SNOTTY NOSE REZ KIDS (SNRK) have experienced a lot of highs and lows from 2019 until now. From releasing their album TRAPLINE, playing 100 shows in 2019, winning and receiving nominations for various awards, the guys were riding high until the pandemic hit. Plans for touring and an EP were derailed. As the end to live music restrictions came back in sight, SNRK feels invigorated.
Everyone has that uncle in the family that reminisces about the glory days, talks about himself in a big way and often boasts about what he used to be, coulda been or what he thinks he is. SNRK’s brand new track, ‘Uncle Rico,’ is about that inner ego that everyone holds within them. The accompanying music video (directed by Sterling Larose) makes subtle references to the Napoleon Dynamite character in which ‘Uncle Rico’ takes its name from.
Ever since OLOFF graced this blog with his album, ‘Life’s Got You Riveted’, which was placed at #6 on New Lease Music’s Top Ten Albums of 2016 list, I’ve been so mesmerised how this Bristolian artist experiments with different genres without fear. So I’m absolutely pleased to have a chat with him about his album ‘Don’t Come In Here’. So sit back and have a read as this convo this an absolute belter. Enjoy!
NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2021 treating you so far?
O: You’re welcome. 2021 has been kind of crazy, I’ve released 2 albums and gone through a breakup. I have a 3rd album and a book on the way. I’m keeping extremely busy, time is passing by quite slowly.
NLM You released your album, ‘Don’t Come In Here’ back in March. What is the public perception on the project so far?
O: I haven’t done enough to promote it so I don’t know. I’ve temporarily given up on promoting music because I don’t have the time or the money for it, so right now I’m focusing on building up a catalogue and not paying any attention to the numbers at all. Then when I have some leverage I will have loads of songs already released.
NLM: How would you describe the album’s sound to potential fans?
O: Electronic experimental hip-hop. Drugs.
NLM: What inspired you to produce the album?
O: I had a bad acid trip a couple of years ago and this album was kind of the culmination of my efforts to get over the things I saw on that trip. It was also about being stuck in a room during lockdown, the ups and downs of my relationship, and at times also the fun/humour of living such a life and experimenting with weird substances. In the end the theme is about trust I suppose, not really being able to ever fully trust people but having to do so for your own sanity.
NLM: What is/are your favourite single(s) from the album and why?
O: Parsons and Be Yourself. I think Parsons is the best sounding song I’ve made and I think Be Yourself is the most meaningful.
NLM: What message would you like the listeners to take away from your album?
O: Do whatever you can to be happy, stay true to yourself, be wary, get outside as much as you can.
NLM: If you had to feature one mainstream artist on the album, who would it be and why?
O: Good question. I think Kevin Gates would be interesting, because it would be such a different sound for him, but some of the themes are kind of similar (love, trust issues, substance abuse etc.) Maybe a verse on I Don’t Wanna Know.
NLM: Do you have other project(s) for 2021?
O: Yeah, shortly after this I released Oak Tree which I think is a masterpiece. I also have a project called Sameways coming out in the next few months. And a self-help book, which I think is going to be really good and will help a lot of people with their depression. I’m also regularly releasing singles and videos on my YouTube channel.O
NLM: How can potential fans find you?
O: @oloffmusic on Instagram, Oloff on spotify or YouTube.com/OloffMusic
NLM: Finally, any special shout outs to those involved in the production of ‘Don’t Come Back Here’?
O: Just me. So, hang in there Oloff! You big bald c**t.
After rocking the blog with singles, ‘Peruvian Encrusted Swordfish’, ‘Detlet, plus album ‘Dream Team: A Stokely Hathaway Joint’, all of which he collaborated with good friend and rapper Jihad Scorcese, it’s great to catch up with producer JASON GRIFF to discuss his debut album‘Fireside Chats‘ – and also to remember Scorcese, who sadly passed away in January.
NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2021 treating you so far?
JG: Thank you! It got off to a rough start two weeks in when Scorcese passed away. It was, and still is, hard to bounce back from that, but I’m handling it as best I can. Other than that, it’s been pretty good.
NLM: You recently released your debut album, ‘Fireside Chats’ back in May. What is the public perception on the project so far?
JG: So far everyone seems to really like it. I got a lot of praise and coverage from outlets that had not really shown any love in the past so that’s exciting. I’m sure a lot of people hate it too but I haven’t heard much of that and it probably wouldn’t phase me anyways.
NLM: How would you describe the album’s sound to potential fans?
JG: It’s a punk rock-inspired hip-hop album. But it’s not a bunch of corny mash-ups, it sounds like a rap album. You can enjoy it if you’re not in to punk at all.
NLM: What inspired you to produce the album?
JG: When I was a teenager I was heavy in the punk scene, going to shows all the time. I got older and started making beats so I had the idea to combine my two favorite genres.
NLM: What is/are your favourite single(s) from the album and why?
