OUT TODAY: Nino SLG Drops Track, ‘What’s Left’ + Video, Ahead Of EP, ‘Mirror Story.’

South-London’s rap wunderkind NINO SLG kicks off 2023 with the announcement of his forthcoming EP ‘Mirror Story’ – slated for release on 10th March. The announcement arrives today with ‘What’s Left’, Nino’s introspective, deeply-felt new single and video.

‘What’s Left’ sees Nino collaborate with famed producer Kyle Evans (Dave’s We’re All Alone In This Together) for this emotive track that sees Nino delve into his battles with mental health, and discuss how he sought solace in the local youth clubs that helped him channel his energies into honing his craft. Split into two sections, the second half of the single is woven with tension as Nino grapples with thoughts on materialism and lust before coming to a sombre conclusion that ‘I don’t know what’s left no more’. The single is accompanied with a stripped-back video directed by Spike Silverton that reflects the duality of the single, finding Nino in his bedroom performing the single to his mirror image.

Speaking on the Mirror Story announcement, Nino said –

“My new EP is a story about the person I can see in the mirror. It’s my most vulnerable project to date, and I want people to see this side of me. Lyrically I’ve touched on materialism and everyday possessions, concepts and distractions to try and show how these steer people away from conquering the real problem which is usually themselves. Musically, I’ve reflected the contrasting emotions in the lyrics by switching up the production as you move through the project. Mirror Story is about exploring myself and my emotions, in the hope that there might be other people out there who are feeling the same – I hope that my EP makes them feel understood“

The five-track EP sees Nino reflect on the person he is and the man he is becoming. The project sees Nino climb to new heights with lyrics touching on mental health, anxiety, insecurities, materialism and life growing up in inner-city London, set to Nino’s trademark keys and a paired-back production which intertwine elements of drill, rich instrumentation including cello and 90s hip hop beats.

Watch the heartfelt video for ‘What’s Left below…

Song of the Day: Winters Coming – B Live x Harry Shotta

If you were to grab a dictionary and look up the word “diverse” — B LIVE’s catalogue would likely be cited as a reference point. Spawning from the crackling, warped 140 BPM worlds of UK garage, bassline, grime as well as the plasticine, sharp-edged dystopia that is dubstep, drum-n-bass and electronic music; you’d be hard-pressed to find a rhymer more travelled than unsung UK legend, B Live. Continuing the wordsmith’s recent prolific run, B Live is back with his street-level scorcher ‘Winters Coming’.

For the song — produced by Crissy Criss — the North London verbalist taps Kent spitter Harry Shotta, as the pair cobble together an icy, grit-marinated banger purpose-built in a factory next to where they make reload buttons. Throughout, both rhymers pull from the deepest recesses of their psyche to imbue the track with pensive reflection. On the track, both rappers talk greaze, bigging up their accomplishments, whilst casting their minds back to their come up in a cohesive manner — no easy feat.

‘Winters Coming’ follows B Live’s party-ready Jme and Becky Hill collaboration ‘Don’t Know About You’, from December of last year, as well as last month’s wavy, patios-injected Durrty Goodz collab ‘Foundation’.

Raised north of the River Thames, B Live steadily rose through the ranks during the UKG boom in the 2000s, carving his name into mythology. Discovered by DJ EZ, the disc jockey featured B Live on his legendary KISS radio show, exposing his talent to many. During his tenure in the rap universe, B Live has collabed with everyone from rap titans such as Wiley, Jme and Jammer, down to dancehall royalty Elephant Man.

Back in 2019. B Live was featured on Skepta’s single ‘Love Me Not’ alongside Cheb Rabi from his ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ LP. To up the ante, the spitter also received numerous of the coveted UKG Sidewinder awards for the best emcee.

Outside of the booth, B Live spends his time rocking crowds across the nation. Regardless of whether it’s a kaleidoscopic DnB rave, on the television or a festival stage — it’s guaranteed B Live will raise the roof. It’s not all strictly club tracks, though. If B Live was a member of the animal kingdom, he’d likely be a chameleon: regularly changing his exterior to fit his audible environment. ‘Winters Coming’ does exactly what it says on the tin, bringing forth cold flows stitched together by introspection and self-analysis. Check it out below…

D Double E Drops Track, ‘Roll Up’ + Video

D DOUBLE E shares his latest single ‘Roll Up’, a laid-back, funk infused Swindle-produced party tune that sees D Double exhibit his unrivalled unique tone and clever wordplay. Referencing everyone from Chabuddy G, Chaka Khan, Christian Louboutin and more, he also shares a classy video shot in the smoking room of a gorgeous mansion featuring a dapper D Double E and other well dressed guests partying till the early hours.

Following his sell out UK Tour end of last year showcasing the best of his 2020 album ‘D.O.N’, the new single is news of his next EP, ‘Bluku! Bluku! 2’. The seven-track follow to his 2011 debut EP ‘Bluku! Bluku!’ due for release on Friday 1st July.

