Browsing Category

Reggae

Forest Funk exhilarated hip-hop in his funked-up reggae mash-up, Run It

Posted on 18 April 2023

Augsburg, Germany DJ and producer, Forrest Funk, stayed true to his moniker in his latest cross-genre mash-up of hip-hop, funk, and reggae, Run It. The stylishly energised amalgamated ensemble of funked-up progressions exhibits his unparalleled reverent approach to celebrating the diversity of the roots of urban sounds. Yet, perceptibly, there is plenty more to the producer’s modus operandi than keeping a fixed gaze on the past; he is bringing in the future of funk with his own authentically funked flair that is as moody as it is euphoric.

After touring the German gig circuit and rubbing shoulders while sharing stages with the likes of Jayl Funk, Lack Jemmon, Quincy Jointz, Dj Maxxx, Nobody’s Face, Djane Jo-C, XRated, Dj Sticky, Len Beam and many more, he’s turning his attention to enlivening the airwaves – there’s no denying that his approach is highly efficacious.

Run It was officially released on April 7; delve into the groove pockets on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Hebreo & K Perez put a reggae tech twist on the Peurto Rican EDM tonal palette with DiPutaDa

Posted on 4 April 2023

Running under the label SJB, the revered Puerto Rican producers, Hebreo & K Perez have dropped their debut 13-track studio album, Los Gatos Scarface, which showcases a fresh new fusionist sound that is brimming up from the Puerto Rican underground and spilling into international waters.

The standout single, DiPutaDa, is a rhythmically adrenalized amalgam of arrestingly bright tech house beats and intuitively placed reggaeton vocals that bring a smorgasbord of flavour. Nothing is lost in translation in this bass-riding modernist twist on the definitively Puerto Rican EDM palette.

EDM fans the world over have already started flocking to the tantalisingly infectious tempo of DiPutaDa. If you want to splice some kaleidoscopic colour onto your playlists, jump on it while the hype is hot.

Check out the original mix of DiPutaDa, which dropped on March 24, via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The heartfelt hip-hop innovator KNG JMZ is on luminary form in his originality-enmeshed hit, WASH

Posted on 2 April 2023
KNG JMZ

Rocksteady roots music rips through the intro to the latest alt-hip-hop stormer, WASH, from the artist KNG JMZ, who is making short work of rising from the underground with his killer lines, archetype-smashing instrumentals and infectious vocal energy.

Once the rap bars are in full flow, KNG JMZ contrasts the originality-enmeshed beats with his steady flows that will easily arrest the rhythmic pulses of any Run the Jewels fans. But if you’re looking for an assimilative artist, look far beyond this indie rapper who finds his inspiration from the dynamic culture hip-hop represents.

After being born and raised in Winnipeg, experiencing his fair share of hardship, and learning the joys of perseverance, KNG JMZ curated an ethos out of making all his content heartfelt. You scarcely need his bio to affirm that; tune into the evocatively convictive introspective wit in WASH and hear it for yourself.

WASH will officially drop on March 31. Check it out on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dancehall icon-in-the-making Jubbi Don has unveiled her high-vibe liberation anthem, Know Mi Worth

Posted on 26 February 2023

Montego Bay, Jamaica-born, Canada-residing Dancehall/Pop artist Jubbi Don created the ultimate high-vibe liberation anthem with her latest single, Know Mi Worth. Self-doubt doesn’t stand a chance against the serotonin-spilling earworm that allowed Jubbi Don to effortlessly come into her own.

The infectious advocation of self-worth pulls self-respect and confidence into trend through the reggae beats and effortlessly upraising energy in the vocals, which will undoubtedly be a hit with fans of Vybz Kartel. The stellar production quality behind sun-bleached rhythmically blissful hit ensures it has all the makings of a playlist staple; once they hear it, Dancehall DJs will be rushing to spin the tropic slice of sonic panache.

The official music video for Know Mi Worth is available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Clap Your Hands: Ross Martin (Just Music) brings us the funky fresh vibes to dance with on Just For Fun

Posted on 22 October 2022

Dropping that splendid beat boxing that is stylishly submerged into his loops that takes the atmosphere up a notch, Ross Martin (Just Music) shows us inside that simple symphony on his fine new release, Just For Fun.

Ross Martin is a Liverpool, UK-based indie alternative rock singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who also integrates in reggae, pop, folk and funk.

”After years of playing in bands and busking on the streets of Liverpool and London, this solo project was created pre-pandemic, to an online audience gathering over 1.5 million likes on Periscope.” ~ Ross Martin

Sending our hearts into a better place with an outstanding track that has so much fresh rhythm, Ross Martin returns with a thrilling song which takes your soul to soaring heights. There are so many layers here to be impressed by, which shall brush off any worries that were previously wrapped into our precious souls.

Just For Fun from Liverpool, UK-based indie alternative artist and looper Ross Martin is a relevant release that sooths our tired souls with his RC-505 loop-station and bags of charm. Supplying our ears with something rather brightly tuned and featuring an original soundtrack to get our fingers clicking all night long, this is a track to turn up rather loud.

When you make music for the love, it will hardly ever feel like a job.

