Brooklyn-based soul artist Yaya Bey has a discography that transcends strict genre classification and sweeps through the depths of R&B, soul and funk. Primarily ascribed to the ‘blues’ label, her break-out cut “meet me in brooklyn” indulges itself with a sweet vocal performance tinged with reggae-influences.
Marking the first release since her 2024 studio-record “Ten Fold”, Yaya Bey has unveiled the groovy, elating “merlot and grigrio”. Enlisting the aid of Bajan dancehall artist Father Philis, “merlot and grigio” finds itself steeped in infectious instrumentation intertwined with euphoric vocals.
Moving away from the soulful tones of “Remember Your North Star” and the R&B influence of “Ten Fold,” “merlot and grigio” is infused with funk, signaling a new direction for the artist. The track features experimental soundscapes reminiscent of soca and calypso, with vocals from Father Philis and Yaya Bey that beautifully complement each other. Father Philis provides depth that contrasts with Bey’s lighter, falsetto style.
Exploring her Bajan heritage through the track, Yaya Bey explains,
When I was in France most recently I asked myself what it would look like to play to Black international audiences and that sort of got my wheels turning. My dad would always have at least one Reggae song on his albums. Our family is from Barbados and I continued that tradition with songs like ‘meet me in brooklyn.’ I decided I would dive even deeper with Soca and reached out to Father Philis whose music I’ve been really digging. This song feels like a dream come true. To dig deeper into my own roots and prioritize Black communities especially in the Caribbean.
Celebrating her heritage, “merlot and grigio” is an impressive offering that marks a nostalgic, funkier approach from Yaya Bey.