Singer-songwriter Ayanna Irish released her new single, “Dear Friend,” today, marking her latest collaboration with veteran rapper Talib Kweli.
The track arrived on streaming platforms after several weeks of teaser clips and social media promotion tied to the release campaign. Irish previously described the song as a letter to a close companion, with lyrics centered on reflection, honesty, and personal connection.
“Dear Friend” continues a creative partnership between Irish and Kweli that has appeared on earlier recordings, including “You Are My Everything” from Kweli’s 2023 holiday project, Holy Daze.
Kweli remains one of independent hip-hop’s enduring voices through his solo catalog and his work with Black Star. His recent projects include collaborative releases with producer J. Rawls and continued work through his Javotti Media label.
Irish has built a catalog that spans soul, jazz, and contemporary R&B, with releases including “Only Love,” “NOEL,” and “Hey Mama.” Streaming profiles also list prior collaborations with Kweli and other hip-hop artists.
“Dear Friend” is now available on major streaming services.
