Acclaimed Dominican recording artist, songwriter and global cultural ambassador Lí-Lí Octave, widely known by her industry nickname ‘The Caribbean Neo Soul Queen’, has launched her highly anticipated new single titled “More Than Me” — stylized as “>ME” — across all major international streaming and digital music platforms as of September 11, 2026. The release marks a landmark new milestone in Octave’s career, cements her status as a pioneering trailblazer of the burgeoning Caribbean Neo Soul genre, and opens an exciting fresh chapter in her artistic evolution.
Musically, the track weaves together rich, indigenous Caribbean soul stylings, organic acoustic instrumentation, and Octave’s signature deeply expressive vocal delivery to explore the interconnected dynamics of self-worth, romantic love, and intentional selflessness. Penned entirely by Octave, the song offers a provocative reimagining of long-held cultural narratives around sacrifice: rather than framing sacrifice as an act of self-denial that requires erasing one’s own needs, Octave reframes it as an outflow of deep emotional and spiritual fullness. In her own words explaining the core philosophy of the track: “The idea is you must fill yourself with love and overflow into the other – this is my definition of selflessness.”
The origins of “>ME” stretch back to 2025’s Jazz ’n Dine event, where Octave first debuted a stripped-back intimate acoustic version of the track for a crowd of music fans and industry insiders. Her raw, emotionally resonant performance left such a lasting impact on attendees that widespread calls for a polished, studio-recorded release began almost immediately. That growing buzz carried into 2026, when Octave delivered a standout headline set at Dominica’s annual Jazz and Creole Festival, blending jazz, neo-soul, and traditional Dominican musical heritage to widespread critical acclaim.
Octave doubles down on her core message in the single, arguing that meaningful generosity can only grow from a foundation of personal fulfillment. “Self-love isn’t selfish; it is the prerequisite for true generosity,” she emphasized. She explains that when an individual is emotionally fulfilled, giving love and support to others does not deplete their own reserves — instead, it creates a continuous, expanding flow of care that lifts all parties involved. The studio recording features layered bass performances from Anika “LukaBassGirl” Luke-Balthazar and Lindsay George, which build a warm, rich sonic foundation that complements Octave’s vocals perfectly.
The launch of “>ME” kicks off the next phase of Octave’s artistic journey, coming on the heels of her high-profile Jazz and Creole Festival set and her ongoing work to establish Caribbean Neo Soul as a distinct, globally recognized musical genre. Fans can stream the single now on all leading platforms including Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, Amazon Music and YouTube Music, and a companion conceptual visualizer is set to premiere later the same day.