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: Brakes – Capo Corleone x Kuba Więcek

CAPO CORLEONE is an international recording artist and music executive based out of Los Angeles. As the CEO of the highly successful C2 Management and founder and former CEO of Tree4ort Records, his musical endeavors shine bright. The alternative hip-hop artist has solidly embossed himself in global success, honing his international collaboration and artist development like no other.

His latest single ‘Brakes’ in collaboration with notable Polish jazz musician and global producer KUBA WIĘCEK sees the unlikely pairing joining forces to create a hybrid between jazz and hypnotic hip-hop. Blending two worlds blissfully together, ‘Brakes’ showcases transit-inspired melodies, energetic vocal energy and electronic euphony. Initiating their recording ventures virtually, they finally took to the studio in Warsaw to record their latest release. They explain, “It was really magical how quickly we worked together and clicked – we were really inspired by each other and it showed.”

Raised on West Coast artists like Snoop Dogg, 2pac, E-40 and Nate Dogg, Corleone’s latest single ‘Brakes’ epitomizes that ‘on the go’ feeling that never seems to ease up, exploring the idea that you’re running without brakes or the ability to stop. Corleone explains, “The place and time definitely influenced the writing and attitude of my flow and performance. “Running with no brakes on” as I say in the song was exactly how I had been feeling moving from city to city.”

Igniting inspiration to live a life of your own accord, “Brakes” is just the first chapter of Corleone’s and Więceks’ upcoming EP Thank Myself, exploring unparalleled self-gratitude to one’s own accomplishments, remaining strong and succeeding despite life’s obstacles.

Check out the official video for ‘Brakes’ below…

Rockness Monsta Teams Up With General Steele and Ruste Juxx For Track ‘Shark Tank’

Since making his mark in the ‘90s through the early aughts as a part of the legendary Boot Camp Clik and one half of rap duo Heltah Skeltah, Rock (also known as the ROCKNESS MONSTA) has been conservative with solo efforts– 2017’s Rockness AP remains his sole full-length solo album. But with a newly formed alliance between him and new label American B-Boy Records, the Brooklyn emcee has been gearing up for his sophomore project Ether Rocks for the better part of 2022.

Now, after releasing five album singles with accompanying visuals throughout the year, the late, great Sean Price’s former partner in rhyme taps General Steele and Ruste Juxx for the sixth Ether Rocks single ‘Shark Tank’, and finally announces the album’s official release date exclusively via Rock The Bells.

With guest appearances from Method Man, Steele of Smif-N-Wessun, Ruste Juxx, among others, Ether Rocks is produced entirely by Ron Browz (Nas’s “Ether,” Jim Jones’s “Pop Champagne”) and will release on all DSPs, CD and vinyl on 21st October via American B-Boy Records/Fat Beats. Check out the first taste of the album below

UK Alt-R&B Princess Dior Ashe releases EP ‘Chill Pill’.

Singer/songwriter DIOR ASHE introduces an eclectic amalgamation of various styles, genres and moods, through EP ‘Chill Pill’, a body of work that is an undoubtedly enjoyable journey into the catalogue of one of West London’s most promising talents.

Dior’s warm vocals melded with infectious melodies and encapsulating lyrics make for a unique and memorable listening experience.

Hailing from Ladbroke Grove, West London, singer/songwriter Dior Ashe is undeniably a force to be reckoned with within the UK Alt R&B space.

Proudly tapping into her Antiguan & St Lucian roots, Dior draws much of her influence from her rich Caribbean heritage. R&B, Soul and Neo-Jazz also all play a key-part when it comes to her unique musical scope, with Dior also drawing inspiration from vocal powerhouses such as Amy Winehouse and Erykah Badu.

Notably, Dior Ashe has performed at Earth 0.2, QH Sound Live and RCRDSHOP at Boxpark Shoreditch, and has been supported by Reprezent, Voices Radio, Snapback FM and Love Da Beat radio stations with both interviews and radio play.

Must Listens: Homerun, Miss You.

Song of the Day: Essence – Coops

Produced by Greatness Jones, ‘Essence’ is an inspiring cut of positivity from the talented North London rapper, COOPS, ruminating about life across trademark boom-bap drums and a rolling bass line. Essence is taken from Coops’ new album, ‘Lost Soul 2’ – released last Friday (23rd September) via Lost Soul Records.

‘Lost Soul 2’, the seventh full length release from the prodigious talent, was recorded at Coops’ studio in Hackney and serves as the sequel to his seminal Lost Soul mixtape, which still commands huge admiration nearly a decade since its release and is widely seen as a cult UK hip-hip classic. The new album sees a welcome return to the creative partnership with producer Talos that flourished on ‘Lost Soul’.

In support of the new album, Coops has announced details of his debut UK headline tour. The ‘Lost Soul’ tour will see Coops on the road in October and November with a special hometown show at London’s XOYO on Friday 4th November. Full dates can be found below while tickets are on sale now here: https://diplomatsofsound.org/coops-lost-soul-tour-2022/.

While the original reflected the uncertainty in his teenage years, ‘Lost Soul 2’ explores the navigation of adult life against the backdrop of the precariousness of the world in 2022. It’s a tale of progression and growth: Coops’ emotional capacity has matured, as has the soulful melodies he is crafting. It demonstrates evolution without compromising the important message in his music. 

‘Lost Soul 2’ is Coops at his truest, purest, and most effortless and, having flown under the radar for far too long, is set to cement his status as one of the UK’s foremost lyricists. Check out the video for ‘Essence’ below…