Following their appearance with music video for track, ‘Sometimes Relax’ which claimed the blog’s Music Video of the Week over on Instagram, rapper ILLAMAN and producer PITCH 92 returns with another video for banger, ‘Absolutely Tidy,’ featuring Foreign Beggars’ own PAV4N. This is the fourth video lifted from ILLAMAN and Pitch 92’s joint album, Sometimes Relax.
Check out the video below, directed by Honey JD…
South London-born R&B talent NIA CHENNAI is making waves once again with her latest track, ‘Wasting Time,’ ahead of her upcoming EP ‘Diary Is A Waste Of Paper,’ set to drop later this year.
Love is a “losing game,” as late vocalist Amy Winehouse once said. Nia masterfully captures the essence of this, as each verse delves deep into the struggles of toxic relationships and explores themes of overthinking and self-doubt. Nia showcases evolving song-writing abilities in ‘Wasting Time,’ experimenting new flows and rhyming patterns. The first verse is captivating with smooth and, at times, breathy vocals, with a Hip-Hop-like flow – a combination that successfully juxtaposes charm with assertiveness in her lyrics. Nia then seamlessly glides through the second verse in traditional R&B-singer fashion, with catchy melodies and production from Mont Jake ensuring perfectly-layered backing vocals.
Commenting on the new single, Nia Chennai said: “When I wrote ‘Wasting Time’, understanding the idea of what love really is was heavily on my mind. Whilst on that journey, it made me realise that I can’t waste my time on someone displaying “love” with words. I’ve been there, I’ve done that and threw the t-shirt in the bin! If the actions aren’t matching, then I don’t want it!“
Nia’s melodies and introspective lyrics have garnered attention from esteemed publications, including Sterofox, Guap, It’s All Massive – and, of course, New Lease Music. Nia has also impressed many live audiences, opening at the Bristol and Manchester dates for Ojerime’s headline tour in February at Bristol Strange Brew and Canvas Manchester, respectively. Nia performed at Shoreditch’s Roundtrip & Workship in March for ‘Breaking Sounds’ and at Kindred for ‘Sonic Waves’ in May. Nia also played at the AnyWear release party with Nicce in October.
Now it’s time check out great talent…listen to ‘Wasting Time’ below…
Described as the UK’s best kept secret, London born RUCCI has been working with long-term producer Dr Vades to drop his highly anticipated debut single, ‘No Rush’. With his captivating harmonious baritone vocals, Rucci glides across the Ja Rule ft Ashanti ‘Wonderful’ sampled production creating an unforgettable listening moment.
Having started taking music seriously in 2016, Rucci has been perfecting his craft, teasing some of his records. Going viral on TikTok with the single, it has attracted interest from some of the UK’s hottest artists including Central Cee and Headie One.
The visuals give off the essence of a summer party vibe that seamlessly transitions between two iconic locations – the stunning island of Bermuda and the bustling streets of London, creating a visual journey that celebrates the fusion of cultures and music.
Everything Rucci does revolves around music, noting his sound as ‘unpredictable’, you never know what sound you will get from him. One thing that sticks though is his undeniable talent and determination to succeed. Check out the video for ‘No Rush’ below…
JESSICA WILDE is a torchbearer for a fresh true bred style of rap, soul & RnB. She bares all with some brutally honest lyrics, melding her sharp-witted lyricism through spoken word/rap alongside her more familiar husky and powerful singing vocals. A native of South London, Wilde’s first concept album told her story like diary entries from mad parties, addiction, toxic relationships, to self-empowerment, and living sober. She gained heavy support across BBC Radio including from Radio 1’s ‘Future Artists’, 6Music, features in CLASH, Wonderland, Complex, The Independent, editorial playlist support across major DSP’s and much more.
