Toronto’s Bad Gyal Ebhoni Drops Banging Visuals For Track, ‘IYKYK’

Directed by BBY Chris, the visual for ‘IYKYK’ showcases EBHONI in rare form as the 21-year old singer/songwriter hailing from Toronto powerfully delivers a flurry of edgy, fashion-forward performance shots, commanding her audience and unapologetically baring her soul.

An abbreviation for “if you know, you know,” the single was first released on Ebhoni’s mixtape “Good Dick & Weed,” a refreshing departure from the current landscape of female R&B heavily influenced by Ebhoni’s Caribbean upbringing. On the track Ebhoni speaks directly to a night where gunfire punctured six bullet holes in the backseat window of her family’s car, and they had to temporarily relocate to her grandmother’s house, where she openly wondered: what if she had been sitting in that backseat?

Putting up walls for her own self-protection, she’s only now beginning to draw from the power that comes from her own vulnerability. ‘IYKYK’ takes viewers on a 3 minute and 12 second journey through Ebhoni’s world, boldly sharing her pain, her vulnerability and ultimately her gift.

Earlier this year, Ebhoni released her EP ‘X,’ to critical reception from press and rare groove enthusiasts. In addition to Pitchfork praising Ebhoni for “reclaiming the Toronto R&B crown for women.” HotNewHipHop wrote, “Ebhoni has been one artist to keep an eye out for in the 6ix,” it’s no wonder FLAUNT crowned her “Our favoUrite new R&B artist.” Tracks like “Rotation” only bolster the rep she’s built as one of R&B’s most magnetic young stars, and with the release of Good Dick & Weed, Ebhoni’s growing fandom will surely only continue to expand.

Here’s your chance to check out one fierce artist-on-a-serious rise; hit that play button below…

Song of the Day: Animal Farm – Jason Griff & Alaska

Lifted from their highly-anticipated collaboration album, ‘Human Zoo’, JASON GRIFF & ALASKA, slip through the first release from the set, Orwell-inspired single ‘Animal Farm’ feat. Love, Ulysses…and let me tell you, this track is a high-energy heat-seeking missile!

Released earlier this month (3rd September), ‘Human Zoo’ is a musical examination of the cages we put upon ourselves and one another. It shines a light on modern society and the performative existence that we all partake in via social media. The album features collabs with Love, Ulysses and Fatboi Sharif as well as additional vocal cameos from Premrock, Alex Ludovico, Curly Castro, Rob Sonic, Breeze Brewin, Defcee, Zilla Rocca and Open Mike Eagle.

Along with the album, ‘Animal Farm’ adds to the long list of collaboration from Jason Griff and Alaska. The duo worked on tracks, ‘Ode To Camp Lo’, ‘Midnight Express’ and ‘Adapt’ from Griff’s Fireside Chats compilation. They both felt an immediate chemistry in their art and quickly began collaborating on what has become Human Zoo. Griff is best known from his work with Alex Ludovico and the late Scorcese as owners of Insubordinate Records.

Check out ‘Animal Farm’ below…

Joeymvne Comes Through With A Heavy Track, ‘Plaistow’

Hailing from East London, JOEYMVNE delivers a soulful, fluid, and trance-like single, ‘Plaistow’ a poetic piece where he gives us a fly-on-the-wall view into his world in Plaistow over Jimmy Edgar’s instrumental.

‘Plaistow’ comes after the release of his single, ‘COD’, which was well received by fans and also had local radio stations. Why not check it out below…

Song of the Day: Roll Up – Mickey Factz x Blu x Nottz

West Coast indie Hip-Hop juggernaut BLU, Bronx rapper MICKEY FACTZ, and Grammy-nominated producer NOTTZ (of 9th Wonder’s Soul Council) have joined forces for EP, ‘The Narrative’, out now via SCHMTCS/Soulspazm.

‘Roll Up’, forms part of the six-track set, which finds Blu and Mickey trading bars about some of the turmoil the world has experienced in the past year and a half– not the least of which is the COVID-19 pandemic that continues to claim the lives of loved ones –over a haunting sonic backdrop laced by Nottz.

‘Roll Up’ is The Narrative EP’s third leak, following the singles ‘Stay Down’ and ‘Reign’. Check it out below…

Mixtape Review: Expat – Oloff

What I find so appeasing about Bristolian rapper OLOFF is that you can never guess his next move. His second project of the year, ‘Expat’ took me a bit by surprise as it contain pretty slick uses of samples, ranging from retro soul, right through rock/90s grunge plus samples that has a twang of 50s Hollywood Glamour – see, I told his guy was so delightfully unpredictable!

One thing that’s not predictable is his infamous askew delivery which at times ferociously pierces through some of the most delicate productions (listen to intro single ‘I Don’t Breathe’, ‘Obvious/Someone’s Missing/Luigi’s Mansion)

I appreciate that ‘Expat’ isn’t everyone’s cup of tea or a one size fits all type of mixtape, but it’s definitely worth a go just to hear the juxtaposition of his wayward delivery against the varied arrangements.

Must Listen: I Don’t Breathe, Lord’s Prayer, Luigi’s Mansion