Song of the Day: City Lights – DFlexXx

DFLExXx has started 2023 on a chilled vibe with ‘City Lights’, inspired by H.E.R’s hit ‘Slide’. A perfect addition to any summer playlist, the catchy chorus of this smooth RnB joint has been dominating the radio airwaves since its release late last month.

25-year-old Cardiff born Welsh rapper Darnell Ramone Williams (DFlexXx) has a unique, credible and commercial sound that is a blend of Hip Hop and Trap, predominantly rooted in the contemporary UK Rap scene. He developed his performing skills from the young age of six as part of dance troop, Jukebox Juniors, who achieved traction following their feature in a BBC Documentary and went on to appear in children’s TV shows & in films. After studying music at Bridgend College and ACM London, he discovered his natural talent for rapping and songwriting, and so decided to pursue the path of a professional rapper. Subsequently, he has released three other singles and promises a bright future in the music industry.

Well it’s time to check out DflexXx’s ‘City Lights’ below…

OneDa Teams Up With Mr Scruff For Double A-Side Single ‘Warrior’s Daughter / Rollin’

Manchester MC and vibes queen ONEDA collaborates with Mr Scruff to drop a new double A-Side on Heavenly Recordings. ‘Warrior’s Daughter’ / ‘Rollin’ is the latest release from Ms Manny On The Rise.

‘Warrior’s Daughter’ is built on the feeling of needing to go out and move to music – and to dance the fear away. “That’s me,” says OneDa, who grew up in Hulme and Gorton and who started out in the church her family ran. “I’m a warrior’s daughter. I’m strong, I’m not going to be fearful.” The track took on new meaning after her father died at the end of last year, which also involved spending time in Nigeria for the funeral. “When I think about being a warrior I think about my ancestors. I come from warrior blood. I’m not letting anything get me down.” Producer Mr Scruff explained that the tune was inspired by Johnny Kalsi’s dhol playing. “It is like a rowdy, unstoppable march, rolling forward in a spirit of rude celebration. I hope this tune does justice as a fitting tribute to OneDa’s father.”

‘Rollin’ is a big beast with stripped back beats n bass grounding OneDa’s high energy flow, which gained airplay on BBC Introducing. “I loved writing it with OneDa,” said Factory Floor’s Gabe Gurnsey. “The vibe was there immediately. I wanted a foundation of pure danceable rhythm and simplicity coupled with a killer lead vocal hook and rap, which OneDa delivered, no messing about.” The tracks follow ‘Vibes’ and ‘Busta’ which came out on Heavenly last year. Last year OneDa also featured on D’n’B stormer ‘Ballin’ with Vibe Chemistry, picking up 20 million plays on Spotify.

The Rude Girl Soundsystem – “big energy, big vibes, mad energetic” – is her all-new live show. It features OneDa with one of her DJs (Stylie, Jazzy Lioness or Presh) playing hip hop, drum n bass, breakbeats and afrobeats, with Stylie coming out from behind the decks to pick up the mic and go b2b. When she supported KRS1 at the Blues Kitchen last November the show included their own freestyled tribute to his 1980s classic MCs Act Like They Don’t Know. The two artists chatted after the show – “a sick experience”.

OneDa has recently taken over a weekly drivetime show on Unity Radio, playing the music that moves her. “It’s me just spreading my good vibes, really, pussy power”. The show includes a 45 minute ‘On The Rise’ section championing up and coming artists. OneDa’s also running Herchester, which is a project for women, non-binary and trans hip hop artists, aimed at uplifting young female and non-binary DJs and Producers.

Delivering on the music and the positive vibes – that’s OneDa…check her out below…

Watch Neek Bucks’ Brand New Video For Track, ‘Red Light’.

New York rapper NEEK BUCKS released a visual yesterday for his new single ‘Red Light,’ available now on all streaming platforms via MNRK Music Group. Produced by Hitmaka and Smatt, Neek’s storytelling is fully displayed with this latest offering. His infectious hooks speak about different scenarios on how stopping at the red light can be dangerous for himself or any of his enemies.

‘Red Light’ is the follow-up to ;Mask Up’ and ‘Count On,’ featured on Neek’s debut album ‘Blessed To The Max’. The album is executive produced by GRAMMY Award winner Hitmaka and will be released on 17th February. Both Neek and Hitmaka pride themselves on the album’s production as it covers various topics, from what is happening in the streets around him to life issues. The album also features a diverse range of talents, such as Ivory Scott and Vory, mainstream acts, such as 2Chainz and Wiz Khalifa, to legendary acts, such as CeeLo Green and Raekwon.

Check out the video for ‘Red Light’ below…

Check out Tito x Keet Kolbang New Video For ‘Love Tap’

Well, it’s been a while since Boston’s hip-hop collective Beanstock Records appeared on NEW LEASEMUSIC (fours years to be exact).

Now they come stream rolling back into 2023 with a new music video for track, ‘Love Tap’. Rapper TITO takes the lead on with his silky smooth flow on a nostalgic beat, following up by Keet Kolbang dropping his fiery bars.

The gang last featured on the blog back in 2019, claiming the #3 spot on NEW LEASE MUSIC’s Top Ten Albums of 2019.

Why not check them out below…

Experimental Rapper OG Spliff Drops Tracks, ‘son of toga’ & ‘building’.

North Carolina’s old-school hip-hop revivalist OG SPLIFF has recently released a two-pack single offering, consisting of self-reflective tirade ‘son of toga’ and its restorative, complement, ‘building.’

The poet-turned-rapper’s introspective delivery has a nonchalant swing to it, as his syrupy bars effortlessly marry the soulful, sample driven instrumentals produced by Argov. Largely inspired by the black experience and the dialogue between himself and the man in the mirror, ‘son of toga’ sees the rising artist acknowledge his toxic traits, wanting to change but not ready to commit, while ‘building’ sees him come to terms with the reality that he will have to live with his scars, searching for a way to move forward.

OG Spliff’s life has always been steeped in a variety of musical influences. He explains, “My pops was a DJ growing up, which fostered my love for music, especially house music. He opened my world to all sorts of sounds. Some of my earliest music memories with him are from our trips to the local hood gas station, where we’d go buy rap CDs from the bootleg man, ranging from East Coast rappers Fat Joe and Wu-Tang Clan, to West Coast staples, like N.W.A. and Snoop Dogg.”

“son of toga” and “building” are a testament to OG Spliff’s ability to curate a sound uniquely his own, one that is sure to have listeners captivated from the first listen. The rising artist has built his artistry from the ground up; he has opened for MAVI, Lil Durk and Yella Beezy in the past, was featured on Spotify’s Fresh Finds Hip-Hop, and has accumulated an impressive 2M+ streams on the platform along the way. There is no denying that OG Spliff has solidified himself as one to watch as he continues his run of self-reflective, experimental hip-hop. Have a listen to both singles below…