After unveiling the vibrant single Life this summer, Naya Ali now announces the release of We Did The Damn Thing, her new album out on February 7th, 2025, via Bonsound. In this sonically adventurous follow-up to her two-part debut Godspeed: Baptism (Prelude) and Godspeed: Elevated, the Montreal rapper is at the height of her craft - musically, vocally and lyrically.
We Did The Damn Thing is available for pre-order on vinyl and for pre-save on all music services.
Produced by longtime collaborators Adrian X and Kevin Figs, this new effort is at once deeply introspective and a wide-eyed embrace of the world. Ali combines hard-earned wisdom with a message of gratitude and perseverance. We Did The Damn Thingis a celebration—not just of everything I’ve achieved, but of everything we’ve achieved together, she explains. As a people, as a community, as a culture, we’ve come so far. Our victories are collective, and the strides we’ve made are monumental. This album honours that journey and its title says it all : “We Did The Damn Thing”.
From punk and trap influences colliding, to a country-inspired track, and the Afrobeats-infused Life, where she stepped out of her comfort zone by singing instead of rapping, Ali leans into a space of creative liberation and embraces her versatility as an artist on We Did The Damn Thing.
Beyond the classic, 808-heavy beats, this is a gospel-infused album grounded in live instruments, especially the electric guitar. The singer and rapper took on a larger role in production, leading the choirs and working on vocal production for three songs on the album. Although the collaborations are few, each one is intentional and works as a way to honour those who are also doing the damn thing. Bringing together a range of diverse creators, she’s joined by the legendary Kim Richardson, her longtime friend Zibz, and the incredibly talented Dominique Fils-Aimé.
This winter, Naya Ali will celebrate the release of her new album with a launch show at Le Ministère in Montreal on February 15th. This hometown launch will be followed by a show at L'Anti in Quebec City on February 28th, and one in Gatineau at Le Minotaure on March 15th. Tickets are available here.
About Naya Ali
Ethiopian-born, Canadian-raised rapper Naya Ali is an award-winning hip-hop artist who exploded onto the scene in 2018 with her debut EP Higher Self. Known for her assertive, raspy delivery and exceptional flow, Ali quickly captured attention with her distinctive vocal tone and ability to move in and out of flow pockets skillfully.
But Naya Ali is no longer just proving she’s a great rapper—she’s embracing the freedom to evolve as a multifaceted artist. In the process of creating her bold second album, We Did The Damn Thing, Ali has leaned into a space of creative liberation, making music that can connect with a wider spectrum of listeners. Widening her artistic scope, Ali combines hard-earned wisdom with a message of gratitude and perseverance. The album title honours her shared experiences as an immigrant and as a Black woman.
Naya Ali emigrated to Canada with her mother as a child. Although she dabbled in rap as a teen, she chose to follow the expected path of a first-generation immigrant: going to university in order to get a good job. A few years later, she quit her job in marketing to pursue a music career. That decision changed everything and allowed Ali to learn that truly living means embracing the unknown. She doesn’t claim all her choices were perfect, but perfection isn’t the goal. As she prepares to drop an album on which she lets her artistry run free, Ali is ready for whatever comes next—fully welcoming the possibilities ahead. Something new is emerging, and she’s all in.
Tour Dates
15/02/2025 - Montréal - Le Ministère (Album launch show)
28/02/2025 - Québec - L'Anti
15/03/2025 - Gatineau - Le Minotaure