Song of the Day: Insane – Tar Ráe

Kick starting 2023 with her brand-new sensual sizzler is British-Nigerian singer-songwriter TAR RÁE. Following on from the release of her debut single ‘See You’ back in 2021, the promising songstress has returned with an infectious drop titled, ‘Insane’.

Underpinned with an acoustic backdrop that accents both R&B and Afrobeat elements, ‘Insane’ is harnessed with an up-beat energy; a sharp contrast to the message behind the track. Delving into the trials and tribulations that come with a spiralling relationship, Tar Ráe lets it be known that she will still do anything for her partner.

Accompanied alongside a set of story-telling visuals we follow Tar Ráe around various settings as she gives her piece of mind. From singing in the rain to her sitting in her bedroom undergoing a “gen z” self-care moment, we follow a modern-day love story on the rocks. Speaking on the release Tar Rae commented, “Insane describes a girl who is at a point in her relationship where her partner is driving her crazy, but she wants to stick beside him anyway. It includes a message that is typically delivered over emotional R&B instrumentals, but with a more up-beat, fun delivery.”

Born in Romford, Essex and raised in Peckham, South-East London, Tar Ráe grew up in a musical household listening to Gospel, R&B, and Afrobeats. It was inevitable that one day she would follow down a similar path and explore a career in music of her own. Taking inspiration from artists including Beyonce, Chris Brown, Brandy, Whitney Houston, and Rihanna, the London native wrote her first song at just fourteen years old before deciding to pursue singing seriously two years later following a conversation with her father. Attending studio sessions in 2019 Tar Ráe began recording her own music before sharing her debut single ‘See You’ in 2021.

Catching the eyes of many reputable songwriters and producers, the newcomer is ready to take it up a notch in 2023 with a catalogue of new music. Check out the video for ‘Insane’ below…

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OneDa Teams Up With Mr Scruff For Double A-Side Single ‘Warrior’s Daughter / Rollin’

Manchester MC and vibes queen ONEDA collaborates with Mr Scruff to drop a new double A-Side on Heavenly Recordings. ‘Warrior’s Daughter’ / ‘Rollin’ is the latest release from Ms Manny On The Rise.

‘Warrior’s Daughter’ is built on the feeling of needing to go out and move to music – and to dance the fear away. “That’s me,” says OneDa, who grew up in Hulme and Gorton and who started out in the church her family ran. “I’m a warrior’s daughter. I’m strong, I’m not going to be fearful.” The track took on new meaning after her father died at the end of last year, which also involved spending time in Nigeria for the funeral. “When I think about being a warrior I think about my ancestors. I come from warrior blood. I’m not letting anything get me down.” Producer Mr Scruff explained that the tune was inspired by Johnny Kalsi’s dhol playing. “It is like a rowdy, unstoppable march, rolling forward in a spirit of rude celebration. I hope this tune does justice as a fitting tribute to OneDa’s father.”

‘Rollin’ is a big beast with stripped back beats n bass grounding OneDa’s high energy flow, which gained airplay on BBC Introducing. “I loved writing it with OneDa,” said Factory Floor’s Gabe Gurnsey. “The vibe was there immediately. I wanted a foundation of pure danceable rhythm and simplicity coupled with a killer lead vocal hook and rap, which OneDa delivered, no messing about.” The tracks follow ‘Vibes’ and ‘Busta’ which came out on Heavenly last year. Last year OneDa also featured on D’n’B stormer ‘Ballin’ with Vibe Chemistry, picking up 20 million plays on Spotify.

The Rude Girl Soundsystem – “big energy, big vibes, mad energetic” – is her all-new live show. It features OneDa with one of her DJs (Stylie, Jazzy Lioness or Presh) playing hip hop, drum n bass, breakbeats and afrobeats, with Stylie coming out from behind the decks to pick up the mic and go b2b. When she supported KRS1 at the Blues Kitchen last November the show included their own freestyled tribute to his 1980s classic MCs Act Like They Don’t Know. The two artists chatted after the show – “a sick experience”.

OneDa has recently taken over a weekly drivetime show on Unity Radio, playing the music that moves her. “It’s me just spreading my good vibes, really, pussy power”. The show includes a 45 minute ‘On The Rise’ section championing up and coming artists. OneDa’s also running Herchester, which is a project for women, non-binary and trans hip hop artists, aimed at uplifting young female and non-binary DJs and Producers.

Delivering on the music and the positive vibes – that’s OneDa…check her out below…

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Upcoming Songstress Leiyah Drops A Soulful Love Note, ‘Reasons’.

