MAHALIA RETURNS WITH NEW SINGLE ‘PICK UP THE PACE’
LISTEN HERE
Nov 14, 2024 – Mahalia returns, embracing her “Luvergirl” era with her lively, Bayka-featured single ‘Pick Up The Pace.’ This sultry track, woven with lush guitar and hypnotic bass, sees Mahalia calling out an emotionally unavailable love interest, urging him to keep up with her vibe. “There’s clearly something between us,” she says, “so let’s just move forward.”
While Afrobeats has been in the spotlight, Mahalia is tapping into her Afro-Caribbean roots, bringing fresh energy to dancehall and reggae. This collaboration with Jamaican artist Bayka, whose voice she calls “one of the maddest things I’ve ever heard,” is a reminder of the rich, rhythmic diversity that still pulses through the UK music scene. “I wanted to celebrate artists like Bayka—these incredible Jamaican voices—and give the UK a moment to reconnect with the dancehall and reggae that helped shape our sound,” she explains.
‘Pick Up The Pace’ comes over a year after her critically acclaimed second album IRL, which featured smooth, confident R&B exploring love, boundaries, and self-worth. Since IRL dropped, Mahalia has been traveling the world on her In Real Life tour, bringing her unique sound from Europe and North America to Australia.
Now, with ‘Pick Up The Pace,’ Mahalia is stepping into a fresh chapter. Known for music that dives into the ups and downs of romance, she’s ready to let loose and explore what love sounds and feels like on a lighter note. “I love love,” she shares, “but lately, I’m embracing the fun, unserious side of it all. There’s so much heaviness in the world, so I’m just trying to find those moments of joy and playfulness in my music.”
Mahalia’s twelve-year career has been marked by an Ed Sheeran co-sign, appearances with Adele, three MOBO awards, four BRIT nominations, and a Grammy nomination. With ‘Pick Up The Pace,’ she’s channeling all that experience into a joyous new sound, setting the tone for more bright and bold music on the horizon.
LISTEN TO ‘PICK UP THE PACE’ HERE
