Monday, June 30, 2014

Chris Rock: BET Awards

Rock brings the ROFL to the BET awards...

Firstly, congratulations to Krept & Konan who picked up a BET Award for International Rap. Great work guys.

Hosted this year by Chris Rock, the comedian takes down Jay, Solange, Kevin Hart and Dr Dre in typical scattergun, Rock style...



Chris Rock - Monologue - BET Awards 2014 by IdolxMuzic

Busta Rhymes x Eminem: Calm Down


Busabus and Slim Shady spit some serious bars over Scoop DeVille beat...


Taken from Busta's forthcoming album, 'Extinction Level', 'Calm Down' sees the two wordplay heavyweights trade bars over 5 minutes and 41 seconds.

Who wins? Well, that's a matter of opinion, but both MC's carve some serious damage over Scoop DeVille's House Of Pain referencing beat.


Friday, June 27, 2014

Grimes Ft. Blood Diamond: Go


Canadian returns with Blood Diamond banger...


For the first time in two years comes a brand new tune from Grimes, aka Claire Boucher.

"It's our summer jam so we figured we should put it out cuz I am very bored of waiting to finish my album b4 releasing new music haha," said the singer.

Free to download here, check the absolutely ace track below and join us in impatiently awaiting Grimes's new album, due, we hope, soon!

Dizzee Rascal X Fekky: Still Sittin' Here


Fekky and Dizzee go back to the Boy In The Corner

Using the instrumental from 'Sittin' Here', found on Dizzee's mercury Prize winning album, 'Boy In Da Corner', is this new version by Fekky.

With some help from the Splurge Boys, Fekky re-did a version that Diz loved so much, he jumped on it and is putting out his label, Dirtee Stank.

Looks like the return to Grime's routes continues. Bring back the 140 BPM, we say!

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

Hood Ft. Lil Wayne & Tyga: Think I'm Lying


Tunechi breaths fire on the mic...

He might be brand new, but Lil Wyane is clearly a fan of newcomer Hood.

Weezy jumps on Hood's Think I'm Lying beat and drops a fast and furious volley of rhymes and flows.

Anyone feeling a little tired this Wednesday morning needs to press play and blast the cobwebs right out. 

The Weeknd: Often



Free download from Abel Tesfaye

Sounds like it's a hard life when you're young, rich, famous and on the road.

Toronto's The Weekend drops a brand new track that reflects on the various women he encounters while on tour. As ever with The Weeknd, the song is shrouded in sadness, as the melancholic one sounds off about seeking fulfilment.

The song is free to download. Click and enjoy.



Tuesday, June 24, 2014

FKA Twigs: Two Weeks


Nabil directs new video from FKA Twigs...


Directed by Nabil is this beautiful new video from Twig's new single, Two Weeks.

Taken from her debut album, 'LP1', released on 11 August via Young Turks, expect the unexpected from this incredibly creative young woman, Formerly Known As Twigs, who hails from Gloucestershire.

Monday, June 23, 2014

Jamie xx: Under One Roof Raving


Jamie xx samples Wiley and more on new UKG inspired banger...

Sampling everyone from Wiley to the 1999 rave film Fiorucci Made Me Hardcore' is this new tune from Jamie xx, released ahead of his Glastonbury set this weekend.

"I made it at the end of last year when I was on tour with The xx and it had been two years away from home," said Jamie.

"I wanted to make something I could play out when I got home that reminded people of how good home is."
Available to buy now from here.


Lil Silva: Mabel EP

Hot on the heels of Burga Boy's Colin comes Lil Silva's Mabel...

Bedford born and based DJ/ producer Lil Silva is one of the most consistently creative composers working in music today. From Night Slugs, to Sampha to Banks (who features on the EP), the man born TJ Carter is currently one of the fastest rising beatmakers in the UK today.

Like Burga Boy, he also likes naming his EP's after very old sounding people. We're into it.

Having had a sneak peek at some of the 'Mabel EP' we can confirm it's a bit magnificent. To get you warmed up, check out a taster from the EP, below.

'Mabel' is out 4 August on Good Years/ True Panther

Little Simz: E.D.G.E [album]


Rhymer drops an album on Bandcamp...

We're big fans of rapper/ actress/ musician/ producer Little Simz. After dropping 4 mixtapes, the North London rhymer has quite rightly decided to put somehting up for sale.

