On “PINACOLADA,” LONDON Curates a Party-Starting Groove With Ayra Starr and 6lack
The Nigerian music producer is pushing the boundaries of his creative expression.
Artwork for "PINACOLADA" by LONDON, Ayra Starr and 6lack.
After about five years producing some of the biggest Afrobeats hits, LONDONis now putting out his own music. With “PINACOLADA,” he does so through the publishing arm of his Love Renaissance Records, with the duo of Ayra Starr and 6lackserving as the perfect translators of his musical ambitions.
On LONDON’s records, there’s typically a serene progression that comes from his ease with R&B elements. Paired with sunny Afro rhythms, he realizes a unique soundscape that has led him to working extensively with stars like Wizkid, Tiwa Savage, Remaand Black Sherif. Those fusion leanings are audible on “PINACOLADA,” a song that combines the distinct styles of LONDON’s guests. United over the mellow groove of his production, they evoke the smokey allure of a late night venue, the scene dotted by warm lights and an endless supply of fun and alcohol.
“Inside, inside, many things dey go on inside / midnight, see vibes, na wetin my soul dey need now,” sings Starr on the opening lyrics, taking on a leading role that’s quite expected due to LONDON’s collaborative familiarity with the Mavin Records star. She propels the record’s feel-good allure, and it’s her fluidity in the control position that brings 6lack into its soundscape.
No stranger to Afropop records, 6lack’s signature vocals are in good shape, attuned to the ebbs of the production. It’s a brief but potent contribution, padded on the other side by Starr’s colorful energy. One imagines the visual of this record as an intimate one, but with activity that mirrors the already-vivid songwriting of Starr and 6lack.
Credit goes principally to LONDON, though, whose curator instincts shine through on this record. Moving at the pace and direction he’s going, it’s inevitable that he will become one of the defining producers of his time. And with “PINACOLADA,” he’s put up a credible touchstone for future reference.
Listen to “PINACOLADA” below:
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