Berlin-based, Indian artist and producer, JOHNNY KULO is the bridge between old-school soul and modern R&B. The son of a reverend, he was inevitably playing drums in church before he could form sentences, exploring several other instruments until eventually realizing his love for songwriting and production. He uses his sultry-smooth voice to tell personal and perceived stories of love, heartbreak and unsettled identity.
An ode to choosing ignorance, his latest single, ‘Poseidon’ revolves around asking questions about past relationships, through a rhetorical sentiment. It explores the feelings of arrogance and confidence that arise after one gain’s hindsight overtime in regards to their past. The track also portrays an overall sense of apathy for the future stemming from exhaustion. Have a listen below…
One decade after his debut album ‘Handprints’, HANDBOOK returns with ‘Keepsake’, featuring two sublime tracks, instrumental ‘Keepsake’ and ‘No End’ featuring rapper, Supreme Sol who gets into the lush hip-hop cooking with the finest chill spicy soulful ingredients.
For the single Keepsake, Handbook says: “This track conjures up feelings of security. There is a feeling of being centred that anchors the piece, as well as a feeling of being content and happy. A keepsake is a memento, a reminder of someone, or somewhere, one has left behind: this is how music can work sometimes – it takes you back to a certain time, and a certain place.“
So go on, have a listen to ‘Keepsake’ and ‘No End’… and if you like what you hear, be sure to look out for his full length LP coming out this spring.
South London Trio, VX MOB are ready to change the game in 2022 with first release of the year, ‘CHOPPA,’ produced by the Grammy nominated MG.
Along with their single, which offers an incredibly unique and fresh sound, combining their Latin heritage with UK drill and alternative R&B, the young drillers also unveiled an accompanied video, shot in the refreshing scenery of Snowdon Mountain in Wales, directed and filmed by @filmbytod.
VX Mob was formed including VX Raff, VX Duse, VX Ells, and later joined by Grammy nominated producer MG and creator Film By Todd to complete the phenomenal creative squad. A project initially founded as a clothing brand, they began to create sounds and experiment with a hip hop style; infused with the groups native tongues and Latin/afro rhythms and influence.
Duse was noticed by Grammy award-winning producer and composer Kurtis Mckenzie, a multi-platinum producer. Also a songwriter and musician, Kurtis Mckenzie has worked with some of the biggest names in the game such as Chris Brown, Shakira, Kendrick Lamar, Doja Cat, Iggy Azalea, Selena Gomez, Khalid, Childish Gambino, and Rita Ora.
VX Duse debuted his single ‘PRISM’ in August, which truly replicates his alternative R&B style infused with his Latin heritage and notes of UK drill. The dramatic video was directed by Otis Dominique and was shot on the late night streets of South London – Streatham, Croydon – where VX Mob call home. Shortly after his Spanish release ‘PARAISO’ dropped and truly displayed his diverse music abilities and bi-lingual tongue. Both tracks produced by MG Grammy nominated producer MG with credits for co-producing two tracks on Doja Cat’s album.
So it’s time to check out these guys below; not to be missed…
Inland Empire rapper GIRLZLUHDEV‘s sensual single ‘Leg or Arm’ brings a bit of summer warmth to the depths of winter. The track, which is out now on Capitol Records, is built around soft keyboards and West Coast bounce that provide a canvas for Dev’s mischievous and fun vocals.
The dizzy, intimate production of ‘Leg or Arm’ feels like a dreamy afternoon in the California sun. It’s pure warmth, an escape from the troubles of the world. Dev flows like a breeze, sipping Shirley Temples, messing around with a girl, and playfully wondering if he’ll end up being talked about in her groupchat. When he croons about “riding round with blicky and designer clothes,” it sounds less like a threat than a positive affirmation. Dev places gangsta tropes in new contexts, making every bar feel like a celebration. He’s the fun-loving ball of energy and melody that rap needs, next in a lineage of West Coast rap-singers.
‘Leg or Arm’ follows a hot streak of memorable singles from Dev, including the pounding ‘Gas Me Up’ and the sombre ‘Dead Bro.’ This track kicks off a new year for the 18-year-old rising star as he continues to build on the success that began with 2020’s ‘Tooka,’ which launched him to the national stage and earned him a deal with Capitol. The game needs rappers as charismatic as Dev, and with each passing track, he’s proving that he’s rare indeed. Dev has amassed over 34 million streams in the U.S. alone.
Hot on the heels of his summer ear worm track, ‘Summer Of Love’, multi-award winning Welsh, singer/songwriter DARREN PARRY returns and treats us to a stunning ballad entitled ‘Unconditional’.
Darren says of the meaning behind the latest single… “If you describe something as unconditional, you mean that the person doing or giving it does not require anything to be done by other people in exchange or return”.
‘Unconditional’ was co-written with ex Jesus Christ Superstar lead Steve Balsamo (who’s written for Slash, Meatloaf, Cliff Richard and who also co-wrote Darren’s summer track ‘Summer Of Love’) and one of Wales’ top vocalists/performers, Lee Gilbert.
The single was written via Zoom during the lockdown periods, initially for a Hollywood film, which featured a 12-year-old-boy saying a tearful farewell to his father. Due to lockdown restrictions in the US, the film did not go ahead – but the song still remains!
So without further ado, it’s time to listen to Darren new heartfelt single below…
New Lease Music 