POPPY AJUDHA RETURNS WITH THE RELEASE OF NEW TRACK ‘LOW RIDE’ FT. THIS YEAR’S BRIT NOMINATED MAHALIA
ANNOUNCES HER FIRST HEADLINE SHOW AT EARTH, LONDON – 28TH APRIL
Video Link – Click Here
Today, Poppy Ajudha returns with mesmerising new track and visual ‘Low Ride’featuring BRIT nominee Mahalia. It’s not too often listeners are blessed with two female songstresses whose vocals compliment each other so well. On this track Poppy and Mahalia link up to put together a memorable track for their fans. Listen here. Laced with the underlying classic jazz and soul elements Poppy’s sound is recognised for, ‘Low Ride’ is a captivating expression of both songstresses’ sultry vocal ability. The track also features contributions from some of the most prominent Jazz figures in the London scene – such as, Nubya Garcia, Joe Armon-Jones, Dylan Jones and Kiran Kai.
Opening with what can only be described as pure acapella bliss, the track develops, presenting us with an infectious bassline, drum pattern and lyrics highlighting the romanticism and passion of you, your lover and the open road.
Poppy’s ability to juxtapose female freedom and a carefree nature alongside the ability to be a seductive, sexual being preserves, and signifies her overall theme of powerful, unapologetic femininity. The visuals for ‘Low Ride’ highlight the track’s main theme, with the car being used as the location of love. Black and white visuals are a reoccurring theme in Poppy’s releases, as seen previously in videos like ‘Spilling Into You’, and add a depth, allowing viewers to focus solely on the abstract content that switches quickly from Poppy’s sensual gazes, to staggered views of the vehicle, to the fragmented view of the lovers in a snapshot style. “Raindrops, red lights, your eyes, headlights, like love you appear” are lyrical terms that connect us with the feeling of the immense passion portrayed by the track, the speed in which the video progresses mirror this movement, and the climactic ascension of unwavering desire. Appearing mid-video, Mahalia makes her debut as the camera pans across to reveal the Leicester-native alongside Poppy, poised under a streetlight highlighting her presence in the video. The narrative progresses to show both females, carefree in movement, whilst the lover’s narrative is further elaborated as we are presented again with a seductive visual of Poppy, interjected by the disjointed clips of the lovers once more.
‘Low Ride’ serves as yet another example of b>Poppy’s imminent rise in the spotlight. With a new project on the horizon, 2020 is set to be a ground-breaking year for the singer. Having previously supported household names such as Kate Tempest and Tom Misch on their respective tours as well performing her own sold-out headline shows at London’s Village Underground and a UK & European tour last year, Poppy’s ready to take the world by storm. This January, she played two shows in New York city and announces a one off headline show at EartH in Dalston for 28th April 2020.
About Poppy:
Poppy Ajudha is a 24-year-old singer songwriter from South London. Her unique vocal tone and melodies conjure comparisons to some of the great classic jazz and soul singers. Combining this with her ability to sound fresh and exhilarating sets Poppy apart and places her at the forefront of the South London music scene– the most fertile and important scene in Europe right now. With a Saint Lucian born British father and British mother she grew up with a diverse set of influences and ideas. Musically, while her dad played a lot of Motown and Roots Reggae, her mother familiarized her to rare groove, funky and soul music through the tapes she’d play during long car journeys to visit family. Also through her mother, Poppy was introduced to feminism – independence and strength was felt through the way she bought Poppy and her sisters up. Alongside her love for music, Poppy holds interest in colonialism and its effects in the postcolonial era, gender and the shaping of current social issues as a product of historical perspectives. She is a first-class BA Anthropology and Music graduate from the School of Oriental and African studies. Her studies questioned the western centric outlook through which we view and homogenise music of different cultures, as well as how gender plays a part in the creation and production of music – all of which is epitomized through her lyrics.
In addition to 2 critically acclaimed EPs – ‘Femme’ & ‘Patience’ and recent single Devil’s Juice, Poppy’s headline shows have taken her around the UK and Europe including a sold-out show at London’s Village Underground. She has previously toured with the likes of Kate Tempest, Tom Misch and Mahalia. Poppy has also appeared as the face of Nike’s FA18 Womenswear ‘Metallic Sheen’ campaign and was the face of outdoor-wear brand Napapijiri’s Global winter ‘Icons’ Campaign. She was awarded Jazz FM’s Soul Act of the Year and nominated for 2xUK MVAs.
It wasn’t to stop there as Poppy was selected to feature on former US President Barack Obama’s end of year playlist for her feature on Tom Misch’s ‘Disco Yes’. With all of this and much more to come this year including more shows and new music – 2020 looks to be another trailblazing year for the singer.
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