"I remember being super down one night, but I still had to head to the studio to finish mixing. Instead, we ended up working on this song. I recorded a lot of this record lying down and forgetting anyone was around. ‘Kites’ is about feeling lost but also finding yourself. It’s about holding on by a thread but also realizing the people steering the kite are the most important. Regardless, if I stay flying high up or end up falling to the ground, they’re there guiding me throughout it all," says Anik Khan of his buoyant new ballad, "Kites."
Khan, who was born in Dhaka, Bangladesh, moved to Queens, New York, when he was only three-years-old. His father was a former freedom fighter in their home country and it was his inspiration combined with the vibrance of Queens, New York's most diverse borough, that would influence his music. Khan's brand of hip-hop is a true melding of the Southeast Asian diaspora and the stories of other immigrants - Caribbean, West African and Latin sounds seamlessly weave their way through his production.
"Kites" is the lead single from Khan's forthcoming EP of the same name. While still influenced by world sounds, the song does veer a bit away from emphasizing them, instead placing the focus on meditative lyrics about holding on in the face of darkness and adversity.
The full Kites EP will release April 28. In the meantime, take a listen to the single below.
Also listen as Sofi de la Torre links with Taylor Bennett on a brand new single.