UK Alt-Rap sensation SBK drops highly-anticipated album, ‘Something Beyond Kindness’

UK Alt-Rap sensation SBK, renowned for his razor-sharp lyrics and raw emotion, has dropped his highly anticipated debut album, ‘Something Beyond Kindness’, earlier this month (8th March). This groundbreaking project marks a shift from sbk’s previous work, embracing a powerful blend of punk and alternative sounds.

The album is a deeply personal exploration of sbk’s journey, delving into his experiences of poverty, trauma, and mental health struggles. Raised in a difficult environment and grappling with his identity, ‘Something Beyond Kindness’ becomes more than an album title – it becomes the very essence of his identity.

‘Something Beyond Kindness’ is a call to action for the music industry and a message of hope for those struggling in the darkness. It challenges the status quo by being a truly independent project, deliberately avoiding initial release on streaming platforms.

Speaking on his debut album, the former collaborator of JME, Skepta, Wiley, and others shared, “This album is for the people who feel lost in the chaos. It’s for those who see the world’s problems and feel the weight of it all. I want people to find the beauty in the struggle and know they are not alone.”

‘Something Beyond Kindness’ promises an impactful listening experience, offering raw vulnerability and innovation in navigating through the music industry. Those supporting this debut effort will be remembered for fighting the fight on behalf of indie artists.

Born and raised in Stevenage, Hertfordshire, to a Jamaican and English family, lyrical MC sbk is a unique talent within the UK music scene. Not only facing a tumultuous childhood marked by poverty and navigating racial identity as one of the few Black students in his school, sbk found solace in music. His early struggles fueled a fire that ignited his creative spark, leading him to London at 17.

The city became his canvas, and his talent quickly garnered recognition. With countless radio plays and freestyles across major stations like BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, and Rinse FM, sbk established himself as a force to be reckoned with. Collaborations with grime legends like JME, Skepta, and Wiley solidified his place within the scene.

Beyond pure lyrical ability, sbk’s artistic reach extends to live performances. From sold-out headline shows across the UK to international collaborations with rock bands and appearances at fashion weeks in Paris and Milan, his versatility and stage presence are undeniable. His music has garnered millions of streams, garnering praise from publications like Complex, Clash Magazine, and DJ Mag.

With a career that transcends genres and boundaries, sbk is a true creative powerhouse. His story is an inspiration, and his music, a testament to the power of channeling adversity into artistic expression as an independent artist.

Have a listen to ‘Something Beyond Kindness’ below…

Must Listens: Thick Skin, Control,Prophet, All These Times, Demon

Marnz Malone drops new album, ‘Tina’s Boy’

Birmingham rapper MARNZ MALONE finally shares his 14-track project ‘Tina’s Boy’ earlier last month (9th February), after teasing us with some visuals, ‘Cold Hearted World 2’ and most recently ‘Ball 4 U’ taken from a previous project release.

‘Tina’s Boy’ is an eye-opener into the life of Marnz Malone with features such as Potter Payper, Bandokay, KayMuni & Marshall with all 14 tracks full of storytelling and the life he has lived. It’s shows off his laid-back style of rapping mixed with intricately delivered bars and verses. Marnz uses simple rap beats delivering inspirational, truthful, and heartfelt rhymes for his 3rd project full of wordplay.

Only starting to release music in August 2023, his career has blown up due to going viral and gaining a solid fanbase with co-signs from legends such as Giggs and Stormzy and Central Cee reposting his music.

The rising rapper who is currently in jail, has found his calling with music and will not let anything deter him from releasing. Why not listen to Marnz’s epic project below…

Must Listens: Roof Down, Went To War, Medusa’s Eyes, Napkin Deal, Forever Missing You, Smile For Me

Nemzzz drops new single ‘PTSD’ + video ahead of debut mixtape ‘DO NOT DISTURB’

The new titan of UK Rap NEMZZZ drops ‘PTSD’ yesterday ( 22nd February), the next taste of his forthcoming debut mixtape DO NOT DISTURB arriving on 15th March 2024.

The raw new single splices a haunting vocal flip with a laid-back production from frequent collaborator Zel, as Nemzzz turns teacher once more – speaking on how he uses his music as catharsis to process his feelings. The accompanying video was shot entirely on 16mm film by DonProd and features a series of lo-fi shots of Nemzzz in Manchester in his most textured visual to date. Building on the song’s theme of coping with anxiety and finding your own path, the visual splices footage of Nemzzz alone at home with shots of him surrounded by friends.

Laid over 11 tracks, DO NOT DISTURB is set to be Nemzzz’s most expansive drop to date, an exploration of how the young artist is shaped by his upbringing and his fame. ‘PTSD’ will be joined on the tape by recent drop ‘L’S’(recently named Song of the Day on the blog). The shimmering, jazz inflected single arrived last month to acclaim from the likes of The Observer, Fader, CRACK, NME spins across BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra and more. Last year’s massive single ‘MONEY & VIBES’ will also appear on the tape, the cut topped the A list at 1Xtra and racked up over +1 million streams a week. DO NOT DISTURB will be available in physical format on CD & cassette in a first for the Mancunion.

Check out the video for ‘PTSD’ below…

Emani Talitha shares the perfect balance of Old School and New School R&B with debut EP ‘Loving My 20s’

EMANI TALITHA‘s exciting debut EP, Loving My 20s (‘LM20’), beautifully captures the delicate balance between Old School and New School R&B, offering a soulful, tranquil, vulnerable, and relatable sound.

An audio soundscape, ‘LM20’ mirrors Emani’s embrace of the third decade of her life. The project features a wholesome and melodically calming sound, inviting listeners to immerse themselves in an enjoyable, feel-good atmosphere with high vibrational frequencies.

‘LM20’ is a reflective and affirmational journey through the diverse facets of life in one’s twenties. By evoking a sense of shared experience, Emani Talitha reassures her audience that they are not alone in their feelings and experiences. “The story behind this project is expressing the love in my 20s – the love life, the love for my dreams and goals, and the love I have for my loved ones, affirming myself through it all.” She further adds –“It’s about different facets of my 20s that many have experienced and can relate to. The message revolves around navigating through uncertainties, facing insecurities, and celebrating the highs and lows, the good and the bad.”

‘Loving My 20s’ has already garnered support on Westside Radio, Global Soul Radio and The Beat and is now available to stream in its entirety with special guest appearances on the project coming from Shayne Brown and Big Jest. Why not have a listen below…

Must Listens: Henny Nights, Blessings

Song of the Day: L’s – Nemzzz

Lifted from his first mixtape ‘DO NOT DISTURB’, arriving on 15th March 2024, the new titan of UK Rap NEMZZZ gives the first taste from 11-track project with single ‘L’S’, produced by Zel & Aifo.

Over a relaxed drill beat shimmering with keys and smoky sax notes, Nemzzz reflects on his losses and how he holds his head above the noise of being a rising star in the industry. ‘L’S’ is the first glimpse of the ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ mixtape concept, an exploration of how the young artist is shaped by his upbringing and his fame. ‘L’s’ is accompanied with a slick video shot entirely on 16mm film by frequent collaborators DON Productions. The fresh visual splices footage of Nemzzz at home with friends in Manchester with shots of him in London roaming around the city.

The ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ tape follows a massive 2023 for the young star with a consistent slate of releases including his debut EP Nemzzz Type Beat (which was pulled together in just 17 days in a flex of his innate talents) alongside a string of singles including ‘Therapy’ (Spotify Rap UK Cover), ‘MONEY & VIBES’ (A list at 1Xtra, over +1M streams a week) and ‘8AM IN MANNY’ which landed to props from some of the biggest rappers in the world – Drake and Lil Yachty. Last year saw Nemzzz deliver his first sold-out headline tour alongside performances at festivals including Glastonbury, Ibiza Rocks and more.

Nemzzz is one of the most exciting breakout rap talents of recent years, the rapper is characterised by his ear for leftfield beats and his unique flow. The rapper is shaped by his tough upbringing in Gorton, using his music to reflect on his experiences in Manchester and his mental health struggles.

Since bursting onto the scene at the tender age of 14, he has relentlessly chipped away at his craft – building steady buzz amongst the industry, media and fans alike. With over 180 million combined streams in 2023, mine million TikTok views, tips including BBC Radio 1xtra’s Hot For 2023, Amazon Music x Hunger Magazine Ones To Watch, No Signal Class of ’23, Best Newcomer Nominee MOBO Awards 2022, plaudits from Pitchfork, The Face, DAZED, The Guardian, HYPEBEAST, CLASH, Complex UK and NME – Nemzzz is making serious moves. Check out the video for L’s below…