Tag: London

MJ Cole Comes Through With Twitch Stream Conceived Garage Single, ‘You Got Me’.

MJ COLE delivers a welcome slice of atmospheric 2-step magic called ‘You Got Me’ via 892 Recordings. Originally conceived live on his Twitch stream, this expertly crafted offering paints a luscious sound-world packed with energy, good vibrations, and warm hearts. Following the 2020 release of his third studio album MJ Cole presents Madrugada via Decca Records, this double drop of summery garage delights sets the tone one what is to come from the producer later this year.

With humble beginnings spending much of his childhood at the piano, practising concertos and eventually winning a scholarship to City of London School while also attending the Royal College of Music junior department, it’s undeniable that MJ Cole is one of the most unique and consistent producers in the game. Best known for his groundbreaking electronic productions, 2020 saw the release of MJ Cole’s third studio album MJ Cole presents Madrugada via Decca Records that marked a personal interlude drawing from his classical roots and into a new world of piano based ambience that was heralded by Mixmag, DJ Mag, Q, The i, i-D, Boiler Room 4:3, Hunger, Red Bull, Dummy Mag, Complex, Annie Mac, Giles Peterson, Phil Taggart, Pete Tong and more. In 2021, he had features and production credits on Rudimental’s “Remember Their Names” and Kurupt FM ft. Craig David “Summertime.

2019 saw MJ Cole claim co-writing and co-producing credits on Stormzy’s Heavy Is The Head album single ‘Crown’ and unveil the incredible Waking Up EP alongside the huge Observer tipped title track ‘Waking Up feat. Freya Ridings’. Since its release, the single garnered over 1000+ plays across national radio including Annie Mac on BBC Radio 1, a Shazam chart topping sync to the UK’s most popular reality TV program, Love Island alongside support from Mixmag, CLASH, TRENCH, DUMMY and more.

A year prior, 2018 saw the producer solidify his reputation for and unique ability to write emotive and club ready music with the Foundations EP whilst also collaborating with some of the UKs biggest breakout stars (Bruno Major, AJ Tracey, Avelino) to write songs – namely his incredible collaboration with Kojey Radical ‘Soak It Up’ set media alight, with support from tastemaker heavyweights Pitchfork, Highsnobiety, i-D, The FADER, NOWNESS, FACT and MTV.

With further accolades including chart topping singles ‘Sincere’ and ‘Crazy Love’, MOBO Awards, nominations for Mercury Music Prize and Ivor Novello awards, previous releases on Disclosure’s Method White label, having written and produced for Mary J Blige and collaborated with the Godfather of grime Wiley, the recent words of the iPAPER calling MJ Cole a ‘bona fide super producer’ have never run truer.

Have a listen to ‘You Got Me’ below…

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Bliss Williams Shares Disco-Infused Single, ‘A Thousand Times Before.’

London artist BLISS WILLIAMS‘ new single, ‘A Thousand Times Before’, sees him reflecting on growing up in a small town and not quite knowing whether to miss it or not. Propelled by drums from Ben Gordelier of the Paul Weller band, this is a wistful disco-infused number that’s perfect for those summer days ahead.

‘A Thousand Times Before’ follows Bliss’ previous releases ‘Tearaway’ and ‘Make Time For Mourning’, which were championed by John Kennedy on Radio X and Gary Crowley at BBC Radio London respectively.

‘A Thousand Times Before’ was released last Friday (10th June) on Paul Weller bassist Andy Crofts’ label, Colorama Records.

Have a listen below…

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Song of the Day: Winters Coming – B Live x Harry Shotta

If you were to grab a dictionary and look up the word “diverse” — B LIVE’s catalogue would likely be cited as a reference point. Spawning from the crackling, warped 140 BPM worlds of UK garage, bassline, grime as well as the plasticine, sharp-edged dystopia that is dubstep, drum-n-bass and electronic music; you’d be hard-pressed to find a rhymer more travelled than unsung UK legend, B Live. Continuing the wordsmith’s recent prolific run, B Live is back with his street-level scorcher ‘Winters Coming’.

For the song — produced by Crissy Criss — the North London verbalist taps Kent spitter Harry Shotta, as the pair cobble together an icy, grit-marinated banger purpose-built in a factory next to where they make reload buttons. Throughout, both rhymers pull from the deepest recesses of their psyche to imbue the track with pensive reflection. On the track, both rappers talk greaze, bigging up their accomplishments, whilst casting their minds back to their come up in a cohesive manner — no easy feat.

‘Winters Coming’ follows B Live’s party-ready Jme and Becky Hill collaboration ‘Don’t Know About You’, from December of last year, as well as last month’s wavy, patios-injected Durrty Goodz collab ‘Foundation’.

