Song of the Day: Push – DDG

Graduating at the top of the hip-hop class and headed for the top of the charts in 2019, internet-breaking rapper and social media phenomenon DDG unveiled his full-length debut album, ‘Valedictorian’ [Epic Records].

Following his recent UK visit that saw him drop an exclusive freestyle for Capital Xtra’s Tim Westwood and drop in with DJ Ace on BBC Radio 1Xtra the star took it straight back to Stateside to take over Times Square in New York City for a pop-up meet-n-greet underneath a massive electronic billboard for the launch of his album Valedictorian.

Alongside the album, DDG also dropped the red-hot video for latest single ‘PUSH’. His casual, yet catchy cadence collides with a bold, barely above-a-whisper hook, “Ah push it.” The accompanying cinematic visual sees him turn up once again with slick swagger and spirit, taking over a lavish mansion surrounded by models before flexing his own moves in front of a lavish estate, capturing his vibe through and through. ‘PUSH’ has put up numbers with over 2.8 million Spotify streams and counting.

Witness the hype yourself and check out the striking visuals for DDG’s ‘PUSH’.

Album Review: Age Of Conviction – Tunnel Traffic

Adam Hachey – aka TUNNEL TRAFFIC – gave a sneak preview into his album, ‘Age Of Conviction’ last month through singles, ‘Skip’, ‘I’ll Be Sorry’ and ‘Another Story’.

Now out, the 11-track project, continues on the theme from the three mentioned tracks, with roaring guitar riffs running throughout, giving each track on the collection a 90’s grunge/nostalgic feel.Tunnel Traffic teams up with vocalist and long-time collaborator, Jacky Muñoz, who offers balance to each singles by adding a degree of tenderness against the hell-raising, well executed plucks.

So if you’re a fan of 90s Iconic rock bands like Nirvana, well Tunnel Traffic’s ‘Age Of Conviction’ may very well hit the spot.

Check it out below:

Song of the Day: Ferrari – Julian Mika

North West Londoner JULIAN MIKA‘s latest single ‘Ferrari’ is a dream-trap joint exploring the thin line between what’s real and what’s fake.

At the age of 17, Julian, alongside childhood friend Ryo, formed music group Grand Wa Zoo and dropped two well-received projects under Scope Music Management. Mika now drops his debut solo project ‘LinkPhone’ and with ‘Ferrari’ being the first taste of what’s to come, it’s set to make a statement. ‘Ferrari’ is a melodic dream-trap banger with London injections, drawing inspirations from his favourite heavyweights in the scene such as J Hus, Benji Flow and Octavian. With lyrics like.

Speaking on the track Julian states:

“The lines between a fantasy, a lie and the truth have become blurred. Ferrari’s about navigating yourself within the maze at high speed”.

Born in Rome to a Sicilian mother, Julian moved from city-to-city throughout his childhood before settling in the UK at aged 10. His turbulent background and constant reintroduction to different, unfamiliar cultures and societies caused him to have a warped view on life, often feeling like an outsider looking in. With this perspective that always let him see things from a step back, Julian turned to music as a vice for his unique thoughts.

With support for his previous single ‘Pattern’ from Dummy Mag completely organically, it’s clear Julian’s music appeals to the masses. He’s now ready to level up and make a statement. His forthcoming EP ‘LinkPhone’ toys with the symbolism of a typical ‘burner phone’ representing the simple yet needed link between Julian and his audience. Not only this but it also symbolises the function of what phones are used for at the core, conversation, without distraction from anything else (social media) and Julian wants this to be represented while listening to ‘LinkPhone’.

With talent in music, along with impeccable imagery and style Julian Mika is a be a force to be reckoned with in London’s rapidly evolving scene. ‘Ferrari’ takes us on a journey through Julian’s mind as an outsider looking in and with a full EP set to drop very soon…Check him out below…

No Baking Soda Drops New Single, ‘Cereal’ – An Ode To Growing Up In The Struggle

NO BAKING SODA is ready to set the tone for what’s to come in 2020 with brand new single ‘Cereal’, proving this East London artist is truly in a lane of his own.

Having burst onto the scene a few years ago as part of the 3OW / WZRDSHIT collective, NO BAKING SODA (formally known as Mr. Jaeger) has become known for his unique, laid back delivery and his introspective bars about the hard life of a kid growing up in Homerton, Hackney, with a core theme of his music being the problems the inner city presents.

After taking time away from releasing his own music, 2019 saw Soda return and dip his feet into several creative opportunities including opening up his North London recording studio The Cave 2.0. After collaborating on songs with the likes of Jatz Da Kid & Finesse Tha World Records he released his first solo single ‘iPod’, a bouncy, nostalgic track showcasing his comfort with flow. The track was praised highly in the underground circuit, giving Soda the extra push he needed for recognition as one of London’s most sensational newcomers.

Now closing out the year strong with the release of his latest video ‘Cereal’ – produced by long term collaborator Orangesky – Soda skates naturally over the beat displaying his elite level of rhyming, laying down some on his trademark bars about the hustle in East London. While the lo-fi visuals demonstrate his signature style mirroring an authentic early 90s New York get up. With lyrics like “had roaches in my cereal and in the oven, wish it was a joke bro but it really wasn’t”, Soda goes into the struggles he’s faced growing up. Speaking on the track he states,

With another EP on the way as well as a full mixtape and more exceptional visuals showing he is on a completely different calibre to his peers, it’s only a matter of time that NO BAKING SODA is a household name in the London scene…Check him out below…

Song of the Day: Better Together – Mauritia

Vibrant alt-pop northerners MAURITIA‘s sixth release of the year, ‘Better Together’ is a charmingly playful love song with all the flavours of an indie classic. It’s the perfect blend of catchy melodies, big vocal hooks, soaring instrumentals, and some crunchy synths thrown in for good measure.

Drawing influence from the likes of Coin, Two Door Cinema Club and Foals, the Hull band have quickly forged their own style and glow with likability.

To celebrate the latest single and see the year out with a huge bang, MAURITIA headlined The Polar Bear, Hull last month, with support from Jumanji and The Avenues.

Check out ‘Better Together’ below: