Song of the Day: Start This – D Power Diesle x Wariko

D POWER DIESLE is back with a bang, dropping the sizzling second single from his upcoming EP project ‘Graphene 4’. Featuring renowned Nottingham emcee, Wariko and produced by Audio Slugs, this grime banger calls back to the notorious LOTM3 clash carrying the same electrifying energy.

After crossing paths on the mighty clash series ‘Lord Of The Mics’ Volume 3 back in 2011, the pair were pinned up against eachother producing one the most memorable clashes in the UK Grime scene. Lauded by top artists, industry giants, and global music lovers alike, this dynamic duo reunite in ‘Start This’, recapturing the raw energy of their legendary basement clash.

Produced by Grime heavy hitters Audio Slugs, Diesle and Wariko ride the 140bpm beat going back to back, while gifting us with references from the famous battle. The chorus and verse integrate seamlessly, with the London and Nottingham accents playing off each other harmoniously.

Gearing up to release ‘Graphene 4’ this Spring, its prior three volumes were a masterstroke in Grime, garnering millions of streams, widespread acclaim across UK’s radio and press, and powerhouse collaborations with Grime’s biggest stars, including Skepta, D Double E, Manga St Hilare, and Big Narstie. Mark your calendars for D Power’s headline show at ‘The Hackney Social’ on Friday 3rd May, where he will be delivering a curated performance of tracks from the Graphene series.

A pioneer and veteran that many within Black British music praise, D Power Diesle is best known for his impact in the early grime days via Déjà vu, Rinse FM, and clashing with Wariko on Lord of the Mics 3. But it doesn’t stop there. Not only housing an impressive catalogue of music, Diesle has also toured with UK heavy-weight Skepta, Wiley, Jammer, and Modestep before outlining a reputation of his own. Flash forward to today, it’s a common discussion amongst UK rap about grime’s positioning in our current landscape, a topic of which not everyone agrees on. However, it’s artists like D Power Diesle that are still holding it up for those gritty, raw, and lively tracks that encapsulate the roots of London’s inner city. Taking his knowledge of the industry and putting it to good use, Diesle formed his own label EB Records that’s committed to guiding the up-and-coming artists of today down the right path. Check out the video below…

New Lease Music’s Top Ten Albums Of 2023

OK, as promised, here are the top ten albums of 2023.

If you fancy some UK R&B, or maybe some afrobeats fused with smooth R&B, futuristic/dreamy pop or some good old hard-hitting bars, well you’re definitely in the right place! Just get to it and hit play on each beauties below! If you’re feeling any of the collections, please like, or better still, leave a comment below.

Be sure to check NEW LEASE MUSIC’s Top Ten Singles of 2023 tomorrow. I hope you enjoy the albums below…

10. A Late Bloom – Eleanor

9. Jovian 2000 AD – Jovian

8. Diary Is A Waste Of Paper – Nia Chennai

7. Venom Dripp – Showtime Ramon

6. Die Wurzel – Neak

5. 7:05 – 705

4. Rivalry – Samuel Vincent

3. Man Myth Legend – Mike Body

2. Lucid Dreampop – Thyra Hilden

1. Once Upon A Melody – T. Fernandez

New Lease Music’s Top Ten Music Videos Of 2023

Hey, Hey, Hey! Happy New Year guys! I hope you had an eventful festive period.

It’s that time of the year NEW LEASE MUSIC ramage through and pick out the top releases of 2023! Today, we start off with the best music videos featured on the blog in the past year. So why not sit back and check them out – oh and if you’re really digging these videos, why not leave a comment below.

Be sure to look out for NEW LEASE MUSIC’s Top Ten Albums of 2023 later today!

10. Sometimes Relax – LLAMAN x Pitch 92

9. Freak Out – Jessica Wilde

8. Face Off Part 1 – Quincy

7. PTSD – Dax

6. Iron Right – DJ Drama, Boosie Badazz & OMB Peezy ft Trouble

5. Podium – Ez Mil

4. The Rain – Bullet Brak

3. Love Tap – Tito Ft. Keet Kolbang

1. Grey – Holy Coves

OUT TODAY: Listen to RubyGold x Ctt Beats’ single, ‘Spark It Up’

‘Spark It Up’ is the dreamy new single from RUBYGOLD and CTT BEATS. The single incorporates some smooth neo-soul vibes to their Afro Pop trademark. The accompanied music video portrays a dreamy relaxed day that signifies Ruby’s beautiful relaxed and charming manner.

