Hailing from Manchester, singer/songwriter LEE LOMAS‘ track, ‘Paradise’, serves as a beacon of hope and spiritual awakening, is a testament to his ability to delve into the depths of the human experience and emerge with profound insights.
Embedded within the soul-stirring melody of ‘Paradise’ lies a poignant lyric that resonates deeply with listeners: “Let go of control and experience the freedom.” This line encapsulates the central theme of relinquishing one’s inhibitions and embracing the journey towards enlightenment.
Lee’s inspiration for ‘Paradise’ stemmed from a period of intense introspection and self-discovery. Venturing into the serene landscapes of Cornwall in his campervan, he found solace by the sea, engaging in activities like surfing to rejuvenate his spirit. It was during a tumultuous storm that the essence of ‘Paradise’ began to take shape. Struggling with his own mental anguish, Lomas channeled his emotions into music, crafting the song within a mere two-hour window.
‘Paradise’ is a lifeline for those grappling with the shadows of their own existence. It offers solace to individuals navigating physical or mental health struggles, instilling them with the belief that redemption and enlightenment are attainable. Moreover, the song beckons to anyone yearning to explore the realms of spirituality, inviting them to wade deeper into the waters of divine discovery.
Manchester rapper NEMZZZ unveils his much-anticipated debut mixtape ‘DO NOT DISTURB’. The 11-track tape is Nemzzz’s most expansive drop to date, an exploration of how the young artist is shaped by his upbringing and his fame. ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ is available in physical format on CD & cassette in a first for the Mancunion.
Marrying bars laced with Nemzzz’s wicked sense of humour, earworm hooks and a raw soulful-drill production – ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ is set to cement Nemzzz’s status as the new titan of UK Rap. Opening with late night confession ‘REFLECTION’, Nemzzz raps with real bite about the pitfalls of social media activism. New single ‘ETA’ sees Nemzzz unite with German rap heavyweight Luciano, trading bars over a siren-like beat. The new cut arrives with a video shot by DonProd in Frankfurt whilst Nemzzz was in town to appear at Luciano’s stadium show.
Recent single ‘PTSD’ (which is currently the blog’s Song of the Month) splices a haunting vocal flip with a laid-back production from frequent collaborator Zel, as Nemzzz turns teacher once more – speaking on how he uses his music as catharsis to process his feelings. The cut landed last month to a co-sign from Central Cee. The shimmering, jazz inflected ‘L’S’ arrived in January to acclaim from the likes of The Observer, Fader, CRACK, NME spins across BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra and more.
Atmospheric, intense cut ‘DOOM’ gives way to the relaxed groove of playful love song ‘STAR SIGN’. On ‘NEED YOU’, Nemzzz rides out the ups and downs of a toxic relationship. ‘REASSURANCE’ melds ghostly vocal samples with a stripped back production as Nemzzz reassures his girl he’d drop her off for her ‘nails, hair, lash appointment too’. Nemzzz picks up the pace on ‘VENICE’ featuring rising rapper JayG. Title track ‘DND’ details how the run-up to the project was filled with hostile haters and the need to cut off day one friends. Rounding out the tape is ‘MONEY AND VIBES’, which sees Nemzzz bring a UK flavour to a flip of Justin Timberlake’s ‘Rock Your Body’. The single topped the A list at 1Xtra on release last year and continues to rack up over +1M streams a week. Nemzzz is one of the most exciting breakout rap talents of recent years. An old head on young shoulders, Nemzzz is relatable in a different way than a lot of his rap peers; driven less by punchlines about Birkin bags and more by the challenge of helping his young fans navigate their way through growing pains. The rapper is shaped by his tough upbringing in Gorton, using his music to reflect on his experiences including heartbreak, fake friends, financial literacy, finding your own path, and managing mental health amid social media addiction.
The DO NOT DISTURB tape follows a massive 2023 for the young star with a consistent slate of releases including his debut EP NEMZZZ TYPE BEAT (which was pulled together in just 17 days in a flex of his innate talents) alongside a string of singles including ‘Therapy’ (Spotify Rap UK Cover) and ‘8AM IN MANNY’ which landed to props from some of the biggest rappers in the world – Drake and Lil Yachty. Last year saw Nemzzz deliver his first sold-out headline tour alongside performances at festivals including Glastonbury, Ibiza Rocks and more.
