GENA, the collaborative duo of Liv.e and Karriem Riggins, open the year with a new single, “Lead It Up,” the latest release from their forthcoming debut album The Pleasure Is Yours, due out February 27 via Lex Records. The album has already been recognized by BrooklynVegan and Pitchfork as one of the most anticipated new releases of 2026, positioning GENA as one of the year’s most exciting new projects.
“Lead It Up” reveals a warmer, honeyed side of the GENA sound, leaning into soul-forward textures while maintaining the rhythmic fluidity established on earlier singles “HOWWEFLOW” and “Circlesz.” Liv.e immediately commands attention, gliding across lush arrangements that subtly weave hip-hop and R&B influences into a smooth, expressive groove. The track highlights the duo’s natural chemistry, offering a more intimate and melodic entry point into their evolving sonic world.
In addition to the new release, GENA will make their live debut with a sold-out performance on January 30 at ICA in London. The show will feature special guests B. Cool-Aid—the duo of Pink Siifu and Ahwlee—alongside a DJ set from Shungu, marking a significant milestone for the project ahead of the album’s release.
The name GENA, short for God Energy, Naturally Amazing, reflects the project’s core philosophy: capturing divine moments not just between musicians, but between people. Liv.e and Karriem Riggins, both deeply accomplished in their respective creative worlds, connected through a shared love of improvisation. Their collaboration embraces both their similarities and contrasts, with Karriem’s revered approach to rhythm and beatmaking forming a fluid foundation for Liv.e’s instinctive, melody-driven expression.
That creative dialogue fully blossoms on The Pleasure Is Yours, an album shaped by movement, intuition, and emotional flow. The record carries a warm nostalgia for soul, hip-hop, and R&B, while remaining forward-thinking in its execution. Liv.e’s boundaryless style introduces a fresh alchemy to Karriem’s genre-spanning mastery, resulting in a sound that feels both timeless and exploratory.
The album also features contributions from guest musicians Isaiah Sharkey, James Francies, and Telemakus, who added their own perspectives to the GENA sound through virtual sessions. The result is a project that feels alive and unrestrained, guided by instinct rather than expectation. The Pleasure Is Yours stands as a testament to what happens when two artists trust the flow, carving out a shared musical language that reflects their collective strengths and creative freedom.
Liv.e: Instagram | YouTube
Karriem Riggins: Instagram | X (Twitter) | YouTube