Mahalia joins forces with JoJo on "Cheat"

The single is accompanied by a video which was shot in New York and directed by filmmaker Boma Iluma.

"I can’t quite believe this one is real. I have been a fan of JoJo for as long as I can remember so having her on this record really is a dream come true for me.” Mahalia says. “I love watching people come together through hardship and everything about this song represents that. For me, it is a song about strength, power, and letting go."

“I loved teaming up with Mahalia on this fully infectious bop,” JoJo states on the collaboration. “Not only can I not get the melodies out of my head… but I’ve BEEN THERE. And it feels good to be singing with my friend about this very real part of growing up: Realizing that some boys are for the streets and will never change.”

In addition to the album announcement last month, Mahalia also announced a huge UK and European tour for the end of 2023. The ‘In Real Life Tour’ includes a stop at London’s Eventim Apollo on 19 October.

IRL will be Mahalia's third studio album, following on from 2019's LOVE AND COMPROMISE, and her 2016 debut, Diary of Me.