Yaya Bey announces new album ‘Do It Afraid’ & tour, shares 2 new songs

Brooklyn R&B/neo-soul singer Yaya Bey has announced a new album, Do It Afraid, due June 20 via Drink Sum Wtr (pre-order). The album includes collaborations with BADBADNOTGOOD, Butcher Brown, Exaktly, Rahrah Gabor, Nigel Hall, and Father Philis, the last of whom appears on the bright, tropical, recently-released single “Merlot and Grigio.” Along with today’s announcement, she released two very different new singles, which are said to “embody the duality” of the album.

The vintage funk of “Dream Girl” comes with a video and Yaya says it’s about “escaping to the party for a little while” and “really tapping into your desires – knowing there’s a million heavy things that need your attention but also leaving room for fantasy,” while the downtempo hip hop of “Wake Up B*tch,” which opens the album, shows off a more pensive side. Check out all three currently-released singles below.

Yaya plays day two of hometown NYC festival Governors Ball on June 7, the same day as Olivia Rodrigo, Feid, Young Miko, Mariah the Scientist, MARINA, Car Seat Headrest, and more, and she also just announced a tour for September. That includes another hometown show on September 12 at 99 Scott in Brooklyn. Tickets for all newly-added dates go on sale Friday (4/25) at 10 AM local time and you can find the full schedule below.

Tracklist
1. wake up b*tch
2. end of the world (feat. Nigel Hall & Butcher Brown)
3. real yearners unite
4. cindy rella
5. Raisins
6. spin cycle
7. dream girl
8. merlot and grigio (feat. Father Philis)
9. breakthrough
10. a surrender
11. in a circle
12. aye noche (feat. Rahrah Gabor & Exaktly)
13. no for real, wtf?
14. blicky
15. ask the questions
16. bella noches pt1
17. a tiny thing that’s mine
18. choice

Yaya Bey — 2025 Tour Dates
6/7 – New York, NY @ Governor’s Ball Festival
9/10 – Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts
9/11 – Boston, MA @ Brighton Music Hall
9/12 – Brooklyn, NY @ 99 Scott
9/13 – Washington, DC @ Union Stage
9/16 – Atlanta, GA @ Aisle 5
9/18 – Chicago, IL @ Lincoln Hall
9/19 – Urbana, IL @ PYGMALION
9/23 – Seattle, WA @ Neumos
9/24 – Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios
9/26 – San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
9/27 – Los Angeles, CA @ Lodge Room