Category: News

DBL A & Benwa – ZEMI (Ft. Sweets & Luke Royalty)

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DBL A & Benwa kick off 2024 with their new body of work, ‘ZEMI’. Manchester’s alternative and underground music scene continues to flourish as artist, DBL A and producer, Benwa team up to create the genre-bending lo-fi rap tape. With influence of indie as well as soul through to dark trap the 23 year-old artist displays his talents as a vocalist as well as showing his range of flows, rhyme-schemes and personal themes over a series of equally varied and detailed instrumentals. Both originating from Yorkshire, the pair take you on a sonic journey to Benwas home-studio in Manchester with a sound that’s reminiscent of rejjie snow projects from yester-year. curating lo-fi sounds that feel like the bread and butter of bedroom pop/rap, Alongside an array of features from other Manchester-based artists; Luke Royalty, Sweets and KHI-P all help add an extra layer of quality to the project. Synths, guitar and the occasional heavy 808 are all found carefully scattered across the EP, allowing DBL A to let his creative freedom roam wild, as he navigates a series of topics, from emotional growth, through to drinking liquor from a sippy cup. ‘ZEMI’ is only the first release between Benwa and DBL A which only makes the hint to a bright future of releases stronger.

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DBL A – Grabbing at my ankles

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Manchester-based artist DBL A and Manchester-born producer, Yves Jones, link up to create DBL A’s latest single ‘Grabbing at my ankles’. Following a spell of lyric and flow-heavy releases, the artist marks a sonic shift with his latest single. Showcasing stripped-back flows, as well as more melodic vocals, DBL A experiments with new sounds on a soulful and ‘genre bending’ track. The song came about as a result of regular sessions between the two. Off the back of their 2022 UK garage release ‘smarties’ Yves Jones (one half of rising Manchester based duo ‘Fieves’) displays experimental vocal processing that works hand-in-hand with DBL A’s delivery, showing just how comfortable the two young creatives are working together. introspective lyrics from the north Yorkshire native paint a vivid picture over soulful samples and synths as he talks on topics of self-destructive behaviour and overcoming negativity from exterior forces. The 23-Year-old artist looks to take larger strides in the UK music scene as well as within his own artistic development. Releasing on 13/10/2023, DBL A, displays his range on a song that likens itself more towards a genre-mixed sound than that of his previous releases – One that any fans of Sampha or Vegyn should be sure to check out. Having already shown his talents at a Ballami radio cypher, alongside Manchester-based artist ‘Finnerz’, earlier in the year ‘DBL A’ is one to watch in the UK scene as the artist promises that there’s ‘much more to see from him’ before the year is done.

Odd Holiday – L.I.S.A.

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Odd Holiday, consisting of Alt-Hip-Hop MC Mattic and producer duo Daylight Robbery!, straddles the line between underground nostalgia and a progressive future. In “Adam West High School,” the mysterious piano loops reminiscent of Griselda’s style, evolve into smooth jazz stabs and psychedelic nuances curtesy of Ghost in the Machine. The MC delivers a seamless, one-take verse that spans the entire track—no hooks, just pure lyrical wizardry that captivates attention until the very end.

‘Boarded Up Portals’ encapsulates the group’s overarching hip-hop approach, blending abstract cinematic soul with eloquent, vivid lyricism. Odd Holiday diverges from the mainstream, choosing an unconventional path and ensuring to seal off the portal behind them. This track possesses a dual nature—simultaneously beautiful and haunting. Extended, angelic vocal samples, immersed in darkness, create an ideal setting for intricate lyrical mind games.

“Omen Key” ventures into the realm of Brazilian Psych, introducing an additional layer to the duo’s diverse alternative-hip hop collection. The introduction captivates with an immersive wall of synth that transforms into a velvety Rhodes-driven groove, featuring Mattic’s characteristic verse. In a surprising twist, the B-section unfolds into a psychedelic guitar breakdown, effortlessly complemented by Mattic’s flow. Odd Holiday, once more, explores a fresh sonic identity, remaining unmistakably true to their distinctive style.

