The universality of music is easily one of the best parts about the art form. Being a form that is so closely related to the emotional reactions it inspires in its audience, it poses the unique ability to transcend a number of barriers in ways that other forms might sometimes be unable.

Aya Nakamura’s music is a testament to this unique quality of music, as it is almost exclusively sung in French, which one might think could alienate non-French speakers. However, this is far from the case as Aya’s music and overall charisma pulls you in and forces you to listen over and over again.

Aya Nakamura is a Mali-born, Paris-raised chart-topping pop singer with a knack for effectively fusing a number of genres with afrobeats and other African influences. She rose to prominence in 2018 with her #1 hit single, Djadja, which also gave her first taste of mainstream attention. Since then, she has gone on to become the most streamed French female artist, next to Christine & the Queens.

Having dropped a number of singles last year including Gang featuring Nigeria’s own Davido, she recently dropped a remix to her 2019 single, Pookie. Featuring American rapper, Lil Pump.

The song is a catchy reggaetón number, showing off Aya’s natural vocal ability, as well as her ability to infuse urban and Afrobeats sounds into pop. Lil Pump also shines on this song with his trademark downplayed delivery, as well as his amusing adlibs.