Croydon songstress LEIYAH lets her intentions be known loud and clear as she explores the infatuation with a fellow love interest, in brand-new hypnotic single, ‘Reasons’. Underpinned with an irresistible and sultry feel, ‘Reasons’ is harnessed with a dark yet up-beat production courtesy of Rizmadeit.

Following a year-long hiatus, Leiyah boasts her rich and soulful tone over the beat as she delves into a relationship with a love interest. Connecting with someone who takes those darker days and brings out your inner glow, Leiyah makes her intentions clear as she no longer wishes to spend her nights alone. Speaking on the release Leiyah commented, “Reasons was a song I brought to life that I wrote during the lockdown, it was a plea for my lack of physical connection during the pandemic.” 

Growing up in a musical family, Leiyah’s (real name Aaliyah Hibbert) late uncle Earl ‘WYA’ Lindo was an original member of Bob Marley and the Wailers not to mention her farther who’s a DJ – it was inevitable that one day the 22-year-old would follow in their footsteps. Growing up listening to the likes of Aaliayh, Whitney Houston, Janet Jackson, Mary J Blige, Sade, Beyonce, and many more, Leiyah was also introduced to the sounds of both 70’s and 80’s Soul, alongside Hip-Hop and Grime. Going on to attend the famous BRIT School from the age of 14, she secured a BA in Music Industry and an MA in Music Business Management and Artist Development. Exploring her love for singing and song writing from a youthful age, Leiyah went on to share her debut album ‘Souls of September’ back in 2018 which led to her recording an acoustic session on BBC Radio Berkshire alongside a chance to perform at the Apple Store on Regent Street in London.

Swiftly building a name for herself and performing at various festivals including Metrofest (20k people) and Titanfest, Leiyah has since opened for R&B legend Meli’sa Morgan at the world-famous Jazz Café for two sold-out dates. Later teaming up with a Danish Dance producer for an infectious track that captured support from BBC 1Xtra and Kiss FM, Leiyah has since shared a string of successful singles and last year (2022) hosted for Nickelodeon and Netflix in partnership with Paramount for their ‘That Girl Lay Lay’ event for over 5,000 children. Back with a bang, Leiyah is gearing up for a year of unmissable music, kick starting with ‘Reasons’. Have a listen below…

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OUT TODAY: Listen To Thyra Hilden’s EP, ‘Lucid Dreampop’

THYRA HILDEN’s new, EP ‘Lucid Dreampop’, features five tracks of dreamy pedal steel and saturated bass, leaving you in a sensual trance, feeling like slowly passing through a mirror. The lyrics are Nordic existentialism, mapping out the land between passionate love and insanity, in a humorous way.

An internationally recognised visual artist, Danish-born Thyra Hilden has been regularly interviewed by the BBC, CNN, EURONEWS and more. In 2021, she debuted as a musician and quickly gained attention for her existential POP in both radio and press. Thyra’s songs are full of dreamy Nordic melancholy in both lyrics and vocals. She has an airy voice and deliberately understated style. There are only a few artists who make existential pop and Thyra is central to this small niche. Most POP is about him, her and couple issues, whereas Thyra’s lyrical universe with humorous metal layers delves into illusion, confusion and paradoxes of what is real.

Have a listen to Thyra’s stunning collection below…

Must Listens: Who Am I?, Show Me How, I Miss You Watching Me

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Samuel Vincent Releases ‘Rivalry’, An EP About Battling the World (And Yourself)

It took a while for SAMUEL VINCENT to finally release his music to the world, but once he started, he had no plans of stopping. His newest release, ‘Rivalry’, manages to cover a multitude of internal conflicts while maintaining his integrity in an industry that has drastically changed its priorities.

‘Rivalry’ consists of a brief introduction followed by five hard-hitting tracks. The EP is a manifestation of Samuel’s thoughts on his upbringing, the culture, and his competition, all blended into straight up bars. The never-ending mental struggle of a man battling himself is perhaps only overshadowed by entertaining and approachable yet complex bars.

There’s a universality to most of his music, but what makes these tracks unique is his self-taught journey. This is his approach, his voice. Coming from a broken home, without the time to second-guess himself, the soul of Samuel lies in knowing what makes a comedian’s life so tragic.

Samuel started out with nothing but a pencil, a pad, a keyboard, and his father’s tape recorder inside a small condo smack dab in the centre of New Jersey. Spending countless evenings trying to transcribe lyrics from influential artists like Cassidy, DMX, Biggie, Ludacris, Jadakiss, Petey Pablo, and a slew of other legends in the game, he’s had several decades of writing experience and linguistic interpretation under his belt.

So here’s your chance to witness a spitter on-the-rise; check out Samuel’s EP below, released last Friday (27th January) across various music platforms.

Must Listen: Deadlock, Trouble, Finale

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