Dance music coming out in the time of Corona? It’s almost a crime - with a beat that induces hip-shaking and head bobbing, Benin-born but now NYC-based artist Shirazee is sure to make you miss the club with his new single “Zaddy”. Of the Afropop variety, other tracks of this nature are to be expected from Shirazee later this year on his EP consisting of 6 tracks entitled Lost. This is exciting to note, as the artist dedicates himself to highlighting the many rich cultures that can be found upon the continent of Africa. In this way, listeners are given a much-needed reminder just how vibrant Black culture is.
When listening to “Zaddy,” you might be able to pick up on some external influences. Shirazee cites 80's and 90's tracks as having been quite influential on the sound exhibited on the single, with Amber’s 1999 song entitled “Sexual (La Da Di)” being one large source of inspiration. The artist recalls the instance in which the title of the track came to him, recounting,“‘Zaddy’ was directly inspired by a girlfriend of mine who saw me dressed up for a show (pre-COVID) and said ‘where are you going looking all fine, giving me Zaddy vibes.’ I laughed it off but the term stayed in the back of my mind. When I got to the studio and replayed the Amber record, it fit like a glove. A no-brainer."
The tale itself of how the song received it’s title speaks to the nature of the single itself: fun, a little sexy but overall joyous. It should be noted that “Zaddy”’s release follows “Tired,” a ballad meant to pay tribute to those whose lives have been lost as a result of police brutality. All proceeds the song received were donated to organizations like Color of Change, NAACPLDF, and the ACLU Campaign Against Racial Profiling. Through both tracks, it becomes clear that Shirazee is truly dedicated to the forward movement of the Black community by highlighting all angles - “Tired” centers our plight whilst “Zaddy” elevates our pleasure. Talk about range.
It should be no surprise that we’re greatly anticipating the fall release of the upcoming EP Lost, which will further propel Shirazee into his solo career. Until then, though... “Zaddy” is a track you’re going to want to add to your bedroom-dance-party-playlist ASAP. Check it out below.
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