Browsing Tag

dancehall

Rich Vysion stripped prejudice of its power in his hip-hop anthem, DON’T NEED APPROVAL FROM YOU

Posted on 18 October 2025

Hip-hop has always been a conduit for empowerment and resistance against the oppression of the marginalised; Rich Vysion extended that tradition in his latest single, DON’T NEED APPROVAL FROM YOU. The infectiously high-vibe track strips the power from prejudice, flipping the script from a plea for LGBTQ acceptance to one that proves how worthless unsolicited opinions from strangers really are.

Written to reach out to anyone who is struggling to find pride in a society that enforces the heteronormative hegemony as a form of ground-level tyranny and as an all-out attack on the people who think their discrimination carries any weight, DON’T NEED APPROVAL FROM YOU is a juggernaut of social consciousness that locks into the psyche with its juxtaposition of Latin guitars, dancehall flavour and conviction of old-school boom bap beats.

Rich Vysion, a Bronx-born conscious rapper, has remained steadfast in his mission to create a safe space for the mental health community through unapologetic and introspective lyricism. By drawing from his own battles with anxiety, depression, and suicidal ideation, he transforms vulnerability into unflinching strength and offers connection to anyone made to feel marginalised or silenced. His aim isn’t just to spark awareness but to celebrate authenticity, self-worth, and the right to exist loudly, regardless of background or sexuality.

DON’T NEED APPROVAL FROM YOU is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify. 

Review by Amelia Vandergast

DJ DENZ The Rooster filled the void with kaleidoscopic resilience in the alt-hip-hop sermon, CLOUDY DAY

Posted on 14 September 2025

If you have any cavities in your soul, DJ DENZ The Rooster’s opening single from his LP Throwing Paint at a Wall, CLOUDY DAY, will fill the void and let the euphoria spill across your senses. With TheGhostJay, Ryce, and Blind Eyesjoining the line-up, the track is gospel beyond religion, a kaleidoscope of resilience painted in vibrant tones through the strokes of the synths.

The single encompasses the beats of hip-hop, the atmosphere of trap, the soul of RnB, the hooks of pop, the heat of dancehall, and the sanctity of gospel. The result is a potent anthem that fires beyond the usual feel-good canon; it is enough to fill you with bitter-sweet emotion as you recognise the adversity that DJ DENZ The Rooster must have experienced to be so driven to drop a track to guide others through their dips in fortitude. The cheeky energy woven into the vocals only heightens the sincerity, amplifying the swagger of a track potent enough to be prescribed as an ennui antidote.

For the New Jersey producer, DJ, and audio engineer who has already seen his work aired on Lifetime TV, Snapchat, and BBC Radio, this is another fearless expansion of his world.

CLOUDY DAY is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

.Roy Rekindles Hedonism and Hustle in His Hip-Hop Anthem, ‘Lush’

Posted on 15 April 2025

With Afrobeat and Dancehall motifs raising the temperature in the already fiery-from-the-fervent-flows track, Lush by .Roy is a serious contender for the underground hip-hop hit of the summer. Hedonism runs rampant through the rhythms and bars, getting you in the mood to throw away inhibition, knock back your favourite vice, and pull in somebody close. With far more substance than your average party hip-hop anthem, .Roy used the track as the perfect opportunity to flex his ability to wax lyrical while hyping the instrumentals to the nth degree. Lush deserves to reverberate on dancehalls and in house parties far and wide; it’s only a matter of time before the mainstream knows the trailblazer’s name.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, .Roy filters his sonic blueprints through love and universal order while refusing to confine himself to a reality designed by someone else. With a part-time Spirit Detective mindset and a full-time hero complex, .Roy’s music isn’t just a vibe, it’s a manifesto carved from chaos and imagination. His experimental tendencies never dilute his lyrical clarity—he knows hip-hop is his home, and there’s no lease expiry in sight.

Through Lush, he proves he can blur genre lines without losing his footing. While the rhythm intoxicates, the narrative sharpens—the push-pull between carnal abandon and spiritual self-awareness is what gives this track its bite. The period in his name marks not an end but a defiant continuation—and if Lush is any indication, the next chapter is already being written at full volume.

