By Cameron Lee
November 27, 2021
Photo: Nuku Muingbeh
Charlotte’s Jalen Santoy has dropped his latest single, “Dismissal,” bringing along some Queen City cohorts for the ride. On the smooth ‘70s funk/soul-inspired track produced by Jimmy Kelso and Rey Calidad, Cyanca sets the tone with her celestial accents while Erick Lottary and Well$ chant the chorus: “I’d rather dismiss you, said I’d rather dismiss you.”
Jamla Records artist Reuben Vincent, who was recently featured in the Grammy-nominated project, Dinner Party: Dessert, adds some of his most ferocious bars on the song: “Live single like the name Khadijah, but somehow we still kick it, yes, my game is FIFA.”
The four-minute track “embodies the harsh reality we encounter when it’s time to part ways with something or someone we once loved,” Santoy said. “We’re reminded of the enjoyable moments, but accepting of a closed chapter.”
“Dismissal” follows Santoy’s latest music video release for the bouncy dance track, “Stay,” featuring Nyla Symone, both set to be included in his forthcoming project in early 2022.
Releasing music since the age of 15 and catching the attention of rapper Big Pooh of North Carolina hip-hop titans, Little Brother, Santoy has been featured in national publications over the years, including The Fader, Complex, XXL, The Source, and Highsnobiety. His jazzy 2016 release of single “Foreplay” has accumulated a staggering 152 million streams on Spotify.
Santoy released the follow up to his debut 2016 full-length album (Charlie Eastern), II Shepherds, in February of 2020, an impressive collection of 15 tracks that fully exhibits his lyrical dexterity. Santoy’s new project will be one to anticipate in the new year.
Listen to the new single “Dismissal” by Jalen Santoy featuring Erick Lottary, Cyanca, Reuben Vincent, and Well$.
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