Spoken word rapper NATTY BOI ZOE circles back into the spotlight with his latest release, ‘Perspective’ — a raw, introspective track that hits with both heart and heat. Teaming up once again with Owl Life labelmate and long-time collaborator Dice Cannon, the duo delivers powerful bars that explore their search for identity, belonging, and the healing refuge they find in music.
Their chemistry is undeniable, their message is clear: sometimes, all it takes is a shift in perspective to see your place in the world.
‘Perspective’ is now available on all major streaming platforms — Why not give it a spin and hear the story for yourself?
Born in Zimbabwe and raised in Leeds, LEI HOPE is the project of Manchester based musician Hope Chiguvo. He recently announced his new EP ‘Matrices’ which will be released 10th May via Heist or Hit and shares the project’s second single and opener ’21’.
On his ambitious new 7 track EP ‘Matrices’, Hope’s textured, wide-ranging songs skip between sacred melodies and secular sentiment, all wrapped in a sound that jitters somewhere between the deluxe-digital-age psychedelics of indie and R&B.
Latest single and EP opener ’21’ at once feels familiar, nostalgic, yet distinctly singular. Written as a reminder to himself of his own growth as a person and artist, the song’s woozy, soulful ascending guitar chords and jazzy instrumental inflections provide a warming base for Lei’s musings on personal progression.
Speaking more on the release of new single ’21’, Lei Hope said: “The title of the EP ‘Matrices’ came around as the plural of ‘matrix’. It’s a bit of a nerdy explanation but in Maths, a matrix is used to communicate transformation, movement, or change (similar to coordinates). Throughout the making of this project, I underwent multiple layers of change. I like starting projects with an update on my state of mind – and on ’21’ I was looking back at times when my mental health was a lot worse and appreciating the growth I’ve made in terms of overcoming a lot of struggles. This was the first song Will Levison and I co-produced in December 2022, and it features vocals from Manchester R&B singer Mxzvita.”
Having already impressed with his self-released debut EP ‘Autonomous Affection’ and on the live stage – with buzzy showcases at Beyond The Music and Manchester Psych Fest, Lei Hope’s music arrives at a fascinating intersection between indie-pop, psychedelia, bedroom-pop, R&B and soul.
The hallmarks of his sound – layered vocal harmonies, vibrant synthesisers and smouldering hooks are all there, dappled in sunshine and in full plain sight. A guitarist first and foremost by his own admission, Lei’s musical genesis was in the church. “Whilst I was living with my family in Leeds, we would go to church maybe two or three times a week. It was non-denominational, but I guess you could say it was most similar to a Pentecostal service, with live musicians every service.” he states.
Following a period of father-son osmosis whereby he soaked up every chord shape his dad could show him, the church musicians rallied to fill in the gaps. “Once I got better at guitar, I joined the church band and was playing live every week. Now, my guitar is like my musical calculator and compass.”
And there is a navigational intelligence to the way in which he uses the various shorelines of genre as jumping off points for his own compositions. From making beats at home around the age of 15, Lei discovered and immersed himself in the material of Omar Apollo, Clairo, Yeek, Blood Orange and Spencer.
However, it wasn’t until the enforced cocoon of the pandemic that Lei began the process of recording. Isolation proved to be a creative chrysalis from which he emerged fully formed: “I didn’t know anyone in the industry or any musicians in Manchester but I knew that Steve Lacy had recorded his first EP on his phone. I took inspiration from that. Quickly, I wrote, produced, recorded and engineered my first project and people reacted.”
Lei Hope is a man making whatever music that comes into his head with the power to dismantle and reassemble genres. A pallet cleansing, no filter aesthetic; not just indie for the sake of it, but affectingly human. When you factor in that he’s capable of wringing soulfulness out of any bar of music seemingly at will, it sets him apart as one of the most exciting prospects on the Manchester indie scene.
Lei Hope’s new EP ‘Matrices’ will be released on 10th May via Heist or Hit. Why not watch the visualiser for ’21’ below…
The second Song of the Day comes from the proclaimed street poet NATTY BOI ZOE.
It’s been a while since he graced the blog, but it’s an absolute pleasure to have him back with his latest single, ‘Street Poet 4 (Broken Vows)’, taken from his upcoming project, ‘I Am Who, I Am’.
