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Reggaeton

Bluku: A Fusion Firestorm of Culture and Beats by Hype and Fever

Posted on 20 February 2024

Hype and Fever lived up to their moniker with their universally magnetic standout single, Bluku. The monocultural mould was rhythmically obliterated by the pulse-pounding kinetic melodies in the synthesis of Jamaican, Indian, and UK sonic culture.

If you like your beats hot, your bass heavy, and your rhythms tight, let your speakers ignite to the sound of the UK-residing duo which melds bansuri flutes with dancehall kicks to create a kaleidoscope of hybridic culture in their self-produced beats which pay an ode to their Jamaican and Indian heritage.

The explosively vibrant smorgasbord of culture delivers a burst of colour as Hype and Fever create friction on the instrumentals with their distinctively dominant bars that bring energy, fire, and enigmatic flair to ensure Bluku unravels as a dynamically intense release that is far too addictive to quit.

The momentum around Hype and Fever is only growing; be a part of their ascent.

Hype and Fever is now available to stream on YouTube, or you can add the release to your playlists.

To follow the next moves of the brother duo, link up on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Pop Stunna twisted trap with tropic heat and soul in his standout track, Good Talk

Posted on 4 February 2024

Pop Stunna’s standout single, Good Talk, from his fourth album, Youth, is a vibrant rebellion against the conventional trap narrative. The Austin, TX artist unleashed a spectrum of sonic vibrancy with Good Talk, turning the trap genre into a canvas of tropical hues and soulful rhythms.

Good Talk radiates with a warmth that’s as rare as it is captivating in the trap arena. His bars, fervent and full of life, impale the track with energy so tangible that listeners are instantly locked into its impassioned groove as Stunna runs through lyrics which pay ode to the complexities you find in the people you fall for and find connection within.

Distinct from his contemporaries, Pop Stunna’s persona is a blend of cool composure and aspirational verve. His American-Nigerian heritage, extensive global travels, and academic achievements lend a unique depth to his music. This track is not just a listening experience; it’s a journey through Pop Stunna’s richly textured worldview.

The single stands out for its masterful fusion of high-energy raps and catchy hooks, a signature style of Pop Stunna. Influences from Jay Z to Nina Simone echo through the beats, creating a sound that’s both a nod to the greats and a bold stride into new territories.

Stream Good Talk on Spotify and YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

You will want Doller on speed dial after feeling the heat of the fusionist fire in his EP, Call Me

Posted on 14 November 2023

On November 3rd, UK’s fieriest genre fusionist Doller dropped his dynamic three-track EP, Call Me, to prove he’s lost none of the flair, flow, or finesse that has seen his audience stretch across the globe during his storming 15-year music career.

After track one unravels as an infectiously hooked garage hip-hop anthem, which efficaciously gets you in the groove and hot under the collar, Doller dips into a pseudo-trap iteration of dancehall before bringing in a smooth and steamy session of trap-soul. Achieving that feat of sonic eclecticism with three separate tracks would be one thing, but Doller exhibited his superlative versatility by reworking the same track while ensuring that each track stands by the volition of its own merit.

From the luxe high vibes that reverberate around the rhythmically arresting first single, which features MC Neat and Zara W, to the scintillating atmosphere in track two to the wavy, dreamy tonal hues within track three, which pays an intimate ode to intimacy with a little help from Aleisha Lee and Terry Trill, there’s something for everyone in the Call Me EP, which has established Doller as the baller of originality.

Before the release of Call Me, the Edmonton-originating artist who was born the roots reggae icon Kush Tafari and shares blood with the Jamaican rapper Flash earned endorsements from the likes of Ghetts, Tion Wayne, DJ Target, Charlie Sloth, Sian Anderson, Sir Spyro, Wiley, and Logan Sama. His music has also been synced into an MTV Base advert and the critically acclaimed film Sket. Over the years, he’s flitted between rap, dancehall, and trap-soul as his musical influences diversified. If one thing has remained a constant, it is the renown that has stemmed from his versatile style and impressive lyrical prowess. While some artists out there gas themselves up as a triple threat, Doller is asserting himself as the ultimate threat and one to watch throughout 2024.

Stream the Call Me EP on Spotify & SoundCloud.

Follow Doller on Facebook & Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Flex3r created a meditative dreamscape with his pop-hip-hop crossover, Let It Go

Posted on 21 October 2023

Flex3r (AKA Cedric Kasongo) versed the bars that punctuate his honeyed harmonies straight from the soul in his latest cocktail of hip-hop, RnB, Afrobeat and pop, Let It Go. Since making his debut, he’s established himself as an authentically compelling creator who pushes the limits of hip-hop; with Let It Go, he allowed his sound to sit on a plateau of pure mindful compassion.

While no one ever needs permission to let negativity go, we all need affirmations weaved into cathartically euphonic soundscapes from time to time. Harbouring hate will only serve to hold you back in life; let it go, and unshackle yourself with this stunning dreamscape of a release that borders on psychedelic etherealism.

The Congolese-American recording artist is clearly one to watch; from the distinction in his signature style to the revelations in his lyrics, the melody-maker who was born in DR Congo, raised in Zambia, and lives in Baton Rouge, is unparalleled through his determination to stay in his own lane.

Let It Go breathed freedom onto the airwaves on October 13; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Kevin Paradise drove his melodies into the fast lane with his genre-fluid Afro-centric hit, Racecar.

Posted on 13 September 2023

The American artist, Kevin Paradise (AKA Pop Paradise), always keeps a firm rhythmic grip on his Togolese roots in his radio-ready productions. His latest single, Racecar, which follows his riotously sun-kissed seminal EP, Anarchy in Paradise, provides the perfect introduction to his authentic Afro-blend sound.