Lush is now available to stream on all major platforms, including YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast.

Alana Sukul is riding high on soul-soaked rhythms in her dancehall RnB earworm, Mhm Yeah?

Posted on 31 December 2024

Since her 2020 debut, with each new release, Alana Sukul has raised the bar, allowing her latest single, Mhm Yeah? to set a new standard for Afropop transcendence.

The way she explores the intersections between dancehall and RnB with pure soul in Mhm Yeah? ensures there’s nothing left to be desired. As your rhythmic pulses are ensnared, you’ll be all the more susceptible to the warmth permeating the track and how the candour pours like a waterfall from her vocals and lyrics alike.

There’s something effortlessly pretence-less about Sukul, and it’s a rare feat to find that emotive vulnerability paired with a polished and stylised production. It’s only a matter of time before she reigns supreme in the UK dancehall scene: she’s got the sound, and the status will undoubtedly follow.

Sukul’s approach is rooted in her British Caribbean heritage, combining sensitive lyricism with heady, infectious hooks. Many of her tracks are recorded and mixed in her London bedroom, which explains the intimate authenticity that resonates through her music.

Even at this early stage in her career, she has earned support from Amazing Radio, Hoxton Radio, Vibe 107.6, Mixtape Madness, CloudKid, Acid Stag, Noctis Magazine, and CULTR. Her latest single wholeheartedly confirms how and why so much hype is amassing around her.

Stream Mhm Yeah? On Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Adline Owens is leading a revolution in autonomous self-determination in her Afro-Fusion release, T•R•T (The Right Time)

Posted on 6 December 2024
Adline Owens

With a gravitational force that could knock the solar system out of orbit, it would be insulting to mark Adline Owen as merely just an icon; she’s a fusionist phenomenon in her own right, leading a revolution in autonomous self-determination with her latest release, T•R•T (The Right Time).

The two-track release synthesises her diverse cultural and musical influences into a compelling narrative of empowerment and self-discovery, marked by Afrobeat, Dancehall, Reggaeton, RnB and Afro-Soul motifs.

The opening track, ‘In Yeah’ evocatively explores relationship dynamics, considering how ‘good enough’ should never be enough if you know your worth and urging listeners to recognise their own value through its Afro-Soul vocals and the energetic pulse of dancehall. When it comes to pairing introspection with infectious beats, Owens reigns supreme.

The second single, ‘Dem Wah Know,’ turns up the heat with its Reggaeton rhythms and bold, assertive vocals that command attention. Owens’ fierce delivery and the track’s vibrant energy make it an anthem of self-assurance and resilience, encapsulating her refusal to be confined by her roots or her haters’ expectations.

With T•R•T, Adline Owens not only cements her status as a dynamic fusion artist but also as a visionary capable of weaving her diverse musical heritage into a fresh, invigorating sound that resonates well beyond its Afro-Soul roots.

Adline Owens Said

“T•R•T is a project that holds great personal significance for me, showcasing my range across Afrobeats, Dancehall, and R&B, which underlines my identity as a fusion artist.

Track 1, ‘In Yeah’, explores the love and understanding shared in a relationship that still leaves you wanting more effort. This track vocalises the need for personal growth and the tough decisions you must sometimes make for your sanity. It portrays the protagonist’s struggle with a partner who lacks ambition and motivation—essentially a dead weight needing to be let go.

Track 2, Dem Wah Know, I wrote while reflecting on obstacles and my journey as an artist. It focuses on resilience, self-belief, and the importance of stepping up despite the odds being stacked against you. It’s an empowering anthem and a reminder not to let haters dictate your success.”

Follow Adline Owens on Instagram and discover her discography on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Get high with the Dancehall rhythms in Yugí’s RnB release, CHEMSEX

Posted on 10 September 2024

Stan Smith, known artistically as Yugí, intoxicated through his fluid fusion of RnB, Dancehall, and trap in his latest single CHEMSEX. The Melbourne-based, French-English artist weaved his cross-continental influences into the track that locks you into its groove and gets you in the mood. Yugí’s unique sonic identity in CHEMSEX is imbued with the salacious magnetism you would expect from a track so provocatively named; it’s a red-hot escapade into the sensory depths of Dancehall.

