Ghanaian-German-Cameroonian singer-songwriter Malaïka has released “Place I Go To,” a new single featuring Ghanaian-Burkinabé singer-songwriter Ria Boss. The collaboration brings together two distinctive voices on a deeply personal record about finding comfort, safety, and a sense of belonging.
Rooted in soul and jazz, “Place I Go To” reflects the musical influences that have shaped Malaïka’s songwriting. The track began without instruments, emerging from a melody she developed through singing a cappella, a process that allows her to explore musical ideas in silence before building them into complete compositions.
What started as a single line gradually took on a life of its own. The song first appeared as an interlude on Malaïka’s debut EP, 27, before developing into a guitar-and-piano arrangement for live performances. A full-band version later made its debut at her headline show in Accra, paving the way for the richly textured production heard on the finished single.
The arrangement was developed by producer Enid Blekk and creative director and A&R Kafui Offori, with Tronomie handling the vocal production and recording for both Malaïka and Ria Boss. The result brings warmth and depth to the song while maintaining the intimate feeling at its core.
Malaïka describes the finished record as “really rich, really soulful,” adding that it has the kind of sound that “instantly puts you at ease.” That sense of calm is central to the song’s message, which explores the idea of finding a personal refuge in a world that can often feel overwhelming.
“The song is about finding a home or resting place, somewhere you feel safe,” Malaïka explains. “For me that’s the ocean, for others it’s the people they love or a higher power, but most importantly, you can find it within yourself.”
She hopes the song will remind listeners that this sense of peace does not always have to come from an external place. Sometimes, the most meaningful refuge is one people learn to find within themselves.
The collaboration with Ria Boss also carries a personal history. Malaïka first admired the singer after seeing her perform live in 2019, and the two later became friends through the Black Girls Glow residency. When it came time to introduce a second voice to “Place I Go To,” Ria Boss was the natural choice. Malaïka sums up their coming together simply as “Made in heaven.”
Earlier this year, Malaïka previewed the track for a blindfolded audience, exploring how listeners would respond when they experienced the music without visual distractions. The experiment reinforced her belief in the song’s ability to create an immediate emotional connection, and she hopes listeners will close their eyes when hearing it for the first time.
With “Place I Go To,” Malaïka continues to explore introspection and emotional connection through music, while Ria Boss adds another dimension to a song that has evolved from a solitary vocal idea into a soulful collaboration.
