‘Shoulda Known Better’ is a sonic masterpiece by two rising stars in the music industry, L DIZZY (pictured right) and SOVEREIGN TUGZ,that fuses aggressive flows and high-level punchlines over a dark and intense instrumental. L Dizzy’s razor-sharp delivery, combined with Sovereign Tugz’s in the pocket offering, as well as guidance in the form of executive production, results in a track that is set to captivate audiences and elevate the duo to new heights.
ErrorTheProducer’s innovative beat sets the stage for L Dizzy and Sovereign Tugz to deliver a powerful performance that pushes the boundaries of UK rap. The single serves as a testament to label See No Equal Entertainment’s commitment to pushing artistic boundaries and delivering unparalleled music experiences to fans.
“This song is not just a track; it’s an experience. It represents the evolution of our artists and the unique sound that See No Equal Entertainment is known for,” says Sovereign Tugz, Creator of See No Equal Entertainment. “Im gassed to kick off 2024 with such a powerful release and set the tone for an exciting year ahead.”
‘Shoulda Known Better’ is the first in a series of releases planned by See No Equal Entertainment for 2024. The label continues to be a driving force in the music industry, dedicated to providing a platform for emerging talent and delivering music that resonates with diverse audiences. Why not check out the blazing joint below…
Born in Zimbabwe and raised in Leeds, LEI HOPE is the project of Manchester based musician Hope Chiguvo. He recently announced his new EP ‘Matrices’ which will be released 10th May via Heist or Hit and shares the project’s second single and opener ’21’.
On his ambitious new 7 track EP ‘Matrices’, Hope’s textured, wide-ranging songs skip between sacred melodies and secular sentiment, all wrapped in a sound that jitters somewhere between the deluxe-digital-age psychedelics of indie and R&B.
Latest single and EP opener ’21’ at once feels familiar, nostalgic, yet distinctly singular. Written as a reminder to himself of his own growth as a person and artist, the song’s woozy, soulful ascending guitar chords and jazzy instrumental inflections provide a warming base for Lei’s musings on personal progression.
Speaking more on the release of new single ’21’, Lei Hope said: “The title of the EP ‘Matrices’ came around as the plural of ‘matrix’. It’s a bit of a nerdy explanation but in Maths, a matrix is used to communicate transformation, movement, or change (similar to coordinates). Throughout the making of this project, I underwent multiple layers of change. I like starting projects with an update on my state of mind – and on ’21’ I was looking back at times when my mental health was a lot worse and appreciating the growth I’ve made in terms of overcoming a lot of struggles. This was the first song Will Levison and I co-produced in December 2022, and it features vocals from Manchester R&B singer Mxzvita.”
Having already impressed with his self-released debut EP ‘Autonomous Affection’ and on the live stage – with buzzy showcases at Beyond The Music and Manchester Psych Fest, Lei Hope’s music arrives at a fascinating intersection between indie-pop, psychedelia, bedroom-pop, R&B and soul.
The hallmarks of his sound – layered vocal harmonies, vibrant synthesisers and smouldering hooks are all there, dappled in sunshine and in full plain sight. A guitarist first and foremost by his own admission, Lei’s musical genesis was in the church. “Whilst I was living with my family in Leeds, we would go to church maybe two or three times a week. It was non-denominational, but I guess you could say it was most similar to a Pentecostal service, with live musicians every service.” he states.
Following a period of father-son osmosis whereby he soaked up every chord shape his dad could show him, the church musicians rallied to fill in the gaps. “Once I got better at guitar, I joined the church band and was playing live every week. Now, my guitar is like my musical calculator and compass.”
And there is a navigational intelligence to the way in which he uses the various shorelines of genre as jumping off points for his own compositions. From making beats at home around the age of 15, Lei discovered and immersed himself in the material of Omar Apollo, Clairo, Yeek, Blood Orange and Spencer.
However, it wasn’t until the enforced cocoon of the pandemic that Lei began the process of recording. Isolation proved to be a creative chrysalis from which he emerged fully formed: “I didn’t know anyone in the industry or any musicians in Manchester but I knew that Steve Lacy had recorded his first EP on his phone. I took inspiration from that. Quickly, I wrote, produced, recorded and engineered my first project and people reacted.”
Lei Hope is a man making whatever music that comes into his head with the power to dismantle and reassemble genres. A pallet cleansing, no filter aesthetic; not just indie for the sake of it, but affectingly human. When you factor in that he’s capable of wringing soulfulness out of any bar of music seemingly at will, it sets him apart as one of the most exciting prospects on the Manchester indie scene.
Lei Hope’s new EP ‘Matrices’ will be released on 10th May via Heist or Hit. Why not watch the visualiser for ’21’ below…
Highly acclaimed singer, songwriter, rapper, producer and South London native JESSICA WILDE kicks of her 2024 by joining forces with the incredible Josh Barry for a soulful release, ‘Love Like This’.
Packed with soaring emotions and infused with smoky orchestral atmospheres, ‘Love Like This’ is a striking nu-soul gem which will be released on Wilde’s forthcoming album and follows her recent singles ‘Freak Out’ and ‘Feathers’ ft. Zoe Kypri. The two 2023 singles saw her pick up many spins on BBC Radio 1’s Future Artists with Jack Saunders, BBC Radio 1 Introducing with Jess Iszatt, John Kennedy’s X-Posure Daily on Radio X, playlist support across the board from Spotify, Apple, Youtube and Tidal amongst other acclaim. Josh Barry has also been picking up serious heat, recently featuring with Rudimental and Sigma, collaborating with Nile Rogers and opening for Rag ‘N’ Bone Man on tour. Josh Barry brings a dynamic force to the collab as he embodies the spirit of legendary icons like James Brown and Jimi Hendrix.
Following the release of ‘Love Like This’, Wilde and Barry have begun to unveil a 4-part Instagram & TikTok reel series, released every Monday, beginning 19th February. Tune in to see the pair explore the new track’s steamy and romantic themes in more depth through nostalgic aesthetics.
On the series, Wilde explains further- “With the ‘Love Like at his visuals…Myself and Josh wanted to lure people into our world of romance and desire, create a love story through visuals and sounds that feel very now but also have a nostalgic essence, emulating tones of Marvin Gaye ‘Sexual Healing’ with teasing visuals that call in feels of classic film scenes like ‘Grease’, the finale, when Sandy turns into a baddd b and John Travolter is completely hooked! We wanted to capture that slightly tongue in cheek playful edge but still keep it alluring, grown and sexy af!”.
2024 looks set to be an exciting new year for Wilde. With her album on the horizon, she has been gaining growing support from not only BBC Radio 1 but also 6 Music, BBC Radio London, KISS, editorial playlist support across DSPs, as well as features in CLASH, Complex, Wonderland, The Independent and many more. Listen to ‘Love Like This’ below…
Sometimes your most rewarding relationship is the one you have with yourself. Over the course of a career that’s taken her from Canada to Nashville—and from the alt-pop/industrial world to the country arena and back again—the phenomenon known as OUDi has learned that lesson all too well. And she’s sharing it on ‘My Old Friend,’ an irresistible high-drama ballad that marks her debut as a solo artist after years of sharing the spotlight.
Built on a plaintive instrumental melody and a mesmerizing clockwork rhythm, the song carries the emotional weight of a conversation you have in the mirror when there’s no one left around to hoodwink. OUDi’s compelling vocal starts off at a seductive purr as she confronts an inner solitude, she might not exactly welcome, but knows she can always count on:
Hello loneliness, can’t say I missed you/But let me tell you this, now I need you
The internal co-dependency fully acknowledged, her amazing voice opens up into a bittersweet embrace of the darkness:
Go and do that thing you do, make me feel and lose my mind/‘Cause I have nothing left to lose, you’ve been waiting all this time/I dare you come a little closer and rest your head upon my shoulder.
This isn’t just a declaration of artistic independence; it’s the story of a life. Born Chrystal Oudijk, she was out of the house and supporting herself by age 16, while pursuing her musical muse through a variety of projects. There was the five-piece alternative band The Perfect Strangers, the pop-industrial project Jakalope (for producer Dave “Rave” Ogilvie) and then—most famously—the pop-country duo Sons of Daughters (with Jimmy Thow). She was Chrystal Leigh by that point, and finding such success as a Billboard-charting, CCMA Award-nominated artist that she had even moved to Nashville from her native Vancouver. There was just one problem:
“Jimmy and I struggled as creative partners,” she divulges. “Add in alcohol, anxiety & depression and we had ourselves a real party!”
The near loss of a family member due to addiction and the confusion of the early pandemic era only deepened her dissatisfaction. When Sons of Daughters parted ways, she took two years to regroup, rethink and write her very first solo album. The release of ‘My Old Friend’ is the opening salvo in her new career—strike that, her new state of being—as OUDi. It also sounds the death knell for what she describes as an adulthood full of toxic relationships and creative compromises.
“I’ve been living in survival mode my entire life,” she reflects. “It’s only been in the past two years I’ve been training my nervous system to relax. I’m excited to finally put my stories to song, for I have a lot of them.”
The year 2024 is going to mark a real renaissance for this woman, she even directed the music video for ‘My Old Friend,’ exploiting a side talent she’s cultivated during her recent period of self-emancipation and reinvention. Her explanation for all of it is as sanguine as the song is bleak, yet equally self-aware:
“I guess it goes to show when you start to live your life authentically and true to yourself, magic really can happen.” Why not watch the video for ‘My Old Friend’ below…
CK LDN‘s his first single of 2024, ‘Menorca’ is a smooth mid tempo Rap, RnB track with melodic strings that’s so compelling. The drums are hard hitting and provide the bounce, and positive energy. ‘Menorca’ was inspired by a recent trip to the beautiful island and will fit into any UK Rap, RnBor summer playlist.
Previously supported by Reprezent Radio, Capital Xtra, BBC Introducing and BBC Radio 1Xtra, CK LDN is an artist hailing from North London who has an impressive skill set as a singer, songwriter, rapper, producer and drummer. CK LDN’s tone and melodic sound is infectious and makes him stand out in today’s music scene and takes inspiration from the likes of Drake, Bryson Tiller and Brent Faiyaz.
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