Tag: UK talent

Song of the Day: Believe In Love – Danni Tesfay

Introducing London-based R&B talent DANNI TESFAY with her exquisite single titled ‘Believe In Love’. The track comes on the back of Danni’s well-received summer single ‘Hit The Road’, as well as recent support from BBC Radio 1 and Reprezent Radio. Written by Danni and progressive R&B babe Kemi Ade, and produced by Grammy Award-nominated musician Likklejay – who has also worked with Chris Brown, Capella Grey, and Kojey Radical, among others, with Ramera Abraham (Adele, Little Mix, TianaMajor9) engineering the track – ‘Believe In Love’ is an emotionally resonant offering that speaks to the universal apprehension of plunging into the depths of love, with Danni trying to assure her lover that they are safe and secure with her.

Birthed out of Platoon’s latest ‘She Runs The Board’ program and writing camp held in London, where Danni Tesfay connected with producer Likklejay and songwriter Kemi Ade, ‘Believe In Love’ is an exquisite R&B offering driven by captivating guitar arrangements, lush synths, and minimalist drum patterns excellently crafted by Likklejay, over which Danni offers a yielding and enthralling vocal performance. The track is further enriched by some very relatable songwriting from Danni and Kemi Ade. Thematically about trying to love someone with deep-seated fears of fully embracing love, the song is Danni’s support for everyone struggling with falling in love and letting go, as she delves into the intricate complexities of love and the reservations that arise from past disappointments.

Recommended if you like the sounds of Kehlani, Victoria Monet, or Kiana Ledé, Danni Tesfay is an exciting new talent that is bringing a breath of fresh air to the UK R&B scene. Acclaimed by industry insiders like Victoria Jane on BBC Radio 1, and Rellik on Reprezent Radio, she stands out as a rising star in a crowded musical landscape. Hailing from Coventry and now thriving in the vibrant heart of London, this British Eritrean songstress is showing that she’s a force to be reckoned with. Drawing inspiration from iconic acts such as Destiny’s Child, Mya, and Cassie, Danni Tesfay seamlessly fuses classic R&B elements with her innovative flair to create mesmerizing soundscapes. Whether you’re in the mood for alluring melodies or poignant ballads, Danni is the artist that will enchant your senses. Why not check out the video for ‘Believe In Love’ below…

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Äyanna brings on the holiday season with ‘Christmas All Year’

East London singer and songwriter ÄYANNA rings in the holiday season with her incredible Christmas single ‘Christmas All Year’. Inspired by R&B legends like Mariah Carey and Destiny’s Child’s Christmas offerings, this festive bop showcases Äyanna’s inimitable vocal range and pop girlie sensibilities with a sprinkling of Christmas cheer. The single arrives last Friday (8th December) with a sparkling, festive video directed by Jodeci Zimmerman of Äyanna in a glistening winter wonderland.

Speaking on the single, she shares: “Christmas All Year is a fun and feel-good song that is perfect for anyone who wants to feel loved up, and like the main present at Christmas time. It felt like second nature to talk about being the center of attention at Christmas because this is how I’ve always felt every year, being the only daughter in my family. I especially love the idea of extending that dynamic into a romantic relationship.

What I love about the song is that it feels old school and new school at the same time. I enjoyed paying homage to Rnb legends like Destiny’s Child and Mariah Carey, who made christmas classics, whilst adding my own personal touch.”

This track follows her ground-breaking debut In ‘A Perfect World’ EP released earlier this year via LVRN. The striking body of work arrived amidst of a slew of early co-signs for the young artist from celebrated artists such Stormzy, Summer Walker, SPINALL to name a few. The towering body of work centered around her signature mosaic of pop, infused with R&B, soul and beyond quickly earned her large acclaim and established her own uncharted lane in music with support from Complex, The Independent, Crack, The Line of Best Fit, Teen Vogue, +44 Amazon, Spotify RADAR UK and more.

Äyanna first captured the attention of the internet and industry tastemakers, through her now viral home videos that showcased her vocal prowess. She now joins the ranks of celebrated LVRN artists such as 6LACK, Summer Walker, DVSN, Davido, SPINALL, Baby Tate and more. With the support of the groundbreaking label and collective, it’s undeniable that Äyanna will establish herself even further as a force in music and beyond.

