Titan of UK rap Nemzzz drops debut mixtape, ‘Do Not Disturb’

Manchester rapper NEMZZZ unveils his much-anticipated debut mixtape ‘DO NOT DISTURB’. The 11-track tape is Nemzzz’s most expansive drop to date, an exploration of how the young artist is shaped by his upbringing and his fame. ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ is available in physical format on CD & cassette in a first for the Mancunion.

Marrying bars laced with Nemzzz’s wicked sense of humour, earworm hooks and a raw soulful-drill production – ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ is set to cement Nemzzz’s status as the new titan of UK Rap. Opening with late night confession ‘REFLECTION’, Nemzzz raps with real bite about the pitfalls of social media activism. New single ‘ETA’ sees Nemzzz unite with German rap heavyweight Luciano, trading bars over a siren-like beat. The new cut arrives with a video shot by DonProd in Frankfurt whilst Nemzzz was in town to appear at Luciano’s stadium show.

Recent single ‘PTSD’ (which is currently the blog’s Song of the Month) splices a haunting vocal flip with a laid-back production from frequent collaborator Zel, as Nemzzz turns teacher once more – speaking on how he uses his music as catharsis to process his feelings. The cut landed last month to a co-sign from Central Cee. The shimmering, jazz inflected ‘L’S’ arrived in January to acclaim from the likes of The Observer, Fader, CRACK, NME spins across BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra and more.

Atmospheric, intense cut ‘DOOM’ gives way to the relaxed groove of playful love song ‘STAR SIGN’. On ‘NEED YOU’, Nemzzz rides out the ups and downs of a toxic relationship. ‘REASSURANCE’ melds ghostly vocal samples with a stripped back production as Nemzzz reassures his girl he’d drop her off for her ‘nails, hair, lash appointment too’. Nemzzz picks up the pace on ‘VENICE’ featuring rising rapper JayG. Title track ‘DND’ details how the run-up to the project was filled with hostile haters and the need to cut off day one friends. Rounding out the tape is ‘MONEY AND VIBES’, which sees Nemzzz bring a UK flavour to a flip of Justin Timberlake’s ‘Rock Your Body’. The single topped the A list at 1Xtra on release last year and continues to rack up over +1M streams a week. Nemzzz is one of the most exciting breakout rap talents of recent years. An old head on young shoulders, Nemzzz is relatable in a different way than a lot of his rap peers; driven less by punchlines about Birkin bags and more by the challenge of helping his young fans navigate their way through growing pains. The rapper is shaped by his tough upbringing in Gorton, using his music to reflect on his experiences including heartbreak, fake friends, financial literacy, finding your own path, and managing mental health amid social media addiction.

The DO NOT DISTURB tape follows a massive 2023 for the young star with a consistent slate of releases including his debut EP NEMZZZ TYPE BEAT (which was pulled together in just 17 days in a flex of his innate talents) alongside a string of singles including ‘Therapy’ (Spotify Rap UK Cover) and ‘8AM IN MANNY’ which landed to props from some of the biggest rappers in the world – Drake and Lil Yachty. Last year saw Nemzzz deliver his first sold-out headline tour alongside performances at festivals including Glastonbury, Ibiza Rocks and more.

Nemzzz will be heading out on his second headline tour this Spring with dates across the UK and Ireland. He will be kicking off in Dublin on 30th April and culminating in a homecoming show on 7th May in Manchester. With three dates already sold out – the tour is set to be another huge smash for the young star.

Since bursting onto the scene at the tender age of 14, Nemzzz has relentlessly chipped away at his craft – building steady buzz amongst the industry, media and fans alike. With over 180M combined streams in 2023, 9 Million TikTok views, tips including BBC Radio 1xtra’s Hot For 2023, Amazon Music x Hunger Magazine Ones To Watch, No Signal Class of ’23, Best Newcomer Nominee MOBO Awards 2022, plaudits from Pitchfork, The Face, DAZED, The Guardian, HYPEBEAST, CLASH, Complex UK and NME – Nemzzz is making serious moves.

