With the heavy, grime-esque bass running riot from the start of Manchester’s hip-hop collective ILLERSTATE‘s new banger, ‘Mirroring’, it’s hard not the take notice. The rampant bass is immediately topped off by the raw, razor sharp flow, which makes it so satisfyingly good.
Illerstate’s distinctive mixture of aggressive melodies, heavy bass and metal guitar has hailed them as legends in the Manchester’s hip-hop scene. They’ve also gained a solid fan base throughout the UK, receiving support from notable music makers such as DJ Semtex.
‘Mirroring’ was released yesterday (8th September) via Mr. Jone’s label, Manchester Music Group. Mr. Jones was previous featured on the blog with tracks, ‘You’, ‘Brand New’ and more recently, ‘Laid-back.’
“Lessons of life be the sketches I write/deep depression/seek perfection/not reflection I like” – spits the lyricist known as MERCY as he introduces us to his latest work of art titled, ‘The Artist’.
Backed by a beautiful canvas of production provided by Lebanon Don, MeRCY goes to work detailing portions of his life that have made him who he is today. Each bar and rhyme blend together perfectly like when mixing colors to create another, as the artist takes us on a trip through his mind & past self. He grabs a mic that acts as a paint brush in order to create the picture of MeRCY. From seeing his older brother deal drugs, to run ins with the law but also trying to avoid disappointing his mother even while being out in the concrete jungles, it all plays a part in the ever growing picture of ‘The Artist’.
MeRCY starts off the second verse by saying “The artist who drew the hardest of hardships/with my tears on the canvas/bloodstains on my garments/written in blood no kisses and hugs”. Merc’ doesn’t mask any pain but shows it off in full because in his words “This is God’s work from all the hard work/beauty is pain my n***a/I’ve made it artwork”. Truly embodying himself within his raps is how we find the Florida native on this record, not being afraid of showing vulnerability but embracing it in order to create a special track that serves as the first single to his upcoming album ‘Michaelangelo’. If the single wasn’t already great, Tone Spliff adds some scratches throughout to top it off and ensure the greatness of ‘The Artist’. Have a listen below…
Back in 2002, she rocked the world with Dr.Dre-produced hit ‘Addictive’- which garnered two grammy nominations – and her debut album, ‘Truthfully Speaking. Now she makes a return, with a aim to keep her fan addicted with new single, ‘RnB’ Love.
‘R&B’ is a feel good slow jam, possessing that spine-tingling that immediately evoke those nostalgic feelings.
Truth Hurts says of her latest offering: “RnB Love is a feel good joint I wrote to express my deep desire to get myself and the world back to what truly matters through the original meaning of Musick (Muse the Sick) — the way it was back in the day when you would hear a song that was so beautifully written lyrically and melodically, it would literally change your whole perspective, mood, and feeling about life and love depending on what the vibe of the song was. I remember RnB that made me wanna be in love and made me want to be loved so penning this joint is my effort to get us back to love in the midst of so much pain, hate, and turmoil.”
After her chart topping single,’ Addictive’ and debut album ‘Truthfully Speaking’, Truth Hurts went on to tour with the likes of Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg Lauryn Hill and Outkast. Truth Hurts released her sophomore album ‘Ready Now’ on Raphael Saadiq’s label, Pookie Entertainment.
Now she returns with her highly-anticipated single ‘RnB Love’, which serves a sneak preview to her upcoming album, ‘She-P #revelations’ described by the R&B sensation as a “grown woman’s musical diary”. Check out ‘R&B Love’ below…
UK Christian rapper REBLAH delivers a heavy dose of motivation with new single, ‘We Overcame’, released last Friday (1st September) across various music outlets.
With convicting bars, flows & punch lines – inspired by John 16:33, the scripture of an OVERCOMER and believer who comes out of every spiritual battle victorious – ‘We Overcome’ would instantly put the most downtrodden in an energetic mood, thanks to the infectious drill instrumental by producer Scotty C – who is noted as the UK elite drill Christian producer.
‘We Overcame’ is a continuation to Reblah’s successful previous releases, ‘Jonah’ and ‘Rise Up’. This new single will be used to spread the good news of Christ Jesus in Gospel and secular communities. Have a listen below…
A dynamic Nashville based guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer, McMILLIN is a jack of all trades and an artist in every sense of the word. Gaining inspiration from pop, rock, and funk genres, McMillin cannot be put into a box, but rather mends genres seamlessly, becoming what he calls a “fusion artist.”
His new single ‘What It Was’ off starts strong, with four ear-piercing distorted guitar notes quickly followed by a much more mellow beat under a groovy bass riff. McMillins’ smooth voice comes in with “Maybe it’s just better off this way / Some say you begin to die when you refuse to change.” The guitar music stays mellow throughout the chorus with lots of variation in the drum set, a steady beat along with the occasional closed hi-hat and loud crash of a ride cymbal. The song builds throughout each verse adding more and more riffs from the lead guitar and bass guitar giving it that rock-pop sound. McMillin sings “And then it hits you all at once / It never will be what it was.” McMillin accepts that with time comes change but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t miss what used to be.
Hailing from the music capital of the world, Nashville TN, McMillin has been playing in clubs and bars in the heart of music city and beyond. Combining the elements of poetic dark pop with funk and rock components, McMillin creates a truly immersive, revolutionary musical adventure.
Currently, McMillin is representing Rolling Stone as the frontman for the Rolling Stone Rock Room featured on Holland America Cruise Lines. McMillin describes the guitar as “his one true love” and this is clear as his talents of lead guitar playing, as well as his impressive rock vocals, are on full display in this electrifying show. Their itineraries include the Mediterranean and Scandinavia, as well as most of the Caribbean.
‘What It Was’ is out today (1st September). Have a listen below…
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