South London singer & songwriter Kemi Ade (@_kemiade) returns today with new single ‘Promise’ as well as the announcement the second instalment of her double EP project ‘Drive – Dusk Edition’.
After releasing the first part of the project, ‘Drive – Dawn Edition’ in October 2020 (that saw her praised in the likes of COMPLEX, Notion, GUAP and more) Kemi is back with three new tracks that showcase her singing & songwriting abilities and solidifies her place as one of the UKs most exciting voices in R&B.
‘Promise’, produced by Blue Lab Beats, is the first taste of this new music, drenched in elements of 90s electronic & R&B and sees Kemi verbally wrestling with a potential lover, asking them to promise “we won’t fuck up each other”.
Speaking on the track, Kemi says “this embodies my sound, or me as person. It sounds perfect on a long drive and gives me this warm feeling even though it’s so vulnerable. This one’s for everyone, and anyone, who gave their word to someone who never deserved a promise.” ‘Drive – Dusk Edition’ is the culmination of a year long hiatus that saw Kemi work as a songwriter for artists such as BSHP & Rebecca Garton. Now re-focusing on herself as an artist, the ‘Drive’ EPs allow Kemi to flex her songwriting and vocal muscles, effortlessly combining elements of 90s synths, jazz, soul and R&B into a sound that is distinctly her own.
If you are an R&B lover follow the 9bills Leading Ladies Playlist – A specially curated playlist featuring the UK leading ladies in R&B by Virtual Keys (@virtual.keys).