PRIYA RAGU SHARES DEBUT MIXTAPE DAMNSHESTAMIL

VIDEO FOR STANDOUT TRACK “LOCKDOWN” OUT NOW

“The first half of ‘Good Love 2.0,’ like most of her recordings, is steeped in the cushy keyboard chords and short phrases of 1990s R&B as she switches between singing and rapping. But two minutes in, everything changes and convention disappears. South Asian drumming pushing threes against twos, and swirling electronic loops and male and female voices, in different modes, summon the East-West hybrid she promises at her best.”—The New York Times

“Priya Ragu’s music isn’t like any R&B you’ve heard before.”—Vogue

“Priya Ragu seamlessly blends her groovy R&B sensibilities with the staple sounds of Indian music for ‘Good Love 2.0,’ a song that will no doubt turn your living room into a dance floor.” —Refinery29

damnshestamil, the debut mixtape from R&B innovator Priya Ragu, is out now via Warner Records; listen HERE. “This is the most pure and sacred work that I have ever put out into the world,” says Priya. “I’ve carried it within me for a very long time until I found a way to translate it into these songs. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it.” The record finds Priya pulling from her Sri Lankan roots and the ‘90s R&B of her childhood to create a sound distinctly her own.

The record’s final single “Lockdown” premiered earlier this week on BBC Radio 1’s “Future Sounds” as their latest “Hottest Record in the World”; listen/share HERE. “‘Lockdown’ was written earlier this year during a time where I felt particularly isolated from the people I love,” says Priya. “It’s about dealing with being alone in this situation and wanting to feel the energy of another person’s presence, not for love but for friendship, guidance and getting down.” Priya reunited with director Dumas Haddad after their collaboration on “Chicken Lemon Rice” for the track’s accompanying video – a striking, dystopian visual metaphor for lockdown that highlights two dancers tied to platforms in the vast desolation of an empty quarry.

Four additional singles preceded today’s release: “Kamali,” “Forgot About,” “Chicken Lemon Rice” and Priya’s label debut “Good Love 2.0” along with remixes of the track by Swedish electronic music group Little Dragon, Joe Goddard of Grammy and Mercury Prize-nominated synth-pop group Hot Chip and iconic DJ Honey Dijon. Priya also featured recently on “Goodbye My Love” from Jungle’s new album Loving In Stereo. The album represents the first time the iconic UK production duo have worked with guest vocalists, with Priya being one of just two featured artists who have contributed to the record.

Priya Ragu was born and raised in Switzerland after her parents escaped from the Sri Lankan civil war in the early ‘80s. Although now incredibly proud and supportive of her career, Priya’s parents initially didn’t want her to listen to Western pop and were keen for her to get married as she reached adulthood. She made her musical ambitions covert, sneaking out to jam sessions and open mic nights, before decided to fully pursue them by moving to America with the help of her friend, the rapper Oddisee. Working remotely with her brother Japhna Gold, the pair created a number of tracks which would provide the launchpad for where she is today.

For more information, please contact Cami Opere, Reid Kutrow or
Carla Sacks 212.741.1000 at Sacks & Co.

damnshestamil tracklist
1. Leaf High
2. Good Love 2.0
3. Lockdown
4. Lighthouse
5. Anything
6. Chicken Lemon Rice
7. Deli
8. Kamali
9. Forgot About
10. Santhosam (bonus track)


Upcoming Tour Dates
WITH JUNGLE
September 3 /// London, UK /// O2 Academy Brixton
September 4 /// London, UK /// 02 Academy Brixton
September 17 /// Manchester, UK /// 02 Victoria Warehouse (SOLD OUT)
September 18 /// Manchester, UK /// O2 Victoria Warehouse

HEADLINE TOUR
November 18 /// Amsterdam /// Melkweg UP
November 19 /// Hamburg /// Turmzimmer
November 22 /// Manchester /// YES
November 23 /// London /// Jazz Café
November 25 /// Brussels /// AB Club
November 26 /// Paris /// Badaboum
November 28 /// Berlin /// Privatclub
November 29 /// Cologne /// JAKI
November 30 /// Zurich /// Exil

PRIYA RAGU
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