Tag: UK talent

Song of the Day: Love Like This – Jessica Wilde x Josh Barry

Highly acclaimed singer, songwriter, rapper, producer and South London native JESSICA WILDE kicks of her 2024 by joining forces with the incredible Josh Barry for a soulful release, ‘Love Like This’.

Packed with soaring emotions and infused with smoky orchestral atmospheres, ‘Love Like This’ is a striking nu-soul gem which will be released on Wilde’s forthcoming album and follows her recent singles ‘Freak Out’ and ‘Feathers’ ft. Zoe Kypri. The two 2023 singles saw her pick up many spins on BBC Radio 1’s Future Artists with Jack Saunders, BBC Radio 1 Introducing with Jess Iszatt, John Kennedy’s X-Posure Daily on Radio X, playlist support across the board from Spotify, Apple, Youtube and Tidal amongst other acclaim. Josh Barry has also been picking up serious heat, recently featuring with Rudimental and Sigma, collaborating with Nile Rogers and opening for Rag ‘N’ Bone Man on tour. Josh Barry brings a dynamic force to the collab as he embodies the spirit of legendary icons like James Brown and Jimi Hendrix.

Following the release of ‘Love Like This’, Wilde and Barry have begun to unveil a 4-part Instagram & TikTok reel series, released every Monday, beginning 19th February. Tune in to see the pair explore the new track’s steamy and romantic themes in more depth through nostalgic aesthetics.

On the series, Wilde explains further- “With the ‘Love Like at his visuals…Myself and Josh wanted to lure people into our world of romance and desire, create a love story through visuals and sounds that feel very now but also have a nostalgic essence, emulating tones of Marvin Gaye ‘Sexual Healing’ with teasing visuals that call in feels of classic film scenes like ‘Grease’, the finale, when Sandy turns into a baddd b and John Travolter is completely hooked! We wanted to capture that slightly tongue in cheek playful edge but still keep it alluring, grown and sexy af!”.

2024 looks set to be an exciting new year for Wilde. With her album on the horizon, she has been gaining growing support from not only BBC Radio 1 but also 6 Music, BBC Radio London, KISS, editorial playlist support across DSPs, as well as features in CLASH, Complex, Wonderland, The Independent and many more. Listen to ‘Love Like This’ below…

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UK R&B queen Shaé Universe shares timeless album, ‘Love’s Letter’

UK R&B queen SHAÉ UNIVERSE shares the her timeless new project ‘Love’s Letter’ via The Orchard. A release steeped in R&B nostalgia, the ten track project explores what it would mean for love to send you a letter for every phase of life.

Collaborating with producers from both sides of the Atlantic, the project combines Shaé’s once-in-a-lifetime raw vocal talent with sultry guitar melodies, old-school-flows and modern gritty bounces. Covering romantic love, self-love, lack of love and the role of love in spirituality, ‘Love’s Letter’ is a transformative project crafted to help listeners process their pain.

Love’s Letter opens with inspirational words from Shaé’s mother, taken from one of their real life heart-to-hearts on self love, identity and owning your spirit. The sultry guitar melodies and relaxed groove of ‘Love Self’ set the tone for this intimate, vulnerable sonic journey. Shaé made her much-anticipated COLORS debut last year with radiant ‘Summertime’, a soulful paean to a lost love. Ethereal 00’s R&B cut ‘LOML’ is next, which landed last year to acclaim from CRACK, NME and spins across BBC Radio 1, 1Xtra, KISS Fresh and more. Empowering new single ‘Oh, Wait…’ details Shaé finding her inner strength after a betrayal.

Speaking on making ‘Oh, Wait…’, Shaé said – “The unpredictability of each musical section is reflective of how caught off guard I was when I wrote this song. I’d just found out my ex had cheated on me and I was still in absolute shock. This song is extra dear to my heart because at the time I didn’t speak to anyone about it immediately, but Ari Pensmith (songwriter) and Akeel Henry (producer) created such a safe space in the studio that day, I felt comfortable enough to outwardly express my feelings on the situation for the first time.”

Recent single ‘What’s Luv?’ is a sun-dappled tune shot through with breezy guitar licks and Shaé’s ethereal vocal runs, as she muses on the importance of self-love. Bittersweet breakup tune ‘Passenger Princess’ is next, which landed last year with a video featuring frequent collaborator Kojey Radical and drew heat from the likes of NME, Vibe, Wonderland, COLORS, GUAP, DMY, Complex UK, TRENCH and DJ Mag. Stripped-back interlude ‘Warzone’, meets vulnerable spoken word verses with Shaé’s honeyed runs as she deconstructs the turbulence at the end of a relationship. Imbued with honesty and the importance of understanding your own self worth, ‘No Capacity’ (produced by Sean Hamilton, Darkchild’s protegee) combines nostalgic dreamy essences with gritty bounces.

