In the heart of South London, where the city’s grit meets its creativity, Poppy Ajudah and GRADES have crafted some kind of wonderful. Their collaboration on Lean On Me, the lead single from Ajudah’s self-titled sophomore album, is a testament to the power of vulnerability and the beauty of connection. Together, they’ve created a track that feels as timeless as it is relevant—a soulful sound for finding strength in life’s most uncertain moments.

Ajudah’s artistry has always been about pushing boundaries. Known for her fearless fusion of jazz, soul, and R&B, she’s spent her career exploring the emotional depth of human connection. With this new album, she steps even further into uncharted territory, blending raw vulnerability with sonic experimentation. For Ajudah, the project is as much about emotional honesty as it is about musical evolution.

"I always want my music to feel like you’re prevailing through the trauma you’re experiencing," she says. That sense of optimism is at the heart of Lean On Me, a track that encourages listeners to lean into their struggles and lean on others when the weight becomes too much.

Working alongside Grammy Award-winning producer GRADES, celebrated for his ability to navigate the spaces between genres, Ajudah has found the perfect partner to bring her vision to life. Known for his crisp, layered productions, GRADES has worked to amplify Ajudah’s distinctive voice without overshadowing its intimacy. The result is a sound that is both polished and profoundly personal.

While Ajudah remains fighting for musical integrity keeping her music deeply personal, she’s more than aware of the changing landscape of art in the digital age. “Having to make songs that are shorter, faster, that grab someone’s attention in the first five seconds changes the way people make art,” she reflects. It’s a tension she’s learning to navigate, balancing the demands of modern attention spans with her commitment to crafting meaningful, enduring work. For Ajudah, it always comes back to authenticity. “I want to make art because I love it, and it speaks to my life and I’m being raw and honest and vulnerable,” she says. That ethos is evident throughout the album, which offers a candid exploration of her journey, from moments of doubt to triumphs of resilience.

As Lean On Me leads the charge for what promises to be Ajudah’s most profound work yet, her vision is clear: to create music that speaks to the soul, that reminds us we’re not alone, and that offers light in the darkest of moments. This is music for the heart, the mind, and everything in between.