PIMPIN CHANGE, the rising star hailing from the vibrant music scene of Austin, Texas, has drop his highly anticipated EP titled ‘Hidden Fees’ last Thursday, 7th March. This release promises to be a captivating journey through the soundscape of modern hip-hop, showcasing Pimpin Change‘s unique style and lyrical prowess.
‘Hidden Fees’ features two electrifying singles that are already making waves in the music industry. The first single, ‘Step Ya Game Up,’ is a high-energy track that commands attention from the first beat. With infectious rhythms and clever wordplay, Pimpin Change delivers a message of empowerment and determination, urging listeners to elevate their hustle to the next level. The second single, ‘Being Gamed,’ delves into the complexities of navigating life’s challenges while staying true to oneself. Pimpin Change‘s raw honesty shines through in this introspective track, as he reflects on the struggles of overcoming obstacles and staying resilient in the face of adversity.
With Hidden Fees, Pimpin Change continues to push the boundaries of hip-hop, blending catchy melodies with thought-provoking lyrics that resonate with audiences worldwide. His dynamic storytelling and charismatic delivery set him apart as a force to be reckoned with in the music industry.
Fans can expect an immersive listening experience with Hidden Fees, as Pimpin Change invites them to explore the highs and lows of his journey through life and music. From infectious hooks to thought-provoking verses, this EP is sure to leave a lasting impression on listeners of all backgrounds.
Here’s your chance to check out ‘Hidden Fees’ EP below…
UK R&B queen SHAÉ UNIVERSE shares the her timeless new project ‘Love’s Letter’ via The Orchard. A release steeped in R&B nostalgia, the ten track project explores what it would mean for love to send you a letter for every phase of life.
Collaborating with producers from both sides of the Atlantic, the project combines Shaé’s once-in-a-lifetime raw vocal talent with sultry guitar melodies, old-school-flows and modern gritty bounces. Covering romantic love, self-love, lack of love and the role of love in spirituality, ‘Love’s Letter’ is a transformative project crafted to help listeners process their pain.
Love’s Letter opens with inspirational words from Shaé’s mother, taken from one of their real life heart-to-hearts on self love, identity and owning your spirit. The sultry guitar melodies and relaxed groove of ‘Love Self’ set the tone for this intimate, vulnerable sonic journey. Shaé made her much-anticipated COLORS debut last year with radiant ‘Summertime’, a soulful paean to a lost love. Ethereal 00’s R&B cut ‘LOML’ is next, which landed last year to acclaim from CRACK, NME and spins across BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, KISS Fresh and more. Empowering new single ‘Oh, Wait…’ details Shaé finding her inner strength after a betrayal.
Speaking on making ‘Oh, Wait…’, Shaé said – “The unpredictability of each musical section is reflective of how caught off guard I was when I wrote this song. I’d just found out my ex had cheated on me and I was still in absolute shock. This song is extra dear to my heart because at the time I didn’t speak to anyone about it immediately, but Ari Pensmith (songwriter) and Akeel Henry (producer) created such a safe space in the studio that day, I felt comfortable enough to outwardly express my feelings on the situation for the first time.”
Recent single ‘What’s Luv?’ is a sun-dappled tune shot through with breezy guitar licks and Shaé’s ethereal vocal runs, as she muses on the importance of self-love. Bittersweet breakup tune ‘Passenger Princess’ is next, which landed last year with a video featuring frequent collaborator Kojey Radical and drew heat from the likes of NME, Vibe, Wonderland, COLORS, GUAP, DMY, Complex UK, TRENCH and DJ Mag. Stripped-back interlude ‘Warzone’, meets vulnerable spoken word verses with Shaé’s honeyed runs as she deconstructs the turbulence at the end of a relationship. Imbued with honesty and the importance of understanding your own self worth, ‘No Capacity’ (produced by Sean Hamilton, Darkchild’s protegee) combines nostalgic dreamy essences with gritty bounces.
Feel-good anthem ‘More Than Enough’ features the only guest on the project – legendary US R&B star Lalah Hathaway, a true testament to just how far this rising talent has come with the single opening with an intimate voicenote as the two singers arrange to meet in LA. Closing out the project is the cinematic, soulful goodbye ‘Sincerely,’ which layers Shaé’s vocals together with final words from Shaé as she says – “nothing in life is linear / it’s ok to be ok and then not be ok and then be ok again / it’s ok to meet yourself where you’re at everyday / and sometimes you’re going to have to learn that lesson again / and again / before you overcome it / but the most important thing is that you overcome”.
