Song of the Day: Dreamin’ – Kelly Besd (ft. Jackie Art, K-Riz)

As we look ahead to 2022 and the tumultuous journey the world is embarking on for the nth time in history, it’s words of encouragement from activists, free thinkers, and musicians like Canadian singer/songwriter KELLY BESD and her single ‘Dreamin’,’ that remind us to keep pushing forward.

Taken from her debut album, Back To Me, released in November, ‘Dreamin” is a poignant and hard-hitting track shining the spotlight on racial injustice and discrimination. Harnessing the use of slow drums and her signature R&B vocal structures, Besd creates a warm, open, and ethereal listening experience for audiences while highlighting the need for change. On the track, Besd teamed up with artists Jackie Art and K-Riz to offer their reflections and words of hope throughout the song.

‘Dreamin” is available across various digital music platforms. Before you head off, check out the video for the soothing single below…

Song of the Day: Fake Love – Paps

UK Hip Hop & Rap artist PAPS speaks on his own personal experiences through track ‘Fake Love’ and how he still managed to come out on top despite the odds being stacked against him.

Fusing a melodic hook with his signature punchy bars atop of a trap-infused instrumental produced by Crooza, Paps undeniably delivers an infectious, radio-ready hit. Paps enlists director Alisha Gordon for the track’s swanky, Central London based music video, showcasing his engaging artist presence and style.

Born in India’s capital Delhi, Paps grew up in East London before moving to Dagenham where he currently resides. During his early life, his interests consisted of being outside with his friends as opposed to education as promoted by his parents. After beginning to lose friends to the streets, he became heavily influenced by his father who showed him the importance of investing in himself. It wasn’t until a close friend of his passed away that he decided to pursue his passion – music.

Since then, he has indefinitely made his mark on the UK music scene, with notable releases such as ‘Dripping’ featuring Crooza (GRM Daily) being amongst his most popular to date.

Paps has plans to release more music in 2022 and beyond, collaborating with other artists and injecting his unique style and flair onto the industry in signature “Paps style”.

Check out the blazing video for single below…

Song of the Day: Talk Nice – Capella Grey

After garnering massive success with ‘Gyalis’ and the subsequent remix featuring Chris Brown & Popcaan, Bronx native CAPELLA GREY returns with his second single, ‘Talk Nice’. The deliciously smooth mid-tempo Pelea Jibara sampled record is accompanied by an artistic visual that takes viewers along for a crazy night in uptown New York.

Directed by Oliver Shore, “Talk Nice” is stylized in Grey’s signature short but impactful style and was produced by Capella himself. The two minute visual finds Capella Grey in a lowkey speakeasy where he and his crew are in a celebratory mood.

Capella Grey has created another nostalgic R&B sound that invites listeners of all generations into his world. Check him out in the video for single below…

Song of the Day: Mark Twain – Shelf Lives

Taken from their debut mini-album ‘Yes, offence,’ slated for release in April 2022, South London duo SHELF LIVES‘ single ‘Mark Twain’ boasts two-and-a-half minute of flailing electronic breakbeats, glitched-out synths and churning distorted guitars – a prime example of the band’s post-punk/trash-pop amalgam.

Speaking on the new single, Shelf Lives singer Sabrina said: “We’re in an age of self-expression which comes hand-in-hand with opinion. We’re being told by each other who we can and can’t be, what we can and can’t feel and how to express it. Mark Twain is a, sort of, commentary on the confusion and complexity this behaviour creates of something meant to be genuine and authentic. It becomes safer to be emotionless, or at least perceived as, but as we waste these moments of vulnerability and expression a resentment and sadness build. This inevitably leads to the disassociation with these “new norms” and potentially social isolation.”

Originating from Toronto, Canada and Northampton respectively, Shelf Lives consist of singer Sabrina and guitarist/producer Jonny – who now both reside in Streatham Hill, South London. Bringing to mind the acerbic art-rock of Le Tigre, the intensity of The Prodigy, and the gritty garage-rock inspired electro bombast of Peaches, the band’s debut mini-album is sure to enthral en masse upon its release next year.

Check out the video for the single, directed by Florence Poppy Deary and Francesca Van Haverbeke (aka FLAN).

Song of the Day: On Top – JonRah (Ft. $Harllan, Black Steel & Breadman)

From the richly talented Philadelphia hip-hop community comes the new single ‘On Top’ from impassioned rapper JONRAH featuring $Harllan, Black Steel and Breadman.

The new single is one of the first releases to hit the streets from Breadman’s new moodGroov imprint and is already receiving highly positive reviews from local DJs and radio programmers. With top-notch beat production from Andyr, ‘On Top’ is cream of the crop. Check out the official video for the single below…