Tour
‘South Coast’ ft. Estère OUT NOW
“Sout COast”
Deva Mahal - ft. Estère
OUT
NOW
NEW EP
Out NOW
NEWS
‘SOUTH COAST’ ft. Estère OUT NOW!
Deva Mahal teases new project
with sultry new single ‘South Coast’
The incomparable Deva Mahal returns this Aotearoa Music Month with a sensual, slow-burning, R&B-
infused new single, ‘South Coast’, accompanied by a co-produced and co-directed video of epic
proportions.
Listen to ‘South Coast’ HERE / Watch the video for ‘South Coast’ HERE
Giving fans a taste of a larger project on the horizon, ‘South Coast’ is the first new single in two years
from the Pōneke-based powerhouse, who is internationally celebrated for her distinctive vocals, soul-
drenched songwriting and genre-crossing artistry. It also sees the talented artist turning her hand at
recording and producing.
On ‘South Coast’, Deva takes the listener on an empowering journey, which explores the bravery of
vulnerability. Love. Desire. Sex.
“It's about saying what you mean and not wallowing in your feelings. It's also about seeing things as they
are and breaking the fantasy or illusion of something when it is truly something else,” says Deva.
‘South Coast’ first came to Deva - as the track implies - on the coast. “The sea gifted me with the bones
of the music and I began to bring the production to life on my laptop in the midnight hours,” she says.
From there, Deva joined forces with fellow Wellington star, the artist and producer Estère (currently
based in London), who further helped to sculpt the track into reality. Christchurch musician, songwriter
and producer Chris Wethey also joins the dynamic duo on production credits, with Grammy Award-
winning engineer Scott Jacoby (John Legend, Janelle Monáe, Sia) at Eusonia Studios on mixing
duties and Grammy-nominated Andy Kravitz (Andre 3000, Lana Del Rey) on mastering.
Wearing multiple hats - co-director and co-producer and more! - Deva also led the team, which created
the powerful video capturing the essence of ‘South Coast’.
“The video is steeped in my Afro-Caribbean heritage as it pays homage to Mami Wata (also represented
as Yemaya) who is the goddess of water and serpents. The powerful love of the Black Mermaid. I'm
conjuring ancestral magic here. My indigenous roots to the land and sea.”
Watch the video HERE
“‘South Coast’ sees me as more than just a big voice. It sees me as a producer, a writer and creator, a
director, video producer, wardrobe designer and creative director. Leaning into all the things I have spent
my life doing as well as continuing to grow and eventually master new skills,” says Deva.
“It has me taking control of my story instead of waiting to be chosen by a male dominated community that
pits women against each other and makes very little room for Black women or women of colour. This
song also shows that I have given myself permission to lean into my own desire and sensuality and share
that with my listeners. Grown and sexy. On my own terms.”
Follow Deva Mahal:
Facebook / Instagram / Spotify / YouTube / Website
About Deva Mahal:
Born with the blues in her blood, Deva Mahal blends powerhouse vocals, soul-drenched songwriting, and
genre-crossing artistry into a sound uniquely her own. Raised in Hawai’i and musically rooted in New
Zealand, she emerged in New York with her debut album RUN DEEP (2018), and has since built an
international career spanning sold-out tours, major festivals, and film appearances.
She has graced legendary stages from the Hollywood Bowl and Carnegie Hall to Bonnaroo and the
Montreal Jazz Festival, appeared in David O. Russell’s American Hustle, and contributed to the
soundtrack of The Experimenter. A three-time APRA Silver Scroll finalist and A2IM Indie Award
nominee, and performed at the 2021 Biden-Harris Inauguration. She also featured and wrote on
Ledisi’s Grammy-winning THE WILD CARD; contributed vocals to the new Kojey Radical album.
BIO
DEVA MAHAL – ARTIST BIO
Born with the blues in her blood, Deva Mahal has forged a rare blend of masterful songwriting, breathtaking vocal talent, and soulful production. Her ability to convey both profound joy and deep sorrow through her lyrical and melodic compositions often leaves audiences moved to tears and overflowing with emotion.
Fresh from this year’s Grammy Awards—where her father, the legendary Taj Mahal, received a Lifetime Achievement Award and won Best Traditional Blues Album—Deva is ready to share a new side of herself with the world.
Raised in Kaua’i, Hawai’i and discovering her voice in New Zealand, Deva solidified her artistic vision before making her mark in New York City. She released her debut album Run Deep in 2018, followed by a string of successful singles and independent projects.
Deva’s career has taken her from iconic stages around the world to the big screen, including a role in David O. Russell’s acclaimed film American Hustle, alongside Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and Robert De Niro. Her voice is also featured on the soundtrack of The Experimenter (starring Winona Ryder and Peter Sarsgaard). She has performed at renowned venues and festivals such as the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Bonnaroo, and the Montreal Jazz Festival.
Deva is currently writing and producing her highly anticipated new EP with Christchurch-born producer and artist Chris Wethey. The project includes collaborations with London-based writer/producer Estère, producer/guitarist Ashton Sellars, Latin Grammy Award-winning band Flor de Toloache (Mireya Ramos, Chey Fiol), Alan Markley, Jacob Bills, Lydia Cole, Iris Little, and London pianist Ollie Rockberger (Laura Mvula).
A three-time finalist for the APRA Silver Scroll and a 2019 A2IM Indie Award nominee, Deva also contributed to Ledisi’s Grammy-winning album The Wild Card. She performed at the 2021 Biden-Harris Inauguration and the New Zealand rally for Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, and was featured on the soundtrack for the Selena Gomez and Stacey Abrams documentary.
Her recent collaborations include work with Kojey Radical and she has worked with Son Little, Allen Stone, EWH, Fat Freddy’s Drop, Ladi6 and Olmecha Supreme. She’s also shared the stage with legends such as Etta James, Björk, CeeLo Green, and The Roots.
Deva wrapped her latest European tour with sold-out shows in late 2024 and recently closed out the 2025 Wellington Fringe Festival, which was nominated for the "Momentous Music Award." Her latest independent release, Future Classic: Vol. 1 – Classic, includes a standout track with over 500,000 streams. Her next record, South Coast, is set for release on May 23, 2025.
Contact:
Distribution: Emily – The Orchard/DRM - emily@drm.co.nz
PR: Nicole Thomas – NicNak Media - nicole@nicnakmedia.com
Booking: Anthony – One Hundred Percent Good - anthony@onehundredpercent.nz
Website: www.devamahal.com
Email: teamdevamahal@gmail.com