Safiyyah - Free (ft. RADA)
By Christianah Jesudass-Roberts @mstiaroberts
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There are days in the week that call for music that feeds into different moods. For me personally Saturday mornings can start with upbeat rhythms and end with smooth jazz, Sunday’s similarly , present a mix of gospel, roots and reggae before mellowing down into alternative soul to sooth me into a relaxed enough state that has me fully rested for the week. Whilst jazz-hop/vibes crops up as the most played on my Spotify at the moment, as this is the genre of choice that gets me to unwind daily, around 7pm, with a candle, a cup of herbal tea and a mood that could take me anywhere as long as it results in de-stressing. This week I found a tune that sits up here awakening me and relaxing me all at the same time.
Free by Safiyyah ft RADA gave me feels. Coming across this tune I was instantly catapulted into the tropical strumming mixed within a house music tempo fuelled by sultry vocals, accompanied by the settling, deep sounds of the sax that inevitably place listeners in a playground of sound. This tune draws you in a visualisation of warmth, though its Latin roots, merged with the excitement of piano and bass, it draws you to move as Safiyyah and RADA seduce us with their wispy vocals that collaborate and compliment each other so perfectly it is easy to assume them to be a duo.
“They speak to the liberated babe, the empowered woman, this tune oozes comfortability, sexuality and sensuality as a lifeline throughout the whole track.”
There is a heartbeat through the whole tune, like a running pulse, each beat pumping more energy into us as we fall deeper into the tune. They speak to the liberated babe, the empowered woman, this tune oozes comfortability, sexuality and sensuality as a lifeline throughout the whole track. The collaboration of the mellowness together with the upbeat tempo, allows the tune to be unapologetic in its overall feeling, it is proud, it is bold, it is powerful but not overbearing. Like an injection of deep soulful sensuality into our minds and consequently our bodies.
Safiyyah has a powerful, youthful sound. She has this gripping nu-jazz sound that is immediately comforting, alongside an edgy type of depth that feels beyond her years. Her sound is a merge of the mellow, melodic British soul that is nostalgic yet the uniqueness to her sound keeps her music fresh and expressive. She is undeniably authentic and unapologetic in her storytelling. She showcases a braveness in her music that is comforting and relatable. Whilst RADA, on the other hand, has a transformative, light and airy, futuristic sound. She is unapologetic and truthful in her music, it echos innocence and exploration simultaneously, musically representing life growth through music. Together they create the most perfect balance within musical storytelling, the duality in this track is so satisfying and moreish, making it not just easy to be draw into but making it perfect to put on repeat especially on these beautiful spring evenings.
So that’s my one tune that has made my week! It is as fresh and purposeful and gives me so much energy. Empowering and unapologetic yet seductive and calming, the tune sits so comfortably within you, it’ll be hard not to absorb it, in all it’s musical entirety! It exists in extremes simultaneously and yet feels multigenerational - the track itself brings listeners into a whole new level of musical experience and appreciation. Check it out, trust me, you won’t regret it! Free by Safiyyah X RADA is out now on all major streaming platforms.