Afro-Fusion Singer Gyakie Taps Rapper JBEE For Track, ‘SCAR’.

Rising Ghanaian afro-fusion artist GYAKIE has teamed up with North London’s rap riser JBEE with newest single ‘Scar’.

‘Scar’ is a powerful and emotionally charged R&B cut laced with hip-hop brought to life by Gyakie’s fierce flow over a Sosa-crafted drill beat featuring JBEE. Gyakie tells the story of a love gone wrong from both sides – hers representing pain, and his centering on doubts and insecurities. ‘Scar’ features ominous production underscored by heavy 808s with both artists providing hard-hitting lyrics juxtaposed by softer melodies showcased throughout JBEE’s verse.

The juxtaposition on ‘Scar’ continues into the visuals which see Gyakie and JBEE both telling their sides of the love story before coming together in the final scenes with red tones used throughout, representing the love and pain in the story that features throughout ‘Scar’ directed by Craig Capone who has worked with artists such as Headie One, Sarkodie, Chip and Ms Banks on their visuals as well as Romara Blake who is known for her work with Eva Lazarus.

Gyakie has been rising through the ranks since bursting onto the scene with her debut single ‘Love is Pretty’ in 2019. Since then she has collaborated with the likes of AKA, Diplo, Blaq Jerzee, Major League DJz, and Mayorkun. Her breakout single ‘Forever’ gained international recognition and has amassed over 150m streams across platforms.

North London’s JBEE is one of the go to fresh faces in British Rap paving a lane of his own. In 2021 he released ‘4AM’ gaining over 77 million streams, going onto currently reaching 3.7 million monthly Spotify listeners. It’s no surprise he picked up a MOBO nomination for Best Newcomer at the end of last year.

The collaborative track provides heart wrenching insight into contemporary relationships laced with authenticity that is sure to resonate with music fans across continents. Check out the video for the hard-hitting single below…

Check out Quincy’s Video For Track, ‘Face Off’

Taken off his Q Side B Side album, QUINCY returns and drops the striking visuals for track, ‘Face Off’ – check it out below!

Be sure to keep your eyes peeled out Quincy as part 2 of the video for single is coming soon…

Song of the Day: Only One – Oleta Frances

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…

Song of the Day: A Good Life – Marie Dahlstrom

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…

Song of the Day: 1NE People – Monie Love (ft. Nana Fofie)

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


Connect with Monie Love via:
FB: https://www.facebook.com/DaRealMonieLove/
T: https://twitter.com/DaRealMonieLove
IG: https://www.instagram.com/darealmonielove/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@darealmonielove_

Connect with Nana Fofie via:

FB: https://www.facebook.com/nanafofieofficial
T: https://twitter.com/DaRealMonieLove
IG: https://www.instagram.com/nanafofiee/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@nanafofie