Delly Black is back on the radar, and this time, he's taking us for a smooth, soul-stretching ride with "High Way," a cheeky, high-flying tune that tips its hat to the legacy of Fela Kuti while sounding undeniably of now. Released from his base in London, the Nigerian-born singer-songwriter serves up a track that's part vibe, part statement. At its foundation, not just a song overall but a statement, "High Way" is much more than that. Flaunting Fela's "Kalakuta way," Delly encapsulates the aura overwhelming presence of an unapologetic artist. It's not merely an homage to Afrobeat's origins but a reinvention.
With mellow grooves and airy vocals evoking artists such as Omah Lay, Delly welcomes you into a world where rhythm roams free and limits get blurred. "High Way" charms with smooth vocals atop minimal production, intimate, catchy, chill, and layered. There's a lilting confidence in the way Delly sings, which imbues the whole track with the feeling of enjoying a warm evening drive with the windows down and no particular destination in mind. It's simple stuff, but you can hear it has a mind behind it following upon every beat. Delly Black has a history of switching lanes. From his youth as an advanced dancer in Nigeria to honing his sound in the UK, he's a fusion master. His music does not merely borrow from genres but lives in them.
With sounds that trace from the iconic King Sunny Ade to contemporary idols such as Chris Brown, Delly's sound is global, though it maintains an African pulse. Delly is cutting his lane down the middle of trends. Now, in an age when so much music sounds like déjà vu, "High Way" is a refreshing reminder of the power of authenticity and freedom from owning your story. Delly Black's "High Way" is the tune to cruise with for those who appreciate Afro-fusion, slow vibes, and conscious music.
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