Song of the Day: Storyteller – DDG

What happens when you fuse space-age production quirks and trap-soaked drums with a ranged, melody-driven rap toolkit? You get DDG. After turning into ‘Elon Musk’ alongside YSL’s Gunna and diving into the UK rap ether — via Notion — selecting a 10Trax-worth of UK rap anthems, DDG is back to govern the summer. The multi-platinum Pontiac native is back with his single, ‘Storyteller’, courtesy of Epic Records.

For the track — produced by Corbett — DDG tugs on the heartstrings as he croons in a pop-adjacent manner over a trap-spun beat. In a welcome switch-up from his recent tunes, ‘Storyteller’ does exactly what the title infers. DDG crafts a narrative around heartache, toxic masculinity and the art of emotional warfare. On the instrumental front, the track is kitted-out with sharp 808 drum kicks and shimmering guitar riffs.

‘Storyteller’ follows DDG’s viral, Gunna-assisted single ‘Elon Musk’, released back in February. Since its debut, the Complex co-signed-track has amassed well over 25 million streams on Spotify alone — with almost 10 million views on YouTube too. ‘Storyteller’ looks to continue DDGs relentless splash in the UK scene as he comes through with pitch-perfect style and bravado.

This July, DDG is set to share a highly-anticipated full-length project. Tentatively entitled, ’Take Me Serious 2’ — the follow-up to his cult classic mixtape from 2017 — DDG will accompany this drop by flying to European shores in July to hit the festival circuit. DDG is looking to infiltrate the Europe rap sphere with gigs at Wireless Festival in the UK, WooHah in the Netherlands, Rolling Loud Portugal and Splash in Germany.

With a potential classic project in the works, ‘Storyteller’ has set the benchmark high for mainstream hip hop in 2022. Check him out in an official video below…

Song of the Day: Malibu – Preyé

After the highly successful release of ‘Red Wine’, PREYÉ‘s first single from her upcoming EP, ‘Don’t Look Down’, the Nigerian singer-songwriter returns with ‘Malibu’, a summer-ready single inspired by her trip to the California city.

‘Malibu’ combines dreamy synths and an infectious bass line with Preyé’s soulful voice.

The smooth R&B-inspired chorus and production make this timeless record feel like an idyllic summertime scene.

Recently selected as one of six artists for Spotify’s Africa Month global campaign Spotify Sounds Of Africa, alongside LADIPOE, Zoë Modiga, Nomfundo Moh, Chris Khaiga and Nikita Kering, Preyé’s star is on the rise and she’s got the backing and streams to match!

Check out the official video for ‘Malibu’ below..

Song of the Day: Motive105 – D.R.O.P

West London rapper MOTIVE105 shakes up 2022 with single‘D.R.O.P’. Produced by ParkedUP, the electrifying single spins tales of schemes and plots, marking a defiant statement of what’s to come from the rapper this year. Accompanying the release is an enthralling visual following Motive and his crew as they embark on a high-stakes, high-octane diamond heist, inspired by the iconic Guy Ritchie film ‘Snatch’.

Motive105 is one of the most exciting rappers emerging on the scene at the moment. Releasing his debut EP The Drive Downtown: Part One in 2021, this rising UK Rap star is a natural storyteller who weaves strong narrative threads through his music and pairs each of his emphatic releases with captivating, aesthetically-led visuals. Already attracting heat from the likes of Complex UK, CLASH, Dummy, TRENCH, Metal, New Wave Mag and more, Motive105 will be joining fellow lyricist Kojey Radical on his UK tour in November with more live dates set to be announced.

Check out the official video for D.R.O.P below…

STORRY Puts Rebuilds Her Life On New Single, ‘Intimate Abuse.’

STORRY is a sex-positive, queer, feminist, left-brained artist who is pushing culture forward. Writing and producing, she is intrinsically involved in all aspects of her career from designing album covers to directing award-winning music videos.

Her art is raw and honest to the max. After surviving an abusive relationship, the Toronto-born songstress was left with the shards of broken self-esteem caused by trauma that she needed to put back together again. Her latest single, ‘Intimate Abuse’ is about finding someone amazing and loving, who saw her as beautiful in all of her complexity.

Though rooted in R&B/soul, STORRY is at home in many genres. The JUNO Awards nominated her for 2020 Reggae Recording of the Year, followed by a 2021 nod for Adult Contemporary Album of the Year.

Have a peep at the official video got ‘Intimate Abuse’ below…

Song of the Day: Sunday – High Nelson

Bronx native HIGH NELSON gears for 2022, positioning himself as one to watch in the rap space with his first release of the year ‘Sunday’.

Being a relative of legendary calypsonian musicians, High Nelson’s Trinidadian influence is evident in his afro infused hip hop sound. These roots can be both heard and seen in ‘Sunday’, with Nelson showcasing an all too confident and relaxed delivery, rapping about his womanising ways over an equally laid back and tropical, trap infused instrumental.

Visually, High Nelson is in his element, his nonchalant demeanour and carefree attitude comes through in full force as he’s accompanied by an army of beautiful women in different settings, highlighting the intriguing message of the song which include Nelson’s struggles with women as his vice, and questioning the benefits of monogamy.

Check out the official video for ‘Sunday’ below…