JG: There’s 2. “Adapt” feat. Alaska is one because he really killed that beat and gave me a lot to play with and take it to the next level. The other is “Summer of Punk” feat. Scorcese. He really did the work on that one. The first version he did was cool but I gave him a bunch of research to do and he ended up referencing all those bands throughout the song.
NLM: The album features a host of promising rappers, including Scorcese (who sadly pass away in January 2021). What was it like working with him?
JG: He was like a rap personal trainer, always pushing you to take it up a notch to the next level. I wouldn’t be releasing music in 2021 if I hadn’t met him.
NLM: How did your friendship with Scorcese came to fruition?
JG:We met via Zilla Rocca when Scorcese was looking for producer to do remixes of an album he had put out. I did one for the project and we hit it off right away and started working on the Dream Team album.
NLM: What are the top three qualities you would associate with Scorcese?
JG: Dedication. Hustle. Humor.
NLM: Do you have other project(s) for 2021?
JG: Yes! I have an album called Human Zoo with Alaska coming out in September via Insubordinate Records. I’ll also have productions on several projects from other artists and some singles and maybe a beat tape or two. At the label we will have Alex Ludovico’s solo album and some posthumous Scorcese releases.
NLM: How can potential fans find you?
insubordinaterecords.com will get you all of my music. I’m on Twitter and IG as @iamjasongriff and a majority of my catalog is on all streaming platforms, just search for Jason Griff (or sometimes just Griff)
Introducing up and coming UK artist ITHINKTHATSRIO with his debut single ‘AFRO’! The melodic rap track comes six months after the London native burst onto the scene late last year with his ‘Prayer’ freestyle that caught the scene’s attention. ‘Afro’ sees IThinkThatsRio waxing lyrical about having the freedom to do what you want, whether that is with your hair or with your career.
Speaking about the inspiration behind ‘Afro’ and how the song came together, IThinkThatsRio says, “creating ‘Afro’ was such a vibe. I was in the studio with TheLifeOfKG when this Grossgod beat came on, and the first thing that came out of my head was ‘take out my braids, just roll with an afro’, and the rest came together from there. As well as the track just being a vibe, I believe the message behind it, which is that we should be free to make our own choices, without fear of ridicule or judgement from other people – in my case, it’s how I wear my hair sometimes”.
Originally from Chadwell Heath in East London, IThinkThatsRio has always had a passion for music, but he has been on course to become a professional footballer for a good few years, but after turning 20 last year and realising that music had the power to help him express his feelings, and how that made him feel, he began taking music seriously, and quickly charted a new course from a footballer to a musician.
Check out the accompanied music video below, collaboration between IThinkThatsAfro and burgeoning London-based visual director and photographer EazyVisuals (Ebenezer, B Young, Ryan De La Cruz, Michael Ward).
Emerging with an air of mystery J-ONYX has a presence that can’t be ignored. Commanding attention with her deep tone and dynamic flows, her first release ‘Can’t F With’ captures her innate and undeniable talent as an artist. Her latest release has already landed support by DJ Target on BBC 1Xtra, DJ Shortee Blitz on his KISS FM and KISS Fresh show and Charlie Sloth will be adding the track as his Hood Heat of the week and he will also support on his Apple Music playlist. Choosing to keep her identity concealed for the time being, J-Onyx wants to let her music do the talking, as often young female artists can be over sexualized in the music industry. Catapulting through the ranks she joins the ‘Champions League’ as she ‘eliminates all of the tournaments’ and earns a rightful place as a one to watch in the UK rap scene.
The serendipitous calling to become a rapper can be pinpointed back to November 2019 where she was teasingly dared by her friends to rap an off-the-top-of-the-head freestyle and upload it onto her Instagram. Gaining an overwhelming reaction, the freestyle uncovered her natural gift with rhymes and flows and allowed her to nurture the talent into a dream career. To date she has released 3 freestyles on Instagram and her second freestyle for ‘Murda Murda’ received some strong support and was picked up by DJ Shortee Blitz and DJ MK on the KISS FM Hop Hop show.
Her exposure to music was planted long before the freestyle and the London based British rapper, singer and songwriter grew up immersed in a musical household. Building the fabric of her musical DNA her mother and elder siblings introduced her to an assorted collection of music, which ranged from Reggae, Dancehall and Hip Hop to UK Garage, Afrobeats, Rock and Indie. Her musical roots grew beyond her immediate family as her uncle was also a member of reggae band UB40.
Going against the conventional route, J-Onyx followed her own path, although she had the encouragement of her family she dropped out of school at a young age and found herself in challenging situations. What became evident was that the music was a constant and the turning point was getting into Brit School and attending drama school. Since her studies her path has led her to explore performing arts as well as pursuing a career in the property business. She has now found herself gravitating towards music as solo artist and ‘Can’t F With’ is a great introduction to her sound.
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