NEW: Madi Saskia ft. Jordvn Emanuel - Hard to Love

Madi Saskia is a generational talent. The kind of artist you only experience once in a while. To me, she’s on the same level as celebrated songstresses like Cleo Sol, Mahalia, and Jorja Smith, but with her own unique identity, tone, pitch, and grace. Madi isn’t a version of any of them; she’s her own Superstar in the making.

This week, I had the pleasure of listening to her latest release, 'Hard to Love'. A beautiful and heartfelt dive into Madi’s soul, layered over a mellow, soul-meets-hip-hop-inspired backdrop. Madi floats effortlessly through the bars, showcasing her vocal strength in the delicacy of her delivery. Every single note feels intentional—careful, meaningful, and rooted in honesty. And it’s that honesty that makes this song so beautiful. Madi doesn’t hide from her mental wellbeing—she embraces it. She owns it. There’s strength in her vulnerability. She’s not suffering—she’s managing. As a listener, you don’t feel pity; you feel connection. Madi invites you to sit with her truth as she serenades you with pitch-perfect, picture painting.

Jordvn Emanuel features on this track and has the tough job of responding to Madi’s heartfelt verse in a way that feels equally raw and authentic. But he absolutely nails it. There is poetry in his pen, and every lyric is laced with empathy, patience, and acceptance. Jordan’s verse feels like a love letter—not just to Madi but to anyone who’s ever felt “hard to love.” He doesn’t try to fix or change anything about her. Instead, he really sees her, and tells her so. It’s such a welcome addition to the song and gives it an even greater emotional depth.

'Hard to Love' is a modern take on those timeless Neo-Soul vibes that artists like Jill Scott and India Arie made famous. But what Madi has done here feels fresh, relevant, and true to her era. It’s the kind of song you can imagine aging beautifully, like a classic that people will revisit years from now. In a time when the industry feels hyper-focused on quick, disposable hits, this song stands out. It’s soulful, meaningful, and crafted with real care.

At just over five minutes, some might consider this track longer than usual, but honestly, I had this on repeat, and before I knew it, half an hour had passed. For that reason, it has to be a 9/10.