Titan of UK rap Nemzzz drops debut mixtape, ‘Do Not Disturb’

Manchester rapper NEMZZZ unveils his much-anticipated debut mixtape ‘DO NOT DISTURB’. The 11-track tape is Nemzzz’s most expansive drop to date, an exploration of how the young artist is shaped by his upbringing and his fame. ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ is available in physical format on CD & cassette in a first for the Mancunion.

Marrying bars laced with Nemzzz’s wicked sense of humour, earworm hooks and a raw soulful-drill production – ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ is set to cement Nemzzz’s status as the new titan of UK Rap. Opening with late night confession ‘REFLECTION’, Nemzzz raps with real bite about the pitfalls of social media activism. New single ‘ETA’ sees Nemzzz unite with German rap heavyweight Luciano, trading bars over a siren-like beat. The new cut arrives with a video shot by DonProd in Frankfurt whilst Nemzzz was in town to appear at Luciano’s stadium show.

Recent single ‘PTSD’ (which is currently the blog’s Song of the Month) splices a haunting vocal flip with a laid-back production from frequent collaborator Zel, as Nemzzz turns teacher once more – speaking on how he uses his music as catharsis to process his feelings. The cut landed last month to a co-sign from Central Cee. The shimmering, jazz inflected ‘L’S’ arrived in January to acclaim from the likes of The Observer, Fader, CRACK, NME spins across BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra and more.

Atmospheric, intense cut ‘DOOM’ gives way to the relaxed groove of playful love song ‘STAR SIGN’. On ‘NEED YOU’, Nemzzz rides out the ups and downs of a toxic relationship. ‘REASSURANCE’ melds ghostly vocal samples with a stripped back production as Nemzzz reassures his girl he’d drop her off for her ‘nails, hair, lash appointment too’. Nemzzz picks up the pace on ‘VENICE’ featuring rising rapper JayG. Title track ‘DND’ details how the run-up to the project was filled with hostile haters and the need to cut off day one friends. Rounding out the tape is ‘MONEY AND VIBES’, which sees Nemzzz bring a UK flavour to a flip of Justin Timberlake’s ‘Rock Your Body’. The single topped the A list at 1Xtra on release last year and continues to rack up over +1M streams a week. Nemzzz is one of the most exciting breakout rap talents of recent years. An old head on young shoulders, Nemzzz is relatable in a different way than a lot of his rap peers; driven less by punchlines about Birkin bags and more by the challenge of helping his young fans navigate their way through growing pains. The rapper is shaped by his tough upbringing in Gorton, using his music to reflect on his experiences including heartbreak, fake friends, financial literacy, finding your own path, and managing mental health amid social media addiction.

The DO NOT DISTURB tape follows a massive 2023 for the young star with a consistent slate of releases including his debut EP NEMZZZ TYPE BEAT (which was pulled together in just 17 days in a flex of his innate talents) alongside a string of singles including ‘Therapy’ (Spotify Rap UK Cover) and ‘8AM IN MANNY’ which landed to props from some of the biggest rappers in the world – Drake and Lil Yachty. Last year saw Nemzzz deliver his first sold-out headline tour alongside performances at festivals including Glastonbury, Ibiza Rocks and more.

Nemzzz will be heading out on his second headline tour this Spring with dates across the UK and Ireland. He will be kicking off in Dublin on 30th April and culminating in a homecoming show on 7th May in Manchester. With three dates already sold out – the tour is set to be another huge smash for the young star.

Since bursting onto the scene at the tender age of 14, Nemzzz has relentlessly chipped away at his craft – building steady buzz amongst the industry, media and fans alike. With over 180M combined streams in 2023, 9 Million TikTok views, tips including BBC Radio 1xtra’s Hot For 2023, Amazon Music x Hunger Magazine Ones To Watch, No Signal Class of ’23, Best Newcomer Nominee MOBO Awards 2022, plaudits from Pitchfork, The Face, DAZED, The Guardian, HYPEBEAST, CLASH, Complex UK and NME – Nemzzz is making serious moves.