Racecar amalgamates elements of Afrobeat with hip-hop and pop to deliver a distinctive cocktail of culture that will intoxicate your rhythmic pulses from the first verse. Between the intricate beats, soaring sax lines and sensually high-fire vocal lines, don’t be surprised if your speakers start to blow smoke while they’re pulsating to the grooves.

When Kevin Paradise isn’t creating floor fillers and party starters, in the vein of Racecar, he’s delivering relatable lyricism to his audience that has come to revere his lyricism as resonant sonic gold. His dynamic discography is a sure sign he will hold dominion over the Afrobeat terrain for years to come.

Stream Racecar, which cruised onto the airwaves this summer, on Spotify.

Keep up to date with the latest hits from Kevin Paradise on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Gee Beanie spoke in fluent ‘Body Language’ in his Reggaetronic debut single.

Posted on 2 September 2023

The pan-African singer-songwriter Gee Beanie sent the sensuality in the EDM genre through the roof with his cultural tapestry of a Reggaetronic debut single, Body Language, which dropped on August 25.

With his soulfully smooth vocal lines adding a sultry veneer over kicking and vibrant house-meets-afro-pop beats that bolster the intricate indie staccato melodies, Body Language is intoxicating and arrests the rhythmic pulses as well as a track with such a title should.

His ability to infuse his laid-back attitude into an exhilarating yet intimately enticing production that could enliven any dancefloor is sure to seal his successful fate in the industry.

It isn’t every day that an artist who can revolutionise a genre comes around. Save a spot on your radar for the pioneering song crafter; we have no doubts that even bigger beats are in the pipeline, especially with the promise of his debut LP, Be My Alibi?, which will be released in Spring 2024.

Stream Body Language on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sterlen Roberts called ‘Time On It’ in his latest single, ft Kaii & JawnwitGreenhair

Posted on 24 August 2023

For his latest RnB rendezvous, Time On It, the prodigy of soul, Sterlen Roberts, co-collaborated with the luminaries in their own right, Kaii & JawnwitGreenhair, to produce the Afrobeat-flavoured hit of the summer.

With the rhythmic euphoria of dancehall paired with the pop-hooked RnB vocal lines and the slick-with-fire rap bars, Time On It is a dynamically soul-reviving release that may just spur you into turning your casual hook-ups into something far more meaningful.

The airwaves may be proliferated with hits that romanticise superficial connections and the even more vapid games we play in pursuit of cheap thrills, but as Sterlen efficaciously proved, there’s nothing like the real thing; lock it down.

Time On It will officially release on the 24th of August; stream it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Get your Latin Trap ecstasy hit with FJP’s latest drop, Molly Party

Posted on 7 August 2023

FJP’s latest single, Molly Party, dropped (or should that be came up?) on the 14th of July to blur the boundaries between Latin Trap and the evolution from Jamaican dancehall, Dembow, and to generate a fierce party rocking with conviction and culture hit that could fill any Bronx dancefloor.

With a sound so hedonistically filthy that you’ll get a contact high from your speakers as the bass and harsh snares are blazing through them, there’s no better hit to get your party started – literally.

To create his galvanising distinctive sonic signature, the Dominican Bronx-born-and-raised artist fuses his Latin Caribbean roots with eclectic hip-hop influences to produce riddim-riding anthems that will safely secure his place on the Bronx hip-hop map.

Add Molly Party to your Spotify playlists.

Keep up to date with the latest releases from FJP on Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Poet Initiative served up summer in his melodic RnB hip-hop EP Ocean Drive

Posted on 26 July 2023
Poet Initiative

After starting his creative journey as a poet, the London, UK-residing artist Poet Initiative took the initiative to establish himself as one of the most versatile hip-hop artists in the UK. His earwormy melodies are accentuated by the influence of Reggaeton, Japanese hip-hop, Korean hip-hop and the UK garage scene. To get a taste of his freshly honed sonic flavour, delve into his debut 4-track EP, Ocean Drive.

While many artists are quick to describe themselves as versatile, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more dynamic release than this. With grooves strong enough to elevate any mood, Ocean Drive reached the pinnacle of a universal playlist staple. With the good vibes and even better rhythmics, Ocean Drive is a stellar seminal EP that hits sweet spots you didn’t know existed.

Poet Initiative said:

“Ocean Drive reflects my evolving sound. I’ve always found myself caught between wanting to create music you can dance to but also kick back to. The catchy hooks and warm melodies in my EP combine that.

This EP is underpinned by the overarching message to have fun, be yourself, enjoy those long summer nights, party in the sunshine, and make the most of those moments’ life gives you.”

Ocean Drive will be available on all major platforms on July 26th. Pre-save the single on Spotify.

Keep up to date with the latest releases from Poet Initiative on Instagram and TikTok.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Never Do You Wrong: Rumi drops lovetorn debut single Amelia

Posted on 8 July 2023

Showing so much calmness despite being let down so much by his ex-lover who showed her true colours via a voice message, Rumi has dropped a rather hot first track to get our moods into a hugely reflective place on Amelia.

Rumi is an emerging London-based afrobeats/afropop artist with a Nigerian heritage who has made a single to remember here as our hearts are flown into a moment that so many of us have felt rather intensely before.

This is a promising debut from Rumi who sings with deep meaning and heartfelt honesty about a moment which causes fragile souls to break in half.

Amelia from the exciting newcomer Rumi is a quite dynamic single which will change moods and take us back into a whole different world. There is raw emotion here which might get many to think twice about opening their heart, in a swipe-quick world which will ghost you in a nanosecond.

Turn this up louder on Spotify.

Check out the IG for more news.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen