Song of the Day: Champione – A!MS

Originally known as A.M. SNiPER, business mogul, producer, and successful artist, A!MS has drafted in two of South London’s hottest artists, Blanco and Ramz for their slick rap cruiser named, ‘Champione’. Already amassing over two million plays on TikTok with the original audio that featured Loski, fans have been revealing “champions” that have helped them in life or personal struggles they’ve overcome, by sharing their own visual snippets.

Unapologetic, authentic, and slick are the three words that come to mind when hitting play on this gripping rap behemoth. Infusing Blanco’s reputable grit and Ramz’s slick patios in with A!MS’ signature glossy style, ‘Champione’ is a rap record packed with emotion and soul, forged between the historical shores of the Mediterranean Sea and the iconic streets of London. Welcomed with a pulsing production courtesy of Punctual (Jason Derulo, Nathan Dawe), A!MS unravels an infectious hook and verse that boasts his melodic flare. Expressing his admiration and love for his woman that sticks by him daily and helps raise their daughter Melody, he takes accountability for his previous mistakes whilst handing over reassurance and the foundation for a strong future ahead.

Swiftly entering with a hard-hitting verse that instantly changes the feel of the track, Blanco’s gritty tone and accompanying bars add that extra edge before changing direction once more. Ramz, a father himself, brings his re-invented wave to the record with his self-proclaimed “samples” style. Using sounds and styles of where he originally came from, his glossy verse and patios punchlines add a Dancehall flavour to the song. ‘Champione’ is an anthem celebrating the worth of one’s true champion in life, be it yourself, a loved one, or a source of inspiration.

Heading overseas to Cyprus for the cinematic visual, both A!MS, Blanco and Ramzare joined by loved ones for dinner at an exclusive location. Adding to the luxurious feel of the track, it wouldn’t be an A!MS video if it wasn’t accompanied alongside a sleek whip and breath-taking scenery! Closing out the video joined alongside his partner and daughter against a city nightline further reiterates the wholesome feeling of championing his own.

Speaking on the release, A!MS commented, “I have been making music my whole life, I  have grown to understand that I will not let time dictate what I release as I am now so in tune with myself, and my emotions and I would rather give my supporters and loved ones my best! It’s cliche quality over quantity, I want each and every release to be an event that will defy time and places and reach the true value of what we all are, human…”.

Check out the video for ‘Champione’ below…

Revival Season share new single ‘Chop’ + Video

REVIVAL SEASON – comprised of rapper BEZ and Jonah Swilley, a founding member of Mattiel and also known for his production work with Moonwalks and Night Beats – share ‘Chop’, their latest single for Heavenly Recordings.

Claustrophobic as hell and crunching down in all the right places, ‘Chop’ is a close-quarters, rapid fire hip-hop track from the Atlanta based duo. Talking about the track they said: “This one came together naturally, and gives you a look into future lyrical and production themes coming from us The video happened the same way, just us walking through downtown Nashville making people uncomfortable.”

Revival Season released their debut single, ‘Iron Warrior’ for Heavenly in the summer of 2021 and most recently shared their Outernational mixtape to coincide with this year’s SXSW Festival. Assembled by Raf Rundell (O.M. Days, The 2 Bears), the 28-minute piece was a dub-infused fusion of riffs, rhymes and beats, equal parts King Tubby Prince Paul.

Check out the video for ‘Chop’ below…

Song of the Day: Badgurl – Groovy

Rising neo-pop/R&B artist GROOVY returns with the release of his intoxicating Jersey Club single ‘BADGURL’. The breakthrough act taps into the cultural phenomenon that put 2000’s R&B on the map, channeling love, lust and desire as he shares his ode dedicated to all the ladies who are looking to set themselves free by embracing their wild side. GROOVY’s vocals are easy on the ears, gracefully crossing between genres as go-to producer Alejandro flexes his ability to take a smooth slice of Y2K R&B and morph it into an ambitious Jersey Club anthem. Booming staple triplet drums, velvety sampled vocals and hypnotic keys swirl together to create a world fuelled by steamy passion, one that is sure to draw listeners in upon first listen.

