Tag: songs about survival

FR4NKIE unveils ‘Overview Effect’ – a masterpiece culminating years of artistic growth

FR4NKIE (Formerly known as: XP Burstgang) a prominent member of the UK Grime scene, has dropped his highly anticipated sophomore project, ‘Overview Effect,’ earlier this month (3rd May). This project stands as a testament to FR4NKIE’s life work, representing a stylistic evolution and maturity from his previous releases.

‘Overview Effect’ boasts an impressive lineup of underground collaborations, featuring artists such as LPNoID, Illy From Da NW Side, Cosmo Laurie, Trapson, Dizmack, Masovelli, and Manchester Hypes. Produced by bass music royalty Trolley Snatcha, this project is a sonic amalgamation that showcases FR4NKIE’s versatility, blending Road Rap and Grime influences with elements of folk and guitar music.

Tracks like ‘To Be Frank’ delve into the realities of street life in the UK, while ‘Brick In The Wall’ offers a fresh take on folk and guitar sounds. ‘Benzema’ introduces a unique twist to the traditional ballad, reflecting FR4NKIE’s diverse life experiences. The project in its entirety serves as a window into FR4NKIE’s mind, offering a polished listening experience that resonates differently with each music fan based on their own life experiences.

FR4NKIE has earned international recognition for his contributions to the Grime scene. His triumphs include memorable wins in genre-defining events like Lord of the Mics and Red Bull’s Grime-A-Side tournaments, solidifying his status as a heavyweight in the genre. Collaborations with esteemed figures such as Mike Skinner and President T underscore his influence and impact.

Beyond Grime, FR4NKIE has ventured into various musical territories, crafting a diverse discography that encompasses trap, drill, and boundary-pushing ballads. His latest project, ‘Overview Effect,’ serves as a testament to his evolution as an artist, melding streetwise narratives with introspective themes. Through his decade-long music career, FR4NKIE has amassed a wealth of experiences and influences, shaping him into a multifaceted force in the UK music scene.

Check out ‘Overview Effect’ below…

Must Listens: To Be Frank, Simon Says, Janis Joplin, Is That You Yeah, Mess

by Categories: New AlbumsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

705 returns with new single ‘Sauce’ ft. R15k

After the successful release of ‘Good Feeling’, 705 recruits R15k to give you ‘Sauce’ in new single.

‘Sauce’ goes on a sonic journey into the heart of the urban landscape, where the rhythm of the streets beats as relentlessly as a drumline. From the gritty alleys to the towering skyscrapers, this track encapsulates the raw energy and unyielding spirit of the concrete jungle.

With hard-hitting beats that echo like the footsteps of hustlers on pavement and razor-sharp lyrics that cut through the noise of the city, ‘Sauce’  immerses listeners in the pulse-pounding intensity of drill music. It’s an anthem for those who navigate the concrete labyrinth with resilience and determination, forging their path through the chaos.

Through its unapologetic authenticity and unwavering delivery, ‘Sauce’ captures the essence of street life, reflecting the struggles, triumphs, and unbreakable bonds forged in the crucible of the urban landscape. This is more than just a song; it’s a declaration of survival, a testament to the strength of those who call the city home…Have a listen below…

by Categories: new singlesTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Titan of UK rap Nemzzz drops debut mixtape, ‘Do Not Disturb’

Manchester rapper NEMZZZ unveils his much-anticipated debut mixtape ‘DO NOT DISTURB’. The 11-track tape is Nemzzz’s most expansive drop to date, an exploration of how the young artist is shaped by his upbringing and his fame. ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ is available in physical format on CD & cassette in a first for the Mancunion.

Marrying bars laced with Nemzzz’s wicked sense of humour, earworm hooks and a raw soulful-drill production – ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ is set to cement Nemzzz’s status as the new titan of UK Rap. Opening with late night confession ‘REFLECTION’, Nemzzz raps with real bite about the pitfalls of social media activism. New single ‘ETA’ sees Nemzzz unite with German rap heavyweight Luciano, trading bars over a siren-like beat. The new cut arrives with a video shot by DonProd in Frankfurt whilst Nemzzz was in town to appear at Luciano’s stadium show.

Recent single ‘PTSD’ (which is currently the blog’s Song of the Month) 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 cut landed last month to a co-sign from Central Cee. The shimmering, jazz inflected ‘L’S’ arrived in January to acclaim from the likes of The Observer, Fader, CRACK, NME spins across BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra and more.

Atmospheric, intense cut ‘DOOM’ gives way to the relaxed groove of playful love song ‘STAR SIGN’. On ‘NEED YOU’, Nemzzz rides out the ups and downs of a toxic relationship. ‘REASSURANCE’ melds ghostly vocal samples with a stripped back production as Nemzzz reassures his girl he’d drop her off for her ‘nails, hair, lash appointment too’. Nemzzz picks up the pace on ‘VENICE’ featuring rising rapper JayG. Title track ‘DND’ details how the run-up to the project was filled with hostile haters and the need to cut off day one friends. Rounding out the tape is ‘MONEY AND VIBES’, which sees Nemzzz bring a UK flavour to a flip of Justin Timberlake’s ‘Rock Your Body’. The single topped the A list at 1Xtra on release last year and continues to rack up over +1M streams a week. Nemzzz is one of the most exciting breakout rap talents of recent years. An old head on young shoulders, Nemzzz is relatable in a different way than a lot of his rap peers; driven less by punchlines about Birkin bags and more by the challenge of helping his young fans navigate their way through growing pains. The rapper is shaped by his tough upbringing in Gorton, using his music to reflect on his experiences including heartbreak, fake friends, financial literacy, finding your own path, and managing mental health amid social media addiction.

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) 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 will be heading out on his second headline tour this Spring with dates across the UK and Ireland. He will be kicking off in Dublin on 30th April and culminating in a homecoming show on 7th May in Manchester. With three dates already sold out – the tour is set to be another huge smash for the young star.

Since bursting onto the scene at the tender age of 14, Nemzzz has relentlessly chipped away at his craft – building steady buzz amongst the industry, media and fans alike. With over 180M combined streams in 2023, 9 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 ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ below…

Must Listens: ETA, PTSD, DOOM, REASSURANCE

by Categories: New AlbumsTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Artimes Prime shares official music video for ‘Grab A Corona’

Philly-based emcee ARTIMES PRIME has a sound with DNA that can be traced from Logic and J Cole, to Immortal Technique and Mike Shinoda. Throughout his career, Prime has fused disparate sounds to perfection, while using his inventive flows to tell personal stories of self-discovery and its importance to the social fabric of the world around him.

On Beer & Cookies, Prime’s third full-length album released last month, the emcee pushes his limits by fusing Pop and classic, Boom-Bap Hip-Hop. The album’s title reflects the audacious fusion of these two genres, an almost oxymoronic pairing held together by producer Digital Crates over the course of the album’s twelve tracks. On the first day of March, Prime shares the music video for ‘Grab A Corona’, an album standout that riffs on the complex issues that we’ve faced since the global coronavirus pandemic.

“This was written during the pandemic. I noticed all the different media voices from different levels telling me all kinds of different things, and I felt confused as well as conflicted. I imagined others felt this way as well so I wrote a song that speaks to both sides, and to not be afford of deaths but rather be conscious and intentional with how you live life. The song has a boombap conscious feel.” – Artimes Prime

So ‘Grab A Corona’ and watch the video below…

by Categories: New VideosTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

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…

by Categories: new singles, New VideosTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment