In the sizzling heat of summer, music fans worldwide have reason to rejoice! Independent Afrobeats maestro and Dangbana Republik president, Bella Shmurda, has announced his highly anticipated EP DND, set for release on July 26.
The new project comes in the wake of Shmurda’s debut album Hypertension, which skyrocketed to an impressive 250 million global streams in less than a year and gave us chart-topping singles like New Born Fela, Contraband and Philo.
The acronym DND, short for “do not disturb”, provides an intriguing insight into Shmurda’s creative psyche as he voyages into a fresh and captivating musical universe. This year, he primed fans for what’s to come with songs like NSV and Ara, racking up a staggering 50 million online plays and setting the stage for the EP’s reveal.
To whet appetites for DND, Shmurda recently unveiled the EP’s lead single and title track, a deliciously catchy number that features award-winning Afropop sensation, Lil Kesh. Crafted by acclaimed producer Rewardbeatz (known for collaborations with the likes of Davido, Kizz Daniel and Young Jonn), DND is the quintessential summer hit.
Discussing the birth of DND, Bella Shmurda shared, “Rewardbeatz created the instrumental and a demo was recorded with Lil Kesh. Kesh then forwarded the draft to me, and after hearing it, I started recording what I was feeling at that moment, which led to DND. It perfectly captures my current headspace, where I prefer solitude to maintain my creative integrity.”
Bella Shmurda, often dubbed ‘The New Voice of the Street’, is no stranger to the spotlight. Since exploding onto the scene with his breakout single Vision 2020, Shmurda has continued his meteoric rise with successful projects including his debut EP High Tension, its sequel, and the critically acclaimed Hypertension. His impressive catalogue boasts over 50 songs, coveted collaborations with music heavyweights like Wizkid, Popcaan, Davido and BackRoad Gee, and an impressive tally of 1.2 billion global streams.
In just three short years, Shmurda has already achieved some staggering milestones. Not only is he a YouTube Foundry alumnus, a Global Music Awards Africa winner, and a Headies Award nominee, but he is also the second most streamed African artist on Audiomack, selling out tours across Africa, Europe, and America. His music, a conscious and relatable blend of Afrobeats, philosophy, and religion, has earned critical acclaim from the likes of CNN, Variety, MTV and the BBC.
The track’s streaming link will be available here from this Friday!
