Tag: UK talent

New Music Video: Daylight – Black Slate

One of the most important UK bands of the 70s and 80s, known best for their hit single ‘Amigo’ which reached number nine in the charts in 1980, BLACK SLATE have returned with new material, a newly augmented line-up and a new live show to reaffirm to fans old and new just why they made such on impact on the British musical landscape!

Featuring original members, Anthony ‘Pure Silk’ Brightly (Keyboards); Chris ‘Music House’ Hanson (Lead/Rhythm Guitar) and Desmond ’Drummy’ Mahoney (Drums/Congo/Percussion) alongside newer cohorts, Colin ’Steam Fish’ McNiesh (Bass) and Jessie ’Energy’ Brade (Vocals) as well as Gaven ‘Magic Voice’ Creary (Vocals), their current single, ‘Daylight’, shows them at the very top of their game!

Their upcoming album, Peaceful Demonstration, is released on the on TCD Records the label named for Tony (Anthony), Chris and Desmond, the original members of the band founded in 1972 in the United Kingdom. After 40 years in the music business, the deep roots reggae band returns with their first full-length album released since 1982.

Black Slate

Formed in Hackney in 1974, BLACK SLATE were the first completely homegrown UK reggae band, utilising their own sound system and dub plates, rather than the traditional method of using existing plates from Jamaica. At a time of huge racial tension and regular clashes between police and the black community, their first single, ‘Sticks Man’, appealed to communities to lead by example, the key lyric being: “If you tief a white, you will tief a black”…a reference to the spate of pickpockets in London at the time.

Taken as an anthem by both black and white communities who felt marginalised by society, the single became a 1976 hit in the UK singles chart, though including sales through non-affiliated reggae stores would have reflected it having sold phenomenal numbers.

Enjoying cross-over success with their hit single and album, Amigo, in 1980, touring with the likes of Peter Tosh and selling out venues likes London’s iconic Rainbow and in countries like Australia and New Zealand, they went on an extended hiatus from the routine and releasing record and endless touring but have now returned, refreshed and as inspired and incisive as ever.

Check out the video for ‘Daylight’ below:

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SOTD: Craze 24 Pays Tribute To Victims Of Knife And Gun Crime in ‘Everybody’s Got 2 Learn’

‘Everybody’s Got 2 Learn’ is the latest rap offering from CRAZE 24 featuring Davinah. Featuring a sample of The Korgis’ 1980 classic ‘Everybody’s Got to Learn Sometimes’, the track not only heralds a touching feeling of nostalgia, but also serves as a hard-hitting tribute to the victims of knife and gun crime. In response to recently increasing spikes of violence in and around London, CRAZE 24 aims to shine a light on the darker sides of street life. In doing so, he also hopes to incite a much-needed change.

With the song’s music video telling the heartbreakingly honest story of a little boy growing up without any positive role models in his life and the negative impacts this has, ‘Everybody’s Got 2 Learn’ strips away the glorification of weaponry that has become so prevalent within rap music.

Speaking on the issue, CRAZE 24, otherwise known as Jay Miller, said:
‘I think the UK music industry should be standing together in solidarity and addressing the many factors that are helping to create this epidemic. Artists, platforms and labels have the power of influence which, by default, makes them either a positive or negative role model.
If we keep turning a blind eye, pointing the finger and ignoring our responsibility when releasing music, we’re also contributing to the problem.’

Alongside expressing his feelings on this topic through his music, CRAZE 24 and his ‘We Run the Roads’ collaborator, Big Ven, are launching a youth divisionary programme to help the most vulnerable and susceptible victims of knife and gun crime.

‘Everybody’s Got 2 Learn’ is also the title track on Craze’s upcoming album. Featuring the vocal talents of P Money, D Double E, Stylo G and many more, the album travels through different musical genres, freestyles and spoken word to tell a larger tale of positive progression on a personal, social and cultural level.

With the track, music video and youth divisionary programme all being rolled out this summer, GX Records, Phoenix Music International and, at the heart of it all, CRAZE 24 hope that this will be the start of a new, positive revolution in rap culture.

Check out the heart-felt production below:

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New Music Video: Stubborn – Ryan De La Cruz

RYAN DE LA CRUZ is back in full force following the success of his collaboration with Ghetts and S Wavey on ‘Player’ and critically acclaimed single ’Syko’ earlier this year – and with a forthcoming EP on the way (a 5-track testament to owning your inner craziness), ’Stubborn’ is the first teaser of what’s to come.
 
The lo-fi, gritty video gives you an authentic look into the unmatchable energy and confidence he carries with him, and his ease with dance and performance, giving likeness to his idols Chris Brown and D’Angelo.
 
Originally launched into the spotlight in 2017 for ‘Know About Me’ which was crowned ‘the best rap video of 2017′ by DJ Semtex, Ryan has been setting himself apart from the new generation of UK talent. He injects soulful, R&B feels into his fruitful plethora of inspiration, while making it an aim to sing about real-life, important issues. 

Check out the video below…

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Song of the Day: Quavo – Deep Green

Smashing close to 200k views in a matter of weeks, 70k streams, plus huge support from the likes of DJ Target and BBC Sheffield, ‘Quavo’ is yet another consistent release from one of Steel City’s finest…

DEEP GREEN collabs with his fellow Sheffield comrade Coco for the production. The two have a long history in music, both emerging in the local scene at a similar time and rapidly taking hold of their city before majorly breaking through in their own lanes on a national and international scale.

Whilst ‘Quavo’ first made an appearance on the ‘6 Years Deep’ album, the track has now been released as a single along with the visuals and is an exceptional representation of the star. Clever punchlines, intricate flows, confidence in his delivery of melodic singing/rap alongside harder, weighty bars plus his ability to create records wrapped around relatable subject matters have made him a vehicle for UK Rap, in fact, such is the case that his ever-growing fanbase are even known as his ‘passengers’ rather than fans, as they join him on his journey.

Already a regular at tipping millions of streams and views, DEEP GREEN has paid his dues, successfully smashing the circuit with freestyles, including his notable ‘Fire In The Booth’ for Charlie Sloth, and the endless shows supporting artists including Skrapz, M Huncho & Yxng Bane. His inclusion for Toddla T’s BBC Radio 1Xtra Live Lounge with DJ Target and the endless radio support are mere indicators to his undeniably exciting future and whilst the ceremonious applause and limelight are of course welcomed, it’s the depth in lyrical ability and his captivating character that keeps more passengers jumping on board with the Deep Green journey.

Check out the video for the slamming track below:

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FABIAN SECON TEAMS UP WITH XXXTENTACION DIRECTOR TRISTAN ZAMMIT FOR NEW VIDEO ‘SMALL’

Fresh from his successful debut headline show at Camden Assembly on 2nd September, FABIAN SECON has teamed up with world-renowned Director/Animator Tristan Zammit for new video ‘Small’. Zammit is known for his animations for the likes of XXXTENTACION, Tory Lanez and Lil Yachty.

The song is taken from Fabian’s latest EP, ‘I See Things Others Can’t’, which has helped push his global streams past 25 million—a huge milestone for the independent artist who writes and produces all of his own music.

 Having recently collaborated on J Spades’ MMMP 4 project, Fabian is currently working with artists such as Santino Le Saint and Ali3nhead, as well as writing for other artists with Jacob Manson (Rudimental, Ed Sheeran, Craig David), Redmojo (Madonna, Anitta, Pitbull), Will Simms (Aloe Blacc, Sean Kingston, WSTRN) and Daniel Mirza (Mr Eazi) among others. He’ll return to the stage later in the year with IAMNEXT.

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