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

LA genre-bender Asha Imuno unveils single, ‘DID I CALL AT A BAD TIME?’

LA-based genre-defying newcomer ASHA IMUNO unveils his newest single ‘DID I CALL AT A BAD TIME,’ released via Guin Records. The celebratory offering reminds listeners of Imuno’s place in the landscape of hip-hop while championing his unwavering ambition, painting a vivid picture of a feel good, summer night vignette. The combination of sharp, textured co-production by Asha and Zach Ezzy and the feature by Atlanta native Rizz Capolotti (co-signed by Monte Booker, Metro Boomin) sees the creative collision of hip-hop’s most exciting new faces. ‘DID I CALL AT A BAD TIME’ can’t help but lock you into a bouncy groove, as Asha and Rizz exchange verses from their respective sides of a long night out.

“This single captures me feeling confident and ready to pop out and celebrate. It’s about the feeling you get after seemingly getting to the other side of all the bullsht, and finally being able to feel yourself and flex on it all. We was just having fun with this one – people haven’t heard be talk my sht like this in a while, so I’m pretty geeked.” – Asha Imuno on ‘DID I CALL AT A BAD TIME’.

‘DID I CALL AT A BAD TIME’ is the second single from Asha’s forthcoming debut album Pins & Needles. It follows his introspective hip-hop/r&b single ‘PUSHING BUTTONS,’ which according to Asha, serves as the “inception point” for the album, born from a period of profound introspection as he reckons with the impermanence of life.

Asha is an absolute self-starter, having built his music career from the ground up. Boasting an impressive 552k+ monthly listeners on Spotify, his cult following continues to expand upon each new release. Asha’s innovative spirit has led to recent career milestone moments, including performances at both the 2023 Culture Creators Brunch and A Toast To Black Hollywood during this year’s BET Awards, as well as being asked to create his own rendition of Kendrick Lamar’s GRAMMY-winning hit “i” for GRAMMY’s Hip-Hop Re:Defined. He is a member of the POC-led artist community KOGO (home to CONNIE, Alé Araya, Curtis Waters, KOAD & more), and has earned co-signs from the likes of Jordan Ward, Diddy, and Hitboy alongside collaborating with buzzing upcomers like Aaron May and AG Club. At this rate, 2023 is sure to be the year Asha makes the jump from fan favorite to commanding superstar, as he continues his run of self-reflective art. Check out ‘DID I CALL AT A BAD TIME’ below…

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Song of the Day: Sonnet #18 – 5omerset

5OMERSET’s latest single, ‘Sonnet #18’ , on the surface, is about summer ending too soon, but underneath that it’s a song about living every moment to its fullest potential because you never know when the moment may end.

‘Sonnet #18’ is a catchy little Folk/Pop tune all based around an Ovation acoustic guitar with atmospheric slide guitars and a pulsing rhythm section that keeps the head bouncing along.

5omerset wrote, recorded and mixed Sonnet #18 in his little home studio and then sent it to Juno nominated engineer Dajaun Martineau in L.A for the finishing vibrant touches to brighten up those cold months ahead.

Have a listen to ‘Sonnet #18’ below…

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Belau drops new single Faraway ft. Hien before their third LP

Rising dreamtronica duo BELAU is back with a new single called ‘Faraway’ featuring Vietnamese alt r’n’b artist, Hien.

The dynamic pair shed some light on their new single: “It’s a milestone in a person’s life when you are able to separate what really serves you from what you want. it is an operation that reflects such human greatness that paradoxically leads to the convergence of the two. through pure letting go, something will be at our service if we do not want it to be ours. ‘Faraway’ is a correlation of two people who live in each other’s hearts, but one or the other lives cyclically under anxiety – once and then again. it is not clear why the contradiction cannot be resolved despite their will; their relationship is eternal, bound forms. they always affect each other, distance has no influence. the idea comes to fruition in the next songs of the upcoming full-length”

Belau are currently finalising their third LP called ‘Apriori’, coming out on 27th of October. Hungary’s No.1 musical export good, Belau will continue their European tour in 2023 included some clubs shows and summer festivals in France, Belgium, Denmark, Poland, Czech Republic, Serbia, Slovenia, Slovakia, and Romania.

Check out the video for ‘Faraway’ below…

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Song of the Day: Go Crazy – Tai Mistyque

Emerging female artist TAI MISTYQUE (pronounced Tay-Mis-Teek) has crafted a spellbinding track, ‘Go Crazy’.

In the harmonious contemporary soulful R&B single, Tai Mistyque effortlessly weaves her soulful vocals around a lush production, creating an immersive experience that captures the essence of modern R&B while paying homage to its timeless roots.

The Wisconsin songbird creates music for everyday women – whether they are seeking spiritual enlightenment, fighting for equal rights, or simply pursuing their dreams. She wants her music to be a soundtrack for those who are determined to make the most out of their lives. Check out the video for ‘Go Crazy’ below…

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K-Riz drops video for ‘Middle Finger U’, a track for naysayers

K-RIZ makes a quick return with a new video for track, ‘Middle Finger U,’ an ode to haters. Served over succulent beats, ‘Middle Finger U’ is one of many standouts from his highly-anticipated third full-length album, One Way Ticket, released last Friday (15th September) via Birthday Cake Records.

Directed by Sergei Subbotin and Jason WH, and featuring cameos from Edmonton hip-hop artist Moto and Mexican rapper La Tytan, the video radiates with optimism as an act of resistance, while highlighting various locations from K-Riz’s recently adopted city of Calgary.

“The video is a representation of joy and being carefree,” says K-Riz. “It’s that feeling that no matter what people say, or how they feel about it, we’ll be out here having fun in the world. It’s very unapologetic.”

Opening with the crackling of vinyl and cuts courtesy of scratch DJ Fatrok, ‘Middle Finger U’ nods to the golden era’s most rousing boom-bap rhythms. On the track, K-Riz offers a message to the naysayers who oppose the musical life path he’s chosen: “There’s no ceiling/Only space above me to occupy.” All the while, wishing cynics well in his eternal quest towards self-betterment (“Don’t Judge”), and lifting up the next generation of unsure artists (“Be Great”). Exposing the loneliness of making art when others don’t support you, he offers some words to live by to anyone aspiring for more: “They may tell you that you can’t be great/So tell them you already are great/You’re just on your way,” he raps on “Be Great.” Indeed, it’s a statement of true growth and gratitude for the gifts that life has given him, and his sense of obligation to give back to others like him.

Check out the video for ‘Middle Finger U’ Below…

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