After setting Ireland’s underground alight with their eclectic fusion of hip-hop and rock, Cork’s REX ARCUM and SYANO release their joint effort EP ‘COMPOUND’ on June 2nd. Having been featured on Spotify’s Misfits 2.0, RTÉ and Nialler 9 with the EP’s lead single ‘LOTTO BOY’, the pair of rising artists are certainly ones to watch from the Emerald Isle.
The EP mirrors Rex Arcum and Syano’s live shows, driven by creative hip-hop samples and monstrous 808’s which are seamlessly blended with distorted guitar, gritty drums and powerful vocals. With tracks featuring Nashville’s MNERVA, Brampton’s Spitty, Cork’s LG4 Ness and mixed/mastered by Brody (Nothing, Nowhere., Wicca Phase Springs Eternal, Freddie Dredd), this genre defiant EP expels unfiltered frustration and emotion as it tackles a host of negative aspects seen in society in Ireland.
Having kicked off 2023 with a sold-out headline gig in Fred Zeppelin’s Cork, as well as performing at a packed out Cork Rising in Cyprus Avenue and Absent Hip-Hop Night in Galway, Rex Arcum is touring Ireland in September with major support acts to be announced, it will be an explosive tour that’s not to be missed.
‘COMPOUND’ was released on 2nd June…have a listen to the explosive EP below…
Revealing her highly-anticipated fourth album, the self-confessed food-lover (a semi-finalist on Celebrity Masterchef, cookbook writer, and podcaster) SPEECH DEBELLE has been influenced by the connection, comfort and culture that food allows us to explore.
The South London lyricist says of the title: “On a Monday, the Sunday dinner just tastes sweeter; everything has time to marinate and settle.”
Featuring the singles ‘Come Your Way’, ‘101010’, ‘Atlantis’, ‘Away from Here’ and ‘Wayward’, ‘Sunday Dinner On A Monday’ examines family, friends, lineage, and ancestral DNA through the lens of afro-futurism.
“It’s about how we imagine and then create our own futures”, says Speech. “The album is about our journey through life as we learn from experiences that expand our senses. We learn internal management and get closer to ease. Some of us even become nourished, like a good meal. This is THAT album.”
‘Sunday Dinner On A Monday’ has been mixed and mastered by Grammy-nominated and MOBO award-winning mixer and engineer Clinton McCreery (Enny, Kofi Stone, Manik MC), with writing and production from Skripture (Will.i.am, Gregory Porter, Basement Jaxx), and collaborations with Dem Drums, Jamaican production team Island Wav, Kensaye, and Mark Cake. It includes features from English contemporary pianist and composer Neil Cowley (Adele, Emeli Sande, Maribou State), Miss Baby Sol, Dylema, Alyesha Lei and Ruth Sax.
Speech Debelle – whose real name is Corynne Elliot – kicked in the music industry’s backdoor in 2009, waving her sensitive, introspective Mercury Prize ‘British Album of the Year’ and debut album ‘Speech Therapy’, beating the likes of Florence and the Machine, Kasabian and La Roux. Her 2012 Kwes-produced sophomore album ‘Freedom Of Speech’ commanded further critical acclaim expanding Speech’s captivating flair for poetic testimonies, playful narratives and dynamic rumination on power, politics and pleasure.
She later stepped away from music for a few years to develop her other passions; her zeal for cooking tantalised the nation with her inventive recipes as a semi-finalist on Celebrity MasterChef, while in 2013, her socially conscious drive saw her curating a moving exhibition of art by prisoners for the Koestler Trust’s ‘The Strength and Vulnerability Bunker’ at the Southbank Centre.
Speech combined her love for music and food in her weekly podcast ‘The Work Brunch’, where she cooked and discussed music, life and inspiration with a range of esteemed guests, such as Lianne La Havas, Nitin Sawhney, Shabaka Hutchings and Mikill Pane.
