Tag: BBC1 Xtra

Song of the Day: Destiny – Aina More

South London artist and producer AINA MORE could easily be described as one of UK rap’s best kept secrets, or perhaps one of the UK’s best new and emerging rap artists.

Having already been championed by tastemakers such as BBC Radio 1, The FADER, MTV and BBC 1Xtra, among others, and with The BRIT Awards featuring her on their BRITs compilation album a few years ago, the British Nigerian native should firmly be on your radar. On the off chance that she isn’t, Aina More is back in the frame to make sure of it!

She closes out 2020 with a fiery new track titled ‘Destiny’ and an equally fierce music video to go with it. Co-produced by Aina More herself and long-time collaborator Musiek Mambu, the track opens with an attention-grabbing sample of the Seun Kuti afrobeat classic ‘Bad Man Lighter’, before Aina More gets in her bag for two minutes straight, as she waxes lyrical in braggadocios fashion, about everything from her superior rap skills to decrying false prophets to the excellence of black women, while giving listeners an update on what she’s been up to this year.

Speaking about the inspiration behind ‘Destiny’, Aina More says, “With what I’ve been creating lately, there’s so much that I’m going to give of myself musically in the coming year, I have this unquenchable hunger to express myself freely, and ‘Destiny’ is the first part of that. Lyrically, I needed to remind everyone of just who Aina More is, and overall, I feel it represents my identity well, even down to the Oye 2.0-directed visuals – I’m very authentically Yoruba, but I’m also that girl that grew up in London, and sometimes I let my ego just do its own thing”.

With a fusion sound that can be described as a cross between Kendrick Lamar, Skepta and Fela Kuti, and a performance prowess that has seen her touring with Professor Green and opening for her idol Lauryn Hill, Aina More is typified by her unapologetic lyricism and cutting edge sonics, as highlighted as far back as her 2016 EP ‘For People With Short Attention Spans’ as well as subsequent tracks like ‘Girls Killing It’, ‘Afrikan Lady’ and ‘Healer’ that led to rave reviews and support from the likes of BBC Radio 1, The FADER, MTV and The BRIT Awards.

Check it out below…

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OUT TODAY: Listen To AKS’ single, ‘Up & Up (Heavens Above)’

It’s been a long 4-year stint since South London Hip-Hop artist, AKS, released his sophomore EP, ‘Train of Thought’, seeing the likes of BBC 1Xtra, Earmilk, HipHopDX, DJ Booth and the MOBO Awards among the tastemakers who added their plaudits for the seminal record. The offering went on to earn the rapper two nominations at the inaugural Unsigned Music Awards (Best Record, Best Urban Act) as well as giving him viral moments with his Chas Appeti directed visual efforts for singles ‘Stay with Me’ featuring Sincerely Wilson, and title track ‘Train of Thought’, both being picked up by UNILAD.

Now with the close of 2020 fast approaching and against the backdrop of the current world climate the “three-letter man” returns with his new soul infused single ‘Up & Up (Heavens Above)’, an aspirational offering appealing to each of our underlying ambitions.

Merging unconventional organ phrases with lush and vibrant guitar licks throughout, the track plays as an ode to the jazz greats of yesteryear; fusing traditional musicianship with the off kilter syncopated bounce of contemporary hip-hop and neo-soul. Continuing his previous form as a genuine lyricist, AKS weaves together thought rich rhyme schemes whilst delivering a soulfully melodic vocal in a way that is easily becoming the calling card of the South London native.

Exploring themes of dogged determination and new found responsibility, the passion driven track displays AKS’ lyrical ability as he pens painfully frank verses professing his recent frustrations, the pressures of becoming a new father and questions surrounding legacy.

AKS

Speaking further about the inspiration behind ‘Up And Up (Heavens Above)’, AKS says, “Following the birth of my son, having taken some time away from music in the lead up to his arrival and in the time since, I found myself questioning my existence and contributions both from a parental and an artistic perspective. This song was born out of a desire to do better for my son’s sake and ascend irrespective of the obstacles I may face or how low I’ve felt at times. It’s my reminder to myself of my hopes and dreams, that my contributions are long lasting and impactful, at the very least, on my son”.

‘Up & Up (Heavens Above)’ is the first single taken from his forthcoming project ‘As Plane As Day: Departures & Arrivals’, which concludes the wordsmith’s three-part ‘Modes of Transport’ series, the record sees the rapper award himself production credits under the veiled moniker #3Letters, whilst enlisting the collaborative efforts of prominent musicians Adrian Remedy (Ed Sheeran) on guitars, Benjamin Muralt (Ledisi, Ill Camille, Pixie Lott) on bass, and AdeKeys (AfroB) on keyboards.

Check out the lyric video for the single below…

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BBC1 Extra-Approved Artist Treasure Shares New Single, ‘Isolation’.

Championed by the likes of BBC 1 Xtra’s Jamz Supernova, North West Londoner, TREASURE‘s single, ‘Isolation’ ushers in a new era of his singing and songwriting. Produced and engineered entirely by Treasure in his London bedroom during lockdown, ‘Isolation’ portrays the uneasiness felt by most during self-isolation, touching on the sense of duty felt by the world in giving up freedom for a just cause.

‘Isolation’ follows the release of his nine-track EP, ‘Suffocation & Air’, which saw Treasure delving into a hypnagogic pop realm, delivering lethargic yet funky synthscapes with 80’s tinged falsetto vocal arrangements.

Now, he returns with yet another unique track, showcasing his love for exploring new genres and crossing sonic boundaries. Have a listen to ‘Isolation’ below…

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Alice Rowe Releases Single, ‘All Night’ + Announces Debut EP

Urban/pop hopeful ALICE ROWE returns with new single and her debut EP that blends together elements of soul, pop and the classic R&B that everyone loves and needs during these weird times.

Having spent 2020 releasing a plethora of singles, Alice Rowe felt it was time to show off the lushious vocals mixed in with emotional lyricism in this new track. The young creative is known for talking about relationships, whether it’s writing about that spark of meeting someone for the first time or talking about an ex who helps create the mindset of being successful and that being her revenge.

That particular mindset is helped by a number of things, the inspirations of Loyle Carner and Etta James that have helped sharpen her sound as the years have gone on. But the most important part of the mindset has been the success of drawing interest from Radio 1Xtra, BBC Introducing and Capital Xtra as well as the likes of New Music Friday Denmark.

With her debut EP ‘Foreseen’, also released yesterday (4th August), the talented songstress has the belief and courage to become somebody that everyone can admire, which is why when Wonderland classified her as a rising star it was clear to see that the new track ‘All Night’ does just that…Check it out below…

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Song of the Day: Fit For A King – Tilly Valentine

After accumulating over 175,000 streams with three self-released singles, whilst gaining coverage across BBC Radio One, BBC Radio 1Xtra and BBC Radio 6 Music, electronic jazz singer/songwriter, TILLY VALENTINE adds latest effort ‘Fit For A King’ to her impressively growing discography.

Possessing a fresh take of R&B/soul with a hint of jazz, giving the almost three-minute production a vibrant uplift, ‘King For A King’ essentially chronicles when a person doesn’t know when they’re in a perfect relationship – that’s fit for a king!

Before its release last month, ‘Fit For A King’ was featured on BBC Radio One with Huw Stephens, as well as being added to BBC Sounds ‘The Hot List’ and gained further support from BBC Radio 1Xtra.

This one’s a nice little cracker! Check it out below…

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