'E.D.G.E' is that very album, and is available from here.

Featuring production from Ballistiq, High Frequency and Jakwob, here's what Simz has to say about the project.

"This project marks the beginning of a brand new phase for me. 'E.D.G.E' is that first showing of the transition, growth and progression in my art as this is my first original project soundscape-wise, everything was built from scratch and a majority of the tracks were recorded and mixed by me in my bedroom. I began recording 'E.D.G.E' at the end of the 'Blank Canvas' project, with "Enter The Void" being the first song that I made and that shaped the tone of part of the EP's sonic and thematic journey. 

I've purposely kept the 'Big Name' features off this project and have only worked with my SPACE AGE crew and close associates, the only features I have on the project are from Chuck20, Josh Arcé and Tilla from SPACE AGE & Jimi Nxir from New York. Production wise I worked with OTG, Jakwob, Jimi Nxir, Balistiq, High Frequency, Sango & Iman Omari."

Download your copy right now from here.


Friday, June 20, 2014

Naughty Boy Ft. ROMANS: Home

It's a canine-based video for NB's new single...

Who doesn't love a dog? WHO?

Naughty Boy closes off his massive selling Hotel Cabana with just one more single. 'Home' Ft. ROMANS (a big talent to keep an eye on).

Taken from the POV of a puppy, this video is a bit cute and a bit of a tearjerker (if you're an incredible sentimentalist anyway).


Wiley: You Know The Words


The Wire's Lester Freeman plays Will in new single from Grime Godfather....


We all know Wiley's not too fond of being in his own videos, so this is rather a brilliant solution.

Set in 2036, we see an elder Wiley, played by The Wire's Clarke Peters (Lester Freeman) enjoying himself in the sun at a BBQ. More on a 'Heatwave' dance vybz, this brilliantly upbeat track makes good use of Sarah Richardson's I Feel A Song (In My Heart).

Could be another smash for Richard Kylea Cowie wethinks!

Burga Boy: Rollin

Bassline producer slows the BPM on new single...


As an integral part of the Bassline scene and a successful remixer in his own right, Burga Boy's new single takes the Manchester musician in a totally different direction. Taken from his new mixtape, 'Colin' (LOL), Burga Boy cruises around the streets in his new video, contemplating his latest love. Very much look forward to hearing more. Follow BB here.


 

Wednesday, June 18, 2014

Action Bronson: That's Delicious [Episode 2]

Bronson gets his soul food on...


Former chef Action Bronson delivers a new episode for food channel Munchies. Watch and learn as Bronsolino cooks steak with homemade guacamole while travelling around Florida, Georiga and North Carolina.

Monday, June 16, 2014

MNEK: Wrote A Song


Debut single proper from pop wunderkind...

It's like a film within a film, but it's a song withing a song!

The always brilliantly inventinve writer/ singer/producer MNEK delivers his debut single, proper. 

in typical style from the 19 year-old from South London, 'Wrote A Song' ignores convention while managing to be a massive, huge, pop tune.

Check the song below, and watch out for remixes fro the almighty Kaytranada, Shift K3y and Tieks.

Friday, June 13, 2014

Mapei: Change


Stunning single from Swedish singer...

This has a touch of the Florence + The Machines's about it, in the sense it wouldn't be a surprise to hear Paul Epworth produced it. He didn't, but the big drums and big vocal suggests a similar vybz.

Mapei, who used to share a flat with Lykke Li when they both lived in Sweden is signed to Downtown Records and, though she's been about for a few years, it looks like 2014 could be a great year for her.

Dr.SID: Baby Tornado [remix]


Sound of Afrobeats heating up our Summer....


Hot on the Afrobeats heels of Fuse ODG and D'Banj comes Dr. SID.

We are loving everything Afrobeats right now, and this track is no different. Produced by Don Jazzy, Baby Tornado is exactly what the (sorry) Doctor ordered. The video, directed by Uzo Oleh, features everyone from Wretch 32 to Alexandra Burke and 'Stenders Chuck Venn.


It's already hit the UK charts full force; this Summer be prepared to hear a lot more Afrobeats.

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Popcaan Ft. Pusha T: Hustle


Two team up again on new Popcaan track...

Pusha T returns the favour for Blocka by appearing on the Dre Skull produced 'Hustle'.

Taken from Poppy's new album 'Where We Come From', get your copy here.

