MICHELLE - FYO [Video]

NYC collective MICHELLE are back with another sunshine-laced bop in the form of ‘FYO’ which centres on themes of identity and prejudice.

The six member group’s first single of 2021’s upbeat sonics belie the song’s important message. In bright brushstrokes, ‘FYO’ explores the four lead singers’ experiences growing up with mixed-race identities. The group's diverse and idiosyncratic sound is the result of songwriting from Sofia D’Angelo, Julian Kaufman, Charlie Kilgore, Layla Ku, Emma Lee and Jamee Lockard with production from Kaufman and Kilgore. The tune’s playful music video is directed by band members Layla Ku and Emma Lee.

Speaking on the message behind the song, Jamee Lockard from the band shares:

“‘FYO’ is about belonging to different worlds but feeling rejected by both. Growing up as a mixed-race minority in the US, my self concept was warped by other people telling me what I am and am not, pushing and pulling me between identities. Although my feelings of cultural dissonance still ebb and flow, now I have the vocabulary, support system, and perspective to unpack that inner conflict on my own terms. We should never give others the authority to define who we are.”

Watch MICHELLE’s ‘FYO’ here: