Baby Jean on Fred Again track is 'Talk of the Town'

On Tuesday morning, India woke up to a newspaper brandishing the word ‘again’ on its front page. Electronic music fans quickly pieced together that UK artist Fred Again was announcing his much-awaited India tour. But nobody expected the music track that the producer would tease alongside concert dates.

As soon as the DJ’s Instagram post dropped with more details, the ears of Malayali listeners perked up. “Adicho policho thiricho odicho”, stuttered the track that accompanied a series of photographs. Familiar Malayalam bars sit comfortably on a production that blends UK bass with dubstep and electronic dance. It was Baby Jean’s vocals on a classic Fred Again beat.

Titled OkOk (Saniya, Baby, Wazir 5), the track samples Baby Jean’s verse from his 2023 single Thalakkanam.

“I honestly just sat there for a minute trying to process it”, said the Malappuram-native rapper, remembering when Fred Again approached his team for the sample. “It didn’t feel real at first,” he told Onmanorama.

For Baby Jean, getting a text message from Fred Again didn’t just mean that the two-time Grammy award-winning producer was listening to his music. It meant that the work created by an artist from Kerala resonated with a trailblazer who has redefined the global electronic music scene.

“I’ve always admired the way Fred connects with people through his music, so knowing that something I created reached someone like him meant more than I can put into words,” shares Baby Jean. “Coming from where I come from, moments like this remind me that music really has no boundaries.”

OkOk (Saniya, Baby, Wazir 5) also includes vocal samples from Mumbai-based rapper Saniya MQ and Punjabi rapper Wazir Patar. In this version, the vocals of the three Indian artists are mixed perfectly into the Hamdi remix of Fred’s original OK OK track from his USB album. “When we heard the other rappers on the track, we felt like it all worked together really well. It was very exciting,” shared Alfie Tomy, Baby Jean’s manager.

According to the rapper’s team, the track is slated for an official release next year. “There are plans to meet Fred and work on the track when he arrives for the India tour” shared Tomy.

OkOk (Saniya, Baby, Wazir 5) marks the second time an artist with Kerala roots has jumped on a Fred Again track. Last year, Hanumankind broke the internet when he appeared on the UK DJ’s Victory Lap 3. This time, as Baby Jean’s Malayalam verse takes its turn, the hype is much closer to home.

The artist’s successful performance in the recent Malayalam film 'Bharathanatyam 2 Mohiniyattam', has taken his name from cypher corners to Kerala households. Now, it’s set to go even beyond. With more films, music, brand deals and a Fred Again collaboration in the pipeline, Baby Jean’s sound and style are ready to take the global stage.

“More than anything, this collaboration feels like a reminder to keep trusting the process, keep creating and stay true to myself,” the artist said. “I’m just really grateful and excited for what’s ahead.”

Fred Again is set to perform in Delhi NCR, Mumbai and Bengaluru on December 5, 9 and 13, respectively.