Check out ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ below…

Must Listens: ETA, PTSD, DOOM, REASSURANCE

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Hip-Hop standout Asha Imuno shares video for ‘Bullseye’

Triple threat rapper, singer and producer ASHA IMUNO unveils the official music video for ‘Bullseye’ from his debut album ‘Pin & Needles’ (March 1st via Guin). The video was directed by Angel Orozco.

“‘Bullseye’ is about the complexity of my relationship to home, and the discomfort of feeling like there’s something to prove to myself and my loved ones. It’s an ode to the shadows of the men in my family, my vices, and inherited pitfalls,” says Asha.

‘Pins & Needles’ was called “one of the most promising debut albums of the decade” by Ones To Watch, and has received praise from Billboard, Office, Uproxx, Rolling Stone and more. In addition, Asha was featured in Pigeons and Planes’ 24 artists to watch in 2024 list, which noted Asha is “an artist who’s skipping towards the spotlight,” and that, “it’s clear that 2023 was the precursor to his breakout.” The rising star has earned co-signs from Hit-Boy, John Mayer and Jordan Ward.

In recent news, Asha has been selected to participate in the second season of the The Mastercard Artist Accelerator program, in partnership with Ones To Watch. For additional information, see here.

Asha will support Berhana on his upcoming “The Nomad’s Tour” in the U.S., from 11th April – 27th April…but for now, he presents his official video to the soulful boombap offering. Check it out below…

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Song of the Day: My Why – Mumu Fresh

MUMU FRESH sings directly from the heart with ‘My Why’, which she describes as “a tribute to that person(s), place, or thing in your life that is your ‘WHY’”. The impassioned single is from her forthcoming LP The Healing, which will feature DJ Jazzy Jeff, 14KT, DJ Dummy, & more, & comes out on 19th April.

Mumu Fresh, aka Maimouna Youssef, is a Grammy Nominated singer, songwriter and emcee, and recipient of the Indigenous Music, Washington Area Music (WAMMIE) & Urban World Music Video awards. She’s worked with Busta Rhymes, Common, Black Thought of The Roots, Tobi Nwigwe & more, & has two NPR Tiny Desk performances under her belt.

Mumu also co-created the Recording Academy’s “Best Song For Social Change” trustee award, which went live in 2023 at the 66th Grammy Awards & was presented by The First Lady, Jill Biden.

Why not check out the lyric video to ‘My Why’ below…

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Yazmine MB yearns for freedom from the rat race in soulful single, ‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’

Following the success from her previous works ‘I’ll Show You’ and ‘MOVE’, British-Algerian R&B/soul artist YAZMINE MB is back with her latest offering ‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’. The track serves as a sneak peak into her debut EP ‘HEALER’ which is set to release 19th April.

Delicate piano alongside searing guitar, ‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’ highlights the inner battle between exhaustion and FOMO (Fear of missing out). Written as a response to her fatigue while working three jobs, Yazmine MB yearns for the freedom to do nothing with static-laced voicemails intertwined between her soulful vocals that riff and run to demonstrate the struggles of entering the adult workforce and facing burnout.

Yazmine MB said of the track “WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’ is basically like a big moan and complain about the amount of work we need to do to survive and, particularly, my experience as a teenager entering the adult workforce. I wrote the lyrics and vocal melody on the bus home from a childminding shift right before COVID-19. I was so exhausted and always on the go without any free time really- I’d forgotten what it was like to lounge around and do nothing and was headed towards burnout, hence the title ‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN.’”

