Asali By Xenia Manasseh ft. Cracker Mallo

Xenia Manasseh’s “Asali,” produced by Cracker Mallo, continues to draw attention as a standout moment on her acclaimed sophomore album, LOVE/HATE Pt. 2, released September 20, 2024.

Xenia Manasseh is a fast-rising Kenyan-Ugandan singer-songwriter who splits her time between Nairobi and the United States, drawing on Neo-Soul, R&B, and jazz influences from artists like Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, and India Arie. A Berklee College of Music graduate, she has built a reputation as a gifted writer, having penned material for Teyana Taylor before establishing her own solo voice. “Asali” showcases her willingness to move beyond her signature R&B sound into Afrobeats territory, produced by Nigerian hitmaker Cracker Mallo, known for his work with Tiwa Savage, Fireboy DML, and Amaarae.

The track runs 1:30 and features a hybridized sound with a jittery, syncopated tempo that pulls from Afrobeats rhythm patterns. Xenia’s vocal delivery stays light and hopeful, exploring themes of naive affection and the kind of love one wishes could stay simple and harmless. The song’s title, meaning “honey” in Swahili, fits its warm, sweet lyrical tone, closing with a tender Swahili phrase about the sweetness of love.

Critics have praised LOVE/HATE Pt. 2 as proof of real artistic refinement from Xenia, with “Asali” standing out as a genre-expanding moment that follows the album’s more R&B-centered opener. That critical reception, paired with Xenia’s growing reputation as an artist unwilling to be boxed into one sound, has helped “Asali” continue finding new listeners well after the album’s initial release.

AFROBEATS says: “Asali” captures Xenia Manasseh stretching her sound in exciting new directions, and Cracker Mallo’s production gives her plenty of room to explore. Her voice stays light and hopeful over the song’s syncopated rhythm, and the Swahili closing line adds a genuinely sweet, personal touch. It is a compact, confident showcase of an artist refusing to be defined by a single genre.

“Asali” is an exciting track with captivating energy, impressive delivery, and a memorable sound. Make sure you listen to this impressive song and add it to your playlist today.

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