Tkay Maidza has released her new single “Carry On,” featuring none other than cultural and political icon and one half of Run The Jewels – Killer Mike. “Carry On” is the lead-track from her forthcoming debut album titled TKAY, which is set to be released on October 28 via Downtown / Interscope Records.

The 20-year-old, Zimbabwe-born, Australia-based pocket rocket with appropriate lashings of swag has proven to be a commanding force in the international music scene, thanks to her versatility as an emcee and vocalist, as well as the complexity of the lyrics she brings to the table.

Killer Mike who publicly declared himself a Tkay fan, throughout 2015 – first live on air in an interview on Australia’s triple j where he stated after seeing her performance; “I saw her perform at one of the festivals – she’s dope man, shout out to her. She’s a great human being and a dope performer too. Shout outs mama, you dope. She is dope!” and then again during a lecture the rapper gave at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Now it seems he’s not just a fan but considers her a peer, sharing the mic with her on this epic new track.

“The song is about people trying to stop my stride,” says Tkay, “but I guess what I’m trying to say is I have bigger issues that only matter to me as a youngin at this point in my career and Killer Mike is reinforcing that. I’ve loved Run the Jewels for ages as they were the first act I saw at my favourite touring festival Laneway Festival. It was super inspiring to see them. We had the idea of having him on a song and reached out to his team, they were totally down. It turned out to be ‘Carry On’ :)”

“It was really cool that Mike listened to what I was saying in my verse as his verse is a conversation to mine… to him I must sound like I need guidance, and what he said was really reassuring and relevant for me. I think it’s super important to have support from someone who has so much knowledge and experience in life and music… He is the first person who is a respected and loved rapper to have said they approve of what I do so having him on the song is super special.”

Tkay Maidza US Shows w/ What So Not:

9/16 — Los Angeles, CA — The Fonda Theatre
9/17 — Los Angeles, CA — The Fonda Theatre
9/19 — San Diego, CA — The Observatory North Park
9/20 — San Francisco, CA — The Regency Ballroom
9/21 — Eugene, OR — WOW Hall
9/22 — Seattle, WA — Showbox SoDo
9/23 — Portland, OR — Wonder Ballroom