EP Review: Igbotic – Ike Chuks

One of UK’s hottest talents, IKE CHUKS‘ new EP, ‘Igbotic’ sees him slamming down a laid-back smooth flow delivered in English as well as Pidgin and Igbo.

The first half the collection delivers a gutsy warmth of Afro-Swing tribal-esque bass, featured in ‘What Happened To Kate’ and ‘Ego’. Influences of UK urban/hip-hop creeps in, creating a seamless fusion with the beats originated from the Motherland, as featured in the wavy joint, ‘Money’ and ‘Fire’

In this mini five-piece set, Ike has created really special here, that can be easily appeasing to the audiences beyond the UK urban circuit. Check out Ike’s EP below…

Must Listens: What Happened To Kate, Never Been 

EP Review: Mythologies – Lex Leosis

From a personal standpoint, LEX LEOSIS is a prime model of a female rapper: a very bold contender, who isn’t afraid to say what’s on her mind and doesn’t take any crap from anyone. These qualities are evident in her brand new EP, ‘Mythologies’

The set covers array of topics – from standing up to domestic violence to dealing with ‘situationships’ and busy bodies head on.

Although ‘Mythologies’ predominantly showcase a menacing drive of trip-hop, there are nice touches of retro/80s soul funk (featured in second effort, ‘Ouzo’) and laid-back afterhours (as featured in Gemini), where the Canadian rapper tells her tale of certain aspects of her life.

You may have come across various music blogs and magazines, pushing you to add a punch of newcomers under your radar…and among those talents should be Lex Leosis, as her flow rips through the bars of each track with raw passion and conviction. Check her out below…

Must Listens: Ouzo, Gemini, Atropos.

EP Review: Grizzly – Bby Ivy

After hearing tracks, ‘Rewind’ and ‘Sweet Like Honey’, released earlier this year, I was eager to see urban pop songstress BBY IVY‘s next move…and that next move comes in the shape of a six-track EP, ‘Grizzly’, which pretty much carries on the braggadocious presence presented in the aforementioned tracks.

A titillating mix of urban and electro pop introduces the EP through, ‘Sorry Doesn’t Cut it Today’. Whilst this joint offers an uplifting bounce, the lyrics adds contrast to the picture, where Bby tells the tale of heartbreak and betrayal.

Next offering, ‘Shame On Your Mama’ offers a more relaxed urban hip-hop/mainstream tone, where the Norwegian newcomer disses one’s actions that doesn’t reflect the grace and manners what their mother taught them.

‘Nkd Like That’ puts another spin on the mini collection, dishing out straight up trip-hop, ditching the mainstream sound featured in previous efforts. However that accessible sound does make a return in concluding piece, ‘Suck My’, an anthem for those who feel constantly criticized by others. A similar tone to ‘Nkd Like That’, the track carries a lighter trip-hop vibe with sugary over tones, making it appeasing to a wider audience.

In her short years on this earth, this teenager has experienced countless heartbreaks and betrayal…but it didn’t get her down. Instead, she turned a load of positives into negatives, through her quirky storytelling – and it’s all there in ‘Grizzly’.

Expect more from this kid with a very wise head on her shoulders…check out her EP below…

Must Listens: Shame On Ur Mama, Sweet Honey, Suck My

Album Review: Insight – Nebr, The Tiger

NEBR, THE TIGER‘s debut album, ‘Insight’ delves into the mind of the Detroit emcee’s random thoughts – from current affairs, his fate in the rap game to that roller coaster feeling in being love.

Starting off on a smooth note, easing into a rich boom-bap tone, the 13-track set goes off on a whirlwind of tones – from Nebr’s take on R&B afterhours to the sporadic and jarring/distorted bass line and tones often coupled with the use of slow motioned techniques. To add to the experimental sound, a nice touch of delicate oriental-esque tones make a brief appearance towards the end of the album. Through the chaotic arrangements, this upriser manages to deliver a very audible flow that’s record-breakingly fast and bang on the money.

‘Insight’ is definitely an album you have to play at least a couple of times to really grasp the concept of the whole collection – once you get, you’ll understand and really appreciate that every element/tones in each track, represents his intricate thoughts. So welcome to the world of Nebr, The Tiger…

Must Listens: R.T.W., These Days, Insight, Different, F.T.L 

Album Review: Almanac – Neru Thee Fourth Fugee

NERU THEE FOURTH FUGEE‘s highly anticipated album, ‘The Almanac’ comes from the back of the Baltimore emcee spending the past four years on the road, opening and performing alongside the likes of The Roots, IDK and Princess Nokia, and projects ‘The Reincarnation’ and ‘Enlightenment Era’ from 2014, both met with critical acclaim.

Produced by the Neru along with her Hippy Trippy Collective, rap rising star Deetranada, Ill Camille and Baltimore newcomer DopeSol –  all who make appearances on the project – ‘The Almanac’ firmly challenges the prospective listener’s musical taste with its transcendental harmonies and trance-like kaleidoscopic melodies, which merges elements of hip hop, neo-soul, funk, ambient and psychedelic music.

‘The Almanac’ is definitely one of those albums you can kick back and relax to after a long day of hard hustle. So when you have the chance sit back, relax and broaden your musical horizons with this set…

Must Listens: 30 Billion (Doesn’t Matter); xRed xWhite xBlue (RWB), C-Spine