In 2013 Tkay Maidza emerged onstage at BIGSOUND where she introduced herself to the world  as a must watch act. She already had this confidence that screamed with an individuality and star presence which was starved in the current climate, and immediately I was in awe. From there she went onto releasing her debut album “TKAY”, collaborating with the likes of Troye Sivan, Martin Solveig, Basenji, Motez, and Killer Mike, and playing huge festivals, sold out headline shows and opening for the likes of Charli XCX and Illy. Through that era she started to experiment further with her sound and find who she really wanted to be as an artist. 

Stepping away from the pop infused hip-hop she was creating, she welcomed listeners into the “Last Year Was Weird” three-part EP series where she found a new confidence and perspective as an artist. From there even more success followed that saw her winning an ARIA Award and a MTV EMA, opening for the likes of Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish, headlining Sydney Opera House for VIVID LIVE, and collaborating with the likes of Duckwrth, JPEGMagia, Baby Tate, Snakehips, and Cosmo’s Midnight. 

Now the Zimbawean-born, Australia-raised, Los Angeles-based rapper, singer and producer is opening a new chapter, which ultimately feels like a brand new beginning in itself. As Tkay steps into her sophomore album era, she kicks it all off with a fiery punch. Lead single “Silent Assassin” hears her teaming up with Flume for a confident hip-hop track with a trap twist that will have you immediately gagging. Channeling the likes of Missy Elliott in her rap delivery, she serves a confident and sassy attitude that reclaims her throne. The production is dark, experimental, and has this sensuality that shines through the hard edges.

Addressing the time it’s taken her to get to this new music, this song acts as a reminder that people shouldn’t count her out because of that. Instead they should be worried as she’s been honing her craft and preparing to bounce back harder than ever before. “I’m unanimous, I’m a jigsaw, not a quick fix” she quips at the beginning of the track before later proclaiming “don’t breathe on me, I’m a silent assassin”. 

With “Silent Assassin” coming just in time for a massive run of shows across Australia this month, Tkay will be opening for Lizzo, and playing a coveted set at Splendour In The Grass. She’ll then return later in the year for a national festival run with Spilt Milk.