Kemi Ade discusses her seductive and sweaty new single “Gaslight,” her first song in two years’ time – and the start to a bold new era for the South London-based artist-to-watch!
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Stream: “Gaslight” – Kemi Ade
The bass is crazy. The moment you press play, it captures your attention, and that chorus is undeniable. And what better way to start your comeback than with something undeniable?
Kemi Ade is taking control of her situation – in more ways than one.
The South London-based singer/songwriter recently returned from a two-year hiatus with “Gaslight,” a seductive, sweaty upheaval of the heart and soul. Full of thick, pulsing bass licks and intoxicating rhythms – all connected through her enchanting, silken vocals – the track demands our undivided attention as the artist spills her guts. Intimate, impassioned, and intense, “Gaslight” speaks to the artist’s own experiences with emotional abuse and manipulation in a relationship, where her point of view and feelings were invalidated to the point where she couldn’t trust her partner, and was unsure of what was real.
It’s also about her own agency in that situation, and what she did (and didn’t do) in that fragile state of mind.
I’ve been jealous
’cause there’s been something wrong
Got no courage,
I feel like the f*ing dog
I see the way you flip the phone
overthinking all the wrongs
inhibition on the run
I was coming back for strong
“My goal for this period of releasing music, particularly this project, is to show that while you might be in a toxic situation, it’s important to recognise that we all have a role in our circumstances,” she tells Atwood Magazine.
“It’s easy to blame the villain for everything that goes wrong, but we’re human, and part of us can sometimes contribute to the toxicity. We can become comfortable and complacent; at times, the comfort of the toxic ‘same’ feels easier than embracing the positive possibilities of the unknown. I wanted ‘Gaslight’ to reflect that.”
Released September 11, 2024 via Doctored Sound and produced by Simon Byrt (Jessie Ware, Babeheaven, junodream), “Gaslight” is utterly all-consuming: A spellbinding return from one of the UK’s most exciting artists, and a dreamy blanket of neo-soul that sends shivers down the spine. Atwood Magazine previously featured Kemi Ade around her double-EP DRIVE project, which encompassed both the 2020 EP Dawn and 2021’s Dusk. “[Both records] pull us in and drag us under, hypnotizing listeners through a fine balance of earnest and heartfelt sentiments drenched in a deliciously heated R&B environment,” we wrote at the time. “There is no denying Kemi Ade’s talent; she is undeniably one of the UK’s most exciting voices in R&B, and an artist we cannot wait to hear more from in the coming years.”
“Gaslight” heralds the next chapter in Ade’s story as she seeks to not only establish herself as a singular voice in the current music climate, but also to engage in some meaningful, difficult, and important conversations via her art.
“I wanted to create a song that not only expresses frustration, but also shows that you can be the villain or the victim in this story,” she shared upon her song’s release, highlighting the “exhaustive merry-go-round of toxic gaslighting” that encompasses everything from confusion to anger to self-doubt – and a twisted reality. We hear all these emotions and more come to life as she hits the soul-soaked chorus – a climax filled with both sonic and emotional heat:
And now you’ve got me moving mad
avoiding all the questions I can’t
Gaslight, why you gotta put the blame on me?
Gaslight, every time looking for sympathy
No accountability, just sh* play
Questioning own f*ing sanity
Gaslight, why you gotta put the blame on me?
Gaslight, every time looking for empathy
No accountability just sh* play
Playing games with, with my mind
Atwood Magazine recently caught up with Kemi Ade for an intimate conversation about her return single, her own experience being gaslit, and what’s on the horizon for 2025.
This is just the beginning of a bold new era for Ade, and speaking candidly, we’re on the edge of our seats with anticipation. Dive into “Gaslight” in our interview below, and stay tuned for more great music from this singular artist-to-watch in the months to come!
“I hope listeners have the opportunity to heal from situations where they’ve been gaslit, and also see that sometimes we play a part in these toxic cycles by not protecting ourselves enough,” Ade shares.
“Yes, the other person is 100% wrong, but we need to reaffirm our boundaries and safeguard ourselves. It’s not about avoiding all toxic situations because humans are humans, but it’s about protecting ourselves as much as possible.”
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:: stream/purchase Gaslight here ::
:: connect with Kemi Ade here ::
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Stream: “Gaslight” – Kemi Ade
A CONVERSATION WITH KEMI ADE
Atwood Magazine: Kemi, welcome back! “Gaslight” is your first single in about two years, and what a way to make an entrance. What was it about this song that made you want it to herald your ‘return’?
Kemi Ade: Thank you so much. I really appreciate that. “Gaslight” is quite a big song, right? I think what made me want it to be the beginning was the fact that it’s unlike anything else I’ve ever made or released, and I believe it stands out in the current music scene. The bass is crazy. The moment you press play, it captures your attention, and that chorus is undeniable. And what better way to start your comeback than with something undeniable? Don’t you think so?
100%! I’m really moved by this song’s sonic and emotional heat; it’s sweaty, hazy, dreamy, loose, and relaxed all at the same time. What was your vision for this song, and how did you go about building it into what it ultimately became?
