Song of the Day: Different League – Manu Crooks

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).

Time to check out ‘Different League’…

New Music Video: Kop That S**T – Aystar

Relentless in both his honest lyricism and heavy delivery, AYSTAR has shot to the top of the Scouse rap masters. The release of his brand new mixtape ’Scousematic 2’ coincides with the video release of the video ‘Kop That Shit’, which dropped exclusively on P110’s channel and has already close to 100,000 views just 48 hours in. ’Scousematic 2’ has entered the iTunes Hip Hop/Rap Album charts at number 8 (currently at number 10) and charted at number 42 (currently at 100). The hypnotic string-led instrumental of ‘Kop That Shit’ compliments his smooth yet robust flow and his perceptive lyrics paint a vivid picture that drops into the sing-a-long hook.

The UK rap landscape in the last few years has notoriously been redefined and what used to be a London centric scene has now rippled through the UK to discover talent from all of its corners. Hailing from the North-West, AYSTAR is among the likes of Bugzy Malone, Mist and Coco representing the sound alongside a standout accent. He first launched onto the scene with his notorious YouTube freestyles and diss tracks, which went onto catch the attention of fellow rap stars such as K-Koke. Taking AYSTAR under his wing K Koke invited him down to London to work on music and join the collective USG, concluding to the infamous SBTV cypher featuring K-Koke, Geko (Manchester) and a young Aystar. He also caught the attention of Giggs who later featured him on ‘The Best’ taken from his Landlord album.

Receiving acclaim from The Guardian they featured him in an article commending the northern rap scene-‘“Why doesn’t everyone rap in scouse?”. As well as BBC Radio 1 and 1xtra’s Charlie Sloth who gave him the platform to showcase his talent on the legendary Fire In The Booth and he later featured on Charlie Sloth’s album ‘The Plug’ among artists such as Ghetts, Fredo, 21 Savage, Giggs, Abracadabra and many more.

AYSTAR has now grown to become the voice of the Liverpool’s urban youth and has helped pioneer the movement to get Liverpool on the map. His latest project ‘Scousematic 2’ is guaranteed to create further kudos and awareness as his reach to both national and international heights continues.

Check out the video for ‘Kop That Shit.’

 

Song of the Day: Inside – Pure Order (ft. Prince PO – Organized Konfusion)

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.’

New Track: Icey – Ironik (ft. Fekky)

As one of the most important cross generational/cross genre artists that originally put grime on the map globally, IRONIK  releases his latest record ‘Icey’, featuring Rap heavyweight, Fekky.

A grime and trap hybrid, IRONIK presents admirable confidence from his years of experience that definitely translates through his latest single and the body of work it is taken from. Featuring Fekky, who has previously collaborated with the likes of Dizzee Rascal, Skepta, Ghetts, Chip, Giggs and Shakka, the track is braggadocious and lyrically the hardest to be taken from the album.

With one of the most talked about returns of 2017 ‘Truth Be Told’ has received impressive recognition with over 200k+ album streams and making it on to BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, Kiss FM and Capital networks, whilst PAPER Mag, The Hype Magazine, GRM Daily and Link Up TV have all supported his return online. The support adds to his lengthy list of previous achievements that include a number 5 official chart position, a top 5 single, one top 10 single, a top 10 album and over a million record sales.

Previous records such as ‘Watch Nuttin’ featuring Ayo Beatz climbed through radio playlists and ‘Icey’ is set to provide yet another benchmark for Ironik as he crosses in to the rap world…checkout the video for ‘Icey’ via GRM Daily:

Song of the Day: Gimme The Mic – Coco

One of Sheffield’s hottest property COCO is back, putting a splash of colour in your Monday with latest grime number ‘Gimme The Mic’.

The accompanied visual sees COCO effortlessly working his magic over an infectiously brash bassline. ‘Gimme The Mic’ is the first release from his five-track EP ‘No Rehearsal’ dropping on the 25th May.

Be sure to check out the video before you head off…