Today, Los Angeles-based vocalist, producer and multi-instrumentalist CASSIE MARIN releases her new single, ‘Busy Body,’ where Cassie’s otherworldly vocals float across a sea of indie-electronica beats and melodic synths, delivering sharp-witted lyrics that explore the binary of being both the watcher and the watched in the digital world. In an era dominated by social surveillance, the song invites listeners to reflect on our culture’s technological obsession, where social media likes and follows have become the new markers for petty social politics.
“‘Busy Body’ is about being a loner in a world where cliques never cease to exist,” Cassie says.
Slightly secretive and delicately feminine, every song she releases is a single intricate flower plucked from her consciousness and added to her verdurous display. Constantly exploring new musical and visual dimensions, Cassie has emerged as an avant-garde luminary in the left-of-center pop space.
Since PROFESSOR PAWS arrival onto the scene just 18 months ago, he has quickly become a force to be reckoned with. His first release from his To The Bag EP, ‘Southside Girl’, was undoubtedly well received, obtaining praise from trendsetting magazine Notion. He then followed with the lead single and title track, ‘To The Bag’, amassing over 125,000 views and over 75,000 streams in the process.
With a musical approach that is second to none, Professor Paws creates a unique hybrid between new age R&B and a gritty UK rap sound for his new EP. The opening track ‘To The Bag’ portrays his distinct R&B style, highlighting an instant ensemble of differing melodies whilst delivering punchy lyrical content that we’ve come to expect. This release epitomises his approach this year as he sets his aims on getting ‘straight to the bag’. The next track ‘Southside Girl’ is the perfect blend to stir up the party feeling as the vibrant melodic chorus instantly captures your attention while the hard-hitting rap verses deliver the perfect contrast. This song captures the excitement and flirtations of a relationship blossoming in its early stages. Moving in to ‘Sillionaire’, Professor Paws continues the musical theme of the EP, providing an R&B influenced hook with the raw rap that has become synonymous to his sound. A strong sense of the London artists affluent lifestyle shines through the lyricism, as he proceeds to remind us that ‘he is the man’.
Heading through the tracklist, ‘Gold Touch’ tells the story of the rappers’ similarity with King Midas and his golden touch, with the track delving in to a wittier, personable side of the rapper. With his usual combination of melodies and raw lyrics, this song is destined to be blaring out of car speakers across the UK. The final track is an extended version of ‘To The Bag’, the first version left listeners with a cliff hanger and this version is the clarity to the story. As he continues the go-getter mantra, we get a full understanding of Professor Paws mindset with his latest collection.
Of Ghanian and European heritage, Professor Paws is influenced by his roots and is keen to ensure that diversity always shines through in his music. Being exposed to such a wide range of sounds and styles in a rapidly developing musical climate, has helped shape his sound to one that moves fluidly between varying genres, tones and styles. His endless hours in the studio behind the desk as a producer has seen him work alongside major name rappers, including Giggs, Fekky, Cash and Joe Grind, and has undoubtedly helped to navigate his own personal artistry as he has cherrypicked wisdom from the best and been able to apply it to his own sound as an artist, something which evidently shines through in the EP.
With the release of his debut project ‘To The Bag’, we witness the development and evolution of Professor Paws. As he continues to gather momentum and make strides with his unorthodox hybrid of rap and R&B, we expect to see the experimental musician becoming a pivotal part of the music scene.
BLK, the first R&B girl group from the city of Toronto in recent history, are solidifying themselves within the international music scene on their single ‘Girls’. Introducing melodic tempos paired with a lush range of R&B vocals and hip-hop flows, ‘Girls’ is a female empowerment anthem positioned to be the soundtrack for every woman dealing with a significant other who needs to get kicked to the curb.
Produced by Pops (Drake, Machine Gun Kelly) & Lowner, BLK sings unapologetically over rich guitar chords & rhythmic 808’s “lost yourself a bad b*tch, lost yourself a marriage, lost yourself a Queen.”
