Tag: Public Enemy No.1

JUNO Award nominated R&B artist Emanuel shares new single ‘Worldwide’ + Lyric Video

Canadian R&B phenom EMANUEL‘s latest single ‘Worldwide’ captures a time when dreams were still dreams – before his music was streamed millions of times around the globe and his talent was admired by fans and critics alike.

Created in his producer/collaborator Bedroom’s basement, Emanuel recalls that the lyrics “floated up to the surface” as ‘Worldwide’ spontaneously took shape: “During that time, we were really dreaming out loud in the way that we would talk about our futures and in the way that we were trying to summon this grand reality. This song was really born from the deep want to take the music to the world.” Years later, ‘Worldwide’ has morphed from a manifestation mantra into a song of celebration and a prayer for the future.

“This past year has been a great learning experience for what it means to really manifest something and be appreciative of the things you’ve been able to uncover and draw from within yourself and make reality,” says Emanuel. “But even though we’ve manifested certain aspects of the song – and that’s a beautiful thing – it still wants to be seen out in its fullness. ‘Worldwide’ is a song of affirmation and it’s become a prayer to be able to continue until all of those goals are met in their completion.”

The dream to connect with people in the cities and countries he sings about is still very real for Emanuel since the pandemic has prevented him from bringing his music to stages around the world. “It’s wild to me how prophetic music can be. I’m still imagining going to those places, smelling the air, performing in front of crowds, and being able to truly live out what the song is talking about: to be able to take the message, the energy we bring, the light we’ve been blessed with; to be able to share that while also being open to receiving wisdom and exporting that back so we can enrich the places we’re in. That beautiful exchange, that’s the heart of it.”

Mixed by Gary Noble (Amy Winehouse, Nas, Public Enemy), “Worldwide” is the final glimpse into ALT THERAPY, Emanuel’s inaugural full-length project, before the album makes its eagerly anticipated debut on June 16th.

Earlier this Spring, Emanuel was honoured with his first JUNO Award nomination. His critically acclaimed debut EP Session 1: Disillusion has been nominated for Traditional R&B/Soul Recording of the Year which will be awarded at the 50th Annual JUNO Awards this June.

Have a listen to ‘Worldwide below, releases via Universal Music Canada, the country’s leading music company, and Motown Records.

by Categories: new singlesTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Citizen Kay Teams Up With Genesis Owusu For Some ‘Funny Business’

Australian hip-hop artist CITIZEN KAY dishes up a tasty fun-packed, funk-fuelled joint titled ‘Funny Business’. Paying homage to the glory days of soulful US rap music of the 80s, the accompanied video could be mistaken for a US cult 80s movie or sitcom, which features the rapper kitted out as a typical high-flying yuppie.

Speaking on the release, Citizen Kay says “The track explores our relationship with mainstream media and how we’re expected to trust it all without question. People need to find their own truths. Stop adopting everything you read or see without researching it for yourself.”

2020 marks a fresh chapter for the ARIA-nominated artist who has toured Australia extensively, supporting the likes of Public Enemy, Run The Jewells, Ice Cube, Danny Brown, Wiz Khalifa and Earl Sweatshirt.

‘Funny Business’ is now out on all major download/streaming sites…but before you head out, check out the dope visuals for the single below…

by Categories: new singlesTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Album Review: 2 Menace Drinking Juice Rolling Dice in Flatbush – Dice Cannon

So glad to see DICE CANNON (pictured right on the album’s cover art) bounce right back into the game after (what seems) years of lying low.

His comeback comes in the form of a 12-track set, ‘2 Menace Drinking Juice and Rolling Dice in Flatbush’, enlisting fellow spitters including Juice Cannon and Natty Boi Zoe, whose spoken word collection, ‘My Body, My Soul Vol.1’, was featured on the blog back in April and stole the blog’s Album of the Month title last month.

Taking us back to the golden hip-hop era (similar to KRS-One and Public Enemy No.1) through introductory track ‘Drinking Juice Rolling Dice’, the album goes on a journey of different variations of the genre, incorporating a real nice lick of old school R&B/soul, a modern spin on 70s soul/funk and a rather emotive piano-led/boom bap piece (through Bishop Vs Raheem).

When a rapper like DICE CANNON disappears from the scene for a while and returns with a confident swagger, well you know that he cooked up something beyond good.

Check him out below:

Must Listens: Drinking Juice Rolling Dice, Bishop Vs Raheem, Sin Til I Win, Concrete Jungle

by Categories: new singlesTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

New Music Video: The ArtForm – Confucius MC & Mr Brown

‘ The Artform’ is a collaboration between two unique and very talented hip-hop artists: CONFUCIUS MC and MR BROWN.

