COCO continues his rapid ascent with the release of the compelling Waters Run Deep featuring an inspired collaboration with the urban scene’s sweetheart, Shola Ama and fellow Sheffield spitter, Deep Green.
The soft instrumental bed radiates a warm and deeper edge to COCO’s sound as he leads his vocals from Shola Ama on the opening hook. From the instrumental, the variance in tone of the three contributing vocals accentuates mystery and empathy, whilst displaying a raw edge of reality from the rougher vocals of COCO and Deep Green.
The Sheffield emcee’s artistic unpredictability and vision to experiment with different flavours and styles has made for an inspired catalogue of music over the last 18 months, resulting in him hitting the polls as one of the ’15 MC’s Out Of London You Need To Know Today’ via Complex Magazine and being chosen as ‘One To Watch in 2016’ for MixMag by Annie Mac. From the hefty grime remix of Big N Serious with MOBO nominees AJ Tracey and Nadia Rose, through to his recent Jamaican-peppered collaboration with Protoje, (making him the first UK act to collaborate with one of the biggest reggae stars across a grime beat), COCO has taken a fearful and inspiring route to releasing music in 2016; making the music speak for itself.
Finishing what has been a defining year for the Sheffield native, which has seen him perform at Glastonbury on the BBC Introducing stage, alongside Stormzy at Ibiza Rocks, Red Bull’s Manchester Carnival, Notting Hill Carnival, Bestival and the Royal Albert Hall for Jamie Cullum’s BBC Proms, this promising upriser gives an idyllic and retrospective send off to the year with Waters Run Deep – check out the video.
After experimenting in the studio with the hotly tipped producer, XVR BLCK, BASHEBA returns with new material inspired by the sounds of 90s RnB and contemporary bass. The sublime Platinum & Gold, is the first release taken off her latest E.P Axiom Part 2, out now.
Known for combining breakbeat and jungle rhythm in her previous work, Platinum & Gold marks an evolution in sound for the young artist. Her lyrics come straight from the heart and the dark soulful vocal delivery always stands out in her music, and it’s this, which she has been able to translate effortlessly to other areas, such as alt pop and R&B with the project.
BASHEBA‘s last track Don’t Go, garnered support across the board from tastemakers at 1Xtra, BBC Introducing and 6music and online by SBTV, Complex, 405, Fred Perry and MOBO Unsung and her latest project is another example of why she is one to watch – check it out!
VANESSA WHITE receives an attention-grabbing treatment of her latest R&B/soul single, Low Key from SRNO.
Coming from her second upcoming solo EP, Second Chapter, the original version has generated high praises from major taste makers including Complex UK, The Line of Best Fit and Wonderland Magazine as well as receiving airplay on Trevor Nelson’s BBC 1Xtra Show – and over 100,000 listens on SoundCloud.
However the seriously sensual, after hours makeover from Amsterdam producer SRNO has definitely caught the attention of NEW LEASE MUSIC, making it a very well-deserved dish of the day – hope you guys agree!
It’s been almost a year since KYLE LETTMAN graced his presence on NEW LEASE MUSIC with his epic EP, When It Rains. So it’s an absolute privilege for this smooth R&B crooner to take time out of his busy schedule and give us the lowdown of his near future projects – and more. So I hope you guys are ready!
NLM: First of all, thank you for agreeing to do an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC.
KL: Thank you for showing an interest in what I’m doing, it means a lot.
NLM: Tell us what projects you’re working on at the moment?
KL: Right now I’m in the process of recording an album, whilst also working with my team on promotional music and material that introduces a dance & versatility aspect to my artistry. There’s also some special features coming up to look out for…trust me we have a lot going on at the moment!
NLM: What is your favourite project to date and why?
KL: Hmm.. I love all the projects I’ve done so far because I feel like they’ve all taught me something and I’ve grown from each musical experience, so I couldn’t just pick one haha. However, I could pick a favourite song…which would be Matter Of Time from the Under Construction project. I feel like it’s one of the best songs I’ve written in my short career.
NLM: You were in a R&B/pop group called Fundamental. How does being in a band compare to flying solo?
KL: No comparison, it’s like you’re using a completely different muscle set altogether. With the group, I had my brothers on stage with me and that made performing easier. Going solo means that I have to cover all the bases on my own whilst also doing all the entertaining. Although being in a group is easier, flying solo forces maturity and has more personal rewards.
NLM: You’ve written some lyrics for some of the credible artists in the industry – Frank Ocean, Ne-Yo, Nicole Scherzinger, Kele Le Roc, Varren Wade. What’s it like working with these heavyweights?
KL: I wouldn’t say for, working “with” is more accurate, lol! I could definitely tell you some stories but all in all, each credible artist is just a normal person who happens to be well-known. Frank Ocean and Fundamental 03 practically grew up together while we lived and worked in LA. Neyo is actually a pretty respectful person and really easy to work with -his songwriting skills are a lot better than people think. Kele Le Roc is a beautiful woman inside and out, our duet was the 1st time I was granted a chance at songwriting without the guys from Fundamental… and she was lovely enough to allow that to happen. Varren Wade & Jermaine Riley will be my Brothers for EVER haha.
NLM: How would describe your sound to potential fans? Would you compare yourself to any of your music influences of today?
KL: Hmm… I wouldn’t compare myself but I am definitely a reflection of the artists I love, i.e Usher, Ginuwine, Janet & Michael Jackson. My sound is heavily based in R&B & Soul, but not exclusive to those genres.
NLM: What mainstream (or even indie) artists you’re into at the moment?
KL: I’d love to work with Emeli Sandé and I’m pretty sure that’ll happen in the not so far future.
NLM: If you had a choice to collaborate with just ONE mainstream artist, who would it be and why?
I’d work with Chris Brown or Drake as the truth is whoever they co-sign gets noticed lol. But apart from the obvious, I’d love to work with Lela James, Pixie Lott, James Bay or Ed Sheeran.
NLM: If you were granted three wishes to change the music industry today, what would they be?
NLM: Bring back how music felt in the 90s, unfortunately nowadays there’s literally nothing like that feeling. Bring back Hip Hop too, I miss the Busta Rhymes, DMX, Lisa Left Eye Lopez and the Eve’s. Finally to bring back proper artist development, more raw, real and unique talent such as Prince. Rather than those who have been almost formulated by the music industry to look and sound a certain way.
NLM: How can potential fans make contact with you?
NLM: My Instagram & Twitter is @KyleLettman
Website is KyleLettman.com
R&B Influenced singer LASKAAR has just unveiled an intensely striking visual to his latest single, Echo coming from his six-track EP Never Met You, released in June.
The four-minute production features the world famous albino model Shaun Ross – be sure to check it out!
Never Met You EP is available on all major digital music stores.
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