DJ Lag, Mr Nation Thingz & K.C. Driller revamp their viral hit, ‘Hade Boss’

Global sensation and Gqom trailblazer DJ LAG, along with South African sensation Mr Nation Thingz, unveil a reimagined version of their chart-topping track ‘Hade Boss’.

The original ‘Hade Boss’ garnered immense success, with over six million streams and an astounding 500 million views across digital platforms. It also amassed 350K creations and 35M likes on TikTok, solidifying its status as both a viral sensation and an anthem.

Responding to the fervent demand for more, DJ Lag, Mr Nation Thingz, and K.C Driller revisited the studio to craft the second chapter of this ground-breaking hit. The Hade Boss Re-Up features a powerhouse ensemble of South African industry giants on vocals, including DJ Maphorisa, Kamo Mphela, Robot Boii, and 2woshort, with rising star Xduppy handling production duties. This revamped rendition stays true to the essence that captured hearts across South Africa and beyond while further paying homage to DJ Lag’s unique blend of Amapiano and Gqom.

Since its teaser release on TikTok last December, ‘Hade Boss’ has sparked a global dance frenzy, amassing a dedicated fan base even prior to its official launch. Its meteoric rise saw it ascend to #2 on the YouTube Music charts, setting the stage for a monumental year ahead. Accolades include the RISA Certified Gold Record, TikTok’s certified viral status, and noteworthy nominations, including the Metro Awards’ Best Kwaito/Gqom category, while chart-topping positions on various platforms solidify its widespread appeal.

From catapulting Gqom into the global spotlight to earning industry recognition, DJ Lag continues to be a cultural luminary and trailblazer. With ‘Hade Boss’ and a headline London date at Village Underground on 26th May- his largest headline show to date – he reaffirms his status as the undisputed Gqom King, showcasing his enduring influence on the music industry.

Why not have a listen to ‘Hade Boss’ below…

Watch Lilith Merlot’s video for single, ‘Easier To Fight’

Singer-songwriter LILITH MERLOT shares the live music video for her single ‘Easier To Fight’. The single is taken from her EP, Shades Of Blue, out now.

‘Easier To Fight’, as a song, is timeless and heartfelt. Merlot’s vocals are encapsulating and soulful, oozing an incredible emotion over the subtle instrumental of Wurlitzer keys and cello. Topically exploring the themes we all feel when stuck in a relationship, it’s an emotionally charged ballad with an incredible message.

The music video is no different. With the audio being a completely fresh and live rendition of the track, it features Merlot shimmering atop an imposing man-made structure as she delivers her sublime vocals with a raw yet gentle delivery befitting of the video and the song. It is slow paced, with incredible panning and shots, putting Merlot at the forefront while the Wurlitzer and cello are performed live alongside her. With the sky bursting with colorful hues amidst a glistening crescent moon in the background, the cinematography is nothing short of epic, a perfect fit for an anthemic love ballad.

Known for her timeless voice, Dutch singer and songwriter Lilith Merlot has been enchanted by harmony and melody from a young age. During her Jazz vocals studies at the Rotterdam Conservatory, Lilith performed in front of American singer Renée Neufville (known for her work with Roy Hargrove, RH Factor), who remarked: “Your voice is just like a Merlot; it’s so warm, deep, and round”. This inspired Lilith to use Merlot as her stage name. Since releasing her debut EP in 2017, Lilith has been experimenting with various genres, from Jazz to Pop and Soul, influenced by Lizz Wright, Jeff Buckley, and Norah Jones, to name a few, creating music reminiscent of Nina Simone, Amy Winehouse, and Madeleine Peyroux.

With nearly 5 million streams across platforms and support from tastemakers METAL Magazine, her music has aired across a number of stations under the established Netherlands public broadcaster NPO, earning spins on NPO Soul & Jazz, where she has previously featured as a guest speaker, and NPO 3FM Radio. In the past, she has performed live on the Roodshow on NPO Radio 2, NPO Radio 5, NPO Radio 1. Not to mention airing on Sublime FM. While on Spotify, her music has landed on the editorial playlist Sad Covers.

Watch for video for ‘Easier To Fight’ below…

Let Your Hair Down And Listen To Fleece’s New Single, ‘It’s The Life.’

Montreal-based indie-pop / bedroom rock band FLEECE brings along a soulful funk reminder to all of us to stop overthinking – especially about certain expectations others might have of us – and make life more simple in brand new single ‘It’s The Life’ – so go forth and act like a child, be silly, queer it up and just live your best life!

The song originally started as a live jam in the four-piece act’s practice space that they posted to TikTok. The infectious melody and steel-drum-sounding guitar, provided by producer Gus Van Go, capture the song’s fun, live-jam energy.

