Song of the Day: Hardly – Juice Menace

The UK’s next big thing, JUICE MENACE drops one HEAVY joint entitled ‘Hardly’ into today’s hot spot. The track is an ode to the hidden hustle that comes with making waves in music with a beat courtesy of Octavian producer Elevated.

When Juice picked up the mic two years ago at the tender age of 17, she has since been perfecting her craft. With a dream for bigger things and an urge to escape her life in Cardiff, Juice began grafting and building a network of young creatives in London which all have now aided in her musical style, branding and visuals. Now at just 18-years-old, she has worked with respected producers in the UK and US underground circuit including Scott Supreme, Scott Styles and Honeywoodsix.

Through nothing but hustle which she outlines in the new track, this young artist has solidified her sound by joining her two prominent influences, West Coast trap and underground UK rap, then adding a fierce, contemporary edge with consistent bass-heavy instrumentals. Taking influences from the likes of Travis Scott, Future and YG, as well as her early inspirations driven from her mother’s favourites such as Fugees,112 and “all the bad boy artists, Juice’s ear for timeless music as well as the modern buzz is second to none.

From her debut single ‘Probably’ showcasing trap flavours, to this new bouncy joint ‘Hardly’, her versatility shines through. With a well-received Guap live session of ‘Probably’ accomplished and more huge songs on the horizon, JUICE MENACE is fast becoming a name to get familiar with.

She’s young, hungry and ready to hustle so sleep on her at your peril…check her out below:

Rapper A1 Freestyles Over AfroB’s Banger, ‘Joanna’

He started the week on a banging high on the blog with his cover of CalBoy’s hit, ‘Envy Me’, stealing the Song of the Day hotspot along the way…

Now A1 is back, aiming the end the week on the high, with a brand new freestyle of AfroB’s tropical/Afrobeat joint, ‘Joanna’.

Go on, check him out below…more freestyles on the way from this New Yorker…

 

Song of the Day: In Love And War – XamVolo

Described as the “the future” by BBC Radio 1 DJ and tastemaker Mistajam,  XAMVOLO drops a vibe-heavy single ‘In Love & War’ –  a cross pollination of soul, electronica and R&B – ahead of his EP.

In the last 12 months, the 24-year-old has risen to the attention of critics and music fans the world over thanks to his impressionist re-imaginings of neo-soul, jazz and pop. He’s played Glastonbury, sold out multiple headline London shows, been compared with everyone from D’Angelo to Anderson Paak and released an acclaimed EP and debut album, ‘All The Sweetness on the Surface’.

‘All The Sweetness on the Surface’ is powerful and emotive collection of song
writing mastery and a testament to XAMVOLO’s cinematic method of creating worlds within his
music, it tells a neo-noir story of a protagonist who finds themselves confronted with a hive
containing a black honey substance that can grant them their every desire.

XamVolo

The album is split into two parts, life before the discovery of the black honey and the grim consequences of life after, in which we’re shown the dark side of getting everything you ever wanted at the click of a finger. The bulk of the album was produced by XAMVOLO himself, but also sees collaborations with heavyweight producers AV and Paul Phamous (Frank Ocean) as well as Bruno Major, Fred Cox and Freddie Joachim.

Listen to the master at work with ‘In Love and War’:

New Music Video: Not Perfect – Gena Perala

GENA PERALA unveiled a hazy production for latest single, ‘Not Perfect’, released 19th of July,  as part of a three song EP. Working with long-time producer Chris Gestrin, the two create a haunting sound, enhanced by Perala’s pure yet chilling voice and honest lyrics.

As with her previous videos, Perala has teamed up with incredibly talented dancers to help the convey the prominent messages in her latest offering.

Speaking of her single, the Canadian singer/songwriter explains: “I’m often the person who speaks her mind, who knows who she is and who stands up for what she believes in. I’ve always had a strong voice and while those qualities are encouraged in theory, in practice, not so much. No, I don’t always say it right and yes, I can get emotional, I’m not perfect but my heart is always in the right place.”

‘Not Perfect’ is the third song off the EP, baring the same name, which includes her previously released songs ‘Good Girl’ (2018) and ‘I Will Never Know’ (2019). The three songs tell a story of moving from powerlessness to uncertainty to perseverance.

‘Not Perfect’ is now available on all download/streaming sites…have a sneak of the video below:

SOTD: MARC JONES KEEPS IT ‘REAL’ WITH INTROSPECTIVE NEW SINGLE

From the thick of South London, MARC JONES switches the motive and strips life back to its authentic and humble meanings as the wordsmith delivers his single ‘Real’ from forthcoming EP ‘Progress’ alongside the video, premiered exclusively with VENTS Magazine.

With an identity shaped by local realities, Marc uses his musical stories to conjure authentic images of the many negatives he’s witnessed in life, yet his message remains positive and inspirational, giving purpose to his work. You can find this message weaving its way through torment and self analysis throughout his records and new joint ‘Real’ feels like one of the most poignant to date.

Using metaphors and highlighting the modern day desire to find popularity and seek approval from others, especially via social media, Marc  asks himself the reasons why and retaliates to it with the necessity to find a purpose driven existence.

Marc Jones

Growing up in the streets of Croydon as a young black man, Jones faced stigma and challenges, something he talks freely in with his music, but his disinterest in life’s peripheral perks opens an avenue for deeper conversations in his records, bringing with it relatable subjects that resonate to the heart of the listener. The forthcoming 6 track ‘Progress’ EP, executively produced by RP9 (Chip, AJ X Deno, Sophia Grace) will share a plethora of his own truths and experiences, varying in mood and topics, extending the authenticity that this fascinating rapper is exuding in his work.

Watch the video to Marc’s most honest work to date…