Wah Wah 45s are proud to present the third single on the label from a very special new artist, Léa Mondo. It’s the final track to be released from the forthcoming Rising Women EP, due for release this May.

Hailing originally from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, by way of Manchester, and now settled in North London, this young singer-songwriter and guitarist enjoys a plethora of eclectic influences. Léa’s musical output is a smorgasbord of experimental styles fusing aspects of soul, high life, bossa-nova, jazz and reggae. Drawing inspiration from reggae icon Bob Marley, and Malian artists such as Fatoumata Diawara and Rokia Traorè, as well as Nigerian born UK soul superstar Sade, her music largely talks about life, love, peace and freedom while reflecting on the state of the world.

Nah Mate is a song about warding off negative energy from people and situations that aren’t serving your life. It’s about not dimming your light for anyone and learning to confront issues head on, communicating in a healthy, positive way. The idea for the track came from Léa’s love of Y2K R&B, soul and pop from artists such as Lauryn Hill, TLC, Blaque and Aaliyah.

The track features vocalist Tiece who brings a neo-soulful, electric blues edge to the proceedings. Tiece is a singer, producer and songwriter of mixed Equatorial Guinean and English roots who takes inspiration for her music from the chaos of nature and human experiences.

Léa co-produced the song with producer Louis Auneau, as well as providing lyrics, vocals, guitar and arrangements . The track also features Ryan Wandross on bass and Dave Mather on trumpet.

Since 2021, Léa has been somewhat prolific on the London live music scene, co-founding famed female & non-binary improv session Peng Femme Jam, and sharing stages with our very own Afrobeat Ambassador Dele Sosimi and Afla Sackey’s Afrik Bawantu project. Following several headline shows across London, and a tour of the south-west of England last summer, she will be celebrating the release of her forthcoming Rising Women EP on May 24th at 91 Living Room in East London’s Brick Lane.