Following on from previous hits such as ‘Crushin’ and ‘Naughty or Nice’, CHERYLL is back with her brand new single ‘One of A Kind’, a sultry joint that’s a must have for a R&B collection.
Taking inspiration from the likes of Mary J Blige, Beyoncé and Aaliyah, Cheryll is a unique blend of powerhouse vocals and 90’s melodies, bringing back the nostalgic vibes of 90’s RnB! London-born singer-songwriter, Cheryll is well on her way to becoming one of the key players in UK RnB, and her new single shows just that.
Cheryll’s music delivers that emotional transparency that appeases the listening ear. Being of Gambian heritage, she has featured in live performances in the motherland and made appearances on many platforms building a core fan base in what she calls home. The soulful songbird is a proud winner of the Fresher of the Year Award at the 2022 State of R&B awards with over 40+ live show performances across the UK. With only one EP released so far – amassing over 50k streams – Cheryll’s place as a musician in the industry has already been cemented and it is only becoming strong.
Check out the official video for ‘One of the Kind’ below…
New Jersey artist GROOVY‘s single ‘jersey luv’, is an exhilarating R&B/Jersey Club fusion that is fitting for both late nights with your lover and late nights on the dance floor. Inspired by his New Jersey roots and the Jersey club global phenomenon, the single pays homage to the genre while incorporating staple Y2K R&B elements that allow Groovy to share his most intimate desires. Opening with a lustrous and laid back R&B melody, Groovy’s sultry vocals narrate the inner workings of his mind over the seductive production brought to life by producer Alejandro. The track then crescendos into a fully charged Jersey Club experience fuelled by staple steely triplet kick-drums and exuberant vocal chops, as fellow NJ artist B Jack$’ intoxicating freestyle verses take centre stage. The juxtaposing elements invite you to embrace the euphoric tension created between the two sonic atmospheres, as Groovy proves his ability to conceptualize a track that lives up to his name.
The single is accompanied by an official music video shot in Newark, NJ – a sentiment to Jersey Club as Newark is the birthplace of the movement and genre itself. Directed by Chris Andrade, viewers travel from a front row seat at a sumptuous fashion show to the exclusive backstage afterparty where everyone is seen doing what they do best when the Jersey Club beat drops. Every role necessary in bringing this vision to life was filled by New Jersey talent; this release is a special homegrown recipe and inspiration for all proud New Jerseyans, as their creative abilities are showcased for the world to see.
When asked what inspires his artistic endeavors, GROOVY explained, “My dad was a touring House DJ growing up, which allowed me to experience a unique cultural appreciation for the genre. Artists from around the world would come together to collaborate at my childhood home; witnessing that free artistic expression at such a young age was really special for me. Jersey has a huge influence on the dance/house genre, which inspired me to create music that is fueled by electricity, expression and liberation, all in my own neo-pop, R&B niche way.”
“jersey luv” follows a string of 2022 singles including groove-inducing ‘Platonic,’ and melancholy summer jam ‘Come Around.’ The traversing musician’s Brooklyn Music Kitchen residency brings fans together on the last Tuesday of every month, as they travel from near and far for his captivating, full-band live performances. Keep an eye out for Groovy as he continues to shine with his eclectic blend of neo-pop, R&B, and house while solidifying himself as one to watch in 2023.
JUICE CANNON‘s latest album ‘Marriot Hotels’ is his first full-length R&B project, adopting warm atmospheric glow inspired by 90s afterhours R&B (as featured in ‘Ghost’ and ‘You’), while tracks ‘P Valley’, Ride 4 Me’ and concluding track, ‘Toxic’ bring on the infectious bass-heavy anthems that’s very fitting for creating those party vibes in the upcoming warms months.
Juice enlisted a pretty decent line-up (Anthiny King, Londa B, 3rd Na’ tree) whose vocal performance further evoke the overall comforting feel from the collection.
‘Marriot Hotels’ is Juice Cannon’s first release since last summer, due to a unfortunate situation beyond his control. After grinding for over a decade, building his name within the underground hip-hop scene in his hometown New York City, and gaining an impressive online presence of over 26 millions streams, Juice Cannon was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease, which forced him to take a break.
At the turn of 2023, he bounces right back into the spotlight with a new silky mesmeric sound – a far cry from his previous full-on braggadocious projects.
So, get comfortable and hit the play button on ‘Marriott Hotels’ below…
RAY ALEX‘s first single of the year, which features West London poet Jayda David, goes on a powerful journey of growth and departure from pain, touching on the importance of rest, recovery and time. ‘Repose’ is a multi-seasonal R&B number inspired by Q-Tip and contemporary jazz musicians Alfa Mist and Joe-Armon Jones, merging hip-hop with a psychedelic synth slickness and live drum feel.
‘Repose’ unveils how we invariably grow stronger with rest, recovery and restored self-belief after a painful episode in our life. Jayda David exposes themes of identity, appearance and health with powerful, raw lyrics that leave no space for ego or insincerity. Her lyrics: “I kneel to the weaknesses in me, strength has never felt so good, I guess power is birthed in moments of fragility” magnify one’s self-awareness and flaws in order to shed old skin and come back stronger. This universal theme is referenced again by Jayda David with “this soul knows where it’s going, steady growing, I just flow through time“. It serves as a reminder that we should not let others exercise control or influence over us; we should stick to our instinctive driving force and our individuality, feeling free in our own bodies. The lyric “light for hands I deem worthy, heavy for dark souls who yearn to hurt me” is a powerful encapsulation of this.
Prior to their studio session, Ray Alex felt drawn to Jayda David’s honest, poetic portraits of identity and mental health in the performances that she had showcased on her social media. Ray had finished the instrumental for ‘Repose’ six months prior to their studio session and held off as the lead vocalist, as he felt the music would lend itself better to another artist with a different story to tell.
Ray Alex’s previous EP ‘Good To Me’ released in March 2022 received frequent airplay on Soho Radio and Amazing Radio, to name a few, in a list with Little Simz, Children Of Zeus and more. Remixes of his song ‘Erased’ received airplay on KISS and other stations worldwide. Ray Alex has a string of singles scheduled for release in 2023…so look out for that…but for now, listen to ‘Repose’ below…
DFLExXx has started 2023 on a chilled vibe with ‘City Lights’, inspired by H.E.R’s hit ‘Slide’. A perfect addition to any summer playlist, the catchy chorus of this smooth RnB joint has been dominating the radio airwaves since its release late last month.
25-year-old Cardiff born Welsh rapper Darnell Ramone Williams (DFlexXx) has a unique, credible and commercial sound that is a blend of Hip Hop and Trap, predominantly rooted in the contemporary UK Rap scene. He developed his performing skills from the young age of six as part of dance troop, Jukebox Juniors, who achieved traction following their feature in a BBC Documentary and went on to appear in children’s TV shows & in films. After studying music at Bridgend College and ACM London, he discovered his natural talent for rapping and songwriting, and so decided to pursue the path of a professional rapper. Subsequently, he has released three other singles and promises a bright future in the music industry.
Well it’s time to check out DflexXx’s ‘City Lights’ below…
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