New Music Video: Groove – Shaka Shams (ft. Olivier William)

Currently residing  Belgium, 18-year old rapper and poet SHAKA SHAMS drops the video to his hip-hop/funk number, suitably entitled ‘Groove.’

The latest release comes from his new EP, Elements: Crystal Clear, which sees SHAKA SHAMS – who took the name from his South African/Zulu roots – demonstrating his versatility as a performer, marrying his naturalistic rhymes with lyrics inspired by everything from street scenes to films to anime. It is these borderless sonic journeys that drag you into this teenager’s world, a place with no boundaries. Crystal Clear is the first in a series of releases under the Elements banner which will see Shaka exploring different themes – with this EP it’s the sometimes murky world of late night club life.

Having picked up the hip-hop bug from his cousin at the age of 11, he started recording his own track at their house. Though it would have been easy to keep music as just a hobby, Shaka was determined to get to the next level and to get his music heard by as many people as possible. Taking influence from hip-hop both old and new, as well as keeping a close eye/ear on subgenres such as hip house, trap and boom-bap.

So it’s time to get a little taste of Shaka’s work; check out ‘Groove’…

New Music Video: Sanctified – Otis Mensah

OTIS MENSAH continues his run of video releases through track entitled ‘Sanctified.’

The three-and-a-half minute production featured the experimental hip-hop conscious prodigy expresses his truth through artistic self-expression, tempered by the burden of self-doubt and depression.

The young Sheffield native was previously featured with a hazy boombap effort, ‘Oh Jane’ back in February, which tackles the issue isolation after losing a love interest.

Check out his latest work; deep as ever…

New Music Video: How To Feel – Laolu

Following her newly released ‘How To Feel’ single, which received support from Clash Music and BBC 1Xtra, South East London singer/songwriter LAOLU unveiled her music video for the sultry R&B jam.

Shot on location in Paris, and co-directed by LAOLU and searchmike (Rachel Foxx, Sippin Society, Factory311), the four-minute production takes inspiration from Beyonce’s classic ‘My, Myself and I’ video, while still maintaining a minimalist approach, which allows for the powerful record and its lyrics to take centre stage. The visuals also let LAOLU’s personality shine through – a complete opposite to the darker-themed visuals for her previous single ‘All In Me’.

Watch the video to ‘How To Feel’.

New Track: DBT (Remix) – Lioness (ft. Queenie, Stush, Shystie, Lady Leshurr, Little Simz)

 LIONESS has just dropped her ‘DBT’ Remix and it is one of the most socially significant and impactful records, arguably since Bashy released ‘Black Boys’. Receiving a wave of support and praise from her peers like JME, P Money, Clara Amfo and Funk Butcher, LIONESS takes a dignified, powerful and stealthy approach as she tackles colourism, marginalisation and sexism head on.

The stereotypes and insults that come with having a dark skin tone AND being a woman are not only raised but catapulted forward in this passionate, energetic and very real account, as they were in her original DBT freestyle. Alongside an incredible line up of respected black women and exceptionally talented emcees; Queenie, Stush, Shystie, Lady Leshurr & Little Simz, the remix, produced by grime lord Prince Rapid is a heavy hitting, energy laden vibe by all accounts but lyrically it is a power anthem that should not only be heard, but listened to, and listened to closely. But are we hearing it?

The response via social media and urban music platforms like MOBO, The Hype Magazine and Nation of Billions has seen an outpouring of support, praise and community for these incredible females that have gone against the grain, spoken out and empowered themselves, and those listening, with their strength and honesty. A small pocket of the grime scene is hearing it and standing proud of what is being achieved here, yet the wider media seems like it is not yet listening, proving one of the most important points that are being raised in the record.

This is some hard-hitting stuff…LISTEN to ‘DBT (Remix)’

New Music Video: Unknown – Pluto Lèbon

​Introducing exciting new British talent, London singer and songwriter PLUTO LÈBON, with her brand new single ‘Unknown’, accompanied with a gripping and thought-provoking music video. Produced by Ezzrah (Skepta, JME, Terri Walker) and Ayobeatz (Wretch 32, Alexandra Burke, Chip, Wiley), ‘Unknown’ is taken from PLUTO LÈBON’s forthcoming debut EP ‘Atlantis’, set for release this summer.

Directed by Ash Riley and TGD (Da Beatfreakz, Loick Essien, Rough Copy), the black and white visuals for ‘Unknown’, and the vastly deserted location the video is filmed in, create quite the dark and pensive backdrop, which brings the record and its emotions to life. Additional themes of death, religion, famine, and migration, also run through the music video, causing the viewer to further reflect on Pluto’s message.

Speaking about the inspiration behind ‘Unknown’, Lèbon says, “I wrote this song from a place of real uncertainty, where I just wanted answers for things happening around me, but it can also mean different things for the listener. We’re all searching for our own truths and answers. Whatever the question is, I hope this song can spur listeners into actively seeking the answers we need”.

Check out the video for ‘Unknown’.