subject and its tone.
“Trace The Race” moves through themes of migration and memory, shaped by family history and the emotional weight carried across generations.
Inspired by Rothwell’s own background, the song is shaped by her parents’ history, spanning the Windrush generation on her mother’s side and apartheid-era South Africa through her father.
There’s a sense of looking back in order to understand the present, of examining how the past leaves marks that continue to surface in everyday life.
Lyrically, “Trace the Race” feels thoughtful and deliberate, grounded in honest and vulnerable storytelling.
The songwriter shares, “The music is inspired by my life so far. Themes of letting go of the past, having the courage to move forward, believing in yourself, and managing past hurts and disappointments.”
Sonically, the track mirrors that depth. Warm, understated production allows space for jazz, soul, and reggae-leaning influences to blend naturally.
As the first release from Empire Child, “Trace The Race” sets a clear tone for the upcoming album, offering a strong and considered opening chapter to the new project.
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