Whatever genre Durban based singer-songwriter Yashna tries to tackle, she always does so with unashamed confidence. Her previous releases have spanned amapiano, hyper pop and soul-laden R&B, with her latest project now making waves on the hip-hop scene.
Titled YAH SHE, the six-track EP takes its name from the words “yahweh” (translating to God in Hebrew) and “she” referring to Yashna herself – together, “she who is one with God.”
The record plays out under this pretext, every track addressing the God-given gifts which Yashna so powerfully wields in her music, while feeding directly into the palms of trap and hip-hop lovers alike.
Opener “Hype or Clout” pulls off subtle vocoding and easy melodies, while tracks like “Shpendin’ It” and “Jet Lag (Interlude)” bring a heavier rap persona that puts Yashna’s verse centre-stage.
Closing track “Hear Me” is maybe the most diverse of the six, matching Afrobeats rhythms with pop-inspired vocal hooks that push a popular and contemporary sound. Lyrically, the single pays homage to the recent death of Riky Rick, who tragically took his own life, and the invisible struggles that many artists face on a daily basis, in such a gruelling industry.
The single comes with a monotone video filmed in a church, during which Yashna wears a Riky Rick shirt and contemplates matters of God, loss and death. And in many ways, this track sums up the EP as a whole – it’s Yashna’s call to be heard, not just for her music, but for her message too.
Feature pic supplied by artist
