ESSOSA – ‘CRUSH!’: THE BREAKDOWN:
Essosa gives us a track by track breakdown of her new EP, ‘Crush!’. Step inside the world of Essosa, the British-Canadian-Nigerian artist redefining the boundaries of modern R&B and pop. Her sophomore EP, Crush!, out now via United Masters, is a masterclass in sonic storytelling.
Blending 90s and 2000s nostalgia with cutting-edge production, Essosa explores the dual nature of a “crush”—as both a dizzying infatuation and a force of destruction. From the viral success of ‘Waste My Time’, which has surpassed 70 million streams, to being sampled by Don Toliver on ‘A Long Way To Calabasas’, Essosa is rapidly becoming a defining voice in the industry.
This project is a journey through the highs and lows of modern romance—from the initial spark of a new flame to the empowering moment you finally choose yourself. In this exclusive feature, Essosa breaks down the meaning behind each song…
Crush
This song is about being eager to let a friend know how you really feel, and not letting your past dictate your future happiness. A good friend of mine, Atlanta-based Derric Goburne sent me the first demo. We met via the internet and bonded over being obsessed with Michael Jackson, jazz, new jack swing and the 80s. Eventually I re-wrote some of the song and reworked the track with producer jkarri (PinkPantheress) to give it a contemporary edge.
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This interview is part of our long-form content series, now hosted exclusively on our Substack. To read the full conversation with Essosa and gain access to our archive of deep-dives into the architects of Hip Hop and global culture, head over to the Viper Substack.
[READ THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE]
