II DIMENSIONZ stolen today’s hotspot with debut single ‘Closer’ taken from their upcoming debut EP ‘Love From Above’ out this month.
Featuring special guest vocals from Mark Asari and rapper Nick Brewer (Island Records) ‘Closer’ is a smooth slice of soulful R&B with plenty of old school vibes including a big nod to Rosie Gaines classic ‘Closer than Close’.
Whilst inviting special guests in for vocals all song writing, instrumentation and production is done by the boys themselves, and they’re keen to keep control of all aspects of creativity, something they’ve learned from their dads – who were both in the music business.
II DIMENSIONZ are cousins Nathan and Jermaine Williams, born and raised in East London. Their dads played with the likes of Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Chaka Khan and LL Cool, so the boys were brought up with music in their blood. “We were taken to watch band rehearsals and gigs and sharing the excitement of watching our fathers perform live was a huge inspiration. It laid the foundations to our own musical journey.”
Debut 4-track EP ‘Love From Above’ is described by the duo as a modern-day take on classic 80’s soul with 90’s R&B. Alongside the single, ‘Closer’ the EP also includes the tracks ‘Waiting Room,’ ‘Coming Together’ and a deep house edit of ‘Closer.’
Rising UK music artist RUBY FRANCIS and Warsaw raised producer and artist CHLOE MARTINI have released a smooth and sultry R&B remix of Ed Sheeran’s ‘Shape of You’. Giving the worldwide smash song an addictive soulful update – merging Ruby’s unique mix of futuristic R&B with retro and funky jazz sounds with Chloe’s one-of-a-kind brand of slinky, hypnotic beats – the new refix is set to be on constant repeat on the headphones and speakers of fans of stellar soul and R&B music everywhere!
Having been raised listening to Chaka Khan, Level 42 and Stevie Wonder, RUBY FRANCIS’ passion for music started when she received her first keyboard aged ten and started writing her own music. Three years ago she began to take her music career to the next level, having already collaborated with producers and artists such as Dornik, Linden Jay, Miles James (NAO) and Shift K3y.
Citing Odd Future, The Internet, NAO and Pharrell as her modern-day inspirations, Ruby released her debut track ‘Fall Asleep’ last month, a track that she co-produced with NK-OK of Blue Beats. With her original style, sound and infectious personality, there’s no doubt that Ruby Francis will be marking her place in the music scene over the coming months and far beyond.
Ruby FrancisChloe Martini
Set to claim her rightful place as one of the music industry’s most exciting talents, Chloe released her new track ‘Change of Heart’ in January, featuring rising star Chiara Hunter. The soulful, dancefloor track has received praise from the likes of Clash, Wonderland and MTV and is the first cut taken from Chloe’s forthcoming second EP ‘Never Twice The Same’, a collaboration with some of the UK’s hottest up-and-coming female artists including Anne-Marie, Vanessa White and BB Diamond. Serving as the follow-up to her debut EP ‘Private Joy’, ‘Never Twice The Same’ is set to make some huge waves with its release in March.
As a self-taught producer and musician, it was her insanely popular remixes of tracks from the likes of Destiny’s Child, Sia, RÜFÜS, Janelle Monae and Pusha T that swiftly brought her onto the radar of established DJs and producers including Annie Mac and Snakehips, who she went on to support on tour alongside her own headline tours and sets at some of Europe’s largest festivals including Bestival, Open’er and Way Out. Chloe’s debut EP saw her garner support from the likes of Radio 1 and 1Xtra and tastemakers such as The 405, Majestic Casual and Eton Messy and amass millions of streams – alongside her highly sought-after remixes – across Soundcloud and Spotify.
Chloe’s most recent production credits include US soul duo VanJess’ next single and two of Vanessa White’s solo releases. Selected by Redbull Music Academy from tens of thousands of applications to join their September 2016 season in Montreal – which saw her collaborating with a range of other musicians such as Kaytranada and River Tiber and performing at a number of the city’s key venues – Chloe Martini continues to prove why she is set to be the name firmly on every music lover’s lips.
Check out their insanely cool makeover to Ed Sheeran’s hit (I think he would be very pleased!)
He gave us Still Dreaming (which is the most popular track on NEW LEASE MUSIC), It’s All About The Money and more recently, the hard-hitting What About. Philly hip-hop artist KASTILANO is now in the interview seat, pouring out his passion and love for music. So if you heard his tracks through NEW LEASE MUSIC but don’t know nothing about the guy, well this is your perfect chance to get to know him!
NLM: Hey what’s up? When you first appeared on NEW LEASE MUSIC, you said you wanted to make a dent in the hip-hop game – so what’s the reception been like on your music?
K: Aw man the reception has been great so far only getting better and better. I mean I get so much love from my city of Philly all the way to London. It keeps me going daily and motivates me to go harder on each and every track. I have concord having my very own unique sound and am blessed to be able to touch strangers who never met me to where they say they can really feel my music and that’s a beautiful feeling. A few people don’t get it yet but they soon will.
