Bluesy singer ZZ Ward has teamed up with Chicago MC Joey Purp for their new single,“The Deep.” The track is built around a twinkling piano sample from The Charmels's “As Long As I’ve Got You,” which should be familiar from Wu-Tang Clan's "C.R.E.A.M." Ward croons "I don't want to let this thing end," just as the strings kick in for a spectacular effect.

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ZZ Ward explained the song's meaning over email to The FADER. "I wrote this song about feeling trapped in a relationship that I knew was no good for me," she said. "It is about losing control of myself and the constant back and forth that I went through. I felt there was something haunting about the music in The Charmels “As Long As I’ve Got You,” so I wanted to sample and use it as inspiration behind the song."

Thumbnail via Harper Smith