Tag: unsigned music

Song of the Day: Moving – John Dole

Hailing from Newcastle, alternative hip hop and electronic artist JOHN DOLE‘s single, ‘Moving’, is a reflection of his own personal
battles.

The latest release opens to paranoia-drenched synth strings, lending a tense and uneasy feel that sets the
scene for the bars to come. Dole’s vocals enter alongside hard-hitting percussion which
immediately ups the intensity levels further with an itching, fervent energy.

With regional and national support from the likes of Nick Roberts (BBC Introducing North East),
Huw Stephens (Radio 1), John Kennedy (Radio X) and Tom Robinson (BBC 6Music), ‘Moving’
follows in the footsteps of earlier releases, ‘Rolling’ and ‘Collective Thoughts’.

This one’s a true banger…have a go at ‘Moving’, out now via Snide Records

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Shinx FatCat Drops Track ‘This Weekend’ Featuring Dara Svuce

Following the release of their track ‘NuNu’, Lagos based Rapper SHINX FATCAT continues his burgeoning  collaboration with  Dara Svuce through track, ‘This Weekend’. The new effort shows the pair working the perfect blend of Afrobeats melodies with a UK AfroSwing vibe.

Taking a wide range of influences from multiple genres including hip-hop, Afrobeats, R&B and Dancehall, Shinx FatCat – whose real name is Nwafor Abuchi – started his musical journey in 2012 and has pushed out two projects: joint mixtape, ‘TTO (Tha TakeOver’) in 2014 and solo project ‘Love N Trap EP’ in 2016. The indie rapper was recently featured on UKs 89.6fm Afronation Show’s Unsigned Artist.

‘This Weekend’ rolls off a collab mixtape with Dara Svuce, set for release in 2021. ‘This Weekend’ was recorded in Lagos and sound engineered by Tobby Bada$$, written by Nwafor Abuchi and Dara Adedayo. Check it out below…

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EP Review: Summer ’98 – Zee

Hailing from Canada now based in L.A. artist/producer ZEE‘s new EP is definitely a throwback to the late 1990’s, paying homage to hip-hop and R&B of that era. Although this is a nostalgic collection – which evidently draws influences from 90’s R&B heavyweights including Usher, Destiny’s Child and Aaliyah – I couldn’t help but hear some influences of fellow Canadian artist/rapper Drake, particularly in introductory track, ‘Amazing’.

Further along the EP, Zee makes use of samples from some of the R&B classics, such as Kelly Rowland’s/Nelly’s hit ‘Dilemma’, putting a lick of a misty urban/hip-hop bass to the original through fourth effort, ‘All I Need’.

There’s also an air of the late 1980s included in the EP, when Zee put his stamp on Brenda Russell’s classic, ‘Piano In The Dark’ through concluding track, ‘Letting Go’, by dropping a modern R&B/pop version, giving off a summer hazy feel.

Documenting the events of his first summer love (presumably back in the late nineties), Zee encourages us to re-immerse into our most treasured memories – or create new ones – with his feel-good mini collection. Check out the song recommendations and EP below:

Must Listens: Amazing, Crazy Enough, Mean It  

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Song of the Day: Break Up With Her – Raria

Melbourne-based musician RARIA showcases her vibrant pop sound and knack for storytelling through latest single, Break Up With Her.

Co-written and produced by Rory Noble (Kanye West, Twice As Nice, Jupiter Project), ‘Break Up With Her’ is an infectious slice of guitar-driven pop music. Dealing with the emotional whirlwind of seeing an ex-partner move on with someone new, RARIA’s glistening vocal melodies soar over the track’s bouncing melody, injecting a playfully bold attitude into her unique brand of pop music.

Following the release of her debut single, ‘Will You Tell Your Girlfriend’, RARIA (formally known as Rachel Costanzo) is already leading a new wave of nostalgia-driven, eclectic pop. Redefining the genre and making music “to be remembered”, the up-and-coming star is ready to make a dynamic and lasting impact.

Have a listen to ‘Break Up With Her’ below…

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Jennifer Kamikazi Celebrates Black Beauty In Latest Single

British/Rwandan singer-songwriter, JENNIFER KAMIKAZI‘s soulful and uplifting R&B single, ‘Black Skin’, could not be released at a more pivotal time. The song carries a powerful and uplifting message of black pride and beauty.

Kamikazi ( meaning ‘little queen’ in her mother tongue) has made a striking transition from indie/folk to R&B, collaborating with producer Tania Ilyashova. Jennifer’s sweet-sounding and velvety tones are complemented beautifully by the chilled laid back groove of the track. Speaking on the inspiration behind the song, Kamikazi vulnerably describes her personal experience of colourism:

“I wrote this song during quarantine to celebrate the skin colour that I now adore, not just my complexion but every complexion. Growing up in Rwanda, I was never ashamed of my dark skin. It wasn’t until I moved to the UK I experienced the harsh reality of growing up in a society with toxic beauty standards hardly anyone can meet. Through ‘Black Skin’ I hope to challenge the western beauty ideal, and also wish to start a conversation on colourism, something prevalent both in Black and Asian communities.”

‘Black Skin follows’ her two successful EP’s ‘Wildflower’ and ‘Wander in Wonder’ with now over one million streams. Check out the video below, created by Jennifer during lockdown…

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