SA: Moonchild Sanelly features British rapper Trillary Banks in new single

The song follows Moonchild Sanelly's previous single, ‘Strip Club’, released in March. Both songs are from her upcoming album Phases, which will be released on 10 June under Transgressive Records and the Gallo Record Company. The release of ‘Cute’ coincides with her performance at The Great Escape Festival in Brighton on 12 and 13 May.

Moonchild Sanelly said the record celebrates the infinite strength and grace that women exhibit in carrying out their ambitions. “We can be cute, so our power might look unthreatening, but don’t be fooled, we’re powerful.”

Trillary Banks said: “Recording the track was a cool, fun experience. I love the Two Inch Punch production. Meeting Moon in person was also great, we were able to go to a gig, vibe at the studio, do some shopping and discuss visual ideas. What a crazy but cute 24 hours.”

Forming a sonic foundation that veers between amapiano, gqom, grime, pop, house and R&B, Phases documents the varying chapters of a toxic relationship and subsequent freedom. The project chronicles a journey through a relationship with production reflecting those different moods and aspects of her personality. The album also features songs like ‘Over You’, which finds strength and power in breaking up with a cheating ex, and ‘Strip Club’ featuring Ghetts, which flips the male-led narrative and puts the woman in charge.

“I want people to relate to the stories I’m telling such as liberation for women, in the bedroom, in the boardroom, knowing your power,” Moonchild Sanelly said. “I need to be heard by a lot of people.”

The album’s title takes on a multitude of meanings including the range of genres covered across its runtime, the different sounds and styles that it encompasses, and the personal journey that Sanelly has taken to get to this point.

“I think that, with this album, I’ve managed to piece all the different parts of me together, because I’m known for different things in different parts of the world. I think you get to know me better with Phases - all the different sides of me.”

Phases can be pre-ordered here.