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 Track: Opposite Interests – Artan

Cultivating a buzz in the underground music scene, ARTAN elevates the levels even further with the release of his brand new single ‘Opposite Interests’.

Entwining slick melodies with clever rap verses, ARTAN gives a fresh dimension to his music as he makes a seamless transition between singing and rapping- alternating between different flows.

The enchanting instrumental consisting of xylophone and piano samples echoes through the introduction and bleeds into his opening hook. The production, courtesy of Katmundu, oozes with summer vibes and gears us up for the season.

2016 opened the floodgates to a wave of interest following his debut release on Bl@ckbox, where he demonstrated his fiery flow. This consequently lead to an array of support from major online platforms such as Link Up TV, GRM Daily and SBTV for his latest releases.

‘Opposite Interests’ is taken from his debut E.P ‘Breaking Stereotypes’, released last Wednesday, which captures ARTAN’s eclectic sounds and delivery.

So here’s your chance to check out the first installment from his latest E.P.

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New Music Video: Without You – Cherri V

Radiating an abundance of soul and endearing, yet playful reality, singer and songwriter CHERRI V released the visual for her single ‘Without You’.

Produced by the Grammy award-winning UK producer, Harmony Samuels, who is responsible for a catalogue of hits from Fifth Harmony, Ariana Grande, Kelly Rowland and Chip, CHERRI V’s velvety tones echo over a piano-led instrumental that is laced with percussion allowing her powerful voice and emotion to burst through the seams.

Painting a vivid picture on the construct of a relationship, the visuals are presented in a sprightly and flirtatious form which capture the mischievous and lighthearted aspect of CHERRI V‘s charming character.

The accomplished songstress, recognised for her striking, fiery red hairstyles, has always kept it real with her straight talking lyrics. Unafraid and eloquent in her ability to discuss the truths of her life and her battles, she has previously been ‘Cherri-picked’ to work and perform alongside Wiley, Dawn Richard and Lethal Bizzle, with whom she celebrated the top 20 hit ‘The Drop’.

Opening the page on a new chapter, ‘Without You’ opens the gateway on CHERRI V‘s journey to releasing her captivating album ‘Brown Eyed Soul’, which is set to be the most personal and autobiographical project to date. Having nurtured, matured and cultivated her music for the album, it is set to tell a story its entirety via her compellingly rich and dynamic voice.

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New Track: Sacrifice – A1 (Drake cover)

A1 kicks off Monday with his take on Drake’s slammer, ‘Sacrifice’. The cover track is the third installment from the series #A1Mondays, where this Washington D.C. emcee put his spin on recent hip-hop hits from the mainstream, on Mondays of this month.

A1‘s previous installment, ‘Honey‘ was recently named Song of the Week by NEW LEASE MUSIC…let’s see if his latest offering follow suit…check it out!

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EP Review: Art 2 – Ugly Savaje

A few weeks back, a young rap contender by the name of UGLY SAVAJE hit my mailbox with his latest EP, ‘Art 2’, requesting some feedback on the set…and naturally, I was honoured give my opinion…

The mini project started off on a strong footing, with ‘Set it Off’ and ‘That One Love Song’. This young emcee knows how to slam down an electrifying flow against the chilled out, seriously head rolling bass.

Going further along the EP, the flame created from the start, begins to extinguish. It’s a crying shame as the quality of the beats come heavily distorted which, unfortunately, drown out the upriser’s delivery. It’ll be great if UGLY SAVAJE mix it up with arrangements that’s fun and uplifting, perhaps fusing hip-hop with R&B or pop music.

Personally, ‘Art 2’ doesn’t fully showcase UGLY SAVAJE as a creditable wordsmith, but with the right background tracks, he has the potential to be great.

Have a listen for yourself.

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New Music Video: Ingredients – Coco (ft. Scrufizzer)

The Oliver Brian-directed visuals for the track, ‘Ingredients’ blend the hook’s literal and metaphorical meanings, with COCO joining a host of chefs in the kitchen and whipping up a storm, before joining Scrufizzer on a bar-filled shopping run. The video culminates with both MCs kicking off their own after-hours cooking session, mixing their chosen ingredients to create the perfect dish.

Bringing an updated twist on grime’s blueprint the banger, released earlier this month, unleashes a taste of the classic grime sound, with COCO and Scrufizzer trading rapid-fire flows over a distorted bassline and full-bodied drums, courtesy of Toddla T. Cooking up bars that explore realness in the scene, COCO represents Sheffield to the fullest and West Ealing MC Scrufizzer peppers ‘Ingredients’ with his trademark skippy flow – turning up the heat on the track’s second verse.

‘Ingredients’ brings to the boil a new Yorkshire and London connection, spicing up the original grime formula over a beat that will sure go down as one of 2017’s most relished grime performances – solidifying Coco’s reputation as one of the genre’s most underrated stars.

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