Tkay Maidza returns with a piercing new song, WUACV, out now via Dew Process and Universal Music Australia. At her wit’s end with the people around her, the Zimbabwean-born, Australian-raised, Los Angeles-based artist spits in her signature razor-sharp cadence, “Woke up and chose violence.” She says, “I wanted to write a song where I could express my bubbling anger toward people who had manipulated me during the last phase of my life.”
The third single from her upcoming new album, ‘Sweet Justice’, WUACV is accompanied by a glossy, new official video, available to watch below.
The first female rapper signed to 4AD will release her second album, ‘Sweet Justice’, on November 3. The follow-up to her 2016 self-titled debut includes the singles Ring-A-Ling and Silent Assassin (produced by Flume) as well collaborations with Lolo Zouaï, Amber Mark, Duckwrth, Stint and Kaytranada. The result of a dark night of the soul—and ensuing epiphany—that led to a series of professional and personal reckonings, ‘Sweet Justice’ isn’t a revenge album, but it does stem from a profound sense of karma. In a traditional sense, it’s a breakup record about Tkay splitting off from her self-doubt and warped sense of self, the toxic figures that populated the last chapter of her life, and the idea that she should stick to any one lane. ‘Sweet Justice’ embodies the beautiful contradictions of Tkay’s art: it’s a coming-of-age record by someone who’s mastered the game; an album about karmic justice and accountability that’s bright, breezy and incredibly fun. In Tkay’s mind, it’s a rebirth album, harnessing the feminine power that was innate in her the whole time.
‘Sweet Justice’ follows the 3-year-long, 24-song-strong genre-bending ‘Last Year Was Weird’ trilogy exploring Maidza’s own African-Australian experience. The project earned her a 2021 ARIA Awards win for Best Soul/R&B Release and an NME Award for Best Solo Act from Australia in 2022.
Following on from tours with Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Lizzo, a headline set at Australia’s Splendour in the Grass Festival – Tkay will celebrate the release of ‘Sweet Justice’ with headline shows in major cities in the US, UK and Europe. Tickets go on sale this Friday, September 8 at 10AM local time with a pre-sale beginning 24 hours ahead on Thursday, September 7 at 10AM local time.
Most recently, Tkay Maidza made her triple j Like A Version debut on triple j’s Breakfast with Bryce and Concetta, performing her unique take on SZA’s ex-centric hit Kill Bill.
Enjoy the impassioned fury of WUACV today, ahead of Tkay Maidza‘s forthcoming ‘Sweet Justice’ – released on Friday, November 3 digitally and on transparent red vinyl (Australia/New Zealand exclusive).
TOUR DATES
Friday, September 8 – The Greek Theatre, Berkeley, CA, USA *With Flume*
Thursday, November 2 – Racket, New York, NY, USA,
Sunday, November 5 – Oakland, CA, USA, The New Parish
Tuesday, November 7 – The Roxy, Los Angeles, CA, USA, The Roxy
Friday, November 10 – Pitchfork Festival, Paris, France
Saturday, November 11 – Prachtwerk, Berlin, Germany,
Monday, November 13 – Paradiso (Upstairs), Amsterdam, Netherlands
Tuesday, November 14 – Scala, London, UK
SPILT MILK
MORE INFO HERE
Saturday, November 25 – Exhibition Park, Canberra, ACT
Sunday, November 26 – Gold Coast Sports Precinct, Gold Coast, QLD
Saturday, December 2 – Victoria Park, Ballarat, VIC *SOLD OUT*
Sunday, December 3 – Claremont Showgrounds, Perth, WA
Thanks to Thinking Loud
