Toronto-based artist and songwriter Ekelle is back with her highly anticipated new single, “Games,” featuring Memphis-born, Atlanta-based rap artist Ervin Mitchell. Known for her unapologetic style and unique genre blend called Hood Pop, Ekelle brings together elements of hip-hop, pop, and R&B to create a powerful sound that resonates with her experiences and the world around her.
“Games” is a bold, sexy single that delves into the complexities of modern dating in the swipe culture era. The track explores the frustration of feeling stuck in the “game” of dating, where everyone is constantly searching for someone better. With clever lyrics and smooth delivery, Ekelle’s protagonist finds herself wanting to settle down but is pulled back into the streets by the nature of today’s dating dynamics. Ervin Mitchell complements the track with his polished flow and introspective take on the situation, elevating the song with his experience and signature style.
Ekelle shares, “Although we usually have an idea of who we’d like to be with, there’s this energy nowadays where everyone thinks they’re going to find someone better, so they keep looking. The protagonist doesn’t want to be in the streets anymore but is forced to because of the current culture.”
Ervin Mitchell, who has amassed over 4,000,000 monetized streams and hundreds of thousands of Shazams, joins Ekelle in a collaboration that’s been years in the making. The two artists first connected nearly a decade ago when Ekelle was just starting out, and now they’ve come full circle to team up on a track that captures both their talents.
“It’s such a great full-circle moment to finally collaborate together,” says Ekelle. “I probably could have asked earlier, but I wanted to wait for the right song.”
Ekelle’s previous track, “Flo,” produced by Andre Kaden Black and Jon Karkar, became her most streamed song on Spotify and received recognition as one of Complex’s Best Canadian Tracks of the Week. With “Games,” Ekelle continues to push the boundaries of her Hood Pop genre, showcasing her ability to tackle themes of money, sex, drama, and identity from a fresh, black feminist perspective.
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