DBL A – My Place

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‘MYPLACE’ is the third release of the year for DBL A. Continuing to evolve his sound alongside Manchester-based producer ‘B-SEEN’. The second collaboration between the two shows DBL A experiment with his signature style of 140 flows, introspective lyrics and creative wordplay. the two link up in song that shows B-SEEN’s distinctive glitch-hop style, with UK grime and drill influences. and shows the North Yorkshire-native MC take his unique sound forward, as he prepares to release a series of singles to further leave his impression on the UK Underground scene before the release of his second tape.

dESH.DUBS – Luna Shine On

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On his collaborative new single with Swiss artist Jo Elle, dESH.DUBS delivers yet another infectious sound and a critical, exhilarating message

‘Luna Shine On’ opens with a whistling that segues into a chorus of creeping basslines, soft guitar riffs and hard drum drops. It soon introduces the now-familiar toasts of the Zambian-Dutch artist, but has a special addition: the vocals of singer-songwriter Jo Elle, a former snowboarding champion. She brings a nice distinction to the song and complements the DUBSTAR’s raspy tone. Together, their voices create a powerful blend of melodies that are bound to keep listeners hooked.”So ever since Jo Elle recorded the vocals for the hook, I knew I had to release this song as a single”, dESH said.

dESH.DUBS’ previous single – ‘DUBSTAR’ – saw him tinker with Drill. Continuing on his trend of being versatile, the artist wanted the new single to prove once more that he is an artist of no limits: “‘Luna Shine On’ reiterates that my music is all about experiences, expression and the inspiration that I get from around me. I hope to be remembered for that and trying more new sounds is the way forward”.

‘Luna Shine On’ was produced by Tom of Big Bad Beat (Finland), recorded by Marcel of Mosound.

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Thomas Jay – Ease My Mind

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London born, Kent Raised; Thomas Jay is a Neo-Soul, R&B/Pop Singer Songwriter. Originally performing and releasing under the name ‘THOMA’ he has previously played shows at O2 Academy Islington, Chinnery’s Southend, The Tunbridge Wells Forum, SoulTown Festival, Black Deer Festival, and has been a regular performer for Sofar Sounds London. As THOMA, Thomas Jay received support from BBC Introducing Kent on various occasions, most noticeably with his single ‘More’ being made Record of The Week in 2019.

After taking a break during the pandemic to rediscover his sound and focus on his artistry, Thomas is now fully embracing his rich soulful voice and leaning into the Neo-Soul/R&B sensibilities he grew up listening to. His new single ‘Ease My Mind’ is the perfect example of his ability to merge catchy R&B/Pop hooks with flawless Neo-soul tinged production. ‘Ease My Mind’ documents a longing to stop acting contrary to your own best interests, when your own-self becomes your own worst enemy.

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Dove-i – Revolution

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The Parisian Musical Collective Born of a desire to meet with others and swap ideas, Dove-i is a musical collective bringing together talents from every horizon to develop unusual artistic projects of a highly cinematic nature that pack a powerful emotional punch. Founded by composers and producers Thomas Verovski & Bastide Donny , this “Musical Factory” is the way to respond to requests for music with a high-end image and strong creativity.

Listen to their cine-symphonic rap of the DOVE-i collective. The mix of a powerful phrasing, very urban, a 100% American flow, and a real “French-touch” with a dreamy dimension carried by a 30 strings hitch.

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B1GJuice – Drought

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Fitting as a perfect mixture of ski-mask balaclava activity with Michelin-star restaurant ambiance, “Drought” captures the sophisticated aggression and raw class of the seasoned Canadian MC. But here’s the kicker – listening to it also makes you 10% more likely to win at rock-paper-scissors. (Don’t fact-check that.)


Captivating in its rhythm, the track features an enticing flow and a seamless fusion of a velvety bassline, ethereal piano keys, and vibrant jazzy horn lines. Enjoy below!

Bex & Bright – Run It Up | My Style [News]

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Capturing the dichotomy of knowing ones potential and being trapped by the short changing expectations of others, “Run It Up” is a powerful encapsulation of life under modern society. Similar to the nail biting tension of living under the gun, the lyrical prowess is a stark reminder not to ever underestimate the downtrodden. The first single off the debut album by Bex & Bright showcases their emotional and melodic range offset by the featured rapper 1L1L’s knife’s edge seething delivery. The track infuses drilling percussion, thundering bass, and haunting choral elements.

Next on the list, “My Style”, where Infectious Philadelphia emcee GradedAxe joins the incomparable production duo Bex & Bright to deliver another instant classic. GradedAxe pairs a truly impressive vocal performance with one of the hard-hitting ethereal beats that Bex & Bright have become known for. This track is a true earworm and one that you will want to have playing on repeat.

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grimeykenneth – She [News]

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Lots of fun , lackadaisical energy coming from the get-go. Lyrics are pretty simple. It’s a young man giving warning to another that if he doesn’t treat his woman right the narrator will snatch up his boo-boo bear for his own.

Blaize Infinger (grimeykenneth) is a 22 year old Alt-Rap act out of Austin, TX. He started making music about 2 years ago and have committed to it through and through. In 2020, when the pandemic hit, he transferred from playing football at D-2 in Texas, to a private trade school for audio engineering so he could hold the means to creating his music and content. Ultimately, his main goal is not just to be a musician, but an entertainer with widely varying work.

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