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Ibeyi
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 | Parts of this article (those related to Early life and career) need to be updated. The reason given is: No prose on their third album (nor very much for the first two). (September 2022) |
Ibeyi is a French musical duo consisting of twin sisters Lisa-Kaindé Diaz and Naomi Diaz. The duo sings in English, French, Spanish and Yoruba,[1] In Yoruba, Ibeyi (Ìbejì) means "twins".[2]
Key Information
Their music has elements of Yoruba, French and Afro-Cuban, and fuses jazz with beats, samples with traditional instruments.,[3] Lisa, the lead singer,[4] plays the piano;[5] Naomi plays the traditional Peruvian/Cuban percussion instruments cajón and Batá drum.
Early life and career
[edit]
The fraternal[6] twins (born 13 December 1994, in Paris) lived in Havana for the first two years of their lives, then moved to Paris, where they were educated.[7] They visited Cuba yearly on holiday, but were primarily raised in Paris, where they currently reside.[5]
Their father was the famed Cuban percussionist Anga Díaz, who has received a Grammy Award for his work with the Latin jazz band Irakere, and was also a member of Buena Vista Social Club ensemble, playing with Ibrahim Ferrer, Rubén González and Máximo Francisco Repilado Muñoz aka Compay Segundo. On his death in 2006, Naomi, then aged 11, learned to play his signature instrument, the cajón. Together the sisters studied Yoruba folk songs.[8] Their mother is French-Venezuelan singer Maya Dagnino, who serves as their manager and encouraged Lisa-Kainde's songwriting.[9][10]
In 2013, they signed to the record label, XL Recordings.[1][11] Label owner Richard Russell is the only other contributor to their self-titled debut album, released in 2015.[5] Released when they were 20, the album pays tribute to their deceased father and the track Yanira immortalizes the duo's older sister, who died in 2013. The song ends with a synth that sounds like a life-support monitor.[5]
In 2014, they received attention for the video for their album's second single, "River". The twins appear in a closeup shot throughout, taking turns having their heads forced underwater while the other sings.[5]
In 2016, the twins appeared in the short film for Beyoncé's album Lemonade as members of Beyonce's farm utopia that offers a safe space for black women. In May 2016, Ibeyi returned to Havana for live performances at the CHANEL 2016 Cruise collection in Cuba and the international music festival MUSICABANA.[12]
Their 2017 album Ash was nominated for IMPALA's European Album of the Year Award.[13]
In 2021, Ibeyi released a new ethereal song for the soundtrack of the film How to Stop a Recurring Dream. The track continues their exploration of soulful and otherworldly sounds.
Influences
[edit]As well as their father Anga Díaz, the duo claims Frank Ocean, James Blake, and King Krule among their influences.[14] In live shows, they have covered rapper Jay Electronica's Better in Tune with the Infinite and others.
Their recordings also show a strong and spiritual connection to their Yoruba roots, as do the name and themes.[15] They also pay tribute to Santería, a syncretism practiced by many Afro-Cubans, and many Cubans in general.[16]
Discography
[edit]Albums
[edit]| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRA [17] |
BEL (Fl) [18] |
BEL (Wa) [19] |
GER [20] |
NED [21] |
SWI [22] |
UK [23] |
UK Ind. [24] |
US [25] |
US Heat. [26] | ||
| Ibeyi |
|
15 | 28 | 35 | 58 | 52 | 20 | 36 | 9 | 166 | 1 |
| Ash |
|
26 | 48 | 73 | — | — | 47 | — | 49 | — | 13 |
| Spell 31 |
|
98 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 37 | — | — |
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory. | |||||||||||
EPs
[edit]| Title | Details | Notes | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oya EP |
|
|
Singles
[edit]| Title | Year | Peak chart positions | Album | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FRA [17] |
BEL (Fl) Tip [18] |
BEL (Wa) Tip [19] | |||||||||
| "River" | 2014 | 66 | 84 | 49 | Ibeyi | ||||||
| "Stranger / Lover" | 2015 | — | 15 | 34 | |||||||
| "Exhibit Diaz"[30] | — | — | — | Non-album single | |||||||
| "Lost in My Mind"[31] | 2017 | — | — | — | |||||||
| "Away Away" | 174 | 48 | — | Ash | |||||||
| "Deathless" (featuring Kamasi Washington) |
188 | — | — | ||||||||
| "Me Voy" (featuring Mala Rodriguez) |
— | — | — | ||||||||
| "Recurring Dream"[32] | 2021 | — | — | — | Music from the film How to Stop a Recurring Dream | ||||||
| "Made of Gold" (with Pa Salieu) |
— | — | — | Spell 31 | |||||||
| "Sister 2 Sister" | 2022 | — | — | — | |||||||
| "Lavender & Red Roses" (with Jorja Smith) |
— | — | — | ||||||||
| "—" denotes a recording that did not chart | |||||||||||
Notes
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Rhick Samadder (15 February 2015). "Sister act: the twins behind Ibeyi". The Guardian. Retrieved 16 February 2015.
