Amidst the uncertainty and grief in these surreal times, CHARLIE TREES’ latest single, ‘Smile Back’ brings some much-needed light within all darkness. Following on from his first release of 2020, ‘Trees’, Charlie continues to reach his genre-defining sound to the masses.
Another collaboration with Yrk Rd and SludgeWizard, the laidback guitars and dreamy undertones takes us through a cosmic trip, as Charlie shows how to embrace the positivity he wants to see in the world. Alongside the single comes a film by No1, a music video, that fittingly demonstrates the happiness Charlie brings to those he cherishes.
The themes of the new single and its accompanied film showcase a different side to Charlie Trees, bringing positivity and love to the forefront. ‘Smile Back’ serves as a reminder to ignore the bad vibes, spend time with the ones we love and awaken our third-eye. The 4/20 loving, Grime-Bap MC uses his hallucinogenic experiences to create music that comes with a message, one that is more relevant now than ever.
‘Jewels’ – the first single to drop from JYELLOWL‘s [J-yellow-L] forthcoming debut LP. Born to Jamaican and Nigerian parents and raised in Ireland, the Dublin-based rapper has drawn on all three origins to create a distinctly powerful sound that is radically individual.
Speaking on ‘Jewels’, JyellowL explains: “Jewels is a celebration of our multifaceted nature, as well as the complexity of the human condition. It’s about recognising our worth and understanding that we are all inherently valuable and that our value may just manifest itself in different realms.”
The 21-year-old artist is dynamic in his lyricism and is fuelled by political conviction. A leading voice emerging out of the fierce juggernaut that is Ireland’s rap scene, this debut LP follows two groundbreaking EP’s and a string of headline performances, both in Ireland and internationally. His standout track ‘Ozone’ has surpassed 1.5 million views on Spotify alone and the single, ‘Oh Lawd’, featured on the soundtrack of the ‘Normal People’ TV series, has already surpassed 1.1 million views. A self-driven artist and entrepreneur, his newly established JyellowL Records Ltd quickly landed a distribution deal with the international distribution company IDOL.
The lyricism JyellowL delivers cuts to the heart of issues that are at once deeply personal and urgent on a global scale, driving political change right now. With a degree in politics from UCD University in Dublin, he explores the social problems that both intrigue and disturb him, from international conflict to economic inequality, unafraid to tackle subjects like racism in his music early on. In 2020, as protests erupted across the world, he spoke to a crowd of thousands at a Black Lives Matter in Dublin, envisioning a future Ireland that is radically inclusive and anti-racist.
As far back as 2017, his track Cold In The Summer addressed the international crisis of racial injustice and the legacy of slavery, while voicing a defiant demand for change. He released a video with Dublin-based creatives. VICE Magazine profiled him as a leading voice of Irish rap in their 2017 Music Issue,’on the crest of a wave of young artists in Ireland with an increasingly political bent’.
It didn’t take long cutting his teeth in Dublin’s burgeoning rap scene to make his rise. By 2018, JyellowL had released his groundbreaking debut EP Bulletproof and was supporting Rap superstar Nelly on a 3-date Irish tour that November, followed by a sold out Dublin show with ‘Money Trees’ hitmaker Jay Rock.
In 2019, his highly acclaimed Me N Me 2 EP followed, coming out at the same time as he took on a headline Irish tour, his first headline show in London, and performed a headline international sold-out concert at Steck Poppodium in The Netherlands.
Named as one of RTE’s 2FM Rising acts for 2019, he released two singles – the catchy Ozone and hard hitting Tek Time, the latter of which featured on Spotify’s influential Who We Be playlist. Endorsements from Spotify solidified his position as one of Ireland’s most influential young artists, featuring on a plethora of editorial playlists.
JyellowL made his stamp on the Irish festival scene that summer with a series of knockout performances including Longitude, KnockanStockan, Body & Soul, Band On The Strand Festival, Red Bull Gaf Party, and an international headline slot at Delft Jazz Festival in Holland. He ended that summer on a high with a coveted headline slot at the ‘3 Made By Music Stage’ on the Saturday night of a sold-out Electric Picnic, the pinnacle of the Irish festival circuit.
This game-changing performance led to the next and most exciting part of 2019, with JyellowL’s single Ozone selected to feature on the in-game soundtrack for the mammoth EA Sports FIFA 20. The curated playlist placed his track on the same level as hits by Anderson Paak, Major Lazer, Hot Chip and Skepta to name but a few. The success of 2019 peaked with a live performance and broadcast of Ozone on Ireland’s biggest broadcast event of the year, RTÉ’s NYE party.
Stay tuned for future single releases from JyellowL’s forthcoming debut album – 2020 D|vision…but for now, check it ‘Jewels’ below…
Fresh off the heels of his come back single, ‘Raindrops’ (which premiered on BBC 1xtra and featured in several Spotify editorial playlists) RICARDO WILLIAMS presents ‘Sorry’.
The new joint is Ricardo’s 2020 style apology letter, admitting wrongs, realising mistakes and trying to make it right. This release yet again shows a different shade to Williams’ musical style, more upbeat and bouncy but still obtaining his R&B swag.
‘Sorry’ is taken from Ricardo’s upcoming EP, ‘Love Tape 2’, due out later this year. Check it out below…
Rapper J.KAS calls upon long-time collaborator, upcoming R&B singer Ruell, to offer some much needed distraction away from the chaotic current events with latest single, ‘BonBon’.
Ruell takes the lead in the summer-charged joint, exchanging his smooth afterhours vocals for a melodic/rock steady-esque flow, which melts right into the vibrant fusion of tropical house and Dancehall. BBC Sheffield-approved J.Kas takes over and adds extra fire with his gutsy MC-delivery.
Previously featured on J. Kas’ soulful/R&B jams, ‘Snapchat (Ain’t No Killing My Vibe)’ and ‘Cali Dreaming’, Ruell has branched out and released his debut solo single, ‘Tiffany’, where J.Kas returns the favour and features on the R&B/trap production.
Besides being a seasoned wordsmith, who received firm support from BBC1’s Huw Stephens, BBC 1xtra’s Charlie Sloth and DJ Ace and BBC Sheffield’s Christian Carlisle, J.Kas is the founder of trendy streetwear, Tokyo Red, established in 2015.
Following the successful release of ‘Loyalty’ which was championed on Reprezent radio by Remi Burgz British rising star, record producer & sound engineer SOULS returns with the release of his new single ‘Tears In The South’ the second single off of his forthcoming EP ‘Phoenix 92’, out now.
Crafted in collaboration with Jupiter wave ‘Tears In The South’ combines melodic synths, trap-fuelled beats, soothing tone and witty lyricism. Encouraging listeners to get more acquainted with him as he shares his testimony of perseverance, whilst offering a unique perspective on his life introspectively. Complimentary to current affairs, the track unveils a solution to how a young black man who feels like the odds are against him can change his destiny & become a pioneer in his chosen field.
Speaking on the inspiration behind his new single Souls says “It is a motivator for the listener to know that wherever in life they may be & how ever many times they may fall, there is light at the end of the tunnel.”
Get motivated and check out ‘Tears In The South’ below…
Amidst the uncertainty and grief in these surreal times, CHARLIE TREES’ latest single, ‘Smile Back’ brings some much-needed light within all darkness. Following on from his first release of 2020, ‘Trees’, Charlie continues to reach his genre-defining sound to the masses.
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