Browsing Tag

east london

Lil Zino tore the stigma out of ‘PTSD’ with the drill debut of the year

Posted on 28 November 2023

After racking up over 206k streams on the official music video for his debut single, PTSD, and becoming a viral sensation on TikTok in the process, East London’s Lil Zino stormed into the rap scene with one of the strongest debuts of 2023.

With melodic minor key pseudo-trap instrumentals setting the cinematically melancholic tone, the atmosphere was set for Lil Zino to pour vulnerable candour into the track with his stonily steadfast vocal delivery which runs through in a magnetically paced cadence. While some rappers wear their trauma like a badge of honour, Lil Zino is adding nuance to the narrative by exhibiting the weight of scars, becoming one of the most authentic drill voices in the process.

There’s no understating the evocative pull of the track that projects an intimate vignette of the violent event, which led him to finding a necessary means of expression. By keeping his composure while painting a stark picture of the harsh realities of East London’s streets with his blunt bars, Lil Zino delivered a hauntingly affecting release, which will stay with you long after the outro.

Stream PTSD on SoundCloud or watch the official music video on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

East London RnB Luminary 8rii became the Queen of Headstrong Hedonism with ‘T.O.T.Y’

Posted on 27 November 2023

East London’s hottest independent RnB artist 8rii fuelled some fire into the genre with her latest single, T.O.T.Y, which fuses a gritty production with a solid backbeat to keep your rhythmic pules kicking and swathes of soul which spill from the earwormy vocal melodies.

Between encapsulating the East London attitude and searing her infectious sonic signature, 8rii ensured she established herself as one to watch with T.O.T.Y (the Time of the Year).

Since the age of 15, the songwriter has been crafting her own inexplicably fresh and fiery tunes, driven by a deep-rooted passion for music, showmanship, and the thrill of performance. So far, her discography is as versatile as they come. Whether she’s amping her audience up for a night of hedonism or setting the tone for introversion and self-care, her lyrical prowess always hits the mark while she tracks various eras of RnB.

After a whirlwind year, her latest single is set to close the year on a note as high as the track itself which captures the empowering liberation of embracing life’s journey and taking the rough with the smooth.

TOTY will be released on November 27, stream it on Spotify, and keep up to date with all new releases via Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Into Your Eyes: djamesk13 sees something happening inside on If I Ever Meet You, Then This Is For You

Posted on 15 June 2023

Battling to control his feelings at seeing such an exceptional place which has just blown his mind into pieces, djamesk13 shows us his love for an extraordinary time in his life which will never be forgotten on If I Ever Meet You, Then This Is For You.

David Kemp aka djamesk13 is an East London, UK-based indie rock singer-songwriter who dusted off his guitar during lockdown times and hasn’t looked back again.

Beguiling his loyal fans with something to cook with as the world burns, djamesk13 is the kind of mysterious character who brings so much ear-piercing joy to all those who like music immersed with a cutting edge.

If I Ever Meet You, Then This Is For You from East London, UK-based indie rock artist djamesk13 is quite the mesmerizing experience to lock the doors with, as all uninhibited energy is placed in the hands of an underground master who has brought his best work to the fore. He seems to be feeling further inspired by the rigours of the world, as we are treated to another gem of a track to spark up the day with.

Listen up on Soundcloud.

See more moves on Twitter.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

8rii put the soul in indecision in her latest single, Stay

Posted on 5 March 2023
8rii

Independent singer-songwriter, 8rii, earned herself a spot on the East London RnB map with her latest emotionally elevated latest single, Stay. Putting the soul in indecision, the Ashanti & Aaliyah-inspired artist created a compelling exposition of how jarringly contradictory our minds become when the right romantic path is impossible to discern from the wrong one.

Any artist able to paint the complexities of the human psyche is more than worth having on your playlists, and that’s without mentioning the melodic mesmerism of the lo-fi RnB instrumentals that deliciously flirt with the Afroswing style.

Stay will officially release on March 10th. Until then, check out the artist on Instagram, TikTok and Twitter.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

How Many Offers: East London MC Reptile B rips the script on Chop Freestyle

Posted on 29 October 2022

Listening deeply inside the womb of the underground that has formed a tight bond around his music, Reptile B undresses the melody so skillfully you will think you’ve heard a lyrical chef perform a masterclass on Chop Freestyle.

Reptile B is a queer East London, UK-based grime hip hop artist who is an industry trailblazer and continues to spark up the imagination of everyone who presses play.

Showing us his Jamaican upbringing and inspiration for that timeless old school grime that is still the best, Reptile B shreds the mic on Chop Freestyle and accentuates the aura of the moment that has opened because of extraordinary bravery to beat the odds.

”Is the first of his community to go viral on TikTok with UK DRILL track THG.” ~ Reptile B

Chop Freestyle from East London, UK-based MC Reptile B is a stimulating release that reveals so much depth and layer filled excellence from this courageous warrior. Sensing the prey and throttling the moment before someone else takes the throne-this is one of the most revealing listens, your eardrums will have the pleasure of being immersed inside today.

Hear this new single on Spotify and check out the IG for more views.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Tightening That Box: Mindwrack gasps and flays on the emotionally raw masterpiece showing our Collapse

Posted on 12 August 2022

Gagging on the pain and showing us a cruel killer instinct that is flying around our brutal world, Mindwrack reveals that haunting moment when the eyes turn red while the whole inferno-famed world falls over like a monumental Collapse.

Mindwrack is an indie East London, UK-based alternative artist who loves to make that underground outsider music filled with post-rock, hip hop and black metal.

