Following the release of his first two Trilogy EPs, Toronto R&B artist THEO TAMS shares a cover of the much-loved Destiny’s Child classic, ‘Say My Name.’
Tams has made the track his own by adding further grit and dirt to the production, a soulful, unapologetic and sexy flipping of the script on the traditional cheating narrative.
‘Say My Name’ is the first of a series of covers that Tams is releasing ahead of Trilogy III, taking time to find meaning and connection in songs that aren’t his own while delivering them as though they were.
With her debut album ‘Phoenix’ arriving this Friday, 29th October, Canadian Cameroonian artist, songwriter, actress, burlesque performer, and poet EROCKFOR [pronounced eh-ROCK-for] brings along the blog’s second song of the day titled ‘Crown’, the last of five singles she has been revealing every month since May in the lead up to her album. ‘Crown’ comes on the back of recent support for Erockfor from the likes of Rolling Stone India, Wonderland Magazine, Earmilk, Ones To Watch, MTV Base, Flaunt Magazine and MEFEater, to mention a few.
Produced by LA-based electronic musician Blaire Michael, ‘Crown’ represents the seventh and final chakra ‘Sahasrara’, following Erockfor’s two previous singles ‘Sacral’ and ‘Heart’ that were named after the second and fourth chakra, with each song signifying different elements of her healing and rebirth journey so far. With ‘Crown’, Erockfor has delivered a rousing and free flowing opus with exquisite indie and pop sensibilities, held together by Erockfor’s spellbinding vocal performance, her magnetic lyricism, lush drum patterns and ethereal guitar arrangements.
Speaking about the inspiration behind ‘Crown’, Erockfor says, “The song is about recognising my true essence and my connection to the divine. I am at my happiest when I prioritize my spirituality. Sometimes, I fall off course, but when I walk that path of seeing myself as part of something greater, that’s when magic happens. This whole album is a co-creation with the universe and my ancestors. I wrote ‘Crown’ at a time when I was building my spiritual toolbox and rediscovering the power and importance of community – ‘Crown’ is a time capsule of that period of my life”.
Erockfor has come full circle after spending six years in Seoul, and is now back in her hometown in Montreal, where she crafted her forthcoming debut album ‘Phoenix’, which chronicles her journey between the abusive and adulterous marriage that caused her to escape to Korea and where she is now, over a genre-bending fusion of sonic beds. With a distinctive voice that has brought comparisons to Cyndi Lauper, Macy Gray and Amy Winehouse, Erockfor’s creative outlets also extend beyond music, as she is also revered as a burlesque performer, actress and poet.
KIANA‘s latest single ‘Strangers’, oozes a dark R&B tone. Looking into the future and the past all at once, she considers the infinite possibilities of what could alternatively play out between two people who once felt deep love and now nothing.
The Toronto-based artist confides, “It’s ultimately a sad title, but it’s probably the most common human thought and experience. I know everyone who reads the title will think about the time they experienced that thought too and will think about that person – who could at the time be a stranger, a lover, or somewhere in between.”
The single takes inspiration from the likes of Jorja Smith and Amy Winehouse, emitting rolling waves of melancholic shadows throughout and echoing adlibs of curiosity and wonder. The soul meets dark R&B sound has a minimalist approach to the production, while the closely-knit piano notes give off a flutter of soulful magic, alongside her fierce, controlled and sultry vocals. Overall alluring in its nature, the track drips in tender backing synths and a calm, soft beat.
Her music has gained recognition from multiple radio stations including Toronto’s Flow 93.5 FM and Vibe 105.5 FM and received immense positive reception from her hometown. Today, KIANA has earned over half a million plays globally and has been featured in publications such as Lyrical Lemonade, Ones to Watch and Red Bull Music, to name a few. She has touched major stages like The Mod Club Theatre and performed at significant Canadian festivals including NXNE and Canadian Music Week.
Up and coming British R&B-soul artist, singer, and songwriter KEMI SULOLA is back with a glorious new single titled ‘IF’ as she continues to tease towards her anticipated new projects such as Room 3 coming next year. ‘IF’, which is produced by Brighton musician, DJ and producer El Train, who has worked with Pip Millet, Barney The Artist, IYAMAH and Jerome Thomas, among others, sees Kemi Sulola delivering an infectious UK R&B masterclass with catchy pop sensibilities and honest relatable songwriting, which also pays homage to the golden era of 90’s R&B with its lush melodies and vocal harmonies.
Speaking about the inspiration behind her new single ‘IF’, Kemi Sulola says, “The song is about a lady who is usually very sure of herself except for when it comes to love. To me, ‘IF’ is a song that speaks for people who may feel insecure about their lover or ultimately themselves. It questions if the one we need to be there for us in our hardest times would really be there. I suppose it was written in reflection of a time when I was in need and wondered the same. Essentially without saying the word, ‘IF’ inspires me to think about love and what the true meaning of it is”.
