Neu D E N A

: D E N A aka. Denitza Todorova
Based: Berlin
Listen: Soundcloud.com/denaftb
Similar to: A hipster version of Lumidee’s ‘I’ll Never Leave You’

2011 was a watershed year in shedding light on the overwhelming current influence of 90s R&B pop on a lot of the music we hear today. Ghost Town DJs’ ‘My Boo’, a 1996 hit, was covered by Brooklyn’s Friends and Balam Acab respectively in the space of two heady months. It was as if someone had suddenly flicked a switch and decided that it wasn’t just ok to like this style of glossy production, it was absolutely imperative that you adored it.

D E N A, a Berlin popstar unlike any other, is the natural extension from this sudden turn of events. But rather than seemingly cuddling up next to trends, the Bulgarian-born, Berlin-residing singer is capable of turning hip-hop beats and R&B synths inside out, where they’re no longer recognisable to their former selves.

And best of all she spits tons of attitude, especially in the recent video for ‘Cash, Diamond Rings, Swimming Pools’, which, while bereft of appeal to those who still aren’t able to use the word “swag” in everyday conversation, is resplendent in cool.