Zimbabwean born, Australian singer-songwriter Tkay Maidza is back with her new hip-hop, r&b infused EP, Last Year Was Weird, Volume 2. Growth and versatility are the main ingredients for this fire EP. It’s evident in the way the tracks ebb and flow, Maidza has progressed in creativity and confidence since her last EP Last Year Was Weird, Volume 1, released in 2018.
The theme is clear from the first track, “My Flowers”, which is reminiscent of Sza on Ctrl, but with a Tkay twist. The song speaks to the essence and vulnerability of Maidza and who she has become. In the intro, Maidza sings, “Why is it hard to lie, but easy for me to bite / Don’t want nobody to save me / I got me, I got me”. It’s clear, independence is what she is channeling and exuding throughout the track.
While showcasing her slick vocals, she busts out the impeccable rap flow to give truth to her talent. Her club track “Shook”, which was released as a single earlier this year is nothing short of a hip-hop gem, invoking all the nostalgia of every 90’s/early 2000s hiphop track. It’s clearly Missy Elliot influenced in not just the flow, but the production of the track. It doesn’t stop there, though, the album gets progressively more curated and focused with each song.
Another gem is “Awake” featuring JPEGMAFIA, released as a single last year, which made me aware of how much of a powerhouse Maidza really is. She’s literally saying she is grinding to make her dreams a reality and she’s constantly in her bag, making coin.
She acknowledges this journey of self discovery on her track “Grasshopper”, rapping “Hop out the furnace / Took years and it was worth it / Yeah I been learnin”. The two years since her last EP, has given her the time and space to evolve and level up. She seems to have more direction in this project.
The EP ends on a far from mournful, groovy note with the track, “Don’t Call Again” featuring Kari Faux. I’ll just say it was the perfect dismissal of a shady boy with no game. Maidza has demonstrated that she should not be underestimated and in time she will will be a household name if she isn’t already. I’m anticipating the finale to the Last Year Was Weird Trilogy and the looks she will be serving with every drop.