- ^ Wagoner, Mackenzie. "Decoding the Beauty Looks of Our Favorite Sister Bands: Haim, Tegan and Sara, and More". Vogue. Retrieved 13 April 2018.
- ^ Betty Clarke (20 February 2015). "Ibeyi review – twin-powered culture-clash charisma". The Guardian. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
- ^ Hugh Montgomery (9 May 2015). "Ibeyi: meet the soul sisters set to stun this year's festival circuit "Music has always been our way to be happy and to heal ourselves"". The Independent. United Kingdom. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
- ^ a b c d e Jay Balfour (20 February 2015). "Half Yoruba spiritual and half electronic R&B, Ibeyi's debut is drenched in rhythm and quirky originality". hiphopdx. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
- ^ "We Skyped with Ibeyi, the French-Cuban Twin Sisters Turning Their Heritage into the Sound of the Future". Vice.com. 18 November 2014. Retrieved 19 October 2021.
- ^ "Ibeyi – Full Performance (Live on KEXP)". kexp.org. 13 April 2015. Retrieved 22 August 2015.
- ^ Carroll, Jim (20 March 2014). "New Music – Ibeyi, Juce, Akua". Irish Times. Retrieved 20 March 2014.
- ^ Tim Jonze (30 October 2014). "Meet Ibeyi: French-Cuban twins with a musical sixth sense". The Guardian. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
- ^ Jim Carroll (15 February 2015). "Ibeyi: the French Cuban teenagers about to take the music world by storm". Irish Times. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
- ^ "Les morceaux de la semaine de JD Beauvallet". Les Inrocks. Retrieved 13 April 2014.
- ^ "MUSICABANA – CUBA". Musicabana.com. Archived from the original on 10 May 2016. Retrieved 29 October 2017.
- ^ "22 acts in the running for best European independent album". IMPALA. 6 March 2018. Archived from the original on 9 March 2018. Retrieved 6 March 2018.
- ^ "About". Ibeyi. Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 22 February 2015.
- ^ "Ibeyi's Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Diaz in studio q". q on cbc. 12 August 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ^ Tracy, Liz (4 May 2016). "Ibeyi Mixes Music and Santería to Make Something Truly Original". Miami New Times. Retrieved 26 May 2022.
- ^ a b "Ibeyi discography". lescharts.com. Hung Medien. Retrieved 4 February 2023.
- ^ a b "Ibeyi discography". ultrato.be/nl/. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
- ^ a b "Ibeyi discography". ultrato.be/fr/. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
- ^ "Chartverfolgung / Ibeyi / Longplay". musicline.de (in German). GfK Entertainment. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
- ^ "Ibeyi discography". dutchcharts.nl. Hung Medien. Retrieved 21 February 2014.
- ^ "Ibeyi discography". hitparade.ch. Hung Medien. Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 18 October 2017.
- ^ "Ibeyi | Full Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
- ^ Peak positions for UK Independent Albums Chart:
- Ibeyi: "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50: 22 February 2015 – 28 February 2015". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- Ash: "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50: 06 October 2017 – 12 October 2017". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- Spell 31: "Official Independent Albums Chart Top 50: 13 May 2022 – 19 May 2022". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 May 2022.
- ^ "Ibeyi – Chart History | Billboard" (To access, select "Billboard 200"). Billboard. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ "Ibeyi – Chart History | Billboard Heatseekers Albums" (To access, select "Heatseekers Albums"). Billboard. Retrieved 11 March 2022.
