(June 1, 2021) Germany has made its way to the U.S. charts thru various genres, especially on the dancefloor (with songs like Haddaway’s “What Is Love?”). And now there are several artists of note on the current urban music scene like Joy Denalane. Dubbed Germany’s Queen of Soul, Denalane dips her effortless articulated voice into hip-hop, Afropop and whatever suits her extraordinary musicality.
Denalane’s 2002 debut Mamani,featuring her uncle, South African jazz legend Hugh Masekela,explored her musical range from Prince’s “Sign o’ The Times” to the pop standard, “I Cover the Waterfront.” The follow- up, Born & Raised uncannily mirrored the Queen of Hip-Hop Soul – Mary J Blige. Yet all in all, the singer/songwriter’s sentiment belongs to classic soul, as evidenced by The Dresden (Germany) Soul Symphony 2008 collaboration with Bilal, Tweet and Dwele. And the soulful 2020 ge,, Let Yourself Be Loved, Denalane’s first release for Motown (thru Vertigo Berlin), was her crowning achievement, getting over 10 million streams.
First Listen is finally honored to showcase Denalane with “The Show,” one of five new tracks off of the upcoming Let Yourself Be Loved The Deluxe Edition (Lesedi/Motown). Under the production guidance of jazz pianist Roberto Di Gioia, “The Show” radiates sophistication worthy of Motown and the like frosted with edges of Euro pop. And the lessons learned on “The Show” focus on character vulnerabilities of adults raising their children. Denalane recalls the song’s purpose: “I tell my children: Please forgive me, that I too am only a part of the show, a part of the system – and as such fallible.”These precious melodic ingredients and genuine storylines like “The Show” boast two reasons why Denalane will be making more soulful noise in the U.S. Listen up!
By Peggy Oliver
Joy Denalane – “The Show”