Ghana’s Y’akoto [Yah-Ko-Toe] is sharing her brand new single ‘WMYT’ today via Boom Records. The dazzling, R&B laced track is the latest instalment from Y’akoto’s recent recording sessions in LA, where she worked closely with Drake collaborator Nabeyin, pushing her artistry even further than ever before.
Her music is rich, vibrant and true – a heady mix of spirituality and sensuality that combines the sublime warmth of Afrobeats and other forms of west African pop music, with the shimmering edge of modern dance and contemporary R&B.
‘WMYT’ is “a true story of me taking off in the middle of the night leaving my ex in the dust, realising that I will never let another living human humiliate me again” explains Y’akoto – ‘Yaa’ to her friends. “I often ask myself why women stay in relationships that hurt them for way too long. Coming from an abusive home, it’s a question I’ve been asking myself for way too long. It turned me into a beast. A soldier for female self preservation. I can only talk about the female perspective because I am one. On top of that I’m black”.
The new cut comes hot on the heels of ‘Secret’, which opened the gates to Y’akoto’s fresh musical guise and features one of Ghana’s hottest drill stars Jay Bahd.
Having spent much of her life between Germany, France and Ghana, Y’akoto recently relocated permanently to the Ghanaian capital of Accra. With music running through her blood (her father was a successful Ghanaian recording artist in the 70’s) and with influences ranging from the R&B majesty of Destiny’s Child & SZA, to the raw energy of Jimi Hendrix and the dulcet tones of Tracey Chapman, it’s easy to see why Y’akoto’s music has such an eclectic sonic palate.
Y’akoto looks at the tensions in romantic relationships, the alienation and power of immigrant children, and the bold, inherent strength of women the world over – finding a niche that’s both hypnotic and deeply romantic, brimming with wisdom and wit.
Keep your ears open for new music in the coming months and the details of her wider, boldest new project to date.
Listen and watch below.
