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Taylor Hawkins featured posthumously on new King Princess song

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Late Foo Fighters drummer Taylor Hawkins is posthumously featured on King Princess‘s new song.

In an interview with Apple Music’s Zane Lowe, which premiered via Billboard.com, the “1950” artist explains that producer Mark Ronson suggested Hawkins for the track, which is called “Let Us Die.”

“[Ronson] called [Hawkins] and he sent him the song and he’s, like, ‘Do you want to play on this?'” Princess, born Mikaela Straus, recalls. “And [Hawkins] was, like, ‘Yeah, man. It’s a great song. Yeah.’ And I was, like, ‘Are you serious?'”

Hawkins recorded his part remotely, but he would FaceTime with Straus between takes and ask for feedback.

“I can’t even describe it,” Straus says. “I was so emotional. It was crazy.”

Upon hearing of Hawkins’ unexpected death in March, Straus remembers feeling “completely in shock.” After a few weeks, she decided to reach out to Hawkins’ team to see how they felt about releasing the song.

“We sent this message and it was very respectful, I think,” Straus shares. “They came back and said, ‘As long as he wanted to be on it, that sounds great.’ And they were just so kind.”

Straus now describes “Let Us Die” as an “homage” to Hawkins. “It’s for Taylor,” she says.

“Let Us Die” is the closing song off the upcoming King Princess album, Hold On Baby, due out this Friday.

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