Singer-songwriter KIRBY has joined forces with fellow Mississippi native and rapper Akeem Ali on her new single “Thick n Country.”
On the funky track, KIRBY embraces her Southern roots while uplifting fellow Southern women with anthemic lyrics. Sonically, it’s a groove that will pair well at outdoor functions like a family reunion or an old-fashioned cookout.
“Cadillac / I’m thick n country / Oh, baby say he like my body like he like my accent — thick,” she sings on the Homer Steinweiss production.
Regarding the song’s inspiration, KIRBY notes, “My friend Justin Hardiman once told me that historians come to Mississippi and photograph it in black in white, as if they want us to be stuck in this time capsule or era — so when you show Mississippi, show it in color. ‘Thick n Country’ is me showing and singing about Mississippi in color.”
She adds, “I hope people put on this record and feel the humidity, the mosquito bites, the smoke off the grill, and immediately want to do a line dance. It’s juke joint funk, with a hook as sticky as the Mississippi air after a summer rain. ‘Thick n Country’ is simple and vibrant, but beautiful – and because of that it sounds just like home.”
“Thick n Country” follows “The Man,” which was released in June. The powerful track honors the underdogs who work tirelessly towards the American Dream that seems far from their reach.
“‘The Man’ is a song dedicated to my father,” KIRBY explained. “At 71 years old, I don’t know a more hard working man, but his latter years have taught me that the American Dream is not earned by the hours you put in. And that in today’s time, an old man’s social security can make him feel many things, but rarely financially secure.”
“Thick n Country” and “The Man” will appear on KIRBY’s upcoming album that’s slated to arrive later this summer. KIRBY’s forthcoming album, produced by Thomas Brenneck, follows 2021’s Sis. He Wasn’t The One.
Stream KIRBY’s new song “Thick n Country” featuring Akeem Ali below.
