Contemporary Creole-Canadian artist, Sika Valmé, is back with her latest offering “Vini Vini”, an Electro Afro-Caribbean track that encourages listeners to break free and find intimacy with themselves and others.
The theme of freedom is a personal one for the illustrator and former tennis player turned songwriter—an openly gay woman who grew up in the forests and mountains of Haiti, and now divides her time throughout the Americas, from Montreal and New York to Central America. It was during her travels to Canada for a youth artist residency that Sika established herself as a musician and creative director.
Her new single “Vini Vini” is an airy summer track that sounds and feels like a cool breeze, fusing Electro Afro-Caribbean vibes on top of smooth and sensual production with nods to Haitian Kompa. On the track, Sika encourages us to reconnect with our loved ones and the outdoors—a very timely message as the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic.
While the song draws inspirations from the likes of Rhye, Bonobo, Alina Baraz & Galimatias, Sara Tavares and Burna Boy, her effortless and smooth vocals, reminiscent of soul/jazz legend Sade, is what stands out. Adding to the jazz sound is a alto and soprano performance from New York-based, Haitian legend, Buyu Ambroise.
“Vini Vini” is a follow up to Sika’s debut EP Colour Your Walls released in 2012 and Montreal band Dead Messenger’s 2016 track “The Glass Hotel” with Sika on lead vocals.
If you like what you hear, you’ll be happy to know there’s more music where that came from. Valmé has a new EP in the works so stay tuned.
“Vini Vini” is available on all major streaming platforms.
SHIFTER Music
Check out “Vini Vini” by Sika Valmé