- ^ "Ibeyi by Ibeyi on Apple Music". iTunes. 17 February 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
- ^ "Ash by Ibeyi on Apple Music". iTunes. 29 September 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
- ^ Spell 31 by Ibeyi, iTunes, 6 May 2022, retrieved 4 February 2023
- ^ "Exhibit Diaz – Single by Ibeyi on Apple Music". iTunes. 28 July 2015. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
- ^ "Lost in My Mind – Single by Ibeyi on Apple Music". iTunes. 10 February 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
- ^ Breihan, Tom (9 March 2021). "Ibeyi – "Recurring Dream"". Stereogum. Retrieved 7 May 2022.
External links
[edit]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Ibeyi.
- Official website
- XLRecordings – Ibeyi page
- UK Talent Agency Profile Archived 23 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine
- French Talent Agency Profile
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Artists | |
| Other | |
Ibeyi
View on Grokipediafrom Grokipedia
Background
Early life and family
Lisa-Kaindé Díaz and Naomi Díaz, the twin sisters who form the musical duo Ibeyi, were born as fraternal twins on 13 December 1994 in Paris, France.[10][11] Their father, Miguel "Angá" Díaz, was a renowned Cuban percussionist known for his work with the Buena Vista Social Club, contributing congas to their self-titled 1997 album that won the Grammy Award for Best Traditional Tropical Latin Album in 1998.[12] Angá Díaz passed away suddenly in 2006 at the age of 45 due to a heart attack.[13] Their mother, Maya Dagnino, is a French-Venezuelan singer and actress who serves as the duo's manager.[14][15] The sisters spent their early childhood split between Paris and Havana, Cuba, where they lived for the first two years of their lives before settling primarily in the French capital.[16] This bicultural upbringing immersed them in a rich artistic environment shaped by their parents; their father's mastery of Afro-Cuban percussion filled their home with rhythmic traditions, while their mother's pursuits in singing and acting fostered an appreciation for performance and storytelling.[12][17] Through their family, they were exposed to the Yoruba religion and its Afro-Cuban counterpart, Santería, as both parents were initiated into the faith, with the twins present at ceremonies even before birth.[18] Growing up in Paris, the Díaz sisters attended local schools, where they balanced academic life with early musical explorations influenced by their heritage.[15] Naomi attended conservatory for classical percussion and dropped out of school, preferring jazz improvisation nights, before transitioning to focus on music alongside her sister.[15] Lisa-Kaindé, meanwhile, excelled academically and studied musicology at the Sorbonne, aspiring to become a music teacher.[15]Formation
Following the sudden death of their father, Cuban percussionist Miguel "Anga" Díaz, in 2006 when the twins were 11 years old, Naomi Díaz began learning the cajón on the day of his passing as a way to connect with his legacy, while Lisa-Kaindé Díaz started composing songs encouraged by their mother.[1][10] The sisters' shared grief intensified in 2013 with the death of their older sister Yanira, prompting them to begin creating music together as an outlet for processing loss, drawing on their Yoruba heritage to honor deceased family members through ancestral chants.[1][19] At age 19, they formed the duo Ibeyi, with Lisa-Kaindé handling lead vocals and piano, and Naomi providing percussion—primarily cajón and batá drums—and backing vocals, establishing a minimalist yet spiritually resonant sound rooted in their cultural background.[12][20] The duo's name, Ibeyi (Ìbejì in Yoruba), translates to "twins" and reflects both their fraternal bond and the revered status of twins in Yoruba and Santería traditions, where they are seen as divine figures bringing protection and joy.[17][21] Early demos captured this intimate collaboration, blending piano, percussion, and Yoruba invocations to evoke themes of mourning and ancestry.[12][20] In 2013, videos of their nascent performances at small local venues were posted online, catching the attention of XL Recordings founder Richard Russell, who invited them to his London studio and signed the duo to the label in 2013 after hearing their raw demos.[22][23] This pivotal encounter marked their professional breakthrough, transitioning from private experimentation to a structured recording path.[23] Ibeyi debuted live in 2014 with intimate shows in Paris at venues like The Sunset jazz club and in London at an XL showcase and Rough Trade West, where their harmonious vocals and rhythmic interplay quickly drew acclaim for their emotional depth and cultural fusion.[24][25][26] These initial performances solidified their onstage synergy, setting the stage for broader recognition while emphasizing their commitment to themes of familial loss and spiritual resilience.[25][23]Musical style and influences
