Ella Mai (10 Summers/Interscope Records) has audiences back in their feelings with the highly anticipated release of her latest single “DFMU” (Don’t F__k Me Up).
Teaming up with her longtime musical collaborator Mustard and working alongside Prince Charlez on the track, Ella speaks from the heart, opening up about how it feels to fall in love and the internal battles that accompany that journey. With lyrics like “didn’t think it’d ever be so hard, crazy I’m letting down my guard,” this new single is a snapshot of Ella at her most exposed. Ella Mai is featured on the cover of New Music Daily and R&B Now on Apple Music.
Ella chatted with Zane Lowe about the song, saying, “This song in this process was very, very hard for me because it was like my life in real time. So it was almost a therapy session when I was in the session. But I think that’s the best way. All the people that I grew up listening to are always very, very honest.”
Ella drives home the message of “DFMU” with a stunning, moody visual directed by Loris Russier. The 90s-inspired flare reflects the songstress’ love and appreciation for the R&B artists of that time. Showing off a more vulnerable side we see Ella and her lover slowly drowning inside a car, an appropriate representation of how a toxic relationship can pull you down.
In 2018, Ella Mai’s first single, “Boo’d Up,” broke the record for the most weeks at No.1 of any song by a woman on the R&B/Hip-Hop Billboard Airplay chart and is RIAA Certified 7x multi-Platinum. Her follow-up single, “Trip,” peaked at No.11 on the Billboard Hot 100, and her album, Ella Mai, is RIAA Certified 2x Platinum.
In addition to her chart-topping domination and success, the 10 Summers Records’ breakout star Ella Mai has won several awards, including her first GRAMMY for Best R&B Song, three Billboard Music Awards including the coveted Top R&B Artist, three iHeartRadio awards including R&B Artist of the Year, three Soul Train Awards, and a BET Viewers’ Choice Award.