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Photo: Umar Farooq

The past year has been anything but normal for Kwame Adu. Following three new projects, a name change, and a drastic cross-country relocation, Kwame Adu returns with his newest single, "Counting Losses". Formerly known as Brandon Masenko, and as one half of the LA rap group Driving Indoors, "Counting Losses" sees the newly New Jersey-based rapper transforming pain into self-acceptance. Deriving inspiration from jazz and drum-n-bass music, Kwame effortlessly flows while flexing some serious lyrical chops on his newest track.

It is difficult to describe what exact genre "Counting Losses" finds a home in, but this is partially what makes Kwame Adu's songwriting so mesmerizing. Jazzy and low-fidelity piano serves as the track's foundation over which Kwame adds what he describes as a "drum-n-bass twist".  

In addition to weaving his love of anime into his poetic content, Adu doubles down on his track's theme of reflection with lines like "Woke up feeling like Rihanna" (a reference to the opening line of his previous track "Wake Up"). Featuring a bass performance from alt-rock genius Isaac Lewis, "Counting Losses" is a track that is just as meditative as it is energetic. With a killer percussion track and hip-hop performance, Kwame Adu spares no expense on his latest cut.

Above all else, "Counting Losses" is a testament to the resilience of the undying creative spirit. Despite daily chaos unfolding around us, Kwame takes the good with the bad and still finds a way to fuel his creative passion on this self-produced track. Like Kwame sings on the chorus, “It’s up and down / We don’t need a score / Don’t count your losses," demonstrating a mindful humility whose sage guidance is much needed - especially when the world looks the way it does now.  

There is no point in counting our personal L's, what is most important is that we move forward and learn from our mistakes.  Though the future is uncertain, Kwame Adu's "Counting Losses" remains an honest yet optimistic perspective on progress and making peace with our past.  

Listen to  "Counting Losses" below: