Photos by Summer Breeze Gatskins / Words by Willa Rudolph
The beautiful BK based multilingual and multi-talented artist Aura released a new music video and single on July 19th. The “love2” music video is sultry, oozes hot-girl summer, and compliments the pure fun that the track itself elicits. The bi-lingual track was written by Aura and co-produced with Ja1da, an artist and producer from Atlanta. He and Aura met through a hangout when Aura first got to the city in October, after a stint of living in DR.
The simple but eye-catching video is edited by the island baddie herself, and was shot and co-directed alongside Summer Breeze, who is an “incredible multi-talent,” says Aura, and is originally from LA and now residing in BK.
They were able to shoot the music video on the 71st floor of One World Trade Center, thanks to a friend of Aura’s, who has an artist studio there! The almost empty space with concrete floor reminded me of Die Hard, but Aura angelically floats around, in booty shorts, a tube top, and chunky platform mary-janes. Ja1da’s verse suits the song perfectly and provides some roughness to Aura’s sweetness.
Aura is a pure heart in the music industry–I met her for the first time back in the day and she is authentic and puts other people on without being on any high horse. And that’s quite a delight to find. Not to mention, her music is unique, fun, sexy, and gets so stuck in your head! Like the last song she released, “uUuAa.”
I had the pleasure of asking Aura a few questions bout ‘love2,’ which she answered below!
WR: What inspired “love2”?
AURA: “love2” was inspired by my last break up; the relationship was over 5 years long. We got to a really low point where we both wanted the same thing, but were so hurt we wouldn’t give it to one another. and it was just like, “hey, to fix this, I need sweetness, care and consideration and so do you..”
WR: Sonic influences?
AURA: The day I met Ja1da, my friend JR put on my “uUuAa” music video for him, and he immediately wanted to work with me. Sonically, I’m really in my Carribean bag and have been for the past 3 years. I wanted to keep building that catalog, so I told Ja1da it’d have to be a reggaeton song– he didn’t hesitate and said he’d want it to be a trap fusion, him being from ATL. We produced and recorded the lyrics and all the same night! My main point, the “uhh huh,” was inspired by Ja1da’s verse. Men are always talking up something, so I added it as a whatever kinda response to his parts, and an affirmation to mines. That same part was influenced by Sexyy Red’s ad libs on “MMM HMM” with Lancey Foux.
WR: Visual inspirations for video?
AURA: Visually, I would say the video is very original. I just wanted it to be simple but powerful, like the vocals on the hook.
WR: What did you and Ja1da discuss in terms of production approach / sound ? Tell me more about shooting it at the world trade center!!
AURA: Yeah, well the World Trade Center has a security clearance situation, of course haha. We shot at the artist studios on the 71st floor, and it was crazy ’cause the elevator was wild fast getting up there. We couldn’t have been on there for more than 30 seconds! I always felt a bit of sadness looking out to the city when we were up there. I couldn’t really put it into words why, but I asked Ja1da how he felt, and I remember him saying he uses it as a visual for different opportunities, whether it be a future penthouse or a fancy meeting room.
That was pretty cool to me–take a valuable location and mentally place yourself in different desired scenarios with it. Ja1da is best friends with the painter Malik Roberts, and the studio we shot in is a space where Malik has been working out of for the last few months. We met up to work on the final version of the song there, and I immediately had the vision as the sun was setting. I asked for the space and Malik said yes, so that’s how we did it!
WR: Is this song part of a larger project?
AURA: No, “love2” is a single! This song was my first release since “uUuAa” in June 2023, so I’m just glad to be back and definitely plan to release a few more singles asap! 🙂 “
(Aura ‘love2’ Spanish verse)
Soy tu amor
Yo te fascino
Dale lento baby
Que yo
Soy delicada
La flor mas cara
Morenita bella
Princesa de la calle
Suben el volumen cuando sueno yo
Aye
La mas gata
Y vivo en mis suenos
Subiendo y subiendo sin capa
El mundo es mio
(English Translation)
I am your love
I fascinate you
Give it to me slowly
I’m delicate
The most expensive flower
Gorgeous brown girl
Princess of the streets
They turn up the volume when my music is playing
I’m the biggest purrr and i live in my dreams
Higher higher with no limitations the word is mines
Full “love2” song lyrics here. Stay up to date with Aura here!