Check out ‘Christmas All Year’ video…

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Holysseus Fly shares stunningly personal debut solo EP, ‘Birthpool’.

A tribute to her grieving process and subsequent creative rediscovery after recovering from breast cancer in 2021, HOLYSSEUS FLY‘s debut solo EP ‘Birthpool’ is a truly special six-tracker that brims with magnetic strength, devastating emotion and heartfelt beauty.

Opening proceedings with the first song written for the EP, ‘Bloom’, a track borne of self-imposed pressure during lockdown to write again after recovering from treatment, the scene is set for the EP’s themes of creative reclamation. Holysseus sings ‘I’ll bloom when I choose to’, a statement of determination to create for only herself. As the sonics progress from a skeletal beat through to a deep, harmonically-rich drop, driven by Holysseus Fly’s captivating vocal, the EP’s opener registers high on strength via stunning vulnerability.

‘Marigold’, released as a B-side to ‘Bloom’, is as devastating as it is beautiful. Brooding keys and a steady heartbeat kick drive the track as Holysseus’ yearning vocal builds to its heartbreaking climax, cracking with emotion. Easy to hear why this had big support from Annie Mac on her Chill Playlist and Jamz Supernova’s ‘Hit Reset Track of the Day’ on 6 Music on its release.

‘Within The Water’, sees the artist working through her fears via another soaring, heavenly vocal performance which received huge support on its release from Tom Robinson’s BBC Introducing Mixtape, as well as an audio walk feature on BBC 6 Music with Chris Hawkin and seen here discussing on ITV News.

In ‘Under Your Sun’ we see the singer’s jazz roots come to the fore in a mellow soundscape topped with deliciously soulful vox that convey lyrical themes of creative rebirth and strength through adversity with typical aplomb.

Holysseus Fly expands themes of empowerment with a lightness of touch on ‘Teach Me’, produced by The Staves’ Rob Pemberton and recently added to the BBC 6 Music playlist. A challenge to undermining patriarchal voices, we see the artist step into her main character energy with a knowing sideswipe at anyone who might dare come for her. A feminist flag in the sand delivered with signature radiant vocals and one of many ‘chef’s kiss’ moments on the record.

losing Birthpool is the gut-wrenchingly gorgeous ‘A Weight Too Heavy’. The track swirls with grief, self-examination and sense of release after a period of intense mourning. The shattering lyric ‘I can’t look for the ‘why’’ is delivered with rawness and immensity and confirms Holysseus Fly as an artist with a real gift for emotional honesty, not to mention heartstopping vocal abilities.

Deeply moving, sonically captivating and truly remarkable Birthpool is a jaw-dropping debut from this one-of-a-kind artist. A spellbinding star turn and solo debut from the Bristol based vocalist, songwriter and pianist. Do not sleep on witnessing her incredible journey through rebirth and rediscovery live with November’s shows likely to sell out as quickly as her previous dates. Holysseus Fly will also be supporting 6 Music’s Tom Robinson on his forthcoming sold-out UK tour. Big things lie ahead for this exceptional young talent.

Holysseus Fly says: “I started writing Birthpool in Spring 2021 when I was feeling low recovering from treatment for Breast Cancer. Just like a seed having been planted in winter, I cared for a growing garden of creative ideas and allowed myself to write what I really wanted. I had been holding myself back with self doubt and fear that expressing my feelings about cancer would make it my identity as an artist. Looking back on the process of making the EP, I see this music as a true and honest reflection of moving through post-cancer grief and nurturing a new creative identity. This is my Birthpool.” Have a listen below…

Must Listens: Bloom, Under The Sun, A Weight Too Heavy

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Tamera shares acoustic version of ’40 Days’ featuring CKay

Rising R&B superstar TAMERA follows her latest EP ‘L.I.T. (Lost In Translation)’ with an incredible acoustic version of the lead single ’40 Days’ featuring CKay. Recorded in Paris, this stripped back version lays it all on the line, with Tamera and CKay’s vulnerable vocals taking centre stage.

