Today, genre-bending singer/rapper/producer HAWA releases ‘PROGRESSION’, the second single from her upcoming debut album HADJA BANGOURA which arrives on November 4th. ‘PROGRESSION’, produced by Anthoine Walters and WAVES, is a stirring piano ballad about moving on and thriving in the wake of heartbreak.
The visual accompanying the single opens with an intimate conversation between HAWA and her long-time friend and collaborator, the iconic designer Telfar Clemens. Written and directed by Alex Huggins, it sees the duo meeting for coffee to chat about her rising star ahead of a show, with a captivating solo performance on the keys by HAWA, a classically trained musician who started her career with the New York Philharmonic. ‘PROGRESSION’ follows ‘GEMINI‘, produced by Tony Seltzer and Inef Coupe that earned critical praise from Pitchfork and The FADER.
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 eleven track album follows 2021 single ‘Wake Up’ and 2020 EP the ONE, both of which received critical praise from NY Times, Pitchfork, The FADER, Elle, W, and more.
Pre-order / pre-save HADJA BANGOURA here: https://hawa.ffm.to/
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
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
