Interview with: Kyle Lettman

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It’s been almost a year since KYLE LETTMAN graced his presence on NEW LEASE MUSIC with his epic EP, When It Rains. So it’s an absolute privilege for this smooth R&B crooner to take time out of his busy schedule and give us the lowdown of his near future projects – and more. So I hope you guys are ready!

NLM: First of all, thank you for agreeing to do an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC.

KL: Thank you for showing an interest in what I’m doing, it means a lot.

NLM: Tell us what projects you’re working on at the moment?

KL: Right now I’m in the process of recording an album, whilst also working with my team on promotional music and material that introduces a dance & versatility aspect to my artistry. There’s also some special features coming up to look out for…trust me we have a lot going on at the moment!

NLM: What is your favourite project to date and why?

KL: Hmm.. I love all the projects I’ve done so far because I feel like they’ve all taught me something and I’ve grown from each musical experience, so I couldn’t just pick one haha. However, I could pick a favourite song…which would be Matter Of Time from the Under Construction project. I feel like it’s one of the best songs I’ve written in my short career.

NLM: You were in a R&B/pop group called Fundamental. How does being in a band compare to flying solo?

KL: No comparison, it’s like you’re using a completely different muscle set altogether. With the group, I had my brothers on stage with me and that made performing easier. Going solo means that I have to cover all the bases on my own whilst also doing all the entertaining. Although being in a group is easier, flying solo forces maturity and has more personal rewards.

NLM: You’ve written some lyrics for some of the credible artists in the industry – Frank Ocean, Ne-Yo, Nicole Scherzinger, Kele Le Roc, Varren Wade. What’s it like working with these heavyweights?

KL: I wouldn’t say for, working “with” is more accurate, lol! I could definitely tell you some stories but all in all, each credible artist is just a normal person who happens to be well-known. Frank Ocean and Fundamental 03 practically grew up together while we lived and worked in LA. Neyo is actually a pretty respectful person and really easy to work with -his songwriting skills are a lot better than people think. Kele Le Roc is a beautiful woman inside and out, our duet was the 1st time I was granted a chance at songwriting without the guys from Fundamental… and she was lovely enough to allow that to happen. Varren Wade & Jermaine Riley will be my Brothers for EVER haha.

NLM: How would describe your sound to potential fans? Would you compare yourself to any of your music influences of today?

KL: Hmm… I wouldn’t compare myself but I am definitely a reflection of the artists I love, i.e Usher, Ginuwine, Janet & Michael Jackson. My sound is heavily based in R&B & Soul, but not exclusive to those genres.

NLM: What mainstream (or even indie) artists you’re into at the moment?

KL: I’d love to work with Emeli Sandé and I’m pretty sure that’ll happen in the not so far future.

NLM: If you had a choice to collaborate with just ONE mainstream artist, who would it be and why?

I’d work with Chris Brown or Drake as the truth is whoever they co-sign gets noticed lol. But apart from the obvious, I’d love to work with Lela James, Pixie Lott, James Bay or Ed Sheeran.

NLM: If you were granted three wishes to change the music industry today, what would they be?

NLM: Bring back how music felt in the 90s, unfortunately nowadays there’s literally nothing like that feeling. Bring back Hip Hop too, I miss the Busta Rhymes, DMX, Lisa Left Eye Lopez and the Eve’s. Finally to bring back proper artist development, more raw, real and unique talent such as Prince. Rather than those who have been almost formulated by the music industry to look and sound a certain way.

NLM: How can potential fans make contact with you?

NLM: My Instagram & Twitter is @KyleLettman
Website is KyleLettman.com

Song of the Day: Skip The Talking – Unique Hastings

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Elements of seductive soul, R&B, Hip-Hop and pop, has pushed  UNIQUE HASTINGS‘ latest single, Skip The Talking to the dish of the day hotspot by NEW LEASE MUSIC. The sultry banger is set to appear on his upcoming album The Heart of a Dreamer.

A singer, rapper, songwriter and producer, the South Londoner soul-pop sensation, is a multi-talented artist with music in his veins. His father owned a recording studio and his mother taught him to sing. On top of this, both his grandparents were musicians.

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All this spurred him to follow his passions as a musician. He has since been involved in a number of exciting projects, producing music for a Virgin Media digital campaign as well as collaborating with Chris Brown for a remix of the R&B artist’s single Run it. His touring meanwhile has taken him all over the world, playing acclaimed venues such as the O2 Arena in London and Apollo Theater in New York, supporting names as big as Ludacris and De La Soul.

Unique Hastings is likely to appeal to fans of Pharrell Williams, Justin Timberlake and Seal, combining their collective pop appeal, whilst also channelling his own distinct smoky vocal tone and stylistic diversity.

On top of his musical endeavours, the singer has also co-starred in an award-winning short film titled Shantell Town, the soundtrack of which he also co-produced.

The slick crooner has another exciting single on the way titled Gimme All Ur Luvin, plus a full-length album titled The Heart of A Dreamer set to drop next year.

Now you know everything you need to know about this hot property, it’s time to sample his latest track…happy Friday!

New Music Video: Traded For You – Kelvyn Colt

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This is the first taste of KELVYN COLT‘s new EP. The lead track Traded For You shows a sampling of how big the slick hip-hopper’s talent is and musical style. His rough, yet cool vocal delivery accompanies the production from Jumpa that rolls smoothly into one huge record.

Kelvyn’s debut release independently charted for 10 weeks on the German VIVA Black Charts reaching number 18 with fellow rapper Elijah Hook. With that success, he then opened for Ace Hood (Germany), Adam Tensta (Germany) and has gained an endorsement from Monster Products (Germany).

He has now relocated to London from Berlin in order to increase his international exposure and become part of the thriving and inspiring scene in the UK, where he has already opened for Tim Westwood and has been doing various shows at DSTRK and The Box.

Currently Kelvyn is working on new music. His first UK release is a powerful piece of Hip Hop. He’s been working with some of the biggest producers in Europe who crafted some of the planets biggest artists including; US producer Purpdogg (Drake feat Soulja Boy – We Made It), Cubeatz (Drake, Meek Mill ), OZ (Lil Wayne, Chris Brown, Big Sean, Drake, Travis Scott ) Jumpa ( Sony ATV writer and producer), Abaz (Warner Brothers multi platinum producer of Young Thug, Booba – a French rap icon), Robot Koch (electronic music legend, part of red bull music academy), Sugayboy & Hyperfine and Deadrabbit (German producer icon)

This is a stunning debut from a great new rapper that brings the UK, Europe and Africa together. Watch the magic happen.

Upcoming Release: Hype – A.M. SNiPER (ft. Curren$y)

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A.M. SNiPER flashes back into the limelight with Hype, the first single from his forthcoming debut album.

The British-Cypriot rapper is renowned for teaming up with some of the biggest names in music across both the UK and US scenes from his base in Ayia Napa (the original hotspot and mainstay for UK Garage, Grime and Urban music in Europe), hosting and collaborating with a bonafide plethora of stars including Chris Brown, Tyga, Rick Ross, Wiley, JME, Julian Marley, Dj Jaguar Skills and Memphis Bleek.

For his latest banger,  A.M. joins forces with one of hiphop’s undisputed underground kings, New Orleans rapper Curren$y, long-term friend and collaborator of Wiz Khalifa. The track  boasts a late-night jam that oozes understated class.

A.M. SNiPER’s musical prowess stems as far back as the early 2000s, where as a budding teenager in the UK Garage pioneers’ So Solid Crew, he produced a third of their sophomore album. This finesse and adept appreciation of authenticity and culture is reflected on the new single. The track samples A Tribe Called Quest’s Butter with vocal cuts from the late Phife Dawg and pays tribute to similar icons – Bob Marley for instance – two artists concerned with the art and the vision rather than the hype.

Hype will be available on iTunes from 24th June…but for now, check out the visual to the single.

New Track: Liza Owen – Better With Me

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LIZA OWEN drops her new single Better With Me, produced by Swedish duo GoldFingers.

Having already collaborated with producers and artists including Jess Jackson (Chris Brown, Nicki Minaj), Ishi (Tinie Tempah), Jakwob and Kanye West, the 23-year-old British/Cambodian singer  is creating tracks that effortlessly bridge the pop vs cool divide.

A model too, with her bold and intrinsic style, she already has a huge Instagram following, and 3 million plus youtube views for her cover music videos.