JYELLOWL continues to break boundaries and exceed all expectations. His distinctive voice and lyrical prowess shine through once more, as he weaves a tale of humility, growth, and aspirations in his latest release, ‘Benteyga’.
Now based in London and building on the remarkable success of his EP ‘Shades of Yellow’, JyellowL is back to assert his undeniable presence in the industry with this rich new track.
‘Benteyga’ is another masterpiece by J. Created with London-based producer Trey Qua, this summer anthem seamlessly blends rap, dancehall, and afro genres, creating a good vibe that connects with listeners. Drawing inspiration from iconic tracks like Drake’s ‘Passionfruit’ and ‘One Dance’, the production showcases JYellowL’s ability to merge diverse musical elements into a harmonious whole.
‘Benteyga’ signifies JYellowL’s evolution into a new musical phase that promises to be as boundary-pushing and genre-blurring as his previous releases. Check it out below…
Fresh off the back of radio support by Angelle Joseph on BBC 1Xtra, Holly Sarah on SG1 Radio, and a fitting live performance at Nothing But Vibes, Manchester based and self-styled “Afro-Chill” artist VIBEZ releases his captivating debut EP, ‘Midnight Tales’, wearing his Nigerian heritage on the sleeve!
Warm, atmospheric production courtesy of SteveRawd (Hips Don’t Lie), and Dannyebtracks (Frequency & On Me), driven heavily by sonics of African origin, provides the perfect backdrop for VibeZ to depict a scene and provoke a relaxed feel-good energy in listeners throughout the EP. This debut effort proves he has a penchant for providing the essential summer records.
‘Midnight Tales’, released last Friday (14th July), marks another exciting milestone in VibeZ’ solo career. Prepare to witness his career flourish in 2023 and beyond! Have a listen below…
Acclaimed Sheffield artist J. KAS is set to mesmerize music enthusiasts with the release of his latest single, ‘Celebrate,’ a dynamic composition that explores the rich tapestry of the African diaspora and its profound influence worldwide. This eagerly anticipated offering, taken from the ‘Celebrate Royalty’ project, promises to captivate listeners with its vibrant melodies and infectious rhythms.
Filmed against the backdrop of Liverpool’s Brazillica Festival and Leeds West Indian Carnival, the accompanying music video for ‘Celebrate’ is a visually stunning masterpiece. Directed by the visionary Pishdaad Modaressi Chahardehi, the video flawlessly captures the essence of the song, immersing viewers in a kaleidoscope of colours, captivating dance sequences, and jubilant festivities.
J. Kas, known for his ability to seamlessly blend various genres, has created a project that celebrates the vibrancy and cultural significance of the African diaspora. ‘Celebrate Royalty’ serves as a testament to the enduring legacy and immense contributions made by African community across the globe.
The artist continues to push creative boundaries, delivering songs that transcends borders and unites audiences through its universal message of joy, resilience, and unity. With the aid of fellow Sheffield alumni Franz-Von of afro-fusion band KOG & The Zongo Brigade and TC and the Family, who delivers an outstanding verse on ‘Royalty’ alongside strong vocals from Sheffield’s emerging talent Fatimah-X.
Already gaining significant recognition, J. Kas has been receiving widespread acclaim from influential radio stations including MOUVE Radio (France), BBC 6 Music, BBC Introducing, and BBC 1Xtra. The artist’s infectious energy and thought-provoking lyrics have resonated with audiences, propelling J. Kas into the spotlight as an emerging talent to watch.
Revealing her highly-anticipated fourth album, the self-confessed food-lover (a semi-finalist on Celebrity Masterchef, cookbook writer, and podcaster) SPEECH DEBELLE has been influenced by the connection, comfort and culture that food allows us to explore.
The South London lyricist says of the title: “On a Monday, the Sunday dinner just tastes sweeter; everything has time to marinate and settle.”
