Tag: hip-hop

Song of the Day: Excuse Me – Zara Sykes (ft. Xtof)

With a sound that looks to pay homage to the smooth and romantic sound of 80s era R&B, emerging artist ZARA SYKES has shared her latest heartfelt swoon ‘Excuse Me’, featuring producer XTOF.

Lifted from XTOF’s latest compilation album ‘Damian’, ‘Excuse Me’ perfectly encapsulates the warm and breezy textures, elevated by Skyes’ stellar vocal performance.

Speaking about the release, “This track is an ode to and paying homage to Zapp and Roger’s ‘Computer Love’. Both of us are children of the 80s who grew up listening to songs such as this along with the 90s R&B and hip-hop. We wanted to take a track like ‘Computer Love’ with all its technological prowess for its time, and to put a contemporary feel to it.”

Rapping/singing since the age of just ten, Zara has worked with Grammy nominated producer formerly  known as Ecks music and has worked with various artists including  KID the Artist, Raju, Cassie Rowe, Soundmasters, Redstarr and Superbamz. She also supported Jay Z & Kanye West’s Watch the Throne (Birmingham LG Arena) Tour in 2012.

In 2014 Zara Sykes received her first official award ‘Inspiring Entertainment & Achievement  Award’ by Be Inspired Youth Award in association with Somewhereto and  AJN’s Annual Gala.

After cutting demo tracks which were used by likes of R&B group Immature, Xtof – real name Christof Jennings – started his indie label SMOKINGSFORCOOLPEOPLE this year, where he released first single ‘Excuse Me’ and his first compilation album release, ‘Damian’ this summer. Have a listen to the epic track below…

Follow Zara Banks via:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/zarasykes/

Follow Xtof via
IG: https://www.instagram.com/christofjennings/

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Smooth Rapper High Nelson Drops Track, ‘Ribbon In The Sky’ + Video

HIGH NELSON continues his prodigious rise in 2022 with his third release ‘Ribbon In The Sky’, a contemporary and laid back summer heater which shows he aspose the same matter of fact and grown lyrics that he’s become well known for.

Talking on his influences, in his own words, Nelson explains, “My upbringing plays a part in the constant push and pull between right and wrong. There are many contradictions in the way I was raised by my family and the way I learned to survive outside of my household in the Bronx; these concepts live within my music.”

Being raised in the Bronx no doubt influenced High Nelson’s sound. His New York state of mind combined with rich Caribbean roots have organically fused together to create a perfect mesh of raw and authentic rap style, with a touch of easy going swagger.

‘Ribbon In The Sky’ shows High Nelson in his element, rapping effortlessly over an eclectic and beautifully produced instrumental. The artist provides a fresh viewpoint, rapping grown bars about making the correct decision in life, show Nelson as a man who has learnt from his past mistakes, matured from them and is intent on giving solid advice to a younger generation of listeners.

With ‘Ribbon In The Sky’’ follow up on his other impressive singles ‘Sunday’ and ‘Young Blood’. Check out the official video for single below…

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Song of the Day: No Reason – DUUO

Chase and Nov, otherwise known as hip-hop act DUUO, have worked with Grammy winning and nominated producers like T-Minus, Boi 1da and Wondagurl.

Now the guys have hooked up with multi-platinum artist Rich Homie Quan (releasing music under Rich Homiez) for their third single of the year, ‘No Reason.’ Delivered through a bed of seriously infectious ‘trap-hop’ beats, ‘No Reason’ is about living in the moment and going through the motions.

DUUO explains their inspiration for the single: “One day we were in the studio recording ’til 9am with our mentor… Next, we were spending $100,000 in cash at the jewelry store. So lately, our motto has been “one life to live.” Do what makes you happy for “No Reason.”

