How UK Producer-Artist Qendresa Became Drake’s Secret Weapon on His New Surprise Albums
The North-West London multidimensional talent lands four crucial credits across the OVO Sound/Republic Records triple-threat rollout.
When Drake blindsided the music industry today with his massive, 43-track triple-album rollout centered around Iceman, fans immediately began combing the credits for standout contributors. Among an elite inner circle of heavy-hitters like Future, 21 Savage, and PARTYNEXTDOOR, one name emerges as a vital connective thread: North-West London’s Qendresa.
The R&B artist and producer (pronounced Chen-Dre-Sa) secures a major look with credits across four key tracks on the companion LPs, Habibti and Maid of Honour. Qendresa steps into the spotlight as a featured artist on Habibti’s standout track “Slap The City,” while lending her unmistakable vocal textures and sharp songwriting sensibilities to “Gen 5,” “Stuck,” and the star-studded “Fort Worth” featuring PARTYNEXTDOOR on Maid of Honour.
While the high-profile placements mark a major commercial milestone, the creative partnership has been quietly developing behind the scenes. Drake’s OVO Radio and Sound42 platforms have been early champions of Qendresa’s distinct blend of club-distilled production and diaristic lyricism, eventually leading Drizzy to reach out directly.
“OVO Radio and Sound42 have been so supportive of my music, so hearing from Drake himself was a really special moment — so many summers soundtracked to Drake,” Qendresa tells Billboard. “‘Slap The City’ was the very first song we collaborated on and one of my personal favourites. He is a generational artist and brilliant A&R, and I’m very grateful to be part of it all.”
Qendresa’s blockbuster day arrives right on the heels of her own solo momentum. Earlier this month, she dropped the double single “Rain In July” / “Be the One” complete with a striking, anime-and-comics-inspired visual directed by Sofire and animated by Liffia. It’s the latest expansion of the immersive sonic world she first established on her acclaimed independent projects Midnight Request Line and Londra.
With heavyweight co-signs ranging from Lil Yachty to alt-metal icons The Deftones, Qendresa is pivoting from underground tastemaker favorite to a major global player.
Upcoming Tour Dates
May 22nd — London, UK @ Gala (DJ set)
June 5th — Paris, FR @ We Love Green
June 28th — Perk, BE @ Paradise City
August 29th — Berlin, DE @ Elle’s & L’s
Experience Qendresa’s world: Stream “Slap The City” and “Rain in July” / “Be The One.”