Kelly Rowland is heating things up in her new single, “Coffee.” As she glorifies women of all shades, and body types she sings an ode to the best combination of all time — coffee and sex in the morning.
The sheer beauty of Blackness that this video embodies takes your breath away instantly. As the visual begins with Rowland standing confidently in front of a deep blue ocean, and connecting with nature as she gently caresses a majestic brown horse we are immediately immersed in her ethereal world of uninhibited Black beauty.
“I want to celebrate the women in video—every shade, every coffee color, every curve, every essence and what they gave me,” Rowland tells ESSENCE. “My intention I set for the video was to take the light in yourself and your sexuality [and put it in] a God perspective, in a way where you don’t have to get any approval from anybody else.”
The video, directed by Steven Gomillion, sensually focuses on Rowland and several models minimally styled in swimsuits, natural makeup, and natural hairstyles. Ranging in hues of brown Rowland truly emphasizes the need we have in our society to represent all types of women, and to celebrate them for who they are. For the singer/songwriter, having diversified representations of Black skin color, hair textures and body sizes were the optics she wished to hone in on (which she did phenomenally) and we are so here for it.
However, beyond the message of beauty Rowland was also preaching sexual liberation. As many of us know, we live in a disparate society where women are hypersexualized and subjected to a toxic male gaze. This struggle, though it burdens all women, is far more intense for Black and Brown women. She shared that, “Sometimes when women stand in our own sexuality, without approval from any external source, I think that there comes a different perspective, a different outlook, a different feeling, and usually we don’t even realize we’re doing it, but I think society has kind of made it that way, especially with the Black women.” In both this song and video she is reclaiming that power and standing in all her truth without a man in sight.
Her smooth voice, and spicy word play truly elevate this song. “Hmm, they say mornin’ wood do a body good, babe,” she sings. “Clearly you agree, don’t be tryin’ to leave / Stay here with me.” Oop! We hear you Kelly…and we agree! We can already predict this song being on repeat on many of our playlists.
Watch the new video for “Coffee” below.