Don't fight it, it's dancehall season. Just lean back and enjoy.


Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Vicktor Taiwò: Digital Kids

New video from debut singer

Nigeria born, East London raised Taiwò is pretty brand new to the world of music.

We think the 22 year-old is a bit incredible; not only the owner of a beautifully distinctive voice, he's also a master of the pen. His songs feel like illustrated short stories.

Check out the brilliantly imaginative video for 'Digital Kids' featuring newcomer Solomon, produced by Felix Joseph. The track is a delicately rendered rumination on the loss of innocence. “Before, children had time to think that the world was beautiful and I think that should be virulently protected,” explains Vicktor. “But now, you know what’s wrong with the world from such a young age. You have no time to be a child; you have no time to appreciate how beautiful this world is, and it is beautiful.”

'Digital Kids' is taken from the forthcoming EP, 'Mercury' out in July. Find out more about Vicktor by following him here.

Stussy x Peach Fuzz


New shoot from streetwear brand and creative agency...

Curated by London agency, Peach Fuzz, this new editorial from Stussy, 'Ingland Is A Bitch' showcases the latest to come from the streetwear giant.

Focusing on friendship and multiculturalism in hard times, theere's a distinct 'This Is England' feel to the editorial. As long as you've got your mates, everything will be a-ok.

Check the collection - including the Stussy X G-Shock collab watch - here.


Nicki Minaj: Pills & Potions

Minaj strips it back for new single from third album...

It's pretty obvious that Minaj is going to bring some serious bars on her new album.

Taking it back to a more low-key, natural look, La Minaj describes her love of Pills N Potions in what might be one of the weirdest videos ever - bunny rabbits, the Game's decapitated head, very odd animation.

There's a statement being made here, we're just not sure what it is!


Monday, June 9, 2014

Melissa Steel Ft. Popcaan: Kisses For Breakfast

Bradford newcomer heads to Jamaica for Popcaan assisted single...

We've been big fans of this track since hearing it on 1Xtra a few weeks back.

Bradford's Melissa Steel is a very ace singer and, having heard several tracks, we are co-signing her amazing Dancehall-tinged Pop/ R&B vybz. Looks like Dancehall is having a lovely resurgence this Summer.


The 20 year-old, whose mother is Jamaican, went to Kingston to shoot the video with our New Current Obsession, Popcaan.

“He took me out with all of his friends and we basically partied all night and the next day," laughs Steel f working with Popcaan. "We went to two parties, then for food and then to the beach; I got in at 5.30pm the next day. It was great though because it made shooting the video really fun and relaxed.”

Check the video, below and follow Melissa on Twitter.

Blood Orange: You're Not Good Enough


Dev Hynes revisits the 80s for new soundtrack...

Having recently submitted a track for Gia Coppola's new film, 'Palo Alto' (starring James Franco), Blood Orange has teamed up with Coppola who directs this video for the track, 'You're Not Good Enough'.

Taking a time machine back to the 80s, the video is giving us a lot of Chic, Spandau/ Pan's People/ Tube vybz.


“I was very excited by the prospect of getting to do a music video for Dev," says Coppola. "I'm obviously a huge fan of his, and we've been talking about trying to make a video together for a while now. Dev has great taste. I love discussing what interests us and bringing our ideas together. I've always been fascinated with choreography and live television, both of which felt perfect for ‘You're Not Good Enough.’” 

This is a great, great summertime song, which you can buy here from iTunes.


Time For: Skepta

We talk to Boy Better Know's Skepta about making new single 'That's Not Me' Ft. JME on the same keyboard that created many a Grime classic.


"The whole point of 'That’s Not Me' was just to make a video [the video, directed by Uzi was shot on VHS]. that’s it. It wasn’t even supposed to be a single. The video was like a freestyle, it wasn’t even a proper video; we just played it out the car and vocalled it. That was supposed to be it, something to keep people going until my album Konichiwa drops. So it's crazy that it's blown up.

