Rahn Williams – aka CHILL– has returned roarer than ever with guitar-driven track, ‘Rock Stars.’
This emcee makes up one half of conscious hip-hop act 3KNGZ, whose single, Kick’, stole the hotspot on NEW LEASE MUSIC’s Top Ten Songs of 2016 list.
We’re not dealing with half-baked-one-hit wonders here – so take time out and have a listen.
Making a significant entrance to 2017, BIG NARSTIE releases the first single from his forthcoming album in the shape of ‘They Don’t Know’ featuring Xaviour. Delving into a side of BIG NARSTIE that is often overlooked due to his fun-loving and comical character, the record illustrates the story behind the Brixton emcee and demonstrates his lyrical prowess as a talented wordsmith.
2016 proved to be an impressive year for BIG NARSTIE, which saw him top the charts alongside Craig David on the Top 10 record ‘When The Bassline Drops’ and later went on to be certified gold. The scene veteran also performed at a number of the world’s most famed festivals including Ibiza Rocks, Wireless, Reading & Leeds and even made an appearance on the Jonathan Ross show. He went on to release his own Bass Invaders app and single ‘BDL Skank’ and now prepares to release the fruits of his studio labours with some exciting and unexpected collaborations.
Giving us a reflective and intimate understanding of his journey and battles faced as he grew up, ‘They Don’t Know’ shines a spotlight on BIG NARSTIE allowing a very honest and bold figure to be displayed; one which seems almost opposite to the infectious laughs, hysterical sketches and the animated bars that we’ve seen of late. As he raps over the melancholy beat, Narstie’s lyrical aptitude is evident and proves why he is not only one of the most loved, but also one of the most respected and key figures in the scene.
Taking 2017 to new heights, BIG NARSTIE has just announced a six date UK tour kicking off in XOYO in London 3rd May.
SEEJAY100 is quickly growing into one of the scenes’ secret weapon, thanks to his run of recent bangers, and his latest release ‘Pretty Girls’ continues the ambush on our ears. Teaming up with one of the hottest underground rappers of current times, TE DNESS, the two make for a sharp, infectious track, coupled with a catchy hook, as they rap about their adoration for females with sharp deliveries and flows.
Fresh from his most recent release ‘Pull Up’ featuring Moelogo, SEEJAY100 gained a wealth of new support and kudos from his peers and music platforms alike, seeing him tipped as ‘One To Watch for 2017’ and garnering support from platforms such as Spotify, BBC and Voice Newspaper.
The rapper takes an inventive and inspired approach to his music, mixing up the flavours and inspirations, which has been a catalyst in him working with some of the scenes most highly rated emcees including, Cadet, Big Tobz, Bonkaz and Stormzy over recent months, and now with TE DNESS who has just delivered his first headline show to rapturous applause of fans and the scene.
The last 12 months have seen SEEJAY100 earn the support of new fans alongside the music gatekeepers and tastemakers. With a fresh new single already in the pipeline set to follow ‘Pretty Girls’, SEEJAY100 is set to ensure that his name won’t be missed in 2017.
Check out the video to ‘Pretty Girls’.
NYC based singer-songwriter, DJ and model MAAD continues her unstoppable rise on the music scene with the release of her new track ‘Touch Me’ featuring the Grammy nominated soul artist Ro James. The track is the follow-up to ‘90s Love’ – which was released towards the end of 2016 and has amassed over 100,000 streams – and will feature on her highly anticipated debut EP, ‘Le Funk’.
Written by MAAD and Ro James and produced by her regular collaborators TheVAMP, the breathtaking and sensual cut evokes epic soul and funk slow jam classics, showcasing MAAD’s stunning vocal, versatility and outstanding songwriting talent.
Up-and-coming alternative R&B and soul singer Ro James saw his star rapidly rise in 2016. The Stuttgart born and New York raised performer is best known for his single ‘Permission’ which reached the Top 40 on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, has been nominated for a Grammy for ‘Best R&B Performance’ alongside the likes of Rihanna, Solange and BJ The Chicago Kid and was praised by Rolling Stone where his debut album ‘Eldorado’ was named one of the ‘Best R&B Albums of 2016’. Also nominated for a 2017 NAACP Image Award for ‘Outstanding New Artist’, this week he starts his first headline US tour which follows his opening slot for Mary J Blige and Maxwell on their ‘King and Queen of Hearts Tour’.
Having spent recent years modeling for top publications and brands such as ELLE, NYLON, Seventeen and Anastasia Beverley Hills, along with songwriting alongside the likes of Claude Kelly (Britney Spears, Jason Derulo), TheVamp (Ne-Yo) and Jonas Jeberg (Nicki Minaj, Demi Lovato) and collaborating with internationally renowned rap artist A$AP Ferg, MAAD has firmly set her sights on the spotlight with her blossoming solo career – and with outlets from Noisey, Earmilk and The 405 to Wonderland and MTV already tipping her for big things she is set to truly make an impact in the lane she is steadily carving for herself.
With MAAD’s debut EP ‘Lé Funk’ due for release soon and more new music and visuals to follow throughout 2017, MAAD is on a one-woman mission to bring throwback funk and soul influenced sounds back to the forefront of the music scene.
London-based future-soul artist BLAISE PASCAL unveiled single ‘I Can’t Wait’ last Friday, taken from his debut EP, set for release later in the year. The track samples the melodic hook from Billy Cobham’s ‘Heather’, famously used in hip-hop classic 93 ’til Infinity’ by Souls of Mischief.
Speaking of his latest release, Blaise says: “It’s about a long distance relationship I was in and the feelings of excitement I had knowing I would see her after much time apart. We are no longer together but still very close and she’ll always be a special person in my life”
Born in Pembury and raised in London, Blaise’s career began with a scholarship to Sylvia Young. He began to focus on singing and dancing and his talent was recognised and rewarded by yet another full scholarship to the esteemed Rambert School of Contemporary Dance & Ballet. This led to a career as a professional dancer, taking him around the world and giving him the opportunity of working with some of the UK’s best known establishments including The Royal Opera House and The English National Opera.
At the age of 17, his uncle Martin Rex (engineer & producer of artists such as Alison Moyet, Neneh Cherry and The Shamen), saw potential and gave him a guitar, igniting a passion for playing and writing that would soon surpass all else.
The result of this was Blaise’s debut album ‘Wild Life’ released through his own label SJH Music. He then spent the next few years gigging around the country and building a reputation working as an accomplished musician and has recently taken time out from this to begin writing his second album. As well as following his pursuits to be an accomplished songwriter and musician, Blaise has a strong sense and belief in the spirit of community and in particular amongst fellow musicians. With that in mind he founded the company Acoustic Roots, a ‘featured artist/open mic’ nights offering a platform for up and coming artists.
‘I Can’t Wait’ is now available for purchase via iTunes. For now, have a sample of the single.
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