Tag: hip-hop

New Track: DBT (Remix) – Lioness (ft. Queenie, Stush, Shystie, Lady Leshurr, Little Simz)

 LIONESS has just dropped her ‘DBT’ Remix and it is one of the most socially significant and impactful records, arguably since Bashy released ‘Black Boys’. Receiving a wave of support and praise from her peers like JME, P Money, Clara Amfo and Funk Butcher, LIONESS takes a dignified, powerful and stealthy approach as she tackles colourism, marginalisation and sexism head on.

The stereotypes and insults that come with having a dark skin tone AND being a woman are not only raised but catapulted forward in this passionate, energetic and very real account, as they were in her original DBT freestyle. Alongside an incredible line up of respected black women and exceptionally talented emcees; Queenie, Stush, Shystie, Lady Leshurr & Little Simz, the remix, produced by grime lord Prince Rapid is a heavy hitting, energy laden vibe by all accounts but lyrically it is a power anthem that should not only be heard, but listened to, and listened to closely. But are we hearing it?

The response via social media and urban music platforms like MOBO, The Hype Magazine and Nation of Billions has seen an outpouring of support, praise and community for these incredible females that have gone against the grain, spoken out and empowered themselves, and those listening, with their strength and honesty. A small pocket of the grime scene is hearing it and standing proud of what is being achieved here, yet the wider media seems like it is not yet listening, proving one of the most important points that are being raised in the record.

This is some hard-hitting stuff…LISTEN to ‘DBT (Remix)’

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New Track: Farewell – ThinŒur (ft. Fang The Great)

Inspired by the iconic cinema moment in Breakfast At Tiffany’s, THINCOEUR teams up with fellow Parisian and rapper Fang The Great on the emotive new video for ‘Farewell’.

Combining Fang The Great’s cold melodies and unique cadence with a melancholic trap instrumental, the track explores love, loss, friendship and loneliness. Born Eliade Krön, THINCOEUR explains that ‘Farewell’ “relates to partings, starting with Fang The Great’s positive outlook when he raps about distance making the heart grow fonder.” Comparatively, the farewell depicted by Krön is towards a lover, where he says he may never return, but he wishes the best for the girl he loves. This bittersweet message of self-preservation is bolstered by Audrey Hepburn’s famous quote from the 1961 film “People don’t belong to people. I’m not gonna let anyone put me in a cage.”

Thinceour

The accompanying video, directed by Randolph Lungela, takes a darker approach, as the protagonist attempts to come to terms with the loss of a loved one. Flicking between past and present, the cold colouring of the current day juxtaposes the heady flashback scenes, tinted in a warm sepia tone, as she turns to alcohol and drugs to cope with her bereavement.

‘Farewell’ is the first taste from forthcoming album that explores the seven facets of love through poignant songwriting and masterful production. In 2017, the artist released ‘Think’, a concept album separated into three acts tracing an emotionally conflicted young man seeking self-acceptance – via dark hip-hop beats and gritty vocals. The new LP ‘7 Layers of Love’, was inspired by cultural influences from cities such as his hometown of Paris, New York and Reykjavik.

Multi-layered and effortless, ‘Farewell’ displays  THINCOEUR‘s talent for writing emotional and honest music, fusing elements of hip hop and electronica. Check out the video.

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Song of the Day: Control Me – BRKE

Adding to her rising popularity with bloggers and tastemakers after the success of her last release, ‘Cupid’ – which clocked over a million views on YouTube, BRKE launched her single, ‘Control Me’.

The last few years have been a progressive journey for BRKE, (pronounced Brooke) as she’s curated her sound, an eclectic blend inspired by the London Hip-Hop, Afro-swing and Grime movements, seen and heard in ‘Control Me’. Also influenced by, and echoing late 90’s to early 00’s R&B from the likes of Destiny’s Child (‘Writing’s On The Wall’) and Brandy (‘Full Moon’), her music sits in a distinct pocket, capturing the intricacies of love, sprinkled unapologetically with youthful undertones, as she openly invites you in to her own experiences.

BRKE’s attitude and determination is to never back down from a challenge and has a desire to have her voice heard, or as she puts it, “I just want my story to be heard”. With close to 2 million views on her own YouTube channel coming from just 2 previous singles her stealthy and unwavering approach to her music is unquestionable and clearly having the right effect.

Emerging as an entity not to be overlooked, BRKE has an ability to paint a vivid picture via her lyrics and with her sassy, loveable persona she is relishing the prospect of engaging new audiences, as she aims to become the defining sound of the UK.

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Song of the Day: Fuego – Manu Crooks (ft. Anfa Rose)

MANU CROOKS steals today’s hop spot for the second time this month with another sizzling hot number, ‘Fuego’.

The African-Australian’s latest gem made its UK radio premiere via DJ Target on BBC Radio 1Xtra. Immersed in an eclectic sound and seamlessly exploring musical territories, ‘Fuego’ is a hybrid of trap, saturated with Flamenco to its core. The track boasts a hypnotic vocal loop courtesy of Anfa Rose which delicately entwines through the acoustic guitar led instrumental whilst his “raw lyricism and seamless flow” (The Fader), remains firmly centerstage.

Having received an accolade of praise from tastemaker sites such as i-D, The Fader and Pigeons & Planes, as well as his contemporaries including Big Boi and ASAP Ferg who brought him on stage during a recent Sydney performance, MANU CROOKS is quickly becoming the face of urban music in Australia.

He released his debut EP last year and consequently toured his home country with both Stormzy and Tory Lanez before headlining his own Australian tour sponsored by Noisey. His global reach was extended upon the release of breakthrough single ‘Everyday’ which is closing in on 2 million views on YouTube and the video for ‘Day Ones’ also passing the 1.5 million mark, whilst Spotify streams for both records soar beyond 1.5 million each. MANU CROOKS then closed out 2017 by teaming up with close friend and collaborator Anfa Rose for the double drop of ‘Presence’ and ‘All I Need’, which have since amassed over 1.2 million streams respectively.

Currently embarking on his ‘Mood Forever’ World Tour taking in his opening dates in Canada, MANU CROOKS‘ enthralling versatility as an artist is one of his main attributes as he is able to draw upon, yet distinguish himself from, the hubs of US and UK hip-hop. His Australian upbringing has enabled him to draw on authenticities that the hip-hop scene thrives upon, whether that be through his non-conformist outlook to his experimental ear. With performing dates throughout April to June across Canada, the UK, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and France, MANU CROOKS is destined to break down borders.

Be sure to check out ‘Fuego’ before you check out…

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Song of the Day: Skepticle – King David

With ambitions to change the landscape of the UK hip-hop scene with his music, emerging artist KING DAVID revealed his debut release, ‘Skepticle’.

Combining melodic synthesizers with a heavy minimal bass line and skippy flow, ‘Skepticle’ is a technically impressive body of work, recorded by David himself in his DIY bedroom studio. In a bid to disconnect himself from a jaded generation, KING DAVID draws on a profound personal agenda, relaying a broken love affair with a girl he initially saw a future with.

The young, London-based artist has always treated every creative aspect of his life as an art form, using his voice to transform pain into an illustrative journey. After losing a close friend in 2016 to a fatal stabbing, KING DAVID decided to remove himself from a life of violence and drugs, and instead choosing to use his voice as an artist to provide a platform for change. Emboldening a young generation, David breaks the mould by swapping violent references for genuine lyrical substance and creative ambition.

He creates his own rules, refusing to succumb to the pressures of fitting in with today’s musical landscape. And with maturity beyond his years and a string of bigger releases to come, this is just the start for the young hip-hop creative….

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