‘I’m Climbin”, is the powerful lead song from NAACP winning ERICKA NICOLE MALONE‘s documentary The Bucketwish. The song is a cathartic release, ushering in an era of abundance for Ericka Nicole Malone as ‘I’m Climbin” is a reminder to take the reins and set the course in pursuit of our wildest dreams.
The single lends its unique R&B meets neo-soul sound to songwriter Ericka Nicole Malone and producer Printz Board, a Grammy Award winner and co-writer of the anthemic ‘Where Is The Love?’ from the iconic music group, Black Eyed Peas. Malone’s soul-striking vocals collide over earthy bass lines and emboldening cascades of piano, offering listeners a profound and transcendent musical experience.
Ericka shares, “I penned “I’m Climbin’” as a lead song on the soundtrack to The Bucketwish because I want people to remember who they are and to keep climbing up the stairs of life to different levels no matter how hard it gets.”
Ericka is an NAACP award-winning filmmaker and songwriter who works to elevate female voices and creatives of color. Her new documentary, The Bucketwish is about pursuing unexplored passions, reminding viewers that it’s never too late to start a new journey. It is an intimate profile on Malone’s story, fears, and impending future ahead.
Ten-piece UK afro-fusion outfit TC & THE GROOVE FAMILY continue the rollout of their ‘We Have Each Other’ EP with simmering, jungle-tinged hip-hop cut ‘Wile Out’. Released via Bridge The Gap, the track is a cross city collaboration, bringing together two of the UK’s best underground hip-hop MC’s, BBCR1Xtra and SXSW-backed Birmingham MC SANITY, and Sheffield wordsmith Franz Von.
Building off of lead single ‘Stand Strong’, ‘Wile Out’ showcases the band’s darker electronic and UK bass influences. Growling, subbed-out bass tones, tight-knit hip-hop grooves, and furious horn lines develop into a double-time whirlwind of jungle and immersive turntablism, with lyrics from SANITY and Franz Von subverting the meaning of ‘Wiling Out’.
SANITY explains: “First hearing the track, I liked the idea and juxtaposition of Wile Out, as it’s a term with connotations of recklessness, or using energy carelessly amongst young people; but here, to ‘Wile Out’ is to challenge norms, not fall in line and utilise individuality to reach maaximum potential.”
Franz adds; “Wile Out is about doing what you love and enjoying it to the fullest, for me it’s music. The chorus echoes the advice from my mother to embrace life, to love myself and follow my dreams. This track is about sharing this advice and attitude to people around us.”
The EP ‘We Have Each Other’, released earlier this month, sees the band refine the sound debuted on their 2022 album ‘First Home’. Returning to work once again with producer Tom Excell (Nubiyan Twist, ONIPA), the project explores a darker sonic palette, channeling a deep appreciation of UK bass and electronic music alongside afro-jazz sounds and hip-hop sensibilities. Lead single ‘Stand Strong’ offers a great connection between eras of the band. Created as a love letter to afrobeat, the track offers a contemporary twist, integrating turntablism and Khruangbinesque guitar lines amongst infectious basslines and weaving horns.
The EP documents a time of change within the group – a new lineup, plus members living in different cities and pursuing various paths – whilst also reflecting the turbulent socio-political climate, and the major shifts and changes on the horizon for humanity. Despite the heavy subject material, the band strike an optimistic, uplifting tone, encouraging listeners to look around and embrace community, whatever that may look like. No one should be lonely when celebrating each other, and the band encourage an ethos that says ‘it’s good to be me, but it’s better to be us.’
Originally formed in Leeds, TC & The Groove Family’s sound reflects the diverse musical and cultural backgrounds at the core of the project, with songs exploring grooves and genres including afrobeat, broken beat, jungle, jazz and grime. Their music has drawn widespread acclaim, supported by tastemakers including Jamz Supernova and Craig Charles on BBC Radio 6, BBC Introducing West Yorkshire, Jazz FM, Rinse FM, Radio FIP and more. The group have performed at the likes of Glastonbury, We Out Here, Greenman and Boomtown, and will embark on a UK tour across May & June in support of the release of ‘We Have Each Other’.
PALEFACE JUNKIES taps long-time collaborator LIQUOR STORE BANDITS and BIG LEFT, just in time for summer with ‘Classic Ice’.
Kid Vibe of Paleface Junkies, who produced ‘Classic Ice’ with Blade Money, has been dropping some solid, golden hip-hop flavours with Jason Ragan (liquor Store Bandits) for over three decades. ‘Classic Ice’ stays true to their sound; as it bursts with nostalgic energy which features rapper Big Left (from the New York city super group La Coka Nostra) leading the way with his menacing flow.
‘Classic Ice’ is now available across various music platforms. Have a listen below…
Rapper IZ comes through onto today’s top spot with a monumental, catchy, party single for the Summer ‘Outside’ released on RCA Records.
Following on from single ‘Big Dreams’ at the top of the year which is sitting on over a huge 2 ½ million streams on Spotify alone, IZ has set the pace for his future music.
A party rap track set to hit the clubs and festivals for the Summer, IZ brings the heat with his new scorching sizzler of a track. With a banger of a hook, IZ proves with ‘Outside’ he can bring the more light-hearted tracks whilst keeping his hard bars flowing.
“Outside is about enjoying yourself and in indulging in all the fun and crazy activities that make up a summer holiday. The track is based around the fact that a single lady will have more fun in summer and can do whatever makes her happy and think about herself and herself alone.” – IZ
Produced by Cassell Beats & K Beats, ‘Outside’ is taken from his outstanding debut mixtape, which will include 10 tracks showcasing IZ’s signature style and flow coupled with old skool hip hop beats.
MISS LA FAMILIA presents Lala her soft alter ego, re-emerging into the industry redefining her sound and rediscovering herself and her music.
Kicking off with her first single ‘Don’t Tease Me’ produced by Ebenezer, Lala brings the international vibes sonically blending Afrobeats and R&B, also bringing American artist QPSkii to feature for a strong female led track.
A sultry, sexy, summer banger that showcases Lala’s effortlessly smooth and silky vocals. QPSkii lends a harder edge to the track with her verse flipping the script.
‘Don’t Tease Me’ gives an insight into Lala’s new look and what’s to come from this unique artist.
Lala is poised to take the music industry by storm this year with several huge collaborations with music titans such as DJ Snake, Skrillex, Flo Dan, Bollywood luminary Tanishk Bagchi, and French sensation Vegeedream. Have a listen to ‘Don’t Tease Me’ plus video below…
New Lease Music 