New release draws from East African roots, contemporary R&B, and the emotional cost of loving on someone else’s terms
LOS ANGELES, CA (July 31, 2026) - Los Angeles-based Afro-soul and R&B artist EMÜ releases her new single, “Hurt Like This,” on Friday, July 31, 2026. Rooted in personal experience and shaped by her Kenyan upbringing and life in the United States, the track reflects on an on-and-off relationship marked by mixed signals, uneven commitment, and the slow realization that love can also mean losing parts of yourself.
With dreamy Afro-R&B production and Afrosoul influence, “Hurt Like This” pairs intimate storytelling with contemporary African rhythms and smooth melodies. The song sits near the emotional depth of Tems and the polished R&B edge of Elaine, while remaining distinct in its focus on the quiet pressure of waiting for someone to choose you.
I wanted ‘Hurt Like This’ to give a voice to the quiet heartbreak, the kind that happens when someone's promises don't match their actions.”
EMÜ
Photo Credit: Maries Danila
The single centers on the tension between hope and self-recognition. In the verses, EMÜ traces the emotional unraveling of a relationship that moved on one person’s schedule, while the chorus lands on the repeated realization that love, at its worst, can leave lasting marks.
That perspective is consistent with EMÜ’s broader artistic identity. Emü (pronounced Emma) is a Kenyan-born Afrosoul and R&B artist whose music bridges East African roots and contemporary global sounds. Born in Kenya and raised in the United States from the age of nine, she draws inspiration from both cultures, blending soulful storytelling, rich melodies, and honest emotion. Her work often explores love, heartbreak, healing, and self-discovery through a lens shaped by heritage and belonging.
“Hurt Like This” was produced by Spromson, with recording, mixing, and mastering by Rebecca Marti. Artwork photography is credited to Maries Danila. A visual video for the single is coming soon, adding another layer to a release that leans into both vulnerability and restraint.
Sometimes the deepest heartbreak isn't being left, it's realizing how much of yourself you gave away while hoping someone would choose you.”
EMÜ
Photo Credit: Maries Danila
About EMÜ
EMÜ pronounced Emma, is the recording name of Kenyan-born Afrosoul and R&B artist Emma Ngula, a Los Angeles-based singer and songwriter whose work bridges East African roots and contemporary global sounds. Born in Kenya and raised in the United States from age nine, she brings a perspective shaped by migration, memory, and the experience of living between more than one world.
Her music is built on soulful storytelling, rich melodies, and direct emotional detail. EMÜ writes about love, heartbreak, healing, and self-discovery with a calm, honest voice that gives weight to everyday emotions and the quiet shifts that come with growing up, moving forward, and learning where home lives.
Across her work, EMÜ offers a voice grounded in lived experience and cultural continuity. Her songs reflect heritage and growth without separating one from the other, creating music that feels personal, measured, and connected to the spaces where identity is formed.