The sophisticated badgurl anthem is accompanied by an official music video directed by Chris Andrade. The cult-inspired visual follows a beautiful girl who yearns for sexual empowerment and freedom. She stumbles across a magazine ad calling for all badgurls and decides to call the number listed. Soon after, she finds herself at an eerie warehouse surrounded by a group of alluring women dressed in black cloaks. GROOVY makes his entrance as the charismatic leader figure, and the two share a drink from a chalice, symbolizing the indoctrination of the newest badgurl.

‘BAD GURL’ follows the Union native’s latest release “jersey luv,” which was praised by media tastemakers around the world including BET, Mixtape Madness and more. The track also landed placements on top editorial playlists, including Spotify’s Fresh Finds, Fresh Finds Hip-Hop and Apple Music’s The New New York. Keep an eye out for GROOVY as he continues to shine with his eclectic blend of neo-pop, R&B, and house while solidifying himself as one to watch in 2023.

Song of the Day: Just Another Day: Asher Kosher (ft. Manik MC & C.REM)

North London rapper ASHER KOSHER – founding member of both the Hackney-based Root 73 studio and acclaimed multi-artist label platform, The Silhouettes Project – returns with the fourth single to be lifted from his forthcoming, as-yet-unannounced new project.

Following opening singles ‘On Our Street’ ft. Bel Cobain, ‘Focus’ featuring Eerf Evil and the biting social commentary of ‘Mug’, ‘Just Another Day’ turns the next page in Kosher’s lyric book. Joining forces with friend, long-term collaborator and COLORS alumni, Manik MC, as well as C.REM, ‘Just Another Day’ paints an unfiltered picture of inner-city life; the grind, the pressure, the vices, but also the friendships forged along the way.

Released alongside a self-directed official video shot across greying London streets – interspersed with shots of Kosher, Manik MC and C-REM enjoying a game of pool in a soft-lit local pub – ‘Just Another Day’ adds more fabric to the patchwork Kosher continues to weave, as he moves closer to announcing his new full-length project.

Raised on a diet of A Tribe Called Quest, Tu-Pac, Eminem and later, UK rappers like Dizzee Rascal, Sway and Choong Family – as well as Benjamin Zephaniah’s 2004 book, ‘Gangsta Rap’ – Kosher’s love of lyricism runs deep.

After spending years honing his craft – including supporting hip-hop royalty in The Pharcyde and KRS1, as well as legendary UK rapper, K Koke during his early twenties – ‘Just Another Day’ lands as another entry point to the evolution of Asher Kosher; rapper, thinker and pillar of his community.

Tilly Valentine Shares Her First Single Of The Year, ‘Statue’

Produced by rapid-rising musician, Conor Albert, TILLY VALENTINE latest single ‘Statue’, is an intimate and heavy-hearted love song, displaying Valentine’s fragile vocals with Albert’s intricate piano and production, infusing elements of soul, pop and R&B. A metaphor for sacrificial love, Valentine says, “Statue is about meeting the right person at the wrong time, but promising to wait for them until it’s right.”

Her creative process goes far beyond the music. Accompanying her first song of the year is a music video, capturing hope and sorrow both sonically and lyrically.

Valentine’s self-releases gain multi-million streams and broadcasts across BBC Radio 1, BBC 1Xtra, BBC 6 Music, The Hot List, Jazz FM and more. The BRIT School Alumna and independent artist continues to soothe the ears of many tastemakers, with 6 Music championing her “beautiful pop music”. ‘The brand new single ‘Statue’ earned itself a well-deserved spot on Spotify’s New Music Friday.

‘Statue’ producer, Conor Albert, experienced astronomical growth having caught the attention of Justin Bieber, Questlove, Jacob Collier, Tom Misch, Disclosure and Mac Ayres, alongside BBC Radio 1 plays with Jack Saunders; Future Artists, Sian Elery’s Chillest Show and BBC Radio 2 with Jamie Cullum.

This collaboration of London rising talent predicts ‘Statue’ to be a stand-out track of 2023…why not have a peep at the video for the single below…