Ella Mai didn't come to play. Though her debut commercial single dropped in 2017, it wasn't until 2018 that "Boo'd Up" took over airwaves, streaming playlists, and the charts. It was the song's cookout feels and nostalgic R&B vibes that marked Ella as an artist to watch...and led to her Song Association victory.
"I love this series. I watch it all the time," she told us, armed with lyrics from Craig David, Tyrese, and Musiq Soulchild to best our countdown clock. "I want 15 out of 15, so I'm coming with my A game." Watch as she goes deep with Adele, does a little algebra with Beyoncé, and channels the best of early 2000s R&B to contend for the Song Association throne.
Ella Mai's self-titled debut album is available now, and she is headlining The Debut Tour through March 28.
