Tag: new ep

EP Review: For The Uninformed – Nicki Knightz

I’ve always known NICKI KNIGHTZ to be that rapper who fiercely take on the boldest of the boldest arrangements with her no nonsense flow, but her latest EP, ‘For The Uninformed’, has caught me off guard. With the exception of the drum bass heavy/Congolese guitar sample, ‘Blacker the Berry,’ which pays homage to her father’s work ethic, the EP shows a soft and perhaps a more vulnerable side to the Hackney native.

The three-track set sees Nicki focusing on the neglected identity issues of being biracial, eliminating any glamorized images of being a light skinned person. In second effort, ‘India Arie’, Nicki gives a vivid account of the problems her parents faced when contending with her hair, over a warped soulful/jazz instrumentation. An old-school soulful drive makes its presence known and runs sombrely throughout concluding track, ‘1964 Howlett Drive’, serving as the perfect backdrop for Nicki’s uncharacteristically emotive delivery, which gives an insight of her experiencing her mother’s culture and its heartbreakingly stark contrast to their life in the innercity area.

A complete 180 to her sonically boisterous 2018 debut EP ‘Hate’, ‘For The Uninformed’ takes on a more minimalist theme, allowing the uninformed to really soak up and resonate with the experience of her childhood.

Have a listen to ‘For The Uninformed’ below…

Must Listen: India Arie

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EP Review: The Guild of Artisans – Redd Tunes Productions

Producer Rob “Redd Tunes” Brazao’s second project of the year, ‘The Guild of Artisans’  is the perfect chill out escapism from lockdown.

A melodic haziness of boombap/hip-hop works its way through the set, with guest emcees’ delivery easing through the tranquil bars.

One thing that certainly didn’t go unnoticed is the dopely askew vocals in intro track, ‘Distance’ by MansasWorld.

For all you hip-hop heads out there, it’s to immerse yourself into Redd Tunes’ ‘The Guild of Artisans’. This guy has been in the game for over 30 years, so you’re about to listen to some quality stuff…hit that play button below…

Must Listens: Distance by MansasWorld

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EP Review: Igbotic – Ike Chuks

One of UK’s hottest talents, IKE CHUKS‘ new EP, ‘Igbotic’ sees him slamming down a laid-back smooth flow delivered in English as well as Pidgin and Igbo.

The first half the collection delivers a gutsy warmth of Afro-Swing tribal-esque bass, featured in ‘What Happened To Kate’ and ‘Ego’. Influences of UK urban/hip-hop creeps in, creating a seamless fusion with the beats originated from the Motherland, as featured in the wavy joint, ‘Money’ and ‘Fire’

In this mini five-piece set, Ike has created really special here, that can be easily appeasing to the audiences beyond the UK urban circuit. Check out Ike’s EP below…

Must Listens: What Happened To Kate, Never Been 

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EP Review: Mythologies – Lex Leosis

From a personal standpoint, LEX LEOSIS is a prime model of a female rapper: a very bold contender, who isn’t afraid to say what’s on her mind and doesn’t take any crap from anyone. These qualities are evident in her brand new EP, ‘Mythologies’

The set covers array of topics – from standing up to domestic violence to dealing with ‘situationships’ and busy bodies head on.

Although ‘Mythologies’ predominantly showcase a menacing drive of trip-hop, there are nice touches of retro/80s soul funk (featured in second effort, ‘Ouzo’) and laid-back afterhours (as featured in Gemini), where the Canadian rapper tells her tale of certain aspects of her life.

You may have come across various music blogs and magazines, pushing you to add a punch of newcomers under your radar…and among those talents should be Lex Leosis, as her flow rips through the bars of each track with raw passion and conviction. Check her out below…

Must Listens: Ouzo, Gemini, Atropos.

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EP Review: Grizzly – Bby Ivy

After hearing tracks, ‘Rewind’ and ‘Sweet Like Honey’, released earlier this year, I was eager to see urban pop songstress BBY IVY‘s next move…and that next move comes in the shape of a six-track EP, ‘Grizzly’, which pretty much carries on the braggadocious presence presented in the aforementioned tracks.

A titillating mix of urban and electro pop introduces the EP through, ‘Sorry Doesn’t Cut it Today’. Whilst this joint offers an uplifting bounce, the lyrics adds contrast to the picture, where Bby tells the tale of heartbreak and betrayal.

Next offering, ‘Shame On Your Mama’ offers a more relaxed urban hip-hop/mainstream tone, where the Norwegian newcomer disses one’s actions that doesn’t reflect the grace and manners what their mother taught them.

‘Nkd Like That’ puts another spin on the mini collection, dishing out straight up trip-hop, ditching the mainstream sound featured in previous efforts. However that accessible sound does make a return in concluding piece, ‘Suck My’, an anthem for those who feel constantly criticized by others. A similar tone to ‘Nkd Like That’, the track carries a lighter trip-hop vibe with sugary over tones, making it appeasing to a wider audience.

In her short years on this earth, this teenager has experienced countless heartbreaks and betrayal…but it didn’t get her down. Instead, she turned a load of positives into negatives, through her quirky storytelling – and it’s all there in ‘Grizzly’.

Expect more from this kid with a very wise head on her shoulders…check out her EP below…

Must Listens: Shame On Ur Mama, Sweet Honey, Suck My

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