Connecticut’s rapper OPIUM BKACK makes a fierce entry on the blog and releases some blazing visuals for track, ‘Head Shot’ featuring Sheek Louch and Carti P. Newton. Check it out below…
Tag: unsigned music
Song of the Day: Need To Know – Deanna Devore (ft. D.Lylez)
Chicago and Toronto based multi-instrumentalist, singer, songwriter, composer and producer, DEANNA DEVORE has teamed up with D.Lylez (a top 24 contestant on The Voice season 18), for single, ‘Need To Know’, a rich, lo-fi ambience, with a soothing, groovy melody, making for the perfect late-night production.
Written during the pandemic, Devore explains how the isolation elicited a long period of reflection. Described as a nostalgic song, ‘Need To Know’ reminisces about a certain someone, detailing that feeling of needing to know that they are thinking about you too. Lylez’s divine crystal clear vocals, his gentle falsettos and melodic agility complement the dancing keyboard motifs. Alongside the floaty, orchestral elements, there is a heavy neo-soul, jazz flush that brings an atmospheric wash, creating an ethereal musical diversion to help escape the uncertainty of the times.
Devore has seen success performing to sold-out venues and festivals across the map, such as Summerfest, CMJ, NXNE, and 80/35. She has had the pleasure of opening for renowned artists including Jamie Cullum, Bonobo and SG Lewis, as well as Raveena, Mother Mother and Yoke Lore. The composer has also been adding to her musical portfolio by scoring both feature & short films, as well as composing music for commercials including a Starbucks ad, podcasts and animation videos. One of her original songs, ‘A Beautiful View’ is in the new feature film “Tom of Your Life”.
Have a listen to the divine ‘Need To Know’ below…
Cassie Marin Releases Catchy Single, ‘Busy Body’
Today, Los Angeles-based vocalist, producer and multi-instrumentalist CASSIE MARIN releases her new single, ‘Busy Body,’ where Cassie’s otherworldly vocals float across a sea of indie-electronica beats and melodic synths, delivering sharp-witted lyrics that explore the binary of being both the watcher and the watched in the digital world. In an era dominated by social surveillance, the song invites listeners to reflect on our culture’s technological obsession, where social media likes and follows have become the new markers for petty social politics.
“‘Busy Body’ is about being a loner in a world where cliques never cease to exist,” Cassie says.
Slightly secretive and delicately feminine, every song she releases is a single intricate flower plucked from her consciousness and added to her verdurous display. Constantly exploring new musical and visual dimensions, Cassie has emerged as an avant-garde luminary in the left-of-center pop space.
Have a listen to ‘Busy Body’ below…
Professor Paws Continues To Push Boundaries With New EP, ‘To The Bag’
Since PROFESSOR PAWS arrival onto the scene just 18 months ago, he has quickly become a force to be reckoned with. His first release from his To The Bag EP, ‘Southside Girl’, was undoubtedly well received, obtaining praise from trendsetting magazine Notion. He then followed with the lead single and title track, ‘To The Bag’, amassing over 125,000 views and over 75,000 streams in the process.
With a musical approach that is second to none, Professor Paws creates a unique hybrid between new age R&B and a gritty UK rap sound for his new EP. The opening track ‘To The Bag’ portrays his distinct R&B style, highlighting an instant ensemble of differing melodies whilst delivering punchy lyrical content that we’ve come to expect. This release epitomises his approach this year as he sets his aims on getting ‘straight to the bag’. The next track ‘Southside Girl’ is the perfect blend to stir up the party feeling as the vibrant melodic chorus instantly captures your attention while the hard-hitting rap verses deliver the perfect contrast. This song captures the excitement and flirtations of a relationship blossoming in its early stages. Moving in to ‘Sillionaire’, Professor Paws continues the musical theme of the EP, providing an R&B influenced hook with the raw rap that has become synonymous to his sound. A strong sense of the London artists affluent lifestyle shines through the lyricism, as he proceeds to remind us that ‘he is the man’.
Heading through the tracklist, ‘Gold Touch’ tells the story of the rappers’ similarity with King Midas and his golden touch, with the track delving in to a wittier, personable side of the rapper. With his usual combination of melodies and raw lyrics, this song is destined to be blaring out of car speakers across the UK. The final track is an extended version of ‘To The Bag’, the first version left listeners with a cliff hanger and this version is the clarity to the story. As he continues the go-getter mantra, we get a full understanding of Professor Paws mindset with his latest collection.
Of Ghanian and European heritage, Professor Paws is influenced by his roots and is keen to ensure that diversity always shines through in his music. Being exposed to such a wide range of sounds and styles in a rapidly developing musical climate, has helped shape his sound to one that moves fluidly between varying genres, tones and styles. His endless hours in the studio behind the desk as a producer has seen him work alongside major name rappers, including Giggs, Fekky, Cash and Joe Grind, and has undoubtedly helped to navigate his own personal artistry as he has cherrypicked wisdom from the best and been able to apply it to his own sound as an artist, something which evidently shines through in the EP.
With the release of his debut project ‘To The Bag’, we witness the development and evolution of Professor Paws. As he continues to gather momentum and make strides with his unorthodox hybrid of rap and R&B, we expect to see the experimental musician becoming a pivotal part of the music scene.
Song of the Day: Bloody Samaritan – Ayra Starr
Africa’s fastest-rising newcomer AYRA STARR‘s blazing and percussive single, ‘Bloody Samaritan’ is anthem of affirmation which is spearheading this new era in Ayra’s career as the lead single from her album ‘19 & Dangerous’ on dropping, out now.
This searing summer anthem bristles with self-confidence as the Gen Z rising star banishes negative energy. She boasts, “I see you watching my stories, I see you gauging my lifestyle, I see you watching my movement, this bad bitch bad every day.”
Since debuting in January, Ayra has amassed over 23 million global streams. Her self-titled debut EP was led by the single ‘Away’ which to date has clocked over 3.8 million views on YouTube. The single was featured on BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Africa 360 playlist and championed by Manny Norte who was first to spin it on UK radio via Capital Xtra. Jessie Reyez, Ray BLK and Love Island’s Yewande Biala are also fans
On the day of the EP’s release, Ayra simultaneously hit No.1 on Apple Music Nigeria’s Song, Album and Video charts. The incredible buzz coming out of Lagos saw her chosen by Apple Music as their Africa Rising artist – an exclusive new talent development programme that previously earmarked Tems and Amaarae.
Why not check out the hype and watch the video for ‘Bloody Smartian below…




