ADÉLA has opened up about the resistance she faced while trying to get “Ain’t In LA” released as a single, telling British Vogue that her label initially struggled to connect with the song. The Slovak singer-songwriter said she had to advocate for the track herself, arguing that people working in the music industry can sometimes overlook ideas that fall outside their own experiences.
“There are so many forces at play that pull you a thousand different directions when you’re an artist – and [your label] wants what’s best for you,” ADÉLA explained. “It’s not like they’re evil, but they might pull you away from something really great.” She then pointed to what she saw as a disconnect between the song’s message and the people making decisions about its release. “I think the people in my label didn’t necessarily resonate with it because they’re LA rich kids. No shade, but they are. And that’s what a lot of the music industry is.”
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The comments offer insight into the creative decisions behind PRIMA, ADÉLA’s debut studio album, released September 4 through Capitol Records. “Ain’t In LA” challenges the idea that Los Angeles is the ultimate destination for success, coolness and cultural relevance, turning the familiar mythology surrounding the city into a confident pop statement. Its late-2010s-inspired sound also provides a contrast to “Nicole Kidman,” the theatrical track that has become the album’s defining hit.
The decision to push for “Ain’t In LA” appears to have paid off commercially. Released as the album’s third single, the song entered the Billboard Hot 100 in August and eventually peaked at No. 24. That milestone made ADÉLA the first Slovak artist to enter the chart.
Meanwhile, “Nicole Kidman” has taken ADÉLA even further into the mainstream. The song debuted at No. 45 on the Billboard Hot 100 alongside PRIMA’s release before climbing to No. 6, becoming her first top 10 hit and the first Hot 100 top 10 for a Slovak artist.
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