Tag: mental health

Song of the Day: Benched – MaryAiAnne & Me

After release of their well-received single, ‘Checkmate’, which is currently #1 on CHBN Radio’s The Playlist chart, MARYAIANNE & ME make a quick return with single ‘Benched’ out now across various music platforms.

‘BENCHED’ may be a bright, summer-ready pop bop, but it explores the hidden pressures many young people face. It tells the story of a girl juggling the demands of school studies, a part-time job, and the expectations of being part of a sports team she loves. From the outside, she seems capable and driven, but the repeated feeling of being benched — not chosen, not good enough — slowly begins to take its toll.

At her lowest point, she reaches out to the one person she trusts most — her mother — and begins the first step toward getting help. While she is fortunate to have someone to turn to, the song also acknowledges that many people suffer in silence, isolated and unsure where to find support. Professional help does exist, but it often comes at a cost that many cannot afford.

‘BENCHED’ captures that fragile moment when pressure threatens stability — the tipping point where something has to give — shining a light on the importance of support, understanding, and speaking up before the struggle becomes invisible.

MaryAiAnne & Me is a burgeoning collaboration between upcoming artist Me and seasoned music pro John Hewlett – whose impressive CV stems back to the 60s, with collaborations with iconic acts including The Beatles, T. Rex and Sparks. John also managed McGuinness Flint, Gallagher & Lyle, Sparks & The Incredible Shrinking Dickies and produced their album The Incredible Shrinking Dickies. The pair met when volunteering for a charity where John was impressed by Me’s storytelling and began working on the MaryAianne project with her early 2025.

MaryAianne & Me began releasing singles in October 2025, committing to a bold schedule of one track per week for a full year. The project aims to build a diverse catalogue of original songs that will ultimately be brought to life in live performances. Every release features Me’s own lyrics and arrangements, with AI production support courtesy of SUNO. United by a shared love of music, MaryAianne & Me embrace experimentation across styles while exploring relatable themes such as unrequited love, self-discovery, and personal growth.

‘BENCHED’ out now across various music platforms.

Connect with MaryAianne and Me via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61581770475003
IG: https://www.instagram.com/maryaianne_and_me
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@maryaianne.and.me
YouTube: youtube.com/@itzafuni?si=RD5JVRPdkk1m4WRD

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The reveal of HANDSHAKE IN SPACE: Stefan Halling, the Anonymous Swedish EDM artist

“I lift the lid on my mental illness and in some way I hope I can help others.”

The identity behind the anonymous Swedish EDM artist HANDSHAKE IN SPACE has been revealed. The artist is none other than Stefan Halling, born in 1967 in Huddinge, Stockholm and now living in Rättvik.

The news spread after his daughter Nathalie posted a video on social media some time ago in which she talks about his inspiring mental journey over the past four years.

Four years ago, at the beginning of the pandemic, Stefan Halling was hit by several major difficulties. He first lost his father and shortly afterwards his job. These losses resulted in a long period of deep depression, panic attacks and dark thoughts. For a while the future seemed uncertain and very dark to Stefan.

Despite this difficult period, two years ago Stefan started creating music together with other creative people. Through music, he found a way to express his feelings and process his experiences. With the support of close friends and his dear family, he has slowly but surely regained his well-being and is now in a much better place in life.

In her video, daughter Nathalie shares the mental journey her father has undergone and points out how important it is to talk about mental illness in order to reduce the stigma surrounding it and supporting those who struggle.

Only now does Stefan feel that he is mature enough to start talking about his experiences and highlight the importance of seeking help when you feel bad. Through his music and his story, Stefan hopes to inspire others and show that there is hope even in the darkest moments.

Stefan Halling, under the pseudonym HANDSHAKE IN SPACE, has touched many with his music and his story is a strong example that it is possible to get through difficult times with support and creativity.

To check out HANDSHAKE IN SPACE’s discography, head right here.

Follow HANDSHAKE IN SPACE via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/handshakeinspace
IG: https://www.instagram.com/handshake_in_space
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@handshakeinspace

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Hip-Hop collective COLAMP drops video for Buggin ft. Blu, Katie Burke & Relic Fox

LA-based crew COLAMP addresses mental health with cartoon video for track, ‘Buggin’. The video enlists a bevy of prime talent, featuring Blu, Relic Fox and Katie Burke, with all parties’ creativity being matched with a feast of visuals for the eyes to behold. COLAMP’s forthcoming LP Tape also features Anacron, Life Rexall, The Lxves, & more.

COLAMP consists of MC Nathan Nice, producer KDT Produced It, & DJ’s Arbs & Breeze. KDT has produced for Sach of The Nonce, Arbs has seasoned history in LA’s DJ battle circuit, & Breeze has produced for Prince Po (Organized Konfusion), Rakaa Iriescience (Dilated Peoples), Scarub (Living Legends), 2Mex & LMNO (Visionaries), & more.

Check out the video for ‘Bugging’…

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UK Alt-Rap sensation SBK drops highly-anticipated album, ‘Something Beyond Kindness’

UK Alt-Rap sensation SBK, renowned for his razor-sharp lyrics and raw emotion, has dropped his highly anticipated debut album, ‘Something Beyond Kindness’, earlier this month (8th March). This groundbreaking project marks a shift from sbk’s previous work, embracing a powerful blend of punk and alternative sounds.

The album is a deeply personal exploration of sbk’s journey, delving into his experiences of poverty, trauma, and mental health struggles. Raised in a difficult environment and grappling with his identity, ‘Something Beyond Kindness’ becomes more than an album title – it becomes the very essence of his identity.

‘Something Beyond Kindness’ is a call to action for the music industry and a message of hope for those struggling in the darkness. It challenges the status quo by being a truly independent project, deliberately avoiding initial release on streaming platforms.

Speaking on his debut album, the former collaborator of JME, Skepta, Wiley, and others shared, “This album is for the people who feel lost in the chaos. It’s for those who see the world’s problems and feel the weight of it all. I want people to find the beauty in the struggle and know they are not alone.”

‘Something Beyond Kindness’ promises an impactful listening experience, offering raw vulnerability and innovation in navigating through the music industry. Those supporting this debut effort will be remembered for fighting the fight on behalf of indie artists.

Born and raised in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, to a Jamaican and English family, lyrical MC sbk is a unique talent within the UK music scene. Not only facing a tumultuous childhood marked by poverty and navigating racial identity as one of the few Black students in his school, sbk found solace in music. His early struggles fueled a fire that ignited his creative spark, leading him to London at 17.

The city became his canvas, and his talent quickly garnered recognition. With countless radio plays and freestyles across major stations like BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, and Rinse FM, sbk established himself as a force to be reckoned with. Collaborations with grime legends like JME, Skepta, and Wiley solidified his place within the scene.

Beyond pure lyrical ability, sbk’s artistic reach extends to live performances. From sold-out headline shows across the UK to international collaborations with rock bands and appearances at fashion weeks in Paris and Milan, his versatility and stage presence are undeniable. His music has garnered millions of streams, garnering praise from publications like Complex, Clash Magazine, and DJ Mag.

With a career that transcends genres and boundaries, sbk is a true creative powerhouse. His story is an inspiration, and his music, a testament to the power of channeling adversity into artistic expression as an independent artist.

Have a listen to ‘Something Beyond Kindness’ below…

Must Listens: Thick Skin, Control,Prophet, All These Times, Demon

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Nemzzz drops new single ‘PTSD’ + video ahead of debut mixtape ‘DO NOT DISTURB’

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.

Check out the video for ‘PTSD’ below…

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