Song of the Day: Fuego – Manu Crooks (ft. Anfa Rose)

MANU CROOKS steals today’s hop spot for the second time this month with another sizzling hot number, ‘Fuego’.

The African-Australian’s latest gem made its UK radio premiere via DJ Target on BBC Radio 1Xtra. Immersed in an eclectic sound and seamlessly exploring musical territories, ‘Fuego’ is a hybrid of trap, saturated with Flamenco to its core. The track boasts a hypnotic vocal loop courtesy of Anfa Rose which delicately entwines through the acoustic guitar led instrumental whilst his “raw lyricism and seamless flow” (The Fader), remains firmly centerstage.

Having received an accolade of praise from tastemaker sites such as i-D, The Fader and Pigeons & Planes, as well as his contemporaries including Big Boi and ASAP Ferg who brought him on stage during a recent Sydney performance, MANU CROOKS is quickly becoming the face of urban music in Australia.

He released his debut EP last year and consequently toured his home country with both Stormzy and Tory Lanez before headlining his own Australian tour sponsored by Noisey. His global reach was extended upon the release of breakthrough single ‘Everyday’ which is closing in on 2 million views on YouTube and the video for ‘Day Ones’ also passing the 1.5 million mark, whilst Spotify streams for both records soar beyond 1.5 million each. MANU CROOKS then closed out 2017 by teaming up with close friend and collaborator Anfa Rose for the double drop of ‘Presence’ and ‘All I Need’, which have since amassed over 1.2 million streams respectively.

Currently embarking on his ‘Mood Forever’ World Tour taking in his opening dates in Canada, MANU CROOKS‘ enthralling versatility as an artist is one of his main attributes as he is able to draw upon, yet distinguish himself from, the hubs of US and UK hip-hop. His Australian upbringing has enabled him to draw on authenticities that the hip-hop scene thrives upon, whether that be through his non-conformist outlook to his experimental ear. With performing dates throughout April to June across Canada, the UK, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and France, MANU CROOKS is destined to break down borders.

Be sure to check out ‘Fuego’ before you check out…

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New Track: Without You – GNGR

​‘Without You’ is the captivating debut single from exciting new British singer and songwriter GNGR. Produced by Sampl, who has worked with the likes of Skepta, Ms Banks and Shystie, the slow-building atmospheric R&B offering is just a teaser of what you can expect from GNGR in 2018, and the first taste of her forthcoming debut project, which will be released at the end of the year.

For fans on H.E.R, Sabrina Claudio and Daniel Caesar, GNGR has been honing and perfecting her own unique slant on today’s alternative R&B sound, driven by raw and honest lyrics, and her amazing voice, which oozes the most soulful tones, while taking influences from R&B stalwarts such as Destiny’s Child, India Arie, Anthony Hamilton and Frank Ocean, who have all helped shaped her music.

Our first flavour of this is the exquisite ‘Without You’, which sees GNGR yearning for a love that is doomed from the start, but she just can’t seem to let go. Backed by moody keyboard arrangements, minimalist cymbals, and lush grand piano undertones, GNGR holds the record together beautifully, with an enchanting vocal performance, and confessional lyrics, that we can all relate to…

Check out GNGR‘s debut banger, ‘Without You’.

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Song of the Day: Skepticle – King David

With ambitions to change the landscape of the UK hip-hop scene with his music, emerging artist KING DAVID revealed his debut release, ‘Skepticle’.

Combining melodic synthesizers with a heavy minimal bass line and skippy flow, ‘Skepticle’ is a technically impressive body of work, recorded by David himself in his DIY bedroom studio. In a bid to disconnect himself from a jaded generation, KING DAVID draws on a profound personal agenda, relaying a broken love affair with a girl he initially saw a future with.

The young, London-based artist has always treated every creative aspect of his life as an art form, using his voice to transform pain into an illustrative journey. After losing a close friend in 2016 to a fatal stabbing, KING DAVID decided to remove himself from a life of violence and drugs, and instead choosing to use his voice as an artist to provide a platform for change. Emboldening a young generation, David breaks the mould by swapping violent references for genuine lyrical substance and creative ambition.

He creates his own rules, refusing to succumb to the pressures of fitting in with today’s musical landscape. And with maturity beyond his years and a string of bigger releases to come, this is just the start for the young hip-hop creative….

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Song of the Day: Hurdy Gurdy – Eazyman

EAZYMAN teleports us back to the 90s with the nostalgic 8bit ringtone inspired, trapped out, 808 skanker ‘Hurdy Gurdy’.

To those who grew up on the classic Nokia mobiles of the 90ʼs, you may find this ‘tongue in cheekʼ hood anthem familiar to the ear. The sound of those 8bit ringtones bleeping away in your pockets were unforgettable and now EAZYMAN has reinvented the unusual classic, giving us an infectious melody and sub rich track that is set to give your system a serious workout. EAZYMAN delivers his catchy, witty, laid back, roadside bars that gel with the beat, creating a certified banger, built for the streets, clubs and all the Go Getters worldwide.

Renowned for his profound work rate, EAZYMAN’s commitment to music is unquestionable and has earned him support from DJ Target (BBC Radio One & 1Xtra), Morgan Keyz (Rinse FM), Toddla T (BBC Radio One), as well as huge online support. 2017 marked a monumental year for the Croydon native who released his weighty twelve track mixtape ‘Eazy Street’ making for a notable stamp on the scene, whilst his recent video for ‘They Donʼt Knowʼ premiered via Link Up TV. He kicked off this year by featuring on Komoʼs ‘Pull Up Remixʼ featuring Double S, Six4 and Klayz and has promised a stellar release schedule for his label Go Getter Music in 2018 and beyond. With Hurdy Gurdy being the first of those and delivering on his promises, EAZYMAN is ensuring his future success in the rap scene.

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New Music Video: Unknown – Pluto Lèbon

​Introducing exciting new British talent, London singer and songwriter PLUTO LÈBON, with her brand new single ‘Unknown’, accompanied with a gripping and thought-provoking music video. Produced by Ezzrah (Skepta, JME, Terri Walker) and Ayobeatz (Wretch 32, Alexandra Burke, Chip, Wiley), ‘Unknown’ is taken from PLUTO LÈBON’s forthcoming debut EP ‘Atlantis’, set for release this summer.

Directed by Ash Riley and TGD (Da Beatfreakz, Loick Essien, Rough Copy), the black and white visuals for ‘Unknown’, and the vastly deserted location the video is filmed in, create quite the dark and pensive backdrop, which brings the record and its emotions to life. Additional themes of death, religion, famine, and migration, also run through the music video, causing the viewer to further reflect on Pluto’s message.

Speaking about the inspiration behind ‘Unknown’, Lèbon says, “I wrote this song from a place of real uncertainty, where I just wanted answers for things happening around me, but it can also mean different things for the listener. We’re all searching for our own truths and answers. Whatever the question is, I hope this song can spur listeners into actively seeking the answers we need”.

Check out the video for ‘Unknown’.

 

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