OTIS MENSAH continues his run of video releases through track entitled ‘Sanctified.’
The three-and-a-half minute production featured the experimental hip-hop conscious prodigy expresses his truth through artistic self-expression, tempered by the burden of self-doubt and depression.
The young Sheffield native was previously featured with a hazy boombap effort, ‘Oh Jane’ back in February, which tackles the issue isolation after losing a love interest.
Check out his latest work; deep as ever…
Following her newly released ‘How To Feel’ single, which received support from Clash Music and BBC 1Xtra, South East London singer/songwriter LAOLU unveiled her music video for the sultry R&B jam.
Shot on location in Paris, and co-directed by LAOLU and searchmike (Rachel Foxx, Sippin Society, Factory311), the four-minute production takes inspiration from Beyonce’s classic ‘My, Myself and I’ video, while still maintaining a minimalist approach, which allows for the powerful record and its lyrics to take centre stage. The visuals also let LAOLU’s personality shine through – a complete opposite to the darker-themed visuals for her previous single ‘All In Me’.
Watch the video to ‘How To Feel’.
LIONESS has just dropped her ‘DBT’ Remix and it is one of the most socially significant and impactful records, arguably since Bashy released ‘Black Boys’. Receiving a wave of support and praise from her peers like JME, P Money, Clara Amfo and Funk Butcher, LIONESS takes a dignified, powerful and stealthy approach as she tackles colourism, marginalisation and sexism head on.
The stereotypes and insults that come with having a dark skin tone AND being a woman are not only raised but catapulted forward in this passionate, energetic and very real account, as they were in her original DBT freestyle. Alongside an incredible line up of respected black women and exceptionally talented emcees; Queenie, Stush, Shystie, Lady Leshurr & Little Simz, the remix, produced by grime lord Prince Rapid is a heavy hitting, energy laden vibe by all accounts but lyrically it is a power anthem that should not only be heard, but listened to, and listened to closely. But are we hearing it?
The response via social media and urban music platforms like MOBO, The Hype Magazine and Nation of Billions has seen an outpouring of support, praise and community for these incredible females that have gone against the grain, spoken out and empowered themselves, and those listening, with their strength and honesty. A small pocket of the grime scene is hearing it and standing proud of what is being achieved here, yet the wider media seems like it is not yet listening, proving one of the most important points that are being raised in the record.
This is some hard-hitting stuff…LISTEN to ‘DBT (Remix)’
Introducing exciting new British talent, London singer and songwriter PLUTO LÈBON, with her brand new single ‘Unknown’, accompanied with a gripping and thought-provoking music video. Produced by Ezzrah (Skepta, JME, Terri Walker) and Ayobeatz (Wretch 32, Alexandra Burke, Chip, Wiley), ‘Unknown’ is taken from PLUTO LÈBON’s forthcoming debut EP ‘Atlantis’, set for release this summer.
Directed by Ash Riley and TGD (Da Beatfreakz, Loick Essien, Rough Copy), the black and white visuals for ‘Unknown’, and the vastly deserted location the video is filmed in, create quite the dark and pensive backdrop, which brings the record and its emotions to life. Additional themes of death, religion, famine, and migration, also run through the music video, causing the viewer to further reflect on Pluto’s message.
Speaking about the inspiration behind ‘Unknown’, Lèbon says, “I wrote this song from a place of real uncertainty, where I just wanted answers for things happening around me, but it can also mean different things for the listener. We’re all searching for our own truths and answers. Whatever the question is, I hope this song can spur listeners into actively seeking the answers we need”.
Check out the video for ‘Unknown’.
Solid UK Hip Hop contender FLIPTRIX releases visual for latest single ‘Its Like That’, the first insight his forthcoming album project ‘Inexhale’.
A no holds barred lyrical shelldown from start to finish over an incredibly smooth Joe Corfield production, ‘It’s Like That’ is the return to the airwaves for FLIPTRIX who released his immaculate ‘Patterns Of Escapism’ LP over a year ago. A word play masterpiece that sits in a dreamlike haze, ‘It’s Like That’ continues to show the multifaceted depths of this hot emcee as the track sees him begin to experiment with varying styles and rhythms that are a step away from his usual boom-bap style; something that is an ongoing recurrence throughout the album as a whole, which he describes as “a breath of fresh air that will hit you like a hurricane.“
The South London rapper become a pioneer and integral part of the UKHH scene. Releasing an impressive 7 projects since 2007, he is also a member of super group The Four Owls, who dropped 2 of the most classic records in UK Hip Hop history (‘Natures Greatest Mystery’ in 2011 & ‘Natural Order’ in 2015), have successfully toured the world numerous times and collaborated with the legend DJ Premier on the monumental ‘Think Twice’ single.
Alongside his artist success, FLIPTRIX is also the founder and director of independent label ‘High Focus’, which has spearheaded the UK Hip Hop movement for the last 8 years, being responsible for releases such as Rag’n’Bone Man’s early projects which set him firmly on course for superstardom, and most recently achieving an independent Top 40 with Ocean Wisdom’s Wizville album earlier this year. The label, which began in 2010, has previously been nominated for best small label at the 2015 AIM awards, whilst its YouTube channel HighFocusTV has gained over 132 Million views and boasts almost 250,000 subscribers.
Continuing his independent reign, FLIPTRIX releases ‘It’s Like That’ via High Focus with the video launching via YouTube. The visuals pay homage to the pirate radio scene that had a huge part to play in the birth & incubation of urban music in the UK as they follow FLIPTRIX taking over London’s radio frequencies guerrilla warfare style. The creative visuals wrap perfectly around the sonics and tone of the record thanks to camera focus, lighting and edits making this piece of original, captivating and quality output a real statement for the ‘Inexhale’ album announcement….check it out…
