Estella Dawn has released “I Like It Rough,” a genre-blending track that mixes hip-hop, soul, and pop. Originally from New Zealand, the multi-instrumentalist writes and produces all of her music herself.
The new single opens with Dawn’s signature soulful vocals over a smooth bassline and old-school hip-hop drums. She doesn’t hold back in the rap-like verses as she sings, “Please, tell me how ugly that you think I am / How many rules I use my body to bend / How I’m undeserving of all the attention I get.” In the chorus, she warns us how she deals with such behavior, though: “I don’t like your tone / So I split your back bone / And I suck out all the marrow.”
With “I Like It Rough,” Dawn continues to prove she is an artist with something to say, unafraid to pour her soul into her music, no matter how gritty it sounds. The singer explains that “this song is for anyone who’s been judged, underestimated, or dragged,” before adding that “it’s about turning that into fuel — standing your ground and flipping the script.”
With such a mesmerizing voice and confident delivery, pulling from influences like Amy Winehouse and BANKS, Dawn is creating her own lane, giving us no choice but to pay attention to what she has in store for us.
Watch the official lyric video of “I Like It Rough” here:
Follow Estella Dawn: Instagram // YouTube // TikTok // Spotify // Website
