ALOK Returns to His Experimental “SOMETHING ELSE” Alias With “I Wonder If You Know”

Global dance music superstar Alok returns to his experimental SOMETHING ELSE alias with “I Wonder If You Know,” out now via B1 Recordings/Sony Music Germany/RCA Records. Built around one of the most recognizable and historically difficult-to-clear vocal samples in modern music, the release marks a major moment for both Alok and the dedicated online community that has followed the track’s journey for years.

Originally produced by Swedish producer Fidde, early versions of the track quietly developed a cult following online before being repeatedly removed due to uncleared sample usage. At the center of the story is the iconic vocal originally performed by legendary British singer-songwriter Labi Siffre, whose work has famously been sampled by artists including Kanye West, JAY-Z, and Eminem, but only under highly selective circumstances.

After a lengthy clearance process, the vocal was officially approved for release, with Alok ultimately helping bring the record across the finish line. The result preserves the emotional pull and nostalgia surrounding the original bootleg while introducing it to a global audience through Alok’s expansive reach.

“From the first time I heard this record, it stayed with me. There was already a real connection and history around it online, and part of what made it special was that people genuinely thought it might never officially come out. Being able to help bring it to life properly while keeping the emotion people loved about the original was really important to me.” – Alok

The release marks the first original SOMETHING ELSE record from Alok since the launch of the alias alongside “Miçanga” last year. Created as a separate creative outlet from his globally recognized ALOK project, SOMETHING ELSE allows him to explore more intimate, emotional and underground-leaning music without the expectations attached to massive festival records and pop collaborations.

Originally introduced through surprise performances at festivals including Universo Paralello in Brazil and Zamna Tulum in Mexico, the project was inspired by Alok’s desire to reconnect with the stripped-back dancefloor experiences and introspective musical moments that shaped his early career before his rise into one of electronic music’s biggest global names.

“I created SOMETHING ELSE because I didn’t want creativity to have limits. There’s music that connects with huge crowds and big stages, but there’s also music meant for smaller emotional moments, for atmosphere and feeling. This project gives me space to explore that side of myself in a very honest way.” – ALOK

“I Wonder If You Know” reflects that philosophy directly. Soft, airy and intentionally restrained, the record centers around a recurring piano progression, light percussion and a warm, easygoing groove that prioritizes emotion and atmosphere over explosive drops or peak-time intensity. The result feels closer to a sunrise set or intimate lounge environment than a traditional festival anthem, allowing the nostalgic weight of the vocal to remain at the center of the experience.

Recent releases across both projects, including “Flavour” with Still Val, his Hellbent Records EP My Own Thang, and Mind Illuminate alongside SIDEPIECE and Victor Ruiz, have highlighted Alok’s growing focus on club culture and underground dance music influences. “I Wonder If You Know” continues that evolution while standing apart as one of his most emotionally understated and story-driven releases in recent years.

Looking ahead, Alok is preparing to officially launch Rave The World, his ambitious new live concept centered around the original values of rave culture: unity, freedom, peace and connection. Following a preview performance earlier this month at Brazil’s legendary Greenvalley, where he introduced the visually striking “Rave Box” stage suspended above the crowd, the concept will make its official global debut on June 5 at London’s O2 Academy Brixton, marking his only UK headline show of 2026 and a full-circle moment in the city where he lived before his rise to global fame. While Rave The World represents the large-scale live evolution of the ALOK project, releases under SOMETHING ELSE continue to showcase a more intimate and experimental side of his artistry.