Having shaped a distinctive and enamoring sound that is one part deeply romantic and another brimming with wisdom and wit, Y’akoto now unveils her highly anticipated newest project, “Part 4: The Witch”. With new collaborators, including the Grammy-nominated Nabeyin and Top Dawg Entertainment’s REASON, “Part 4: The Witch” propels Y’akoto’s artistry further into the pop realm through a suite of 10 sleek, futuristic tracks. These songs span relatable and empowering issues, such as the alienation and resilience of immigrant children and the bold, inherent strength of women.
Throughout the 10 tracks, Y’akoto effortlessly floats over expansive, multi-layered production. Her versatility shines brilliantly. On “London,” the burgeoning artist shifts seamlessly between gentle whispers and powerful verses, while “Mad” showcases her soft crooning against infectious percussion. This versatile project delicately navigates contemporary pop elements while perfectly infusing Afrobeat rhythms, creating an enchanting and dynamic listening experience.
Touching on the album and addressing the impact of African musicians on the international stage, Y’akoto comments “Afrobeat isn’t new and nor is this the first time African Musicians have dictated the world’s pop music scene. This new record illustrates just how versatile African musicians can be and how they can collaborate with Americans, Brazilians & Europeans to create an international sound. We are far more than just Afrobeat. The world doesn’t take African musicians seriously, I come from a long line of African musicians and thinkers, with a long catalogue to my name yet I am still treated like a novice. If Taylor Swift was African, you wouldn’t have heard of her, and she wouldn’t have an award to her name…”
Drawing on the influence of Y’akoto’s return to Ghana, she goes on to comment, “I always felt connected with my roots, and to be an artist to me means expansion. In Ghana, I love the culture and the language and the pace of the capital.” Going out in Ghana’s capital, Accra, Y’akoto would listen to the city’s underground DJ’s, absorbing the night and becoming inspired to inject the city’s liveliness into her own music. She says, “The sound of Accra really touched something inside of me – running around in West Africa really triggered this deep feeling that I needed to get back into the studio.”
Listen to the track…