MUMU FRESH sings directly from the heart with ‘My Why’, which she describes as “a tribute to that person(s), place, or thing in your life that is your ‘WHY’”. The impassioned single is from her forthcoming LP The Healing, which will feature DJ Jazzy Jeff, 14KT, DJ Dummy, & more, & comes out on 19th April.
Mumu Fresh, aka Maimouna Youssef, is a Grammy Nominated singer, songwriter and emcee, and recipient of the Indigenous Music, Washington Area Music (WAMMIE) & Urban World Music Video awards. She’s worked with Busta Rhymes, Common, Black Thought of The Roots, Tobi Nwigwe & more, & has two NPR Tiny Desk performances under her belt.
Mumu also co-created the Recording Academy’s “Best Song For Social Change” trustee award, which went live in 2023 at the 66th Grammy Awards & was presented by The First Lady, Jill Biden.
Why not check out the lyric video to ‘My Why’ below…
Following the success from her previous works ‘I’ll Show You’ and ‘MOVE’, British-Algerian R&B/soul artist YAZMINE MB is back with her latest offering ‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’. The track serves as a sneak peak into her debut EP ‘HEALER’ which is set to release 19th April.
Delicate piano alongside searing guitar, ‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’ highlights the inner battle between exhaustion and FOMO (Fear of missing out). Written as a response to her fatigue while working three jobs, Yazmine MB yearns for the freedom to do nothing with static-laced voicemails intertwined between her soulful vocals that riff and run to demonstrate the struggles of entering the adult workforce and facing burnout.
Yazmine MB said of the track “WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’ is basically like a big moan and complain about the amount of work we need to do to survive and, particularly, my experience as a teenager entering the adult workforce. I wrote the lyrics and vocal melody on the bus home from a childminding shift right before COVID-19. I was so exhausted and always on the go without any free time really- I’d forgotten what it was like to lounge around and do nothing and was headed towards burnout, hence the title ‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN.’”
Following the success of previous releases, ‘I’ll Show You’ and ‘MOVE,’ ‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’ stands as the penultimate release before Yazmine MB unveils her debut coming-of-age EP, ‘HEALER.’ Crafted between the ages of 15 and 18, during turbulent times, the EP acts as Yazmine’s personal band-aid, a source she revisits whenever she needs a lift, aiming for it to provide similar healing for her listeners. From grappling with old habits to navigating the complexities of adulthood, ‘HEALER’ presents a raw and unfiltered narrative of growth, infusing every track with a soulful resonance. “This EP is like my band-aid,” said Yazmine MB. ‘“I listen to it every time I need a pick-me-up. The tracklist is ordered to show the healing process – that it’s not linear. You get a bit better, you pick yourself up, and then maybe for a while, you dip again, and that’s ok. You’re human.”
Yazmine MB’s musical journey commenced in the lively musical landscape of London, under the guidance of her jazz singer mum. Immersed in a world of artists and venues, she embarked on her musical pursuits at an early age, delving into guitar, flute, choir, and piano lessons. Constantly surrounded by her mum’s musical preferences of Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo, Amy Winehouse, and Erykah Badu, Yazmine MB found herself deeply influenced by these celebrated musical figures. This rich musical tapestry of her formative years set the foundation for her own artistic exploration and expression in the world of music.
Fast forward 20 years, Yazmine MB, a graduate of the BRIT School of Performing Arts, has enchanted audiences at esteemed venues like Lafayette, the 100 Club, and the Whitecross Festival. Her performances gained acclaim from prominent London stations and publications, including Reprezent Radio, The Beat London, and The Blues Project. Her latest singles, co-produced with FLO’s live vocal arranger and BELLAH’s producer Gimme 2 Minutes, showcase her evolving artistry as she builds a growing team to support her talents. With a robust fan base of 25k across social media platforms, Yazmine MB is poised for an exciting 2024 as she debuts her EP ‘HEALER’’ in April and graces the stage at festivals across the UK this summer.
‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’ was available across all major streaming platforms from last Thursday (21st March) . Her debut EP ‘HEALER’ is set to release on 19th April. Have a listen below…
D POWER DIESLE is back with a bang, dropping the sizzling second single from his upcoming EP project ‘Graphene 4’. Featuring renowned Nottingham emcee, Wariko and produced by Audio Slugs, this grime banger calls back to the notorious LOTM3 clash carrying the same electrifying energy.
After crossing paths on the mighty clash series ‘Lord Of The Mics’ Volume 3 back in 2011, the pair were pinned up against eachother producing one the most memorable clashes in the UK Grime scene. Lauded by top artists, industry giants, and global music lovers alike, this dynamic duo reunite in ‘Start This’, recapturing the raw energy of their legendary basement clash.
Produced by Grime heavy hitters Audio Slugs, Diesle and Wariko ride the 140bpm beat going back to back, while gifting us with references from the famous battle. The chorus and verse integrate seamlessly, with the London and Nottingham accents playing off each other harmoniously.
Gearing up to release ‘Graphene 4’ this Spring, its prior three volumes were a masterstroke in Grime, garnering millions of streams, widespread acclaim across UK’s radio and press, and powerhouse collaborations with Grime’s biggest stars, including Skepta, D Double E, Manga St Hilare, and Big Narstie. Mark your calendars for D Power’s headline show at ‘The Hackney Social’ on Friday 3rd May, where he will be delivering a curated performance of tracks from the Graphene series.
A pioneer and veteran that many within Black British music praise, D Power Diesle is best known for his impact in the early grime days via Déjà vu, Rinse FM, and clashing with Wariko on Lord of the Mics 3. But it doesn’t stop there. Not only housing an impressive catalogue of music, Diesle has also toured with UK heavy-weight Skepta, Wiley, Jammer, and Modestep before outlining a reputation of his own. Flash forward to today, it’s a common discussion amongst UK rap about grime’s positioning in our current landscape, a topic of which not everyone agrees on. However, it’s artists like D Power Diesle that are still holding it up for those gritty, raw, and lively tracks that encapsulate the roots of London’s inner city. Taking his knowledge of the industry and putting it to good use, Diesle formed his own label EB Records that’s committed to guiding the up-and-coming artists of today down the right path. Check out the video below…
MOVINA‘s journey from contemplating a career in medicine to pursuing her passion for music is a testament to her unwavering dedication to her craft. Despite initially opting for a pragmatic approach by pursuing finance to support her musical aspirations, Movina’s heart ultimately led her back to her true calling.
With a background in both Carnatic and Western classical music, Movina brings a rich tapestry of sounds and influences to her work. Her upbringing, steeped in the melodies of legends like Alka Yagnik, Sonu Nigam, and A.R. Rahman, alongside icons such as Michael Jackson and Madonna, has shaped her distinctive musical style.
However, breaking into the mainstream music scene hasn’t been without its challenges. Movina acknowledges the competitive nature of the industry, especially as a South Asian artist navigating a predominantly Western market. Yet, she embraces her uniqueness as an asset, setting her apart from the crowd.
“I like the Indian beats and melodies. And it comes through in my music,” says Movina, whose love for her cultural heritage is evident in both her sound and aesthetic.
With ‘Hazy Baby,’ Movina invites us on a journey through her eclectic musical universe, where East meets West in a harmonious blend of sound and style. As she paves her own path, her star continues to rise, promising a future filled with endless possibilities.
RICHI CAMARENA‘s new single ‘Promise You’, is a stunning expression of the most amazing emotion -love – that showcases Richi’s signature sound that includes wonderful melodies, his iconic background voices and his unique voice.
With 17 releases under his belt, Richi Camarena has more than 100,000 streams on his debut album, an interview for a Canadian TV show, and a daily growth of his social media followers.
Richi said: “I hope this song serves as a constant reminder, that true love does exist. So, whenever anyone wants to say, promise, or demonstrate someone how important they are, how loved they really are, I’ll be more than glad to let my song be a part of that expression”
‘Promise You’ was released last Friday (15th March) on all streaming platforms. Have a listen below…
New Lease Music 