Well, here’s your chance to check out ‘No Reason’ below…

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Song of the Day: Flossed Up – MC Salum x Nova

Continuing his run of exceptional collaborations, MC Salum’s latest single ‘Flossed Up’ features Nova, the winner of Scottish Album of the Year in 2020, and DJ Mag’s Best of British ‘Breakthrough MC’ award. 2022 has seen MC Salum on a roll of versatile singles after his debut album ‘Crocodile DD’ in December, including Bambooz Me feat. Nayme and We Talkin’ feat. Jazz.

Flossed Up uses an edgy, experimental beat from producer Jack Dean, showcasing the two rapper’s ability to work with any rhythm, showing off their versatile nature.

Dundee born, MC Salum encapsulates all things that make a modern artist; MC, producer, rapper, collaborator, and visionary. His sound is laden with a variety of influences, the future of music which has learnt so much from the past. His infectious character draws people to him with each release, asserting a youthful presence in the Scottish scene. He collaborates closely with his good friends and his talent for scouting guest vocalists makes each track fresh and exciting. Together they have fused a sound of R&B with alternative hip hop, all under the umbrella of alternative pop.

Sitting amongst artists like Little Simz, Ghetts and ENNY, Nova won the award for Breakthrough MC/Vocalist in the DJ Mag Best of British Awards in December 2021.

Flirting with drill, rap and RnB sounds, Nova brings a high energy performance to every beat she steps on. Known for her feisty lyrics and stunning performances, she is a multi-award-winning rap artist and singer unafraid to challenge stereotypes as she experiments to create tracks with an independent sound.

Her hard rap debut album ‘Re-Up’ earned her the title of the youngest ever winner of the Scottish Album of the Year Award in 2020. Since then she has released the softer EP ‘WWND’ before turning her focus to writing and releasing singles.

Have a listen to ‘Flossed Up’ below…

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Song of the Day: Like That – Young Franco (ft.Pell & Jafunk)

There is a special energy created when a rapper and stellar producer have an undeniable synergy. Sydney/Eora based YOUNG FRANCO (pictured on the left) and US based rapper Pell are becoming an international duo that perfectly tap into and reflect the power of collaboration, now releasing their 4th collaborative effort ‘Like That’ alongside fellow Perth raised, Berlin producer Jafunk.

Sonically, Young Franco and Jafunk combine to create a track that reflects the golden era of club driven rap music, pioneered in Virginia by production greats including Pharrell, The Neptunes and Timbaland. Its bounce-ready percussion runs perfectly with quickly strummed guitars and a slapping bass line. On the top line front, Pell is in no rush to get his slick bars off, gliding over the beat with an elegance and class before riding it out with an infectious hook its final third.

Young Franco and Pell have a track record of creating successful musical outings. Their first outing, Juice spent 9 weeks at the #1 position on Spotify’s flagship indie playlist Front Left, BBC Radio 1 Spins from Annie Mac and Molly King, as well as featuring as Zane Lowe’s ‘Next Wave’ artist on Beats1. Then followed Fallin’ Apart alongside Denzel Curry, which featured as the soundtrack for an Apple Airpods campaign, which was viewed over 4 million times. It also sat at #1 on the US Shazam discovery Chart for 4 weeks and has seen over 5 million likes on TikTok and 700 million views.

Jafunk enters the equation with distinct swagger and energy. The Perth raised; Berlin based producer has become renowned in local circles for his funky & soulful take on traditional house music. His remix of Set Mo’s Chasing Forever has achieved over 5 million streams, with his follow up songs receiving millions on plays being hosted on tastemaker channels including Majestic Casual, The Sound You Need and Selected.

Young Franco’s past two years have been his biggest yet. He’s currently sitting on over 135 million streams across all singles to date, with over 1 million monthly listeners on Spotify. In that period of time he sound tracked the new-look Australian Football League, and has received global sync’s for brands including Apple, Starbucks, Topshop and Kia. Currently, he’s touring the United States and has locked in massive festival slots at Lollapalooza, Falls Festival, Spilt Milk & Lost Paradise.

Have a listen to this bad-boy tune below…

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