Since bursting onto the scene in 2017, British-Nigerian artist Shaé Universe has made waves in the UK, West Africa and beyond making music that engages, enchants and inspires. Her mother a gospel singer and her father a pastor, Shaé weaves her spirituality, faith and sensuality through her work. Shaé is an artist who can both sing and rap, has been co-signed by the likes of Lalah Hathaway, Jorja Smith and Little Simz and has remained entirely independent – navigating the industry on her own terms.
Now in her new era following performances at legendary festivals around the world including Glastonbury, SXSW, Roskilde, De Roma Festival, The Great Escape and a lead feature on Phabo’s latest album ‘Don’t Get Too Cozy’, Shaé has truly taken her music to a global stage. With fans at the likes of British Vogue, NME, VICE, Rolling Stone, BET, Billboard, Highsnobiety, Complex, Wonderland and NOTION, and recently announced as a Pandora Artist to Watch for 2024 – this year has Sha Universe written all over it. Check out ‘Love’s Letter’ below…
Must Listens: Self Love; LOML; Oh Wait…;More Than Enough,
Birmingham rapper MARNZ MALONE finally shares his 14-track project ‘Tina’s Boy’ earlier last month (9th February), after teasing us with some visuals, ‘Cold Hearted World 2’ and most recently ‘Ball 4 U’ taken from a previous project release.
‘Tina’s Boy’ is an eye-opener into the life of Marnz Malone with features such as Potter Payper, Bandokay, KayMuni & Marshall with all 14 tracks full of storytelling and the life he has lived. It’s shows off his laid-back style of rapping mixed with intricately delivered bars and verses. Marnz uses simple rap beats delivering inspirational, truthful, and heartfelt rhymes for his 3rd project full of wordplay.
Only starting to release music in August 2023, his career has blown up due to going viral and gaining a solid fanbase with co-signs from legends such as Giggs and Stormzy and Central Cee reposting his music.
The rising rapper who is currently in jail, has found his calling with music and will not let anything deter him from releasing. Why not listen to Marnz’s epic project below…
Must Listens: Roof Down, Went To War, Medusa’s Eyes, Napkin Deal, Forever Missing You, Smile For Me
EMANI TALITHA‘s exciting debut EP, Loving My 20s (‘LM20’), beautifully captures the delicate balance between Old School and New School R&B, offering a soulful, tranquil, vulnerable, and relatable sound.
An audio soundscape, ‘LM20’ mirrors Emani’s embrace of the third decade of her life. The project features a wholesome and melodically calming sound, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in an enjoyable, feel-good atmosphere with high vibrational frequencies.
‘LM20’ is a reflective and affirmational journey through the diverse facets of life in one’s twenties. By evoking a sense of shared experience, Emani Talitha reassures her audience that they are not alone in their feelings and experiences. “The story behind this project is expressing the love in my 20s – the love life, the love for my dreams and goals, and the love I have for my loved ones, affirming myself through it all.” She further adds –“It’s about different facets of my 20s that many have experienced and can relate to. The message revolves around navigating through uncertainties, facing insecurities, and celebrating the highs and lows, the good and the bad.”
‘Loving My 20s’ has already garnered support on Westside Radio, Global Soul Radio and The Beat and is now available to stream in its entirety with special guest appearances on the project coming from Shayne Brown and Big Jest. Why not have a listen below…
It’s been nearly six years since SY SMITH‘s acclaimed album, ‘Sometimes A Rose Will Grow In Concrete’. After guesting on Zo! and Tall Black Guy’s ‘The Ride’ for their excellent 2021 album Abstractions, the multi-talented, Emmy-nominated singer/songwriter and actress reunites with her frequent collaborators for her new album ‘Until We Meet Again’, released today (26th January) on all DSPs via +FE Music/EMPIRE. Produced entirely by Zo! and Tall Black Guy, and executive produced by The Foreign Exchange frontman and Little Brother co-founder Phonte, the album features the sensual lead single ‘Slide’ and serves as Smith’s long-awaited full-length +FE Music debut. Guest appearances include world renowned singer/drummer Sheila E, trumpeter Chris Botti, and more.
“You ever pick up an old photo album that you haven’t seen in many years and look through it? And all the memories of each photo come flooding back as if those pictures were just taken yesterday? That’s what “Until We Meet Again” feels like. It’s a sonic reverie down memory lane – making stops at every single emotion that comes with reminiscing.” – Sy Smith
Sy Smith is set to hit the road in March and April for her Until We Meet Again headlining tour. Dates and more info are available here. For now, have a listen to the breathtaking album…
Must Listens: Photograph, Slide, Summer of ’93, All The Ways,
