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Live Review: Kelela 'Enemy' (Kingdom Remix)

19 February 2015 | 11:59 pm | Emma Jones

Ahead of re-releasing her 2013 mixtape, Cut 4 Me, Kelela's track 'Enemy' has been remixed by producer Kingdom.

After releasing stunning mixtape in 2013, polarising fans and critics, KELELA quickly became one of r'n'b's most promising names. Cut 4 Me saw her receive countless new fans and tour relentlessly, and was a catalyst for the future r'n'b or alternative r'n'b that can be seen everywhere today.

Now, with a new album on the horizon, KELELA is readying her 2013 mixtape for a re-release as a deluxe edition. This will feature remixes from previous collaborators like NGUZUNGUZU, GIRL UNIT and KINGDOM.

The latter offered up his remix today in the form of Enemy, and titled his work Kingdom's Destruction Before Paradise Mix. Originally produced by NGUZUNGUZU, complete with sparse production and frenetic, almost abrasive beats pounding as KELELA's voice soars in frustration, this new remix sees KINGDOM keeping with the beat centered focus of the track, but pairing them with cinematic faux-string sounds and static samples. Increasingly dramatic, KINGDOM has left the original vocals in tact, and employed almost hip hop styled beats for a complete overhaul.

KINGDOM and KELELA are hardly strangers as KINGDOM actually produced 4 other tracks on the original Cut 4 Me. This relationship could then explain how perfectly suited this remix is for KELELA, highlighting how much she has changed since 2013, yet having somethings remain the same.

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KELELA has been busy since the first release of Cut 4 Me. Joining the international touring circuit, she has also featured on a KINDNESS track, becoming a key influence in the uprising of alternative/neo-r'n'b/soul and being remixed by the likes of OBEY CITY have seen her remain in the public eye ever since. If these rumours of a new album coming soon are true, it is safe to say she will no doubt sky rocket even further into stardom, as she continues pushing boundaries and creating such incredible songs!

Words by Emma Jones.

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