KING FARO is back at what he does best – blurring the lines of alternative hip-hop, soul and R&B added to some seriously loved-up lyrics. Here’s his latest track Jealous – enjoy and download for FREE.
New Music Video: Frankincense & Myrrh – Coops
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UK rapper Coops releases his long-awaited debut LP God Complex today, and drops a brand new video for his latest single Frankincense & Myrrh.
Having released his Lost Soul mixtape in 2014, with tracks including Chillin’ and Blessings, to critical acclaim from titles including Vibe, Wonderland and Earmilk, this new release is a welcome return for the North London MC whose emotional and thought-provoking music has captivated music fans across Europe, United States & Canada, Australia, South Africa, and South America.
New album God Complex touches on themes including self belief, spirituality and habits & vices. Production comes from regular collaborator Talos (More Time, Try Stop Us, Demons), 1drsy (Whoa, Complex, Windows) well recognised from his work on G frsh’s Alfie EP, up & coming producer Ollie Twist (Frankincense & Myrrh) and Coops himself (Water, Power).
COOPS has been on the taste-maker radar for a couple of years, having being named a one to watch by leading UK music sites SBTV and GRM Daily, and supported by key DJs including BBC Introducing’s Jen & Alley, Kiss FM’s Shortee Blitz, XFM’s Scroobius Pip and Capital Xtra’s Ras Kwame. In 2013 Coops supported hip-hop legend Nas at the O2 Arena in London, and Big Daddy Kane at The Jazz Cafe in 2015.
Brought up on the border of Hackney and Tottenham in North London, COOPS started writing when he was 17, saying it was one of the more positive and productive ways in which he and his friends would entertain themselves. He went on to study Performing Arts at Southampton University.
Song of the Day: Hop In the Place – Sticky Blood (ft. LDizz)
Following on from their Rhythm & Grime single Garn Again featuring Snowy and Yxngz, the production duo STICKY BLOOD keep smashing out the tracks and another one Hop In The Place. This track takes on Grime x Trap vibes, with its deep bass and beats, and the hard-edged lyrics.
Their work-rate is second to none, with a string of releases such as their debut EP I-D in 2015 and follow-up EP Blood Is Stickier Than Water gaining support from Red Bull, Complex, Radio 1Xtra, Clash, Wonderland, NME, Toddla T, Mistajam and Monki.
The two are now joined by another Steel City representative L Dizz who is from the new generation of Grime, and has gained attention from 1Xtra DJMistajam. He distinguishes himself between a melodic, anthemic chorus to rapping with a demanding, unyielding flow with a strong and powerful delivery that commands your attention. It’s backed by STICKY BLOOD’s alarming synths, snappy snares, militant hi hats all backed with a bass big enough to shake the grimiest of raves up.
They are already unsettling other producers across the UK with their unique and explorative sounds and wave of releases, and will continue to do so throughout the year. The anticipation is growing and growing for the new duo in town.
Mixtape Review: The Southern Poetry – Patrick Ladon
Dallas-based spitter PATRICK LADON dropped his latest project, The Southern Poetry last month, reflecting on issues when growing up.
Starting off chocolate smooth, I must warn you, the lyrics of this 13 track production goes all hard (particularly with his experience on interracial dating) with progressively infectious groove to match.
If you haven’t heard of this upriser, it’s time you heard his story…hit that play button.
Must Listen: The OG Said, Interracial Dating, Money Speak, Drugs and Relationships, I Hated Myself.
Song of the Day: Unreliable – Volmer (ft.Zalon)
Hiding behind his sunglasses, Danish phenomenon and dance floor maverick VOLMER lets his music do the talking with the release of his new, bass-heavy track Unreliable, featuring vocals from the soulful and seductive Zalon.
From working in a humble London wine shop to commanding clubs in his homeland’s DJ scene, the four-minute offering signifies just how far the producer has come in the past few years. A slow-jam electro tune that tangles together the full-bodied vigour of deep house and the smooth intricacies of soul, it’s rhythmically reminiscent of artists like Groove Armada mixed with the elegant poise of R&B heavyweights such as Frank Ocean and Usher, comprising a host of silky harmonies, punchy snares and smooth textures. Opening with a swirl of sporadic synthesisers, VOLMER creates a spacious sense of atmosphere for Zalon’s fervent and tender vocals to carry the catchy melody. Inherently groovy and polished off with exquisite production techniques, the track is a ready-made, soul-powered floor filler.
Fresh from graduating from London’s prestigious College of Music, VOLMER took a step back from playing guitar and began his career on the garage and electro scene, crossing paths with a multitude of talented artists such as Phoebe One, Ms Dynamite and Craig David. After returning to Denmark, the 32-year-old continued to work the clubbing scene, delivering hard-hitting and bass-heavy shows while gaining valuable inspiration for his own production ventures.
After receiving acclaim for the audaciously catchy ‘Bassline Business’ – his debut single on disco:wax – Unreliable offers a welcome change of pace from the full-throttle club banger as he teams up with Zalon, the MTV-approved former backing singer to late soul sensation Amy Winehouse. The collaboration gives Unreliable a distinctly suave and poppy dimension to the Copenhagen-based producer’s otherwise irrepressibly catchy rhythms and powerful bass-lines.
On working together, Volmer notes that “I’ve known Zalon for some years now. I loved the work he’s done with Amy [Winehouse] and Mark Ronson so I was really excited when he was finally up for working on some more electronic music. Even though our backgrounds are very different, we have a lot of fun in the studio…there are no limits really.” Despite running in two entirely different musical circles, both artists complement each other’s strengths, making their collaboration all the more enjoyable because of it.
Combining the rich and succulent vocals of a seasoned soul man like Zalon with his own distinctive dance sound, VOLMER has struck gold with his alluring new track Unreliable, making him one of the most exceptionally talented producers to emerge from Scandinavia in recent years.
Unreliable is now available via disco: wax
