UK vocalist OLETA FRANCES delivers her first release of the year, in a classic, timeless single entitled ‘Only One’.
Following on from Oleta Frances’ debut EP in 2022, the songstress has started her campaign for 2023. Oleta is finding her feet in the music industry and still establishing herself as the rising star that she currently is. In 2022, Oleta Frances had some performances in London off the back of her EP being released. The single from Oleta Frances’ previous EP was played on BBC Introducing Berkshire twice in 2021 before it was officially released. Oleta Frances intends on getting the ball rolling this year with more impact than ever.
‘Only One’ will be relatable for anyone that listens purely because the subject matter is a topic that most people have experienced directly or indirectly. The single is about wanting to be considered a priority by a love interest and being the “Only One” they are talking to rather than an option. Oleta Frances took inspiration from R&B legends SWV when recording and writing this song. The goal was to create a conventional R&B hit that could be listened to decades from now and still evoke the same emotions every time it is heard. Have a listen below…
Ahead of the release of her second album ‘A Good Life’, Danish/London based musician, producer and vocalist MARIE DAHLSTROM shares its title track ‘A Good Life’. The new album will feature collaborations with acts including Kofi Stone, Jay Prince, Conor Albert, Delleile Ankrah and Sipprell.
Produced by south London producer and Young Poet/Ninja Tune signee Conor Albert, the single ‘A Good Life’ exudes blissful positivity. Accompanied by warbling keys, soulful guitar passages and uplifting brass sections, ‘A Good Life’ was written as an ode to Marie’s son and explores the wonders of the world from a child’s eyes.
Speaking more on its inspiration and lyrical meaning, Marie Dahlstrom said:
“A Good Life is a song about the wonders of everyday life, if we choose to stay curious. These moments will eventually be what we remember, and become a part of our story. This song is for my son, and everything he’s already taught me.”
Marie Dahlstrom is supported and praised widely at press by the likes of Billboard, NPR, Complex, The Line Of Best Fit, Mixtape Madness, NYLON, New Wave Magazine, Wonderland Magazine and more, as well as being listed as a ‘Sleeper Pick’ by Joe Budden (twice) on TheJoe Budden Podcast (the most influential podcast in R&B and hip-hop globally). Marie Dahlstrom has also received substantial radio airplay from BBC 1Xtra DJ’s Jamz Supernova, DJ Target, Toddla T and Rinse FM’s Jyoty.
Marie Dahlstrom’s new album ‘A Good Life’ is out 22nd May via her label, JFH Records. Have a listen to the soothing single, ‘A Good Life’ below…
MONIE LOVE has been a pioneer for British Hip Hop in the late eighties and nineties who uses the hip-hop platform to drive the message of love, unity and equality. She joined forces with fellow females emcees such as Queen Latifah, for pro-feminist song ‘Ladies First’, proving that women (who were mainly invisible in Hip Hop at that time) can rap just as well as men can.
After impressive guest performances on songs by De La Soul, The Jungle Brothers and Adeva, Monie was given a recording contract with Warner Bros, an impressive achievement for a British female rapper. Her debut album ‘Down to Earth’ featured two hit singles that were Grammy nominated – ‘Monie in the Middle’ and ‘It’s a Shame (My Sister)’.
With all the achievements she made over the years, there’s no dispute that Monie Love is one of the rap artists who paved the way for female rappers of today. Now almost 30 years later, she returns, still spreading the message of love, unity and equality in latest single ‘1NE People.’
Sporting a unique blend of reggae, hip-hop and R&B, ‘1NE Peope’ sees Monie Love dig deep into her West Indian roots and performs a melodic, reggae chant in Jamaican patois, inspired by the heartfelt mantra by Marcus Garvey – “Out of Many, One People”.
For this single – produced by up and coming music producer/engineer Roctimus Prime and legendary Grammy Nominated hip-hop producer, Baby Paul/BpZy (formerly of Da Beatminerz) – Monie enlists upcoming Ghanaian singer/songwriter Nana Fofie, who just recently signed to Nicki Minage’s new record label. Currently residing in Rotterdam, Nona Fofie drops an infectious verse, delivered in English and French, making it the perfect addition to Monie’s vocals offering a substantial and inspirational tone.
Monie Love recently guest appeared at the curated De la Soul career catalog launch and Plug 2 Tribute event which was held at Webster Hall in NYC. She performed an impromptu segment of the classic song ‘Ladies First’ with Queen Latifah, along with sharing her exuberant energy while on the stage with De La Soul as they ran through a few of their classic songs.
She’s now working on her new music project, #LoveStruck which is executively produced by Baby Paul/BpZy formerly of “Da Beatminerz” with pending collaborations from a few legends and new talent to watch out for. Look for’ Monie project, but for now, listen to ‘1NE People’, which is out now available across various music platforms
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…
17-year-old Brazilian singer/songwriter and producer FORTTE‘s, latest single, ‘Dependent on You’, addresses the issue of emotional dependence on friendships and exposing the artist’s deepest insecurities over an intriguing mix between synth-pop, electro-pop, and alternative R&B.
‘Dependent on You’, with Influences that range from Macintosh Plus to Ariana Grande, was born when Fortte heard one of the instrumentals he made on his smartphone and decided to create a melody to it and write about the feelings that surrounded his mind at the time. The result couldn’t be different: an intimate track with melancholic lyrics, but with powerful vocals and a brilliant production.
About the song lyrics, Fortte says: “I wrote this track hoping that other people could relate with what I felt, it is horrible to feel alone. An emotional dependence on someone, even on a friend, can really f*** up your whole mind. I wonder why no one talks about it..?”
After introducing himself in 2021 with the trap-infused single ‘Night’, Fortte is ascending as a rising artist in pop music. The teenager has been singing since his childhood, in the churches his parents used to attend. Also, he grew up in an extremely musical environment. Now, at 17 years old, Fortte writes his own lyrics and produces his own songs in an exceptional way – using an android phone and his microphone…have a listen to ‘Dependent on You’ below…
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