Kota the Friend - Artwork for Love Slave single
Minh Nguyen
The image features independent hip hop artist Kota the Friend wearing an orange cap and a brown sweatshirt, set against a softly lit backdrop. The individual's style suggests a casual, contemporary fashion, evoking a sense of urban culture and indivi
Independent hip-hop artist Kota the Friend has released his latest single, “Love Slave,” offering listeners another preview of his upcoming project Local Art Dealer, Vol. 1, set to arrive on March 25 across all major streaming platforms. The new record follows the February release of “Love Me” and continues to introduce the sound and creative direction behind the forthcoming project. Beyond the music, Local Art Dealer reflects Kota’s ongoing commitment to independence while highlighting a broader movement focused on supporting and collaborating with local artists across music, fashion, visual art, and other creative disciplines.
PRESS RELEASE
Brooklyn, NY — Independent artist Kota the Friend has released his new single “Love Slave,” now available on all major streaming platforms. The track is the second release from his upcoming project Local Art Dealer, Vol. 1, which will arrive March 25 on all digital streaming platforms.
“Love Slave” released March 11, 2026, and is now available on all streaming platforms.
The new single follows the February 26 release of “Love Me,” the first song introduced from the upcoming project. Both records offer an early look into the sound and direction of Local Art Dealer, Vol. 1.
Beyond the music, Local Art Dealer represents a broader creative movement centered on supporting and collaborating with local artists across different disciplines. The project highlights the importance of independent creativity and the value of building community among artists working in music, fashion, visual art, and other creative fields.
“For me, Local Art Dealer is bigger than just an album,” said Kota the Friend. “It’s about recognizing the creativity that exists in our local communities and supporting artists who are building something on their own terms.”
Kota added that the concept reflects the same independent approach that has shaped his career.
“I’ve built my career by staying independent and trusting my own vision,” he said. “Local Art Dealer is about encouraging other artists to do the same, whether they make music, paint, design clothes, or create in any other way. The goal is to support each other and keep the creativity close to the community.”
Through the Local Art Dealer concept, Kota continues to reinforce his commitment to independence while highlighting the importance of artists maintaining ownership of their work and building sustainable creative ecosystems outside of traditional industry structures.
Fans can pre-save Local Art Dealer, Vol. 1 ahead of its March 25 release.
Media Contact:
Vernon K. Jones Sr.
JIG Media
[email protected]
