Dahi and Fousheé Step Outside the Box on “Square Up”

If you’ve spent any time listening to modern hip-hop and R&B over the last decade, you already know Dahi’s work. From crafting the beat for Kendrick Lamar’s “Money Trees” to shaping Drake’s “Worst Behavior”, the Grammy-winning producer has quietly built one of the most bulletproof catalogues in the industry.

Now, he’s stepping out from behind the mixing board. Ahead of his debut solo album, Black Boy (Alternative), Dahi has dropped a striking new collaboration with Fousheé titled “Square Up”.

What “Square Up” Sounds Like

Dahi has been describing the ethos of his upcoming project as “Black Radiohead”—a deliberate mashup of alternative rock grit, heavy instrumentation, and deep soul roots.

“Square Up” leans hard into that vision. Driven by Dahi’s cinematic production and Fousheé’s raw, commanding vocals, the track doesn’t bother staying inside genre lines. It’s an introspective cut that digs into identity and the friction of trying to define yourself on your own terms, anchored by gritty guitars, moody keys, and hypnotic drums.

After Zane Lowe premiered it as his Apple Music New Music Daily Track of the Day, the song has quickly become a standout teaser for what’s to come.

A Look Ahead at Black Boy (Alternative)

While Dahi spent years making other artists sound incredible—collaborating with everyone from Travis Scott and SZA to Mac Miller and Steve Lacy—Black Boy (Alternative) is his chance to tell his own story. The album pulls from the eclectic mix of music he grew up on, where hip-hop records sat right next to alternative and rock CDs.

The 11-track project features an insane feature list that speaks volumes about the respect he commands in the studio:

• Kendrick Lamar & Amber Mark (“How To Pray”)

• Childish Gambino (“Running”)

• Vince Staples, Channel Tres & French Anthony (“Who Are You”)

• Plus appearances from Moses Sumney, Baby Rose, Ravyn Lenae, Elmiene, and Obongjayar.

Stream the Track

“Square Up” is out everywhere now via ALTER Music, with the full album Black Boy (Alternative) dropping on August 28. Turn this one up loud.