Not finished with the scene yet, Young Don sets his eyes on further success and the desire to make a mark on the mainstream on his own terms. The South Londoner is highly regarded globally and ‘The Play Offs’ premiered on Clash Magazine will continue to catch the attention of scenes across the world. It’s the first single lifted off his forthcoming ‘Weatherman 3’ mixtape which features a host of well known artists including K Trap, Stefflon Don, Rimzee and Youngs Teflon, hosted by ATL’s DJ Drama.
More than just an artist, but an entrepreneur who has worked with blockbuster artists in both the UK and US. Boasting previous features with DJ Khaled and Gucci Mane on the track ‘I’m About This Life’ and on his native side of the Atlantic he has worked with underground favourites such as Fekky and Chip.
Reminiscent of the classic UK Rap sound with sparse drums delivering plenty of vitality alongside a complex instrumental which includes hypnotic piano loops and a strong bassline to provide the rhythm. Going hand in hand with this beat, Young Don illustrates moments from his past with his divisive lyrics, “Dad died, mum cried, the judge sent me to prison” he elucidates during his verse as he dives into his deep past and leaves it all in the track.
An elaborate music video filmed across super yachts, jet skis, Lamborghinis, and private jets as Young Don turns heads during his high-end production. With the visuals taking place closer to the tropics, this vibrant colour pallet offers an abundant asset for this solid song.
Switching up his flow, Young Don is on a mission this year and is back to show his class in the UK Urban scene. Touring with Rick Ross twice, the 28 year old has lots of experience in the industry, so it will be no surprise to see where he ends up following his music filled future.
The momentum that J-Fresh is building up is undeniable. Synonymous with grime and bass-driven music, his name has become a reliable source of fresh new drops and ‘Trenches’ is the next instalment of his bass heavy, grime bangers.
Renowned for his high intensity production and his energetic DJ sets, J-Fresh has become a vital part of the music scene. After his recent releases reaching the #1 position on YouTube’s Music’s ‘Underground Grime’ playlist and instantly receiving a spot on the ‘Ministry Of Sound’ and ‘Grime Original’ playlists, ‘Trenches’ is sure to also make waves within the industry. As a tastemaker within the scene, J-Fresh has had guest mixes and radio appearances across Kiss FM, BBC Radio 1Xtra, Ministry Of Sound and Pyro Radio. The talented DJ has also received support for his productions from some of the biggest names in the UK, boasting backing from the likes of Charlie Sloth, DJ Target, Sian Anderson, Rickie, Melvin & Charlie and loads more.
STREAM/DOWNLOAD – J-FRESH X CLIPSON X SKATTA – TRENCHES
‘Trenches’ is produced around the fundamentals of grime, drawing inspiration from the pirate radio era whilst giving it a modern lift. The bouncy, bass filled instrumental is the perfect canvas for Clipson and Skatta’s compelling, dynamic, back-to-back style and flow, to paint the perfect picture and set the tone for the record. Both featuring artists boast an impressive musical CV, Skatta has been steadily building up his stature within the music industry. He has been supported by Grime Originals, GRM Daily and Redbull music, he has been featured on TV on channels such as Sky Living with Ross Kemp, ITV and BBC News. The London based rapper also appeared on Sian Anderson’s show alongside Jaykae, who went on to describe him as “one of my favourites to ever do it” complimenting his “captivating” voice. Clipson is a legend within the grime scene, he is currently a member of the acclaimed group ‘Slew Dem Mafia’. The grime veteran appeared on the very first Lord Of The Mics where he clashed Boy Better Know MC, Jammer. He receives regular support from Grime Originals and has had over 1.6 million streams for his track ‘Man Wanna War’!
JAMIE PERRETT returns to the spotlight with a stately new solo single: “Angel of Santiago”.
STREAM ON ALL SERVICES HERE
The “Angel of Santiago” was primarily recorded at 123 Studios in Peckham with additional overdubs made later at his home in London. With Vocals, Guitars, Synth, and Percussion performed by Jamie Perrett, its chiming backing vocals were provided by Jenny Maxwell, Jake Woodward added drums, whilst Jamie’s brother Peter Perrett Jnr handled Bass duties. Mixed by Tony Draper and mastered by Brian Lucey at Magic Garden, the single was also self-produced by Perrett.
RIAA platinum-certified indie-pop duo Flora Cash has announced today’s premiere of “A good childhood” which is available now at all DSPs and streaming services. “A good childhood” is the band’s last song to be released before the duo’s new much-anticipated studio album, our generation, which arrives via the Swedish/American band’s own Flower Money Records on Friday, October 22.
