Orlando’s very own neo-soul singer/songwriter Talii premiers a new sultry R&B music video for her latest single ‘More Than Friends’ which sonically demonstrates Talii’s queer authenticity and vulnerable depiction.
‘More Than Friends’ unloads unfamiliar territory for Talii as she explores her sexuality with underlying hard-hitting Afrobeats in a tropical holiday canvas. Talli expands on how the track came about in the first place: “‘More Than Friends’ actually started as a vocal sample that, my boyfriend/producer, Gbliz and I created. Phil Mango (of Luxury Lane) took the sample and added this amazing afrobeats bounce to it. More than friends is bringing the listener in on a conversation going on with a friend and I. She’s been venting about her toxic boyfriend, meanwhile, I’m insinuating that I can treat her better (“we could be more than friends”). It’s the first time I’ve ever shared my queer side in a song before so it’s nerve wracking yet freeing. I feel like the persona I take on in the song is a little more confident than I am when it comes to flirting with women lol but it was fun to embody that for this song.”
For the ‘More Than Friends’ visuals directed by GOODJOBDENNIS, Talii debuted her video editing skills conceptualising a very spontaneous, fun holiday-inspired set-up; she elaborates: “This was such an impromptu and fun video I created with my friends! We didn’t have time to build a storyline, so I came up with some mood boards for the different scenes that, I felt, captured the vibes of the song and Dennis did an amazing job at bringing my vision to life with such limited time and resources! This was also the first time I edited my own music visual and I’m super happy with how it turned out!”
With ‘More Than Friends’ arrival, Talli is turning a page toward a new chapter of sonic edge, confident presentation, and award-worthy vocals. Quite frankly, Talii possesses all the assets to be in for the running for the R&B crown, becoming a trailblazer in the neo-soul / R&B lane.
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Photographer: Graham Oakley
Words: Karolina Kramplova