Author: Tracey Dawkins

Owner of NEW LEASE MUSIC blog, which showcases the latest releases from indie and unsigned artists, and NEW LEASE MUSIC PROMOTIONS, which promotes indie/unsigned artists via blogs/magazines, radio, independent and Spotify playlists

Blazing Afropop Star Sean Dampte Drops Track, ‘Pepe (Remix)’ With Rising Nigerian Star BUJU & Nizzy

On the verge of his third full length project and the third series in his ‘Awoodah’ EP series, which is set for release next month, UK-based afropop and afrofusion artist SEAN DAMPTE unveiled his massive new single titled ‘PEPE (REMIX)’ featuring fellow UK-based afrofusion artist NIZZY and Nigerian rising star BUJU, who recently featured on the deluxe version of Wizkid’s ground-breaking album Made In Lagos and collaborated with Mavin Records’ Ladipoe on one of the biggest songs of the year ‘Feelings’.

Speaking about the inspiration behind his new ‘Pepe (Remix)’ single, Sean Dampte says: “Sometimes I find it difficult to fully express myself without my mother tongue, which is Yoruba. ‘Pe’ is the Yoruba word for complete and ‘pepper’ is Nigerian street slang for money, so the song title ‘Pepe’ is short for expressing that ‘Pepper pe’. Essentially, the song is me letting my woman know that I’ve got whatever it takes to give her whatever she wants because my money is complete – of course with help from Buju and Nizzy”.

Championed by the likes of MTV Base, BET, TRACE and Apple Music, while also having shared the stage with afrobeats royalty such as D’Banj, Wizkid, Davido and Wande Coal, Sean Dampte has been foundational and a staple fixture in the rise of afrobeats music in the UK, and is revered for his stellar fusion sound of afrobeats, dancehall and pop music, which has birthed such hits as ‘Alignment’, ‘You Can Call Me’, ‘2Nite’ and ‘Energy’, to mention a few, and amassed over four million plays along the way…Check out Sean Dampte’a sizzling hot single below…

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Song of the Day: Far Away – Ntantu (ft. Miriam Makeba)

Hailing from Leeds, NTANTU is a UK Rap and R&B artist fusing his sound with African Diaspora inspired music. His new single ‘Far Away’, a blissful and thoughtful track that draws from Afrobeats as well as being infused with Ntantu’s personality.

‘Far Away’ captures a moment of reflection for Ntantu as he touches base with his roots through the style change in the music, and also exploring topics such as love and loss over slick production.

‘Far Away’ follows Ntantu’s hugely successful ‘Pressure (Oh My Goodness)’, which picked up wide spread support across BBC Radio 1, BBC 6 Music and BBC 1Xtra, over 250,000 streams on Spotify (with no editorial playlisting) and went viral on TikTok. Ntantu also performed ‘Pressure’ at this years Creamfields Festival and was a finalist for the Radio 1 BBC Introducing Live lounge in March/April 2021

Going from strength to strength, ‘Far Away’ is part of a wider narrative to an album project that Ntantu is set to release titled ‘NOW’.

Here’s the video for ‘Far Away’, directed by Ntantu himself, who pays homage to Craig David, a huge influence on his upbringing.

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Nija Shares New Single, ‘Finesse’ + Video

Fresh off her stellar debut single, ‘Ease My Mind (Come Over),’ NIJA returns with a smooth, straight-talking new single, ‘Finesse.’ This time, she has a searing message for an ex who has a way of finessing his way back into her life, despite her best intentions.

In the provocative official video, Nija is entwined in an intimate slow dance with a partner as she delivers an emotional performance of ‘Finesse.’

Before she had even turned 21, Nija had written scores of Billboard Hot 100 hits. Now – at 23 – the three-time GRAMMY Award-winning contributor is gaining widespread acclaim for her own music and relishing in the freedom to fully express herself. The FADER named “Ease My Mind (Come Over)” as one of the “10 songs you need in your life this week” upon its release in August and noted, “Nija’s first foray as a solo artist is a booming, drill production-backed banger that finds her asking a lover to take her stresses away.” VIBE hailed her as “a vocal talent whose sultry tone brings her lyrics to life.” Billboard said, “With a whomping bass and edgy vocals, the star songwriter – who’s penned hits for Ariana Grande and Lady Gaga, Beyoncé, Cardi B, Megan Thee Stallion, Summer Walker, Chris Brown and so many more – now has a standout song under her own name.”

Here’s your chance to check out the Jay Weneta-directed video for the track, produced by Bregma and Jack Rochon.

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Song of the Day: Cutie – Deniro5ive & Taifunds

TAIFUNDS‘ and DENIRO5IVE‘s track ‘Cutie’ exploded onto the scene, quickly gained traction on TikTok. The duo’s second release together was further brought to life with a bubbly video, providing roaring energy with friends.

Growing up as childhood friends on the same estate in Clapton, Hackney, with their musical passion commencing in school, Deniro began home recording tunes, with no intention to put them out. Around the second lockdown in November 2020, the teens who are still in school made this single ‘Cutie’. The teens uploaded a snippet and video onto TikTok which stars their mutual friend Araloyin Oshunremi (a main character from Top Boy). The video received 100k views and over 700 organic creations.

Previously putting out a track and music video called ‘Kings’ on Mixtape Madness, the visuals accumulated 27k views for their first ever track. Their follow up track ‘Cutie’ is oozing with energy, a rolling piano that surfs across the rhythm created by the quick percussion and 808’s. A catchy chorus “this track here gonna be a movie”, which explains the fast growth on social media. Both artists bring their own flair and style to the track with inventive flows and memorable one-liners.

This highly anticipated track has all the components to form a serious anthem and this year it is very likely we will observe a loud arrival on the scene from these boys.

Check out the video below…

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Mixtape Review: Flymix Vol.2 – Fly Von

An attention-grabbing jittering sound comes piercing through first track ‘Automatic’, giving a bold introduction to FLY VON‘s latest mixtape, ‘FlyMix Vol.2’.

The prospective listener would be given if the seven-track set follows through with the jarringly-dope tone offered up in the intro track. However ‘FlyMix Vol.2’ changes direction and gives a smooth run of lack-laid slow jams vibing with a heavy bass that gives each arrangements that extra kick – with the exception of ‘Broke In A Minute’ which pretty much takes on a similar tone as ‘Automatic’, boasting a looping horn that goes rampant with fly’s flow oozing into the boisterous sound.

The mixtape eases down and concludes with ‘No Surprise’. With trance-like and hazy soundscapes, ‘No Surprise’ is a type of track that you kick back and roll up on your own or with some friends.

Fly Von always comes different and this mixtape is sure to ascend nicely on his ever-fly discography – get it? Oh never mind; Check ‘FlyMix Vol.2’ out below plus songs recommendations below…

Must Listens: Automatic, 24, All Your Fault,

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