NLM: So what do you think is wrong with the hip-hop game today?
K: Well a year ago I would have said its not enough music with substance not enough artist being original (which I still agree with to an extent) but now I feel people are too worried about what others are doing instead of sticking to what it is that they do. I mean it’s ok to use different sounds and methods to make music, we all steal from each other at some point. The most important thing to me is staying true to self making the best quality music possible, that’s what I focus on. Times will change and the music will constantly change with it that’s just the facts.
NLM: How would you describe your music and what make you different from the rappers today?
K: My music is what I like to call quality music! I actually give you me, my life, what’s real in my life. I don’t base my music off of what sound is catchy or in at the moment but instead I try to do the opposite of that automatically separating myself from the competition. I’m so different because I’m not afraid to touch on different subject that need to be spoke on or not just make music for the clubs but music for your brain and for ya soul touching the heart of people crossing boundaries going places I shouldn’t almost forcing others to do the same to keep up hahaha.
NLM: You have a catalogue of REAL dope music. What’s your proudest track and why?
K: Thank you very much I truly appreciate that. My proudest track is a track from my 1st mixtape entitled The City’s Hero called Still Dreaming which is a song dedicated to my mother who passed away when I was a baby. I originally just did the song to get out my feeling for her but didn’t think it would get such the response that it did. I mean people said it actually made them cry feeling sad for me and others who could relate really feeling my pain. Best feeling is to be felt.
NLM: Who do you listen to and who are your musical influences?
K: Honestly i listen to everybody from rap to R&B because I love music. I alway get handed cds in the streets and I always try to give them a listen at least once to see if it’s hot or not (I know the feeling of wanting people to give you a play).
I like lots of the 90’s early 2000’s Hip-Hop and Rap from Big L, Nas, Notorious B.I.G, Wu-Tang, L.O.X, Jay-Z, DMX, Beanie Segal, Mobb Deep, CNN, Snoop Dogg, Fugees, Big Pun, Diplomats just to give you an idea. On the softer side of things Isley Brothers, Whispers, Earth, Wind & Fire, Rick James, Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Teddy Pendergrass, R. Kelly, Whitney Houston, Anita Baker, Sade, Tina Marie, Chaka Khan, etc, etc I really can go on and on as you can see.
Little kids 5, 6 ,7 8 years old inspire me. The drug addict on the corner with talent you would not believe inspires me. Of course the greats like Michael Jackson, Ray Charles, Run DMC, 2Pac, Eminem and many other greats inspire me. I’m just musically influenced.
NLM: Let’s take a step back for a moment: at what point did you want become a hip-hop artist?
Ok I wanted to be a rap since like middle school and really saw the light of it happening about 16 or 17 years old but with the streets taking a serious toll on my life music became last on my list of things to do. Now being a real live artist came into play about two years ago when I realized I really had what it takes with a sound like no other.
NLM: Were you in a group before you venture out as a solo artist?
K: Yes I was in a group called DB which stood for Da Buls (a Philadelphia word used to describe a boy, guy or man” which was me and my right hand man at the time who is also my blood cousin Da Bul Joe aka Superstar J aka Young Ca$h. His incarceration is what originally led me to go solo until he returned.”
NLM: If you were granted three wishes, what would it be?
K: Hmmmm these questions just get better huh? This is a great interview by the way but to answer your question I would wish for everybody to be equal to where color or race did not matter any longer nor would money everyone would be equal having the same ability to receive the same education, living circumstances and all. eliminating a lot of the problems we have here on planet earth as we know it. My second wish would be for it to be only 1 religion eliminating separation of people with just 1 GOD to pray to. The third and final wish of mine would be for it to be no diseases like aids, cancer and etc. We would all like better and healthier lives but still would have to be responsible with those dangers and worries no longer being around. Yeah I know I’m on my Nas /ft Lauren Hill-If I Ruled The World tip huh
NLM: So you have any upcoming project?
K: Yes after release of my latest mixtape Best Of KillEm Kastilano, my official self titled album Kastilano will be released on iTunes and every other major music outlet September 23rd of this year. Featuring my best work to date really taking it to the next level with 8 classic songs followed by 2 skits (somethings albums are missing lately) trust me you will not this quality music like nothing you hear now.
NLM: How can potential fans make contact with you?
“Contact on Twitter & IG @215KKastilano like my page Facebook.com/KillEmKastilano also like my page Reverbnation.com/KillEmKastilano and subscribe to my channel Youtube.com/OneHalfadb for latest update of my vlog KillEmTv. Oh yeah search Kastilano on Youtube and Google Kill Em Kastilano for easiest and fastest ways to find me.”
NLM: Before you sign off, there’s one I’ve been dying to ask… it’s a silly question but I’m gonna put it out there…what’s your real name!
K: Wow haha my birth name is Kahseem! I actually say it in a few of my songs but yeah that’s me so until next time it was a pleasure talking to you and thanks for such a amazing interview I enjoyed every minutes of it! Signing out The City’s Hero, it’s KillEmmmmm!!! PEACE”
New Lease Music 