Song of the Day: Rabbit Hole – Substance Abuse (ft. Eric Steuer)

Los Angeles hip-hop duo SUBSTANCE ABUSE‘s single, ‘Rabbit Hole’, sees Subz and Eso Tre drop verses that break down the surreality of the modern world. Built on a foundation of cinematic ’70s soul, the track was produced by longtime collaborator Waes One and features guest emcee Eric Steuer.

“Rabbit Hole is a song for the times we’re in,” Eso says. “It’s about having fortitude and perseverance when there are devilish functions trying to pull you down. Whether it’s a counterproductive ideology or a corrupt government or just your own self doubt, it’s about not being swayed by the favorable and unfavorable circumstances that we all find ourselves in, and not being influenced by immediate, short-term considerations of gain or loss. We’re honored to have our good friend Eric to rap on this track because he’s one of the dopest and most cerebral emcees out there, and he’s been with us since ground zero when we dropped our first underground tape many moons ago.

Former URB Next 100 picks, Substance Abuse’s 2006 album, ‘Overproof’ features MF DOOM, Saafir, P.E.A.C.E., Kool Keith, Motion Man, Kutmasta Kurt and Rasco. ‘Overproof’ is followed up by their 2012 project ‘Background Music’ which features Myka Nyne, Tash of Tha Alkaholiks, KRS-One, MC Eiht and Percee P.

Check out ‘Rabbit Hole’ below…

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Afro-Pop Star Oxlade Releases Lyric Video For New Single ‘DKT’

Following on from his EP ‘Oxygene’ – which amassed over 25 million streams across all platforms – three million streams in its first week – and his feature on Skip Marley’s single ‘Slow Down (alongside H.E.R and Davido), Afro-pop sensation OXLADE drops the lyric video for his sassy number, ‘DKT (Dis Kind Thing)’.

Starting out by dishing up music on Soundcloud in 2017, Lagos-based Oxlade released his first official single ‘Shugar’ the following year, which instantly caught the attention of hordes of music fans. Also known for the hit song ‘Sing’ with Fireboy DML and collaborations with acts such as Reekado Banks and DJ Tunez, another breakthrough moment for Oxlade was his feature on the Blaqbonez track ‘Mamiwota’ last year. Also in 2019, Oxlade featured alongside Sneakbo on Skengdo’s UK underground track ‘Brixton Boy’ and he performed to a 20,000-strong audience at the world famous O2 Arena in London at Wizkid’s Starboy Fest.

So you know you’re in good company here…check out the lyric video for ‘DKT’ below…

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Album Review: Summer Catalogue – East Hampton Polo Boys

Recorded over a two day period back in February, New York’s hip-hop collective, EAST HAMPTON POLO BOYS present their album, ‘Summer Catalogue’ with such style and poise…

Melodic old school soulful samples complimenting the bounce of the urban/hip-hop bass, becomes the main feature of the mammoth collection, with a punch of smooth psychedelic funk making a pleasantly surprising appearance towards the end of the album.

With the guys taking turns in slamming down their easy-going, a matter of fact delivery on the delicately hazy arrangements, ‘Summer Catalogue’ will undoubtedly be appeasing to die-hard hip-hop heads, particularly to fans of Jay-Z (late 1980s) and KRS-1. Check out the album and song recommendations below…

Must Listens: STFU, Expensive Steak Aroma, Tijuana Bible, Doc Colossus 

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Song of the Day: Never Truly – Ria Carval

Recognising that displaying raw emotions is very underrated in today’s music industry, 19-year-old RIA CARVEL presents her heartfelt ballad, ‘Never Truly’, which spans from her personal experience in wanting to know what real and passionate love feels like, through her well-poise and emotive vocals, making a soothing addition to the piano-led production.

Currently a Junior at college, the young singer/songwriter from New York has released two singles, two collaborations and a five-track EP – all self-written and self-produced. Her previous single, ‘Reflections’ garnered over seven million streams across music platforms.

This songstress is well on her way to a very promising career, as she was twice nominated in the BSU Awards at her college for best artist/performer on campus. Have a listen to ‘Never Truly’ below…

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Premiere: Papaya (Single) – Céline And The Blue

NEW LEASE MUSIC is absolutely proud to welcome back jazz group CÉLINE AND THE BLUE and their brand new self written/produced single, ‘Papaya’, out today on all music streaming and download sites.

Described as the ‘jazziest’ work to date by the band, ‘Papaya’ was premiered live at Ronnie Scott’s Jazz Club in London back in January. Possessing a sassy and careless energy, ‘Papaya’ is about having the freedom to do what one please – and naturally the song showcases their artistic freedom to compose music that truly represents the band.

“Being a jazz band, we’ve had so many people tell us to walk away from niche genres and shift to commercial and be like the other pop artists, but as the lyrics say “what’s the point of being a copy, when the world’s full of those?” says front woman Céline .

The title of the song – Papaya – also symbolizes the band’s artistic freedom. Céline further explains on naming the song: “While we were writing it in rehearsal, before the concept of ‘papaya’ had become a thing, I had no lyrics for the chorus yet, I was singing gibberish ‘hara pappara’, which just sounded like ‘I like papaya’ to me. So we just went ahead with it, picked it as the tile because there is no rule to songwriting and it also reflected the ‘you don’t have to stay in the lines that people tell you to stay in’ idea”.

Since appearing on New Lease Magazine with ‘Learn To Be Alone’ last November, the guys were gigging around London and were expected to perform on Sofar Sounds but was cancelled due to the Co-vid 19 pandemic…but fear not jazz lovers, as the guys have been cooking up some songs during lockdown, so expect some stunning bluesy material soon.

For now, kick back and have a listen to ‘Papaya’ below…

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