A vibrant tribute to her Caribbean roots.
On March 26, 2025, New York artist Yaya Bey marks her signing with drink sum wtr by releasing a new single, “merlot and grigio.”
This is Bey’s first solo track since last year’s album, “Ten Fold,” which honors her father, Ayub Bey, and Grand Daddy IU from the New York rap collective, the Juice Crew. The single joyfully celebrates her Bajan heritage, which she initially hinted at in her signature song, “meet me in Brooklyn.”
The Soca-influenced track, which Bey wrote and self-produced, features Bajan dancehall artist Father Philis and was inspired by her touring experiences in Europe. Imagining what it would be like to perform for a Black audience, without altering her sound or presentation, “merlot and grigio” serves as both a homage to Black pride and a return to her roots.
“I have been touring internationally and often find myself as the only Black person in the room,” explains Yaya. “Recently in France, I wondered what it would be like to perform for Black international audiences, which sparked my creativity. My dad always had at least one reggae song on his albums. We’re from Barbados, and I carried on that tradition with tracks like ‘meet me in brooklyn.’ I chose to delve even deeper into Soca and reached out to Father Philis, whose music I have really enjoyed. This song feels like a dream realized—an opportunity to explore my roots further and focus on Black communities, especially in the Caribbean.”
“merlot and grigio” signals that more new music is on the way this year through drink sum wtr, alongside a performance in her hometown of Queens at the Governor’s Ball festival this summer. Last year, Bey participated in a Tiny Desk concert, which NPR described as “truly healing to experience.”
Regarding the global reach of her new single, Yaya Bey adds, “We’re thrilled about it; it’s exciting to create a connection throughout the diaspora, bridging the Caribbean and American cultures. It’s a genuine Soca record, just like my aunt Wendy would play.”
Listen below.
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Photo Credit: Cody Lidtke
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New York artist Yaya Bey celebrates her signing to drink sum wtr with her new single, 'merlot and grigio.’ This marks Bey's first solo release since her album last year.