Duñe x Crayon Shares ‘The One / Ten Years’ Live Session Video

Credit: Paul Perrault

The KCRW and COLORS-tipped Parisian producer duo, DUÑE x CRAYON, have recently unveiled their new live session video for single, ‘The One / Ten Years’, taken from their forthcoming debut album, ‘Hundred Fifty Roses’, out now via Roche.

‘The One / Ten Years’ live session further mines the duo’s penchant for downtempo electronica and tar-thick production techniques, segueing between soul, G-funk, and R&B. Hundred Fifty Roses – as an album – looks to tell the story of the over-connected and often over-stimulating world that we live in. Somewhat dystopian in its exploration, the album, which touches on the sounds of J Dilla, MF Doom and Kaytranada, paints the world of a man out of touch with himself.

Before working together, the pair of producers, who met in 2014 as Roche Musique signings, have forged out successful solo careers with Crayon – previously signed to Kitsuné where he cut his teeth alongside Yuksek – releasing two EPs to-date, securing praise at Pitchfork and more along the way. As well as creating his own music, the artist has racked up a string of production credits working with tipped names from the French electronic and R&B underground scene – Ichon, Blow and L’Or du Commun to name but a few.

Duñe, on the other hand, was championed from the off via Roche Musique, initially as part of the hip-hop duo, Saje, before releasing his own solo material. As well as working on production for the likes of Swing, Julien Granel, and Blow, Duñe has established himself as a prominent live artist on the label’s roster, performing across South Korea, China, Canada, and more.

Sit back, relax and press play on Duñe x Crayon’s ‘The One / Ten Years’ live session video. You can also catch the single via Spotify.

Makk Mikkael Overcomes ‘Fear’ With Inspiring New Single

It’s great to see MAKK MIKKAEL back on the blog with her first release of the year titled, ‘Fear’.

The Canadian singer/songwriter was previously featured with singles, ‘How It Feels’ and ‘Jungle’ – which ranked at number 7 on NEW LEASE MUSIC’s Top Ten singles of 2017 list.

While both tracks take on a downtempo urban-electro vibe, ‘Fear’ possesses pure electronic soundscapes with driving rhythms cruising throughout the production, giving it a feathery feel. ‘Fear’ represents a vulnerable chapter in Makk’s life where she was living by herself in an unsure time, feeling super liberated and nerve-wracked at the same time. Through this experience, the rising talent hopes to instill in others that it’s OK to not feel 100% all the time…and it’s perfectly fine to express how you’re feeling however scary it feels.

Produced by Alex Lustig, ‘Fear’ follows Makk Mikkael’s debut EP, ‘Nudes & Clouds’. Check it out below…

Song of the Day: Smells Like Sex – Sizzy Rocket

Following her debut appearance on the blog with sizzling punk-pop track, ‘That Bitch’, SIZZY ROCKET returns with something that no shirking violet can handle…

Inspired by the iconic Marcy Playground song ‘Sex and Candy,’ Sizzy’s latest track, ‘Smells Like Sex’, is a full-on ‘sex positive anthem’ with boastful electro-pop arrangements, topped off by  risqué wordplay that will leave you hot under the collar.

So if you can handle the heat in the kitchen, check out ‘Smells Like Sex’ below…

UK R&B Raising Talent Ricardo Williams Returns With ‘Raindrops’

After an amazing 2019, which witnessed Williams release his critically acclaimed debut EP and two sold out live headline shows (London & Birmingham), RICARDO WILLIAMS back with new single ‘Raindrops’.

Premiered on BBC1 Xtra, ‘Raindrops’ is the first of 2 new singles set for this summer. William’s latest release is a fun, sexy mid tempo R&B Jam, filled with tantalising vocals and clever wordplay. It wouldn’t be a Ricardo Williams song if it didn’t pay homage to an R&B classic and he sure does that with a nod to SWV’s ‘Rain.’

Check it out below…

Songs of the Day: Level Up – Dualeh Oke

DUALEH OKE‘s first release of 2020,‘Level Up’, extracts inspiration from hip-hop’s most dynamic and creative artists such as Lupe Fiasco and Kanye West to Kid Cudi and Chance the Rapper, where the East London lyricist pays homage to his idols

The track stamps down Dualeh’s message and energy going into 2020. Rapping with his heart on his sleeve, he speaks from a place of empowerment and optimism. Dualeh’s verses switch from describing the experiences of his past and how they have helped define the person he is today, such as growing up in Newham and his childhood obsessions, namely Final Fantasy and Naruto. He effortlessly returns to a catchy chorus, befitting of a track that actively inspires his listeners to take pride in their own journeys.

Having closed 2019 with a sold-out headline show at The Glove That Fits, Somali rapper Dualeh Oke continues to ride the highs. Grabbing the attention of publications such as Clash Magazine, Complex, and GUAP Mag, then later featuring on The Pit LDN’s ‘Ones To Watch 2020’ cypher on Reprezent Radio, 2020 promises to be a fruitful year for the young lyricist.

‘Level Up’ is the lead single from Dualeh’s  EP ‘Breath, It’s Oke.’ Check him out below…