Kali Uchis Teams Up With Major Lazer On ‘Wave’

Kali Uchis has dabbled in reggae and dub before: Listen to her earlier single “Know What I Want,” a standout on the Virginia-raised vocalist’s first EP Por Vida. That could be why she sounds so at home on “Wave” (listen below), her dubby new song with Diplo’s Caribbean-influenced electronic project Major Lazer.

“The waves come, you gotta ride it if you wanna stay afloat,” Uchis purrs on the sultry track, her vocals lightly processed.

Working with Diplo — the founder of trendy record label Mad Decent who rose to fame after starting Philadelphia party Hollertronix and collaborating with M.I.A. — seemed inevitable for Uchis, who caught the DJ/producer’s attention long before she dropped Por Vida.

“Diplo kept asking me who styled my ‘What They Say‘ video,” Uchis told Dazed in 2014. “I was like, ‘No, that’s just my clothes!'”

Diplo also co-produced Uchis’ Por Vida track “Melting.”

“Wave” appears on the extended version of Major Lazer’s Peace Is The Mission.