NEW SINGLE ‘EGYTIAN MUSK’ ft. NESTA OUT 18th MARCH 2026
W: Gill Brodie
Yaya Bey’s "Egyptian Musk" is a sensory-heavy centrepiece for her upcoming project, Fidelity, representing a rare moment of "religious joy" amidst a landscape of personal and professional upheaval. Born from a chance meeting with collaborator NESTA at an event just the night before their session, the track carries a raw, unforced energy that defines Yaya’s best work. Described as a dreamy reggae track that breathes fresh life into vintage sounds, the single functions as an atmospheric bridge between the past and the present. Like the scent it is named after, the song is designed to be thick, sweet, and lingering, offering a comforting warmth that stands in stark contrast to the heavier themes of the album.
The single serves as a vital emotional counterweight to the "Three Deaths" Yaya explores throughout Fidelity—the personal loss of her father, Grand Daddy I.U., the communal displacement of Black spaces, and the industry-driven loss of innocence. While much of the record interrogates the "quiet disposability" of Black artists and the commodification of grief, "Egyptian Musk" allows Yaya to reclaim her right to be dreamy and soft. It is an intentional pivot from the "rock bottom" energy of her previous work, proving that even while navigating the wreckage of the music industry and personal mourning, there is still room for spontaneous creation and soulful connection.
Ultimately, "Egyptian Musk" is an act of resistance through beauty. By leaning into the "old with a fresh spin" reggae pocket, Yaya Bey honours her lineage while refusing to be defined solely by the trauma the industry often demands from Black women in music. The collaboration with NESTA feels like a captured moment of lightning in a bottle, grounding the listener in the present. It’s a standout track that reinforces Yaya’s status as one of the most emotionally articulate voices in contemporary soul, turning a chance encounter into a permanent, fragrant piece of her musical legacy.