Kemi Ade: I’m obsessed with this description. Thank you again! The whole inspiration for the song came from the ‘80s synths and the bass. I’m heavily influenced by ‘80s synths and funky bass lines. I love music that captures you and feels a bit left-field. So when making “Gaslight,” I wanted to capture that timeless essence of ‘80s music, along with a feeling of hazy yet intense emotion.
When making ‘Gaslight,’ I wanted to capture that timeless essence of ‘80s music, along with a feeling of hazy yet intense emotion.
What was your experience like working with Simon Byrt? How did you two bring this track to life?
Kemi Ade: Working with Simon is like going back in time into a time machine. His studio is full of vintage synths, mics, guitars, and speakers. I came to him with the idea of merging the vibes of MGMT’s “Kids” and a Frank Ocean song, and he was all in. I love working with Simon because if I want to go weird, he wants to go even weirder, and we encourage each other to push the boundaries. A lot of the sounds and percussion in “Gaslight” are actually me using my hands in this cool mic he has, which flips the texture of the sound.
You’ve talked about wanting to create a song that “not only expresses that frustration but also shows that you can be the villain or the victim in this story.” Where, for you, did those emotions stem from? Was there a specific moment or experience that spurred that?
Kemi Ade: Yes, my goal for this period of releasing music, particularly this project, is to show that while you might be in a toxic situation, it’s important to recognise that we all have a role in our circumstances. It’s easy to blame the villain for everything that goes wrong, but we’re human, and part of us can sometimes contribute to the toxicity. We can become comfortable and complacent; at times, the comfort of the toxic “same” feels easier than embracing the positive possibilities of the unknown. I wanted “Gaslight” to reflect that.
For example, in the second verse, I switch from losing my cool and being gaslit to actually gaslighting the other person in the situation. At the end, I go from being the victim to being the villain as well in the story.
My goal for this period of releasing music, particularly this project, is to show that while you might be in a toxic situation, it’s important to recognise that we all have a role in our circumstances.
I know firsthand how much of a rollercoaster toxic gaslighting can cause within, and I’m so sorry it happened to you. If you’re comfortable sharing, I’d love to hear what your experience was like, and how you worked through it?
Kemi Ade: Firstly, I’m so sorry you’ve gone through that too. My experience was overwhelming, and I had to go through therapy to understand what had happened to me. I wasn’t aware I was being gaslit until it was pointed out to me. The process of creating “Gaslight” helped me heal and understand the dynamics of that relationship more clearly. I hope this song helps you process what happened to you too.
I love the chorus, “Gaslight, why you gotta put the blame on me?” It’s direct, which is so important to that kind of situation. Do you have any personal favourite lines in this track?
Kemi Ade: Thank you, I’m glad you liked the chorus! It came to me so quickly, like a Bluetooth message. Most of it was freestyled, but my favourite part is the line, “I’ll f* everyone up because I’m that.” I actually am — or was at the time. It conveys the frustration and inevitability of losing control when you’re gaslit. People think being gaslit only makes you feel crazy, but it can make you act out of character because you’re disoriented and unsure of what’s real.
People think being gaslit only makes you feel crazy, but it can make you act out of character because you’re disoriented and unsure of what’s real.
What do you hope listeners take away from “Gaslight,” and what have you taken from it as well?
Kemi Ade: I hope listeners have the opportunity to heal from situations where they’ve been gaslit, and also see that sometimes we play a part in these toxic cycles by not protecting ourselves enough.
Yes, the other person is 100% wrong, but we need to reaffirm our boundaries and safeguard ourselves. It’s not about avoiding all toxic situations because humans are humans, but it’s about protecting ourselves as much as possible.
What can Kemi Ade fans expect from you as we head into the tail end of the year? And what’s on the horizon for 2025 – what are you most excited for in the year to come?
Kemi Ade: This year, you can expect at least one more single from my next body of work. In 2025, I’m excited about the project I’m working on – and [there] may be even more than one. Definitely expect more shows, more music, and above all, more consistency.
In the spirit of paying it forward, who are you listening to these days that you would recommend to our readers?
Kemi Ade: I’ve been listening to Leon Thomas, MUTT, and to be honest, Electric Dusk too. His take on music is fresh and exciting. I’m also really into Doechii, I’m enjoying Rachel Chinouriri and Liet too. Definitely get into her. I recently got into Billie Eilish’s new album as well.
I’m also closing out the year by inviting artists to share their own favourite albums, songs, and artist discoveries of 2024! Who are you picks?
Kemi Ade: For discoveries, I’d say Normani’s “Insomnia” is a standout for me, it’s breathtaking. Brandy’s backing vocals are exceptional. Another one is “Citadel” by Merveille, a French artist who, like myself, is a breathe of fresh air in a scene that can be very similar.
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:: stream/purchase Gaslight here ::
:: connect with Kemi Ade here ::
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Stream: “Gaslight” – Kemi Ade
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