London-based artist ASHLEIGH BANKX is the latest singer to emerge from the UK’s resurgent soul/R&B scene, and she’s making a huge statement with debut single ‘Angel’, an impassioned love song that arrives with accompanying Lutch Media-directed visuals to set the mood.
Inspired by the likes of Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, Nina Simone and Rihanna, as well as music from her Zimbabwean roots, Ashleigh brings a much-revered throwback neo-soul sound of yesteryear, with a unique, modern twist. ‘Angel’ begins with an empowering voiceover sample from Nina Simone that leads perfectly into the rest of the song. Ashleigh says: “‘Angel’ is about self-liberation, understanding and valuing yourself through past experiences with relationships and society. The song is about black love and centres around the concept of self-love, self-confidence, self-pride and the unity of and journey between two lovers. I want the listener to determine what mood and emotion they feel when they listen to the song.”
‘Angel’ set the tone for her work-in-progress EP…be sure to look out for that…but for now check out the official music video for the single below…
Rapper ISAAC B bounces in 2021 with remixes from his 2020 debut EP, ‘Chances Ocean’.
First to get the remix treatment is, ‘Lean’, which describes the buoyant feeling of unapologetically enjoying the new-found respect from others. Originally an minimalist alt-hip-hop piece, ‘Lean’ receives a slick R&B-esque/hip-hop makeover from London’s lo-fi, hip-hop and house music producer Temple, who has worked with the likes of UK rap legend Tommy Evans.
The remix was brought to life after the unlikely pair met through a beat battle via And What? LDN. After multiple encounters, Isaac B & Temple drop this upbeat take on Lean and prepare to release an EP together later this year.
Twice-nominated Urban Music Award contender, BENNY BIZZIE teams up with producer L4tch (Giggs, Shakka, Ghetts) for his latest ‘All the Same’, a unique synergy of R&B, Trap, and Soul elements with a hard-hitting b-line and vocal effects to stimulate our senses.
‘All the Same’ is an expression of conversations yet to be had, kept bottled in till it’s too late. There’s always a tipping point in these situations and this R&B smooth crooner has certainly reached his and is asking all the questions and making all the assumptions in this late-night banger.
‘All the Same’ is now available on all music providers…check it out below…
Amy Steele is a London based futuristic soul singer who at 24, has already developed into a talented singer/songwriter. For the last five years, Amy has pursued music in tandem with studying for a degree in medicine. Having recently completed her degree, now being Dr Steele, she has fully set her sights on her music. Amy has been working with a wealth of international producers, from Alex Wells (Declan McKenna, Paloma Faith), Draper (Lapsley, All Saints) and Babel to create a record that reflects her artistry and who she is musically.
Amy has just released the next in a series of covers she has been working on during lockdown. Throughout lockdown Amy has chosen records that move her, and which she feels hold important messages for us this year. Her latest choice is the beautiful ‘Slow Up’ originally by the seminal London Soul singer Jacob Banks. Amy wanted to honor the original, whilst reiterating the powerful message of the song to her growing fan base.
Amy says ‘Slow Up’ is a track to remind us to stay positive and not to let the perception of the world change us or harden us with its prejudice. We’ve had a difficult year of social injustice and seen the way the world can corrupt innocence, but ‘Slow Up’ is a reminder to stay strong and true to who we are. Amy makes ‘Slow Up’ her own, offering a beautifully mournful and emotional interpretation of the well-known classic from Jacob Banks.
The rising UK talent of Amy Steele has been in the studio completing her upcoming EP due for release in 2021. Her first single ‘Bury You Deep’ saw her quickly amass over a million views on You Tube once the stunning young soulful singer handed out the stems to some keen dance producers to remix, including Catch 44 aka Ras Kwame of Capital Xtra who did a banging garage remix. Amy’s second single release ‘The Wolves’ exceeded the first and clocked up over two million listens and counting with features and plays across UKF and BBC Radio 1. Her most recent track ‘Graces’ was performed live on BBC Radio London and amassed over two million views on Spotify across all the remixes.
In 2019 she released singles from her upcoming project, including: ‘Long Way Home’, ‘Graces’ and ‘Saltwater’, that each received tremendous support from BBC Radio, Kiss FM, Rinse and tastemakers Clash Magazine, The Voice, This Is RnB and UKF. Through these records, teased from the upcoming EP, ‘Memories In Watercolour’, Amy showcases her sultry vocals and distinctive tone that has marked her out as a name to watch out for this year.
BOY NASH, one of London’s greatest Hip-Hop MCee’s, has dropped his long-anticipated single ‘Love & Frequencies’. Among the obscure hip-hop/EDM-ish fusion, Nash hopes his die-hard fans grasp the meaning behind the latest offering.
His previously released single, ‘4 singles’ clocked up a massive 20,000 views in under two weeks, attracting attention not only from his hometown but from Chicago, to Los Angeles and New York.
Comparative to some of the rap scenes greats, from Nas to J Cole, Nash has graced the stage with Hip Hop heavyweight Jay Electronica, as well as opening for Teedra Moses, and performing at the Jazz Cafe as well as being noticed by Wretch 32.
Check out Nash’s single, ‘Love & Frequencies’ below…
London-based artist ASHLEIGH BANKX is the latest singer to emerge from the UK’s resurgent soul/R&B scene, and she’s making a huge statement with debut single ‘Angel’, an impassioned love song that arrives with accompanying Lutch Media-directed visuals to set the mood.
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