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

New Music Video: Kop That S**T – Aystar

Relentless in both his honest lyricism and heavy delivery, AYSTAR has shot to the top of the Scouse rap masters. The release of his brand new mixtape ’Scousematic 2’ coincides with the video release of the video ‘Kop That Shit’, which dropped exclusively on P110’s channel and has already close to 100,000 views just 48 hours in. ’Scousematic 2’ has entered the iTunes Hip Hop/Rap Album charts at number 8 (currently at number 10) and charted at number 42 (currently at 100). The hypnotic string-led instrumental of ‘Kop That Shit’ compliments his smooth yet robust flow and his perceptive lyrics paint a vivid picture that drops into the sing-a-long hook.

The UK rap landscape in the last few years has notoriously been redefined and what used to be a London centric scene has now rippled through the UK to discover talent from all of its corners. Hailing from the North-West, AYSTAR is among the likes of Bugzy Malone, Mist and Coco representing the sound alongside a standout accent. He first launched onto the scene with his notorious YouTube freestyles and diss tracks, which went onto catch the attention of fellow rap stars such as K-Koke. Taking AYSTAR under his wing K Koke invited him down to London to work on music and join the collective USG, concluding to the infamous SBTV cypher featuring K-Koke, Geko (Manchester) and a young Aystar. He also caught the attention of Giggs who later featured him on ‘The Best’ taken from his Landlord album.

Receiving acclaim from The Guardian they featured him in an article commending the northern rap scene-‘“Why doesn’t everyone rap in scouse?”. As well as BBC Radio 1 and 1xtra’s Charlie Sloth who gave him the platform to showcase his talent on the legendary Fire In The Booth and he later featured on Charlie Sloth’s album ‘The Plug’ among artists such as Ghetts, Fredo, 21 Savage, Giggs, Abracadabra and many more.

AYSTAR has now grown to become the voice of the Liverpool’s urban youth and has helped pioneer the movement to get Liverpool on the map. His latest project ‘Scousematic 2’ is guaranteed to create further kudos and awareness as his reach to both national and international heights continues.

Check out the video for ‘Kop That Shit.’

 

by Categories: New VideosTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Song of the Day: Inside – Pure Order (ft. Prince PO – Organized Konfusion)

God’s Gift and N-fa’Nit – aka hip-hop duo PURE ORDER – made their entry on NEW LEASE MUSIC and dropped their latest track,’Inside’ featuring Prince Po. Coming from their new album, ‘Sword of Élan Vitál’, the thought-provoking number has that perfect balance of elevated lyrical prowess – that’s entertaining as well as enlightening – with attention grabbing, innovative beats.

Hailing of California, God’s Gift  has been featured on the Lootpack’s ‘Soundpieces: Da Antidote’ album. His solo song on the Loot-pack’s ‘Lost Tapes’ mixtape,’Antidote to Da Anti-Dope,’ is what inspired the Soundpieces title and theme song. He also has a solo single, ‘Deleting Programs,’ on Kan kick’s “From Artz Un-known” album.

Also from California, N-fa’Nit is one serious lyrical athlete. From hardly any media presence, the video for her first single “Nefertiti the First” earned over 50k likes and the respect of many great MCs, DJs and producers such as Blame One, Wildchild, 2 Mex, and others along with the world-renowned MCs featured on the EP.

‘The Sword of Élan Vitál,’ or Sword of Infinite Life Force, represents the rare quality of mental bravery that it takes to see truth and be creative enough to use it as the ultimate tool of survival.

Serious hip-hop heads,include the pair in your radar as they’re on serious fire…time to sample ‘Inside.’

by Categories: Songs of the DayTags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Song of the Day: 0300 (Human) – D.A.N

3AM is known to some as the witching hour; the time when our minds drift between consciousness and dream; our thoughts as running wild horses; our anxiety as shadows in the night. D.A.N knows this insomniac nature all too well, as he sits up late into the early hours, waiting for a message from a distant lover, one that will perhaps never arrive. Rising up through soothing piano and hushed production, D.A.N’s lyrics show an emotional honesty.

‘0300 (Human)’ is the long-awaited follow-up to the South London-based/Northern Irish independent artist’s debut ‘Clothes Off’, which garnered almost two million streams on Spotify. Produced by D.A.N and Dave Okumu (Jessie Ware, Jamie Woon, Rosie Lowe), the track also features mixing by Dan Parry (Adele, Loyle Carner).

After a busy year of studio time and shows, including Bestival 2017, graduating from Goldsmiths University in Popular Music (James Blake, Rosie Lowe), D.A.N presents this delicately crafted sophisti-pop work.

Have a listen…

by Categories: Songs of the DayTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

New track: He Ain’t Me – Ricardo Williams

Produced by Sillkey (Wiley, Jacob Banks, Vanessa White) ‘He Ain’t Me’ takes you through a real journey with Ricardo’s mellifluous vocal. The peak is reached at the bridge where his effortless harmonies demand the attention of anyone who is listening. Sillkey’s contemporary beats balance perfectly with Ricardo’s naturally nostalgic vocal style and the song truly displays him as arguably one of the brightest current R&B artists from the UK.

Talking about the meaning behind the song, Ricardo says “I wanted to write a song specifically for the ladies. I’m not going to lie, women have it hard. A lot of the time it’s us men that do not make it easy, so I wanted to write something to remind women that there are good guys out there. I want women to know that they are special, beautiful, valued and more than enough, despite their past experiences and what they’ve been told or shown!”

‘He Ain’t Me’ follows Ricardo’s last single ‘Come Over’ which was featured as DJ Ace’s Track of The Week on BBC 1Xtra. He partnered with fellow R&B peers J Warner, Jordan King and Mark Asari for the remix which premiered on BBC 1Xtra. Support was also received from Manny Norte on Capital Xtra, The Beat London, Pulse88 Radio, Reprezent, Westside FM, Mi-Soul and more.

Overall 2018 is going to be a big year with the release of new music and performances as Ricardo looks forward to supporting Faith Evans on her upcoming London, Birmingham and Manchester tour dates on 20th-22nd July.

The big man is back with some serious force…check out ‘He Ain’t Me’.

by Categories: new singlesTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments

Song of the Day: Last Goodbye – Zoey Lily

Following up on February’s single ‘More’, supported by the likes of BBC Introducing London, TMRW magazine, The Line Of Best Fit and BuzzFeed, ZOEY LILY returns with another unique pop offering in the shape of ‘Last Goodbye’.

This song immediately taps into the heart, unfolding Zoey’s delicate vocals at its rawest. The Instinctive wordsmith tells the story of rather letting someone go than staying close enough to keep getting hurt. Complementing the vulnerable feeling of Zoey’s vocals, the track opts for ambient piano, with soft electronic elements and distant drumming, alternating with male shouts which gives off a dark atmosphere that is both intimate and anthemic.

ZOEY LILY (née Zoe Lily Lewis) may be a relative newcomer to the world of left-field pop, but for this 20-year-old talent, musicianship is no passing fancy. The Hackney-based artist first delved into creative expression at age 13 when she began playing piano and her first wide-eyed forays into songwriting. Later, at age 17, Zoey found herself drawn to her father’s acoustic Martin guitar, the instrument which she still writes most of her songs with today.

This promising youngster has set out to become a highly independent and original songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, co-producer and dancer, drawing cues from a wide-range of essential artists, including Lana del Rey, Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean and Vince Staples.

Have a listen to her beautiful latest offering….

by Categories: Songs of the DayTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment