Midi KwaKwa dominates on "Let Me Be Your Vice", succumbing to innate sensualities

Born to Ghanian parents and raised in Germany's North Rhine, Mida KwaKwa makes sure to keep a consistent nod to her African heritage in all aspects of her artistry. She uses the neo-soul genre as a vehicle to channel her personal, intersectional experiences of being a Black woman growing through the process of mental health struggles, or coming to terms with one's queerness or femininity. Latest EP, MOONFLOWER delves into these themes across a six-track runtime, emphasising the beauty of transformation through hardship; of chrysalis through challenges.

One of the singles from the record, "Let Me Be Your Vice" is a sensual plight as KwaKwa embodies the power of intimacy as both a personal escape, but also a touchpoint of connection between people. The titular request, "let me be your vice," comes across more as an order than as a plea as she makes confident declarations of her prowess. "Don't need no fantasy / I've got everything you need," she poses, before suggesting her and a lover engage in a game together, "we don't gotta use whips and chains / you're just gunna have to scream my name."

Discussing the making of the MOONFLOWER EP, KwaKwa shares "I have learned from all my experiences and that has allowed me to grow as a person. These encounters have shaped the foundation of a project where I address various themes, such as mental health and thoughts of despair, the yearning for love, self-assuredness, embracing the sensuality of femininity, both its uplifting and challenging aspects, and the emotions of love and sadness from the perspective of a blossoming black woman... My hope is that people feel understood, finding a part of their own story in mine, and realising that 'no matter what you go through, you are never alone.'"

“Like other night flowers, the beautiful moonflower uses the creatures of the night, such as moths and bats, to help with pollination," she continues. "It is a night flower that needs the dark to grow and blossom. Seen as a symbol for the growth potential of our soul and personality when we are faced with challenging and difficult periods in our lives." Indeed, warm guitar strings lay the beating heart of the project, as the undulating melodies ebb and flow to mimic KwaKwa's triumphs and pitfalls. A moving blend of smoky neo-soul and penetrating R&B synths lay the stage for KwaKwa to tell her story, aiming to inspire listeners in her plight.