Rapper/spoken word artist NATTY BOI ZOE is ready to open up his world with album, ‘I Am Who I Am 2’, out now across various music platforms.
The New Yorker tells of his trials and tribulations of being a black man in today’s world, finding his place as an underground rapper and entrepreneur, the betrayal he has experience from co-called close friends and the painful loss of a close friend and his mother.
The 14 track project includes previously released track, ‘Do Y’all’ which features fellow rapper and long-time collaborator, Dice Cannon. The 90’s inspired track was once named the blog’s Song of the Week over on Instagram back in April.
‘I Am Who I Am’ is now available across various music platforms. Why not check it out below…
If you were going to ask what songwriting team have individually toured the world performing, written for The Korgis, Cliff Richard, Slash, Meatloaf, had their songs played on BBC Radio 2, supported Celine Dion, played Jesus on the West End stage, performed sell out shows in theatres around the UK, have won some of the most prestigious songwriting awards in the world and now are writing a song about feeling 17 again! There would only be one name on that list… THE GRAND CRU!
International songwriting team The Grand Cru (comprising of Welsh and American talent) have a brand new single waiting to be embraced by the listeners entitled ’17’ (featuring The Grand Cru member Darren Parry on lead vocal duties) which comes from their 8 track album… ‘September 11 – Music To Heal Your Soul’.
This catchy, memorable, upbeat, Country/Americana influenced track was co-written between three well known Welsh male singer/songwriters and a sassy, female US (Floridian) songwriter.
The Grand Cru includes ex Jesus Christ Superstar lead, Steve Balsamo (who’s written for Slash, Meatloaf, Cliff Richard) and ex member of The Story’s and Balsamo/Deighton. Also on ‘The Cru’ is multi-award winning Welsh singer/songwriter Darren Parry, who’s a former UK Songwriting Contest winner, Billboard, Unisong, ISSA and USA Song Of The Year award winner (who has co-written with The Korgis, Dan and Laura Curtis and others). The third Welshman is Rhondda’s multi-talented Lee Gilbert who is an acclaimed singer /actor. His 25 year career has spanned from theatre, radio and TV work which runs alongside his very busy music career.
The fourth member and brainchild of ‘The Cru’ is Florida based Bonnie Skop, whose family has a long history in music; including her Dad managing Ted Nugent and Bob Seger in their early days! The Grand Cru get their name from the French words… meaning “a wine of the most superior grade”. These songwriters are certainly that!
Darren says of the latest offering: “Steve, Lee, Bonnie and I wrote “17” predominantly on Zoom over the last 6 months or so, we wanted it to have an all American kinda feel to it”. Darren continues: ”We wanted to write something that encapsulated the excitement and emotion of falling in love as a teenager, reminiscing about a time gone by when love captured your heart and the emotions of youth”.
’17’ is the second single from their album following on from single, ‘I Was There’, which was shown on the big screen for the National Guard (EANGUS) 9/11 Remembrance Gala at The One World Trade Centre building in New York on 11th Sept this year for a star – studded event, hosted by Kelsey Grammer (Frasier).
’17’ is was released today (8th November) on all good music platforms. Have a listen below…
UK upcoming producer CHRISTOF JENNINGS‘ brand new single, ‘Prayer before Birth’ – released last Friday (1st November) – brings a powerful sense of hope, delivered perfectly with Irish Playwright Louis MacNeice’s poem. The stunning classical piece is slow in pace, with sweeping strings and horns performing contra melodies and a bold presence of the Timpani to express poignant moments, all led by the gleeful Cello.
Championed by BBC West Midlands ahead of its release date, ‘Prayer before Birth’ was produced in collaboration with Louis MacNeice Society, a non-profit organisation that brings authors, scholars, writers and fans of MacNeice together.
Christof says of his latest offering: “If you told me a year ago that I’d create such a wonderful piece of music I’d probably tell you: ‘you got the wrong guy, I’m R&B’! This opportunity has broadened my scope in the sense that I no longer believe that I have to stick to a particular genre of music, that I can experiment and feel comfortable in doing so.”
‘Prayer before Birth’ was released last Friday (1st November). Why not Have a listen below…
GENEVIEVE MILES’ psychedelic indie fusion continues to take on new levels of depth with shoegaze and rock influences taking the forefront in new single ‘howl’. Inspired by the likes of Talking Heads, Slowdive and Courtney Barnett, this new single continues her evolution and maturity, as “a true artist of today’s generation” (Local and Live). This single marks the first time Genevieve has recorded with her whole band in the studio, as she finally moved back to her spiritual home of Birmingham at the start of this year. The grit of recording in Digbeth truly shines through on the track, produced by Jo Cartledge, amongst a scene of exciting upcoming bands in Birmingham such as Gingham, Jazzcat and pip.
