Richardine Bartee
On time for the new season, today, GRAMMY-nominated Kossisko release their dazzling new single, ‘Talk To Me’, a funky, upbeat retro number possibly made to make us all happier. When we pressed play for the first time, time seemed to freeze. Our worries seemed to squander, making us hold each other and dance until the Stone City Band (Rick James) production faded. Then, as marketing specialists, we imagined a list of department stores we could hear it in.
The ‘Rich Bi$h’ follow-up speaks to their lover about her body having many secrets that she shouldn’t withhold. Ready for the tea, the former-rapper-turned-singer croons and asks her to “spill the tea.” Check out the song from their forthcoming album ‘SLAYERZ BALL’, available everywhere on June 7.
Kossisko explained the essence of ‘Talk To Me’, saying, “This song is a lot more disco leaning than the other songs in the album. Amazing Disco songs always have this very lavish sexy quality and they also always feel triumphant I think because of the string + horn combo. The song came together pretty easily and we had a lot of fun making it.”
The team describes the album as “a self-indulgent project and deeply personal about freedom, sexuality, love and being unapologetically yourself.” Prepare yourselves to hear a dignitary musical entré from a gifted artist inspired by Rick James, Lady Gaga, and Prince—whilst encouraging individuality and self-expression.
Before exhibiting their glamorous side to the world as a public figure, Kossisko performed under 100s. In 2014, the Bay Area rapping star signed to Fool’s Gold Records, releasing tracks best described as music inspired by the hoe stroll. Years later, in 2015, Kossisko underwent an evolution.
“I’ve been nonbinary my entire life, but I didn’t have the language or community so I didn’t understand it,” they say. They started dressing in drag as a kid, experimenting with their mom’s clothes. Playing with a goth-glam look in previous projects was what they considered first giving themselves the freedom to dress in drag publicly—which was a much-needed pivot away from their misogynistic Rap persona. With their last 2022 ‘World of Trouble’ album, they started to embrace the overtly feminine, wearing clothes cut for women’s bodies and going full glam makeup. “But then I would never address my gender identity because I didn’t feel safe in doing it,” they say. With ‘SLAYERZ BALL’, that all changes. “Now, I’ve been through a lot of shit and I know I have to live my truth.”
Kossisko also announced their tour, kicking off in West Hollywood at the Peppermint Club on June 13. Afterwards, they will perform in San Francisco at Rickshaw Stop, June 16 at Globe Hall in Denver, and last but not least, a closing show at Baby’s All Right in Brooklyn, New York, on June 18. Tickets will be available on Friday, March 29.
