Photo by Mufaro Kambarami
Karun is a Kenyan artist currently studying music in Boston, Massachusetts. Her new song "Need U The Most" is a soulful duet that finds her trading gentle croons with Tanzanian artist Joseph Kiwango about their long-distance relationship. The single is a part of an upcoming EP, Indigo, set to be released June 15 by East African Wave, a new Kenyan art and music collective comprised of FADER featured artist Jinku, Hiribae, MVROE, Ukweli, and Nv Funk — the latter of whom produced the song's soothing beat.
"I wrote 'Need U The Most' in my living room; I was feeling like I had finally gotten a feeling I had been missing for a long time," Karun told The FADER over email. "I had just gotten back from studying in Boston and I was reminiscing about how bad it felt to be away from the guy I was really into at the time. The feeling I had when I wrote this song was about really wanting to be in the same location, and yet also, wanting the person that you miss to be in their happiest environment/state."
Over email, Kiwango elaborated on his relationship with Karun: "When we met, [she] took me by surprise and I kinda wanted to just be friends for a while," he told us. "So I was cautious, hoping not to fall for her but there’s this one fucking irresistible smile she did and in that moment I said, fuck it and dived in. Part of the reason I was so hesitant was because she — like I am — is a traveller, and she might not always be there when I feel like holding her hands. Because I’m a needy hopeless romantic of a bastard, it’s almost like all the time, and so when she isn’t there I burn sage and Ethiopian weed to stay warm because it reminds me of her and how close we sometimes get."
Karun and Kiwango are currently on tour in the U.S. as Cosmic Homies. EA Wave will release Karen's solo EP Indigo on June 15.