Born in St Lucia and later moving to the UK, Poté is a singer songwriter-producer who builds worlds that are raw and expansive. 2021 saw the release of his debut album A Tenuous Tale of Her, with two of those influential connections which helped to shape the record. First, Bonobo, who signed the record to be the debut album on his new OUTLIER label. And second, Damon Albarn, who features on album track ‘Young Lies’, adopting the character of a corrupt, cynical politician.
After several solo live tours supporting Bonobo, playing festivals and DJ sets alongside heavyweights like Ed Banger’s Pedro Winter, Poté embarks on a bold new chapter—both musically and creatively.
Poté teams up with Rinse France for a summer-long B2B series, curating a global lineup of guests at the iconic Parisian radio studio. Featured artists include France’s Myd and Andy4000, Brazil’s Slim Soledad, Guadeloupe’s Hey Bony, the UK’s Bonobo, and more.
This year also marks the return of his label, Versicolor, with the introspective Baby, Hold Me EP. “This is my most honest and open project,” Poté shares. “Baby, Hold Me’ documents the process of seeing, holding and nurturing myself to understand and connect with my emotions, needs and relationship with love, fear, shame and faith. Realising and changing my compulsion for external validation and redirecting that inwards to grow, hold and love myself.”
Baby, Hold Me is out now via Ditto. “I’m excited to share these songs live,” he adds. “I feel like I have something meaningful to say, and that matters to me.”
This UK / EU summer, Poté joins Africa Express for a seven-date festival tour and brings a new iteration of his live show to Poland’s Malta Festival on June 23rd.
Baby, Hold Me EP tracklist
Baby, Hold Me
‘Baby, Hold Me’ was the first song of the project that was written. It’s a reminder to me to lead my life with love first and not fear. Thinking can be exhausting, so “despite the way you hold your head, hold your heart.”
Somebody Loves You
It’s a reminder to others that transitional periods in life are difficult, but somebody loves… Keep growing. Don’t fall stagnant from your lessons learnt, you’re loved, you are love, somebody loves you… you should too.
Bubblegum
‘Bubblegum’ captures my journey back to spirituality and faith. At a time when I was clinging to habits and traits that fed my ego rather than my soul—what I came to see as ‘bubblegum,’ sweet but lacking substance—this song became a way to document the process of letting go and realigning with what truly matters.
Give You Up (feat. Bonobo)
‘Give You Up’ is a heartfelt tribute to the lengths we go for love—whether to be loved or to embody love itself. It’s an ode to familial love, dedicated to my grandparents.
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