Song of the Day: Menace – BXKS

Hailing from Northampton via Luton, BXKS is a sonic breath of fresh air in the UK rap scene. Her astonishingly quickfire bars and a slick, sharp assurance alongside genre bending and experimental beats full of dreamy samples are all heard through her single, ‘Menace’ produced by P-rallel.

Speaking on ‘Menace’ BXKS says: “Menace is a story about me. It’s about me being aware of my abilities and doing what needs to be done to accomplish my set goal – “please don’t play me”. It’s also a rhetorical question to the listeners :). The artwork (by cocoa juice) is based on “neon genesis” the anime.”

‘Menace’ forms part of BXKS’ debut mixtape ‘Full Time Daydreamer’ released on Friday, 11th June via Marathon Artists. Including previous singles ‘Packed In’ and ‘Work Like ft. KISH!’ which were widely supported by i-D, Target, Mary Anne Hobbs, Jamz Supernova and Rinse FM (playlisted twice), ‘Full Time Daydreamer’ is an eclectic eight-track “playful playlist” crafted mainly with producers TK and P-rallel, lyrically covering everything from rap brags to being broke, all with a bouncy, deft ease to her delivery, mirroring the fun escapist world BXKS wants the tape to represent.

Here’s your first taste to the mixtape; have a listen to ‘Menace’.

Ricardo Williams Comes Through With ‘He Ain’t Me – Radio’ (Remix)

Hailing from Birmingham, RICARDO WILLIAMS has a REAL treat for us this summer as he drops the remake of his 2018 single, ‘He Ain’t Me’, featuring Slick Rick. Originally a R&B/trap infused production, the single receives a New Jack Swing-esque treatment from Grammy award-wining producer Kyle West.

As well as working on original music over the last few years, Ricardo has done backing vocals for a number of high profile artists including Stormzy, Tweet, and on Emeli Sande’s latest album, quickly gaining the reputation as one of the strongest vocalists in the UK.

After coming to BBC 1xtra DJ Ace’s, attention in 2018 and signing to his newly formed independent record label ‘Recordbox’ with the release of ‘Come Over’, Jamaican-born Ricardo gained critical acclaim for the track which featured R&B royalty Teedra Moses. His year continued to see his profile rise seeing him support Faith Evans at O2 Indigo in London and he has since teamed up with some of R&B’s leading lights on both sides of the Atlantic.

Here’s your chance to hear the master-on-the-rise; have a listen to ‘He Ain’t Me – Radio’.

Song of the Day: Forgiveness – The High Breed

UK-based hip-hop collective THE HIGH BREED make their return to the scene with single “Forgiveness”, their first release of 2021. The track showcases the collective’s unique hip-hop style, effortlessly blending conscious, relatable lyricism with hypnotic, trap-infused production.

‘Forgiveness’ starts with an organ-inspired synth that instantly connects you to the song’s biblical theme, with the rolling drums and piercing hi-hats giving the song the punch it needs to deliver its weighty philosophical message.

Speaking more on the track, The High Breed say, “‘Forgiveness’ is an honest dialogue about what forgiveness truly means to the individual who has done wrong in a world full of self-denial. It is an expression and an acceptance of the ‘shadow self’, a vulnerable confession about the darker nature of our humanity and a poetic discourse on the morality of the human soul, highlighting the battle between virtue and temptation that no person throughout any age has ever been free from.”

Having gained traction with a string of releases last year, such as ‘Star Dwellers’ and ‘Meet the Gods’, and receiving support from BBC Introducing, the independent DIY collective are set to continue their momentum with single ‘Forgiveness’, now on all platforms.

Watch Neak’s Video For Track, ‘What Would 2Pac Say’

Conscious spitter NEAK, drops his brand new visual for track, ‘What Would 2Pac Say’. The emotionally-charged video highlights the possible thoughts of 2Pac of the world nearly 25 years after his passing. The visual imagery takes us on a ride through our current world and questions, “What really has changed?” It would be interesting to have this question answered from one of the greatest artists of all time; Tupac Shakur…

‘What Would 2Pac Say’ is taken from Neak’s latest album, ‘INNENSTADT’. Check out the official video for the single, directed and edited by APJFilms.

Song of the Day: Toi – Danyka

DANYKA presents her single ‘Toi’ onto today’s hotspot – a happy, lighthearted bop about young love that maintains chill R&B vibes.

The R&B/pop songstress/songwriter says of her smooth release: ‘I just wanted to have fun with the songwriting! Like in those beginning stages of a relationship, where being with this person feels so new and exciting you can’t get enough and want to know if they feel the same.

Danyka’s has an EP titled ‘Other Woman’ coming out soon. Until then, hit play on ‘Toi’…