Mahalia & Burna Boy Cool Down On "Simmer"

BY Erika Marie 7.4K Views
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The U.K. singer is rolling out new music in anticipation of her forthcoming debut.

Her debut record Love & Compromise may have a release date that is still months out, but that isn't going to keep U.K. singer Mahalia from grinding out singles. The 21-year-old songstress has dropped off her latest effort titled "Simmer," a track featuring Nigerian singer-rapper Burna Boy. The islands-inspired jam takes both its name and its sample from music icon Beenie Man's classic dancehall hit, "Who Am I (Sim Simma)."

She may be a young, rising star who has yet to put out her first studio album, but Mahalia has been carving out her place in the music industry since she was 13-years-old. It was at that age that she met Ed Sheeran, and after the international, chart-topping superstar sent out a tweet about her, she was signing her first record deal. Mahalia also previously shared that it was Sheeran who gave her the best advice that she still adheres to. "He said, 'First and foremost, listen to yourself above anybody else,' and he actually said, 'Don’t let the label A&R your album,' which I think was the best advice ever, especially right now at 20 when I’m making my debut album," she told GQ last year. "I’m going through all those battles and making sure that I’m totally on the right road.”

Quotable Lyrics

Sometimes I want you close
Sometimes I want my space
Just know I'm gonna call if I need you
It's not my job to please you, no


About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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