Song of the Day: Winters Coming – B Live x Harry Shotta

If you were to grab a dictionary and look up the word “diverse” — B LIVE’s catalogue would likely be cited as a reference point. Spawning from the crackling, warped 140 BPM worlds of UK garage, bassline, grime as well as the plasticine, sharp-edged dystopia that is dubstep, drum-n-bass and electronic music; you’d be hard-pressed to find a rhymer more travelled than unsung UK legend, B Live. Continuing the wordsmith’s recent prolific run, B Live is back with his street-level scorcher ‘Winters Coming’.

For the song — produced by Crissy Criss — the North London verbalist taps Kent spitter Harry Shotta, as the pair cobble together an icy, grit-marinated banger purpose-built in a factory next to where they make reload buttons. Throughout, both rhymers pull from the deepest recesses of their psyche to imbue the track with pensive reflection. On the track, both rappers talk greaze, bigging up their accomplishments, whilst casting their minds back to their come up in a cohesive manner — no easy feat.

‘Winters Coming’ follows B Live’s party-ready Jme and Becky Hill collaboration ‘Don’t Know About You’, from December of last year, as well as last month’s wavy, patios-injected Durrty Goodz collab ‘Foundation’.

Raised north of the River Thames, B Live steadily rose through the ranks during the UKG boom in the 2000s, carving his name into mythology. Discovered by DJ EZ, the disc jockey featured B Live on his legendary KISS radio show, exposing his talent to many. During his tenure in the rap universe, B Live has collabed with everyone from rap titans such as Wiley, Jme and Jammer, down to dancehall royalty Elephant Man.

Back in 2019. B Live was featured on Skepta’s single ‘Love Me Not’ alongside Cheb Rabi from his ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ LP. To up the ante, the spitter also received numerous of the coveted UKG Sidewinder awards for the best emcee.

Outside of the booth, B Live spends his time rocking crowds across the nation. Regardless of whether it’s a kaleidoscopic DnB rave, on the television or a festival stage — it’s guaranteed B Live will raise the roof. It’s not all strictly club tracks, though. If B Live was a member of the animal kingdom, he’d likely be a chameleon: regularly changing his exterior to fit his audible environment. ‘Winters Coming’ does exactly what it says on the tin, bringing forth cold flows stitched together by introspection and self-analysis. Check it out below…

Song of the Day: Tired – Ashleigh Bankx

‘Tried’ is ASHLEIGH BANKX‘s first single release of 2022, which captures the essence of UK Afro-Swing. The single shows the zimbabwean native’s bold lyricism and instrumentation to tell a bittersweet story of love and romance, while showcasing her rich vocal and candid lyricism. Ashleigh’s music has been likened to Amy Winehouse, Rihanna, Beyonce and Etta James.

Her songwriting abilities and vocal tonality distinguish her as an authentic performer with a story to share with the world. She has previously been supported by the likes of GRM Daily, Grunge Cake, Trench, Wordplay Mag, GRM Daily and Creative Gen.

Check out the official video for ‘Tired’ below…

Song of the Day: Fly By – KARMACODA

Comprising of Jessica Ford (vocals), Brett Crockett (aka B. on vocals and producer) and Japanese-American multi-instrumentalist Eric Matsuno (bass and other unique elements), electronic trio KARMACODA‘s single, ‘Fly By’ is what contemplative dreams are made of as we find ourselves floating along on Jessica’s sophisticated vocals. The sprinkling of sassy lyrics carried along on melodic piano notes lead the way into the impressively deep rhythmic rolling tones while a summery touch brings the single together as each refreshing note lightly lands on the pallet.

Jessica of KARMACODA tells us about the meaning behind ‘Fly By’: “Our latest single is about ending a relationship and washing your hands clean of it, without regret or remorse. Knowing it’s over and cutting the tie with peace in your heart and mind. Putting wings on it and watching it fly off into the universe never to be tested or tried again. It’s over. Without tears, you exhale, smile and release it into the world and “let it go”. You’ve done all you can. You’ve had the break ups, you’ve had the “try agains”, you’ve done the get back togethers. No more. You are ready to set it free and watch it ‘Fly By’.”

The band has also earned several awards including the Hermes Creative Awards (Platinum) for the ‘Lo-Fi Girl’ video and ‘Make Me The One’ video which also earned one Unglued Music Video (Gold) and three Davey Awards for Video Entertainment, Best Use of Music and Art Direction (all Silver).

Have a listen to the magical single below…

Song of the Day: Back Around – Ellie Byers

ELLIE BYERS returns with second single, ‘Back Again’, which gives a candid insight about a couple struggling to make it work. Ultimately they know what they have is special, so no matter how many times they call it quits, they always end up back together. ‘Back Again’ was written by Ellie with singer-songwriter Syon, who is also featured on the single.

Oozing soothing, melodic R&B undertones, ‘Back Again’ follows her BBC Introducing-approved debut, ‘Role Play’. Both singles forms part of her debut EP, ‘Gone Too Far’ expected for release later this year.

Have a listen to ‘Back Again’, below…

Song of the Day: All Night – Trevis

Already being supported by DJ Target at BBC 1Xtra and featuring sun-dappled chords and a soft bassline, ‘All Night’ is a dream of a record that flows through a contemporary pop and R&B space. Crafted perfectly with soulful instrumentation and an exceptional vocal that instantly melts you into the vibe of the track, it is also the coming of TREVIS.

Caressing the track with his soft, caramel tones that waver with soul as he lays down his vocals across the record, Trevis remains the star throughout, ensuring each lyric is perfectly placed with clarity and delivery. Detailing a night driving around the city after meeting a girl, the track captures the feeling of being in the moment and the burning, lustful desire of being with someone new.

Born and raised in Norway, Trevis found a place to call home in the musical melting pot of California, where he found his way to the studios of super-producer Harmony Samuels and the BOE Camp. Responsible for hits with Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Ariana Grande, Fifth Harmony, Chip, Ciara, Chris Brown and many more, Trevis would sit at the back of Harmony’s studio sessions, listening and watching top-tier musicians in their space and dissecting the formula of how to bring the best out in that creative moment. Inspired and educated, Trevis found that creating his own music became his therapy and a healthy outlet to express himself.

Speaking on the single, Trevis says: “All Night is the first song I did with my UK brothers Sons Of Sonix, a collab with them was way overdue. The same night we made it, we posted a snippet of it on IG, and it immediately sparked something. The whole flow of it just felt right. We were getting mad love online, from UK icon Wretch 32 to one of my favourite Nigerian artists Oxlade.”

Check out the visualiser for Trevis’ ‘All Night’ below…