Emerging
Vocalist Lali P Debuts with "Keep It Smooth" Featuring Najee and Produced by GRAMMY® Winner Michael Mani
(Miami, Florida) - Emerging vocalist Lali P makes
an impressive debut with "Keep It Smooth," featuring acclaimed saxophonist Najee and
produced by Grammy Award winning artist and producer Michael Mani. Blending Latin soul, R&B, contemporary Jazz, and Afrobeat
influences, the single introduces Lali's sultry voice and sophisticated musical style. "Keep It Smooth" celebrates
confidence, connection, and effortless cool through a modern fusion of Soul, Jazz, and Latin rhythms.
Mani was scrolling through social media when he came upon a video of
the Colombian singer and was immediately struck by her voice. He invited the Miami-based vocalist to record in his North Hollywood
recording studio. The result, "Keep It Smooth," is out now, earning airplay and chart traction across outlets tracked
by Billboard, Mediabase, Smooth Jazz Network, and Groove Jazz.
Having
helped develop the careers of Becky G, Tori Kelly, and H.E.R., Mani envisioned a distinctive lane for Lali that he calls "sophisticated
Latin Soul." He played Lali some of his musical ideas and introduced her to a musical direction she had never considered
pursuing, one that immediately resonated with her.
As
Lali and Mani began working together, they went viral on social media by posting videos of Lali singing classics by Stevie
Wonder ("Overjoyed" and "Don't You Worry ‘Bout a Thing") and Michael Jackson ("I Can't Help
It" and "Human Nature") accompanied by Mani's keyboards, which generated over a million views across multiple
platforms. The response demonstrated a growing audience for the duo's blend of Latin soul, R&B, and sophisticated Jazz
influences.
Lali, Mani, and Allen Kepler wrote "Keep
It Smooth." Built upon sultry Afropop rhythms, Mani played Jazz-inspired instrumental lines to create additional space
for melodic interplay between the vocals and saxophone. Kepler, who helped coin the term "smooth jazz" and founded
the influential Smooth Jazz Network, suggested bringing Najee onto the track.
The Miami-based, Barranquilla, Colombia-born Lali P (Paez) earned a bachelor's in music from Universidad
del Norte in Colombia. In the studio and on stage, she has performed with Latin Grammy Award winner Tony Succar and Latin
music luminaries Oscar D'León and Nacho.
As
momentum continues to build around "Keep It Smooth," Lali attended Thursday's Billboard Latin Music Awards in Miami.
Listen to "Keep It Smooth": https://ffm.to/keep-it-smooth
Watch "Keep It Smooth": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vtpWn_l9gsA&t=19s
For more information: https://iamlalip.com
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