”Self produced at home during lockdown, debut EP ‘Orbire’ consists of 6 extremely personal songs that tackle various subjects from loneliness to racism.” ~ Mindwrack

Seizing on the moment and getting us all sweaty with excitement, Mindwrack shall awaken a spirit from within that has been hiding like a lost mummy. There is so much depth here that is rather immense to witness, with a sensationally intense texture that many will either love or hate.

Collapse from East London, UK-based alternative artist Mindwrack is a roaring success that has Lion-like intimidation skills that will have you tearing off the whole bone. Seething hot and never letting us relax for a second, this is a thunderous single that has been made with so much intent.

Loud music is back in a big way. Some might need earplugs for this one.

Listen up on Spotify and see more via the IG page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

East London’s Bitvert returns with a heavy bass-packed 7-minute electronic speaker-shaker, ‘Leftover’

Posted on 9 May 2022
Leftover by bitvert

Catching us off guard with a really roaring track that magnifies the night in all its glory, Bitvert leads us down the darkly lit alleyway and into a world that might remind you of a venue you frequented in your youth on, ‘Leftover‘.

Bitvert is an underground music producer and artist who is based in East London, UK and makes slow-burning ethereal electronica that will jostle your core awake.

”Drawing on a DIY ethos of punk applied to nocturnal electronica and mechanical disruption, Civil Serpent was born in the warehouse subculture of East London, drawing together evil strands of pounding 4/4 techno, darkened electronic textures and stupendous sub-bass frequencies that pull the head of the listener straight to the floor.” ~ Rough Trade Records

With a robust display that further cements his cult status as one of those artists you certainly respect in this genre, Bitvert shows that the music is only getting better and scintillates with a powerful single that might thud hard like a big boot on your face.

‘Leftover‘ from East London, UK-based underground electronic music producer and artist Bitvert sends us a fuel-injected ride that is ready for us right now. There is a consistent bass on offer that rumbles through to the bottom of your soul and grabs you tightly with much intensity, to wipe away any previous self-doubts you had before. With an experienced skillset on offer that is obvious to hear, this is an assertive release that will get you dusting off those dance shoes that have been lonely for too long.

Listen up to this new song on Bandcamp and see more via the IG channel.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Breaking Me Down: London’s Essosa is shaken up as she regrets falling for the wrong lover on pop-dance gem ‘Lemonade’

Posted on 26 January 2022

Produced by the well-respected music producer Tibo and directed by Alice Rotherham, Essosa expertly recreates the classic 1980s New York dance club energy from The Danceteria and Studio 54 with her fabulous new release called ‘Lemonade‘.

Essosa is a highly ambitious 20-year old East London, UK-born, Toronto, Canada-raised indie-pop singer-songwriter and dancer.

”The song has been her most successful venture to date, racking up an incredible 10,000 streams in just under a month via playlisting, her smart TikTok promotion tactics, and her small but dedicated fanbase.” ~ Essosa

Displaying inspiring maturity beyond her age while stimulating our senses with a vocal performance to treasure, Essosa is one of the breakout artists of 2022 with a quite excellent track you will be automatically putting on repeat.

‘Lemonade‘ from the sensational London, UK-based indie-pop and dancer Essosa, is a flashy video that shows us inside her mind as she wonders why they messed her around for too long. Sung with breathless elegance and classy grace you can’t help but be impressed by – this is a break-up anthem of magnetic proportions – for anyone who has felt the full force of an ex who didn’t treat your fragile heart like it deserved.

Moving on from the rough waters and staying close to those who actually care about you, is the smart way to build up your strength again to love wholeheartedly again.

See this vibrant new music video on YouTube and see more of this hugely talented artist on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Look At Me: M.E.L.O V.i.b.e.s can’t help but be impressed on ‘See Tha Way’ (feat. Senyon)

Posted on 24 December 2021

Taken off his newly released 7-track album called ‘V.i.b.e.s, Vol.1‘, M.E.L.O V.i.b.e.s endeavours to fight the feeling of looking closely at her hips but can’t seem to move his eyes away from true beauty on ‘See Tha Way‘ (feat. Senyon).

M.E.L.O V.i.b.e.s is a London, UK-based indie rapper who loves to express his true stories about the adventures of life and all those vitally substantial lessons learnt.

Featuring the rising vocals of the spectacular East London RnB songstress Senyon, you feel the kinetic energy between these two artists who mesh so well together at every turn like an enthralling chemistry class. With the smooth style of M.E.L.O V.i.b.e.s attached to the centre of this delightful track, there is much to like about this loving romance about two souls who feel like the vibrancy is just right.

‘See Tha Way‘ (feat. Senyon) from London, UK-based indie rapper M.E.L.O V.i.b.e.s, is a sizzling track that might cause a few blushes to appear out of nowhere. There is so much sensual tension as the eyes lock in close and the hands start wondering, with that smile you can’t help but beam brightly into the night. This is a track to play late at night with your lover, as you gaze close and let the evenings adventures unfold naturally.

Delve your spirit into this soothing new release on Spotify and follow his vibe on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

East London’s Muzuri announced his arrival in the music scene with his debut single, 0127

Posted on 4 December 2021

East London rap artist, Muzuri has garnered plenty of hype with his debut release, 0127, which premiered on BBC Radio Essex on October 5th before officially releasing on October 15th.

The French rapper and songwriter takes influence from the likes of Drake, Kendrick Lamar and Static Major, but he left plenty of room for his own catchy sonic style in his debut which announces his arrival to the music scene and creates a vivid vignette of his life as an artist and hedonist.

With the arresting bounce of the snappy beats and the reverb around them, it is impossible not to get hooked into the atmosphere of 0127 which merges French and English hip hop culture. It’s a stellar track that succeeds in establishing Muzuri as one to watch.

0127 is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast