Genre-Melding Collab
On September 4, afro-Colombian artist Ysa C and Argentinian artist LiL CaKe released their first collaboration: their genre-melding single “Úsame.” The song, with a beat produced by Vladi Cachai, is a unique and stylistically distinct fusion of afrobeats, reggaetón, and urban pop sounds, fitting of both artists.
“Since the first moment [that I heard it] I knew I wanted to collaborate with LiL CaKe on this song,” Ysa C said. “I love his energy, his fresh ideas, and when we started to work together everything flowed really naturally. ‘Úsame’ is special because we feel like it represents us both.” LiL CaKe shared Ysa C’s excitement to collaborate and create something that they both owned, both stylistically and thematically. “When Ysa showed me the idea, I knew that we had something one of a kind between us,” LiL CaKe said. “The lyrics touched me immediately, and working with her was an incredible experience.”
Healing Through Music
The single’s lyrics tell a complicated narrative about being with someone while they’re struggling through a tough time. The artists seek to provide a space for anyone who feels hurt and wants to be seen and heard, and the song explores the place of judgment-free romantic love in providing empathy, care, and healing. “[The song] has that message of comfort, of telling someone, ‘I’m with you, I’m here for you,’” said Ysa C. The themes align with her previous projects, as the artist of “Despedirme,” “Cúrame,” and “NoNoNo” acclaim aims to craft emotionally honest and vulnerable music within the urbano genre.
“We managed to get a perfect balance between emotion and rhythm,” added LiL CaKe. “It’s a song for feeling and also for dancing.”
Now Available
“Úsame” is available to stream on all platforms, and the lyric video is available on YouTube.
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