(May 23, 2026) On the song “Say,” Detroit singer Kristian DeLayne glides effortlessly between rap and singing as she rhapsodizes on that something that draws her to a guy. Much of the symmetry between her singing and spoken word can be found in the fact that her rapping flow has a melodic quality that makes the transition sound more natural.
“Say” also shifts smoothly from a classic soul vibe that features tight doo-wop harmonies and swelling strings when DeLayne sings, to percussive 808 beats that bump underneath her raps. The arrangement gives “Say” the feel of two songs that fit on one track. Yet, the move between 70s inspired soul and late 90s/early 2000s hip hop is smooth like a pendulum.
DeLayne is a known face on the Detroit music scene. She has released two projects, 2015s Musically Inclined and the 2019 EP titled Hello. Check out her latest song, “Say,” that has a neo-soul feel, here.
By Howard Dukes