Turn up this catchy gem on Spotify and see more on the IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Makh turned the heat up in the UK EDM hip hop scene 100 degrees with his debut, You What

Posted on 20 July 2022

Makh broke the monocultural hip hop mould in his urban EDM debut, You What; the anthemic production begs to be played at max volume for total immersion in the adrenalized hit, which more than deserves placement in the charts.

After a sample of definitively British football chants, Makh uses fiery Bhangra beats and exotic electronic textures in place of the usual 808s. It’s a rhythmic masterpiece, heightened by the Bradford-based artist’s playful lyrical flow, which somehow simultaneously is as sharp as it is smooth.

Honestly, I haven’t been this psyched about UK hip hop since Scroobius Pip emerged. We didn’t need his bio to tell us that he’s a well-versed poet, that kind of canter doesn’t come easy, but with You What injecting personality into a rapid flow is second nature to the artist & producer. Who also runs the Music X Mindset podcast that examines the lives and mental health of artists. Could we love him any more? Absolutely not.

You What is now available to stream on all major platforms via this link

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Check into Marco x Kelvo’s vibe-heavy ‘Villa’

Posted on 22 June 2022

With every chance of becoming the 2022 summer anthem, if Gen Z can tear themselves away from Running Up That Hill, Marco & Kelvo’s latest single, Villa, is a vibe-heavy slice of smooth, salacious dancehall pop.

The West Ireland hailing artists went all in to prove that even though this summer may feel a little different while we’re readjusting to the new normal, the potential for hedonistic good times is still there. With their distinctive hazy yet rhythmically robust track, the modernist beats bring the energy while the lush reverb and the dual vocals bring the lustful soul.

The Villa will start accepting visitors on June 22nd. You can check-in via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

iluvmali, Philly? & Michael Liriano get luxe in their collab, Saks Fifth

Posted on 10 June 2022

Let your speakers feel the heat in the sun-soaked summer hip hop single from the collaboration between the rap luminaries iluvmali, Philly? & Michael Liriano.

Saks Fifth melds pockets of deep reggae groove with indie vibes and, for instant arrestive appeal, the snaking sonics of Eastern rhythms. The shimmering instrumentals almost pour as much dopamine into the mix as the optimism breathing rap bars, which deliver hook-y lines on a very 2022 brand of luxe romance.

If iluvmali, Philly? & Michael Liriano stay on the underground after this infectious hit; there is something decidedly wrong with the industry. The sheer satisfaction from the first hit of Saks Fith is beyond words.

Saks Fifth is now available to stream on all platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Connecticut’s Timeflex enlightens us away from the possible darkness on, ‘Come My Way’ (feat. Jgriff)

Posted on 7 May 2022

Showing us the way forward as they rep their home town and get the vibe alive with positive energy to lead the way, Timeflex returns with a lovers anthem to truly remember with, ‘Come My Way‘ (feat. Jgriff).

Formally known under the stage name Off Topic, Timeflex is a Connecticut, USA-based artist, music producer and sound engineer.

”Timeflex does produce for artists all over the world, but these days he focuses much more on his own music.” ~ Timeflex

Timeflex is joined by the well-established skateboarder/artist Jgriff on this mood-altering reggae-fused track that shall get your happy body jumping with joy and filled with that glowing groove. Showing true love is the message here, as we are blessed by a soundtrack that will have you feeling optimistic again, despite knowing that these sweet kisses aren’t going to last forever.

”From stage-presence, behind the scenes work and much more, Timeflex is always looking towards the future and what he can accomplish next.” ~ Timeflex

‘Come My Way‘ (feat. Jgriff) from Connecticut, USA-based artist/music producer Timeflex is an I’ll-be-back-next-summer track to tap your feet with all night long. There is so much to appreciate about a single that helps you remember that love is short, so making a maximum impact is the key to keeping that smile alive. Sizzling the airwaves awake with such peace and tranquillity to really get behind, this is a single to play when you know you need to say goodbye for now, but not forever.

Listen to this new single on Spotify and check out his IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Exodus Burns and the Burning Vocalist raises our understanding with the praise-filled release, ‘Jacob’s Rising’

Posted on 11 March 2022

Dispatching our joyous feet into a tapping mood and our smiles beaming wide, Exodus Burns and the Burning Vocalist returns with his signature style on his latest single called ‘Jacob’s Rising‘.

Exodus Burns and the Burning Vocalist is a Nassau, Bahamas-born reggaeton artist who is also is a globe traveller and educator of the very highest order. The founder of Junkaa Bubb – which is a mixture of Bahamas Junkanoo music and Reggae Dubb music – is certainly a worldwide artist who performs with so much authentic love.

”The Song Jacob’s Rising is written to bring consciousness to all the descendants of the twelve tribes of Jacob from the house of Israel, about who we are, where we are, and where we should be.” ~ Exodus Burns and the Burning Vocalist

‘Jacob’s Rising‘ from Nassau, Bahamas-born Exodus Burns and the Burning Vocalist, is one of those likeable singles you can’t help but sing with on full voltage. This is a self-aware artist who has so much to give the world, as he performs with a technique that makes him one of the most sought-after underground musicians in his region. With a beat that has your fingers clicking and your body swaying, this is all about rising up and not paying attention to any negativity that can take you down under.

Hear this new single on Soundcloud and see more news on the FB music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen