West Midlands rising star Benny Atlas has joined soulful forces with Zimbabwe-born, Kildare-raised singer-songwriter Shiv for a smooth new R&B track: 'Next To Me'.

Delivering a distinctive blend of soul and R&B, Benny's 2021 debut EP, Honey Rum, saw the release of 'Silly Games', 'Paradise', 'Keep You' and 'How You Dare'.

Benny continues to catch the attention of BBC Radio 1, BBC Introducing, 1Xtra amongst others, as well as featuring on all your usual favourite Spotify and Apple playlists.

Following on from last month's smash single 'Love Gets Better', the breakout artist has collaborated with Irish songstress shiv for new single 'Next To Me'.

Benny continues his lover boy narratives with an element of obsession. Spread over an upbeat, disco funk instrumental produced by Mindy, the complimenting contrast between Benny and Hot Press Hot for 2021 act shiv's silky vocal tones will have you itching to dance.

"'Next To Me' is a song about unequivocal love, an all or nothing type of sentiment," Benny tells Hot Press. "Sang from the perspective of knowing and seeing an all powerful love, and knowing as long as it’s maintained anything is possible. I’m so glad to have shiv collaborate with me on this one, I loved her verse as soon as I heard it, she got the vibe of the tune both musically and lyrically, her voice is beautiful and it really sits with the song so well!"

"After hearing the groovy vibe of this track, it was an easy decision to want to collaborate on it with Benny," shiv adds. "The catchy melody was just so easy to sing along to, and my verse pretty much wrote itself. It was a really fun process to be a part of."

'Next To Me' is the second of three singles to come from Benny before the year is out. Final single 'Nature' will be released in August, just in time for Benny to take the stage for his debut headline London show - set to be announced shortly.

Shiv shared her six-track mixtape Me 2 Me at the end of last year, featuring the stunning songs 'You and I', 'Hold Me', 'Again' (featuring Nealo), 'U Don't Burn' and 'Letting You Know'. 2021 saw the release of her NEOMADiC collaboration, 'WAVES'.

Pre-order the track, which officially lands tomorrow, via this link.

Revisit Hot Press' October 2020 interview with shiv .

Check out the brand new video below: