Snoh Aalegra Gets "Emotional" On New Single (Prod. By Rza)

When we last checked in with Snoh Aalegra, she told Okayplayer that she had big plans for 2015, and it's now clear that she was dead serious. Snoh has dropped her latest single, "Emotional," produced by none other than the Wu Tang Clan's Rza--quite possibly her best work to date. Over a kicked back funk groove and Dap Tone guitar lines, RZA has built a vintage soul platform that fits Snoh's deep croon like snug sequin. As the cut's horns and strings build towards each massive chorus Snoh sounds more and more vital, confident and (yes) emotional. It's no longer appropriate to call her an "emerging artist"--Snoh Aalegra has most definitely arrived, and the worlds of soul, R&B and hip-hop are about to be better for it. "Emotional" channels late great Amy Winehouse along with shades of Sharon Jones.

The track is the first collaboration between Rza and Snoh, but hopefully there's more to come. RZA's live instrument choices seem to put Snoh in a place where she can sing out beyond the neo-R&B territory she's previously called home. "I met RZA over a year ago at Nile Rodgers Grammy party, I have so much respect for him as a producer and artist and I've always loved his vibe as a person," Snoh told her mentor/collaborator No I.D. “We spoke about working and, magically one year after, it happened in the most unexpected way! This song represents exactly what I'm going through at this very moment in my life.”