Nemzzz will be heading out on his second headline tour this Spring with dates across the UK and Ireland. He will be kicking off in Dublin on 30th April and culminating in a homecoming show on 7th May in Manchester. With three dates already sold out – the tour is set to be another huge smash for the young star.
Since bursting onto the scene at the tender age of 14, Nemzzz has relentlessly chipped away at his craft – building steady buzz amongst the industry, media and fans alike. With over 180M combined streams in 2023, 9 Million TikTok views, tips including BBC Radio 1xtra’s Hot For 2023, Amazon Music x Hunger Magazine Ones To Watch, No Signal Class of ’23, Best Newcomer Nominee MOBO Awards 2022, plaudits from Pitchfork, The Face, DAZED, The Guardian, HYPEBEAST, CLASH, Complex UK and NME – Nemzzz is making serious moves.
Born in Zimbabwe and raised in Leeds, LEI HOPE is the project of Manchester based musician Hope Chiguvo. He recently announced his new EP ‘Matrices’ which will be released 10th May via Heist or Hit and shares the project’s second single and opener ’21’.
On his ambitious new 7 track EP ‘Matrices’, Hope’s textured, wide-ranging songs skip between sacred melodies and secular sentiment, all wrapped in a sound that jitters somewhere between the deluxe-digital-age psychedelics of indie and R&B.
Latest single and EP opener ’21’ at once feels familiar, nostalgic, yet distinctly singular. Written as a reminder to himself of his own growth as a person and artist, the song’s woozy, soulful ascending guitar chords and jazzy instrumental inflections provide a warming base for Lei’s musings on personal progression.
Speaking more on the release of new single ’21’, Lei Hope said: “The title of the EP ‘Matrices’ came around as the plural of ‘matrix’. It’s a bit of a nerdy explanation but in Maths, a matrix is used to communicate transformation, movement, or change (similar to coordinates). Throughout the making of this project, I underwent multiple layers of change. I like starting projects with an update on my state of mind – and on ’21’ I was looking back at times when my mental health was a lot worse and appreciating the growth I’ve made in terms of overcoming a lot of struggles. This was the first song Will Levison and I co-produced in December 2022, and it features vocals from Manchester R&B singer Mxzvita.”
Having already impressed with his self-released debut EP ‘Autonomous Affection’ and on the live stage – with buzzy showcases at Beyond The Music and Manchester Psych Fest, Lei Hope’s music arrives at a fascinating intersection between indie-pop, psychedelia, bedroom-pop, R&B and soul.
The hallmarks of his sound – layered vocal harmonies, vibrant synthesisers and smouldering hooks are all there, dappled in sunshine and in full plain sight. A guitarist first and foremost by his own admission, Lei’s musical genesis was in the church. “Whilst I was living with my family in Leeds, we would go to church maybe two or three times a week. It was non-denominational, but I guess you could say it was most similar to a Pentecostal service, with live musicians every service.” he states.
Following a period of father-son osmosis whereby he soaked up every chord shape his dad could show him, the church musicians rallied to fill in the gaps. “Once I got better at guitar, I joined the church band and was playing live every week. Now, my guitar is like my musical calculator and compass.”
And there is a navigational intelligence to the way in which he uses the various shorelines of genre as jumping off points for his own compositions. From making beats at home around the age of 15, Lei discovered and immersed himself in the material of Omar Apollo, Clairo, Yeek, Blood Orange and Spencer.
However, it wasn’t until the enforced cocoon of the pandemic that Lei began the process of recording. Isolation proved to be a creative chrysalis from which he emerged fully formed: “I didn’t know anyone in the industry or any musicians in Manchester but I knew that Steve Lacy had recorded his first EP on his phone. I took inspiration from that. Quickly, I wrote, produced, recorded and engineered my first project and people reacted.”
Lei Hope is a man making whatever music that comes into his head with the power to dismantle and reassemble genres. A pallet cleansing, no filter aesthetic; not just indie for the sake of it, but affectingly human. When you factor in that he’s capable of wringing soulfulness out of any bar of music seemingly at will, it sets him apart as one of the most exciting prospects on the Manchester indie scene.
Lei Hope’s new EP ‘Matrices’ will be released on 10th May via Heist or Hit. Why not watch the visualiser for ’21’ below…
Introducing Manchester-based UK R&B singer, songwriter, and musician NELLIE CHARLES with her first single of the year titled ‘BOSS’. Serving as the lead single to her upcoming debut EP that arrives this summer, ‘Boss’ emerges as a vibrant declaration of self-assurance and empowerment, encapsulated within the rich textures of modern R&B. Crafted from a tapestry of personal triumphs and trials, ‘Boss’ is a sonic exploration of self-worth and the intricate dance of modern relationships. The song’s genesis was a deeply introspective process for Nellie, who aimed to fuse the soulful echoes of classic R&B with a fresh, modern twist. Throughout its creation, from melody conception to the final production stages, Nellie has meticulously sculpted ‘Boss’ to embody empowerment, weaving smooth rhythms with harmonious backing vocals to underscore its message of confidence and assertiveness.
At its core, ‘Boss’ is a bold narrative of claiming one’s space within the dynamics of love and respect, driven by Nellie’s relatable songwriting, her amazing voice, and her infectious R&B slow jams vibe. Drawing inspiration from her personal journey of self-discovery and the quest for mutual recognition in a relationship, Nellie wants to articulate a potent message with ‘Boss’: knowing your value and demanding the respect you deserve. The lyrics, rich with imagery of assertiveness and luxury, mirror Nellie’s conviction in the importance of self-worth and the courage to stand as an equal partner. “Boss” is more than a song; it is Nellie’s heartfelt ode to empowerment, inspired by the likes of Jorja Smith and Summer Walker, and crafted to resonate with anyone who has ever felt overlooked or undervalued.
Beyond its compelling sonic landscape, and its message of empowerment that echoes Nellie’s desire to inspire listeners to embrace their inner strength across all facets of life, ‘Boss’ also comes with an upcoming captivating music video that brings the track further to life. Directed by BlueBoredom, who has also worked with the likes of Digga D, French The Kid, and JBEE, the music video paints a vivid picture of Nellie’s confidence and her message of self-respect amidst the complexities of love and power dynamics. The visuals aim not only to entertain but also to empower, offering a timeless reminder of the unyielding power of knowing and asserting one’s worth in every relationship and endeavour.
Speaking about the inspiration behind ‘Boss’ and how the song came together, Nellie says, “As an artist, ‘Boss’ is more than just a song to me – it’s a statement. It embodies my journey of self-discovery and self-respect. This song came from a place of realizing that in any relationship, my voice matters. It’s a celebration of knowing your value and not being afraid to demand the respect you deserve. ‘Boss’ was born out of a moment where I felt the need to express my strength, not just as a woman, but as a person who understands her worth. It’s a reminder to myself and to others that in love and life, we are our own bosses. The process of creating ‘Boss’ was deeply personal and liberating. It’s a blend of my experiences, dreams, and the musical influences that have shaped me as an artist.”
The new titan of UK Rap NEMZZZ drops ‘PTSD’ yesterday ( 22nd February), the next taste of his forthcoming debut mixtape DO NOT DISTURB arriving on 15th March 2024.
The raw new single splices a haunting vocal flip with a laid-back production from frequent collaborator Zel, as Nemzzz turns teacher once more – speaking on how he uses his music as catharsis to process his feelings. The accompanying video was shot entirely on 16mm film by DonProd and features a series of lo-fi shots of Nemzzz in Manchester in his most textured visual to date. Building on the song’s theme of coping with anxiety and finding your own path, the visual splices footage of Nemzzz alone at home with shots of him surrounded by friends.
Laid over 11 tracks, DO NOT DISTURB is set to be Nemzzz’s most expansive drop to date, an exploration of how the young artist is shaped by his upbringing and his fame. ‘PTSD’ will be joined on the tape by recent drop ‘L’S’(recently named Song of the Day on the blog). The shimmering, jazz inflected single arrived last month to acclaim from the likes of The Observer, Fader, CRACK, NME spins across BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra and more. Last year’s massive single ‘MONEY & VIBES’ will also appear on the tape, the cut topped the A list at 1Xtra and racked up over +1 million streams a week. DO NOT DISTURB will be available in physical format on CD & cassette in a first for the Mancunion.
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