This is Adanna Duru’s world and we are living in it. After amassing almost two million followers on TikTok, being a part of Adam Levine’s team on The Voice, and finishing Top 10 on American Idol, the California singer just released her first body of work with the six song EP, NAPPY HOUR. 

It is a project full of soul and vibrant singing with an innovative mix of R&B, pop, and afrobeats sprinkled throughout. The intro, “BABIES” is full of dazzling harmonies, clever ad libs, and a funky guitar that highlights the production. The project transitions smoothly into the R&B cut, “Boogie.” Adanna Duru makes singing look easy on this one, as her vocal performance is sublime with brilliant layering in her vocals and a simple, yet catchy chorus.

My favorite track is “POP!” as I love her cadence over the bouncy afrobeat that is done in a way unique to her. I can’t help but get up and bust a couple of moves when I hear this song, and it has been on repeat since it came out in November of last year. “Stay In” features Leven Kali and is one of the more groovy tracks on the project. I love the punchy drum bounce and her delivery on the chorus that makes for another song that is meant for slow dancing in a living room by a fire. NAPPY HOUR closes with the synthy afrobeat, “Write On Me.” This track is hypnotic and encapsulates everything that makes Duru special.

I think Adanna Duru is one of the future’s brightest stars and there isn’t a box she can’t be put in. She has a way of cleverly and effortlessly singing in perfect contrast to the beat, and that is something very few can do.

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