Check out ‘DO NOT DISTURB’ below…

Must Listens: ETA, PTSD, DOOM, REASSURANCE

Yazmine MB yearns for freedom from the rat race in soulful single, ‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’

Following the success from her previous works ‘I’ll Show You’ and ‘MOVE’, British-Algerian R&B/soul artist YAZMINE MB is back with her latest offering ‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’. The track serves as a sneak peak into her debut EP ‘HEALER’ which is set to release 19th April.

Delicate piano alongside searing guitar, ‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’ highlights the inner battle between exhaustion and FOMO (Fear of missing out). Written as a response to her fatigue while working three jobs, Yazmine MB yearns for the freedom to do nothing with static-laced voicemails intertwined between her soulful vocals that riff and run to demonstrate the struggles of entering the adult workforce and facing burnout.

Yazmine MB said of the track “WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’ is basically like a big moan and complain about the amount of work we need to do to survive and, particularly, my experience as a teenager entering the adult workforce. I wrote the lyrics and vocal melody on the bus home from a childminding shift right before COVID-19. I was so exhausted and always on the go without any free time really- I’d forgotten what it was like to lounge around and do nothing and was headed towards burnout, hence the title ‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN.’”

Following the success of previous releases, ‘I’ll Show You’ and ‘MOVE,’ ‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’ stands as the penultimate release before Yazmine MB unveils her debut coming-of-age EP, ‘HEALER.’ Crafted between the ages of 15 and 18, during turbulent times, the EP acts as Yazmine’s personal band-aid, a source she revisits whenever she needs a lift, aiming for it to provide similar healing for her listeners. From grappling with old habits to navigating the complexities of adulthood, ‘HEALER’ presents a raw and unfiltered narrative of growth, infusing every track with a soulful resonance. “This EP is like my band-aid,” said Yazmine MB. ‘“I listen to it every time I need a pick-me-up. The tracklist is ordered to show the healing process – that it’s not linear. You get a bit better, you pick yourself up, and then maybe for a while, you dip again, and that’s ok. You’re human.”

Yazmine MB’s musical journey commenced in the lively musical landscape of London, under the guidance of her jazz singer mum. Immersed in a world of artists and venues, she embarked on her musical pursuits at an early age, delving into guitar, flute, choir, and piano lessons. Constantly surrounded by her mum’s musical preferences of Lauryn Hill, D’Angelo, Amy Winehouse, and Erykah Badu, Yazmine MB found herself deeply influenced by these celebrated musical figures. This rich musical tapestry of her formative years set the foundation for her own artistic exploration and expression in the world of music.

Fast forward 20 years, Yazmine MB, a graduate of the BRIT School of Performing Arts, has enchanted audiences at esteemed venues like Lafayette, the 100 Club, and the Whitecross Festival. Her performances gained acclaim from prominent London stations and publications, including Reprezent Radio, The Beat London, and The Blues Project. Her latest singles, co-produced with FLO’s live vocal arranger and BELLAH’s producer Gimme 2 Minutes, showcase her evolving artistry as she builds a growing team to support her talents. With a robust fan base of 25k across social media platforms, Yazmine MB is poised for an exciting 2024 as she debuts her EP ‘HEALER’’ in April and graces the stage at festivals across the UK this summer.

‘WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DO NOTHIN’ was available across all major streaming platforms from last Thursday (21st March) . Her debut EP ‘HEALER’ is set to release on 19th April. Have a listen below…

Song of the Day: Start This – D Power Diesle x Wariko

D POWER DIESLE is back with a bang, dropping the sizzling second single from his upcoming EP project ‘Graphene 4’. Featuring renowned Nottingham emcee, Wariko and produced by Audio Slugs, this grime banger calls back to the notorious LOTM3 clash carrying the same electrifying energy.

After crossing paths on the mighty clash series ‘Lord Of The Mics’ Volume 3 back in 2011, the pair were pinned up against eachother producing one the most memorable clashes in the UK Grime scene. Lauded by top artists, industry giants, and global music lovers alike, this dynamic duo reunite in ‘Start This’, recapturing the raw energy of their legendary basement clash.

Produced by Grime heavy hitters Audio Slugs, Diesle and Wariko ride the 140bpm beat going back to back, while gifting us with references from the famous battle. The chorus and verse integrate seamlessly, with the London and Nottingham accents playing off each other harmoniously.

