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hellbound

from ROSETTA by Dua Saleh

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  • Limited Edition 12" Vinyl Record + Lyric Booklet
    Record/Vinyl + Digital Album

    Dua Saleh returns with a new EP titled ROSETTA, a name inspired by Sister Rosetta Tharpe, a pioneering black artist who became known as the Godmother of rock and roll. Like Dua, Sister Rosetta Tharpe wasn’t afraid of violating taboos or religious dogma. Tharpe wowed both churches and juke joints with distorted guitar stylings and a flamboyant stage presence. And though she was married several times, she was known to have had romantic relationships with women. Dua draws a parallel to Tharpe with their own biography of growing up queer in a strict Muslim household. They channel Tharpe’s self-assured swagger as they fearlessly recount intimate encounters.

    The production on ROSETTA is high voltage and nuanced, helmed by executive producer, Psymun, with assistance from Sir Dylan and Andrew Broder. Songs like "smut" and "hellbound" are built on top of hypnotic vocals that crisscross with synths and guitars over drums that quake. With an economy of language that reflects their background as a poet, Dua patches together lucid memories of blunt ashes and boots caked with dirt. Flashbacks of intimate scars are transposed with epic imagery and a regal disposition descending into the underworld. ROSETTA is both sanctified and sacrilegious; holy and godless; angelic and demonic. Sounds like Sister Rosetta Tharpe. Sounds like Dua Saleh.

    Includes unlimited streaming of ROSETTA via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    ... more

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  • DO IT LIKE DUA TEE
    T-Shirt/Apparel + Digital Album

    "DO IT LIKE DUA" typographic on front + scorpion illustration on backside. Screen printed on Black, Bella Canvas 3001 T-shirt, 100% Airlume combed, and ring-spun cotton. Unisex sizing.

    Includes unlimited streaming of ROSETTA via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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  • Limited Cassette
    Cassette + Digital Album

    Clear with black liner cassette and A/B markings. Clear case. Inside J-card includes more photos + credits.

    Includes unlimited streaming of ROSETTA via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

  • ROSETTA TEE
    T-Shirt/Apparel + Digital Album

    "ROSETTA" portrait illustration on front + credits on the backside. Screen printed on Heather Black, Bella Canvas 3001 T-shirt, 100% Airlume combed, and ring-spun cotton. Unisex sizing.

    Includes unlimited streaming of ROSETTA via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

    Sold Out

about

"hellbound" is a satirical song that critiques religious institutions. In this song, a new persona is introduced named Lucifer Labelle. This character manifested as a result of people telling Dua that they were going to hell for being queer. Lucifer Labelle brandishes queer identity smugly in the face of religious zealots.

lyrics

How you on my lips you must be spellbound
Got these birdies singing making frail sounds
Girl you caught in Lucifer Labelle town
Diaphragm of sulfur in the air how?

Boy you looking crooked why you pale brown?
Must have took your shorty out them fairgrounds
Brought her to my show and she my fan now
I don’t even know her why she bow down?

Jumped into the portal call me Hades of the grim
No I ain’t no angel I ain’t fall in from the brim
Pretty motherfucker I took Flacko for a spin
You should look within have you shaking through your limbs

Pumping all this trauma to your veins until you swim
Boy don’t call your mama cause she sloppy on the whim
Metal to her drama cause her heart was made of tin
Boy that’s just the karma she accrued because of sins

Hellbound
Bitch you on my dick you must be spellbound
Got these birdies singing making frail sounds
Girl you caught in Lucifer Labelle town
Diaphragm of sulfur in the air now

Boy you looking crooked why you pale brown?
Must have took your shooter out them fairgrounds
Brought him to the show and he my fan now
I ain’t even want him why he bow down?

How how how?

Jumped into the portal call me Hades of the grim
No I ain’t no angel I ain’t fall in from the brim
Pretty motherfucker I took Flacko for a spin
You should look within
Have you shaking through your limbs

Pumping all the trauma to your veins until you cringe
Boy don’t call your mama cause she sloppy on the whim
Metal to the drama she was sucking on my fin
Boy that’s just the karma you accrued because of sin

Hellbound
Why you fucking hellbound?
Bitch you on my dick you must be spellbound
Hellbound
Got these birdies singing making frail sounds
Now you talkin' tough

credits

from ROSETTA, track released May 15, 2020
Written & Performed by Dua Saleh
Produced by Psymun & Sir Dylan
Mixed & Mastered by Alec Ness

℗ 2019 AGAINST GIANTS® LLC

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Dua Saleh Saint Paul, Minnesota

Dua Saleh made a lasting first impression in 2019 with their debut Nūr EP, receiving critical acclaim from Pitchfork, The FADER, COLORS, and more. Born in Sudan and raised in the Midwest, Dua is queer, gender nonconforming, and is addressed with they/them pronouns. Dua invites listeners into an undefined space through full-sensory lyricism and the singularity of their distinct voice. ... more

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