Single: Abir – “Playground” (Prod. by EFF3X)

The Acclaimed, Morocco-Born, NYC-Based Artist Synthesizes Trap, Electro, and R&B in Her New Single, Premiered by PAPER Mag and Ebro on Apple’s Beats 1

5.30.2017

Critical Praise for Abir:

“One of 2016’s most impressive new voices” – Billboard

“New artist of the week” – Apple Music

“The buzz behind Abir has been building steadily” – Complex

The Song:

A rising young artist who defies easy categorization, ABIR has complete mastery of her formidable vocal instrument. Dancing atop broad swaths of saw synths, trap-like hi-hats, and house piano, ABIR welcomes you to her “Playground” on her latest single. With an impassioned vocal performance, ABIR describes the unique frisson that she feels when she creates and performs, building through several musical elements until culminating with an irresistible trumpet solo. Premiered by Ebro on Apple’s Beats 1 and debuted online by PAPER Mag, “Playground” is an exuberant ode to enjoying the present and an excellent jam for top-down driving this summer. “Playground” is ABIR’s third standout single in the past year, following the Billboard-premiered, EFF3X-produced “Girls,” which has over 500,000 plays on Spotify and Soundcloud combined. In addition, the Anthony Mathile-directed “Girls” music video was created in collaboration with Beats by Dre, and its release coincided with ABIR being named Apple Artist of the Week.

Born in Fez, Morocco, ABIR’s family moved to Washington, DC when she was 5 years old. Growing up idolizing big-voiced divas such as Etta James, Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, and Celine Dion, ABIR studiously practiced her vocal technique, learning many different ways to approach a song with her voice. Earning praise from the likes of Complex, FADER, and Billboard, ABIR turned heads at this year’s SXSW when she killed a cover of Kanye West’s “Ultralight Beam“. Look for more new music from ABIR coming later this year.