Musical style
Ibeyi's music is defined by a distinctive genre fusion that intertwines electronic soul, hip hop, jazz, and R&B with Afro-Cuban percussion, resulting in a sound that bridges contemporary and ancestral traditions.[27] The duo employs minimalistic production techniques, including loop pedals, piano, and drums, to craft sparse, intimate arrangements that highlight rhythmic precision and emotional depth.[28] This approach draws on Yoruba and Santería rhythms, incorporating traditional elements like batá drums alongside electronic beats and samples for a hypnotic, cross-cultural texture.[29] The vocal style of Ibeyi features harmonious interplay between twins Naomi and Lisa-Kaindé Díaz, sung in English, French, Spanish, and Yoruba to evoke multilingual spiritual resonance.[1] Lyrically, their work delves into themes of spirituality, feminism, grief, and social justice, often channeling personal loss and collective resistance through poetic introspection.[30] Central motifs revolve around Yoruba orishas, the deities of the religion, with invocations of figures like Yemayá, the ocean goddess associated with motherhood and protection, and Oya, the warrior of winds and transformation, symbolizing empowerment and change.[30] These elements underscore explorations of Black identity and female agency, framing music as a conduit for healing and defiance.[31] Over time, Ibeyi's production has evolved from the raw, duo-centric intimacy of their debut to broader collaborations in subsequent releases, such as integrating jazz saxophonist Kamasi Washington's contributions for added textural layers.[32] In their most recent work, the sound returns to streamlined sparsity while incorporating gospel influences and resonant bass, maintaining a focus on vocal-led neo-soul propulsion.[33] In live settings, Ibeyi cultivate a ritualistic atmosphere through raw emotional delivery, where Naomi's commanding percussion and Lisa-Kaindé's piano interplay mimic ceremonial rites, drawing audiences into a shared spiritual communion. This performance style amplifies the music's themes, transforming songs into immersive experiences of vulnerability and power.[23]Influences
Ibeyi's music draws heavily from their familial heritage, particularly the Afro-Cuban percussion traditions passed down by their father, Miguel "Angá" Díaz, a celebrated conguero who performed with the Buena Vista Social Club and influenced their rhythmic foundations.[12] Their mother, Maya Dagnino, further shaped their early exposure by studying conga drums and batá chants, incorporating Yoruban traditions into their household.[17] Central to their artistic identity are the cultural and spiritual influences of Yoruba religion and Santería, derived from their Cuban roots, including sacred chants and rituals learned directly from family practices that emphasize divine twins and ancestral connections.[30] These elements blend with Cuban rumba and religious music, reflecting the Afro-Cuban syncretism their father embodied through his percussion work.[34] Among modern artists, Ibeyi cite Frank Ocean for his emotional vulnerability, James Blake for electronic minimalism, King Krule for raw vocal delivery, and Kendrick Lamar for incisive social commentary.[35] They also draw from Nina Simone's activism and Björk's experimental vocal approaches, which inform their explorations of identity and innovation.[36][37] Broader inspirations include feminist and Black activist movements, which resonate through their lyrical focus on resistance, identity, and encounters with racism, echoing Simone's legacy of cultural nationalism and empowerment for Black women.[30]Career
Debut and early releases (2013–2015)
Ibeyi signed with XL Recordings in 2014 and released their debut EP, Oya, on 7 August 2014.[38] The four-track release featured the titular "Oya," inspired by the Yoruba orisha of winds and storms, alongside "River," with a cappella and dub versions rounding out the project; it showcased the duo's minimalist production, blending percussion, piano, and vocals in English and Yoruba.[39] The EP marked Ibeyi's introduction to a broader audience, highlighting their spiritual and cultural roots while earning early buzz for its raw emotional intensity.[40] Following its success, the duo prepared their self-titled debut album, Ibeyi, released on 17 February 2015 via XL Recordings. Produced primarily by XL founder Richard Russell in collaboration with the sisters, the 10-track album included standout songs like "Eleggua" (an invocation to the Yoruba gatekeeper deity), "River," and "Ghosts," exploring themes of loss, ancestry, and resilience through sparse arrangements of drums, keys, and layered harmonies.