Xenia Manasseh & Ukweli Return With MAYBE II EP

Kenyan singer-songwriter Xenia Manasseh and producer Ukweli reunite for their anticipated collaborative project, MAYBE II EP, released on November 7, 2025, under Platoon. The six-track project spans just under twenty minutes but carries the weight of a deeply personal evolution both for the artists and for the sound of contemporary African R&B.

Following the success of their 2022 joint release Maybe, which introduced audiences to their delicate blend of soulful introspection and minimalistic production, MAYBE II expands that sonic world with greater maturity and emotional depth. Where the first project lingered on uncertainty and romantic hesitation, this sequel steps into clarity, exploring themes of self-awareness, acceptance, and quiet confidence.

Musically, MAYBE II finds Ukweli refining his distinctive production palette. Sparse percussion, warm synths, and ambient textures create a spacious backdrop for Xenia’s ethereal vocals to shine. Each song feels intentional, unhurried, allowing emotion to breathe. It’s the kind of restraint that turns vulnerability into strength, giving the listener a front-row seat to Xenia’s inner dialogue.

Lyrically, the EP reads like a personal journal. On tracks such as “Paradise” and “BACK2ME,” Xenia confronts the weight of expectation and emotional residue with striking honesty, singing, “Got a lot of shit on my mind / I don’t wanna let it define me.” Elsewhere, songs like “EAST2HWOOD” mark a celebration of self-discovery and growth a confident step into new emotional terrain.

The project’s creation, partly developed during a Johannesburg writing camp, represents more than just a sonic reunion; it’s a reflection of two artists meeting again with new experiences, perspectives, and creative intent. Ukweli’s evolving sound design pairs seamlessly with Xenia’s growing emotional range, resulting in a body of work that feels both familiar and refreshed.

At its core, MAYBE II is about the evolution of love, self, and sound. It’s a project that doesn’t seek to impress with excess but rather invites listeners to slow down and feel. For Xenia Manasseh, it cements her position as one of Africa’s most authentic and emotionally articulate voices in R&B. For Ukweli, it’s another testament to his quiet mastery of creating sonic worlds that speak volumes through simplicity.

Short, sincere, and sonically rich, MAYBE II is not just a sequel; it’s a continuation of a conversation about love, healing, and growth.