New York based multidisciplinary artist and singer-songwriter Yaya Bey shares a delicate and sensitive new single ‘made this on the spot’ featuring fellow artist, composer and violinist V.C.R. Speaking more on the single Bey comments that, "made this on the spot'' is a song that’s still pretty painful to talk about. It’s a confusing situation honestly. Relationships go through so many transitions and the in-between phases can be really difficult. That’s the best I can say about this song."
‘made this on the spot’ comes shortly after Bey’s acclaimed EP ‘The Things I Can’t Take With Me’ which was supported by the likes of Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, FADER, HotNewHipHop, Clash, FACT, Crack Magazine and Mixmag.
On ‘The Things I Can’t Take With Me’, Bey maneuvers effortlessly from heartbroken introspection towards a newfound security, denouncing the wack morals of an industry dude and embracing her own agency as a “bad bitch”, as she works her way through a breakup that triggered the deepest of wounds: the childhood trauma that resurfaces in our relationships. The release came together unexpectedly when Bey set out to record her next album. After her relationship ended, the direction of the project took a detour. “[The album] is about the journey home to self,” Bey explained. “But on the way, there’s all this shit I gotta let go of, just the things I can’t take with me.” So, she allowed herself to make the music she needed to make, drawing on breakthroughs in therapy to process her grief and move forward.
Bey’s poignant essay “Why we owe the hood everything... I'll get to that eventually” was also recently shared via Big Dada’s new editorial site. “This essay is really what I’ve been saying and experiencing for years. Elitism is a by-product of capitalism which is feeding gentrification and gate keeper culture in major cities and by virtue internet culture. Working class black people, the “locals” of major cities and black women who are perceived as ghetto are as they say on the mood board but not in the board room."
‘made this on the spot’ is out now, with more new music from Yaya to come soon.
supported by 9 fans who also own “made this on the spot (feat. V.C.R)”
Like so many others, this came like a bolt out of the blue and, even though it's well before payday, I had to have this astonishing album on vinyl to prove it exists. The feel of the tunes makes me feel like the Impressions do, Curtis Mayfield, the big spaces and instinctive horns and stuff drifting in and out. Great grooves and I can see lots of ghosts nodding along to this with big smiles on their faces. At last! Anthony Cottrell
Breezy, lush R&B perfect for warm weather, inspired by Afro-Indigenous artist Clara Kent's heritage, culture, and personal journey. Bandcamp New & Notable Jun 6, 2023
supported by 7 fans who also own “made this on the spot (feat. V.C.R)”
I'm a bit anoid with my silf that I only just found this fantastic album yesterday, but also chuffed to fuck that I have at all. Love it so much what a wining collaboration 👊🔥🔥 Toblermone