Today, genre-bending singer/rapper/producer HAWA announces her debut album HADJA BANGOURA out Friday, 4th November via 4AD / Remote Control Records. HADJA BANGOURA is named for HAWA‘s great-grandmother who passed away last year. Hadja’s spiritual presence on the album forms a vessel for healing as HAWA crafts a letter to herself through which to work past her toxic relationships.
The album was largely written in Guinea’s capital of Conakry in West Africa where HAWA spent much of her early childhood and where Hadja lived. The songs mark an evolution in sound, centring experimental orchestral beats and HAWA‘s gorgeous singing voice.
The announcement of the album is accompanied by lead single ‘GEMINI’ which was produced by Tony Seltzer and Inef Coupe with a sole feature from ascendant experimental artist Eartheater. The song highlights HAWA’s silky smooth-yet-versatile vocals, and the video depicts a fraught relationship with salacious undertones directed by Courtney Sofiah Yates.
The eleven track album follows 2021 single ‘Wake Up’ and 2020 EP the ONE, both of which received critical praise from the NY Times, Pitchfork, The FADER, Elle, W, and more.
22-year-old and self-described “old soul,” HAWA, seems to find herself outside most boxes people try to put her in. From her upbringing in Guinea and Berlin, to her entrance in the musical universe by way of the New York Philharmonic as their youngest-ever composer, to her reclamation of her creative voice by striking out on her own, her story as an artist is one that’s not seen too often. HAWA has honed her craft in R&B, rap and Afrobeats, solidifying her place as one of the most exciting rising artists of today.
Critical praise for HAWA:
“Intricate melodies and lush soundscapes that push the boundaries of popular rap and R&B…both tender and bold [with] uncommon grace” – Pitchfork
“HAWA embrace[s] leftfield hip hop and R&B, with a style that can be hard-hitting in one moment, and hazed-out, expressive, and romantic in the next” – Dazed
“Equal parts dancehall rhythm and Neptunes-esque hooks and musical flourishes” – The FADER
“Built on precision with an intricate soundscape and clever, boasting lyrics” – W Magazine
“As romantic as it is sexual” – Elle UK
“There’s more than enough versatility to guarantee HAWA’s place on any list of emerging stars” – Highsnobiety
“Her laidback genre-defying productions are set apart from the influx of lo-fi bulls**t thanks to a deeper understanding of musical elements” – i-D
“Subtly complex” – Pigeons & Planes “Magnetic ease” – them. “Stirring prowess” – Office “Worthy of obsessive repeat plays” – Jezebel “Fun and funky” – V
Pre-order / pre-save HADJA BANGOURA here
HAWA – HADJA BANGOURA
1.INDYA
2. TRADE
3. GEMINI
4. ACTUALLY
5. EN ROUTE
6. MMMM
7. AIN’T U
8. 7 DEADLY SINS: LUST
9. PROGRESSION
10. CREDITS
11. EATER FT. EARTHEATER
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