The production showcases a classic sense of groove and masterful use of samples, producing a solid mixture of unique beats. Confucius’ intelligent lyrics and superb flow combine perfectly with the beats to make a riveting and dynamic collection of songs. The accompanied video was shot during a brief visit to Morocco, displaying a journey through the vibrant and art filled streets of the city of Essaouira, once the home of the late Jimi Hendrix.

Possessing a unique voice which cuts through the clichéd conversations, CONFUCIUS MC has been active in the London hip-hop scene for several years, garnering praise as one half of live act ‘Con+Kwake’ and supporting the likes of Mos Def, Public Enemy and Slum Village .His debut release ‘The Highest Order’ (YNR Productions) has firmly established him as one of London’s emerging new talents.

We Stay True’s recruit MR BROWN has been quietly producing tracks for nearly two decades. After a handful of releases including 2 volumes of his ‘Beats for Days’ instrumental series and a spattering of collaborations (Planet Asia, Copywrite, Beneficence, MCM) he crossed paths with CONFUCIUS MC through a mutual friend and instantly knew they could make something special. Henceforth… and ‘The Artform was born.

Check out the video.

by Categories: New VideosTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Interview with: 3KNGZ

3Kngz interview pic

Meru Muad’Dib (right) and Chill – aka 3KNGZ  – have been firm regulars on NEW LEASE MUSIC, always challenging us to seek out serious messages in a string of out-of-sight tracks. Their single, Unload, Explode, Reload was named Song of 2015 by this blog…and it’s about time we got to know these conscious emcees. So are you ready? Good!

NLM: Who’s speaking on behalf of 3Kngz?

It’s Meru here.

NLM: First of all, congratulations on your track Unload, Explode and Reload – it was named the Song of 2015 by NEW LEASE MUSIC. What’s the reception been like on this track?

Meru: Thank you Tracey!! It’s been cool. People dig the beat. Most of the feedback has been that we still have it. We’re old school cats. The beat produced by Dro by the Key(Alejandro Rivera) is newer school. So we had to mos def be on point with the flows. So people saying we still have it means we brought it. That’s a nice compliment! They recognize we have different flows and rhyme patterns based in the beat. They’re listeners which is another compliment because they listen. A lot of people don’t listen very well.

 

NLM: So tell us how did 3KNGZ come to life?

Meru: A guy I used to rhyme with bumped into one of my old producers. I hadn’t seen him in almost 10 years. In those 10 or so years, he went on to receive a few Grammy awards. He is Sham of the world-famous ‘Trak Starz.’ We used to do Christian rap in the late 90’s together. His claim to fame is producing for the rapper Chingy. ‘Right Thurr’ put those guys on the Hip Hop map. They’ve sold like 20 million units worldwide. So we ended up in the studio at Sham’s house and the 3KNGZ were formed. Initially everything was produced by the Trak Starz. Eventually Sham went on to do other things and we’ve kept it going. That was in 2010 when it was formed. We’ve gone through a couple of line up changes but we’re still here!

NLM: How would you describe your sound to potential fans?

Meru: It’s almost like new age gospel music. Hard beats. Trap beats in some cases. But uplifting hard flowing lyrics being delivered. Definitely poetic and prophetic. Soulful!

NLM: You have pretty neat discography. What’s your proudest work and why?

Meru: An unreleased song called 50 Bullets. It’s our most poignant work to date. Chill is writing the script for the video and it’s going to be a very important statement. It speaks to the heart of what most deem the problem with hip-hop today.

NLM: Who are your musical or non-musical influences?

Meru: For me it’s Saul Williams, Public Enemy, X Clan, Midnite, Bob Marley, Marvin Gaye.

NLM: If you were to collaborate with just ONE chart-topping artist of today, who would it be and why?

Meru: J Cole. He is soulful. He is socially conscious also. He has great heart-felt songs. Or Saul Williams. That guy says some of the craziest stuff. He’s always raising the bar.

NLM: What are your plans for 2016?

Meru: We are continuing our diaper drive and stop the violence movements.

NLM: Do you have any upcoming gigs/projects?

Meru: We are working on our next mixtape and original album.

NLM: How can potential fans reach you?

Email us at chillof3kngz@gmail.com

Twitter: @the3kngz

FB: 3Kngz

NLM: Finally, if music didn’t exist, what other profession would you do?

Meru: Conducting writing workshops for children. It’s actually my job. I work with different non-profit organizations. All of them benefit children in some way or another. I teach poetry, creative writing, and hip-hop. I’ve been doing it since 2007.

by Categories: InterviewsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment