Song of the Day: iLike – A!MS (ft. ft AV Allure & Akelle (WSTRN)

A !MS joins forces with Akelle from platinum selling, chart-topping super group WSTRN, and frequent collaborator AV Allure for single ‘iLIKE’.

Taking to social media, the rap star confirmed the single is taken from his debut project, which will be with us this Autumn. Having had huge success releasing singles throughout his career, that have awarded him over 20 million streams, 50 million YouTube views, platinum selling records and numerous awards, the album is set to be the culmination of his life’s work and experience, something that has substance, graft and endless topical content to explore.

The announcement comes just a month after his first release of 2021, the sensational international link up, ‘Honor’ featuring Projexx, Julian Marley, AV Allure and super-producers Cool & Dre. The track, which will also be part of the ‘OFFSHORE’ tracklist, has already notched up over 1.2 million streams on Spotify, 2.4 million YouTube views and sparked rave reviews from the likes of HELLO!, Notion, CLASH and Wonderland, as well as support across BBC Radio 1Xtra, Capital Xtra, Kiss FM and Apple Music 1.

‘iLIKE’ offers up a variance in vibe for A!MS with classic Mediterranean vibes and sweet R&B sitting at its core. Describing the record on his own terms, A!MS explains “It’s a feel good R&B rhythm that takes us back to the days of P Diddy and Dr. Dre, those R&B Rap collaborations with a twist of Drill bass on it”.

Whilst A!MS is a seasoned rapper who has consistently produced visionary sounds and styles with impeccable, hard-hitting lyricism, ‘iLIKE’ offers up a deeper insight to his personal nature and the morals that define him as a person. “The song is about celebrating ladies and unshaming things like the ‘OnlyFans’ hustle. Ladies can be beautiful and use that to make a living if they wish, it doesn’t deserve judgement and discrimination. I’d love for women to know they’re beautiful and can achieve anything they want. I also want men to understand that at all costs, we need to respect and protect our ladies, because without them, we wouldn’t exist, FACTS!”

Giving us an insight in to his debut album, A!MS is already exploring his long-standing industry connects as he leans in to the worlds most celebrated producers, artists and musically talented for the culmination of his lifes work to date. With fresh confidence and an unapologetic attitude, the transition from A.M. SNiPER to A!MS marks more than a name change but a significant moment in his career as he delivers his best work to date.

Check out the audio for ‘iLike’ below…

Song of the Day: Juice -FME

FME is digging into his portfolio of dynamic tracks and ‘Juice’ is next in line. Combining his London and Sierra Leone upbringing, he was able to birth a new experimental method of artistry that enables him to recall on his personal and unprecedented experiences.

The minor key instrumental created by Maniac Beatz is powerful and dramatic with an orchestral feel, as string instruments take centre stage alongside a prevailing melody. The track is filled with liveliness but remains meaningful as FME’s lyrical flows pierce through the strong beat. A catchy chorus acts as the spine of the track with the gaps filled with his life experiences.

The Hoxton rapper has been on this journey since he was 10 when his musical passion sparked. Talent shows and poetry competitions have led to a masterclass in the UK Rap and Drill world. With roadblocks along the way, FME has spent time behind bars, but all these challenging moments contribute to the message he portrays.

Committed to the game, FME is only warming up. ‘Juice’ demonstrates his freedom from genres and leaves his audience poised to what he has in store next. With influence from both sides of his cultural background, expect more lively flows in both English and Krio. Check out the official video for the track below…

Song of the Day: That’s Life (Stay Refix) – Harley Maxwell

North London’s rapper HARLEY MAXWELL gives Pablo Nouvelle’s instrumental ‘Stay’ a sassy makeover, giving the production a smooth slow jam vibes through his warm raspy delivery.

Harley found his interest in music at the age of 15, after visiting a friends studio in the mountains of San Joan, Ibiza. His EP ‘Summer Daze’ was well received and video for standout track ‘Monday Morning’ continues to clock views on SB:TV. ‘Chased Lines,’ a mesmerizing ethereal single, has generated well over a million plays.

Described as one of UK Rap’s most exciting growing acts, Harvey gets ready to release his debut LP, ‘ROOM TWELVE’ next month.

This is one hot track right here…check out ‘That’s Life’ below…

Song of the Day: Used To – LOR

Newcomer, LOR fuses dark-pop production with bold yet vulnerable lyricism and smooth RnB influences to create a unique and current sound that’s both personally authentic and widely relatable. Sonically inviting and emotion-filled her debut single, ‘Used To’, narrates the all-too-familiar tale of knowing someone is bad for you but wanting them anyway. It’s about all the broken promises, all the extra chances and all the times you forgave, even though they don’t reserve it.

Written from LOR’s intimate, personal perspective, ‘Used To’ sees the young Toronto-based singer-songwriter bravely divulge her innermost thoughts and feelings over spacious pop production and airy, siren-like harmonies that perfectly demonstrate her powerful artistic range and sweet-yet-eerie vocal tone.  Coupled with an intricate, dark piano melody and backed by a melancholy beat, LOR creates a haunting sonic experience that will leave you feeling lovesick on her debut single.

Watch the stunning, cinematically shot music video, directed by Sanjeev Kugan and produced by Paulina Van Schaik.

Song of the Day: Need To Know – Deanna Devore (ft. D.Lylez)

Chicago and Toronto based multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, composer and producer, DEANNA DEVORE has teamed up with D.Lylez (a top 24 contestant on The Voice season 18), for single, ‘Need To Know’, a rich, lo-fi ambience, with a soothing, groovy melody, making for the perfect late-night production.

Written during the pandemic, Devore explains how the isolation elicited a long period of reflection. Described as a nostalgic song, ‘Need To Know’ reminisces about a certain someone, detailing that feeling of needing to know that they are thinking about you too. Lylez’s divine crystal clear vocals, his gentle falsettos and melodic agility complement the dancing keyboard motifs. Alongside the floaty, orchestral elements, there is a heavy neo-soul, jazz flush that brings an atmospheric wash, creating an ethereal musical diversion to help escape the uncertainty of the times.

Devore has seen success performing to sold-out venues and festivals across the map, such as Summerfest, CMJ, NXNE, and 80/35. She has had the pleasure of opening for renowned artists including Jamie Cullum, Bonobo and SG Lewis, as well as Raveena, Mother Mother and Yoke Lore. The composer has also been adding to her musical portfolio by scoring both feature & short films, as well as composing music for commercials including a Starbucks ad, podcasts and animation videos. One of her original songs, ‘A Beautiful View’ is in the new feature film “Tom of Your Life”.

Have a listen to the divine ‘Need To Know’ below…