Tag: UK talent

Song of the Day: Paint Me Ugly – IYKZ

Premiered at BBC Radio 1Xtra by DJ Target as his #UKUnsigned track  the highly relatable and meaningful track ‘Paint Me Ugly’ by IYKZ explores the losing battle people face when they don’t share the same perspectives in a relationship.

IYKZ is an upcoming, homegrown talent who has ventured from the grime world over to the rap scene in his older years. He started out in the Channel U days of grime as a 14-year-old emcee and as he has matured in sound, influence and person, he has found rap to be his outlet. He has previously collaborated with Maleek Berry and has over half a million Spotify streams on his previous single ‘They Know (wan mo)’.

The emotional, inspirational and thought-provoking stamp on his music is typical of the themes and rhymes that IYKZ explores. Most recently he has released commercially successful singles like ‘Clarity’ and ‘No Commercial’ gaining attention of J.U.S.T.I.C.E League and BBC 1Xtra whilst singles such as ‘Kilo’ professes greatness for IYKZ.

‘Paint Me Ugly’ is coming from his full-length album entitled ‘Closure’.

 

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Song Premiere: Dahlia – Billow Cloud

Billy Lash – aka – BILLOW CLOUD premieres his infectiously hazy springtime single, ‘Dahlia’, released today across all download sites. The dream-pop melody-maker is all geared up for a release show of the single on the 19th of May at the Cavendish Arms in Stockwell, London.

Produced by Guy Fixsen (Pixies, My Bloody Valentine, Wyldest), ‘Dahlia’ is described as ‘the soundtrack to a belated spring: when the scales of winter have fallen from your eyes and the excitement of the new season brings a fresh perspective.’

‘Dahlia’ follows the South Londoner’s debut single ‘Smokestack City’, which received airplay on Amazing Radio where DJ Shell Zenner called it ‘a gorgeous, dreamy number’.

Be the first to hear the stunning ‘Dahlia’…

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New Track: Always Been This Way – Kit Rice

With the release of his debut album ‘Konfidence’ drawing closer, British singer/songwriter KIT RICE  continues to tease us with latest single ‘Always Been This Way’.

Following on from the groovy funk of ‘Dance All Night’ and the power ballad ‘Just A Kiss’, the new single is an emotive strings-led soulful/R&B esque offering, which sees the South Londoner at his most vulnerable, while still retaining those well-controlled harmonies.

Speaking about the inspiration for ‘Always Been This Way’, the BRIT School alumni says, “The record is about letting go. It was one of the hardest songs to write on this album because it is so personal. I like to live my life through love & light, but sometimes people take me for granted. When that happens, I have to let go. Life is hard enough! You need people helping you push the cart uphill. If someone is sitting in it and weighing you down, you have to let go and most times it’s a hard decision to make! But you have to look after yourself first. Don’t let people weigh you down! Live your best life”.

‘Always Been This Way’ is the third release from the album  ‘Konfidence’, out 25th June via KAR Records/AWAL. It’s too good to pass by; better have a listen…

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New Track: DBT (Remix) – Lioness (ft. Queenie, Stush, Shystie, Lady Leshurr, Little Simz)

 LIONESS has just dropped her ‘DBT’ Remix and it is one of the most socially significant and impactful records, arguably since Bashy released ‘Black Boys’. Receiving a wave of support and praise from her peers like JME, P Money, Clara Amfo and Funk Butcher, LIONESS takes a dignified, powerful and stealthy approach as she tackles colourism, marginalisation and sexism head on.

The stereotypes and insults that come with having a dark skin tone AND being a woman are not only raised but catapulted forward in this passionate, energetic and very real account, as they were in her original DBT freestyle. Alongside an incredible line up of respected black women and exceptionally talented emcees; Queenie, Stush, Shystie, Lady Leshurr & Little Simz, the remix, produced by grime lord Prince Rapid is a heavy hitting, energy laden vibe by all accounts but lyrically it is a power anthem that should not only be heard, but listened to, and listened to closely. But are we hearing it?

The response via social media and urban music platforms like MOBO, The Hype Magazine and Nation of Billions has seen an outpouring of support, praise and community for these incredible females that have gone against the grain, spoken out and empowered themselves, and those listening, with their strength and honesty. A small pocket of the grime scene is hearing it and standing proud of what is being achieved here, yet the wider media seems like it is not yet listening, proving one of the most important points that are being raised in the record.

This is some hard-hitting stuff…LISTEN to ‘DBT (Remix)’

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Song of the Day: Control Me – BRKE

Adding to her rising popularity with bloggers and tastemakers after the success of her last release, ‘Cupid’ – which clocked over a million views on YouTube, BRKE launched her single, ‘Control Me’.

The last few years have been a progressive journey for BRKE, (pronounced Brooke) as she’s curated her sound, an eclectic blend inspired by the London Hip-Hop, Afro-swing and Grime movements, seen and heard in ‘Control Me’. Also influenced by, and echoing late 90’s to early 00’s R&B from the likes of Destiny’s Child (‘Writing’s On The Wall’) and Brandy (‘Full Moon’), her music sits in a distinct pocket, capturing the intricacies of love, sprinkled unapologetically with youthful undertones, as she openly invites you in to her own experiences.

BRKE’s attitude and determination is to never back down from a challenge and has a desire to have her voice heard, or as she puts it, “I just want my story to be heard”. With close to 2 million views on her own YouTube channel coming from just 2 previous singles her stealthy and unwavering approach to her music is unquestionable and clearly having the right effect.

Emerging as an entity not to be overlooked, BRKE has an ability to paint a vivid picture via her lyrics and with her sassy, loveable persona she is relishing the prospect of engaging new audiences, as she aims to become the defining sound of the UK.

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