Released yesterday (22and March), ‘It’s The Life’ has been a massive hit at their live show as its carefree vibes the energizes the crowd…now it’s time for you to let loose and hit the play button on ‘It’s The Life’ below…

Song of the Day: Cold – Danelle Sandoval

Following her breakout debut version of ‘Tuesday’ with ILoveMakonnen ft. Drake, Filipino-American R&B/pop songstress DANELLE SANDOVAL circles back and shares single ‘Cold’ which is her most vulnerable to date.

She confides, “I’ve always been curious about how relationships can just flip a switch and how intimacy can be so difficult for everyone, when most of us just wanna feel close to each other. I’ve definitely been on both sides of a relationship where I was either the one being cold or my partner was. This song represents the latter.”

Cold entices with seductive soul-drenched vocals, mood enhancing R&B landscapes, and intimate reflections of love and loss.

After posting a YouTube cover of ‘Tuesday’ by ILoveMakonnen ft. Drake, the song was remixed and went on to receive platinum awards worldwide while reaching the number one spot in over 70 countries on iTunes and Shazam. The viral hit has amassed over one billion streams online. Following the global success of ‘Tuesday’ Danelle has performed on national television in Germany, has written for other artists including Paris Hilton, and has focused on releasing original music.

With more music to be released in 2023, Danelle has refined her sound to represent the places and genres that have inspired her and her creativity the most, from Toronto’s out-of-the-box production and NYC’s jazz influences to LA’s R&B/pop scene. Have a listen to ‘Cold’ below…

Storry Drops Her Deluxe Album, ‘CH III: The Come Up’.

Ahead of the release of her deluxe album ‘CH III: The Come Up’, released yesterday (24th January), multifaceted Canadian powerhouse and visionary STORRY generated quite a buzz after linking up with Stormzy on the titular track of his album ‘This Is What I Mean’, lending her indelible vocal talents to the capstone of the British hip-hop scene.

The prowess that has defined STORRY’s irresistible artistry to date is given a pedestal on the track, with her operatic vocals perfectly complementing the grandiose that has catapulted Stormzy to the top of the charts in the past half decade. Her angelic vibrato pierces through an instrumental that sounds like a march up a mountain, complimenting the sense of urgency that Stormzy exudes as he refuses to descend from the summit.

The album’s release is accompanied by a premiere video spotlighting STORRY alongside a star-studded cast of collaborators such as P2J, Sampha and Jacob Collier, attaching her face to the posterboard of prodigies and mainstays who base themselves in and around London. The Toronto native will also be named on the LP’s list of creative contributors.

Speaking on her role on the project, STORRY details: “I had met and worked with P2J on several tracks before – previously writing and recording together – including singing operatic vocals on Burna Boy’s Grammy Award Winning ‘Alarm Clock’. When I first moved to London, P2J called me back in for some more of that operatic sauce. Though hot sauce isn’t the main part of the meal – it definitely adds that extra kick. So, I’m excited to play a part in this collaborative record. There are so many amazing artists on this new album. What I love about Stormzy – besides his obvious musical talent – is his kindness and care for inclusivity and equity. You can see that with his collaborators and team. I too am working to build an inclusive safe space in the industry that I never felt I had – especially for womxn, POC and queer folx. I’ve met a lot of my idols and they would often disappoint me as humans. I’m happy to say that Stormzy holds to his name and that is something I stand by.”

With this feature, STORRY is receiving a huge kickstart in light of the arrival of her forthcoming deluxe album , a brutally honest and unapologetic effort that equates the misogynistic devaluement of the sex industry to that of the music world. The tracklist amounts to an adamant call for the respect of women in all facets, emphasising the strength of their resolve against oppression through presenting stories withheld by herself and other women in order to display the people that they are rather than the flesh that surrounds their bones. The concept album was written, produced and funded in its entirety per her own accord and earned a 2021 JUNO Award nomination alongside Alanis Morrissette and Celine Dion.

STORRY elaborates on the album: “CH III: The Come Up is a record about a woman trying to leave the sex-industry – which she was coerced into – and get into the music industry, only to realise that both are equally misogynistic and problematic. She grapples with her relationship with her mother, family, romantic relationships, money and her career. That woman is me.”

Whether working out of Toronto or London, STORRY lets the candidness of her craft speak for itself. Refusing to confine herself to a box, she hops in and out of niches from hip hop and reggae to opera and musical theatre, all coming together to hold female empowerment to a bright light with a gritty and enigmatic presence that cannot be shunned.

STORRY’s deluxe version of ‘CH III: The Come Up’ was released yesterday (24th January). Have a listen to this stunning collection below…

Must Listens: Bow Down, I Don’t Wanna Get High, Suburban Bitches, A Lost Find, Wanna Get High (Junia-T Remix)