UK artist JOKER STARR is very much inspired by London’s vast sub genres of music cultures, particularly hip-hop and dancehall.
He teams up with producer Dirty Feet and goes beyond the confines of rap and hi- hop in order to explore the vibrations of the deepest dub, and serve up the sweetest infusion in true reggae dancehall fashion. His latest single ‘Balance’ featuring AnyWay Tha God, is a reflection of carefree times growing up in the 90s. Check out the Honey JD – produced video for the slamming track below…
JUNO Award-nominated artist SOLITAIR‘s single ‘Right Here’, featuring world renowned DJ Grouch, is the perfect tribute to the 50th Anniversary of hip-hop – it boasts his unique production style combined with gritty urban soundscapes. The high energy track also features a music video directed by London Rich.
“When was the last time you felt REFRESHED and INSPIRED by some new Hip Hop energy? That’s the FEELING I intend to inject back into the music culture of the city, country, and worldwide, beginning with the release of Right Here,” says the prolific producer and songwriter whose first taste of commercial notoriety came as a result of producing four tracks on JUNO-winning rapper Choclair’s gold-selling Ice Cold debut album, while being featured on a few other tracks. “Just as Batman reacts to the bat signal, my new single is a nod to all my hardcore fans to remind them that not only do I have a lot left in the creative tank, but I am ready to showcase new music to an even broader audience with this new project.” He adds: “I also wanted to highlight more of my producer and songwriter side, along with my obvious hip hop lyrical prowess!”
In the early aughts, Solitair toured the world with Choclair and Kardinal Offishall and spent five years moving between New York and Toronto while working with notable American and international artists including Nina Sky, Lil Wayne, Trey Songz, Busta Rhymes, Estelle, Rick Ross, Elephant Man, and Jim Jones. Back home in Toronto, Solitair had also established an impressive track record of producing and co-producing songs for a laundry list of iconic award-winning Canadian rap and R&B icons including Jully Black, Melanie Fiona, Glenn Lewis, k-os, and The Rascalz. Likewise, in 2010, Solitair had already carved out his musical unicorn status by crafting the pop-influenced, alternative smash ‘Come True’ featuring Kardinal Offishall, that was nominated for a Juno Award for Best R&B/Soul recording of the year, an accomplishment that placed him in the rare company of artists who’ve been nominated for Juno Awards in more than one music genre.
‘Right Here’ is taken from his highly anticipated forthcoming album Dangerous Art. Check out the video for the single below…
After releasing a slew of singles from 2020 – 2021, it became clear to Amsterdam based singer-songwriter ELIF DAME that her lifelong battle against depression in combination with the pressure to consistently put out new work had taken away the joy she previously felt in releasing and thus decided to go on a long overdue self-care hiatus. In the year that followed, the artist committed herself to prioritizing her own mental health – all while documenting the process.
The result of that hiatus is her upcoming album, Securely Detached. The release showcases the her journey of learning to take back her own life, differentiate her own feelings from the feelings of her surroundings and also about learning to focus on herself instead of pre-occupying her mind with making other people happy and comfortable. Dame confides, “It’s about reframing my co-dependent relationships and about my time on the waitlist to get mental health care. It’s about the important process of learning what it means to put yourself first.”
The album kicked off with the release of ‘Celexa (Buy Me Time)’ where Dame opened up about hitting rock bottom and weighing up the options of going on medication. Now, Elif Dame continues with part two of her story, with her single ‘Killing It’ which focuses on letting go and starting to feel the benefits of medication, all whilst having doubts about being on the precipice of another manic episode. Sonically, ‘Killing It’ features warm, honey-soaked vocals, vibey beats from fellow Amsterdam artist GANZ, and hypnotic melodies which create an all-encompassing atmosphere. Check out the gorgeous single below…
Following a slew of incredible collaborations, including a feature on SPINALL’S ‘Honest’ feat. Tay Iwar; ‘I’m So High’ with P-rallel & Toddla T and most recently ‘Options’ with Kamille and Bellah which saw her dip into her garage and pop sensibilities, TAMERA returns with solo single ‘Diversion’ – a lush Aston Rudi and Rise & Shine produced instrumental blending R&B percussion and dreamy synths with her insane vocal talent taking centre stage.
Explaining the meaning behind the single taken from a forthcoming project which she is yet to shed light, Tamera shares: “I had to dig deep to create this song & channel sensitive emotions that usually I would avoid. However the inspiration behind this song came from a time of my life I’d like to think I’ve healed from so writing it wasn’t too hard but ended up being a kind of farewell to that particular version of myself. I dive into codependency, lack of self worth & self sabotage by way of an unhealthy relationship. Confronting myself for doing something I know isn’t good for me but not having the power at the time to leave it behind.“
One of the UK’s most exciting and breath-taking talents, Tamera has been tipped by Amazon Music UK as a ‘Ones To Watch’, recognized by YouTube in their #YouTubeBlack Voices Artist Class of 2022 alongside the likes of Bree Runway, Kamille, Midwxst, NSG, Omah Lay and more. No stranger to the limelight her effortless ability to transcend genres from Afroswing, reggaeton and Hip Hop whilst feeling authentically R&B has swept up support from DJ Target, Giles Peterson, Annie Mac (New Name), Complex, Nylon, Highsnobiety, i-D, Billboard, Loud and Quiet, The Line of Best Fit and Pop Justice to name a few. In Summer 2022, fans have seen seen Tamera’s killer vocals everywhere from BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, The Great Escape and Strawberries and Creem on the mainstage and her own sold out headline show at COLORS.
After appearing on the blog with track, ‘A Rotterdam Trip’ back in 2018, It seems that Dutch rapper/singer Adilson Evora slipped away from the radar.
Five years later, he now returns, stronger than ever, under a new name DALE DVN, speaking on mental freedom and reaching a higher state of consciousness on his latest single ‘When I Get Free.’
The track, produced by Robin da Landlord, has a rich 90’s golden era feel, which sits perfectly as the theme song for Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary.
Dale Dvn also drops the B-side ‘Large on the Streets’, a freestyle where he showcases his rap skills over the classic Vado track.
New Lease Music 