Featuring the singles ‘Come Your Way’, ‘101010’, ‘Atlantis’, ‘Away from Here’ and ‘Wayward’, ‘Sunday Dinner On A Monday’ examines family, friends, lineage, and ancestral DNA through the lens of afro-futurism.
“It’s about how we imagine and then create our own futures”, says Speech. “The album is about our journey through life as we learn from experiences that expand our senses. We learn internal management and get closer to ease. Some of us even become nourished, like a good meal. This is THAT album.”
‘Sunday Dinner On A Monday’ has been mixed and mastered by Grammy-nominated and MOBO award-winning mixer and engineer Clinton McCreery (Enny, Kofi Stone, Manik MC), with writing and production from Skripture (Will.i.am, Gregory Porter, Basement Jaxx), and collaborations with Dem Drums, Jamaican production team Island Wav, Kensaye, and Mark Cake. It includes features from English contemporary pianist and composer Neil Cowley (Adele, Emeli Sande, Maribou State), Miss Baby Sol, Dylema, Alyesha Lei and Ruth Sax.
Speech Debelle – whose real name is Corynne Elliot – kicked in the music industry’s backdoor in 2009, waving her sensitive, introspective Mercury Prize ‘British Album of the Year’ and debut album ‘Speech Therapy’, beating the likes of Florence and the Machine, Kasabian and La Roux. Her 2012 Kwes-produced sophomore album ‘Freedom Of Speech’ commanded further critical acclaim expanding Speech’s captivating flair for poetic testimonies, playful narratives and dynamic rumination on power, politics and pleasure.
She later stepped away from music for a few years to develop her other passions; her zeal for cooking tantalised the nation with her inventive recipes as a semi-finalist on Celebrity MasterChef, while in 2013, her socially conscious drive saw her curating a moving exhibition of art by prisoners for the Koestler Trust’s ‘The Strength and Vulnerability Bunker’ at the Southbank Centre.
Speech combined her love for music and food in her weekly podcast ‘The Work Brunch’, where she cooked and discussed music, life and inspiration with a range of esteemed guests, such as Lianne La Havas, Nitin Sawhney, Shabaka Hutchings and Mikill Pane.
She accompanied her third album ‘Tantil before I breathe’ with her own cookbook and memoir expressing that ‘music and food are art – they heal and inspire’. The nine songs spanning all three of her albums tell a story of abandonment, the artistic process, critical acclaim, record label mistakes and healing, with a delicious, inspired recipe for each.
Speech has spent three years working as a Relationship Manager in the music team at Arts Council England. She has supported artists and organisations in receiving funding and spearheaded the ‘Black Influencers Masterclass and Programme’, which provides the toolkit for funding projects, specifically for Black and Brown people in the UK.
‘Sunday Dinner On A Monday was released today (9th June) on all music platforms. Have a listen below…
Born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, singer-songwriter YKB is transforming the sound of Afropop. Taking his real name Oluwo Yusuf Gbolaga, he has created the title ‘Yusful Music’ for his debut EP.
YKB has carved a lane for himself with his vibrant artistic vision and refined execution highlighted on the five track EP, which features the already released ‘San Siro’ and ‘Bo Card (Things I Need)’ with a combined 1.5 million streams on Spotify. Lead track ‘Komplete Riddim’ is an upbeat fusion with rhythmic patterns and afrobeats blended with an R&B feel to it, with the lyrics highlighting YKB’s incredible vocal range and soft pitch.
Across the EP, with other tracks ‘Pressure’ and ‘Traffic’, YKB delivers with soul and passion, with a sense of urgency and emotion reflecting the afropop roots in African Folk Music. YKB has carved a lane for himself with his vibrant artistic vision and refined execution.
Speaking on ‘Yusful Music’ he says, “That’s all I’m trying to do, transform feelings into sonics. And to do that on the highest level, as best as I can.”
With an ever-evolving sound, he has inducted himself into a new league of artists emerging from the African continent. Have a listen to his seductive EP below…
Must Listens: pressure, bo card (things i need), traffic
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