Innovator Jordan Rakei is back with a new single, a collaboration with soaring soul powerhouse Jalen Ngonda. ‘What It Gave Me’ is a modern classic, as two great minds push each other to new heights in a three-minute masterclass.

A drumroll introduces the track– an old-school touch that elevates its timelessness. Throughout the track, the varied instrumentals behind the pair’s voices maintain this enduring feel, as the duo work together to replicate the textured arrangements of the past as a nod to the originators of their sound. 

The core of the song, however, is Rakei and Ngonda’s lush vocal blend. Their sweet yet profound tones work in perfect synchronicity to load the tune with transcendent emotion and soulful intimacy. As they repeat “What it gave me” in time, it’s practically hypnotic, as they transport us into the eloquent, heartfelt realm they’ve crafted with the help of one another. 

Together, the two artists prove to be an unstoppable force on ‘What It Gave Me’, a stirring sonic triumph. 

It’s beyond a single, it’s an insight into two of the industry’s most exciting rising musicians, as they rework 20th-century sensibilities for a contemporary audience by fusing them with modern sounds. 

Zahra Hanif

Image: ‘What It Gave Me’ Official Single Cover