She accompanied her third album ‘Tantil before I breathe’ with her own cookbook and memoir expressing that ‘music and food are art – they heal and inspire’. The nine songs spanning all three of her albums tell a story of abandonment, the artistic process, critical acclaim, record label mistakes and healing, with a delicious, inspired recipe for each.
Speech has spent three years working as a Relationship Manager in the music team at Arts Council England. She has supported artists and organisations in receiving funding and spearheaded the ‘Black Influencers Masterclass and Programme’, which provides the toolkit for funding projects, specifically for Black and Brown people in the UK.
‘Sunday Dinner On A Monday was released today (9th June) on all music platforms. Have a listen below…
Grammy Award-winning DJ and producer DJ DRAMA has paid tribute to the iconic Atlanta rapper Trouble with the release of the highly anticipated visual for ‘Iron Right’ featured on his new album, ‘I’m Really Like That’ released via Generation Now/MNRK Urban. The track features collaborations with Boosie Badazz and rising star OMB Peezy, with Trouble’s powerful presence resonating throughout the entire release.
The video for ‘Iron Right’ serves as an ode to Trouble’s distinctive style and unparalleled impact on the hip-hop scene. Known for his gritty lyricism and captivating storytelling, Trouble’s contributions to the rap game have left an indelible mark. DJ Drama, in collaboration with Boosie Badazz and OMB Peezy, delivers a track that encapsulates Trouble’s essence, paying homage to his influential presence in the industry. Check out the video below…
From the moment you hit play on VERSEBORN x JAE1‘s latest collaborative EP ‘Freedom Is Very Expensive,’ you’ll be transported into a world of introspection and raw emotion. Single ‘Authentic’ sets the tone with its smooth beats and powerful lyrics, while second effort ‘Veritas’ showcases VerseBorn’s impeccable flow and lyrical prowess. Each track on the EP brings something new to the table, with JAE 1’s soulful production adding an extra layer of depth and emotion to the mix.
As the EP progresses, you’ll find yourself becoming more and more immersed in the world that VerseBorn x JAE 1 have created. ‘Family Tides’ and ‘Rules To Live By’ are standout tracks that showcase the chemistry between these artists, while ‘Penthouse’ brings in heavy hitters Mickey Factz and Smooth Da Truth for an explosive finale that will leave you wanting more.
But it’s not just the music that makes ‘Freedom Is Very Expensive’ such an incredible project. It’s the way that VerseBorn x JAE 1 have seamlessly blended their styles together to create something truly unique and unforgettable. KonQuest Now has once again proven themselves to be at the forefront of the hip hop game, pushing boundaries and breaking down barriers with each and every release.
Don’t sleep on this EP – it’s destined to be a classic. Head over to Bandcamp now to stream and purchase ‘Freedom Is Very Expensive’ is now available exclusively via Bandcamp. Check it out below…
Must Listens: Family Tides, Rules To Live By, Penthouse
Veteran rapper BULLET BRAK has been turning heads for over a decade with his dynamic delivery and witty wordplay. The spellbinding Maryland-born entertainer is now living in SouthWest, Florida and has worked with heavyweights such as Papoose, Grafh, OT The Real, The Beatnuts, Noreaga, Curren$y, The LOX, Gunplay, Torch, Ty Dolla $ign, Torae, Chevy Woods, Termanology, Chris Rivers and more.
In 2014 he was honored with a nomination for a prestigious Underground Music Award in the category #1 Contender. His clever lyricism, magnetic delivery, efficient rhymespitting, and irresistible personality has led to major features in Sway In The Morning, Hip Hop Weekly, XXL, The Source, 2DopeBoyz.com, AllHipHop.com, DJEnuff.com, YoRaps.com, ThisIs50.com, VladTV.com, SwaysUniverse.com, MrPeterParker.com, and various other high profile media publications.
Now he’s back in the spirit of Gus Alex in his newest video, ‘Bullet Man’. As the newest addition to the Bullet Brak catalog, Bullet represents for his Greek heritage on this record, which is produced by Gus, an Athens, Greece native. Gus Alex is known for his underworld hits, so is Bullet … Check it out below…
New Lease Music 