On the single, Genevieve says: “this has always been our favourite to play live, I am beyond excited that we can all finally cry and scream together at home to this song, one I wrote at ground zero of a broken heart.”
After the triumphant release of last year’s EP, So heavy, so hard to hold, Genevieve has been busy forging new expressions within her music. The EP, which offers “a sonic embrace to all who listen” (Unrecorded) was featured in BBC Introducing’s Top Tracks of 2023, listed inDead Good Music’s top ten EPs of 2023 and gained spots on Amazing Radio’s Indie and Easy Listening playlists. Lead single ‘Good’, was first launched on a Hyundaiadvert in 2022 and has since accumulated over a million views.
Following the success of this EP, Genevieve has spent the past year in the studio, as well as performing around the UK, including notable festival slots at Camp Bestivaland Wychwood Festival, supporting Megan Wyn in London, and headlining a packed out show at Birmingham’s renowned Hare and Hounds. She’s also received endorsement from exciting brands such as Goose and Gander.
BBC Radiohave consistently supported Genevieve since 2019, including a slot at BBC Introducing Live, their joint showcase with Birmingham Music Awards (2020), the digital BBC Airwaves Festival (2021). All this support culminated in playing their stage at Truck Festival (2023).
Overall, 2023 was an exciting year including her first UK tour, a slot at a fringe event of The Great Escape Festival and playing Big Retreat Festival. Her wide range of influences was also celebrated when Fontaines D.C. shared her acoustic cover of their song ‘I Don’t Belong’ for the online Rock the Breadline fundraiser.
On the live experience, Genevieve says: “I love throwing myself around on stage and shouting as loud as I can: it’s for all those years that I stayed quiet, didn’t get mad, people pleased. This is the time of the wild woman: we are loud, emotional, ALIVE.”
Genevieve is also celebrating the release of ‘howl’ with a gig held at The Yard, a cosy space in Moseley, Birmingham. It promises to be a stripped-back set next to a log burner, an intimate night which will mirror the raw intimacy of the new single.
Upcoming gigs: 3rd November – Hare and Hounds, Kings Heath (supporting Danny Mellin) 13th December – The Night Owl, Digbeth
Delving deep into the intricate emotions of love and secrecy, ‘They Can’t Know’ is the powerful single that promises to leave listeners captivated. Crafted by the collaborative genius of The UnKNoWN PRoDuCeR and SuPReMe KiiNg, this song takes the audience on a melodic journey into the hearts and minds of those in search of passionate and elusive love.
This remarkable musical fusion between The UnKNoWN PRoDuCeR and SuPReMe KiiNg has resulted in a symphony of beats that transcends genres. Drawing from his rich background as Queen Latifah’s ex-dancer, The UnKNoWN PRoDuCeR, also known as Kreata, showcases his multi-genre prowess with artful precision. Meanwhile, SuPReMe KiiNg, celebrated as one of the East Coast’s most prolific souls, brings lyrical brilliance and raw authenticity to the table.
The inception of ‘They Can’t Know’ was a harmonious blend of patience and opportunity. The UnKNoWN PRoDuCeR waited for the perfect moment to collaborate with SuPReMe KiiNg, who was drawn to the producer’s dexterous beats and undeniable talent. The result is a seamless synergy between Urban Pop and Symphony Hall Orchestra, creating a tapestry of love, longing, and nostalgia.
Mastered remotely by the esteemed Fabio Maiorano in Spain, whose impressive portfolio includes collaborations with renowned artists, ‘They Can’t Know’ delivers a sonically rich and emotionally resonant experience. The song was produced and mixed at FYSPiStuDio in the US Virgin Islands, under the masterful guidance of Kreata, aka The UnKNoWN PRoDuCeR.
‘They Can’t Know’ is not just a song; it’s an invitation to embrace the complexities of love across different stages of life. As the lyrics intertwine dreams, imagination, and reality, the track becomes a canvas for personal narratives and shared experiences.
To experience the magic of “They Can’t Know” and SuPReMe KiiNg’s other mesmerizing creations, tap in here.
For a taste of SuPReMe KiiNg’s electrifying live performances, visit the YouTube page.
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