Mahalia is very clear about her stance on unfaithful partners, she only needs to catch them once. Her latest single, “Cheat,” which features JoJo, emphasizes this.
“Cheat” is a take-no-mess anthem where Mahalia and JoJo stand up against mistreatment from their men and encourage others to do the same. With candid, pointed writing, the two singers express their disbelief about their partners’ infidelity and demand they leave.
Mahalia’s new song arrives with a music video directed by Boma Illuma and co-starring Selim Ibrahim as the love interest. The concept was inspired by Brandy and Monica’s massive hit “The Boy Is Mine,” according to an Instagram caption from Mahalia.
“Cheat” is the second offering from Mahalia’s upcoming sophomore album, IRL, out July 14 via Atlantic Records. The first single, “Terms and Conditions,” was released in April and has been performed on platforms such as Vevo.
Mahalia announced IRL last month. Her next album is the proper follow-up to her 2019 debut album, Love and Compromise. Album one featured the hit single “What You Did” featuring Ella Mai, which peaked at No. 6 on Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart.
IRL also follows Mahalia’s two intermediate releases, 2022’s Letter To Ur Ex and 2020’s isolation Tapes.
Mahalia is set to headline a tour in support of IRL on Oct. 8 at the O2 Academy in Leeds, United Kingdom.
JoJo has not released a full-length album since 2021’s Trying Not to Think About It. The LP arrived a year after her 2020 set, good to know.
Trying Not to Think About It included the lead single “Worst (I Assume)” and fan favorites such the D’Mile-produced “Dissolve” and the ill-timed “Anxiety (Burlinda’s Theme).” The LP was featured on Rated R&B’s 30 Best R&B Albums of 2021 list.
In 2022, JoJo appeared on albums by PJ Morton (Watch The Sun) and Phony Ppl (Euphonyus).
Listen to Mahalia’s new song “Cheat” featuring JoJo and watch the official video below.
