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FYI

Keys N Krates: Brazilian Love Song

Funk, house, and tropicalia merge seamlessly in a bracing cut.

Keys N Krates: Brazilian Love Song

By Kerry Doole

Keys N Krates - Brazilian Love Song (Last Gang Records): Over a decade-long career, this adventurous hip-hop/dance/electronica trio from Toronto has operated largely under the radar, while attracting critical acclaim and a loyal audience.


They won a 2016 Juno award for Dance Recording of the Year for Save Me, and a recently-signed  global deal with Last Gang Records will boost their profile.

Coinciding with the announcement of an upcoming North American tour, Keys N Krates has released a new cut, Brazilian Love Song. In a press release, they explain that "Brazilian Love Song is an amalgamation of music styles that we love as a band and have been listening together a lot for the last couple of years. Baile Funk, '70s disco-sounding soundtrack music, Bollywood strings, gospel house, and trap music influences are all smashed together for a dramatic, romantic and feel good party jam. We were trying to make something undeniably dancey but also not quite identifiable in terms of style."

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The instrumental cut leads off with keyboards and strings, moves into a funky groove, then switches track to and fro. It manages to sound simultaneously retro and fresh.

The new song comes on the heels of Take It Off, the group's vibrant collaboration with Bibi Bourelly. Keys N Krates most recent full-length release, 2019's A Beat Tape For Your Friends, was coined the "beat tape of the summer" by Exclaim!  In 2020, KNK released an edit package they made of Frank Ocean, Lauryn Hill, and Snoh Aalegra to support the NAACP Legal Defense and Education Fund.

The 16-day headlining tour, which will feature DJ sets from the group, kicks off in Washington, DC, with stops in Toronto, Detroit, Chicago, NYC and more. Full ticket sales launch on July 30. See the full itinerary here


Links

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Website  

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Publicity: Ola Mazzuca, Indoor Recess

Management: get@keysnkrates.com

Booking - North America: Perry Gilman: perry.gilman@unitedtalent.com

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EMPIRE's Tina Davis (left) and Girl Connected's Lola Plaku at Conversations with the Pros at Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto on March 28, 2025.
Courtesy of Girl Connected

EMPIRE's Tina Davis (left) and Girl Connected's Lola Plaku at Conversations with the Pros at Toronto Metropolitan University in Toronto on March 28, 2025.

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EMPIRE President Tina Davis Gives Strategic Advice to Women in Music at Girl Connected's New Speaker Series

On Friday (March 28), the president of EMPIRE, the Bay Area-independent label and music company, came to Toronto for Conversation with the Pros offering tangible advice to the mentorship program's community. Davis also spoke to Billboard Canada about her impressive journey in the industry.

Girl Connected has launched a new series that connects the next generation of women in Canadian music with powerhouse executives for the global industry.

On Friday (March 28), Tina Davis, president of EMPIRE, sat down with Girl Connected founder and music industry veteran Lola Plaku at Toronto Metropolitan University for the first in-person Canadian edition of Conversations with the Pros (Billboard Canada was a supporting partner). The series brings in inspiring music industry figures from Girl Connected's international network to talk about their journeys and offer actionable information and advice to help the budding music professionals develop their skills and reach the next level of their careers.

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