The story of the American-born, small-town Minnesota native Cole and his wife Kosovo-born, and Swedish-raised Shpresa coming together has been recounted many times, how they met via Soundcloud as admirers of each other’s art. What is less known is the difficult and unordinary childhoods both had to endure. Shpresa’s family escape the war in Kosovo before settling in Sweden, while Cole’s father was incarcerated when he was young. Cole’s mother worked her way through college and it was his grandfather who became his de facto father, whose advice to Cole that he should “aim high…cause 99 percent of the people never really live before they die” is repeated throughout the song. The band says of the song:
“Reflecting on a childhood that (luckily) wasn’t a total disaster but wasn’t great either. Being nostalgic for something that never existed but ultimately embracing what it actually was.”
rising queer pop star Mike Taveira returns with his new single, “Sex for Breakfast (ft. Allie X),” from his forthcoming debut EP, ‘Cut Velvet.’ Due out in early 2022, ‘Cut Velvet’ is a glittering record of spacey 80s new-wave and rudimentary 70s synths balanced precariously over slap bass and funk grooves. It’s a conceptual record that chronicles Mike’s wide-eyed move to Los Angeles, the rise and fall of young love, and all the predators along the way.
“Sex For Breakfast” is the second single to be released from ‘Cut Velvet,’ following the lead single, “Switch,” which was released earlier this summer. Featuring indie-pop superstar Allie X, “Sex for Breakfast” is a synth-fueled anthem packed with suggestive lyrical wordplay and beats that will get you moving.
“’Sex for Breakfast’ was one of those lightning-in-a-bottle songs,” Mike says of the new song. “The idea came to me after an intense morning with this guy I was head over heels for. We were essentially dating but kept pretending it was a fling. We ended up in this almost masochistic cat-and-mouse game, knowing we were so right together but both being too uncomfortable to admit it.”
Armed with an innate sense of melody, Boston Rapper and spoken word poet Oompa has been making major waves with her sharp storytelling. From features with Apple Music’s Ebro Discovered, Def Jam’s Here Comes The Break, Ones to Watch, EARMILK, and AudioFemme – one thing is for sure, Oompa is not an artist to be slept on. Today, she comes in swinging with her dynamic, New Orleans-bounced inspired single “OUTTA PATIENCE”.
The third single from the forthcoming album “UNBOTHERED”, “OUTTA PATIENCE” uncovers another layer in Oompa’s journey of healing and self-reflection; a sentiment explored throughout the project. It’s a high-energy and straight-talking track where Oompa raps about her frustrations – “for the politics of the industry that want me to think I’m not it. I’m it. I’m running out of patience for doing other people’s work. I’m running out of patience for my own bull”. Lyrically, it’s an incredibly honest piece of work that taps into the purgative nature of experiencing personal growth amidst global turmoil. Where previous singles like “GO” and “LEBRON” explored feelings of joy, love, and self-confidence, “OUTTA PATIENCE” is a reminder that discomfort and pressure are a part of the process. A process that Oompa has intricately shared, leaving no stone unturned on “UNBOTHERED”.
Produced by frequent collaborator Dephrase, “OUTTA PATIENCE” taps into Oompa’s love for the New Orleans’ bounce sound to create a danceable bop that’s ripe for the end-of-summer months. “I want you to feel this track from the minute the sample drops, until the dance break in the end. I want your body to feel impatient and like it has to move. This track is all about the energy that you feel when you press play on this song. It’s the right follow-up to LEBRON’s energy– I need you to remember what these songs made summer feel like”.
Bi-coastal Emmy and MTV Award winning actor and musician Jeremy Shada unveils another enticing teaser ahead of his debut album launch for VINTAGE, set for release independently on October 1st. With the assist from producers Zack Odom and Kenneth Mount, it’s a collection of autobiographical vignettes fusing pop music’s greatest eras to redefine romance in the modern age. Across 12 tracks, Jeremy explores the crooners of the ‘20s to the funk lines of the ‘70s to the catchy hard-hitting pop melodies of the ‘80s through present day. In the new single “If Looks Could Kill,” the rising talent channels all things James Bond 007—the mystery of classic film noir, the seduction of the thrill and chase, and the timeless charm of a suit and tie.
On the inspiration behind the new song, Jeremy Shada explains, “Lyrically, ‘If Looks Could Kill’ is about hitting emotional rock bottom and falling prey to bad decisions that you hope will dull the emotional pain from your past, but ultimately a momentary pleasure can lead to a long lasting regret. I wanted to compose the song in a way that makes it feel like a James Bond song. Sonically the song has a moody orchestral feel to it which hits home the cinematic spy movie aspect. I grew up loving James Bond movies and always wanted to make a song for one. Since that’ll probably never happen officially I just decided to make one unofficially.”
neillfrazer@hotmail.com