Feel-good anthem ‘More Than Enough’ features the only guest on the project – legendary US R&B star Lalah Hathaway, a true testament to just how far this rising talent has come with the single opening with an intimate voicenote as the two singers arrange to meet in LA. Closing out the project is the cinematic, soulful goodbye ‘Sincerely,’ which layers Shaé’s vocals together with final words from Shaé as she says – “nothing in life is linear / it’s ok to be ok and then not be ok and then be ok again / it’s ok to meet yourself where you’re at everyday / and sometimes you’re going to have to learn that lesson again / and again / before you overcome it / but the most important thing is that you overcome”.

Since bursting onto the scene in 2017, British-Nigerian artist Shaé Universe has made waves in the UK, West Africa and beyond making music that engages, enchants and inspires. Her mother a gospel singer and her father a pastor, Shaé weaves her spirituality, faith and sensuality through her work. Shaé is an artist who can both sing and rap, has been co-signed by the likes of Lalah Hathaway, Jorja Smith and Little Simz and has remained entirely independent – navigating the industry on her own terms.

Now in her new era following performances at legendary festivals around the world including Glastonbury, SXSW, Roskilde, De Roma Festival, The Great Escape and a lead feature on Phabo’s latest album ‘Don’t Get Too Cozy’, Shaé has truly taken her music to a global stage. With fans at the likes of British Vogue, NME, VICE, Rolling Stone, BET, Billboard, Highsnobiety, Complex, Wonderland and NOTION, and recently announced as a Pandora Artist to Watch for 2024 – this year has Sha Universe written all over it. Check out ‘Love’s Letter’ below…

Must Listens: Self Love; LOML; Oh Wait…;More Than Enough,

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Song of the Day: Menorca – CK LDN

CK LDN‘s his first single of 2024, ‘Menorca’ is a smooth mid tempo Rap, RnB track with melodic strings that’s so compelling. The drums are hard hitting and provide the bounce, and positive energy. ‘Menorca’ was inspired by a recent trip to the beautiful island and will fit into any UK Rap, RnBor summer playlist.

Previously supported by Reprezent Radio, Capital Xtra, BBC Introducing and BBC Radio 1Xtra, CK LDN is an artist hailing from North London who has an impressive skill set as a singer, songwriter, rapper, producer and drummer. CK LDN’s tone and melodic sound is infectious and makes him stand out in today’s music scene and takes inspiration from the likes of Drake, Bryson Tiller and Brent Faiyaz.

Have a listen to ‘Menorca’ below…

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Song of the Day: Gucci – Sneakbo (ft. Lyco, Ivorian Doll & 2Face)

South London’s SNEAKBO teams up with Lyco, Ivorian Doll and Two Face for their latest collaborative single ‘Gucci’.

A completely organic track that happened naturally when the artists were together in Birmingham where Sneakbo linked up with Lyco and Ivorian Doll for the first time. The chemistry was so special, they decided to lay down a demo and this was the end result recorded on the first go. Two Face was in the same building and dropped into the session and ended up recording the last verse.

Lyco kicks the track off with a melodic hook, whilst Sneakbo takes the lead verse bringing his wavy vibes and lyrics to the track. Ivorian Doll steps in after Sneakbo showcasing her lyrical flow and singing skills and Two Face brings the greasy drill bars for a rap track with a hint of Afrobeats.

The video matches the artists lyrics showing the high life with a private jet, designer clothes and private limos.

Gucci is out now across various music platforms. Check out the track and visuals below…

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Marnz Malone drops new album, ‘Tina’s Boy’

Birmingham rapper MARNZ MALONE finally shares his 14-track project ‘Tina’s Boy’ earlier last month (9th February), after teasing us with some visuals, ‘Cold Hearted World 2’ and most recently ‘Ball 4 U’ taken from a previous project release.

‘Tina’s Boy’ is an eye-opener into the life of Marnz Malone with features such as Potter Payper, Bandokay, KayMuni & Marshall with all 14 tracks full of storytelling and the life he has lived. It’s shows off his laid-back style of rapping mixed with intricately delivered bars and verses. Marnz uses simple rap beats delivering inspirational, truthful, and heartfelt rhymes for his 3rd project full of wordplay.

Only starting to release music in August 2023, his career has blown up due to going viral and gaining a solid fanbase with co-signs from legends such as Giggs and Stormzy and Central Cee reposting his music.

The rising rapper who is currently in jail, has found his calling with music and will not let anything deter him from releasing. Why not listen to Marnz’s epic project below…

Must Listens: Roof Down, Went To War, Medusa’s Eyes, Napkin Deal, Forever Missing You, Smile For Me

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