Christine & the Queens and Thee Diane have teamed up for a brand-new single, ‘Ah Ya’. Listen below.
- READ MORE: Christine and the Queens – ‘PARANOÏA, ANGELS, TRUE LOVE’ review: pop auteur’s operatic gamble
The French singer, also known as Rahim Redcar, first performed the joint track at Paris’ Centre Pompidou last October as part of the Because Beaubourg event. He promised at the time that the studio version of the song would be “coming soon”.
Today (Thursday January 29), Redcar has dropped ‘Ah Ya’ in full alongside an official music video. The collab features the singer-songwriter’s label mate, longtime friend and collaborator, fellow French artist Thee Diane.
Co-written, co-produced and co-mixed by the duo, the thumping tune combines club energy with afro-inspired rhythms. ‘Ah Ya’ is built around meditative chords, capturing a sense of freedom and heady abandon.
“From our friendship, the legacy is music. We’ve been singing together for several years – now, our voices answer each other, melt into one,” explained Redcar of the collab. “In the writing, too, things come to us harmoniously, in one breath – where the music goes, we go without thinking.”
He continued: “The melody then unfolds to bring us its sweet, sweet relief. Find a sister, find a brother. In the night of the world. Conversations, late at night; the pact is sealed:
we built our sound, we protect our sound.”
The singer went on to describe ‘Ah Ya’ as a “collaboration of two rebels”, adding: “Since we still dare to love in the night of a world so fragile. Since we dream ourselves free, total emancipation of our fortresses.”
He concluded by sharing a quote by US novelist, essayist, and playwright James Baldwin: “The place in which I’ll fit will not exist until I make it.”
Thee Diane said: “This song is an invitation to tune into a higher frequency. It’s a freer, almost instinctive format. A way to reconnect with oneself, to follow our heart and let the body speak as much as the voice. To listen to your heart and create from a truer place.
“We wanted to break free, following the example of other artists such as Michael Jackson, Prince, Kool & The Gang, Kate Bush… who created long, cinematic musical landscapes where emotion takes precedence over structure.
“This is the first track of a beautiful artistic collaboration and a deep friendship between us.”
The euphoric nature of the single is matched by its stylish music video, in which the pair dance together and alone in front of various coloured backdrops. It was directed and shot by Calixte Lenka.
Thee Diane previously appeared on the cover artwork for Christine & The Queens’ 2022 album ‘Redcar les adorables étoiles’.
Redcar released his latest studio record, ‘Hopecore’, in 2024, following on from 2023’s ‘Paranoïa, Angels, True Love’.
His show in Paris last autumn also saw him perform some of his tracks for the first time in six years. Earlier in 2025, Redcar accused Lorde of copying him “without crediting me as an inspiration”.