Gearing up to release ‘Graphene 4’ this Spring, its prior three volumes were a masterstroke in Grime, garnering millions of streams, widespread acclaim across UK’s radio and press, and powerhouse collaborations with Grime’s biggest stars, including Skepta, D Double E, Manga St Hilare, and Big Narstie. Mark your calendars for D Power’s headline show at ‘The Hackney Social’ on Friday 3rd May, where he will be delivering a curated performance of tracks from the Graphene series.

A pioneer and veteran that many within Black British music praise, D Power Diesle is best known for his impact in the early grime days via Déjà vu, Rinse FM, and clashing with Wariko on Lord of the Mics 3. But it doesn’t stop there. Not only housing an impressive catalogue of music, Diesle has also toured with UK heavy-weight Skepta, Wiley, Jammer, and Modestep before outlining a reputation of his own. Flash forward to today, it’s a common discussion amongst UK rap about grime’s positioning in our current landscape, a topic of which not everyone agrees on. However, it’s artists like D Power Diesle that are still holding it up for those gritty, raw, and lively tracks that encapsulate the roots of London’s inner city. Taking his knowledge of the industry and putting it to good use, Diesle formed his own label EB Records that’s committed to guiding the up-and-coming artists of today down the right path. Check out the video below…

Former JLS member Oritsé Williams Releases New Single ‘Language’

ORITSÉ WILLIAMS returns with a brand new single ‘Language’ showcasing his unique, authentic style of music which he describes as ‘Afro-Island’ whilst stepping into a new chapter in his career.

An undeniable modern love anthem that steers away from the generic love themed songs, ‘Language’ connects people as human beings incorporating the universal expression ‘now you’re talking my language’ as an infectious hook. Oritsé takes you on a feel-good wave right from the start, that he smoothly rides with his unique vocal style, playfully switching up his flow along the songs hypnotic groove, exuding pure vibes and flavour.

The single produced by Jhn Alxs (Central Cee ‘I Will’) reminds us that love is a universal language which Oritsé understands having grown up between the UK, the Caribbean and Africa.

After achieving longevity in the music industry as the founding member of the multi-award winning band JLS with whom he sold over 15 million records, achieved five no.1s, two BRIT Awards and five MOBO awards, along with many other notable achievements, Oritsé took a leap of faith, broke away from the corporate major record label system and ventured out on his own as an independent artist.

Oritsé is now on an exciting new path in his solo career, working with the likes of Davido who he went to school with in Nigeria and Oritsé also mentored, along with other collaborators that feature on his debut forthcoming project such as Stylo G, producer/rapper Ayo Beatz, and Central Cee producer Jhn Alxs.

Tune into ‘Language’ and let Oritsé take you on a beautiful journey….

Song of the Day: Shoulda Known Better – L Dizzy (ft. Sovereign Tugz )

‘Shoulda Known Better’ is a sonic masterpiece by two rising stars in the music industry, L DIZZY (pictured right) and SOVEREIGN TUGZ, that fuses aggressive flows and high-level punchlines over a dark and intense instrumental. L Dizzy’s razor-sharp delivery, combined with Sovereign Tugz’s in the pocket offering, as well as guidance in the form of executive production, results in a track that is set to captivate audiences and elevate the duo to new heights.

ErrorTheProducer’s innovative beat sets the stage for L Dizzy and Sovereign Tugz to deliver a powerful performance that pushes the boundaries of UK rap. The single serves as a testament to label See No Equal Entertainment’s commitment to pushing artistic boundaries and delivering unparalleled music experiences to fans.

“This song is not just a track; it’s an experience. It represents the evolution of our artists and the unique sound that See No Equal Entertainment is known for,” says Sovereign Tugz, Creator of See No Equal Entertainment. “Im gassed to kick off 2024 with such a powerful release and set the tone for an exciting year ahead.”

‘Shoulda Known Better’ is the first in a series of releases planned by See No Equal Entertainment for 2024. The label continues to be a driving force in the music industry, dedicated to providing a platform for emerging talent and delivering music that resonates with diverse audiences. Why not check out the blazing joint below…