The Seven-Track EP Features Focus Track ‘As I Am’
Headlining Tour Launches on November 13
Following the success of their 2022 EP Don’t Wait Up, DRAMA, the Chicago-based collaboration between producer Na’el Shehade and vocalist Via Rosa, delivers their clubbable fourth EP, Till We Die. The seven-track project refreshingly captures the duo’s trademark sound of two unlikely musical pairings: dance and R&B. Late-night groovy, dance anthems of independence and self-love carefully replace the duo’s typical broody heartbreak sounds.
LISTEN to Till We Die EP
Till We Die highlights the duo’s distinctive musical talents, Shehade’s versatility as a producer and the emotive power of Rosa as a singer/songwriter. To Shehade and Rosa, it’s their most confident project to date, alluding to the fact that despite the dark title, the EP positively inspires listeners to find the beauty in confrontation and tough conversations.
The self-titled single “DRAMA” captivates listeners with an infectious spur to action that plays around with Shehade’s funky house beats complimented by Rosa’s sassy vocals, unarguably a seductive start to a night out. Inspired by amorous connections made on the dance floor, “Tighten It Up” energizes listeners with an upbeat tempo and a carefree lyrical delivery. “Till We Die, Inshallah” plays an ode to classic house that leaves fans yearning more from Rosa’s sultry affair. “Dollar $hort” ft. Flight Facilities, demonstrates the duo’s seamless ability to collaborate with other artists to produce a powerfully addictive tune.
The EP unfolds with “Feel The Same” driven by propulsive beats and bittersweet messages of acceptance when understanding the difference between loving someone and being in love with someone; while “Galaxy” plays acoustic melodies and delivers poignant goodbyes. Lastly, “As I Am”, beguiles piano led chords and guitar riffs complemented with cruiseworthy, pulsating deep beats that recapitulates the EP’s messages through Rosa’s bewitching voice. A meticulously curated EP, Till We Die inspires listeners to ask questions that they may never have the answer to.
“The title itself was inspired by a moment in time, when we were terrified one of us was going to leave, or give up. We started telling ourselves ‘DRAMA OR DIE’ as a form of motivation, it was our way of inspiring each other to do whatever it takes to get to the next level. This project comes at a very delicate time as we’re both in a very special place in our lives, with so much growth happening within and around us – this collection of records tells the story of true commitment to ourselves and to our craft. It’s a representation of what it means to us to create something that lasts and the power that comes from having a solid foundation. ‘It has to be DRAMA against the world, or nothing’ for LOVE to be the center of the universe,” says both Shehade and Rosa.
DRAMA continues: “‘Till We Die’ demands attention, from the delicate musical arrangement to the thoughtfully chosen words. Everyone has always asked what a DRAMA project would feel like if we weren’t “heartbroken”…this is a pretty good example of where our imagination goes when we’re not so focused on the pain or longing for something we can’t have, or had and lost.”
Born in Chicago, Na’el Shehade’s sophisticated production style is inspired by iconic local DJs/producers. Intoxicated with DJ culture at a young age and a child of Palestinian immigrant parents, he inherited his tenacity from his father which later led to his development in music production and engineering leading to his early studio work with artists such as Chance the Rapper and Kanye West.
Via Rosa’s musical ties were developed by her parents who played in a touring reggae band in her early teens. Exposing her to global influences like Sade, oldies, Brazilian and Afrobeat music, she began a collection of poetic journals. By the time Rosa was in high school, she was writing songs and making beats, exposing her raw passion for songwriting. After moving to Chicago in 2010, Rosa connected with THEMPeople, a collective at the center of the city’s sprawling hip-hop scene.
November 13 marks DRAMA’s next chapter as they celebrate the release of Till We Die on the East Coast followed by their transatlantic journey to Europe, gracing major cities such as Boston, New York, San Francisco, London, Paris, Berlin and more. For more information and ticket purchases for the “Till We Die Tour” – click here.
Till We Die Tracklist:
- DRAMA
- Tighten It Up
- Till We Die, Inshallah
- Dollar $hort
- Feel The Same
- Galaxy
- As I Am
DRAMA Tour Dates
November 13 – The Atlantis – Washington DC – SOLD OUT
November 14 – Royale – Boston, MA
November 16 – Knockdown Center – Queens, NY
November 17 – Bill Graham Civic Auditorium – San Francisco, CA (supporting Gorgon City)
November 29 – Electric Brixton – London, UK
December 1 – Badaboum – Paris, France
December 2 – Botanique – Brussels, Belgium
December 3 – Bitterzoe – Amsterdam, Netherlands – SOLD OUT
December 4 – Gretchen – Berlin, Germany
December 6 – Vega – Copenhagen, Denmark
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