Tag: indie music

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: Lil 5i5 – Cassie Marin

Los Angeles-based vocalist, producer and multi-instrumentalist CASSIE MARIN‘s single, ‘Lil 5i5’ is the final release from her much-anticipated album, also titled ‘Lil 5i5’, out from last Friday (12th August.)

‘Lil 5i5,’ was the first song Cassie wrote for the project and the one that would inspire the trajectory of the rest of the album. The song is a perfect encapsulation of the album, showcasing Cassie’s trademark saccharine vocals and infectious, glittery synth-pop production.

Cassie elaborates on the title track: “While writing ‘Lil 5i5’ I got to this place where I was more forgiving of my inherited and learned limiting beliefs. I was no longer beating myself up about them and I decided to have fun shedding all of this stuff that did not belong with my identity and values. I allowed myself to just let go and be honest, but also not take myself too seriously and have fun. I hope the listeners are able to feel that for themselves when they hear it.”

Constantly exploring new musical and visual dimensions, Cassie Marin has emerged as an avant-garde luminary in the left-of-center pop space. Her upcoming album, Lil 5i5, which will be out on August 12th, is a dynamic 19-track album that shows off Cassie ever-evolving musicality. Pairing the rhythms of dance music with emotive melodies and meaningful lyricism, Lil 5i5 sees Cassie at her strongest and most vulnerable yet. “I started pursuing music as a career because of what music did and still does for me; it saves me every day,” she says. “I want my music to be there for anyone and everyone who needs it the way that music was there for me.”

Have a listen to Cassie’s single below…

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BeKreative Returns With New Track, ‘Pan Mi (On Me)’

BEKREATIVE continues his run of releases with summer ready joint ‘Pan Mi (On Me)’.

The American artist/producer promises to dish out a string of singles throughout the year, covering an assortment of genres – anything from rock, pop fusions and country music.

He certainly didn’t disappoint with his latest release as he produces a tropical fusion of reggae and Afrobeats, which evoke the feeling of disappearing on a holiday to one of the caribbean islands.

Keep your eyes peeled on this guy as he has a lot more coming your way…but for now, have a listen to ‘Pan Mi (On Me)’

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Song of the Day: Queen St – Jayd Ink

Toronto based, accomplished R&B songstress JAYD INK makes a welcome return with her smooth, meditative and self-reflective new single ‘Queen St’. Marking her first release since 2021’s ‘Way to Long’ with Snowk and following on from the huge success of ‘LowKey’ with fellow artist Full Crate, Jayd links up now with none other than SZA’s ‘Good Days’ producer Los Hendrix, to deliver a sentimental track enveloped in class, oozing with flair and dripping in complete and utter finesse.

Demonstrating yet again that she is an exciting contender in the realms of R&B royalty, ‘Queen St’ is quietly confident, intuitive and gorgeously understated. Reminiscent of the unmistakable sounds from the classic 90’s R&B era, Jayd manages to capture the essence of the greats all whilst weaving her own unique threads into the rich, vibrant tapestry of her music.

With more to it than initially meets the eye ‘Queen St’ was penned during the pandemic and became an outlet for Jayd to contemplate her internal, introspective narrative. The single found its name later on in the writing process and if you’re familiar with Toronto you may be well attuned to the place in which it pertains to, as Jayd explains:

“To clear my head, I like to go for a ride, play some music or just drive in silence. This record is about sitting with yourself and going for that late drive to unwind from the day. Queen Street is a popular street in Toronto, it’s where the majority of people do most of their shopping and hang out. During lockdown, it was deserted, so it was a perfect drive and I’d never seen it so empty. Whilst I was going for these rides I found myself exploring my city with fresh eyes, connecting with it in new ways and just learning to appreciate the memories that I’d had here and this particular street struck a chord and really stood out to me, like never before.”

With this newest offering it’s crystal clear that Jayd Ink has nothing to prove, carrying herself with the well earned knowledge that she has carved out her own exclusive path in the industry, in which she continues to bloom, flourish and grow at a pace defined by her. Prepare for a Summer of splendour as Jayd gets set to reveal her upcoming EP ‘Catching Red Lights’.

Check out the official video for Jayd Ink’s video below…

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