Artist Development act Xadi releases new single 'Timing' with Nina Cobham
“West London riser Xadi has many different aspects to his sound. As ever, there's a soulful element to Xadi's work, leading to a cinematic intimacy.” - CLASH
“This eclectic mix of styles is all stitched together by the introspective and conscious lyricism that can be heard across his most recent EP.” - Complex
“British rapper, Xadi, is a dynamic and creative artist on the rise. Gaining the attention of enthusiasts worldwide with honest songwriting and a soulful approach to his craft.” - Noctis Magazine
“This experimental form of production, along with his poignant lyricism, has led him to feature on BBC Introducing ‘Artist of the Week’, as well as on BBC 1xtra.” - The Pit London
West London-based, songwriter, rapper and producer, Xadi kicks off 2022 with his gorgeous lead single ‘Timing’ ft. fellow collaborator and bilingual Manchester sensation Nina Cobham. First collaborating on their track ‘Mañana’, which has hit over 1 million streams on Spotify, the pair have once again delivered an infectious downtempo, bedroom-R&B track blessed by Xadi’s mellow vocal performance. ‘Timing’ sees Xadi explore themes of love and lust, admitting that “Know you think you love me/It’s just timing.” A multi-faceted artist, Xadi has the ability to weave in and out of melodic vocal sections to more rap-leaning deliveries leaving listeners captivated by his poignant lyricism and mellifluous vocal performance. Sonically, ‘Timing’ displays Xadi’s tranquilizing production, one that’s oozing in reverb-drenched, rhythm guitars and sparse drums. Directed by Fergus Worrall and filmed in 16mm, the official music video for ‘Timing’ displays raw cinematic visuals of Xadi and Nina in Monmouth, Wales, an idyllic visual representation for the new single.
Speaking on the video, Xadi states:
“The story is of Xadi with a bunch of friends away on a trip, doing stupid boyish things but totally emotionally absent, unable to engage with the activities, because his head is in a nostalgic place, the flashbacks to the beach in whitstable. When the track comes to a head, Xadi is around the campfire with his friends, while one of them, drunkenly shouts in his ear some inane story, at which point he breaks, he runs off into the night and doesn’t stop, no longer able to live like this.” - Xadi on the ‘Timing’ music video
Xadi has garnered over 50,000 monthly listeners on Spotify alone, with his recent collaboration with Nina ‘Mañana’ fast approaching 1.5 million streams. Xadi was announced as one of Spotify’s ‘Jazz UK: Best of 2021’ as well as support from BBC Radio introducing, Capital Xtra, Complex Magazine, Clash, The Guardian Magazine, Noctis Magazine. Speaking on the new single, Xadi described:
“Nina and I were sharing a lot of the music that we loved with each other at the time, and as soon I had written the hook and layed down the guitars I sent it over to her, I felt like the tone would catch her, and she would only elevate the track. This track fits in with the whole EP which is about chasing unattainable goals and ‘floating’ between the stars that I’m chasing and the ground below. In this song, the arrogance and confidence stops, and I start blaming those around me and pushing people away for things that are ultimately my fault. The last third of the song takes a darker turn, and becomes resentful, the drums and the bass change, and the lyrics become a lot more reflective. Nina initially sent me her parts of the hook as ornaments to go around my vocal, but when I heard how beautifully she delivered it, I had to make it the lead line on hooks 2 and 3.”
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