Kukii emerges as a bold reinvention of her previous self, Lafawndah, weaving together her Egyptian heritage with an unapologetically experimental edge. After carving a name for herself with three critically acclaimed records under prestigious labels like Warp and !K7, Lafawndah has shed her old skin, giving rise to Kukii—a fierce, genre-defying project born from her deep connection to Cairo’s vibrant energy. Her debut single, Rare Baby, accompanied by a visually explosive music video with enormous cultural significance, drops today, teasing her debut EP of the same name, set for release on February 20, 2025.
The music video for Rare Baby, a track already hinted at Colors four months ago, is a visceral blend of cinematic storytelling and cultural homage. Kukii and her gang of renegade women dominate the streets of Cairo in a high-octane search for her long-lost aunt. Kill Bill reimagined with Egyptian eyes, with Kukii embodying a fearless heroine whose journey mirrors her personal exploration of identity and belonging. The video’s raw energy is enthralling and compelling, with the very attractive aesthetics having way more significance than only cool shots and nice framing; each second hides a strong message to empower women in a genuine way, stepping up for oneself with a power born from within but also reaffirmed by the sense of confidence and security that is born from being surrounded by other women.
At the heart of this project lies Mahraganat, a genre that has become the lifeblood of Cairo’s underground music scene since the Arab Spring. Its infectious rhythms and bold, streetwise beats serve as the backbone of Rare Baby, blending with Kukii’s global inspirations and anthem-like lyrics such as "I'm rare baby, there's only one of me" or "Bet you've never seen anything like that before." With undoubted hints of M.I.A.'s defiance, Kukii creates a sonic fusion that’s deeply rooted in her Middle Eastern DNA. Rare Baby it’s an invitation to join her revolution, to embrace self-liberation, and to dance defiantly in the face of convention.