She now returns with ‘Freak Out’ which is the first single of a powerful forthcoming album project which features some of the most insanely talented artists on the rise- Josh Barry (Nile Rodgers / Rudimental), Zoe Kypri (Black Coffee) and James Newman (Writer of Brit award winning song ‘Waiting all night’ by Rudimental’).
‘Freak Out’ is about stepping into your power, following the call of spirit, the healing that comes from dance and moving our bodies – “I just want everyone listening to wanna Freak the f•ck owwwwt!”, says Wilde. Musically, the track sizzles with bass loaded, rhythm inflected dirty alt-Hip hop / pop vibes, with Wilde’s candid and intelligent rap lyrics weaving around infectiously. Produced by Wilde herself, with atmospheric snappy percussion flourishing and quirky vocal samples scattered throughout making a truly unique sound with the distinctive finishing touch of co-production by Tom Maine (WU-LU, Kid Cruise).Wilde on a journey of healing and letting go!
Wilde will be celebrating the release at the Iconic Hootananny Brixton with a ‘FREAK OUT PARTY’ on the 21st September in conjunction with her own platform PxSSY PWR. Wilde created PxSSY PWR to spotlight exceptional female identifying talent on the rise, and the platform has grown from its start as a PxSSY PWR Spotify playlist, to a clothing line with FAME Magazine, radio show, residency at Hootananny Brixton with multiple sold out shows and artists such as Etta Bond hitting the stage.
Wilde has collaborated with Rudimental, Emeli Sande, Grammy award winner Kizzo and this summer she dropped a vocal feature with the legendary house DJ Todd Terry and Carly Wilford.
Check out ‘Freak Out’ below…
Hailing from Brighton, 5 WEEKS has released an EP titled ‘My Psalms’, out now across various music platforms.
Covering themes of love, breakups, female empowerment and community unity, paired with a warm glow of nostalgic 90s-esque soul that runs fluent throughout the collection, The EP includes the previously released single, ‘Believe It’, which was well received from radio stations across the UK.
Alongside the release of the EP, 5 Weeks has also unveiled the remix of the fourth soulful offering from the EP, ‘Better Day’. 5 weeks has teamed up with Brighton’s producer Wax Roar to turn the single into an immediately infectious old-school dance banger. “Wax Roar was an absolute vibe,” Alexandria said about her time working with the producer.
5 Weeks started out as a duo, consisting of DJ Outbreak and soul singer Alexandria, who shared a mutual respect for Reggae, Hip-Hop and rare groove. After DJ Outbreak left the group to concentrate on some personal challenges, Alexandria took time out to deliberate the future of the band which also allowed her time to complete the first year of her PHD in Criminological Social Work/ Policy.
Alexandria decided to front 5 Weeks, completing the EP alone. Recorded at Audio Mango, where Alexandria said she had the time of her life recording the project with Wax Roar, ‘My Psalms’ EP kept in line of the act’s modern twist on 90’s – esque soul, where she takes inspiration from the likes of Karen Wheeler, Lisa Stansfield and Mica Paris, Moonchild, VanJess or Allen Stone, Tom Misch and Anita Baker.
Being brought up in a musical family, many influences came from her mum being in a reggae sound system in the seventies and eighties, Alexandria has been singing and songwriting from a young age and later picked by Sony for a publishing deal.Alexandria’s undeniable passion for music is makes up a fraction of her multifaceted life. Now a PHD graduate in Criminological Social Work/ Policy, she is a lecturer in health and social care, and an advocate for young people specifically in harmful sexual behaviour. As a prominent member of the community in her hometown in Brighton, Alexandria took part in Brighton’s half marathon to raise money for Sickle Cell. Alexandria is also donating 30% of the proceeds from My Psalms EP to BARCO, a Brighton-based charity that fights against anti-racism.‘Better Day’ (Wax Roar Remix) and ‘My Psalms’ EP are out now on various music outlets.
Check out ‘Better Day’ (Wax Roar Remix) below…
Connect with 5 Weeks via:
IG: https://www.instagram.com/5_week_s/
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