Wednesday, August 3, 2016

DICE Summer Party with Section Boyz, Nadia Rose, SG Lewis


It's that time of the year again, DICE are bringing the biggest new names in music to Hackney Wick this August.

The six-strong fast rising rap collective Section Boyz who are known for their originality, creativity and energy, will headline the DICE summer party on August 21st.

Joining them is a real breakthrough act on DICE in 2016, Nadia Rose, whose catchy new single ‘Skwod’ gained major buzz online for it's originality and verbal eccentricity. As well as SG Lewis who will come clutch with his DJ sets - a perfect mix of house, disco and techno. More acts to be announced.

Tickets go on sale Wednesday, August 10th at 6pm and are available exclusively on DICE for Apple Pay customers.

The DICE summer party will take place from 2pm - 10pm, at Mick's Garage in Hackney Wick. Visit: dice.fm/summerparty for further details.

Marbek Presents: Frisco ‘Garn Again’


As the world of music and fashion becomes further intertwined, Marbek embark on a quest to tell of ‘Untold’ journeys.

The perfect soundtrack for a combined statement of a generation's rebellion, Marbek present a collaborative EP with a selection of the most bold and edgy grime musicians. 

The first taste of the union comes from Boy Better Know's Frisco with the Rude Kid produced ‘Garn Again’. Featuring flashes of the latest capsule from Marbek, the video captures the raw edge of fashion and places it against the energy and bass of the record.

As the book unfolds and the story unfolds, come along with Marbek on this venture to hear of the ‘Untold’.

Download for free at www.marbek.co

Tory Lanez Announces Debut Album ‘I Told You’, Releases ‘Flex’


Tory Lanez has revealed that his debut album is set to be released later on this month.

Over the last 18 months, the singer/rapper has wowed us with his music and electrifying stage presence at sold-out shows and is now ready to release a full body of work. 

The Canadian native has released back to back hits since his debut single ‘Say It’ in 2015 and has added his new track ‘Flex’ to the list; both taken from his highly anticipated LP - ‘I Told You’.

This year saw Tory Lanez dropped his breakout single ‘LUV’ sampling Tanto Metro and Devonte's 1997 dancehall classic ‘Everyone Falls in Love’, and is currently climbing radio and Shazam charts nationwide.

The album is set for release on August 19 via Benny Blanco's Mad Love imprint on Virgin EMI and can be pre-ordered now at torylanezitoldyou.com

Friday, July 15, 2016

Shay La Rose Returns With ‘Make It Happen’


Sultry South-London songstress Shay La Rose has returned with her summer single and first single of the year ‘Make It Happen’, an ode to chasing dreams and letting go on the dance floor.

The song mirrors reality: Shay's star has steadily risen from pleasing with her raspy tones on the underground circuit, to a successful single premiered on popular UK entertainment platforms - MTV included.

With Mikey SOS on production, ‘Make It Happen’ is the first from Rose's fourth coming EP. “I wanted to write a song that not only empowered others to make things happen, but told my own story”. 

Listen to ‘Make It Happen’ below.

New Video: Kwamz & Flava - Take Over


In a year already loaded with releases from Afrobeats heavyweights, it's safe to say that Kwamz & Flava have one of the biggest Afrobeats songs of the summer on their hands with ‘Take Over’, and is one of their best songs to date.

Since its debut in January, the song has racked up over 3 million hits on YouTube, inspiring fans to upload their own dance versions making it a viral sensation.

Kwamz & Flava first met in school and quickly became friends, their passion for music and their Ghanaian heritage has joined them at the hip. The pair have since then gained a huge buzz with ‘Take Over’ and even recently signed to Black Butter Records, home to Rudimental, J Hus, Wiley, DJ Khaled, Kent Jones and more to mention a few.

The accompanying visuals was directed by Geoff Levy and is a vibrant three minutes of Afro infused heart racing dance routines on the colourful streets of New York. Choreographed by Tanisha Scott, who has worked with Sean Paul, Rihanna, Beyoncé, Drake and more, the result is a perfect blend of African and Hip-Hop dance styles to Afrobeats.

