I wrote INtrlD for my closeted, queer teen self who feel in love with a girl while living in Botswana at a time when it was illegal to be gay. If only my little teen self could see me now.

“Two years on and I’m looking so dumb. I’ve been holding on to things for way too long. Passing through a week that turns into a month. Getting tongue tied again – going on and on and on and on and on. I’ll have to wait until the next round”

KEEP GOING

Is it going to be an open book
Can I call a friend to help me out
Is it going to be an a b c
Or leave me with a healthy dose of doubt

KEEP GOING is about the inquitable starting point. that many marginalized groups experience in this world. The starting line is set at different points depending on ones systemic stigmatizations. As a Queer, Black, Gender fluid person I’ve often felt like people someonhow had the answers to a test that I didn’t know existed.

It feels deflating at time but at the end of the day I want to be part of the efforts to pave the way for upcoming Queer, Black folks – I want to keep going on becuase I know it’s important and still very necessary.

do you feel

Do you feel the way I wanna feel?

do you feel is a song about trying to keep the feeling alive- sometimes the push is worth the squeeze.

Written, produced and recorded by Naledi Sunstrum at Human Robot Records. Cover photo by Jacob + Lucila. Cover design by Naledi Sunstrum. Beats by FrankyG. Mixed and mastered at: All buttons In

OK NALEDI | DON’T

“Don’t try to change me, I like who I’ve grown up to be.”

DON’T is about working to hold on to who you are. Essentially not changing yourself to please others. This is something Ive struggled with and it’s taken me a long time to learn how important self-love is. I’m weird, quircky, gay, biracial, a total goof and all of that is ok.

Self love for Black wom+n is often seen as selfish or narcissistic. Society has been conditioning us to work harder, be quiet, and stay humble. But now it’s time to learn how to be proud of who we are and how we got here while also taking care to nurture our own true selves.

OK NALEDI | YOU

“Out on my own in this world, because of all the things I’ve observed”

YOU is a song that explores the idea of being so disheartened with how the world is unfolding that perhaps it might be better to exist alone. The last line of the chorus proclaims, “I’ll work on being compelled to myself”.

But there is a subtle desire throughout YOU of longing for community and the need for collaboration. This concept is beautifully expressed in the music video for YOU.

OK Naledi | GO SLOW

It’s good company. GO SLOW is like a good friend, she stays with you for a while.

GO SLOW is an Afro House love song that speaks about the topic of being with someone that you know is only going to lead to two broken hearts and a bowl full of mistakes.

GO SLOW’s vibe has reminiscence of South African house group Liquideep as well as Nigerian house artist Nonso Amadi. GO SLOW will have you tapping into that little heartache memory that you hold fondly but recognize as a moment of emotional growth and heart learning.