Just before the drop of his upcoming project, slated for release later in the year, rapper/spoken poet NATTY BOI ZOE taps fellow rapper and long-time collaborator DICE CANNON for track, ‘Therapy Session (Remix)’.
‘Therapy Session (Remix)’ is now out for your pleasure…why not press play on that banger below…
Visionary artist/producer HIBACHI is proud to announce the release of his debut EP single, ‘Hurt Me’, featuring the multifaceted American rapper and actor Image, recognized for his role in the popular Netflix series Sex Education. This collaboration marks a significant moment in the careers of both artists as they prepare to introduce a fresh sound to the international music scene.
Born and raised in Baltimore, US, Image discovered his passion for music at a young age while attending the Baltimore School for the Arts, the same school that Tupac once attended. In a city with a higher crime rate than a graduation rate, Image embodies Tupac’s proverbial “rose that grew from concrete” as he finds himself on the other side of the world, making music and captivating listeners with poetic lyrics.
Hibachi, originally from Germany and Congo, has been making waves in the UK music scene with his distinctive fusion of House, R&B, and Hip-Hop. By blending those elements, Hibachi has carved out a unique sonic identity that has caught the attention of industry giants like AWAL Core. The collaboration between these two London-based artists has culminated in the release of ‘HURT ME,’ a track that sets the stage for their upcoming EP, slated for release in January 2025. With ‘HURT ME,’ Hibachi and Image channel their experiences, inviting listeners to connect with their story and join them on their musical journey.
‘HURT ME’ is a masterful blend of sad but suave, playful yet salacious tones, delivering the emotional complexity of being the “side-piece” in a toxic romantic relationship. Image’s deep, resonant voice, reminiscent of Channel Tres, effortlessly rides the beat, delivering smooth, playful lyricism. Hibachi complements this with delicate vocals on the hook, crafting a memorable melody that adds a lighthearted flirtation to the otherwise serious subject matter.
Sonically, the track draws inspiration from a Kaytranada-esque R&B/House blend, enveloping listeners in an upbeat yet moody atmosphere. It’s a track that is as lyrically captivating as it is musically compelling, making it perfect for both club settings and laid-back listening.
Thematically, ‘HURT ME’ delves into the complexities of a relationship where one person seeks deeper intimacy while the other is content living their best life. The song poignantly captures the heartbreak that arises from unrequited love, all delivered in a poetic and emotionally resonant fashion.
‘HURT ME’ is out today (11th September) on various music platforms. Why not have a listen below…
Connect with Hibachi via:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/hibachibachi/
Well, it’s been quite a while since US rapper TEZ PARIAH has graced his presence on the blog. Tez’s last appearance was with his 2016 music video for track, ‘The Kush Coupe’, featuring Rich Logan and KC.
Glad he didn’t fall by the wayside and continued his journey as an epic rapper. Tez Pariah presents his latest EP, ‘Diss Tracks From The Northside 2’, which comprises of six tracks where the Georgia smooth spitter eases his laid-back bars into largely slow jams instrumentals.
‘Diss Tracks From The Northside 2’ EP features appearances from Cam Major and Ryan Milla and produced mostly by Zoink$, G6k Beatz, Saint XO and Bludy On The Track.
‘Diss Tracks From The Northside 2’ is out now for your pleasure. Why not have a listen below…
Must Listens: Soprano, Montana; Trippin; After School Program
RAYNE STORM is back with a new mixtape, a new EP and a new single featuring Juelz Santana. The latest track ‘Boom’ finds both Harlem rappers completely in their zones as they slide across the beat on this aggressive summer anthem. The up-tempo but ominous banger is produced by DJ Flippp, known for his production with Lil Yachty, Famous Dex, Playboi Carti and more.
The Storms Coming EP includes 6 songs previously released only on mixtape, specifically Storms Coming II. The EP features original songs like ‘Gettin’ Bizzy’, ‘Much More’, ‘Up Up Away’, ‘No Tomorrow’, ‘Revolution” & “Scorchers’. The Storms Coming EP represents Rayne in his “Pure Hip-Hop” form as a majority of these tracks take on a Boom Bap approach.
Have a listen to ‘Boom’ below…
In 2002, two artists from opposite ends of the world– North Carolina emcee/singer Phonte of Little Brother, and Dutch producer Nicolay – engaged in a fully online, transatlantic musical collaboration that would help redefine modern music. On August 24, 2024, the novelty of their collaboration became their namesake, and they released their seminal debut album Connected as The Foreign Exchange. Over the course of 20 years, Nicolay and Phonte have both individually and collectively set a precedent for what indie artists can achieve, and revolutionized the way artists collaborate today. With a Grammy-nomination and their very own +FE Music label, the duo commemorates their 20-year-long journey as The Foreign Exchange by sharing a new 12″ single ‘The Grey” / “I Couldn’t Love You More (dub)’.
Out now on all digital streaming platforms, the dual release covers the musical gamut of The Foreign Exchange. ‘The Grey’, which serves as the theme song for ESPN’s new ’30 for 30′ film False Positive, finds Phonte spitting razor sharp bars, with a hook delivered by the silky vocals of +FE Music signee BeMyFiasco. In contrast, Phonte and Nicolay go full quiet storm mode on ‘I Couldn’t Love You More’, a beautiful rendition of Sade’s classic record.
“Rhyming and covering my favorite Sade song felt like the best way to encompass all that The Foreign Exchange represents. We’ve covered a lot of ground over the past 20 years. This single represents us coming back to square one.” – Phonte
ESPN’s new ’30 for 30′ film False Positive, which debuted on June 11, 2024, was scored in its entirety by Nicolay. The film tells the story of former Olympic Track and Field athlete and world record holder Butch Reynolds, who was falsely accused and banned for drug use by the International Amateur Athletic Federation. As a fan of Nicolay’s work, the film’s director, Ismail Al-Amin, first tapped the classically trained multi-instrumentalist from the Netherlands for the project in 2021.
“Ismail booked The Foreign Exchange for an event in Akron, Ohio years ago. He was keen on creating a decidedly soulful score, but with a European twist, as the sport of track and field traditionally is very popular there, and a lot of the crucial action in the film takes place overseas. He felt that I could be the right man for the job. This particular project represents twenty years of experience and accumulated style… the scope of this project and the sheer quantity of music required really allowed me to double down on it all… There’s quite literally a little bit of everything in this score. While I was working on some initial sketches for the film, I came upon the idea of mirroring all of the different stages of Butch’s life and career with the evolution of my own music over the years. So in the early stages of the documentary, the music is largely beat-driven and optimistic, mirroring the sound and feel of my own early years. As the situation gets more complicated and inevitably darker and more emotional, so does the music.” – Nicolay
Nicolay has also been hard at work on his forthcoming solo album, which is currently slated for an early summer release. The project’s latest single ‘Roll Up (I Can’t Lose My High). released in April.
Listen to ‘The Grey/ / ‘I Couldn’t Love You More (dub)’ below….
New Lease Music 