Tag: songs about personal journey

Song of the Day: Who – Scout

London-based singer, songwriter and producer SCOUT ushers in a compelling era of evolution as she announce her debut EP ‘Everything Will Make Sense’, out 1st March 2024 via Sweat Entertainment (Dolores Forever, kid apollo).

Scout shares some of the same ideals as its namesake – Scout from To Kill A Mockingbird – as well as reflecting on her own wrestlings with femininity, societal expectations and the power found in telling your own story.

Hamburg born, Sweden raised and now firmly London based having moved to the capital at the age of 17, Scout’s transcendent pop creations are cathartic and empowering in equal measure. Partly tracking her journey as a young woman finding her footing in this industry (having operated in a shoegaze band signed to Heavenly Records in her late teens), Scout is a project rooted in defiance and knowing your worth.

To mark the announcement of their debut EP, Scout is sharing the project’s rousing second single ‘Who’. Through tasteful electronics and rich alt-pop production, ‘Who’ relays feelings of frustration and confusion, dissecting power abuse in the music industry – ultimately written as a reminder to wholly respect and trust your own sense of self.

Speaking more on the inspiration behind new single ‘Who’, Scout said: “The song was born from accumulated feelings of violation and a breach of trust by figures of authority in my life and early career. When I picked myself back up, I felt pretty raw and desperate to gain back a sense of self worth. When you have no mental buffer it feels a bit like having an open wound but thinking that by letting people poke around in it, they could help me heal.

‘Who’ is me questioning some of these people and experiences, it’s a reminder to not give your power away and to find it in your truth and self expression: To honour and embrace yourself fully, but also remembering the toll it can take when you don’t.”

Listen to the inspiring single below…

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Nia Chennai adds to UK R&B resurgence with debut EP ‘Diary Is a Waste of Paper’

South London’s emerging R&B talent, NIA CHENNAI dives into her personal life and career journey with the release of her debut EP, ‘Diary Is a Waste of Paper, ‘ released on Tuesday, 28th November via various music platforms.

Ahead of the EP’s release, Nia treated fans to an additional single from the project with the release of ‘Tea Lady.’ The track resembles gossip among friends, inspired by typical British tradition of coming together over a cup of tea for a chat. Nia’s unique blend of influences, drawn from Erykah Badu’s ‘Bag Lady’ and Amy Winehouse’s candid storytelling in ‘F*** Me Pumps,’ infuses ‘Tea Lady’ with a distinctive charm.

The full EP takes goes on a metaphorical journey akin to a slumber party, where friends explore themes of love, commitment, and societal pressures, inviting Nia’s audience to engage in candid, relatable conversations.

‘Diary Is a Waste of Paper’ arrives after just a year of Nia entering the scene, showcasing her undeniable quality, growth and potential. Songs like ‘Since We Ain’t Together,’ boasting over 300,000 Spotify streams, and September’s ‘Wasting Time,’ which has already crossed 100,000 streams, have garnered praise from key industry publications and tastemakers, including GUAP, Wordplay, Oculate, and New Lease.

UK R&B’s prominence and recognition – or lack thereof — has been heavily debated in recent months. Nia Chennai’s impressive rise echoes the genre’s resurgence, as she confidently stands alongside emerging talents at the forefront, including artists like Natanya, Essosa, BINA, girl group Flo, and more. The genre is seeing a wave of new artists following in the footsteps of young and established ambassadors, on the path to veteran status, including the likes of Mahalia, Ella Mai, and Tiana Major9, among others.

Why not check out ‘Diary Is A Waste Of Paper’ below…an absolute must listen!

Must Listens: Since We Ain’t Together, Tea Lady, Wasting Time

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Arlo Maverick returns with new album, ‘Blue Collar.’

After his recent appearance on the blog with video for track, ‘Day Ones’ Canadian rap veteran ARLO MAVERICK unleashes his second solo album, ‘Blue Collar’. The collection draws on personal experiences to give a compelling account of the grind and hurdles of a blue-collar worker.

Much of the themes on ‘Blue Collar’ revolve around a universal pursuit of purpose, prosperity, and happiness, from the disillusionment of the job market after graduating from college to the gratification of indulging in material things to being undervalued at a 9 to 5. It’s an album that tries to capture the seemingly endless balancing act to meet our personal needs, satisfy our wants, and get ahead in an economic environment that makes it harder and harder to do so.

