By Jenna Joyce

Photo by Elliott J. Tilleczek

LGBTQA+ musician Tafari Anthony delivers in his latest pop afrobeat single released on May 13th, “Live in a Dream.” After taking two years away from music, Anthony returned with a vengeance with the hit break-up anthem “Centerfold” earlier this year, but “Live in a Dream” is a defiant statement all its own.

The track opens with a punchy beat and an accessible, rhythmic verse. But it’s the pre-chorus, full of the vocal harmonies and synth textures Anthony’s known for, that stops you in your tracks, setting you up for a house hook and giving you a chorus reminiscent of early 2000s dance hall instead.

This isn’t the first time Anthony defies expectations. He says of his new tune,

“Far too often in my career I’ve had many people try to tell me who I should be and try to mold me into something that they’ve already seen. The promise of a greater future if you do this and that, had me do many things I would’ve never done in order to chase someone else’s vision.”

“Live in a Dream” is a tribute to self, integrity, and living one’s truth. We hear the struggle between giving in to others’ expectations and embracing one’s true nature play out in the competition between the beat and the vocals, at times fusing together but mostly taking turns vying for the spotlight. It isn’t until the final chorus, coming back from the bridge with a nod to the beloved “In the Air Tonight” drum fill, that we get the swelling, explosive cry of someone fed up with not following their own path.

Tafari Anthony
Instagram | Facebook | YouTube | Twitter | “Live In A Dream”