Artists: Khalil Ferreira, Deneil
Title: Tribal
Genres: Electronica, Moombahton, Dancehall
Length: 4:15
Written By: D.Khan, K.Ferreira
Produced By: Khalil Ferreira
Label: FivePeskyKids
From The Album: Pulsate
Tribal is the second official single from British-Turkish DJ, record producer and songwriter, Khalil Ferreira. The Manchester-based producer is already a well known name in the UK club scene with many of his House influenced remixes of popular chart hits and beats of his own becoming staples at nightclubs and providing the soundtrack to many party filled weekends. His debut single, Halcyon, which was released in December 2015 earned him critical and commercial success right off the bat. The House influenced track which was written by Christopher Hudson and featured vocals from Brian B. topped the charts, went on to become one of 2015 biggest sellers and also earned Khalil a handful of FCA nominations along the way. Now, Khalil has called in the big guns in the form of critically acclaimed British rapper Deneil to provide vocals and lyrics for his second single, Tribal. It will feature on his upcoming debut album, Pulsate, and is being tipped to become one of the songs of the summer.
An Electronica, Moombahton and Dancehall inspired track, Tribal really differs not only from Khalil's debut single and anything Deneil has done but also from most songs being played on the radio today. For those unfamiliar with Moombahton, it is a fusion genre of House music and Reggaeton. Identifying characteristics of the genre include a thick and spread-out bass line, dramatic builds; and a two-step pulse, with quick drum fills. Occasionally Moombahton includes ravey synthesizers and a rap segment, which is also the case for Tribal.
Deneil Khan has admitted that he wasn't keen on being the sole vocalist on a commercial, club ready piece when initially approached. Khan produces and writes all of his own work which is stamped with his signature ferocious delivery, raw lyricism and East London Grime sounds, all of which has helped earn him the acclaim and accolades he holds today. When Ferreira played him the unique Dancehall tinged track, Khan was pleased to hear how quirky and experimental it sounded and was eventually persuaded to write and provide vocals for it. The pre-chorus and the chorus more or less already existed (with Khan altering a few original lines later on) when Deneil was brought into the project. He has admitted that writing the opening verse and his rap proved difficult as he was writing with an "agenda" and had a limitation on what he could say as the song was being sent to Top 40 radio.
"Khalil is a talented guy and a good mate of mine but it did take a lot of convincing and arm twisting before I agreed. At first I tried to persuade him to sell me the beat and I'd spit bars over it very candidly and keep it for one of my own projects. The man wasn't having it though and had his heart set on this being the next single. I never actually realised how hard it was to write so simply. Usually I'm talking about my life in songs or if I'm writing for others, I try to get into their mindset but this time I was going to be the one delivering the vocals yet it wouldn't really be...authentically me, you know? It was odd. I've written tracks about wild nights out with the team before but this one had to be more broad so that the majority of the audience could apply their own memories and situations to it or just go f***ing nuts in the club to it. It couldn't really be all that personal because that's not the aim of the song. It's a party tune, not a platform for me to tell you a real story of mine....although there are a few references that I squeezed in there that I pulled from the wasted and wrecked memory bank just for an inside giggle, fam. Production wise, lyrically and even vocally, I stepped way outside my comfort zone. It was a completely new experience for me.What may also come as, probably the biggest surprise is that Deneil sings the majority of the track, something he has never done before. While we slightly heard him singing alongside Drew Westbrook on the Luke Striker track, Good Thing Going, the almost whispered, slightly spoken delivery alongside another artist never gave fans and critics a chance to really single out and experience Deneil's singing voice in all of its glory. Aside from his rap in the middle of the track, the rest of Tribal is sung by Khan. While he may not be delivering the most challenging of vocal runs and belts like Billy, the youngest Khan proves that he too has a golden tone and is actually a pretty decent singer. The opening verse is very relaxed, allowing Deneil to glide through it as well as showing off some beautiful vibrato abilities. The pre-chorus gives us Deneil singing in a very light, airy voice at a slightly higher register while his delivery in the chorus has more bite and is possibly the biggest platform to show off his vocal ability in the track - combining all of the techniques heard previously in the song as well as his famous gravelly growls and a surprising ability to fluctuate and travel through different deliveries with ease.
T R I B A LNot an early bird but I love watching the sun rise
Still running on the buzz from the good life vibes
The fun don't stop 'til those nine to fivers start wakin' up
Daybreak still got us all feeling a little rough
They pour their black coffee, ready to earn that coin - got shit to do
While we're all spent, visiting the land of dreams under skies orange and blue
Tired eyes, new day skies, merging into a kaleidoscope
Out for the count but still lookin' fresh with our young blood glow
All born with the right to life, so excuse my rude for living some
Chest of hidden gold, we shine bright - I got that high beam on
That's when I raise my glass to the sky, feeling like a real slick Don
Vibing when they pass 'round that mic, reload our favourite song
When the man dem out, it's like freeing the wildest animal
Tonight's all about the dark in me, full moon feels like my revival
All the heavyweights out tonight, keep raving for your survival
Living by every line of all the anthems, like the DJ's spinning the Bible
Skin to skin, crazy to crazier, these drums got us feeling all tribal[Instrumental Break]I'm not usually one for all of the high-end parties
But when Khalil's out and on a hype
Scrub up and make a beeline for my car keys
Deneil always brings his vibes on a club night
Pick up the whole crew, walk in like the man dem
Five minutes later, I've been ditched at the scent of gyal dem
Couple of beauties at the bar with curves like Kim K
All the guys flock around and turn on their Kanye
Man stop and stare, can't believe a Khan's just rolled in
Don't part like waves, just wanna party with my people
I make lifelong friends in the club when I'm roaming
Forget followers and Snapchat scores, tonight we're all equal
Just met Jade and Steve, feels like I've know them my whole life
Already planning a holiday, getting on that night flight
Pack your shorts and cream in your suitcase
Sunglasses in doors, Deneil always causing a heatwave
Man on fire, why I'm so naturally sun-kissed
No pill, no drinks, but on the floor I'm acting the dumbest
On another level, take my new friends to V.I.P
Getting strange eyes, I think that they both like me
Ain't my usual thing but tonight's the night for the crazies
Say that three's a crowd, but I'm liking the company...
Stone cold sober and still the maddest among all the raving
Now, where those Naga Chilli shots? I'm craving!
When the man dem out, it's like freeing the wildest animal
Tonight's all about the dark in me, full moon feels like my revival
All the heavyweights out tonight, keep raving for your survival
Living by every line of all the anthems, like the DJ's spinning the Bible
Skin to skin, crazy to crazier, these drums got us feeling all tribal[Instrumental Break]All born with the right to life, so excuse my rude for living some
Chest of hidden gold, we shine bright - I got that high beam on
That's when I raise my glass to the sky, feeling like a real slick Don
Vibing when they pass 'round that mic, reload our favourite song
When the man dem out, it's like freeing the wildest animal
Tonight's all about the dark in me, full moon feels like my revival
All the heavyweights out tonight, keep raving for your survival
Living by every line of all the anthems, like the DJ's spinning the Bible
Skin to skin, crazy to crazier, these drums got us feeling all tribalCan Be Compared To:
