Tag: r&b

Queen Naija Confronts Self- Absorbed Men In Single, ‘Let’s Talk About It’.

Multi-platinum songstress QUEEN NAIJA kicks off the new year with ‘Let’s Talk About It’ — a slow-burning soulful R&B single that calls out all the self-absorbed and drama-obsessed men of the world. Accompanied by a cinematic video that finds Queen taking back her power, ‘Let’s Talk About It’ arrives around the Detroit-bred artist’s milestone five-year anniversary of her breakthrough hit ‘Medicine’ (a double-platinum smash that premiered on New Year’s Day in 2018 and immediately set her meteoric rise in motion).

Co-written by Queen with Mike Woods (G-Eazy, Tink, Ty Dolla $ign) and producer Oak Felder (Kehlani, Nicki Minaj, Pink Sweat$), ‘Let’s Talk About It’ possesses a soulful backdrop of lush textures and hypnotic beats, the bold but vulnerable track challenges the men in her life to face their issues once and for all.

Directed by Sara Lacombe, the video for ‘Let’s Talk About It’ opens on a shot of Queen driving rapidly through windy roads. It soon follows her to an abandoned warehouse where two other women assist her in bringing out her man tied up for Queen to confront him. Once inside the shadowy warehouse, a series of TV monitors light up to reveal footage of emotional crimes committed in the man’s past, as Queen autocratically circles her captive. Spliced with gorgeously captured performance shots of Queen, the visual ultimately finds her urging him to talk about what he’s done and fully own up to his actions. Alongside Queen, the video stars actor/rapper Lil Meech as her man from the 50 Cent produced television drama series BMF.

Not only dropping just after the five-year anniversary of ‘Medicine’ — a track that debuted on the Billboard Hot 100 — ‘Let’s Talk About It’ follows another major triumph for Queen: ‘Hate Our Love,’ her early-2022 RIAA gold-certified collaboration single with GRAMMY®-nominated superstar Big Sean. Released last February — and later accompanied by an official video directed by Cam Busby (Wiz Khalifa, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Baby) — ‘Hate Our Love’ marked another showing on the Billboard Hot 100, amassed over 265 million combined global streams, hit No. 1 crowning Billboard’s Adult R&B Airplay chart, and received a 2022 BET Soul Train Award nomination.

With more than five billion combined global streams to date, Queen made her full-length debut with missunderstood — a 2020 release that entered the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart at No. 1 and cracked the top ten of the Billboard 200. Nominated for a 2021 American Music Award in the Favorite R&B Album category, missunderstood features Queen’s No. 1 hit ‘Butterflies Pt. 2’ along with her RIAA gold-certified singles ‘Pack Lite’ and ‘Lie To Me’ featuring Lil Durk.

Check out the video for Queen’s single below…

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Pollena Offers Optimism In Dark Times With EP, ‘Rising.’

Following earlier tips from the likes of BBC 6 Music, Line of Best Fit, Notion, Radio 1/1Xtra, Under the Radar, Beats Per Minute, Earmilk – to name a few – London-based artist formerly of neo-soul outfit Girlhood – POLLENA returns with her debut EP ‘Rising’ on Team Talk Records.

Pollena isn’t afraid to tackle a darker world in her debut EP, finding power in the fight for a better life. ‘Rising’ stands out by giving us a reason for optimism even – especially – in challenging times. Featuring raw and honest themes delivered with Pollena’s signature rich, smooth vocals, the EP blends genres, from neo soul to house, electronica and RnB, in an accomplished celebration of individuality, resilience and vulnerability and a call for hope.

Co-written and co-produced with Barney Whittaker aka Footshooter, following the success of their previous collaboration ‘Stand Up’, ‘Rising’ reveals a fresh and rejuvenated sound for Pollena that melds together elements of neo-soul, house and RnB.

The leading ‘Black Holes’ is an exploration of spacey synths, glowing keys, and commanding bass lines accompanied by powerful yet ethereal vocals. “I’m searching for a way out of the darkness, trying to hold on to a glimpse of light through connection. ‘Black Holes’ speaks to our innate desire to feel whole and an understanding that good times shared together are the answer.” Pollena.

The following ‘Diamonds’ is a glowing house and UK garage-inspired bop with a powerful message. “I’m sick of society pressuring us into lives we don’t want. We blindly follow the paths set out for us and do what’s expected, we simply don’t have to. I want ‘Diamonds’ to encourage listeners to fight for a better life.” Pollena

‘Lemons’, the first release prior to the EP’s launch, reveals waves of sun-kissed harmonies accompanying glowing jazz keys and a rich, Latin-inspired rhythm to create a summer vibe full of hope and optimism. “I want to celebrate living a life that feels true to me and inspire others to do the same. ‘Lemons’ is all about slowing down and connecting with what makes you happy.” Pollena

Rounding up the EP is the hazy, lo-fi ‘Bask In Blue’. A mellow R&B beat blends warm, soulful harmonies with balmy keys. “Bask in Blue tells a story of letting uncomfortable feelings in and embracing sadness whilst holding onto the hope that things can change.” Pollena

So if you’re suffering from the January blues, I reckon this mini EP will offer up some comfort. Have a listen below…

Must Listens: Black Holes, Lemons

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Song of the Day: Crossroads – Denel

DENEL‘s latest single ‘Crossroads’ is compelling right from the beginning, with the dark R&B/pop infused undertones, accompanied by a synth and heavy bass production. The thought-provoking tune is self-produced and written by the South African born, New Zealand bred artist who showcases his talents through beat-making and lyrical prowess to tell a story of unification and the need for one’s own validation.

Denel comments on ‘Crossroads’, “We’re constantly in a state of chasing the next big thing, staying validated and sometimes all of this comes at the detriment of our own selves. I think it’s so important to know your identity and be comfortable with who you are. That’s really what this song is all about.”

His previous track ‘Make It Right’ enjoyed a number eight spot on the NZ Hot 20 in its first week and has attained over 177,000 streams on Spotify alone. Its music video was nominated for ‘Best Music Video’ at Sony’s Catch Light Film festival held in Sydney last year.

Denel has set his sights on diversifying his audience, making music that appeals to people of all ages. 2023 has its own set of goals in mind for the singer-songwriter and producer…Check out his smooth joint below…

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New Lease Music’s Top Ten Songs of 2022

Here’s the blog’s top ten songs, which completes the top releases of 2022.

Some of the songs on the list were staples on the NEW LEASE MUSIC weekly charts in 2022, whereas others quietly clocked up heavy amount of streams and views via the blog.

So are you ready to explore the list? Good!

Just in case you missed it, you can view the Top Ten Music video here and Top Ten Albums here.

Have a great weekend!

10. DO IT LIKE THAT – CAITLIN MIN FA

9. DANNY BOY STEWARD – DONE ME WRONG

8. SHARE MY LIFE – RAPHAEL TATE

7. REMEDY – FRENCH THE KID

6. UNCONDITIONAL – DARREN PARRY

5. STRUGGLE BUS – OLTEA FRANCES

4. LORD I NEED YOU NEAR – RAPHAEL TATE

3. DANCING WITH THE ENEMY – JVSTN

2. BOSS (CALL AWAY) – K HARRISON

1. IT ENDS WITH US – APRIL JAI

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Song of the Day: Christmas – Jordan & Wesley

As this is the time of year that we often reflect on the past year and also look forward to the future for a fresh start, JORDAN & WESLEYs new single, ‘Christmas’, encourages us to remember Jesus Christ during the season as he gave up his life for us – he is and forever will be the ultimate reason for it all.

Produced by the incomparable Luke “GKid” Grant and co-written by Maleík Loveridge, the song has a 90s/2000s Rnb feel with a chorus that has been described catchy and uplifting. Jordan & Wesley want the listeners to feel good when listening to the track and be encouraged that the Jesus love them wholeheartedly hence his entrance to the world to save.

Hailing from Coventry (UK) brothers, Jordan and Wesley have a passion for music and ministry. They have been singing/ministering with each other for most of their lives and are now aspiring to take their ministry forward to the masses by releasing their first official single. Jordan and Wesley have also sung as part of groups, worship teams (and continue to do at their local church), choirs and sang background vocals for different artists but as a duo they feel they are called to do much more. Most recently they’ve had the opportunity of appearing on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show (2019) and The Voice UK (2021) where they made it through to the final 8 on Team Olly.

‘Christmas was released on the 21st December 2022 on all major music platforms and stores.More original music and covers of songs are to come from Jordan and Wesley, so be sure to like, follow and subscribe to their music pages on various social media.

Connect with Jordan & Wesley via

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jwmusiq
IG: https://www.instagram.com/jwmusiq/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jwmusiq

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