One of the UK’s most celebrated and genre defining artists, in 2020 D Double E shared the invigorated and daring D.O.N. An acronym for Double or Nothing, this incredible 12-track follow up to his 2018 debut solo album Jackuum which has garnered over 12.M streams to date was a star studded affair featuring the likes of Ghetts (‘Where Do We Come From’), Giggs, Kano ‘Tell Me A Ting’, JME, Skrapz, Ms Banks (‘Bedroom Bully’) and Triggz.

With production handled by Splurgeboys, Greatness Jones, Fanatix, Prince Rapid, 1ne, Diamondz and D Double E himself – his first credits as a producer – the project tread on new sonic ground for the grime veteran. Since the release which was widely supported by The FADER, CRACK, Highsnobiety, i-D, The Line of Best Fit, Resident Advisor, Complex, Annie Mac, DJ Target and more, he’s been nominated for Best Grime Act at the 2021 MOBO Awards, put his lyrical magic touch on an advert for Pepsi and continued to collaborated with the likes of Backgroad Gee, Big Zuu and more. Most recently he’s been tapped up again for an iconic Christmas Advert for Camden Hells.

Time to check out the master at work below…

D Power Diesle Drops Epic Track, ‘The March’, Featuring Frisco, Shorty & Lay Z

Continuing to demonstrate why his name is synonymous with the grime scene, D POWER DIESLE unveils his latest masterpiece ‘The March’ with the assistance of Boy Better Know MCs Frisco, Shorty and Lay-Z.

As the Grime scene pioneer teases his long awaited follow up project ‘Graphene 2’, he plans to keep the same high calibre that he delivered in the first project. With Graphene 1’s stand out single ‘Sniper’, featuring Skepta, amassing over 5.2 million collective views as well tracks with guest verses from Wiley, Footsie, Jammz and Grim Sickers, the talented grime MC refuses to miss his shot!

Diesle knows exactly what it takes to make an instant grime classic and uses his proven formula to make sure this track is a head banging anthem. Teaming up with the world-renowned producers The HeavyTrackerz, the MCs are set up with a sinister, vibrant instrumental which is filled to the brim with bouncing percussion and intricate production work. Detailing his extensive career, Diesle sets the tone of the track by referring to his roots as a DJ at Déjà Vu. Embodying the raw energy of this era, he effortlessly attacks the beat with an intense yet inciteful delivery. This momentum is carried on throughout the track by the featuring Boy Better Know artists. As a group at the cornerstone of the evolution of the UK music scene, they are well equipped to match the passionate vocals that Diesle brings to the table.

D Power Diesle has created a legacy that stretches back to the origins of grime and continues to unfold. From his pioneering days at Rinse FM and Déjà Vu and his inclusion on Lord of the Mics 3 clashing Wariko, through to touring with Skepta, Wiley, Jammer and Modestep, D Power Diesle is in the elite of grime scene veterans whilst also remaining a prominent fixture of today’s thriving British Black Music scene. He also continues to offer a platform to new and upcoming talent, via his own label ‘EB Records’, stating “It’s important for vets to guide and show love to the youth, to keep them committed, it motivates them to know that people who have been there before can do it.” After partnering with Deezer and Relentless, the label continues to grow from strength to strength!

‘The March’ signifies the start of what is set to be an eventful year for D Power Diesle. As his fans eagerly anticipate the release of Graphene 2, we get to see exactly why the London based MC continues to build up so much momentum. Have a listen below…

Song of the Day: Cutie – Deniro5ive & Taifunds

TAIFUNDS‘ and DENIRO5IVE‘s track ‘Cutie’ exploded onto the scene, quickly gained traction on TikTok. The duo’s second release together was further brought to life with a bubbly video, providing roaring energy with friends.

Growing up as childhood friends on the same estate in Clapton, Hackney, with their musical passion commencing in school, Deniro began home recording tunes, with no intention to put them out. Around the second lockdown in November 2020, the teens who are still in school made this single ‘Cutie’. The teens uploaded a snippet and video onto TikTok which stars their mutual friend Araloyin Oshunremi (a main character from Top Boy). The video received 100k views and over 700 organic creations.

Previously putting out a track and music video called ‘Kings’ on Mixtape Madness, the visuals accumulated 27k views for their first ever track. Their follow up track ‘Cutie’ is oozing with energy, a rolling piano that surfs across the rhythm created by the quick percussion and 808’s. A catchy chorus “this track here gonna be a movie”, which explains the fast growth on social media. Both artists bring their own flair and style to the track with inventive flows and memorable one-liners.

This highly anticipated track has all the components to form a serious anthem and this year it is very likely we will observe a loud arrival on the scene from these boys.

Check out the video below…