[41] Critics lauded its spiritual depth and innovative fusion of hip-hop beats, soul, and Afro-Cuban traditions, with Pitchfork describing it as a "stunning debut" that felt both ancient and contemporary. Promotion for the album began with the release of "River" as a single in August 2014, accompanied by a stark music video directed by Ed Morris that interwove English lyrics with Yoruba chants to the orisha Oshun, emphasizing themes of inner strength and flow.[42] "Ghosts," released as the second single on 15 January 2015, further built anticipation with its haunting percussion and reflections on mortality.[43] Ibeyi supported the rollout with extensive touring, including headline shows across Europe and the United States, and a notable performance at Coachella in April 2015 on the Gobi Stage, where their live energy captivated audiences with synchronized vocals and ritualistic percussion.[44] The duo's early work received widespread critical acclaim, earning a nomination on the BBC Music Sound of 2015 longlist alongside acts like Years & Years.[45] The Guardian praised the album's "culture-clash charisma" and emotional authenticity, noting how it bridged personal grief—such as tributes to their late sister and father—with broader Yoruba spirituality, though some critiqued its consistent tempo as occasionally limiting.[28] While commercial sales were modest, reflecting the niche appeal of their experimental sound, Ibeyi cultivated a dedicated cult following, particularly among listeners drawn to its unpolished vulnerability and genre-defying approach.[46] As young women of color entering the industry, Ibeyi navigated challenges including racial biases in France, which informed their emphasis on authenticity over commercial conformity; in interviews, they stressed maintaining creative control to honor their Cuban-French-Yoruba heritage amid external pressures to conform.[47] This focus on genuine expression helped solidify their breakthrough, setting the stage for sustained artistic evolution.Ash era and collaborations (2016–2018)
In 2016, Ibeyi gained significant international exposure through their appearance in Beyoncé's visual album Lemonade, where the twin sisters performed in the "Freedom" segment alongside other Black women, symbolizing empowerment and resilience. This high-profile feature in the project's chapter on liberation helped elevate their visibility, introducing their soulful, Yoruba-infused sound to a broader audience beyond their debut fanbase.[48] The duo's second album, Ash, marked a maturation in their artistry, released on September 29, 2017, via XL Recordings. Comprising 10 tracks, the album explored themes of mortality, grief, and unyielding resilience, drawing from personal experiences like Lisa-Kaindé's wrongful arrest and broader civil rights struggles, while incorporating Yoruba spirituality and batá drumming. Key songs included "Deathless," a defiant civil rights anthem, and "I Carry This Black Love," which channeled emotional depth through layered vocals and percussion. Notable guests enriched the production: saxophonist Kamasi Washington contributed to "Deathless," adding improvisational jazz flourishes, while Imani-Grace Cooper led a choir on select tracks, enhancing the communal, ritualistic feel. Other collaborators featured Meshell Ndegeocello on the epic "Transmission/Michaelion" and spoken-word excerpts from Michelle Obama on "No Man Is Big Enough for My Arms."[49][50] Singles from Ash underscored the album's introspective yet activist tone. "Away Away," released in June 2017, burst with positive energy, its chorus urging movement and action amid adversity, reflecting perseverance through upbeat electro-soul rhythms. "Me Voy," an all-Spanish track featuring Spanish rapper Mala Rodríguez, arrived in September 2017 as a slinky pop lament for lost connections, blending hip-hop flows with the sisters' harmonies to evoke longing and escape. The album also included "Oya," a nod to the Yoruba goddess of winds and change, emphasizing transformation and strength. These releases highlighted Ibeyi's shift toward outward-looking messages of resistance and sisterhood.[49][50][51] Supporting Ash, Ibeyi embarked on a global headline tour from late 2017 into 2018, performing across Europe, North America, and beyond, including a stop in Israel at the Barby Club in May 2018. Earlier that year, they had returned to their Cuban roots for notable performances: opening Chanel's Cruise 2016/17 fashion show in Havana with a traditional Yoruba chant in May 2016, and performing at the MUSICABANA international music festival in May 2016 alongside acts like Major Lazer and Sean Paul.