Duñe x Crayon Shares ‘The One / Ten Years’ Live Session Video

Credit: Paul Perrault

The KCRW and COLORS-tipped Parisian producer duo, DUÑE x CRAYON, have recently unveiled their new live session video for single, ‘The One / Ten Years’, taken from their forthcoming debut album, ‘Hundred Fifty Roses’, out now via Roche.

‘The One / Ten Years’ live session further mines the duo’s penchant for downtempo electronica and tar-thick production techniques, segueing between soul, G-funk, and R&B. Hundred Fifty Roses – as an album – looks to tell the story of the over-connected and often over-stimulating world that we live in. Somewhat dystopian in its exploration, the album, which touches on the sounds of J Dilla, MF Doom and Kaytranada, paints the world of a man out of touch with himself.

Before working together, the pair of producers, who met in 2014 as Roche Musique signings, have forged out successful solo careers with Crayon – previously signed to Kitsuné where he cut his teeth alongside Yuksek – releasing two EPs to-date, securing praise at Pitchfork and more along the way. As well as creating his own music, the artist has racked up a string of production credits working with tipped names from the French electronic and R&B underground scene – Ichon, Blow and L’Or du Commun to name but a few.

Duñe, on the other hand, was championed from the off via Roche Musique, initially as part of the hip-hop duo, Saje, before releasing his own solo material. As well as working on production for the likes of Swing, Julien Granel, and Blow, Duñe has established himself as a prominent live artist on the label’s roster, performing across South Korea, China, Canada, and more.

Sit back, relax and press play on Duñe x Crayon’s ‘The One / Ten Years’ live session video. You can also catch the single via Spotify.

Makk Mikkael Overcomes ‘Fear’ With Inspiring New Single

It’s great to see MAKK MIKKAEL back on the blog with her first release of the year titled, ‘Fear’.

The Canadian singer/songwriter was previously featured with singles, ‘How It Feels’ and ‘Jungle’ – which ranked at number 7 on NEW LEASE MUSIC’s Top Ten singles of 2017 list.

While both tracks take on a downtempo urban-electro vibe, ‘Fear’ possesses pure electronic soundscapes with driving rhythms cruising throughout the production, giving it a feathery feel. ‘Fear’ represents a vulnerable chapter in Makk’s life where she was living by herself in an unsure time, feeling super liberated and nerve-wracked at the same time. Through this experience, the rising talent hopes to instill in others that it’s OK to not feel 100% all the time…and it’s perfectly fine to express how you’re feeling however scary it feels.

Produced by Alex Lustig, ‘Fear’ follows Makk Mikkael’s debut EP, ‘Nudes & Clouds’. Check it out below…

UK R&B Raising Talent Ricardo Williams Returns With ‘Raindrops’

After an amazing 2019, which witnessed Williams release his critically acclaimed debut EP and two sold out live headline shows (London & Birmingham), RICARDO WILLIAMS back with new single ‘Raindrops’.

Premiered on BBC1 Xtra, ‘Raindrops’ is the first of 2 new singles set for this summer. William’s latest release is a fun, sexy mid tempo R&B Jam, filled with tantalising vocals and clever wordplay. It wouldn’t be a Ricardo Williams song if it didn’t pay homage to an R&B classic and he sure does that with a nod to SWV’s ‘Rain.’

Check it out below…

R&B Contemporary Artist Sid Tipton ‘Looks Both Ways’ In Timbaland-Produced Track

Produced by Timbaland, SID TIPTON‘s new track, ‘Look Both Ways’ is a fierce  number that emphasizes the importance of putting yourself first and always watching your own back. ‘Look Both Ways’ oozes infectious melodies and soulful vocals, reminiscent of Ariana Grande.

Signed with Timbaland’s publishing company Bluestone, the Nashville singer/songwriter has collaborated with JoJo, Hailey Reinhart, Tinashe, Justin Timberlake and more including her contribution as a writer and featured artist on Maluma’s Grammy winning album ‘FAME,’ which features the song ‘Mi Declaracion’, where she teamed up with mentor Timbaland.

Have a listen to ‘Look Both Ways’ below…

EP Review: The Slience EP Vol.1 – Blessin F

Upon trailing out BLESSIN F‘s latest project, ‘The Silence EP Vol.1’, I was so sure this was a making of a rapper, perhaps from Atlanta or Florida, with at least five years worth of tracks underneath his belt. Then I checked his bio and to my surprise, the EP is his debut effort and he’s actually from Mpumalanga, South Africa.

The mini set wastes no time and starts with explosive elements of the increasingly popular trip-hop sound fused with modern swing soulful/R&B, which momentarily adopts a Latin-esque flair in second offering, Faults & 6lamez. Duets of rapid-fire flows and alluringly laid-back vocals is another main feature in the EP, giving that extra kick in tracks ‘6east’ and ‘6attlefield’ and ‘Separate Ways’. Further along the EP, the swing R&B becomes prevalent and catchy (listen to ‘Summer Drip) which goes down a tempo or two, to create laid-back summery vibes in concluding track, ‘Separate Ways’.

Blessin F has created an amazing debut and should be deservedly tipped as a R&B/hip-hop sensation on an international scale…don’t hang about, check him out below…

Must Listens: 6attlefield, Summer Drip, Separate Ways