Song of the Day: It’s Alright – Mikano

Emerging French-Cameroonian hip hop artist MIKANO, latest cut, ‘It’s Alright’, is the second installment from his forthcoming mixtape, ‘Melting Balloons’, planned for release in Spring 2020, and is the follow up to the recently released pop-driven, Afrotrap single ‘Silhouette’, which saw support from the likes of Discobelle and Marie Claire.

The new single reveals a different side of the rapper, while ‘Silhouette’s’ introspective lyrics celebrated the female beauty in all its diversity, in Mikano’s own words: ‘It’s Alright’ is “a party song about hype girls in clubs looking for that star life. Even though what they’re doing can be frowned upon, who are we to judge? It’s alright, girl do you”.

The compelling visuals accompanying the single directed by Juliette Labrousse, the emerging directing talent expanding the narrative horizon of the new French music scene with unique music videos for Fang The Great, Dona and Noe’, explore the dark side of our human nature through metaphors.

With ‘It’s Alright’ and a debut mixtape on the way, Mikano is set to become one of France rising hip hop stars and on to watch closely in 2020. Check out the video for single below…

Song of the Day: Raw Smoothie – MH The Verb

2020 is the year that MH THE VERB intends to live a better life. The rapper, producer, DJ, and activist seeks to inspire others to follow suit in the music video for his latest single ‘Raw Smoothie’, shot at LaMaison (a community art & living space) in East Oakland, where MH participated in an artist residency in the summer of 2019.

“I left my boring corporate job on the day I wrote this song… That morning when I quit, I left and got a green smoothie with raw vegetables. It was almost like a metaphor for me trying to live better. This whole album was written as an affirmation for me to change habits and become the best version of myself in 2020. Raw Smoothie signifies a fresh start, a cleanse, a focus on being a better me.” – MH The Verb.

Produced by Buscrates 16 Bit Ensemble, ‘Raw Smoothie’ is from MH’s forthcoming album, ‘Space Ninja’. Due out February 28 via ArtHouse95/FourFingerDistro, the album will serve as the third installment in the Afronaut saga, a conceptual multimedia series based on a Black sci-fi heroine from the future who travels back in time to inspire the world.

Check out the video for ‘Raw Smoothie’ below…

Song of the Day: Stay Focused – BLKGLD

Hailing from Croydon and of Jamaican descent, identical twins Shereen and Sophia aka BLKGLD enchant us with their beautiful and buttery vocals through their debut single, ‘Stay Focused’ out now on all major download/streaming platforms.

The single innately evokes a nostalgic feeling that transports back to the 90s with their effortless fusion of R&B and Dancehall. This irresistible number has slow wine written all over it, and the meandering baseline is mixed in with a tropical xylophone vibe.

With a musical encyclopedia that is rich with the heart and soul of R&B, the girls site Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Destiny’s Child, TLC,  Boyz 2 Men and Usher  amongst some of their biggest inspirations and influences and their sound marries this together with a contemporary twist. Crediting their seasoned soulful voices to their dad who also sang and often was likened to Nat King Cole himself, it’s no coincidence to why BLKGLD are slaying it.

Cementing their rightful place within the UK music scene and beyond, they have already received co-signs from notable names in dancehall, including Beanie Man and The Fanatix. Their soulful renditions of many classic and future hits have already gained some exciting traction, amassing millions of views across all social media platforms, leading to the duo performing alongside Migos and the late Juice Wrld last summer.

Keeping 100% focused, BLKGLD are ones to watch for 2020…check out the video for their debut below…

Song of the Day: Goldress – YellowStraps (ft. YVNK)

Consisting of Rwandan-born brothers Alban and Yvan Murenzi, Brussels-based alternative R&B/ soul duo YELLOWSTRAPS’ latest single ‘Goldress’, embodies an immediately addictive vibe that’s gets a big thumbs up from the likes of Earmilk, Indie Shuffle and Complex.

Operating in a smooth, soulful groove, ‘Goldress’ pushes against the borders of convention both lyrically and sonically while marking a path for a complex of jazzy references to shine through. From the get-go, the single is an ingenious blend of soulful tunes and undeniable technique, held together effortlessly by the charismatic Murenzi brothers.

The video for the track takes place in a cinema, between a young man and a woman in a gold dress. The panning of the camera between the two characters creates complex dynamics from simple actions, while the visuals of the “lady in the gold dress” complement the inherent surrealism, while at the same time adding a literal element to the cinematography.

The track features VYNK who has releases on renowned labels Kitsuné and Majestic Casual and has shared stages with notable acts such as Ghostface Killah and Killah Priest.

Out now via Haliblue Records, ‘Goldress’ is the title track from their upcoming EP ‘Goldress’, slated to drop on 7th February 2020.

Check out the video below…

Song of the Day: Alive – Yung Fume – Alive (ft. Chanal)

U.S loved Londoner YUNG FUME has partnered up with Chanal from much loved girl group M.O’s for single ‘aLive’.

The smooth ambient smash features the unmistakable tones of Yung Fume. His hazed out, emotive delivery topped with auto-tune is met with the sweet harmonies and soothing edge from Chanal as the pair create an honest and captivating drop, based on their own journey of emotion, reminding us that even on the darker days of life, we’re still ‘aLive’ and nobody is on their own.

Having become one of the UK’s frontrunners in conquering the U.S, Yung Fume has built an impressive profile to date. From reaching an exceptional homegrown audience and performing throughout the UK, the rumble of global exposure quickly developed following remixes of his record ‘Watch Me Flex’ by artists like Wizkid & Ty Dollas Sign. Leading to collaborations with top producer Zaytoven as well as Heavyweights Lil Durk & Young Nudy, Yung Fume has built a solid repertoire, releasing two projects this year including ‘Noughts & Crosses 4’, which saw him work with the likes of Young Adz, Lancey Foux, Fee Gonzales & Zinozee, & solo drop ‘The Other Way’.

Exposing true vulnerability and an insight in to the depths of Yung Fume, ‘aLive’ is an impressive version of the young star that both the UK and U.S are continuing to hail up.

Check out the video for the smooth joint below…