A masterclass in contemporary R&B…
03 · 09 · 2025
Elmiene’s latest work, ‘Heat The Streets’, serves as a heartfelt homage to the legends of R&B. Throughout the 12-track mixtape, the British-Sudanese artist – whose real name is Abdala Elamin – celebrates his deep-rooted passion for the genre and the icons that have influenced him. While it nods to the past, it maintains a refreshing and modern sound. With a background in poetry, Elmiene's lyrics are both genuine and poignant, complementing melodies that flow with an expressive ease.
At just 24, Elmiene has already accomplished a great deal. His journey began at the last Louis Vuitton show for Virgil Abloh, where an unreleased song from the then 20-year-old was featured. The track struck a chord immediately, with numerous comments pouring into the livestream as viewers scrambled to identify the artist. This unexpected online attention took Elmiene by surprise, as he was in the midst of completing his final year at university. What once seemed like a distant dream of pursuing music now felt attainable. In just four years, he has released two EPs, received a nomination for a BRITs Rising Star Award, performed alongside Stevie Wonder at BST Hyde Park this summer, and collaborated with some of the music industry's biggest names.
The mixtape captures Elmiene’s essential talents. It opens with the single ‘Useless (Without You)’, showcasing the singer at his most relaxed, seamlessly navigating the emotive breadth of the song. It’s a quintessential R&B track that, despite its catchy chorus, still manages to draw listeners into their emotions.
His influences resonate throughout the album. As soon as ‘Miss Hot July’ begins, Elmiene channels the essence of D’Angelo; it’s evident in the keys, the rhythm, and the overall vibe. This connection is significant for Elmiene; an early viral cover of D’Angelo’s ‘Untitled (How Does It Feel)’ garnered attention from Missy Elliott and Pharrell Williams. In a 2024 interview with CLASH, he shared that performing on the same stage where D’Angelo once played felt liberating, as if he had finally embraced his true calling. “When I left, I felt like I’d conquered the world,” he remarked.
The interlude ‘Days!’ emanates a studio vibe, letting listeners hear his raw, improvised riffs. Later on, ‘Give Me A Smile’ and ‘Capable’ present stripped-down segments that place Elmiene’s soothing voice at the forefront. The project concludes with a lovely rendition of Carole King’s ‘You’ve Got A Friend’, where the piano mirrors the Wurlitzer in Donny Hathaway’s acclaimed 1972 cover, serving as a sweet reminder of the abundance of love.
With ‘Heat The Streets’, Elmiene positions himself as a promising successor to the R&B legends. Every word, harmonic refrain, and lyrical homage is crafted from the heart. He demonstrates mastery in creating exceptional R&B songs. Elmiene has expressed in interviews his interest in exploring a punk sound in the future, and given his versatile vocals and genuine passion for music, listeners can expect an exciting range of releases from him.
7/10
Words: Amelia Garrett
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Elmiene's latest project, ‘Heat The Streets’, serves as a tribute to the icons of R&B. The 12-track mixtape showcases the British-Sudanese artist's genuine talent.