Following the success of previous releases, ‘I’ll Show You’ and ‘MOVE,’ ‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’ stands as the penultimate release before Yazmine MB unveils her debut coming-of-age EP, ‘HEALER.’ Crafted between the ages of 15 and 18, during turbulent times, the EP acts as Yazmine’s personal band-aid, a source she revisits whenever she needs a lift, aiming for it to provide similar healing for her listeners. From grappling with old habits to navigating the complexities of adulthood, ‘HEALER’ presents a raw and unfiltered narrative of growth, infusing every track with a soulful resonance. “This EP is like my band-aid,” said Yazmine MB. ‘“I listen to it every time I need a pick-me-up. The tracklist is ordered to show the healing process – that it’s not linear. You get a bit better, you pick yourself up, and then maybe for a while, you dip again, and that’s ok. You’re human.”

Yazmine MB’s musical journey commenced in the lively musical landscape of London, under the guidance of her jazz singer mum. Immersed in a world of artists and venues, she embarked on her musical pursuits at an early age, delving into guitar, flute, choir, and piano lessons. Constantly surrounded by her mum’s musical preferences of Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo, Amy Winehouse, and Erykah Badu, Yazmine MB found herself deeply influenced by these celebrated musical figures. This rich musical tapestry of her formative years set the foundation for her own artistic exploration and expression in the world of music.

Fast forward 20 years, Yazmine MB, a graduate of the BRIT School of Performing Arts, has enchanted audiences at esteemed venues like Lafayette, the 100 Club, and the Whitecross Festival. Her performances gained acclaim from prominent London stations and publications, including Reprezent Radio, The Beat London, and The Blues Project. Her latest singles, co-produced with FLO’s live vocal arranger and BELLAH’s producer Gimme 2 Minutes, showcase her evolving artistry as she builds a growing team to support her talents. With a robust fan base of 25k across social media platforms, Yazmine MB is poised for an exciting 2024 as she debuts her EP ‘HEALER’’ in April and graces the stage at festivals across the UK this summer.

‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’ was available across all major streaming platforms from last Thursday (21st March) . Her debut EP ‘HEALER’ is set to release on 19th April. Have a listen below…

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Song of the Day: Start This – D Power Diesle x Wariko

D POWER DIESLE is back with a bang, dropping the sizzling second single from his upcoming EP project ‘Graphene 4’. Featuring renowned Nottingham emcee, Wariko and produced by Audio Slugs, this grime banger calls back to the notorious LOTM3 clash carrying the same electrifying energy.

After crossing paths on the mighty clash series ‘Lord Of The Mics’ Volume 3 back in 2011, the pair were pinned up against eachother producing one the most memorable clashes in the UK Grime scene. Lauded by top artists, industry giants, and global music lovers alike, this dynamic duo reunite in ‘Start This’, recapturing the raw energy of their legendary basement clash.

Produced by Grime heavy hitters Audio Slugs, Diesle and Wariko ride the 140bpm beat going back to back, while gifting us with references from the famous battle. The chorus and verse integrate seamlessly, with the London and Nottingham accents playing off each other harmoniously.

Gearing up to release ‘Graphene 4’ this Spring, its prior three volumes were a masterstroke in Grime, garnering millions of streams, widespread acclaim across UK’s radio and press, and powerhouse collaborations with Grime’s biggest stars, including Skepta, D Double E, Manga St Hilare, and Big Narstie. Mark your calendars for D Power’s headline show at ‘The Hackney Social’ on Friday 3rd May, where he will be delivering a curated performance of tracks from the Graphene series.

A pioneer and veteran that many within Black British music praise, D Power Diesle is best known for his impact in the early grime days via Déjà vu, Rinse FM, and clashing with Wariko on Lord of the Mics 3. But it doesn’t stop there. Not only housing an impressive catalogue of music, Diesle has also toured with UK heavy-weight Skepta, Wiley, Jammer, and Modestep before outlining a reputation of his own. Flash forward to today, it’s a common discussion amongst UK rap about grime’s positioning in our current landscape, a topic of which not everyone agrees on. However, it’s artists like D Power Diesle that are still holding it up for those gritty, raw, and lively tracks that encapsulate the roots of London’s inner city. Taking his knowledge of the industry and putting it to good use, Diesle formed his own label EB Records that’s committed to guiding the up-and-coming artists of today down the right path. Check out the video below…

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