Laying her emotions bare across six tracks including recent singles ‘Poison’ and ‘Diversion’, L.I.T is a sonic trip into Tamera’s mind, heart, and soul as much as it is a testament to her powerful prowess as a lyricist. Diving deep into her own lived experiences and blending sounds including afro beats, r&b, and hip hop, she intimately traverses a range of topics from codependency, lack of self-worth, trauma, overcoming abusive relationships, spirituality and God. Sonically picking up where her 2021 debut EP ‘Afrodite’ left off, the six-track project is a shining example of UK R&B, taking sonic notes from her own heritage and musical upbringing.

2023 has been a pivotal year for Tamera. This EP comes hot off the back of her sensational COLORS Berlin debut, her All Points East performance for Stormzy’s “THIS IS WHAT I MEAN” day, and follows a slew of incredible collaborations cementing her as one one the most crucial and in demand names – from a feature on SPINALL’S ‘Honest’ feat. Tay Iwar, a collaboration on ‘I’m So High’ with P-rallel & Toddla and most recently ‘Options’ with Kamille and Bellah which saw her dip into her garage and pop sensibilities.

Born in Gravesend, a small town in Kent, Tamera was raised on a diet of James Brown, Whitney Houston, Mariah, Alicia Keys, and Missy Elliot whilst bred, supported and uplifted by powerful women – her mother and grandmother who she considers to be two of the most significant “anchors” in her life. She cut her vocal chops practising hymns at the piano Saturday night for Sunday service, alongside her grandmother who was a pastor. With grandparents each originating from different countries (St Lucia, Nigeria, England and Greece), Tamera’s touch points have always been a melting pot.

Following her smokey debut single ‘Romeo’ and her 2020 breakout breezy hit ‘Flipside’ (7.4M streams), in 2021 the sensational rising R&B star unveiled her highly anticipated debut EP ‘Afrodite’. An emotive exploration of love, life and her heritage, this powerful 5-track statement of her sonic self including the sultry West African influenced ‘Wickedest’ (12.5M streams) and ‘Good Love’ ft. Tay Iwar (8.6M streams) was produced entirely by cultural mainstay P2J (Wizkid, Beyonce, Snoh Aalegra). On Afrodite (the title nods to her Greek and African heritage), Tamera honed and expressed her boundless curiosity and empathy for stories of love and humanity.

One of the UK’s most exciting and breath-taking talents, Tamera has been tipped by Amazon Music UK as a ‘Ones To Watch’, recognized by YouTube in their #YouTubeBlack Voices Artist Class of 2022 alongside the likes of Bree Runway, Kamille, Midwxst, NSG, Omah Lay and more. No stranger to the limelight her effortless ability to transcend genres from Afroswing, reggaeton and Hip Hop whilst feeling authentically R&B has swept up support from DJ Target, Giles Peterson, Annie Mac (New Name), Complex, Nylon, Highsnobiety, i-D, Billboard, Loud and Quiet, The Line of Best Fit and Pop Justice to name a few. In Summer 2022, fans have seen Tamera’s killer vocals everywhere from BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend, The Great Escape and Strawberries and Creem on the mainstage and her own sold out headline show at COLORS. Most recently, she caught the attention of seminal hip hop producer Timbaland who reached out to work with Tamera after being blown away by her singing via TikTok on his infamous Timbo Idol.

Check out the acoustic version to ’40 Days’ below…

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Afrobeats Connoisseur 705 returns with single, ‘High’

After claiming the blog’s Album of the Month title back in July for his project, ‘7:05’, upcoming Afrobeats connaisseur 705 returns to share single ‘High’ released last Friday, 1st December for your pleasure!

Continuing the smooth reverbs of the Motherland, hip-hop & R&B from his project ‘7:05’, ‘High’ makes the perfect company to kick back with some friends and escape the real world just for an evening…and I suspect it’ll make the great escapism piece for the upcoming chaotic festive period!

Born in Surulere, Lagos, Nigeria and raised in London, 705 is heavily influenced by great artists such as King sunny Ade, Fela kuti, Michael Jackson, Tupac and 50 Cent. Through these great legends, 705 has created a unique fusion of Afrobeats, R&B and Hip-Hop Music.

Have a listen to ‘High’ below…

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