Essosa Has A ‘Crush!’
Today, rising British-Canadian-Nigerian R&B/pop artist Essosa returns with her sophomore EP Crush!, Blending ’90s and 2000s nostalgia, cinematic storytelling and forward-thinking production by jkarri (PinkPantheress, Nia Archives) and WAVSDNTDIE (Wretch 32, Tiana Major9 & Benjamin A.D), the six-track project transforms the highs and lows of modern love into a flirty, emotionally raw world. Drawing from experiences navigating situationships, long-distance romance, and fleeting connections, Crush! captures both the thrill of vulnerability and the clarity that comes with choosing yourself.
“‘Crush’ is often used to describe an infatuation with someone, but it also means destruction and ruin,” Essosa says. “That juxtaposition really hit me last year. I wanted the project to live in that tension – everyone understands what a crush is, but the word carries both sides of that experience.”
A true pop-it girl in every sense, Essosa moves fluidly between singing, dancing, and world-building, crafting an immersive universe across her music and visuals. The project shifts between dance-driven anthems and sultry ballads, while drawing inspiration from icons like Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, and Madonna, alongside contemporary touchpoints such as PinkPantheress.
The EP’s focus track “Missing U” captures the push and pull of walking away from someone you still care about. Created with Jkarri after returning from Nigeria creatively reenergized, the pop-forward track reflects on ending a situationship defined by dishonesty and choosing self-worth over uncertainty.
Essosa recently joined genre-defying artist Rochelle Jordan on the US and European leg of her global tour, further cementing her reputation as one of R&B and pop’s most exciting emerging voices. She has earned co-signs from an impressive roster of artists, including Kaytranada, Missy Elliott, Kali Uchis, Tay Keith, and FLO, alongside recognition from Don Toliver, who sampled her vocals on his latest project Octane for the track “Long Way To Calabasas.”
Her breakout 2023 single “Waste My Time” has surpassed 70 million streams following viral success on TikTok, with continued support from DSPs and tastemakers including On The Radar, Complex, Clash, and New Wave.
Following the release of Crush!, Essosa takes the project to stage for a pair of intimate headline shows at London’s Jazz Café on September 14 and La Boule Noire in Paris on September 12—extending the world of the EP beyond the record.