Kiana Ledé has released a new song in honor of her birthday and the third anniversary of her debut album, KIKI (April 3). It’s titled “Jealous” and features Grammy winner Ella Mai.
The two stars lament against a slow-burning backdrop, highlighting the normalization of envy. A lustful partner whose love stick is hard not to make one unhinged has Ledé and Mai are more than upset. They’re tired of being on the sidelines while their interests can have their cake and eat it too.
Regarding her new single, Ledé wrote in an Instagram caption, “Jealous. It’s the emotion a lot of us are scared to admit we feel bc it can bring out the worst in us if you let it. So instead of actin crazy just listen to this song.”
“Jealous” is Ledé’s first new song of the year. It’s the follow-up to her 2022 release, “Irresponsible,” produced by Cardiak and Wu10.
A few days after releasing “Irresponsible,” Ledé rolled out its official video directed by Michelle Parker.
“Jealous” and “Irresponsible” are expected to appear on Ledé’s untitled sophomore album. A release date has yet to be announced at this time.
The impending album will follow KIKI, Ledé’s 2020 debut album. Ari Lennox, Lucky Daye, Arin Ray, and 6LACK made vocal appearances on the standard and deluxe editions, while Ant Clemons and Gary Clark Jr. joined for the latter version released six months later.
Since KIKI, Ledé has collaborated with various acts, including THEY., D-Nice, Destin Conrad and Kehlani. The latter artist joined Ledé for “Ur Best Friend” in July 2021. It was announced as the first offering from album two but has not been confirmed if it will make the tracklist.
Additionally, Ledé was part of a few soundtracks, including Blade Runner: Black Lotus and The School for Good and Evil.
Mai is on a headlining tour promoting her sophomore album, Heart On My Sleeve.
“To be able to headline my own tour and get back out to my fans and perform a body of work that’s so important to me, it’s going to be really exciting,” she said to Rated R&B.
“We haven’t toured by myself in four years, so my band is excited to be back together and just really feel that energy from my fans and the crowd and be able to perform new music.”
Heart On My Sleeve arrived last May via 10 Summers/Interscope Records. It spawned the hit single “DFMU,” which subsequently topped R&B radio and Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart.
Days before the 65th Grammy Awards, at which she was nominated for Best Traditional R&B Performance, Mai released Heart On My Sleeve (Deluxe Edition). The new version included three new tracks.
Stream “Jealous” by Kiana Ledé and Ella Mai below.
