I’ve been keeping an ear out for the work of KEYAH/BLU for a few years now, her new single ’till bliss’ is a delectable easy-going blast of old school hip hop, trip-hop and soul. She deftly melds her influences into one tumbling ball of yarn, threaded with stuttering beats, flourishing samples and a stream of consciousness that’s kissed by the late evening setting sun.
Meditating on coming of age, the battle between light and dark, struggle and moments of joy you want to bottle, an anthem that gives thanks to everyone that helped you along the way. With shades of everyone from Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu to Little Simz but definitely her own work, the South London artist takes a step up with this new release.
It is absolutely beautiful. “‘til bliss’ is like a shout to everything that made you, past present and future. It’s about rolling into it blindfolded but with your eyes wide open. It’s your life, go get it. No one can take that away from you.”
The South East London rapper and singer has today revealed the new single along with its equally captivating video with an all-nighter narrative directed by Keyah herself and Aws Al-Jezairy – and premiered as part of Dazed’s ‘Coming Thru’ series. Watch it above.
KEYAH/BLU’s previous live highlights include Boiler Room alongside Jorja Smith and Little Simz, Annie Mac Presents at Jazz Cafe alongside IAMDDB, The Great Escape for Notion alongside Yves Tumor, a sold out headline show at Four Quarters in Peckham and supporting Tirzah at Scala and Biig Piig at Village Underground
She has also recently fronted a campaign for Stella McCartney for her ‘All Together Now’ collection and walked for fashion brand Telfar at their Serpentine Gallery show in association with South African duo FAKA.
