Hailing from Wednesbury, West Midlands is THUGZ SNE and his brand new visuals for his 2015 track, simply entitled ‘Blessings’.
Sampling from Jaded Edge’s hit ‘Walked Outta Heaven’, this young emcee gives thanks to the big man above (GOD, just in case you’re wondering) for all the blessing he receives – even though he didn’t recognise them at first hand!
‘Blessing’ is taken from THUGZ SNE‘s 14-track album, ‘Streets 2 Tha Studio’, available on iTunes…but before you head off, check out the visual to this smooth slammer.
Following his last appearance in July with single ‘Free The Slaves’ , OTIS MENSAH is here with a follow-up single entitled ‘Aurora’ – which paints the story of frustration with a system in modern-day society.
Unlike his previous release, which sports feather light boombap-esque soundscapes, ‘Aurora’ goes down the atmospheric hip-hop/rap route, where the Sheffield conscious emcee, delivered in a rapid light flow, shed light on his personal journey of self-doubt.
HOLY ’57, the moniker of London-based artist Alex Mankoo, explores the joys and tensions in his cultural identity on the grooving single ‘Water / / Chrome’.
A gently glistening intro creates a disarming and dream-like atmosphere for HOLY ’57 to deliver his poetically sculpted personal lyrics. Punchy drums and a low bass set a funk-inflected rhythm that draws from contemporary hip-hop influences, whilst rounded guitars call to mind the bittersweet productions of Vampire Weekend and Unknown Mortal Orchestra. With Indian and Greek heritage, but having grown up in the UK, Alex explores the experience of struggling with one’s cultural identity, presenting its joys, conflicts and poignancies, as he feels “torn in two by the outcome of an avalanche”.
The video for ‘Water // Chrome’ brings to focus the song’s main themes. Almost entirely based around his family, the video flits from his grandmother’s home to the British countryside, where a deadpan The video for ‘Water // Chrome’ brings to focus the song’s main themes. Almost entirely based around his family, the video flits from his grandmother’s home to the British countryside, where a deadpan HOLY ’57 stands proudly in scenic locations accompanied by his grandmother, younger brother and sister, as if in a sombre family portrait. The video brings to the fore HOLY ’57 Indian heritage; the penultimate scene features his grandmother performing a traditional dance whilst he walks into a choppy sea. The waves push back against him, symbolic of his own inhibitions and issues of identity.
HOLY ’57 has managed to convey his unique heritage and introspective thoughts into this irresistibly loveable song. ‘Water / / Chrome’ is more than just another summer jam, and will doubtless see HOLY ’57 winning hearts and minds all over. stands proudly in scenic locations accompanied by his grandmother, younger brother and sister, as if in a sombre family portrait. The video brings to the fore HOLY ’57’s Indian heritage; the penultimate scene features his grandmother performing a traditional dance whilst he walks into a choppy sea. The waves push back against him, symbolic of his own inhibitions and issues of identity.
HOLY ’57 has managed to convey his unique heritage and introspective thoughts into this irresistibly loveable song. ‘Water / / Chrome’ is more than just another summer jam, and will doubtless see HOLY ’57 winning hearts and minds all over.
‘Water / / Chrome’ is the first single from his forthcoming mini-album ‘L’, out this Autumn.
Delivering an introspective insight into both her characteristics and personality, CHERRI V delves into a self-aware mindset in her new single ‘Leave Me Be’.
CHERRI V is at ease on the record as her voice explores her depth and soul as a songstress. Jazz elements fuse with psychedelic rifts giving the record a dreamlike warmth and enchantment. There is a rich tapestry of emotion and musical understanding that radiates from ‘Leave Me Be’, capturing frustration and the need to be free, an ongoing theme which is captured in both the music, and concept choices, behind her forthcoming album, ‘Brown Eyed Soul’.
Produced by Joey Stickz, CHERRI V has also enlisted the talents of Nolay for a spicy remix that is set to make its debut in the coming weeks.
The visuals for ‘Leave Me Be’ captures an intimate yet fierce side to CHERRI V as she sports an array of different looks within the video, ranging from the chic black and white opening to a more Afrocentric style, where she is draped in vibrant jewellery. Directed by Asylum 33, the video oozes a sense of liberation as Cherri is able to channel her creativity with an artistic direction to the video.
‘ The Artform’ is a collaboration between two unique and very talented hip-hop artists: CONFUCIUS MC and MR BROWN.
The production showcases a classic sense of groove and masterful use of samples, producing a solid mixture of unique beats. Confucius’ intelligent lyrics and superb flow combine perfectly with the beats to make a riveting and dynamic collection of songs. The accompanied video was shot during a brief visit to Morocco, displaying a journey through the vibrant and art filled streets of the city of Essaouira, once the home of the late Jimi Hendrix.
Possessing a unique voice which cuts through the clichéd conversations, CONFUCIUS MC has been active in the London hip-hop scene for several years, garnering praise as one half of live act ‘Con+Kwake’ and supporting the likes of Mos Def, Public Enemy and Slum Village .His debut release ‘The Highest Order’ (YNR Productions) has firmly established him as one of London’s emerging new talents.
We Stay True’s recruit MR BROWN has been quietly producing tracks for nearly two decades. After a handful of releases including 2 volumes of his ‘Beats for Days’ instrumental series and a spattering of collaborations (Planet Asia, Copywrite, Beneficence, MCM) he crossed paths with CONFUCIUS MC through a mutual friend and instantly knew they could make something special. Henceforth… and ‘The Artform was born.
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