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…

Sofia Gillani Encourages Us To Channel Our Inner-Monster In Brand New Single.

London’s singer/songwriter SOFIA GILLANI‘s brand new single, ‘Monster’ is about expressing yourself through the alter ego of what society deems as a ‘monster’. Its fierce, impactful and deep bass, with raging build-up, is meant to bring out the best version of yourself, with one of the best messages: own it, even it scares people.

Sofia began her musical career at just nine years old; starring as a lead in the musical ‘Evita’. Since 2020, she has released five songs, each with their own invigorating videos. Her single ‘Water Run Dry’ has been featured by BBC Introducing and surpassed 9K views on YouTube. She has performed on various events from Westfield London to Haslemere Fringe and Luton Pride. Her latest track ‘Monster’ comes as a new dawn for the singer as she takes on 2023…check out the official for the single below…

R&B Songbird Cheryll Lures Us With Her First Release of 2023, ‘One Of A Kind’

Following on from previous hits such as ‘Crushin’ and ‘Naughty or Nice’, CHERYLL is back with her brand new single ‘One of A Kind’, a sultry joint that’s a must have for a R&B collection.

Taking inspiration from the likes of Mary J Blige, Beyoncé and Aaliyah, Cheryll is a unique blend of powerhouse vocals and 90’s melodies, bringing back the nostalgic vibes of 90’s RnB! London-born singer-songwriter, Cheryll is well on her way to becoming one of the key players in UK RnB, and her new single shows just that.

Cheryll’s music delivers that emotional transparency that appeases the listening ear. Being of Gambian heritage, she has featured in live performances in the motherland and made appearances on many platforms building a core fan base in what she calls home. The soulful songbird is a proud winner of the Fresher of the Year Award at the 2022 State of R&B awards with over 40+ live show performances across the UK. With only one EP released so far – amassing over 50k streams – Cheryll’s place as a musician in the industry has already been cemented and it is only becoming strong.

Check out the official video for ‘One of the Kind’ below…

Song of the Day: Jersey Luv – Groovy (ft. B Jack$)

New Jersey artist GROOVY‘s single ‘jersey luv’, is an exhilarating R&B/Jersey Club fusion that is fitting for both late nights with your lover and late nights on the dance floor. Inspired by his New Jersey roots and the Jersey club global phenomenon, the single pays homage to the genre while incorporating staple Y2K R&B elements that allow Groovy to share his most intimate desires. Opening with a lustrous and laid back R&B melody, Groovy’s sultry vocals narrate the inner workings of his mind over the seductive production brought to life by producer Alejandro. The track then crescendos into a fully charged Jersey Club experience fuelled by staple steely triplet kick-drums and exuberant vocal chops, as fellow NJ artist B Jack$’ intoxicating freestyle verses take centre stage. The juxtaposing elements invite you to embrace the euphoric tension created between the two sonic atmospheres, as Groovy proves his ability to conceptualize a track that lives up to his name.

The single is accompanied by an official music video shot in Newark, NJ – a sentiment to Jersey Club as Newark is the birthplace of the movement and genre itself. Directed by Chris Andrade, viewers travel from a front row seat at a sumptuous fashion show to the exclusive backstage afterparty where everyone is seen doing what they do best when the Jersey Club beat drops. Every role necessary in bringing this vision to life was filled by New Jersey talent; this release is a special homegrown recipe and inspiration for all proud New Jerseyans, as their creative abilities are showcased for the world to see.

When asked what inspires his artistic endeavors, GROOVY explained, “My dad was a touring House DJ growing up, which allowed me to experience a unique cultural appreciation for the genre. Artists from around the world would come together to collaborate at my childhood home; witnessing that free artistic expression at such a young age was really special for me. Jersey has a huge influence on the dance/house genre, which inspired me to create music that is fueled by electricity, expression and liberation, all in my own neo-pop, R&B niche way.”

“jersey luv” follows a string of 2022 singles including groove-inducing ‘Platonic,’ and melancholy summer jam ‘Come Around.’ The traversing musician’s Brooklyn Music Kitchen residency brings fans together on the last Tuesday of every month, as they travel from near and far for his captivating, full-band live performances. 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.

Check out the video for ‘jersey luv below…