x5 time award nominated certified pop-star JAMIE-LEE SEXTON‘s single, ‘Lock It Down’ possesses a real sensual fusion of Pop and Afropop, which invites the listener to be part of a dance between two lovers. Led by smooth vocals, a killer hook that is undeniably catchy and an alluring sound that flows into the pop genre where Jamie-Lee feels at home in her sonic shoes.
“Besides singing, my second most favorite thing in life is to dance. I wanted to make a song that I’d love to dance to. A sexy song for lovers all around the world. Lock it down. Get down.” Jamie-Lee says.
‘Lock It Down’, is the fourth single from the South African pop songstress in 2023. And with number one radio hits and topping the iTunes charts, this is the beginning for Jamie-Lee who has her eyes on some interesting collabs and future sights…have a listen to ‘Lock It Down’ below…
“Lessons of life be the sketches I write/deep depression/seek perfection/not reflection I like” – spits the lyricist known as MERCY as he introduces us to his latest work of art titled, ‘The Artist’.
Backed by a beautiful canvas of production provided by Lebanon Don, MeRCY goes to work detailing portions of his life that have made him who he is today. Each bar and rhyme blend together perfectly like when mixing colors to create another, as the artist takes us on a trip through his mind & past self. He grabs a mic that acts as a paint brush in order to create the picture of MeRCY. From seeing his older brother deal drugs, to run ins with the law but also trying to avoid disappointing his mother even while being out in the concrete jungles, it all plays a part in the ever growing picture of ‘The Artist’.
MeRCY starts off the second verse by saying “The artist who drew the hardest of hardships/with my tears on the canvas/bloodstains on my garments/written in blood no kisses and hugs”. Merc’ doesn’t mask any pain but shows it off in full because in his words “This is God’s work from all the hard work/beauty is pain my n***a/I’ve made it artwork”. Truly embodying himself within his raps is how we find the Florida native on this record, not being afraid of showing vulnerability but embracing it in order to create a special track that serves as the first single to his upcoming album ‘Michaelangelo’. If the single wasn’t already great, Tone Spliff adds some scratches throughout to top it off and ensure the greatness of ‘The Artist’. Have a listen below…
NYC based singer-songwriter ANABELLA PAIGE‘s sophomore single ‘This I Miss,’ a timeless pop offering which takes form as her own version of a love letter. Produced and co-written alongside Henry Bloomfield, the track’s production samples The O’Jay’s ‘A Prayer,’ boasting heavenly strings and soulful piano licks that evoke a warm sense of nostalgia. At only 17 years old, Anabella Paige’s vivid storytelling abilities solidify that she is wise beyond her years, as she details the appreciation of a relationship while acknowledging that it is not meant to last forever. Through her lyricism, listeners come to understand that this relationship is stored in a time capsule, serving as a beautiful piece of history that both parties can reflect on with admiration and love.
On the inspiration behind the single, Anabella Paige explains, “Some people come into your life at a specific place and time for a reason, and I’ve found that it’s better to acknowledge that rather than wish you could have it forever, allowing it to lose the specialness that it had.”
Anabella Paige creates music that is thought provoking and sophisticated, painting a sonic world that puts a modern touch on sentimentality. She draws inspiration from artists including Norah Jones, Jane Birkin, SZA and Olivia Dean. Growing up, she moved from state to state frequently, which resulted in lots of time for soul-searching. At a young age, songwriting became her most trusted vessel when it came to expression; but at the time, she didn’t realize that the verses she penned in her diary would manifest into songs she would share with the world.
‘This I Miss’ follows the release of her debut single ‘Bandage’ (April 2023), which earned placements on Spotify Fresh Finds and Fresh Finds Pop. The rising artist opened for Rosie (Sony/Arista) on her most recent full US tour, and made her debut NYC performance opening for William Joseph Cook (Atlantic Records) at Mercury Lounge.
She’s definitely worth a listen..click play on the blissful ballad below…
Canadian hip-hop artist ARLO MAVERICK‘s video for new single, ‘Night Shift,’ offers a portrait of a person wrestling with the increasing demands of getting by and fulfilment, and positions Maverick as a chronicler of modern day working-class woes. The tune will appear on his upcoming release, Blue Collar, set for release on 20th October.
On the track, Maverick ponders the tension between balancing making ends meet and material success, and the overwhelming sacrifices made to reap the rewards. The video, co-directed and edited by Maverick and featuring emcees KazMega and Just Moe, depicts various people – a labourer, an office worker, and a janitor – grinding through a day of work.
“We wanted the video to be an honest representation of what sacrifice sometimes looks like for people hustling to get ahead,” says Maverick. “Being able to share the fruits of that labour with family is what makes it all worthwhile.”
Through a succession of buoyant, march-like beats, the track mirrors the monotony of work, while Maverick delivers the bleary-eyed refrain, “Working that night shift/I just want to go home/I just want to go home/I just want to go home.”
“This song shows the impact of shift work on your health and happiness; how you miss important moments in your family’s lives, and how these typically dead end jobs offer no possibility for advancement,” Maverick adds. “The dilemma we face in trying to live our best lives and make our families happy is often more overtime and less time together.”
Much of the themes on Blue Collar revolve around a universal pursuit of purpose, prosperity, and happiness, from the disillusionment of the job market after graduating from college to the gratification of indulging in material things to being undervalued at a 9 to 5. It’s an album that tries to capture the seemingly endless balancing act to meet our personal needs, satisfy our wants, and get ahead in an economic environment that makes it harder and harder to do so.
‘Night Shift’ is out now, with more to come from Maverick as he preps the release of his second full-length solo album. Check out the video for the track below…
R &B Star CHERYLL and Afro-fusion princess REBECCA WINTER have teamed up, claiming the blog’s Song of the Day top spot with latest single, ‘Come Thru’.
Produced by Dwante Navire, this summer bop will transport you back to the 90s with its titillating R&B soulful vibes, directed at a love interest who is more than keen to make a move, but they’re dragging their feet to Come Thru – and through their lyrics, the girls makes it very clear they’re not wasting any time.
With every potential to be a summer hit, ‘Come Thru’ adds to the strength of both artists’ burgeoning music journey: A MOBO unsung semi-finalist, Cheryll’s impressive contribution to the London music scene has been recognised by Robin Thicke , where as Rebecca Winter has opened for the likes of Tiwa Savage, Burna Boy.
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