Listen To Nia Chennai’s Debut Single, ‘Players Part.’

Hailing from South London, NIA CHENNAI presents her debut single, ‘Players Part’ which possesses a soulful down-tempo vibe where Nia’s hypnotic tone takes on the influences of Amy Winehouse and Erykah Badu.

The multi-talented artist began her musical journey at the tender age of six when her dad had bought her a Sing Star set, and she couldn’t stop singing Tina Turner’s hit, ‘What’s Love Got To Do With It’ . Growing up in a household with the likes of Mariah Carey & Toni Braxton playing through the speakers, it wasn’t too long before Nia picked up a microphone of her own. After years of honing her craft, Nia Chennai is now ready to show us what she’s made of and is currently working on her EP set for release in 2023.

But for now, get a taste of her EP and listen to ‘Players Part’…

Rapper Props 2.0 Drops Video For Track, ‘Purple Dress’

As he’s putting the finishing touches to his EP (release date TBC), London based rapper/ singer-songwriter/producer PROPS 2.0. slips a brand new video for his single ‘Purple Dress.’

The four-minute production reflects the piano-led melodic joint, which chronicles a breakdown in relationship, where the guy just didn’t care enough to make the effort needed to balance the love that existed between him and his partner.

‘Purple Dress’ is the first single from Props 2.0’s upcoming EP. Why not check out the video below, shot and directed by the man himself…

OUT TODAY: Listen To Qbanaa’s Debut Single, ‘Truth and Desire’

Citing Erykah Badu, Hiatus Kaiyote, Kali Uchis, Khruangbin, Amy Winehouse and Greentea Peng as inspirations, Cuban/Irish jazzy neo-soul singer-songwriter OBANAA – pronounced Cubana- has released her debut single ‘Truth and Desire’.

With a catchy bassline and soulful vocals ‘Truth and Desire’ mixes Qbanaa’s Spanish and English native tongues to create a flirty song celebrating the euphoria of re-discovering love after long periods of loneliness and includes choir like sections resembling the honeymoon period of new lovers.

Qbanaa explains the inspiration of ‘Truth and Desire’: “The song was inspired by 1989 and 2008 movie ‘The Little Mermaid’ – I’m sure people will think ‘oh that’s a bit weird’. But if you look into it, there’s some insane soul and beautiful ethereal sounds in there that I took inspiration from. The movie is all about the unconditional nature of pure love, and the universal power of music, which really resonated with me growing up and carries the theme of Truth and Desire, it was the first thing I thought of when I opened the track.’

Qbanaa’s collaboration ‘Blue Skies’ and ‘New Day’ with Absentee was well received, featuring on BBC Across The Line, Hot Press, Peter Curtin RTE 2XM and Nialler9’s Best New Music playlist. With such warm feedback, she took to South East London by herself to immerse herself in the jazz/soul scene. Sharpening her skills with live performances at multiple jazz venues in London and venues in Dublin, Qbanaa has finally decided to take the plunge and write her debut single with R&B and hip-hop producer Mickzart – Truth and Desire.

‘Truth and Desire’ is out today (7th of October) across various music platforms. Have a listen below…

Song of the Day: The Latest – DC

South London rapper DC today track, ‘The Latest’, pays homage to his rap hero J Cole. the Greenwich-born storyteller lifts the sample from ‘Chaining Day’ (Sly Slick & Wicked’s ‘Sho’nuff’), pairing the smooth, lush instrumentation with hard-won tales from life growing up in inner-city London.

Bursting onto the scene with his first freestyle ‘Gleamin’’ in 2015, the rapper quickly set the industry alight, matching dextrous wordplay with an ear for beats that has seen him win fans at the likes of Complex UK, CLASH, The Line of Best Fit, DUMMY, TRENCH, GUAP and more. DC has gone on to support J Hus on tour, graced the stage at this year’s Wireless festival and rounded out 2021 with his debut headline show which sold out in seconds and featured an appearance from collaborator Knucks.

‘The Latest’ is the first taste of music following DC’s last EP In The Loop which pushed the rapper to a new level with the singles amassing over 20 million streams on Spotify alone. Check out the video for ‘The Latest’ below…

Song of the Day: Good Love – Joey XL

East London R&B innovator JOEY XL‘s single ‘Good Love’, is a feel good, end of summer serenade to all those who feel like they can’t get by without love.

Produced by Rndm Beats, ‘Good Love’ is the lead up to his forthcoming six-track EP XL’s Room, coming out this Friday (30th September). The much anticipated project encompasses themes of love, finding yourself through music and forging your own path. The project features smooth recent single ‘Special’, the shimmering ‘Perfect Timing’ and the first release from the EP ‘To The Bank’ which arrived earlier this spring.

Speaking on the EP, Joey said:-

“The challenges that life throws your way, each designed to shape and advance your existence and purpose, are encapsulated in ‘XLs Room’. It centres on the concept of a bedroom, as well as the solitude of the mind, both private and safe spaces to feel and process lessons in love, navigating relationships, finding direction and understanding who and what you’re meant to be. This EP is a journey of self-discovery – each track speaks to my musical and mental evolution, crossing genre and themes, ending with passionate optimism that everything happens for a reason and the best is yet to come.”

Make sure you look out for the EP…but for now, have a listen to ‘Good Love’ below…