Dance Away Your Fears To Londoner Aadae’s Afrobeat-Influenced Pop

On her uplifting debut single, south Londoner Aadae already has a clear-cut pop voice with a distinctive afrobeat twist. In her bio, she describes her sound as a reflection of her "British upbringing as well as Nigerian heritage," taking cues from her parents' records of Yoruba gospel, reggae, and Fela Kuti. The uplifting "River Of Tears" is a perfect example: she deftly rides an insistent clatter of percussion with layered vocals that reach for the sky.

“The song is a declaration that celebrates strength," Aadae wrote in an email to The FADER. "I guess it’s the ultimate pep talk, that encourages you to stand defiantly in your own truth and dance away your fears.” Listen exclusively below.