Meïa Santiago offers you a bite of forbidden fruit in her seductive new single and video Sexappeal — showcasing today on Tinnitist.
For her latest release, the award-winning Spanish singer-songwriter teamed up with renowned producer Morris Hayes, former music director and keyboardist for Prince. Fittingly, Sexappeal offers a head-bopping blend of reggae, pop, and jazzy arrangements, while the lyrics evoke the enchantment of a goddess casting a spell over her lover:
“You can’t resist
This dance is so surreal
Once you’ve been kissed,
Tell me how you feel
You can’t deny
Thoughts of me get you high
It’s driving you wild
let’s dance into the night.”
The accompanying video features sultry choreography, as well as plenty of references to ripe apples for plenty of fun and, of course, a juicy burst of captivating sex appeal. “The apple appears as the attribute of Venus, symbolizing her tempting tricks,” explains Santiago. “Inspired by the enchanting melody that appears in the lyrics, it is a tribute to the Venusian and erotic spirit of love.”
Following her previous single I Can’t Stay Away From You, which earned an award at the Round the Globe Film and Music Festival , Santiago joined forces with Clare Steffen, the festival’s director and founder. Together, they crafted Sexappeal to explore the empowering side of sensuality, creating a flirty and liberating vibe that allows anyone and everyone to embrace their seductive side with sass and total confidence.
“My work has always explored femininity and sensuality,” asserts Santiago. “I am eager to write music about love and passion through the lens of the feminine. I have taken many risks in my life, all heightened as a woman-identified artist. I have ventured into new genres, like experimental movement and acting, to strengthen my work and the stories I can relay about womanhood.”
For his part, producer Hayes — whose resumé includes work with Prince, The Time, Maceo Parker and Sheila E. — skillfully created a musical backdrop that perfectly complements the message of the song. “My deep admiration for his work with Prince sparked the initial connection,” recalls Meïa. “Our collaboration kicked off through Zoom calls and email exchanges from a distance. Subsequently, I visited Morris’s studio to record vocals and keyboards. The final phase involved adding the musical elements, with some musicians hailing from Spain and others from the United States, forming an incredibly talented international band for this song.”
Santiago is a singer, songwriter, composer and actor who started making music and a name for herself in Barcelona, touring throughout Spain and releasing several records. She relocated to New York City in 2018 and has continued to push herself artistically, venturing into new genres like experimental movement and acting.
Watch the video for Sexappeal above, hear more from Meïa Santiago below, and keep up with her on her website, Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
