Brooklyn’s Muhammad $mith embraces melting pot culture in his sultry neo-soul meets indie-R&B sound. Even his hand-picked moniker combines the two most common names in Muslim and Northern European communities and their diasporas. It’s a purposeful choice that summarises his mission to reflect the cross-roads culture that he grew up in. His latest track ‘MONEYBAGGZ’ was written during Muhammad $mith’s time living a stone’s throw away from Brooklyn’s famous 5th Avenue. You might expect the production to lean into that stereotypical “sleepless city” aesthetic, yet this artist reveals a deeper, more poignant side to life through this grooving laid-back number.

Resting on a warm, hazy production, ‘MONEYBAGGZ’ is elevated by sparkling keys and tripping drum beats, as well as Muhammad $mith’s reflective vocal delivery. Matching his relaxed energy is guest vocalist Sovereign Coochie Supreme whose sensual tone is effortlessly magnetic. That chorus, “cruising down 5th Avenue high, high, tryna find something to do, moneybaggz, I’m with the crew,” is fully embedded in our minds today and will be with us right into the weekend. The whole song feels lived-in and intimate, making it a perfect addition to the alt/indie-R&B space, while being fresh enough to stand out from the crowd.

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