Tag: Songs of the Day

Song of the Day: As It Seems – Alice Rowe

ALICE ROWE‘s single ‘As It Seems’, heavily explores elements of jazz and old school hip hop, flush with smooth melodies, uptempo R&B beats and Rowe’s soulful voice, but for all of the surface level peace, there’s an undercurrent of uncertainty brought about by the confusing world we all inhabit.

Here, the British songwriter takes us into further detail about the meaning behind ‘As It Seems’: “I wrote this track after attending an art exhibition in London ‘Alice in Wonderland – Curious & Curiouser’, the concept was about a girl who struggled to survive the confusing world of adults, she also struggled to come to terms with life and learnt that there are many layers/ mysteries. It is thought that Alice and several other characters secretly suffer from mental health issues which helped me to come up with the lyric ‘behind closed doors you can’t see, nothing is ever as it seems’, this is a metaphor for the many doors Alice opens in Wonderland and also for real life where you never know what’s truly going on.

After attending the exhibition I felt that the concept fit with my current thoughts at the time and it felt right that I explore that. I then created the project. The art work is also inspired by one of the pieces of art in the gallery which I have in my home studio. This track is really exciting for me as I feel like this is where I found my sound.”

Any prior listener of Alice Rowe’s will notice her development from edgy pop with a soul overtone into this new realm of jazz and hip-hop inspired soulful R&B, which the young artist promises plenty more of in the coming year. Not only is ‘As It Seems’ a great standalone single, but it’s also part of Rowe’s bigger project, titled Nothing is Ever As It Seems. Have a listen below…

by Categories: Songs of the DayTags: , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Song of the Day: Focus – Asher Kosher (ft. EERF Evil)

North London rapper ASHER KOSHER – founding member and cornerstone of the Hackney-based Root 73 studio and artist community – is back with the second single to be lifted from his forthcoming, as-yet-unannounced new project. ‘Focus’, featuring long-time collaborator Eerf Evil, is out now on Root 73.

Launching fresh off the back of first single ‘On Our Street’ ft. Bel Cobain back in March, ‘Focus’ turns the next page in Kosher’s dexterous lyric book, as he trades verses with Eerf Evil; another artist with strong ties to Root 73 and The Silhouettes Project – an off-shot platform (and acclaimed multi-artist album of the same name) launched in 2019, dedicated to showcasing the next generation of UK hip-hop, jazz and soul.

Raised on a diet of A Tribe Called Quest, Tu-Pac, Eminem and later, UK rappers like Dizzee Rascal, Sway and Choong Family – as well as Benjamin Zephaniah’s 2004 book, ‘Gangsta Rap’ – Kosher’s love of lyricism runs deep.

After spending years honing his craft – including supporting hip-hop royalty in The Pharcyde and KRS1, as well as legendary UK rapper, K Koke during his early twenties – ‘Focus’ lands as another entry point to the reincarnation of Asher Kosher; rapper, thinker and pillar of his community….Check him out below…

by Categories: Songs of the DayTags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Song of the Day: Livin’ – Cilla Raie

UK R&B singer CILLA RAIE continues feeding fans with new music, with the release of her second single of 2022 called ‘Livin’ produced by Grime producer, Treble Clef.

Experimenting with various sounds, Cilla takes a spin on her frontline R&B sounds mixing this in with influences of grime. Blending in her soft sultry vocals with the essence of confidence. Livin is about embracing who you are and living your life to the fullest despite what people may say, aligning with the idea and values of having no fear in this life.

Previously Cilla released her single ‘Longtime’ at the top of 2022, garnering support from BBC 1xtra and spotify editorial playlists. Becoming Trace Hit’s Recommendation for April aired across the week on SKY TV. In 2021, Cilla Raie released her ‘Reconnected’ EP which caught the attention of MTV, Wonderland Magazine, BBC 1Xtra, Capital Xtra and more. With her EP peaking at number 2 on the UK Itunes R&B/Soul Album Charts garnering further support from Reprezent, Earmilk, Apple News and more.

So from reading all her credentials, it’s very safe to say that you’re in very good company with Cilla Raie…have a listen to her latest ‘Livin’ below…

by Categories: Songs of the DayTags: , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Song of the Day: 16 Bit – Lan’do

Coming on the back of two critically acclaimed EPs with his No Tourists collective, which have seen him and his crew garner support from the likes of The FADER, Complex, NOW Magazine, COLORS, and Exclaim! Magazine, among others, Canadian Jamaican experimental rap artist LAN’DO returns for the summer with a captivating and hard-hitting single titled ‘16 BIT’ that excellent fuses two sounds and cultures that have heavily influenced his music – grime and dancehall, with his Caribbean heritage shining through his flow and cadence all over the song.

‘16 Bit’ sees Lan’do collaborating with in-house No Tourists producer universes, who offers Lan’do the perfect soundscape for the Toronto-based artist to flex his lyrical muscles, clever wordplay, and immaculate multi-layered flow, as he unloads on the track in braggadocious fashion, exploring themes such as loyalty, friendship, and relationships, while staking his claim for being best-in-class. For the accompanying music video, Lan’do has linked up with long-time collaborator and video maker Kevin Kudu for a dark, gritty, and layered visual that was shot in his homecity Toronto.

Born in Canada and raised in Jamaica, Lan’do’s introduction to music came through his family – from his grandmother singing in the choir, to falling in love with his mother’s R&B collection, to creating his own sounds with his brother in the group Deadverysoon. He has since come together with fellow likeminded Toronto artists to form No Tourists, who have been garnering worldwide acclaim for their experimental rap fusion sounds. With his new solo music, Lan’do continues to push the envelope even further, and showcase just why he is becoming one to watch out of Toronto’s thriving rap scene.

Check out the video for the epic track below…

by Categories: Songs of the DayTags: , , , , , , , , , , , , Leave a comment

Song of the Day: Daddy Pancake – Vanfavia & Tonee C

NIgeria finest, VANFAVIA and TONEE C bring some SERIOUS energy onto today’s top spot through ‘dAddY pancake.’

Lifted from their their new joint EP, ‘VanTasy’, ‘dAddY pancake, is a bouncy upbeat hip hop anthem which sees both artists showcase flamboyance in lyrics and cadence.

Check out this bad boy production below…

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