Johannesburg based, South African Hip Hop artist FLVME is gearing-up for the release of his upcoming album Germander II, and ‘Let Me Down’ is the first single released from the upcoming project (via Platoon).
FLVME (pronounced: flame) is one of South Africa’s hottest rising Hip Hop artists who has released chart-topping albums, from 2019’s now-certified Gold Germander to 2020’a D.O.A (Dead Or Alive) and 2021’s While You Wait.
‘Let Me Down’ is his first release of 2022 and is a song about reflecting on past relationships and how helped shape who he is. “Accepting everything for what it is and understanding that I have to go through a lot in order to grow .. overall it’s just about finding peace within myself,” he says. Check it out below…
Following his debut on the blog with his 2020 EP, ‘The Silence Vol.’ which make it on the #4 spot on New Lease Music’s Top Ten album of 2021, South Africa’s producer/artist, BLESSIN F circles back with his first release of the year titled, ‘I’m Sorry’, a gleeful blend of hip-hop, afrobeat wit a Latin flair. 7
I was sooo elated when South African rapper/producer J.A.S slipped me his latest album, ‘L.I.F.E: The Cause’ – it seemed ages since he grace his presence on this blog with previous project, ‘#Don’tSleepOnJAS’, which possesses electronic/downtempo soundscapes with infectious Trip-hop beats/bass.
With this latest album, J.A.S retains the same theme from the previous project, but delving further into the downtempo route with long-term collaborators, South African singers Palesa Blossom and Nevita, who both provide a pleasingly trippy experience with their alluringly soulful vocals with tracks such as ‘L.I.FE’, ‘Controlled’ ‘Moth to A Flame’ and ‘Scattered.’
J.A.S also adds another long-collaborator, South African acclaimed rapper, Sy’Defect to the impressive album’s lineup. Among the chilled vibes of the seven-track project, Sy’Defect injects such vibrancy with his semi-rapid flow to the delicate backdrop of tracks, ‘Controlled’ and ‘Scattered.’
Overall, ‘L.I.F.E: The Cause’ is a great escapism album to kick back with some friends and to forget about the great maze called life. Have a listen below…
After racking up over 350,000 streams on her debut album ‘Balance’ in the first two weeks, as well as support from the likes of BBC Radio London, CLASH and Mixtape Madness, sensational Zimbabwean singer, FRYA (pronounced Fre-ya) shares R&B smash ‘You Can’t’, released on Johannesburg based record label Exodus Entertainment.
Tipped for major success by iconic international platforms including GQ, who recently interviewed Frya and identified her as a ‘vocal powerhouse’, the Zimbabwean born singer and songwriter is quickly establishing herself as an international star. Prior to the release of ‘Balance’, her debut body of work, 4 of Frya’s tracks were hand-picked for the soundtrack of Netflix hit series ‘Blood & Water’, all of which feature on the album. As an emerging artist, this is a monumental feat and one which can be attributed to both her music and character. Whilst her colourful life experience, emotion and feelings lend to the empowering, versatile and powerful soundscape that her music delivers, it is also her eloquence and fierce determination that open a world of intrigue in to discovering Frya’s world. Describing her sound as “The modern African woman: Versatile, powerful, bold”, it is clear why the world of music, style and culture are gravitating towards her with features across Notion Magazine, Earmilk and many more already scratching the surface of what is to be found from an artist like Frya.
As FRYA continues to build upon the momentum that she garnered last year, she shares her powerful album ‘Balance’. This project includes a variety of differing sonic styles that all merge to create an unforgettable debut. With songs such as Changes, Back It Up, Chandelier and Calculate already creating a cult-following, after featuring heavily on the soundtrack for ‘Blood and Water’, her captivating allure knows no bounds. Showcasing her versatility, FRYA delivers soul-stirring ballads in tracks like ‘For You’ and ‘Changes’, whilst in tracks like ‘Fire Fire’ and ‘BDE’ she demonstrates a party centric, reggaeton sound. Her debut project sums up the passionate singers’ approach to music, as she strives to create the perfect synergy. Have a listen to ‘You Can’t’ below…
Legendary trip-hop producer WAX TAILOR has teamed up with MICK JENKINS for single, ‘No More Magical’, just over one year after the release of his last album, The Shadow Of Their Suns. Languishing and unhurried Wax Tailor and Mick Jenkins present the spirit of disillusionment and the apathy that follows. Harsh and raw, the unflinching lyrics are contrasted against production with nostalgic fragrances of old school hip hop elements.
With seven studio albums and more than 800 concerts in 60 countries and numerous awards, Wax Tailor is recognized as one of the main ambassadors of the electro-hip hop international scene. Wax Tailor’s music videos, directed by Berkay Turk, won prestigious awards including SXSW, NYC, L.A, Cannes Indie Short Awards. His music has been featured in several tastemaker publications including Pitchfork, Mixmag, NME, Wonderland, CLASH Magazine, HiphopDX, XLR8R, Rolling Stone, Pop Matters, Under The Radar and Respect Magazine while receiving radio play from BBC Radio 6 Music, KEXP, KCRW, NME Radio, RADIO EINS and RADIO NOVA, to name a few.
Born in France, near Paris, and currently based in South Africa, Wax Tailor has sold nearly half a million physical copies and holds hundreds of millions of plays on streaming platforms around the world. The works of Wax Tailor calls to mind the likes of Nightmares on Wax, DJ Shadow, RJD2 and The Avalanches.
Featured rapper Mick Jenkins was born in Huntsville, Alabama and is currently based in Chicago, Illinois. The producer is signed to the renowned Cinematic label has previously worked with the likes of Kaytranada, Ghostface Killah, Disclosure and Chance The Rapper amongst others. The producer has earned support from the likes of Medium, NPR, Rolling Stone, NME, Paste Magazine, Complex, Highsnobiety, Flaunt, Hot New Hip Hop, Chicago Sunday Times, Billboard, Pitchfork, Consequence of Sound, Dazed Digital, Spin, Stereogum, Under The Radar, This Song Is Sick, Earmilk, Brooklyn Vegan, XXL Mag, Clash Magazine, The Fader and Magnetic Magazine to name a few. In total, Mick Jenkins has collected over 250 million plays across platforms.
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