"There is a huge appetite for African music and we are so proud to be apart of this movement", says Kwamz. Flava went onto add "we love that we can fuse our British and African upbringing together in our music. ‘Take Over’ is such a feel good track, and we hope everyone enjoys it as much as we do."

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Mabel Releases Video Project With Tate Modern


Rising songwriter and artist Mabel has been commissioned by the Tate Modern to create a video project to commemorate the opening of the new building.

The video is directed by acclaimed choreographer Holly Blakey and the song in the video is an original composition for the project created by Mabel specifically for this special collaboration. The video is reflective of Gustav Metzger's Liquid Crystal Environment 1995, remade 2005 which is displayed within the new Tate Modern. The colourful, psychedelic patterns produced by light displays such as Metzger's became icons of London's cultural scene in the 1960's, as musicians in particular sought to create total sensory environments for the appreciation of their work. Metzger's own liquid crystal projections found wider fame in 1966 when they were displayed during a performance of the bands Cream, The Move and The Who at the Roundhouse in London.

Mabel comments, “it was fun working on this project with Holly and Tate. As a kid I adored music videos with choreography. Destiny's Child routines were often rehearsed with my sister and then we forced our family to watch multiple performances. I wanted to try to do an up-to-date version of that, using Metzger's Liquid Crystal Environment and the incredible Tate Modern building as our setting.”

The new Tate Modern opened to the public on Friday 17 June, 2016.

New Video: Geko - Y ft. Afro B


Summer is officially here and Geko is bringing the heat with his new single ‘Y’.

The video revealed earlier this week has racked up over 100,000 hits on YouTube and was shot in sunny Portugal, is a fusion of Afrobeats, dance and rap music all in one.

Geko enlists Afro B for the catchy hook and bridge of the summer anthem. Enjoy below.

Soulohlove Reveals Soulful House Debut ‘La Madrugada’


Soulohlove a new face in the music world has cooked up a soulful house creation, with her debut ‘La Madrugada’.

The new record is an introduction of what's to come from Soulohlove, as she sets to release her forthcoming EP ‘The Streets’ within a matter of months.

‘La Madrugada’ which means “the dawn” in Spanish, sets to pause reality and transport listeners into another world.

Speaking on the inspiration behind her debut, Soulohlove says “it was spring in London and it was snowing, then it was sunny - then it rained. I saw how happy the sun made people so I decided I wanted to 'bottle' that and put it into a song.” 

Soulohlove who grew up on soulful house music hails from the urban area of Brixton in South London and is versatile in her releases. “Soulful house was a love of mine growing up, especially growing up in the UK. I wanted to bring that love back.” 

It's a bit nostalgic for me when listening,she says but it's definitely a sound I want to hear more of right now. I wanted people to forget the weather, depending on your location (especially London), seasons don't often do what they say on the tin.”

Whilst the lyrics creates imagery, the infectious beat transports listeners to a summer feel no matter the weather. ‘La Madrugada’ entices listeners to forget the time and surroundings and is a definite summer sixteen playlist addition.

Monday, June 13, 2016

New Music: Ezi Emela - No Lele


Earlier this year Ezi Emela released her single ‘Voicemail’ just in time for Valentine's Day and received raving reviews from critics and fans.

Now the British Nigerian singing sensation returns with her brand new single ‘No Lele’, which is produced by frequent collaborator Omeiza. Taken from her forthcoming EP, Ezi Emela sings about her hustle over the AfroTrap-leaning record.

“The song is about my hustle. It came from a time when I was feeling that people were not paying any attention to me and not feeling like I was working hard enough.” says Ezi. 

She went onto say: “However, they didn't see what I was dealing with behind the scenes, so it's just telling myself not to care what people think and whether they love me or hate me I'm still going to win.”

Saturday, March 12, 2016

[Listen]: ‘Saturday Playlist’ featuring Travis Scott, Kevin Gates, Vanessa White & More


Decided to switch things up this Saturday and include more rap music. I've got music from Kevin Gates and Travis Scott in the mix, as well Desiigner who currently has the hottest song out ‘Panda’, that Kanye West sampled! (YES, thee Kanye West!!) Vanessa White of ‘The Saturdays’ has released some new solo music and it's very impressive.

So without further ado, press play and enjoy this week's ‘Saturday Playlist’.