With the heavy, grime-esque bass running riot from the start of Manchester’s hip-hop collective ILLERSTATE‘s new banger, ‘Mirroring’, it’s hard not the take notice. The rampant bass is immediately topped off by the raw, razor sharp flow, which makes it so satisfyingly good.
Illerstate’s distinctive mixture of aggressive melodies, heavy bass and metal guitar has hailed them as legends in the Manchester’s hip-hop scene. They’ve also gained a solid fan base throughout the UK, receiving support from notable music makers such as DJ Semtex.
‘Mirroring’ was released yesterday (8th September) via Mr. Jone’s label, Manchester Music Group. Mr. Jones was previous featured on the blog with tracks, ‘You’, ‘Brand New’ and more recently, ‘Laid-back.’
x5 time award nominated certified pop-star JAMIE-LEE SEXTON‘s single, ‘Lock It Down’ possesses a real sensual fusion of Pop and Afropop, which invites the listener to be part of a dance between two lovers. Led by smooth vocals, a killer hook that is undeniably catchy and an alluring sound that flows into the pop genre where Jamie-Lee feels at home in her sonic shoes.
“Besides singing, my second most favorite thing in life is to dance. I wanted to make a song that I’d love to dance to. A sexy song for lovers all around the world. Lock it down. Get down.” Jamie-Lee says.
‘Lock It Down’, is the fourth single from the South African pop songstress in 2023. And with number one radio hits and topping the iTunes charts, this is the beginning for Jamie-Lee who has her eyes on some interesting collabs and future sights…have a listen to ‘Lock It Down’ below…
“Lessons of life be the sketches I write/deep depression/seek perfection/not reflection I like” – spits the lyricist known as MERCY as he introduces us to his latest work of art titled, ‘The Artist’.
Backed by a beautiful canvas of production provided by Lebanon Don, MeRCY goes to work detailing portions of his life that have made him who he is today. Each bar and rhyme blend together perfectly like when mixing colors to create another, as the artist takes us on a trip through his mind & past self. He grabs a mic that acts as a paint brush in order to create the picture of MeRCY. From seeing his older brother deal drugs, to run ins with the law but also trying to avoid disappointing his mother even while being out in the concrete jungles, it all plays a part in the ever growing picture of ‘The Artist’.
MeRCY starts off the second verse by saying “The artist who drew the hardest of hardships/with my tears on the canvas/bloodstains on my garments/written in blood no kisses and hugs”. Merc’ doesn’t mask any pain but shows it off in full because in his words “This is God’s work from all the hard work/beauty is pain my n***a/I’ve made it artwork”. Truly embodying himself within his raps is how we find the Florida native on this record, not being afraid of showing vulnerability but embracing it in order to create a special track that serves as the first single to his upcoming album ‘Michaelangelo’. If the single wasn’t already great, Tone Spliff adds some scratches throughout to top it off and ensure the greatness of ‘The Artist’. Have a listen below…
JAYWOOD – the nom de plume of Jeremy Haywood-Smith – has shared his cover of Tyler, the Creator’s ‘Sweet’, taken from his ‘The Grow On’ EP, which is out now via Captured Tracks.
The EP serves as the follow-up to JayWood’s critically acclaimed full-length, last year’s ‘Slingshot’, came the release’s lead single, ‘Dirk Gently (Know Yourself).’ The EP also includes an additional bonus track from the Slingshot sessions, and an “OG” version of the album single ‘Thank You.’
Have a listen to the buttery soulful single below…
Back in 2002, she rocked the world with Dr.Dre-produced hit ‘Addictive’- which garnered two grammy nominations – and her debut album, ‘Truthfully Speaking. Now she makes a return, with a aim to keep her fan addicted with new single, ‘RnB’ Love.
‘R&B’ is a feel good slow jam, possessing that spine-tingling that immediately evoke those nostalgic feelings.
Truth Hurts says of her latest offering: “RnB Love is a feel good joint I wrote to express my deep desire to get myself and the world back to what truly matters through the original meaning of Musick (Muse the Sick) — the way it was back in the day when you would hear a song that was so beautifully written lyrically and melodically, it would literally change your whole perspective, mood, and feeling about life and love depending on what the vibe of the song was. I remember RnB that made me wanna be in love and made me want to be loved so penning this joint is my effort to get us back to love in the midst of so much pain, hate, and turmoil.”
After her chart topping single,’ Addictive’ and debut album ‘Truthfully Speaking’, Truth Hurts went on to tour with the likes of Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg Lauryn Hill and Outkast. Truth Hurts released her sophomore album ‘Ready Now’ on Raphael Saadiq’s label, Pookie Entertainment.
Now she returns with her highly-anticipated single ‘RnB Love’, which serves a sneak preview to her upcoming album, ‘She-P #revelations’ described by the R&B sensation as a “grown woman’s musical diary”. Check out ‘R&B Love’ below…