“This album comes from a personal place, but the overall message of hard-work, self-determination, and perseverance is a universal one,” said Arlo Maverick. “I hope this record resonates with blue-collar workers in Alberta, and across the country – people who are working hard, trying to keep their head above water and make their dreams a reality no matter how out of reach they may seem.”

On ‘Night Shift,’ the album’s centrepiece, Maverick ponders the tension between balancing making ends meet and material success, and the overwhelming sacrifices made to reap the rewards. In sharing his story of real-life hurdles, he offers an empowering anthem to the bleary-eyed workers of the world navigating similar experiences.

Elsewhere, the experienced rhymer takes his sound into bold new directions, experimenting with UK drill (‘Retail Therapy’), and flexing his vocals on the soulful trap number (‘Day Ones’), all while keeping true to his appetite for old-school hip-hop flavours and gospel (‘Losing My Religion’). 

Maverick holds nothing back on tracks like ‘On Me,’ about taking accountability to build a legacy, and the album closer, ‘Nothing of Value,’ which details the effects of an abusive shop floor supervisor and a worker’s eventual breaking point: “Walk away from everything/You’ll be lucky if I leave a note.” It’s an explosive finale that speaks to self-determination in the workforce, and the ability to take back control of one’s own fate.

Having spent the entirety of his solo career delivering scathing social critiques, with ‘Blue Collar’ he continues to spark conversations about the frustrations of work life and professional ambitions. An instantly relatable collection of songs, ‘Blue Collar’ positions the rapper as a powerful voice for the working-class.

Check out the powerful album below…

Must Listens: On Me, Night Shift, Late Nights, Father, Nothing Of Value

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Rapper MeRCY drops track, ‘The Artist’.

“Lessons of life be the sketches I write/deep depression/seek perfection/not reflection I like” – spits the lyricist known as MERCY as he introduces us to his latest work of art titled, ‘The Artist’.

Backed by a beautiful canvas of production provided by Lebanon Don, MeRCY goes to work detailing portions of his life that have made him who he is today. Each bar and rhyme blend together perfectly like when mixing colors to create another, as the artist takes us on a trip through his mind & past self. He grabs a mic that acts as a paint brush in order to create the picture of MeRCY. From seeing his older brother deal drugs, to run ins with the law but also trying to avoid disappointing his mother even while being out in the concrete jungles, it all plays a part in the ever growing picture of ‘The Artist’.

MeRCY starts off the second verse by saying “The artist who drew the hardest of hardships/with my tears on the canvas/bloodstains on my garments/written in blood no kisses and hugs”. Merc’ doesn’t mask any pain but shows it off in full because in his words “This is God’s work from all the hard work/beauty is pain my n***a/I’ve made it artwork”. Truly embodying himself within his raps is how we find the Florida native on this record, not being afraid of showing vulnerability but embracing it in order to create a special track that serves as the first single to his upcoming album ‘Michaelangelo’. If the single wasn’t already great, Tone Spliff adds some scratches throughout to top it off and ensure the greatness of ‘The Artist’. Have a listen below…

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Song of the Day: 24 – Banggz

In ’24’, BANGGZ fearlessly reflects on his relentless pursuit of success, beginning at the tender age of 21. From that pivotal moment, he has tirelessly pushed forward, fuelled by a burning desire to unravel the mysteries of his journey.

This introspective track showcases Banggz’s lyrical prowess, with each line revealing his raw emotions and candid thoughts. He delves into the complexities of life, straddling blurred lines and embracing the challenges that have moulded him into the artist he is today. The introspective rhymes that flow effortlessly from his lips offer glimpses into the depths of his soul, unravelling the intricate web of his existence.

As the song unfolds, Banggz’s deeply personal narrative comes to life, painted with vivid imagery and heartfelt sentiment. He shares the challenges of loss and separation, recounting the day his beloved grandmother passed away and the bittersweet moment he bid farewell to his mother, sending her on a long journey back home. Simultaneously, he confronts the hardships that beset his community, from power outages to the burdens he bears for those around him.

Amidst the trials and tribulations, Banggz finds solace in the unwavering support of his loved ones. The love and prayers he receives from family and friends become his guiding light, ensuring that his energy remains pure and his purpose unwavering. He embodies the legacy of his ancestors, orchestrating his own destiny and propelling himself towards new heights. Have a listen to his journey below…

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