These three solo artists—each of whom write, produce, and perform—combine their initials and colourful styles. This universally-minded outfit is spreading some authentic BLK Girl Magic.
All three artists have Canadian roots. Bexk, a fashion design student from Toronto’s East End, is of Bajan heritage. “I’m the savage,” she admits—employing her nickname as something of an alter-ego, “I fight for our best interests at all times, and encourage others to speak up.” Korahjay is a self-described free spirit from Montreal who comes from a Jamaican family. Her moniker, combining words from scripture and a family name, means power. Lilac X, whose exponent represents self-empowerment, considers herself a citizen of the world.
Before she had even turned 21, NIJA had written scores of Billboard Hot 100 hits. Now 23, the three-time GRAMMY Award-winning contributor has reached a new milestone: the release of her self-penned, self-produced debut single, ‘Ease My Mind (Come Over)’ via Capitol Records. With her enticing, self-assured vocals, Nija delivers an irresistible invitation on the track, which is an inventive mixture of R&B and drill music.
Shot in Los Angeles, the official video for ‘Ease My Mind (Come Over)’ is a visually surreal exploration of inner space, traveling through Nija’s subconscious mind. Director Child (Big Sean, Janelle Monáe, H.E.R.) gives us a keyhole view into the vibrant worlds conjured by her imagination as she awaits the arrival of a lover.
Nija says, “This song is about those times when you’ve had a long day, maybe stressed out from work, and you just want to get your mind off things with that special person at the end of the day.”
Born in New Jersey and now based in Los Angeles, Nija has demonstrated a knack for translating her experiences into relatable, emotional songs for artists such as Beyoncé, Cardi B, Ariana Grande, Drake, H.E.R., Lady Gaga and Maroon 5. As she started working on her own music, she relished the freedom she had to fully express herself. Now Nija is writing songs that are more intensely personal and taking control of her music and narrative in a way she never has before.
‘Ease My Mind (Come Over)’ is the first single from her forthcoming debut project, slated for release later in the year. Check out the video for Nija’s debut below…
SKEAMER has been steadily building his stature within the UK music scene and his newest single ‘Pain Is Temporary’ solidifies exactly why his name should be mentioned alongside the greats. The London based rapper is renowned for his conscientious lyrical content and his heartfelt delivery, this is integral to his musical identity and is excellently demonstrated within his latest track.
After amassing millions of streams and views on previous releases, Skeamer has become a certified voice for the streets. His profoundly sincere rap technique sets him apart from similar artists within his field. On ‘Pain Is Temporary’, the Buckroll produced track has the ideal instrumental with hypnotic drum patterns, booming 808’s and unique vocal sampling, all coming together to deliver the perfect canvas for the rapper to paint his picture on. Skeamer’s lyrical ability shines through on the track, as he uses all the key pillars of rap to deliver his heartfelt story. Taking us on a breath-taking journey, detailing the lifestyle the OJB rapper lives, Skeamer talks about the trials and tribulations that he faces and some of the actions that he is forced to take.
Alongside his own solo drops, Skeamer has recently collaborated with his OJB member Skore Beezy, as well as Clue, Scorcher and Snap Capone. These major musical partnerships indicate the trajectory that the captivating artist continues to take as well as the ever-growing rumble surrounding his music. After his recent tour around his estate in Clapham, for the well-known YouTube channel ‘No Jumper’, the industry is eagerly awaiting his next move. This sentiment was mirrored by pivotal tastemakers within the UK, with support from BBC Radio 1Xtra DJ’s including Target, Sian Anderson, Snoochie Shy and Kenny Allstar as well as Kiss FM’s Ellie Prohan and Capital Xtra’s Shayna Marie. This outpouring of support represents the overwhelming approval that the Black British Music scene have for the artist.
As we continue to receive an introspective and honest musical approach, Skeamer has established himself as a dominant voice within UK rap. Check out the video for ‘Pain Is Temporary’ below…
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