In the middle of a lengthy battle with Neurosarcoidosis that has seen her in and out of hospital for years, Kemi Sulola released ‘Raindrops’ at the start of 2020 to rave reviews from the likes of GUAP Magazine, SoulTracks and Verve Radio, after which, she also opened for R&B legend Teedra Moses at the renowned jazz club Hideaway. Bolstered by pop icon Janet Jackson sharing her music on Instagram and imploring her to keep singing, Kemi then followed up with the protest song ‘Justice’ in support of the Black Lives Matter movement and to raise money for the Black Learning Achievement and Mental Health Charity (BLAM UK), before closing out the year with the undeniable ‘New Form’ that was championed by DJ Target at BBC 1Xtra.
Check out the lyric video for Kemi’s single below…
I have to confess…CILLA RAIE has got to be one of my top three favourite singers right now. Her latest EP‘Reconnected’ has definitely got me jumping out my seat, so it’s an absolute pleasure to catch up with the North Londoner to talk about her six-track set.
NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2021 treating you so far?
CR: Thank you for having me. 2021 has been the best year for me so far career wise. I have been extremely busier than ever and so much has happened in a short space of time from having backing from Arts England/National Lottery which enabled me to release two singles ‘Motives’ and ‘Open for Love’ Ft Tiffany Evans. Including my debut EP ‘Reconnected’. I’ve now just gotten support from Help Musicians/MOBO to put together another project, so its been up and onwards from the start of the year.
NLM: You released your EP, ‘Reconnected back in August. What is the public perception on the project so far?
CR: Honestly the reception has been AMAZING! the EP reached number 2 on the UK R&B/Soul Albums chart on Itunes just behind Amy Winehouse’s album and before The Weekend’s album. Never ever in a million years did I think I could achieve that. We did something special for it and sent out gift packs to everyone who has supported. All the tastemakers at BBC 1xtra, BBC Radio London, MTV, Wonderland, Earmilk, Trace Urban etc all showed love. Most importantly I have an amazing fan base who are constantly streaming, sharing, posting, showing love. I feel blessed.
NLM: How would you describe the EP’s sound to potential fans?
CR: The sound of the EP is nostalgic late 90’s/early 2000’s era, I wanted to bring back that old school feel as far as the production went. That era of music was and still is one of my favourite eras so I wanted to bring that element back within UK R&B and just vibe out.
NLM: What inspired you to produce the EP?
CR: The EP was actually a long time in the making, I had taken a break for 2 years when I had my child in 2017, before this I was actually in the studio 24/7 making the new EP. I created a journey of events that happened before, during and after that period of time. I wanted to convey those series of events on ‘Reconnected’ hence why I named the EP this, as it represents being reconnected back to my passion of music, after being away for so long and loosing all hope. Once Arts England/National Lottery stepped in I knew it was the perfect time to put everything together as I has the freedom to do so.
NLM: What is/are your favourite single(s) from the EP and why?
CR: U & I ft Subten is my favourite song, at the moment on the EP. I am literally always changing my mind depending on the mood and season. But I love everything melodic about the song, the harmonies, the rhythmic changes, the switch up on Subtens verse. Again it’s another throwback feel track that makes you feel good.
NLM: What message would you like the listeners to take away from your EP?
CR: The message I want listeners to take away is that, no matter how disconnected you may feel at points in your life. Always remember everything is temporary and you can always ignite the flame back to your true self and your desires.
NLM: If you had to feature one mainstream artist on the EP, who would it be and why?
CR: One mainstream artist I really want to work with and who I have grown to love over this past year is Shenseea. I truly admire here and she is so versatile so I would have her on the EP to bring in her flavours. I love seeing female artists working together too and just breaking barriers. I worked with Tiffany so working with another female artist would be great and to crossover into another market too.
NLM: Do you have other project(s) for 2021?
CR: Now that I have just released my project in August, I am currently actively preparing for my 2022 EP. I have an amazing single that I’m planning the creative process for and it will most likely be out in Jan/Feb. So my main focus for the rest of the year is just completing this project and recording the rest of the songs.
Finally, any special shout outs to those involved in the production of ‘Reconnected’?
CR: There’s so many people involved in this project that I would like to shoutout. All the producers Peddy Pro, XVR Blck who spent hours mixing and recording with me, Serk Lelabo, Walter Ego, Joey Dyer. The artists Subten and Tiffany Evans. Those involved with the singles from the EP and the EP itself, Liberty Music, Wardah, Now Listen, Exkluse Media, Supreme Runners, Kofi at Yellow Fish. The list goes on thank you all SO much for making this a dream come true.
Check Out Cilla Raie’s EP, ‘Reconnected’ right HERE
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