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INCLUDES NEW SINGLE “DROWN”
INTERPOLATING AMERIE’S CLASSIC 2005 HIT “1 THING”
Globally-celebrated Afro-R&B artist Nonso Amadi released his new EP TO CRY A FLOOD featuring the sensual new earworm “DROWN,” which interpolates Amerie’s classic 2005 hit “1 Thing.” Listen to “DROWN” here.
TO CRY A FLOOD is out now via Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company, with international support from Def Jam Recordings in the US, Polydor Records in the UK, MCA in France, and Mavin Records in Africa. Nonso set the tone for TO CRY A FLOOD with the previously released singles “PILLOW” and “DIVE IN” which, for the first time, introduced a sound that further leans into the Afro-Dance and Afrobeats spaces. His most adventurous project to date, Nonso explores traditional percussive-based sonics that fans have been eager to hear from him. Listen to TO CRY A FLOOD here.
This marks Nonso Amadi’s first solo project since his 2023 debut album When It Blooms. TO CRY A FLOOD features a singular guest appearance from rising Nigerian star Taves.
“We wanted to make a world where people can dance and cry at the same time,” says Nonso. “Every song has a meaning, and every song is very personal to me. We wanted to explore themes of heartbreak and grief but still make it danceable. This is different from anything I’ve ever made.”
Nonso describes TO CRY A FLOOD as exploring what’s beneath the surface, serving as a counterpart to the more grounded perspective of When It Blooms. “I wanted people to feel my pain a little more,” he explains.
“DROWN,” the focus track from TO CRY A FLOOD, is a highlight from the EP, including a flirtatious interpolation of Amerie’s classic 2005 hit “1 Thing.” Self-produced and self-engineered by Nonso, “DROWN” features guitar by GRAMMY Award-winning producer Kofo (WizKid, Chris Brown, Tiwa Savage). Kofo also contributes guitar on “SORRY IN ADVANCE.”
Water themes are consistent across the entire project, with the opening track “MMIRI” leading the way. The Igbo word for “water,” “MMIRI” is a percussive-based cut that informs the direction of TO CRY A FLOOD, driving into the previously released singles “PILLOW” and “DIVE IN” before transitioning into the introspective and vulnerable “SORRY IN ADVANCE.” “LIKE ME” closes the EP with braggadocious energy, as Nonso asserts himself as a leader in the Afro-R&B space with an assist from Taves.
Amadi mixed and recorded all songs on TO CRY A FLOOD. He also produced or co-produced much of the EP. “LIKE ME” is co-produced by Nonso with Mykah and Marvel Pro, and GRAMMY Award-winning producer Dera (Bad Bunny, J Balvin, Oxlade) produced “SORRY IN ADVANCE.”
TO CRY A FLOOD Tracklisting:
- MMIRI
- PILLOW
- DIVE IN
- SORRY IN ADVANCE
- DROWN
- LIKE ME (feat. Taves)
“PILLOW” marks the first song from Nonso Amadi to become a Top 20 hit on the Nigerian radio charts, and “DIVE IN” debuted at #42 on the Billboard US Afrobeats Songs chart.
A one-of-a-kind sonic globetrotter focused on world-building and intentionality, Nonso Amadi was recently recognized by Billboard, which highlighted his song “Tonight” as one of the Top 50 Best Afrobeats Songs of All Time.
With TO CRY A FLOOD, Nonso ushers in a bold new era that signals just how far he’s come and where he’s headed next.
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ABOUT NONSO AMADI:
Nonso Amadi is a JUNO Award-nominated, Canadian-based Afro-R&B, soul singer, songwriter, and producer from Nigeria. With an affinity for contemporary R&B, Nonso developed a desire to explore North America and Africa in equal parts – citing Toronto-native Drake’s genre-hopping capability as an inspiration for his own creative fluidity. Amadi’s music is powered by borderless infusions and intention.
After introducing himself with EPs including 2017’s War, and the 2019 breakout Free EP, Nonso released his powerfully personal full-length album When It Blooms in spring 2023, marking a culmination of affirming successes. Upon release, Nonso landed prestigious cover placements across streaming platforms with the album garnering over 100+ million streams and praise from the likes of Billboard, Complex, Teen Vogue, MTV and more. Nonso’s efforts have been ratified by the industry; between his debut album When It Blooms receiving a JUNO nomination for Contemporary R&B Recording Of The Year, being featured as VEVO DSCVR Artist To Watch & a Spotify Radar Artist, and more. His 2016 song “Tonight” was highlighted by Billboard as one of the Top 50 Best Afrobeats Songs of All Time. With his debut album, Amadi cemented himself in the vanguard of the next generation of artists bringing Afro-R&B to the international stage.
