VALENCIA JAMES edgy debut, ‘Flames’ stems from when her family home was burnt down in the infamous Waldo Canyon fire in Colorado Springs.
“The song also represents how easily a relationship can be destroyed through words and actions” reveals Valencia, “anyone that has ever had relationship difficulties or been hurt because of words or actions can probably relate to this song”.
‘Flames’ is now available on all streaming/download sites. Check it out below:
French-born London/based producer, multi-instrumentalist and session player JO COCCO released his first solo project via his new production company Joozzy Records, following international success after having collaborated and toured with renowned acts including Aloe Blacc and Gentleman (on Imperfection), Max Romeo, Sly and Robbie, Sara Lugo.
Wanting to face new challenges, JO COCCO relocated to the UK in 2017 where he recently produced The Wise Bloods latest single Turn The Tide (featured on radio BBC4).
As a well-established Reggae and Blues producer as well as guitarist, Jo’s expansion to Hip Hop was just a matter of time and a long term goal of his. He wrote, composed and produced an extremely catchy summer vibes track ‘Let It Go’, mixing Blues with Hip-Hop, influenced by the 70s/80s and guitar sounds reminiscent of BB King.
The song has come a long way since Jo started recording the beat in 2016/2017 in France. It was only in London that he finally found the voices he was looking for. Supporting the local Hip- Hop scene, Jo enlisted three emerging London rap talents: Ham The Illustrator, a Namibian-born rapper, activist and creative who also designed the cover art to ‘Let It Go’; MC Solomon who is a regular performer in the UK live scene and Hughdem, who forms part of the well-established Brixton Hip Hop collective AndWhat (featured on IAmHipHop).
Together they finessed ‘Let It Go’. Check out the video for the track below:
Straight out of North Carolina, MARK STEELE drops his latest motivational anthem for the underdogs entitled ‘Chip’. The single arrives on the heels of veteran emcee’s three-track ‘ALL’ EP.
Bred into the culture since the age of 15, Mark has collaborated with some of hip hop’s top names, including his mentor and former college professor 9th Wonder, Rapsody, Raheem Devaughn, Big Pooh (of Little Brother) and YMCMB artist Cory Gunz.
Check out Mark’s single below:
Championed by Elton John, EARMILK, ELLE, PopCrush, OkayAfrica and Buzzfeed, AMERY comes blazing onto today’s hotspot with 80s-inspired pop single, ‘Never Growing Older’.
Born in Rwanda, the young musician was raised for many years by his grandmother, surrounded by women in a very strict and religious environment where pop culture was seen as an enemy of traditional values. “My grandma would tell me to not act like ‘those crazy guys on TV’”, AMERY remembers.
Following his arrival in Belgium at 12, the singer discovered different cultures and communities, and found more ways to express himself. After feeling like an outsider for most of his life, in a black community where men are expected to act tough, he decided it was time for him to learn to accept his singularity and embrace his feminine side.
With ‘Never Growing Older’, AMERY aims to finally get this off his chest. Produced and arranged by James Lowland, the track is a conversation with himself, debating with his thoughts, his fears and all the society rules that can hypnotize and restrain.
The 22-year-old further explains: “This song is about me taking back control after battling with myself, and my fears, for so long. I wrote it while having a rough time trying to figure out who I am, burying and changing some parts of me. I came to the conclusion that I could never change who I am. All the things I have been through, the struggles and the achievements, make me who I am today.”
‘Never Growing Older’ is now available on all streaming platforms…have a listen below:
Following the release of her single, ‘Feelin’, Florida’s rising R&B singer BIANCA JADE continues to spread the message of self-love and empowerment to the fellow female race, through her second EP ‘Jade Vol.1’, released yesterday.
Comprising of just four tracks, ‘Jade Vol.1’ introduces a bed of soothingly idyllic soundscapes, met with an infectiously dominant b-line through ‘Used To This.’ This combo, topped off by Jade’s alluringly delicate vocals, continues throughout the set.
Concluding piece,’B.S.’, pleasantly interrupts the EP’s soothing theme, with angelic guitar plucks taking centre stage and gives some body to the track’s airy arrangement. Jade’s vocals, which remained constantly delicate throughout the EP, suddenly roars with passion, definitely one of the highlights of the collection.
Having creating major buzz in her hometown, Miami with debut EP, ‘B-Light’, the Cuban/Jamaican songbird decided to step up her music career by moving to New York City – and her latest offering has every possibility to repeat that success in the Big Apple.
It’s time to witness a star on the rise – check her out below:
Must Listens: All tracks – a first on NEW LEASE MUSIC.
New Lease Music 