[52][53][54] These events solidified their cross-cultural appeal, blending music with fashion and heritage. Ash received critical acclaim for its genre-blending innovation and emotional potency, earning an 8.3 rating from Pitchfork as "Best New Music" and praise from The Guardian for its "girl-positive" empowerment and outward activism. The album's success expanded Ibeyi's fanbase in the US and Europe, with its themes resonating amid global conversations on race and gender. It garnered a nomination for IMPALA's European Independent Album of the Year in 2018, recognizing its impact within the indie scene. During this period, the sisters navigated the pressures of rising fame, with Naomi briefly exploring solo vocal projects amid the duo's intensifying schedule, though they remained focused on their collaborative bond.[49][50][55]Spell 31 and recent activities (2019–present)
Following the release of their second album Ash in 2017, Ibeyi entered a period of introspection and personal evolution from 2019 to 2021, marked by the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. The twin sisters, Lisa-Kaindé and Naomi Diaz, focused on individual growth as they matured from teenagers into women, with Naomi taking a more prominent role in vocals and production for their upcoming work.[1][56] Their plans to record globally were upended, leading to remote sessions split between London and Paris, which deepened their collaborative bond and emphasis on healing.[1] Amid this time, Ibeyi expressed support for social justice causes, including through their cover of Black Flag's "Rise Above" featuring Berwyn, which directly references the murder of George Floyd and echoes Black Lives Matter sentiments of resistance against oppression.[1][57] The track, included on their third album, underscores their commitment to addressing racism and communal empowerment in their music.[1] Ibeyi's third studio album, Spell 31, arrived on 6 May 2022 via XL Recordings, comprising 10 tracks that blend their signature percussion-driven rhythms with layered vocals in English, Yoruba, and Spanish.[58] Named after a protective incantation from the Egyptian Book of the Dead intended to safeguard the soul in the afterlife, the album delves into themes of spiritual protection, sisterhood, ancestral healing, and empowerment against intergenerational trauma.[59][1] Notable tracks include "Made of Gold," a lead single affirming self-worth, and "Coumba," while guest appearances from Pa Salieu on "Made of Gold" and Saro on "Coumba" add dynamic energy to the introspective soundscape.[58][60] The album's rollout featured the single "Made of Gold" in early 2022, highlighting Pa Salieu's rap verse alongside the sisters' harmonious refrains on resilience.[60] In 2021, Ibeyi contributed the ethereal "Recurring Dream" to the soundtrack of the film How to Stop a Recurring Dream, showcasing their evolving cinematic ties. To promote Spell 31, Ibeyi launched a global headline tour spanning 2022 and 2023, with key U.S. performances including a slot at the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, Tennessee, on 31 March 2023, where they delivered sets blending album highlights with earlier hits in the historic Tennessee Theatre.[61][62] The tour emphasized their live prowess, drawing on Yoruba traditions and electronic elements to captivate audiences worldwide.[63] In 2024, Ibeyi featured on the single "Jardin d'hiver" by French artist Waxx, from his album Étincelle, marking a selective collaboration amid their focus on advocacy. Additionally, Spell 31 received a Dolby Atmos remaster release in August 2024. As of November 2025, Ibeyi have not announced a fourth studio album or scheduled major tours since 2023, opting instead for selective engagements that reflect their ongoing advocacy for women's rights, cultural preservation, and anti-racism through music and interviews.[64][65][1] Their work continues to champion Afro-Cuban heritage and female empowerment, as seen in discussions of revolution and sisterly bonds.[1] Spell 31 earned acclaim for its artistic maturity, with reviewers noting its shift toward joyful syncretism while retaining emotional depth. Pitchfork described it as a "rhythm-forward" effort that "shimmers with color and joy yet still channels pain and loss," praising the duo's expanded sonic palette.[66] The Guardian hailed it as their "most accomplished and ambitious album yet," crediting Naomi's vocal evolution and the record's themes of love and ancestral dialogue for elevating their profile in alternative R&B circles.[1]Discography
Studio albums
Ibeyi's discography includes three studio albums, all released through XL Recordings.| Title | Released | Tracks | Producer(s) | Featured artists | Chart performance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ibeyi | 17 February 2015 | 11 | Richard Russell | None | No. 36 UK Albums Chart[67] |
