Tag: London

Äyanna brings on the holiday season with ‘Christmas All Year’

East London singer and songwriter ÄYANNA rings in the holiday season with her incredible Christmas single ‘Christmas All Year’. Inspired by R&B legends like Mariah Carey and Destiny’s Child’s Christmas offerings, this festive bop showcases Äyanna’s inimitable vocal range and pop girlie sensibilities with a sprinkling of Christmas cheer. The single arrives last Friday (8th December) with a sparkling, festive video directed by Jodeci Zimmerman of Äyanna in a glistening winter wonderland.

Speaking on the single, she shares: “Christmas All Year is a fun and feel-good song that is perfect for anyone who wants to feel loved up, and like the main present at Christmas time. It felt like second nature to talk about being the center of attention at Christmas because this is how I’ve always felt every year, being the only daughter in my family. I especially love the idea of extending that dynamic into a romantic relationship.

What I love about the song is that it feels old school and new school at the same time. I enjoyed paying homage to Rnb legends like Destiny’s Child and Mariah Carey, who made christmas classics, whilst adding my own personal touch.”

This track follows her ground-breaking debut In ‘A Perfect World’ EP released earlier this year via LVRN. The striking body of work arrived amidst of a slew of early co-signs for the young artist from celebrated artists such Stormzy, Summer Walker, SPINALL to name a few. The towering body of work centered around her signature mosaic of pop, infused with R&B, soul and beyond quickly earned her large acclaim and established her own uncharted lane in music with support from Complex, The Independent, Crack, The Line of Best Fit, Teen Vogue, +44 Amazon, Spotify RADAR UK and more.

Äyanna first captured the attention of the internet and industry tastemakers, through her now viral home videos that showcased her vocal prowess. She now joins the ranks of celebrated LVRN artists such as 6LACK, Summer Walker, DVSN, Davido, SPINALL, Baby Tate and more. With the support of the groundbreaking label and collective, it’s undeniable that Äyanna will establish herself even further as a force in music and beyond.

Check out ‘Christmas All Year’ video…

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Afrobeats Connoisseur 705 returns with single, ‘High’

After claiming the blog’s Album of the Month title back in July for his project, ‘7:05’, upcoming Afrobeats connaisseur 705 returns to share single ‘High’ released last Friday, 1st December for your pleasure!

Continuing the smooth reverbs of the Motherland, hip-hop & R&B from his project ‘7:05’, ‘High’ makes the perfect company to kick back with some friends and escape the real world just for an evening…and I suspect it’ll make the great escapism piece for the upcoming chaotic festive period!

Born in Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria and raised in London, 705 is heavily influenced by great artists such as King sunny Ade, Fela kuti, Michael Jackson, Tupac and 50 Cent. Through these great legends, 705 has created a unique fusion of Afrobeats, R&B and Hip-Hop Music.

Have a listen to ‘High’ below…

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Song of the Day: Who – Scout

London-based singer, songwriter and producer SCOUT ushers in a compelling era of evolution as she announce her debut EP ‘Everything Will Make Sense’, out 1st March 2024 via Sweat Entertainment (Dolores Forever, kid apollo).

Scout shares some of the same ideals as its namesake – Scout from To Kill A Mockingbird – as well as reflecting on her own wrestlings with femininity, societal expectations and the power found in telling your own story.

Hamburg born, Sweden raised and now firmly London based having moved to the capital at the age of 17, Scout’s transcendent pop creations are cathartic and empowering in equal measure. Partly tracking her journey as a young woman finding her footing in this industry (having operated in a shoegaze band signed to Heavenly Records in her late teens), Scout is a project rooted in defiance and knowing your worth.

To mark the announcement of their debut EP, Scout is sharing the project’s rousing second single ‘Who’. Through tasteful electronics and rich alt-pop production, ‘Who’ relays feelings of frustration and confusion, dissecting power abuse in the music industry – ultimately written as a reminder to wholly respect and trust your own sense of self.

Speaking more on the inspiration behind new single ‘Who’, Scout said: “The song was born from accumulated feelings of violation and a breach of trust by figures of authority in my life and early career. When I picked myself back up, I felt pretty raw and desperate to gain back a sense of self worth. When you have no mental buffer it feels a bit like having an open wound but thinking that by letting people poke around in it, they could help me heal.

‘Who’ is me questioning some of these people and experiences, it’s a reminder to not give your power away and to find it in your truth and self expression: To honour and embrace yourself fully, but also remembering the toll it can take when you don’t.”

Listen to the inspiring single below…

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Nia Chennai adds to UK R&B resurgence with debut EP ‘Diary Is a Waste of Paper’

South London’s emerging R&B talent, NIA CHENNAI dives into her personal life and career journey with the release of her debut EP, ‘Diary Is a Waste of Paper, ‘ released on Tuesday, 28th November via various music platforms.

Ahead of the EP’s release, Nia treated fans to an additional single from the project with the release of ‘Tea Lady.’ The track resembles gossip among friends, inspired by typical British tradition of coming together over a cup of tea for a chat. Nia’s unique blend of influences, drawn from Erykah Badu’s ‘Bag Lady’ and Amy Winehouse’s candid storytelling in ‘F*** Me Pumps,’ infuses ‘Tea Lady’ with a distinctive charm.

The full EP takes goes on a metaphorical journey akin to a slumber party, where friends explore themes of love, commitment, and societal pressures, inviting Nia’s audience to engage in candid, relatable conversations.

‘Diary Is a Waste of Paper’ arrives after just a year of Nia entering the scene, showcasing her undeniable quality, growth and potential. Songs like ‘Since We Ain’t Together,’ boasting over 300,000 Spotify streams, and September’s ‘Wasting Time,’ which has already crossed 100,000 streams, have garnered praise from key industry publications and tastemakers, including GUAP, Wordplay, Oculate, and New Lease.

UK R&B’s prominence and recognition – or lack thereof — has been heavily debated in recent months. Nia Chennai’s impressive rise echoes the genre’s resurgence, as she confidently stands alongside emerging talents at the forefront, including artists like Natanya, Essosa, BINA, girl group Flo, and more. The genre is seeing a wave of new artists following in the footsteps of young and established ambassadors, on the path to veteran status, including the likes of Mahalia, Ella Mai, and Tiana Major9, among others.

Why not check out ‘Diary Is A Waste Of Paper’ below…an absolute must listen!

Must Listens: Since We Ain’t Together, Tea Lady, Wasting Time

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Eyeay drops a modern bounce to R&B in new EP, ‘Eyes of Desire: Vol 1’

Inspired by the late 90s and early 00s R&B era, East Londoner EYEAY [pronounced eye-ay] adds a modern bounce to this smooth new EP, capturing the current R&B wave from within the UK.

Leading the charge with the EP’s first single, ‘All In’. Produced by Larkin and expertly engineered by Maniac, the track provides a perfect representation of Eyeay’s cinematic feel to the project. The track effortlessly blends nostalgic R&B vibes with a contemporary edge. The dynamic soundscape of the five-track EP is further expanded with the inclusion of the Snizzy-featured ‘Handle It’ and ‘Tequila Rose,’ a captivating Trap-Soul record which underscores Eyeay’s exceptional attributes in crafting melodies and engaging storytelling which is displayed throughout the EP.

Eyeay certainly delivers on his mission—to evoke “feels” in every listener. ‘Eyes of Desire: Vol 1’ is poised to make a memorable mark in R&B, firmly establishing Eyeay as a rising star in the UK’s music scene.

Check out ‘Eyes of Desire: Vol 1’ below…

Must Listens: All In, Free Your Mind

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