Priya Ragu unveils new single ‘Illuminous’ and video – watch
The Swiss-Tamil rapper is one of 2022's most hotly-tipped artists
By Joe Goggins
Priya Ragu has shared her latest single, ‘Illuminous’, and unveiled the accompanying video – you can watch it below.
The Swiss-Tamil rapper earned rave reviews last year for her debut mixtape ‘damnshetamil’, on which she introduced the world to what she calls ‘Raguwavy’; her signature blend of soul, R&B and hip hop, with elements of the Tamil music of her heritage.
Since, she’s gone on to appear on the BBC’s Sound of 2022 shortlist and perform on ‘Later…with Jools Holland’, as well as tour both the UK and Europe with Jungle. Now, she’s sharing the first taste of her next era, interpolating electronic beats into an already complex sonic palette. “I believe we are all beings of light,” Ragu said in discussing the meaning behind the new track. “It’s a journey that starts before we enter this world and continues while we have this human experience, and then remains after we leave this earth.”
“I also believe that we all have this one true unique gift that could bring us back to our true selves,” she continued. “Once you have found that, the light within you shines so bright that you become invincible. This is how I feel at this stage in my life and with this song I want to encourage others to find that one thing. Apart from all that, it’s also a turn up song, so you know what you gotta do!”
The clip for ‘Illuminous’ was directed by Silence, who has also worked with Sigrid, IAMDDB and Yxng Bane. Production on the track, as is the case with most of Ragu’s output, was handled by her brother, Japhna Gold.
Gold also plays in Ragu’s live band; late last year, she sold out London’s Jazz Café on her first headlining tour of the UK. She’ll return to the capital for a show at Scala next month, before heading to Glasgow and Dublin as part of The Road to the Great Escape, ahead of the main festival in Brighton in May. You can see the full dates below.
Priya Ragu, April 2022:
21 – London, Scala
May 2022:
6-7 – Glasgow, The Road to the Great Escape
9-10 – Dublin, The Road to the Great Escape
11-14 – Brighton, The Great Escape