Rocky Questions The Ups And Downs Of Relationships With Debut Single, ‘How Will I Know’

Drawing comparisons with greats such as Nina Simone, Erykah Badu, and Billie Holiday, as well as future legends like Janelle Monae and Macy Gray, South Korea-based songstress, ROCKY has released her exquisite new offering ‘How Will I Know’, the first taste of her anticipated debut project – set for release early 2020 – with a second single coming next month.

Produced by Defnelson and written by ROCKY herself, the single tackles the common question “are they into me?” as it explores the good and the bad of relationships and situationships, the song lets you know when to cut the person you’re dating off. ROCKY’s raspy jazz vocals are offset by dark hip hop instrumentals, creating the perfect mood for a song about love in the dating apocalypse.

Alongside her exciting new music, ROCKY recently published her first poetry book titled ‘Blue Bird’, which saw the Montreal native exploring themes around blackness, womanhood, freedom, self-love, and their intersectionalities, to rave reviews. However her creative outlets don’t end there, she also appeared in Korean TV drama series WWW earlier this summer, and has performed in three burlesque plays, produced by Starlight Burlesque, including last year’s WWC Superstars and Open Letters, and last month’s acclaimed P.U.S.S.I Whipped.

You don’t want to miss this one…Have a listen to ‘How Will I Know’ below…

C BOY Releases New Single ‘Off Di Light’ Alongside Impeccable Fashion Short

London based Nu-African artist C BOY drops off his brand new single ‘Off Di Light’, alongside short fashion film celebrating the true essence of black beauty through sound, movement and art.

C BOY’s passion for the arts and fashion tug at the heartstrings of Nu Africa in this new single. Premiered by Wonderland ‘Off Di Light’ is a smooth, indulgent track giving nods towards contemporary afro-swing but truly in a class of its own. The track and fashion short alike celebrate the beauty of black culture with C BOY opening the film with “Black is beautiful”. Black is forever”. It is truly a work of perfection while also paying homage to the world’s universal language and the art cemented into his roots, music.

With the short fashion film in collaboration with creative content agency THRDS who specialise in weaving digital content and subcultures together, the imagery is glossy, hypnotic and polished giving us a look at the scene through auburn-tinted lenses. The spellbinding film is a stunning execution of black beauty and Nu-Africa and an excellent representation of C BOY ’s musical trajectory.

Alongside his musical feats and interest in the arts, C BOY also runs his own independent brand TWALE Records which puts an emphasis on celebrating Nu-Africa. Twale Records pays tribute to its origins and hones-in on the beauty of life through fashion, music and movement while completely encapsulating creativity.

“In a time where their world was being turned upside down, music has served as an escape and form of communication/expression for early black communities. The ability of music to act as a binding factor provides all cultures with a strong sense of connectivity.”C BOY, Twale Records

This is a truly outstanding first release from C BOY and with a strong and solid team around him, an incredible eye for art and sound as well as unshakeable drive to create a life for his family – we can only dream of what’s to come next.

Check out the video for ‘Off Di Light’ below…

EP Review: The Contender – Bülow

BÜLOW‘s brand new EP, ‘The Contender’, starts off with her trademark – that infectious urban drive with ‘Own Me’, which carries on with tracks such as ‘Boy Will Be Boys’ and the spine-tingling ‘Upside Down’. Although I’m always pleased to hear her perfectly balanced combo of pop sensibilities with an urban kick, her latest collection sees this promising artist do something a little different..

For instance, ‘Puppy Love’ mainly possess a melodic and almost airy tones that’s more simplistic compared to her other releases.

Concluding track, ‘Sundress’ adds another dimension to the EP with its intimate setting, fronted by compellingly light vocals coupled with the crisp, folkore plucks of the acoustic guitar.

Overall, ‘The Contender’ is just as pleasing as her previous work, even though the lick of the urban pop package – to my frustration – was shortly interrupted. Have a listen below…

Must Listens: Boy Will Be Boys, Upside Down 

Fake Fake Unveil Their Sophomore Single, ‘Pretty Black Balloons’

Following the release of their genre-bending debut single ‘Goodnightmare’ back in May,
Victoria (Canada) based R&B duo FAKE FAKE return with their sophomore release
‘Pretty Black Balloons’.

A darker contrast to the energetic romp of their debut, ‘Pretty Black Balloons’ introduces the tender, more cinematic side of the duo’s songwriting. With a track length of just 2 minutes and 22 seconds, producer Charlotte Hynds and vocalist Justin Campbell leave no pause and let nothing repeat, prompting listeners to revisit each second on their own terms.

Check out the single below…

Quincy Teams Up With Brother King Combs For Latest Banger ‘Options’

QUINCY‘s latest single, ‘Options’ is a family affair as he enlists his brother Christian aka King Combs for this laid back R&B banger.

Available now on all download/streaming sites, ‘Options’ follows QUINCY‘s track, ‘Coming Off Strong’ released later this year.

Check out ‘Options’ below…