Commenting on the release, Mark Insley of CTT Beats says “RubyGold has just got it! There is something very special about her and her work that she is putting out with us. She is also one of the most professional artists we have worked with making the experience of collaboration even more enjoyable. She is back and here to stay in South African music lovers’ ears”.

‘Spark It Up’ was released today across various music platforms…why not check out the video to the memersing single…

Transform Your Melodic Love Into a Lucrative Occupation

Image via Freepik

The thrill of turning a lifelong passion for music into a lucrative career can be both invigorating and intimidating. Yet, specific pivotal elements deserve attention to seamlessly transition from an enthusiast to a full-time musician. This article, courtesy of New Lease Music serves as a comprehensive guide to facilitate this metamorphosis, covering essential steps that every aspiring musician should consider.

Begin With Measured Strides

While the enthusiasm to dive headfirst into a music career is understandable, it’s more beneficial to approach this transition thoughtfully. Assess your strengths and weaknesses, and gain an understanding of the particular market that aligns with your style of music. Knowing your place in the musical landscape enables you to proceed with confidence and purpose.

Devise a Purpose-Driven Strategy

Having a coherent strategy tailored to your musical endeavors is indispensable. This involves detailing your artistic ambitions, recognizing your ideal listeners, planning your musical projects, and strategizing your live shows. A well-crafted strategy not only adds structure to your passion but also aids in sidestepping potential pitfalls.

Prioritize Your Creative Space

Having a space dedicated to your musical work is not a luxury but a necessity. This is where your artistic prowess comes alive! Determine how much space you need. You might get away with setting up shop in the corner of your living room, but if you need to add an outbuilding or other space to your home, you’ll need to get a survey before doing any work.

Equip your workspace with essential tools and, if circumstances allow, invest in soundproofing. The focus should be on delivering music of exceptional quality, and a properly arranged creative space is conducive to that.

Orchestrate an Impactful Marketing Approach

The music itself, while crucial, is only part of the equation. How it reaches the ears of potential fans is equally important.

Define who your audience is, conceptualize how you wish to be perceived, and diversify your promotional activities. Utilize social media and online platforms judiciously to engage with your audience and broaden your reach.

Cultivate a Dynamic Digital Footprint

An effective online presence transcends a mere collection of social media profiles. Consider establishing a polished website to showcase your music, upcoming gigs, and other relevant content.

Regular interaction with your fan base and consistent updates about your musical journey will enrich your online presence and draw more followers. Additionally, a well-curated online platform can serve as a central hub where media, event organizers, and potential collaborators can easily access your portfolio and contact you, opening doors to invaluable opportunities along the way.

Achieve Financial Equilibrium

Translating your musical passion into a business demands an acute understanding of financial requirements. Assess what you’ll need to invest in creation, promotion, and live shows.

Also, examine various income channels like performances, digital royalties, and merchandising. Thoughtful financial planning will ensure the viability and longevity of your career.

Maintain an Artistic and Professional Symbiosis

The coexistence of artistic integrity and business savvy is perhaps one of the most complex facets of a music career. Managing a harmonious relationship between the two requires disciplined time management and setting clear boundaries.

Dedicate time to both the creative and administrative sides to ensure neither is compromised. Instituting this balanced approach not only enriches your art but also fortifies the underlying structure that supports your career, making resilience and growth achievable goals.

Wrapping Up

The journey of transitioning a heartfelt hobby into a rewarding musical career may be intricate, but it is far from insurmountable. You can set the stage for a successful and fulfilling career in music by approaching the transition cautiously, crafting a strategic plan, focusing on your creative workspace, establishing a compelling online profile, and incorporating the other strategies above. The road may be long, but a meticulous and passionate approach is your most reliable companion on this fulfilling journey.

If you enjoyed this article, you can find more music-centric content on NewLeaseMusic.com!