Browsing Tag

Dancehall Hip Hop

Kweku Bandit cinematically reimagined London’s streets in his urban tale of triumph, Nowhere

You may think you know London’s streets but once you see them from a different point of view in Kweku Bandit’s official music video for his latest rap hit, Nowhere, your perception of the cityscape will take a seismic shift after you acknowledge how they can be the breeding ground to success stories rather than just battlegrounds for class wars.

The conceptually compelling music video, which has already racked up over 24k streams since its debut on January 19, depicts Kweku Bandit on a rags-to-riches character arc. The orchestrally laced instrumentals bring a touch of film noir glamour to the track that sees Kweku Bandit bringing as much rhythm in his Dancehall-inspired bars as the snappy beats that heighten the energy of the hit that will give you all the inspiration you need to stay on your grind. The track is as essential as it is phenomenal; as Kweku Bandit exposits, the road to success often moves people out of your corner and in the rearview mirror. If fake friends fall by the wayside, you can always lock into the inspiration that pours from this seminal hit.

Despite the flashy iconography in the music video to depict an ascent through the economic ranks, nothing about Nowhere feels like a flex; the sense of soul that radiates from Kweku’s persona translates into an affirmation that anywhere can be the land of opportunity if you’re willing to reach for it and refuse to be a victim to circumstance.

Stream the official music video for Nowhere on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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

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

PongoFromTheS is flying high in his afrobeat hip hop single, Boeing

Fusing the colourfully galvanizing zeal of Afro Beats with the grit and soul of old-school hip-hop, the French-Canadian artist, PongoFromTheS pumped plenty of energy into the standout single, Boeing, from his 2022 album, AIP (Alone in Public).

The versatile 12-track release is a testament to how far he’s come since launching his debut single in 2015. Along the way, he’s collaborated with internationally renowned artists and producers; on the basis of the party-rocking but lyrically-rounded single, Boeing, it is only a matter of time before he’s as accoladed as the likes of Zaytoven and Denzl. You’d be seriously hard-pressed to find another urban underground artist who pours as much innovation into their layered instrumentals that become an euphorically complex platform for his charisma-driven bars.

Boeing is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Wavi Lee makes dancehall his own in his latest single, She Luv, featuring Biddl3.

With an intro that practically runs you through the aural history of hip hop, Wavi Lee’s latest rap track, She Luv, featuring Biddl3, doesn’t fail in grabbing attention. Once you are reeled in, the high-vibe sun-kissed dancehall tones will win over any fans of Beenie Man, Elephant Man, Vybz Kartel and Bounty Killer.

Wavi Lee comes into his own by being perhaps one of the most sugar-coated urban artists on the contemporary scene. She Luv finds the perfect balance between grit and nectar, which allows lee to keep his convictive cool despite the sticky-sweet romanticism. The gentle indie guitars paired with his fiery and animated bars is an intoxicating infusion.

She Luv is now available to stream on Spotify,

Review by Amelia Vandergast