Photo: Press
In the past few years, singer/rapper Tkay Maidza has risen from the underground to emerge as one of Australia’s most electrifying artists. With her rapid-fire flow, frenetic beats, and fiercely inventive lyrics, the Zimbabwe-born 20-year-old Australian native is now set to shake up audiences worldwide.
Unleashing new track ‘Simulation’, the second official single to be lifted from her forthcoming debut album TKAY, it follows on from her recent breakthrough hit ‘Carry On’ featuring rap royalty Killer Mike (Run The Jewels) who has been a fan since the early days, crowning her Australia’s “biggest rising star”.
Joining forces with producers like Salva (Young Thug, A$AP Ferg) and Dre Skull (Major Lazer, Snoop Dogg) Tkay brings a dance-ready yet reflective dynamic that endlessly warps genres and shows her affinity for everything from UK garage, grime, throwback hip-hop, and trap.
After catching the attention of tastemakers internationally with tracks like ‘U-Huh’, ‘Brontosaurus’ and the ‘Switch Tape’ mixtape, Tkay has made a name for herself with show-stopping performances across the globe. Touring with some of music’s biggest names including Mark Ronson, Years & Years, Troye Sivan and Charli XCX who proclaimed “She’s such a fucking talent,” as well as playing sold out shows across the US, Europe and her homeland of Australia.
Gigwise caught up with Maidza backstage at Reading Festival a little over a month ago. She spoke about her introduction into the game, working with Killer Mike, Charli XCX, comparisons to Azealia Banks and more. You check out that interview here.
Her debut album TKAY is set for a UK release on Kitsune/ RED in January 2017
