New Track: Shine – Ashley Shakur

ashley-shakur-shine

Having kicked off 2016 with the release of his debut EP, London-based experimental emcee ASHLEY SHAKUR continues to make waves in the British music scene with his follow-up project Hare Colours.

Combining his inherent poetic wit, with clever wordplay and an effortless flow, the EP sees Ash rap over a selection of beats from different producers, showcasing his versatility as an artist.
Featured single Shine kicks off the EP as a statement of intent for the young artist. Rapping over a languid beat, supported by a deep rolling bass and phased guitar, Ash’s positive attitude radiates throughout the track as he predicts his bright future “you can’t deny my success, you can’t doubt my future”.

ashley-shakur

An all-round creative, Ash took his first foray into music when he was creating illustrations whilst listening to classic hip hop instrumentals from the likes of Outkast, Nas and Mobb Deep. He takes full control in his artistic direction, designing his own artwork and clothes and, co-directing his visuals.

Bringing originality back to music, Ash is not afraid to think outside the box and succeeds in bringing a fresh, unorthodox style the British hip-hop scene with his unique cadence and positive storytelling. Tackling current topics and issues in today’s world, Ash’s thought-provoking material has caught the attention of underground radio stations such as Reprezent and Radar and the likes of Noisey, Earmilk, Complex and Indie Shuffle.

Filling the void with music that he feels the current hip-hop scene is lacking, Hare Colours comes as a refreshing body of work and the perfect project to cement him as one of the standout artists in the British music scene.

So get him in your system…have a listen to Shine.

Album Review: Pentagon Memoirs – 3Bubble & J.Gray

Pentagon Memoirs NLM

OK folks, hope you’re ready for something completely FRESH. Just three months after releasing their debut album, Live from the Pentagon, hip-hop duo 3BUBBLE & J.GRAY are set to slam another one, coming in the form of Pentagon Memoirs.

Their latest collection displays how sonically diverse these guys are – from dabbling into a little golden hip-hop, real R&B/slow jams to delightfully wayward bangers that’s arguably on par with Outkast…something tells me that their names will dominate the web in months to come.

Pentagon Memoirs is out this Monday via iTunes and Amazon…but for now, check out one of the tracks, Bulletproof.

Must Listens: Bulletproof, Back to Work, Mac’n, No Strings, Better Days, Vogue

Star Song: Just Lose – Zeno The Ruler

Zeno the ruler

Today’s song is Just Lose by Brooklyn-born rapper ZENO THE RULER. Track is coming from her mixtape #FuckDatDoe released in August.

Hailing TUPAC, LAUREN HILL and OUTKAST as her biggest influence, ZENO THE RULER – formerly known as Xplo-sev- started her music career at 15. Her laid-back flow and clever, thought-provoking and (at times) I-don’t-give-a-f*** wordplay earned her record deals with indie labels Ironfist Ent. & Money Hunters LLC in Queens NY. She went on to feature on a number of mixtapes, including American Idol hosted by DJ Snakeeyes, Sin City by Big City Productions hosted by DJ Kay Slay and 5 Deadly Venoms hosted by DJ Pimpsun. In the height of summer, she released her single  Don’t Do It, which received raving reviews across the net –no doubt her mixtape #FuckDatDoe will continue to fuel the success.

Just have a listen to Just Lose – as you get to witness this hip-hopper’s laid back raps that effortlessly cruise across the silky smooth and well-produced production – CHECK IT!

If you’re feeling Just Lose, it’s worth checking out the mixtape here – because this is one HOT rapper!

Star Song: Secret Technique – Tez Pariah

Tez Pariah Special Technique

Today’s song is called Secret Technique from up and coming rapper TEZ PARIAH. The song is from his mixtape After School Special.  He thanks JAY-Z’s Reasonable Doubt and EMINEM’s Infinite, as these albums had a massive influence on his debut mixtape.

Born in North Carolina and now residing in Georgia, TEZ PARIAH– whose real name is Curtis Buckmire- has been rapping since the age of eight. He picked the stage name TEZ PARIAH, as “Tez” derives from his middle name “Cortez” and “pariah” means outcast (or should I say “Outkast”) – which is named after his favourite rap group. The teenager is also strongly influenced by MAN METHOD MAN, BIG L, and ANDRE 3000. When you get the chance, listen to the effortlessly cool and laid back track – and you can definitely hear the mixture of METHOD MAN and ANDRE 300 in Pariah’s rapping.

This undeniably talented rapper is no one-track pony: At the age of 17, he produces, engineers and directs. Man, is there no end to this guy’s talents! Oh well, some people have all the luck!

If you like Secret Techniques, look out for his mixtape After School Special coming out real soon!