| Ash | 29 September 2017 | 12 | Richard Russell | Kamasi Washington | No. 36 UK Albums Chart[68] |
| Spell 31 | 6 May 2022 | 10 | Richard Russell | Pa Salieu, Jorja Smith | No. 37 UK Independent Albums Chart[69]; 80/100 Metacritic[70] |
Extended plays
Ibeyi's early extended play, Oya, was released on 7 August 2014 through XL Recordings as a digital download and later on vinyl in September 2014.[38][71] The EP features four tracks that highlight the duo's early sound, blending Yoruba-inspired vocals with minimalist electronic and percussion elements produced by Richard Russell.[40] It served as their debut release, garnering attention for its spiritual and rhythmic depth prior to their full-length album.[72] The track listing is as follows:| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Oya" | 3:52 |
| 2. | "River" | 4:12 |
| 3. | "Oya (Oya Capella)" | 3:30 |
| 4. | "River (Oshun Dub)" | 5:03 |
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Recurring Dream" | 2:42 |
| 2. | "How to Stop a Recurring Dream" | 3:15 |
| 3. | "Cigarette" | 2:58 |
| 4. | "Lost in My Mind" | 3:22 |
| 5. | "Away Away (Recurring Dream Version)" | 3:00 |
Singles
Ibeyi's singles often highlight their fusion of Yoruba spiritual elements with contemporary production, frequently incorporating multilingual lyrics and collaborations that expand their sonic palette. These releases have garnered attention for their emotional depth and cultural resonance, with several achieving notable airplay and streaming success. The duo's debut single, "River," was released in 2014 as the lead track from their self-titled album. The song features haunting vocals over minimal electronic beats, accompanied by a music video directed by Ed Morris that incorporates Yoruba chants and stark imagery of the sisters in ritualistic settings. It peaked at No. 13 on the UK Singles Chart, spending two weeks in the Top 40.[75][76] In 2017, "Away Away" served as the lead single from their second album Ash, released on June 9 via XL Recordings. The track explores themes of impermanence and acceptance, with the sisters' layered harmonies driving its introspective energy.[77][78] Another key single from Ash, "Deathless" (featuring Kamasi Washington on saxophone), was released on August 31, 2017. Written as an anthem of resilience following a personal injustice, it blends soaring gospel influences with Washington's improvisational jazz elements, emphasizing empowerment and immortality of the spirit.[79][80] "Me Voy," released September 14, 2017, also from Ash, features Mala Rodríguez and addresses themes of departure and cultural identity with Spanish lyrics and trap-influenced beats.[81] "Ghosts," released January 15, 2015, as a promotional single from their debut album, addresses themes of loss and haunting memories through ethereal percussion and bilingual verses. The track's sparse arrangement underscores the duo's vocal interplay, drawing from their Yoruba heritage.[43] The 2021 single "Made of Gold" (featuring Pa Salieu), released November 17, 2021, ahead of Spell 31, marks a vibrant return with upbeat rhythms and themes of ancestral strength. The collaboration infuses Afrobeats and rap elements, celebrating unbreakable lineage.[82] From Spell 31, "Sister 2 Sister" was released February 10, 2022, as the lead single, focusing on sisterhood and empowerment with pulsating rhythms. "Lavender & Red Roses" (featuring Jorja Smith), released April 1, 2022, explores vulnerability and healing through soulful collaboration.[59] In 2024, Ibeyi collaborated with Waxx on "Jardin d'hiver," released March 8, a cover blending jazz and electronic elements in French. More recently, on October 3, 2025, they featured on Wampi's "Habana Club," infusing Cuban rhythms into a reggaeton track.[83][84]| Title | Year | Album | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| River | 2014 | Ibeyi | Lead single; UK Singles Chart No. 13 |
| Ghosts | 2015 | Ibeyi | Promotional single; explores grief |
| Away Away | 2017 | Ash | Lead single; themes of transience |
| Deathless (feat. Kamasi Washington) | 2017 | Ash | Empowerment anthem; jazz fusion |
| Me Voy (feat. Mala Rodríguez) | 2017 | Ash | Cultural identity; Spanish lyrics |
| Made of Gold (feat. Pa Salieu) | 2021 | Spell 31 | Ancestral celebration; Afrobeats influences |
| Sister 2 Sister | 2022 | Spell 31 | Lead single; sisterhood themes |
| Lavender & Red Roses (feat. Jorja Smith) | 2022 | Spell 31 | Vulnerability and healing |
| Jardin d'hiver (with Waxx) | 2024 | Non-album single | Jazz cover in French |
| Habana Club (with Wampi) | 2025 | Non-album single | Cuban reggaeton fusion; as of October 2025 |