Raised north of the River Thames, B Live steadily rose through the ranks during the UKG boom in the 2000s, carving his name into mythology. Discovered by DJ EZ, the disc jockey featured B Live on his legendary KISS radio show, exposing his talent to many. During his tenure in the rap universe, B Live has collabed with everyone from rap titans such as Wiley, Jme and Jammer, down to dancehall royalty Elephant Man.

Back in 2019. B Live was featured on Skepta’s single ‘Love Me Not’ alongside Cheb Rabi from his ‘Ignorance is Bliss’ LP. To up the ante, the spitter also received numerous of the coveted UKG Sidewinder awards for the best emcee.

Outside of the booth, B Live spends his time rocking crowds across the nation. Regardless of whether it’s a kaleidoscopic DnB rave, on the television or a festival stage — it’s guaranteed B Live will raise the roof. It’s not all strictly club tracks, though. If B Live was a member of the animal kingdom, he’d likely be a chameleon: regularly changing his exterior to fit his audible environment. ‘Winters Coming’ does exactly what it says on the tin, bringing forth cold flows stitched together by introspection and self-analysis. Check it out below…

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Sonz Of Thunder UK Return For Single, ‘Eagles Wings’

Reggae/Dancehall duo SONZ OF THUNDER UK (SOTUK) are back, offering more words of wisdom and encouragement, with new single ‘Eagles Wings.’

Dropping one tough classic reggae riddim, ‘Eagles Wings’ reminds us, although they were some hard and dark times during the Pandemic, if we put our trust in the Most High, we will always rise above obstacles – just like an eagle gliding high above the mountains.

For over a decade, SOTUK – consisting of brothers Shane and Dean Brown – has been spreading the words of inspiration across the UK which earned them a steady following in the gospel and mainstream communities as well as receiving continuous support by the likes of Capital Xtra’s Ras Kwame, BBC London, Pluse88 Radio, The Beat 1036 plus many more.

The North-West Londoners also have built strong connections in Ghana, working alongside with Ghanaian producer Quansty K who produced their previous single, ‘House Party’, supported by Jeremiah Asiamah on BBC Radio One and BBC 1xtra.

Although it has been a quiet year for SOTUK, the guys scooped the best reggae act in the TMMP awards in 2021. Their first official release since the pandemic, ‘Eagles Wings’, marks a new and exciting chapter of great things to come from SOTUK.

Eagles Wings is slated for release on 27th May across various music platforms. Have a listen below…

Follow SOTUK via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/sonzofthunderukmusic
T: https://twitter.com/UkSonz
IG: https://www.instagram.com/sonzofthunderukmusic/

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Singer-Songwriter Stacey Pierre Shares Compelling Single, ‘Motion’.

After her interview with the blog back in October 2020, it’s a pleasure to welcome back London’s Alternative-soul singer-songwriter STACEY PIERRE who now takes us on a roller coaster of emotions with brand new single titled ‘Motion’. Oozing soothingly atmospheric soundscapes which intertwines with the young songstress’ alluringly soulful vocals, ‘Motions’ forms part of Stacey’s second solo EP, ‘Origin Unknown’ slated for release in July.

Written, arranged, recorded and mixed by Stacey, the four-track EP is set to take us through some of the ups and downs within her journey of faith. ‘Motion’ represents the value we place on other’s perceptions of us and how that value interacts with our self-worth.

Since the release of her debut self-written/produced EP ‘Eden’ back in 2018, which was met with raving reviews, Stacey is carving a name for herself in London’s music scene as a full-time musician, regularly performing at opulent venues, The Londoner Hotel, The Dorchester Hotel and The Ned. Stacey also graced her intensely compelling stage presence at various events across the capital including St. Felix Place, Gigi’s Bar, Café 1001 and East London’s 93 Feet East.

As she continues to flourish as a musician, Stacey has ventured out to experiment with various genres through collaborations with British-Congolese musician Jordan Mackampa on his EP ‘Come Around’, recorded his Live Abbey Road session. Stacey was also one of two backing vocalists to appear in Jordan’s music video, for single ‘Under’.

Stacey also has a burgeoning partnership with multi genre producer Obsidian Cane, producing UKG club fillers ‘Body Talk’ and ‘Secret Place’ which was also met with critical acclaim and were supported by UKG connoisseur DJ EZ on BBC1xtra. The pair is set to release more dancefloor staples later in the year.

Until then, Stacey presents her single, ‘Motion’ which showcases her undeniable skill to instantly draw in the prospective listener into her world.

‘Motion’ was released 4th June across various music platforms. Have a listen below…

Follow Stacey Pierre via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/SPierreMusic/
T: https://twitter.com/SPierreMusic
IG: https://www.instagram.com/spierremusic/

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