Watch Banggz’s Video For Track, ‘Placebo Effect.’

‘Placebo Effect’ is a surrealist and thought-provoking rap music video where BANGGZ delivers a poignant and introspective message about the arduous path of creatives within the music industry.

The two-minute production features evocative lyrics such as “I feel great already” interwoven with striking visual imagery of the Nigerian rapper’s blood-drenched body. Through the collaborative vision of Banggz and filmmaker Tani Olorunyomi, the video represents a remarkable response to the human condition and the industry’s insatiable thirst for exploiting artists for their commercial value. The song is part of a project titled ‘ttyl (an audio series)’ which was released last summer

Ottawa-based Banggz has gained recognition on various platforms such as CBC Canada, Ottawa Citizen, That Eric Alper, Tinnitist, Native Magazine, and Pulse Nigeria and has also opened for artists like WizKid, Pierre Kwenders, Asuquomo and KAR33M. Check out the video below…

Song of the Day: Lumoflove – Sad Boys Club

London alt rock band SAD BOYS CLUB‘s latest single ‘Lumoflove’, is a powerful and vulnerable piece of their upcoming debut album Lullabies From The Lightning Tree, out 5th May via Modern Sky.

Radically changing up from their previous singles and back catalogue of music, ‘Lumoflove shows Sad Boys Club, and particularly lead singer Jacob Wheldon, at their darkest, but also most alluring. Paring sparse piano and murky production elements with bursts of vocal passion highlights the dichotomies of love and lust.

Dark, mysterious and brooding, Sad Boys Club are set to have their breakout year. The band’s upcoming debut album Lullabies From The Lightning Tree builds upon their previous string of EP releases that have seen them co-signed by the likes of Fred Macpherson, Matty Healy, Phoebe Bridgers and more.

Speaking on the album – Wheldon says: “It’s almost like a little bit of a coming of age record, it’s just 10 years later than it’s supposed to happen. It’s just for your late twenties and realising the ephemerality of all of that stuff, at this age we’ve all had relationships that haven’t worked out that we thought would last forever, we’ve all loved bands that we thought we were gonna love forever, we’ve all seen beauty in different ways.”

The story of Sad Boys Club is one of yearning, the feeling of reaching, but never quite touching. The constant ebb and flow of euphoric success and seemingly inescapable set-backs. Debut album Lullabies From The Lightning Tree not only marks a journey of four friends, but a generational rallying cry for self acceptance and love for those lost in the quagmire of their mid-to late twenties.

As Milan Kundera writes in his 1984 classic ‘The Unbearable Lightness Of Being’: “Anyone whose goal is ‘something higher’ must expect someday to suffer vertigo. What is vertigo? Fear of falling? No, Vertigo is something other than fear of falling. It is the voice of the emptiness below us which tempts and lures us, it is the desire to fall, against which, terrified, we defend ourselves.” Kundera’s comical scepticism of life is an ever present theme for Sad Boys Club on their debut outing.

Combining The Cure’s penchant for emotionally vulnerable rock anthems, The 1975’s lyrical aptitude and driving guitar based sound of Death Cab for Cutie, Sad Boys Club have cut their teeth on the live circuit for a number of years, supporting Spector, Swim Deep, Bombay Bicycle Club and The Slow Readers Club to name but a few. Their live shows are dynamic, dramatic, and with a wealth of new music to play for the first time, they’re set to be one the UK’s “must see” live shows from a break-out group.

For their previous releases, Sad Boys Club have garnered support from the likes of BBC Radio 1’s Jack Saunders, The Independent, CLASH Magazine, Dork Magazine, The Rodeo, Gigwise, The Line Of Best Fit, Whynow and more.

Sad Boys Club’s debut album Lullabies From The Lightning Tree is out 5th May via Modern Sky. New single ‘Lumoflove’ is out now. Sad Boys Club embark on tours of the UK and Europe in the spring. Have a listen to their stunning ballad below…

Song of the Day: Moments – Caitlin Min Fa

Inspired by a composite of pop / ballad styles, CAITLIN MIN FA‘s latest single, ‘Moments’ is a celebration of her five year anniversary with her partner Ryan, reflecting on and appreciating all the incredible moments and memories they shared in this crazy world. Funnily enough, two days after the song came out … they got engaged!!

Produced by Melbourne’s ARIA award winner Rob Amoruso, the track has the energy of Jojo, and elements of H.E.R. With the infusion of both Pop and urban R&B, ‘Moments’ is not only romantic, but intertwining visual story telling within the lyrics, and also providing three and a half minutes of pure escapism.

Officially ready to be added to your playlist, it’s a song that belongs on radio with it’s bold energy that contrasts a playful and vulnerable attitude simultaneously. Have a listen below…

Song of the Day: Venting – Dae Day

Emerging R&B/Hip-Hop musician DAE DAY‘s single ‘Venting’, is a powerful and emotionally charged song that showcases Dae’s lyricism, musicality, and singing ability. ‘Venting’ is an honest and heartfelt expression of Dae’s innermost thoughts and feelings, accompanied by an ethereal melody and a hauntingly soulful beat.

Speaking about the inspiration for the track, Dae reveals, “Venting is a song that came straight from my heart. It’s about the struggles of life that we all go through and how it’s important to express ourselves and our emotions in a healthy way. I wanted to create a song that would allow people to release their feelings and find comfort in knowing they’re not alone.”

As an up and coming musician, Dae Day is quickly establishing himself as a force to be reckoned within the Dallas R&B/Hip-Hop scene. His unique sound and authentic storytelling have earned him a loyal following, and with “Venting”, he is set to continue thrilling fans with his musical talent. Have a listen below…

Afro-Fusion Singer Gyakie Taps Rapper JBEE For Track, ‘SCAR’.

Rising Ghanaian afro-fusion artist GYAKIE has teamed up with North London’s rap riser JBEE with newest single ‘Scar’.

‘Scar’ is a powerful and emotionally charged R&B cut laced with hip-hop brought to life by Gyakie’s fierce flow over a Sosa-crafted drill beat featuring JBEE. Gyakie tells the story of a love gone wrong from both sides – hers representing pain, and his centering on doubts and insecurities. ‘Scar’ features ominous production underscored by heavy 808s with both artists providing hard-hitting lyrics juxtaposed by softer melodies showcased throughout JBEE’s verse.

The juxtaposition on ‘Scar’ continues into the visuals which see Gyakie and JBEE both telling their sides of the love story before coming together in the final scenes with red tones used throughout, representing the love and pain in the story that features throughout ‘Scar’ directed by Craig Capone who has worked with artists such as Headie One, Sarkodie, Chip and Ms Banks on their visuals as well as Romara Blake who is known for her work with Eva Lazarus.

Gyakie has been rising through the ranks since bursting onto the scene with her debut single ‘Love is Pretty’ in 2019. Since then she has collaborated with the likes of AKA, Diplo, Blaq Jerzee, Major League DJz, and Mayorkun. Her breakout single ‘Forever’ gained international recognition and has amassed over 150m streams across platforms.

North London’s JBEE is one of the go to fresh faces in British Rap paving a lane of his own. In 2021 he released ‘4AM’ gaining over 77 million streams, going onto currently reaching 3.7 million monthly Spotify listeners. It’s no surprise he picked up a MOBO nomination for Best Newcomer at the end of last year.

The collaborative track provides heart wrenching insight into contemporary relationships laced with authenticity that is sure to resonate with music fans across continents. Check out the video for the hard-hitting single below…