2020 has been full of ups and downs because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but this didn’t stop Nigerian artist/producer OLOYE COLDMAN from pushing out new music.
His new single, ‘034 Howfar’ – out today on all download and streaming sites – is a special shout out to all indigenes and residents of the 18 local governments areas in his hometown, Ondo State in Nigeria.
Also aimed to encouraging unity among the indigenes with a classic production by the man himself, ‘034 Howfar’ is taken of his EP, ‘034’ slated to drop worldwide before the end of this year.
Have a listen to the politically-fueled ‘034 Howfar’ below, mixed and mastered by Deacon Beats.
Following the release of their track ‘NuNu’, Lagos based Rapper SHINX FATCAT continues his burgeoning collaboration with Dara Svuce through track, ‘This Weekend’. The new effort shows the pair working the perfect blend of Afrobeats melodies with a UK AfroSwing vibe.
Taking a wide range of influences from multiple genres including hip-hop, Afrobeats, R&B and Dancehall, Shinx FatCat – whose real name is Nwafor Abuchi – started his musical journey in 2012 and has pushed out two projects: joint mixtape, ‘TTO (Tha TakeOver’) in 2014 and solo project ‘Love N Trap EP’ in 2016. The indie rapper was recently featured on UKs 89.6fm Afronation Show’s Unsigned Artist.
‘This Weekend’ rolls off a collab mixtape with Dara Svuce, set for release in 2021. ‘This Weekend’ was recorded in Lagos and sound engineered by Tobby Bada$$, written by Nwafor Abuchi and Dara Adedayo. Check it out below…
Hailing from Canada now based in L.A. artist/producer ZEE‘s new EP is definitely a throwback to the late 1990’s, paying homage to hip-hop and R&B of that era. Although this is a nostalgic collection – which evidently draws influences from 90’s R&B heavyweights including Usher, Destiny’s Child and Aaliyah – I couldn’t help but hear some influences of fellow Canadian artist/rapper Drake, particularly in introductory track, ‘Amazing’.
Further along the EP, Zee makes use of samples from some of the R&B classics, such as Kelly Rowland’s/Nelly’s hit ‘Dilemma’, putting a lick of a misty urban/hip-hop bass to the original through fourth effort, ‘All I Need’.
There’s also an air of the late 1980s included in the EP, when Zee put his stamp on Brenda Russell’s classic, ‘Piano In The Dark’ through concluding track, ‘Letting Go’, by dropping a modern R&B/pop version, giving off a summer hazy feel.
Documenting the events of his first summer love (presumably back in the late nineties), Zee encourages us to re-immerse into our most treasured memories – or create new ones – with his feel-good mini collection. Check out the song recommendations and EP below:
British/Rwandan singer-songwriter, JENNIFER KAMIKAZI‘s soulful and uplifting R&B single, ‘Black Skin’, could not be released at a more pivotal time. The song carries a powerful and uplifting message of black pride and beauty.
Kamikazi ( meaning ‘little queen’ in her mother tongue) has made a striking transition from indie/folk to R&B, collaborating with producer Tania Ilyashova. Jennifer’s sweet-sounding and velvety tones are complemented beautifully by the chilled laid back groove of the track. Speaking on the inspiration behind the song, Kamikazi vulnerably describes her personal experience of colourism:
“I wrote this song during quarantine to celebrate the skin colour that I now adore, not just my complexion but every complexion. Growing up in Rwanda, I was never ashamed of my dark skin. It wasn’t until I moved to the UK I experienced the harsh reality of growing up in a society with toxic beauty standards hardly anyone can meet. Through ‘Black Skin’ I hope to challenge the western beauty ideal, and also wish to start a conversation on colourism, something prevalent both in Black and Asian communities.”
‘Black Skin follows’ her two successful EP’s ‘Wildflower’ and ‘Wander in Wonder’ with now over one million streams. Check out the video below, created by Jennifer during lockdown…
Top 10 Shazam hit and Tik Tok’s latest viral smash, ‘M to the B’ by MILLIE B, is making its official release via B1 Recordings/Sony Music.
With over 5.4 MILLION TikTok creations to its name, including the Bells Porch version becoming the most watched Tik Tok video ever and fast rising up the viral TikTok charts, ‘M to the B’ first came to light as a general user upload on the platform and quickly became one of the most popular vocal takes of Bordum Beats Shazam hit ’Skank’.
The catchy vocal smash has since blown up over recent weeks to become the latest track sensation, and one of the most hyped tracks across the platform, hitting the radars as one of the ‘most added’ tracks for Tik Tok users. Flocking in their millions to the record, rappers and
dancers have been creating their own videos, which has seen exclusive raps, dances and performances videos appear to accompany the stonking Bassline beat.
Millie B’s ‘M to the B’, has now taken on a life of its own, streaming over 4millions times in 10 days, hitting the number #1 spot on the Spotify UK Viral Chart, #5 on the Global Spotify Viral Chart, charting in nearly 30 counties on the Global Shazam chart and hitting the Top 10, the smash record is continuing its evolution in to one of the most talked about releases in modern day music.
Both ‘Skank’ & ‘M to the B’ are released via B1 Recordings/Sony Music with a further remix package also set to touch down imminently. Check out the official video for Millie B’s ‘M to the B’ below…
2020 has been full of ups and downs because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but this didn’t stop Nigerian artist/producer OLOYE COLDMAN from pushing out new music.
New Lease Music 