Alternative R&B singer/songwriter Forest Claudette has released their new single “Kobe Beef” via Warner Records.
The raw and introspective track finds Claudette having self-talk to embrace their gender identity.
“Why the heck you bringing up my Kobe beef, Uh huh / Told you that when I was drunk at seventeen, Uh huh / Don’t you know it gets better if you set if you set it free / I was being paperback / You taught me that,” they sing.
Regarding their new single, Claudette explains: “‘Kobe Beef’ is the first song I’ve ever written about being non-binary. It’s centered around the questions and conversations I had to have with myself before I could feel comfortable and safe to make this project. Like, ‘Why share so much? Why expose yourself? Can’t some things be private? Why is it so important to speak about?’”
“Kobe Beef” is accompanied by an enchanting video directed by Quinn Cavin, which can be viewed below.
“Kobe Beef” is the follow-up to Claudette’s impressive rendition of Red Hot Chilli Peppers’ 2003 hit “Can’t Stop.” Claudette’s version was released last September as an Amazon Music exclusive, before getting reiussed to all streaming platforms on Jan. 5.
Claudette is gearing up to release a new project later this year. It will follow their sophomore EP, Everything Was Green, released June 16, 2023. The six-track offering included the EARTHGANG-featured “Mess Around,” which won Best Soul/R&B Release at the 2023 ARIA Music Awards. Everything Was Green also won Best Cover Art at the same award ceremony.
In a June 2023 interview, Claudette opened up about their experience as a non-binary R&B singer. “I feel like I’m at the beginning of knowing myself still. I’ve figured this one thing out, and that’s so exciting. It makes sense, but the more I talk to people around me, in the community and the space, it’s like the whole point of gender fluidity is the fluidity,” Claudette shared.
They added, “I’m trying to be as in touch with myself as I can be. I’m excited to celebrate who I am and how much progress has been made. And, of course, reckoning with how much is being taken away and how much more there is to go.”
Stream Forest Claudette’s new song “Kobe Beef” below.