Posted by Brooklyn-based, UK/Nigerian artist Halima returns with her latest single, ‘onyx’, released via drink sum wtr. This transitional track marks a significant moment in her discography, arriving as the follow-up to her acclaimed debut album, SWEET TOOTH, which captivated listeners last year.
As an entirely self-produced composition—her first since the period preceding her second EP, EXU—’onyx’ serves as a sonic exploration of heartbreak. The track navigates the murky terrains of emotional loss, transforming bruised remonstrations into a space defined by catharsis, relief, and newfound distance.
Built around steady, staccato R&B production and layered with pitched vocals, the song builds toward a striking guitar solo and a Timbaland-esque Sinogrime flourish. Reflecting on the creative process, Halima shares: “Following a heartbreak that split me open, it felt right to work alone in the newness of solitude. I sped up the whole track and let my voice pitch with it, then brought the original tempo back at the very end, like a final goodbye. It feels like a memory now. A distant one.”
Fresh off a successful tour with Sudan Archives, Halima continues to expand her creative footprint. Beyond her solo music, she is currently developing Club Cocoa, an innovative New York-based event series dedicated to fostering spaces for queer, POC, and diasporic communities.
Tune in to the official audio below.
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