At just 25 years old, Yugí, who began his musical journey in Le Chesnay, France, has evolved from a casual experimentationist into a defining voice within the modern music landscape. CHEMSEX encapsulates Yugí’s daringness to defy and his ability to synthesise a sound unmistakably his own. This track is not merely a nod to influential giants like The Weeknd; it’s a bold statement of individuality and artistic sovereignty.

Yugí’s artistic palette is broad, drawing inspiration from a spectrum of genres and icons—from the emotive power of Billie Eilish to the raw intensity of XXXTentacion. Yet, with CHEMSEX, he firmly establishes himself not just as a follower of trends but as a pioneer of modern soul with infectious rhythms to literally and metaphorically move his audience.

CHEMSEX was officially released on August 23rd and is now available to stream on Spotify and Soundcloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: London’s Princess Wonda continues to hold dominion over Afro-Fusion with the sensuously soul-awakening rhythms in Shooby Doo’

Posted on 6 July 2024

London’s Princess Wonda reached the pinnacle of luxuriant radiance with her latest installation of Afro-Fusion, Shooby Doo. With melodies which wash over you with sublime elegance, harmonious harmonies and rhythmically kinetic grooves, you’d be hard-pressed to find a more elevated release than this.

The sensuous, sun-kissed, and sublime on the senses single fuses traditional African instrumentation with elements of modern dancehall and an aura of lush transcendence to envelop the listener in a sense of soul-awakening serenity. The UK-born Nigerian Afro-Fusion icon’s radiant presence shines through, making it an emotionally euphonious experience that surpasses sound.

Recorded at Pirate Studio, with engineering by Dami Bones and production by Mofizzay and Mr Marz, Shooby Doo is set to be the rhapsodic sound of the summer. It’s a testament to Princess Wonda’s artistry, celebrating Afrobeat’s rich cultural heritage while inviting listeners to rekindle their zest for life.

Princess Wonda, known as the “Queen of Afro-Fusion,” continues to push the boundaries of Afrobeat with this release, shattering stereotypes and championing the role of women in African music. With multiple UK chart entries, including two number ones on the UK World Music Chart and a sold-out headline show in London, she has established herself as a formidable force.

Following her successful debut album, Fantasy Fair, and her hit singles, Bust My Mind, and My Body, Shooby Doo adds another sublime layer to her impressive repertoire. As we look forward to her upcoming EP in 2024, Princess Wonda’s journey remains as promising as ever.

Princess Wonda Said

“The inspiration behind ‘Shooby Doo’ stems from a deep appreciation for the rich cultural heritage of Afrobeat and the dynamic energy of contemporary music. The lyrics resonate with themes of love, passion, and pleasure, inviting listeners to embrace the positive energy as the pulsating beats and sultry vocals capture the aura of joy and celebration.” 

Shooby Doo was officially released on July 5th, stream the single on Spotify and Soundcloud now.

To ensure you never miss a release, follow Princess Wonda on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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

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

O Banga put momentum behind the rhythm of the night in his culture clash of a rap track, POZÉ

Posted on 31 May 2023

With elements of Dancehall to pay an ode to his Dominica roots mixed with a slice of Bronx grit in the production, the latest single, POZÉ, from the songwriter, musician, producer and engineer O Banga, is the epitome of a high-fire urban summer anthem. There’s nothing but high vibes, big beats, intricately rhythmic instrumentals and pure soul spilling from his honeyed vocal lines.

POZÉ is just one of the singles that feature on the sun-bleached rocksteady LP, TONIO; it is the perfect introduction to the fire and flair of the one-man powerhouse of talent, who has also made a name for himself working as a producer for major So Cal artists and icons of the reggae scene and toured with Lil Kim. The monocultural mould breaker has been one to watch ever since he dropped his debut uptown Bronx anthem, Deadass. If he’s not on your radar at this point, fool on you.

POZÉ hit the airwaves on May 20; hear it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast