TOKiMONSTA remixes Ayra Starr's 'Ija' for Afro beat-infused benefit compilation

Revered production Maestra TOKiMONSTA has remixed Nigerian-Beninese singer Ayra Starr's 'lja' for the forthcoming 'Dance (RED) Saves Lives' compilation, which has been pieced together by Don Jazzy and Aluna.

After an exceptionally busy release schedule in 2020, TOKiMONSTA has started this year comparatively quietly, though has still managed to keep fans happy with select musical morsels. Following the inclusion of her cover of Chaka Khan's classic 'I'm Every Woman' on last month's Black History Always 'Music For The Movement' compilation, she's back supporting another noble cause – this time throwing her weight behind life-saving HIV/AIDS programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa. The 'Dance (RED) Saves Lives' comes as a joint venture from (RED) and Mavin Records, who between them have assembled an ensemble cast of producers on an album whose proceeds will be put towards alleviating the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on the day to day running of these long-running healthcare projects. Virgil Abloh, Felix Da Housecat, LILO and UNIIQU3 are among those included in the compilation, which is endowed with an effervescent contemporary Afro-beat flavour throughout.

The cause is unquestionably worth supporting, as the effects of the COVID pandemic continue to cause major disruption throughout the world. “COVID-19 could cause AIDS-related deaths to double in the coming year as health and community systems are overwhelmed, treatment and prevention programs are disrupted, and resources are diverted throughout sub-Saharan Africa,” says the compilation's press release.

TOKiMONSTA's 'Ija' remix presents Starr's distinctive vocal over a typically lush production sound, with soothing chords, warm bass, and an infectious Afro-inspired drum pattern – effectively joining the dots between r&b, Afro Beat, and ocean-side house music.

'Dance (RED) Save Lives' is due out April 2, you can pre-save it here