Rita Kamale Shines on 'Dragonfruit' With UK & Saharan Influences

Moroccan-British artist, singer, and songwriter Rita Kamale comes through with her debut album ‘Dragon Fruit’, building on the global sound approach she has been honing in her previous singles. Here, she explores her multicultural influences, culminating in this full-length project, which marks the biggest step in her career so far.

Rita has been moving steadily in the Moroccan and British scenes with singles that earned her quite the reputation, landing her a feature on one of the biggest Moroccan rap albums of this year, Dada’s ‘M.I.M.’. Now, Rita is showcasing her first conceptual piece, introducing a melting pot of sonic directions that mold cohesively in a strong and concise release.

On the album, Rita translates these various influences both lyrically and sonically, singing in Darija (Moroccan Arabic), English, and French atop a varied and diverse range of styles, from Afrobeats to dub-inspired textures and jungle beats. These styles have all molded into this one coherent tracklist through subdued production approaches and laid-back instrumentation.

Though the album jumps between moods and vibe transitions, it is seemingly unfelt due to the exquisite simplicity of the production and Rita’s vocal style that layers the relaxed electronic feel of the tracks. The album is packed with motifs and mythical references, all implemented seamlessly throughout the tracks. Rita throws in these refreshing ideas that recall Year of the Dragon, Devil Fruits from the popular manga ‘One Piece’, and elements of mystical lore, all while also exploring her roots as a Moroccan. She utilizes these influences with care, not coming off as too derivative or scattered. Instead, it shows a great deal of depth and harmony between the sometimes-contrasting musical styles.

The album, clocking in at 21 minutes, comprises seven tracks, with five collaborations throughout. The intro track, ‘WARZONE’, sets up a hypnotic tone for the record through dub textures and understated nay notes, a relaxed feel that continues throughout the album.

The production, along with Rita’s distinctive vocalization, merges beautifully. The two are placed together perfectly in the mix, allowing both elements to shine equally. On ‘Fear Less’ and ‘Flower in the Jungle’, the vibe leans more towards Afrobeats but is executed in a way that flows with the album’s overall mood. Meanwhile, in ‘Tzadina 9ba7’, we get a sense of experimentation as the album takes a more adventurous route.

The album makes for an excellent debut record that sets up Rita for a promising career, making her one of the more standout artists in the regional scene at the moment.