Over an drum-led, atmospheric backdrop, the New York spoken word rapper ponders the ramifications of not keeping a promise. Why not check it out below…
LA-based genre-defying artist ASHA IMUNO‘s single, ‘FLORIDA WATER,’ is a soul-stirring offering which sees the breakthrough act navigate the complexities of love and nostalgia. In ‘FLORIDA WATER,’ Asha builds a sonic world sewn with anecdotes from his most intimate relationships, resulting in an introspective, cathartic offering boasting the utmost whip-appeal vibes. Co-produced by Asha, Zach Ezzy (Jordan Ward, Smino, Alex Isley) and Jack Dine (Robert Glasper, Alex Isley, Masego) ‘FLORIDA WATER’ marks a departure from the conventional, paying homage to classic hip-hop but with a modern twist, incorporating warm elements from 70s and 80s R&B/soul.
On the inspiration behind the single, Asha explains, “FLORIDA WATER is a cheeky grin at an entire complicated and beautiful phase of my life. It’s a lighthearted Frankenstein of my love experiences— the ones that feel too good to be true in the best and worst of ways. By melding these different experiences into one story, I can more easily reflect on how I process love, and what nostalgia feels like for me when it comes to love.”
The official music video, directed by Angel Orozco, sees Asha masterfully explore the complexities of love and self-identity, creating a series of silhouettes that explore the universal struggles and triumphs within the context of a suburban black family. Between the oldest daughter, youngest son, mother and father, the video delves into the intricacies of romantic love and how it influences each individual’s self-love, as well as their capacity to love their families. Drawing inspiration from cinematic masterpieces like “Moonlight” and “Atlanta,” the visual is a deeply vulnerable, honest, and provocative reflection of the black experience.
Asha is an absolute self-starter, having built his music career from the ground up. His cult following was ignited with his breakout single “ZIG ZAGGING,” which has accumulated 10M+ streams on Spotify. His innovative spirit has led to recent career milestone moments, including being named one of Pigeons and Planes Best New Artists (September 2023) following the release of his spitfire single ‘DID I CALL AT A BAD TIME?,’ ft Atlanta native Rizz Capolotti. He performed at A Toast To Black Hollywood during this year’s BET Awards, and is a member of the POC-led artist community KOGO (home to CONNIE, Alé Araya, Curtis Waters, KOAD & more). The rising act has earned co-signs from the likes of Jordan Ward, Diddy, and Hit-Boy alongside collaborating with buzzing upcomers like Aaron May and AG Club.
‘FLORIDA WATER’ serves as the third single from Asha’s forthcoming debut album ‘PINS & NEEDLES’, further solidifying his storytelling prowess and his ability to capture duality through soul-stirring melodies and thought-provoking lyricism. He invites you to join him on this musical journey, one that will resonate with anyone who has experienced the intoxicating allure of love, its bitter aftertaste, and the pursuit of warmth in its various forms. Check out the video below…
Canadian rapper and producer CLASSIFIED‘ single ‘Wonder,’ which features fellow Canadian native singer-songwriter Ian Janes, paints a picture of an individual grappling with personal loss, societal challenges, substance use, and questions about identity and existence. It’s a profound reflection on life, questioning the ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of reality and trying to find meaning amidst struggles.
“I’ve had a lot of time to think over the years…really any time I’m not on the go my mind is usually racing. I think a lot of people are like that too…just wondering about things,” says Classified. “It’s like when you go to bed at night and all of your thoughts come at once, this is what that song reflects. Thinking about various personal what-ifs, questioning society, wondering why things are the way they are. The things we wonder can feel personal, but really, we aren’t that unique. This song connects my personal thoughts to what everyone else might wonder about too, giving a glimpse into both my life and our shared experiences.”
This track (penned, crafted, and captured by Classified) skillfully illustrates an individual wrestling with intimate sorrow and daily contemplations. It offers a deep introspection on life, inquisitive about the mysteries and mechanics of this world, while endeavoring to unearth significance amidst life’s trials.
‘Wonder’ is out now via HalfLife Records and Big Story Entertainment, why not check not the compelling video below…
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