Rapper NEAK circles back on the blog and drops his brand new music video, ‘What’s Really Here,’ Directed by Irv Vaz.
‘What’s Really Here’ takes us on a trip and captures the entire essence of Chicago (inner-city) and the ills that come along with living in underserved black communities. Featured on Neak’s latest project, INNENSTADT, this is the second visual released after 4eva Eva music video, directed by Irv Vaz and produced by Rashid Hadee. Hit play on the video below…
Farai Gwasira, otherwise known as KING SWAY, presents his self-produced single, ‘Winter (2 AM)’, a soothing afterhours joint that takes you on a heart wrenching journey of what was, what could have been and what should have been. The evocative track outlines the story of a relationship turned sour and the thoughts and emotions of an embattled heart that yearns for what it lost.
Born in Zimbabwe, now residing in Canada, King Sway started out in 2018, pushing out ten singles in two years. Known for his witty wordplay, Sway’s sound transcends any particular genre, crossing over from pop rap to trap, dancehall, R&B and Pop. He sites Drake, Lil Wayne, Big Sean, Tory Lanez and local musicians as influences on his style and music. He is also one of the hosts on the CBC series, Stuffed.
‘Winter Time (2 AM)’ is now available on all good DSPs and through his label, King Sway Music. Why not check it out below…
Continuing their burgeoning musical alliance, UK Hip Hop vocalist, NICK BREWER‘s (pictured) and critically acclaimed songwriter and producer, Phil Simmonds’ second single together, ‘Same Window’, elicits the same soulful yet expressive sound the two talented artists have forged across their collaboration. The flow of effortless vocals from Nick and the production prowess of Phil makes for a unique project that’s hard to ignore. The track is taken from their 5-track EP collaboration, out now.
The second single to my upcoming EP alongside Phil Simmonds contains the first lyrics written in the first lockdown last year. That feeling of being stuck in the same spot, not knowing where to move to, but a feeling of hope deep down – Nick Brewer
Prolific British songwriter and record producer, Phil Simmonds began his career as a live musician and later musical director for major players such as Jessie J, Angel Haze, Zak Abel and Leona Lewis. Finding his strength in collaborations and producing full projects, Phil then went on to produce Eryn Allen Kane’s critically acclaimed ‘A Tree Planted By Water’ project as well as the debut album for Lily Papas and further writing/producing credits for Prince Fox, Olivia O’Brien, Iyamah, Desi Valentine, Stan Taylor and a host of others.
Gaining widespread acclaim in 2015 for his UK top 20 single ‘Talk To Me’ featuring Bibi Bourelly, East London based rapper, Nick Brewer has continued to solidify his presence within UK grime since he burst onto the scene in 2010 and quickly became known for his ability to effortlessly flow with tongue-swirling efficiency.
With a steady stream of releases over the last decade, Nick has worked alongside some of the UK’s largest names in the industry, including Stormzy, Naomi Scott, Little Simz, George the Poet, Barney Artist, Ruby Maze, Kinnship and Tink who featured on his 2015 ‘Warning Light’ EP.
This versatile collaborative project between Nick Brewer and Phil Simmonds showcases a different side to their creativity, an exciting taster of what’s to come. Check out ‘Same Window’ below…
I have been following Matt Wride – aka TRIGGA RYDER – ever since he slipped me his 2016 track, ‘That’s A Fact’, so it’s an absolute pleasure to welcome back the Manchester-based spitter to talk about his latest project, ‘Not A Yout Anymore’. As I was immediately intrigued by the album’s title, I asked him what inspired him to produce the ten-track set plus his plans for the rest of the year.
NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2021 treating you so far?
TR: Yeah 2021 is going good so far, definitely better than 2020. 2020 was pretty hard to be honest due to COVID but it seems like there’s hope on the horizon and stuff is hopefully going to get back to normal soon.
NLM: You released your album, ‘Not A Yout Anymore’ last November. What is the public perception on the project so far?
TR: Definitely been a lot of love for the project and people supporting the final product I feel like it could have done better In terms of numbers of streams sales etc. But I’m happy with it and these days I’m making music for myself so if anyone else buzzes of it that’s a bonus
NLM: What inspired you to produce the album?
TR: The birth of my son Dylan in 2017 inspired me and made me think wow I’m actually a grown up now, hence the title Not A Yout Anymore, also the breakup of me and his Mum which was a struggle, but it inspired me on some of the tracks with lyrics and concepts.
NLM: How would you describe the album’s sound to potential fans?
TR: I’d say the project has a mixture of sounds which is something I intended by my choice of using three different producers/ beat makers there’s some Boom Bap , Grime and Modern Rap in the vein of D Block Europe and Nafe Smallz minus the auto tune which I’m not opposed to using but didn’t think it would fit with the project this time around.
NLM: What is/are your favourite single(s) from the album and why?
It depends what mood I’m in but I’m pleased with the lead single Not A Yout Anymore. The Chorus kept getting stuck in my head so we shot a video for it with Chris Lucas of Arun productions in Bristol you can watch it here:
I also really like how the track path that I choose turned out in terms of production.
NLM: If you had to feature one mainstream artist on the album, who would it be and why
TR: Probably Potter Payper although I’m not really sure if he’s classed as mainstream, but I’m feeling all the stuff he’s been putting out recently and followed him Since the beginning of his career.
Met him a couple of times once in Manchester and then at a gig in Birmingham and he was really safe plus he went in with his performance.
NLM: Did the Covid pandemic presented any drawbacks in the production of your EP?
TR: Yeah potentially would have had some features on the project if the rappers I had in mind had access to a studio but COVID meant they couldn’t record, also the project was started just before COVID with the intention of having it all mixed by one of the beat makers on the project but when it kicked in he ended up having other commitments to fulfil so I ended up mixing it myself which was good because I enjoy the production side of things.
NLM: Do you have other project(s) for 2021
TR: Working on a couple of features should have a track dropping with a rapper called Thrash Thorn from LA produced by Yello Blac who I’ve done tracks with in the past.
NLM: Finally, any special shoutouts to those involved in the production of ‘Not A Yout Anymore’?
TR: Yeah I’d like to shout out Subvert The Cynic
Trooh Hippi, Nineteen, Chris Lucas and the Raptographer also all my friends and family and anyone who helped throughout the project. Also like so say thanks to you for interviewing me and always supporting bless up.
Following on from his last single, ‘All Of That’, which gained great traction at the beginning of 2020, AD‘s single ‘Rico’, showcases the Portuguese spitter’s versatility on the track which no doubt leaves the listener hyped and wanting more. ‘Rico’ is an up-tempo, gritty, hip hop track where AD slams down a bold storyline, comparing it to the synopses of the hit film “Paid In Full”, where ‘Rico’ isn’t someone to be trusted.
Why not check out the hype and watch the video for the banging single below…