Took her a while but Tamera is getting noticed in London

Tamera’s latest single appeared on Spotify’s New Music Friday UK list this week. Clearly influenced by early 2000s R&B, “New Hobby” is rich in urban and alternative sounds like SZA and Solange are getting us used to. The harmonious voice of the singer, the soft guitar chords, and the sensual lyrics were undoubtedly inviting so I decided to explore.

Tamera Foster first appeared in 2013 in the English edition of the talent show X-Factor. At just 16 years old, she was one of the favorites but finished fifth. She even came to sign with Symon Cowell’s Syco Entertainment but didn’t really stand out. Now, at 24, the artist launches Aphrodite which, according to her, explores love and life, and is inspired by her African roots

“I’m a black woman and this EP is a celebration of my roots and heavily influenced by African culture,” Tamera told Clash magazine.

Produced by P2J, who has also worked with Doja Cat, Lilly Allen, and Beyoncé, the five-song EP is full of feminine energy, sexual liberation but it also shows the singer’s vulnerability.

The first song, “Whikedest”, is a clear anthem to the women’s sexual pleasure is rich in West African rhythms and melody and gives us an insight into what to expect from Tamera.

However, I dare to say that the song “Good Love”, with the Nigerian singer Tay Iwar, will be the most memorable of the EP. A pure RnB, again with African sounds, that gets quickly in the ear. After a few minutes, I’m sure you’ll have the chorus “So why wait? Latvian rush. Ooh let me give you good love” looping in our heads.

Maybe it was a shy arrival and that Tamera is, for now, on the same level as other independent artists, far from the top of the international charts. However, Aphrodite is, without a doubt, worth knowing. Oh, and by the way, the EP doesn’t include the songs “Flipside” and “Romeo”, but these are also available on all digital platforms and are equally recommended.

*Original article at BANTUMEN.COM.