With her return to the UK music landscape well and truly underway, following her comeback single ‘All In Me’, South East London singer/songwriter LAOLU is not resting on her laurels, as she drills down with a brand new sultry R&B single titled ‘How To Feel’.
Taken from her forthcoming debut EP All In Me, ‘How To Feel’ sees LAOLU take a slight detour from the darker themes on her previous single, to deliver a sweltering R&B offering, while drawing on the superb moody and atmospheric elements of her music that she introduces on ‘All In Me’, underpinned by her exquisite vocal showing, and honest and relatable songwriting.
‘How To Feel’ is taken from her forthcoming debut EP ‘All In Me’…look out for that…but for now, check out this uber slick production from this promising songbird.
Whilst still a relative newcomer for the UK circuit, the African-Australian rapper has a cult hip-hop following and has previously been highlighted by i-D, The Fader and Pigeons & Planes, all raving about his incredible potential as an artist. 2017 proved to be a whirlwind year, which included the release of his debut EP ‘Mood Forever’, Australian tours with both Stormzy and Tory Lanez, and Manu’s own headlining Australian tour sponsored by Noisey. His music has been spreading globally with the video for his breakthrough single ‘Everyday’ closing in on two million views on YouTube and the video for ‘Day Ones’ also passing the 1.5 million mark, whilst Spotify streams for both records soar beyond 1.5 million each. MANU CROOKS closed out 2017 by teaming up with close friend and collaborator Anfa Rose for the double drop of ‘Presence’ and ‘All I Need’, which have since amassed over 1.2 million streams respectively.
Earning a reputation for his “raw lyricism and seamless flow” (The Fader), Manu has been gaining fans stateside including ASAP Ferg who brought him on stage during a recent Sydney performance. With recent profiles from the likes of Highsnobiety and The Coveteur, and consistent support from Zane Lowe, who debuted ‘Assumptions’, ‘Buddy Buddy’ and supported ‘Blowin Up’ on Beats 1, MANU CROOKS is bridging hip-hop hemispheres and proving that he “might just be our best hope for Aus hip hop to make a significant impact on the international scene.” (Complex)
For his new release ‘Different League’, MANU CROOKS is draped in a designer puffer jacket, teaming with accessories and raps about his ongoing success and the women he’s met along the way. His eyes are covered by gold-framed, designer sunglasses, reminiscent of Master P, as he cruises through the streets with a beautiful lady. The subtle special effects enhance the visual vibe and overall aesthetic, whilst the heavy bass line and rhythmic keys create an ominous feel as he spits bold lyrics with his foreign flair and trap-tinged sound, about lust, success and unclear intentions. French directors Aden Gauthier, Hitsu Film and Berko & Titan’s colour grading and keen editing sets the visual apart and stamps both class and business all over ‘Different League’, which amassed 50,000 views in its initial hours online.
The exploration of borders goes beyond just that of the record and the visual for ‘Different League’ as alongside his latest release, MANU CROOKS has also announced his debut ‘Mood Forever’ World Tour, which will see him perform dates throughout April to June, across Canada, the UK, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany and France, demonstrating why he is leading Australia’s hip-hop movement and “sees him separating himself from the lower divisions.” (Clash Magazine).
God’s Gift and N-fa’Nit – aka hip-hop duo PURE ORDER – made their entry on NEW LEASE MUSIC and dropped their latest track,’Inside’ featuring Prince Po. Coming from their new album, ‘Sword of Élan Vitál’, the thought-provoking number has that perfect balance of elevated lyrical prowess – that’s entertaining as well as enlightening – with attention grabbing, innovative beats.
Hailing of California, God’s Gift has been featured on the Lootpack’s ‘Soundpieces: Da Antidote’ album. His solo song on the Loot-pack’s ‘Lost Tapes’ mixtape,’Antidote to Da Anti-Dope,’ is what inspired the Soundpieces title and theme song. He also has a solo single, ‘Deleting Programs,’ on Kan kick’s “From Artz Un-known” album.
Also from California, N-fa’Nit is one serious lyrical athlete. From hardly any media presence, the video for her first single “Nefertiti the First” earned over 50k likes and the respect of many great MCs, DJs and producers such as Blame One, Wildchild, 2 Mex, and others along with the world-renowned MCs featured on the EP.
‘The Sword of Élan Vitál,’ or Sword of Infinite Life Force, represents the rare quality of mental bravery that it takes to see truth and be creative enough to use it as the ultimate tool of survival.
Serious hip-hop heads,include the pair in your radar as they’re on serious fire…time to sample ‘Inside.’
3AM is known to some as the witching hour; the time when our minds drift between consciousness and dream; our thoughts as running wild horses; our anxiety as shadows in the night. D.A.N knows this insomniac nature all too well, as he sits up late into the early hours, waiting for a message from a distant lover, one that will perhaps never arrive. Rising up through soothing piano and hushed production, D.A.N’s lyrics show an emotional honesty.
‘0300 (Human)’ is the long-awaited follow-up to the South London-based/Northern Irish independent artist’s debut ‘Clothes Off’, which garnered almost two million streams on Spotify. Produced by D.A.N and Dave Okumu (Jessie Ware, Jamie Woon, Rosie Lowe), the track also features mixing by Dan Parry (Adele, Loyle Carner).
After a busy year of studio time and shows, including Bestival 2017, graduating from Goldsmiths University in Popular Music (James Blake, Rosie Lowe), D.A.N presents this delicately crafted sophisti-pop work.
Following up on February’s single ‘More’, supported by the likes of BBC Introducing London, TMRW magazine, The Line Of Best Fit and BuzzFeed, ZOEY LILY returns with another unique pop offering in the shape of ‘Last Goodbye’.
This song immediately taps into the heart, unfolding Zoey’s delicate vocals at its rawest. The Instinctive wordsmith tells the story of rather letting someone go than staying close enough to keep getting hurt. Complementing the vulnerable feeling of Zoey’s vocals, the track opts for ambient piano, with soft electronic elements and distant drumming, alternating with male shouts which gives off a dark atmosphere that is both intimate and anthemic.
ZOEY LILY (née Zoe Lily Lewis) may be a relative newcomer to the world of left-field pop, but for this 20-year-old talent, musicianship is no passing fancy. The Hackney-based artist first delved into creative expression at age 13 when she began playing piano and her first wide-eyed forays into songwriting. Later, at age 17, Zoey found herself drawn to her father’s acoustic Martin guitar, the instrument which she still writes most of her songs with today.
This promising youngster has set out to become a highly independent and original songwriter, singer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, co-producer and dancer, drawing cues from a wide-range of essential artists, including Lana del Rey, Kendrick Lamar, Frank Ocean and Vince Staples.
