After grabbing the Song of the Day hotspot with latest single ‘Livin’ back in June, British songstress CILLA RAIE makes a sultry return with a brand new video for the single, produced by grime producer Treble Clef.
Blending in her delicate soulful vocals with the smoothest grime influences, ‘Livin’ is about embracing who you are and living your life to the fullest despite what people may say. The three-and-a-half production features Cilla in various photo sessions, living her life without a worry in the world.
‘Livin’ is out now across various music platforms…why not check out the video below…
With a sound that looks to pay homage to the smooth and romantic sound of 80s era R&B, emerging artist ZARA SYKES has shared her latest heartfelt swoon ‘Excuse Me’, featuring producer XTOF.
Lifted from XTOF’s latest compilation album ‘Damian’, ‘Excuse Me’ perfectly encapsulates the warm and breezy textures, elevated by Skyes’ stellar vocal performance.
Speaking about the release, “This track is an ode to and paying homage to Zapp and Roger’s ‘Computer Love’. Both of us are children of the 80s who grew up listening to songs such as this along with the 90s R&B and hip-hop. We wanted to take a track like ‘Computer Love’ with all its technological prowess for its time, and to put a contemporary feel to it.”
Rapping/singing since the age of just ten, Zara has worked with Grammy nominated producer formerly known as Ecks music and has worked with various artists including KID the Artist, Raju, Cassie Rowe, Soundmasters, Redstarr and Superbamz. She also supported Jay Z & Kanye West’s Watch the Throne (Birmingham LG Arena) Tour in 2012.
In 2014 Zara Sykes received her first official award ‘Inspiring Entertainment & Achievement Award’ by Be Inspired Youth Award in association with Somewhereto and AJN’s Annual Gala.
After cutting demo tracks which were used by likes of R&B group Immature, Xtof – real name Christof Jennings – started his indie label SMOKINGSFORCOOLPEOPLE this year, where he released first single ‘Excuse Me’ and his first compilation album release, ‘Damian’ this summer. Have a listen to the epic track below…
Almost a year since his guest feature on Dreamville rapper Lute’s record “Myself”, North Carolina’s R&B newcomer DEVN shares the official Cinecerly-directed music video for his new single, ‘Wild’. Produced by Arnold Obonyo, the song is about being wildly in love, and romantically obsessed with someone. The video plays out over the track’s subdued instrumentals, complimented by tinted lighting, and capped by an unexpected twist.
Speaking of the seductive production, DEVN says: “I wanted to capture that feeling on this record. I was inspired by patterns that I observed in relationships, whether that be my own or someone else’s. We all experience that moment of obsession and I wanted to play with that idea. We must acknowledge the fact that relationships have highs and lows, and realize that the romantically obsessive parts are passing moments, and grow with our partners past that. The video depicts what happens when we don’t get past those unhealthy feelings.”
‘Wild’ will serve as one of three new songs on the deluxe version of DEVN’s St. Luke St. EP, set to release 9th September via Soulspazm. For now, check out the video for the single below…
ASHA GOLD returns hot on the heels of her Glastonbury 2022 performance to unveil her first track of the year. Fragrant single ‘Up To Me’ is the epitome of Gold’s artistic identity, an unpredictable and nuanced number with timeless yet innovative qualities. Presenting her staple and silky melodic choreographies, Gold taps at the crossroads of pop and R&B to take ‘Up To Me’ a step ahead into an irresistibly refined sound that is uniquely her.
Speaking of her latest release, Asha Gold says: “I had a lot of fun writing ‘Up To Me’ – the quicker tempo pushed me to be inventive with melody and challenged me to tell a story without crowding the space with too many words. The lyrics encapsulate a sort of playful nostalgia: it’s about growing up and entering the real world, and therefore losing the freedom to carelessly spend hours upon hours with my favourite people. I play on the idea of wanting to keep someone trapped inside so that I can have 100% of their time. Producer Louis hints at this needy, childlike behaviour in the production the beat is incessant whilst the instruments and samples are super playful.”
Having received praise from global tastemakers of Rolling Stone, BBC Radio 1, BBC 1Xtra, BBC Asian Network, The Line Of Best Fit and Colors, Asha is confirmed to be the gift that keeps on giving. She even affirms her strength in the live music scene having performed at Lord’s Cricket Ground for 30,000 people, headlined at Laylow, and opened for Olivia Dean and Tamera.
Oxford collective 916 (NIKZ & BOODA) latest drop ‘Motion’, is injected with an infectious hook and R&B flavour, where the pair deliver their individual styles to this smooth guitar-laced track, perfectly showcasing their unique synergy as a collaborative entity.
Of Punjabi heritage, the collective 916 burst onto the UK music scene with their first single ‘Nobu’, they have since coined their own unique sound, following up with tracks ‘Blue’, ‘Pull Up’ and now their latest drop ‘Get To It’.
Despite being fairly fresh to the industry, they have impressively maintained an effectual style and sound throughout the span of their career, with focus on remaining unique and conceptual both visually and sonically.
Since their journey into music, Nikz & Booda have already accumulated a string of accolades including support from BBC 1Xtra’s Sian Anderson, who featured their track ‘Pull Up’ as her ‘Online Find’ upon its release, radio play on BBC Asian Network, Reprezent and Radio2Funky, as well as press coverage from notable UK music platform Creative Gen. Check them out below…
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