I made the beat. I was at Paris Fashion Week and I was in this club, listening to what was being played, and thinking about taking it back to the old sound. I was sitting in the corner of the club, on my own, just recording the rave on my phone. I recorded like seven minutes of the different tunes the DJ was playing and when I came home, I listened to it over and over. I thought 'What Grime song would work in here, what would fit in but also sound fresh and different next to these other tunes?' I had the beat in my head, I knew what I wanted to sound like it. I wanted a proper old school sound, I wanted to take it back to all of the old grime songs, but I wanted to do it properly. So I phoned Jammer and I asked him, ‘Jammer, where’s that keyboard you used to use back in the day’. Originally it was Jammer's keyboard had it but obviously cos he’s been producing for so long, he had forgotten about over time. He said ‘Oh I gave it away’. I was like ‘What! Phone the guy’. So he phoned the guy and the guy's like ’Yeah, I’ve got it but it’s at someone’s else's house’ or whatever. Anyway, we drove around the houses, and finally I got it. The keyboard is so heavy cos it has a million songs on there.

I turned it on and it’s got all the old grime sounds on it. All of the early JammerWiley sounds were on there. All of the old Grime was made on that keyboard. All of it. 

It's funny that by trying to be as grimy as possible you can end up seeing commercial success and vice versa. You can make a tune you think is an obvious radio hit, and it doesn't get played. I tried to be as taboo on the original version of 'That's Not Me' cos I thought it was going to be really grimy, just for the Grime fans, but mainstream radio still played it. They played ‘sket’ on the radio, it’s mad! That’s why I said on my next one, I’m gonna murk. I’m not even gonna think about it, I’m just gonna murk. I’m going to get a beat that’s international though because as long as the beat can work anywhere – that’s why 'That’s Not Me' is working - even if you don’t like what I’m saying on it, you can still bounce to it. If people say ‘What’s grime’ they play that beat and that’s grime.

If you look at the remix, initially I would have had to put more commercial people on it, like the Tinie Tempah’s or the Professor Green's to brighten it up so it could get radio play. But the commercial people liked the original version so much that with the remix I put Sox, Tempz, D Double – I just made it as grimy as possible. There was no need to do a commercial remix because the original version turned out to be so commercial anyway. I’ve made more commercial songs which have had much less radio support. It’s mad.

Now Nick Grimshaw and Fearne Cotton – loads of them – have played it. The pre-orders where mad so if it does well… I’m gonna go mental. I‘ve got my next video ready. I know exactly what I’m doing for it. People will go mad when they see it. I’ve got the beat as well so I’m gonna murk it. It’s like a party song, but it’s dark. I’ve seen now that murking and keeping it grimy is what I should do. I’m not trying to live in the past; I’m doing yesterday in HD."


Get 'That's Not Me' from iTunes here and support great music while you're at it!


Friday, June 6, 2014

Pharrell: Frontin' [Disclosure remix]

Guy and Howard remix Jay Z featuring classic

Why they've remixed this particular tune, who knows, but we're happy they have.

So much great music for a sunny Friday night. Lets get into the weekend!

SBTRKT Ft. Sampa: Temporary View


New one from mask-ridden SBTRKT ahead of Field Day set tomorrow

He's playing Field Day tomorrow evening - 21.30 on the Bugged Out stage fyi - so SBTRKT has teamed up with his buddy (and our absolute favourite ever ever) Sampha.

Organ's come in and out, MPC's do their thing while Sampha sounds divine, as ever. Can't get enough of this right now.

Moshino iPHone Case x Jeremy Scott



Scott's awesome Moschino collaboration continues...

If I had a spare £400 pounds, I would have snapped up Jezza Scott's McDonald's themed Moschino jumper.

But, well, I don't so I'll have to make do with the cheaper end of the line. Scott's iPhone case's are much more in my budget and are also very ace. Costing around £30, these are the latest to drop from the mind of Scott.

Cop yourself some Moschino goodness here.

Nike Air Max 1 Lunar OG



Air Max 1 looking mighty fine...

The Air Max 1 gets itself a lovely bubble in the midsole courtesy of the Lunarion design.

Don't know about anyone else, but this red and white colourway is really doing it for us.

The Air Max 1 Lunar OG drops in July.

Tinchy Stryder Ft. Takura: ESG




Tinchy Stryder readies his return with this Show N Ppove produced, very-slightly-dancehall flavoured grime banger.

Taken from forthcoming album '360', this Takura assisted 'ESG' is a bit brilliant. 'ESG' is out on Monday - buy it!


Thursday, June 5, 2014

Lana Del Ray: Ultraviolence


Out on 16 June, 'Ultraviolence' is Lana Del Ray's second album and the follow up to her hugely successful debut, 'Born To Die'.

It's another from the school of Del Ray marauding melancholia.