Browsing Tag

UK Hip Hop

Lucas Ramsell: “Instagram Models” – Life through a Lens.

Posted on 28 August 2020

Lucas Ramsell is a London-based Hip-Hop/RnB artist, mixing his confessional indie inspired lyrics with sharp urban production.

Prior to lockdown, Ramsell had just come off a run of gigs including The Alternative Escape, Cargo and O2 Academy2 Islington with his group DBA; now he’s dropped ‘Lockdown: The Playlist’, a collection of ‘ten tracks, ten different vibes’, all put together with Ramsell’s vocals atop instrumental tracks composed by his friend and collaborator the multi-platinum producer Jackson Romain (Gunna, Chris Brown, Offset). ‘Instagram Models’ is laid back urban RnB, an edgy urban vocal in the style of Skepta or AJ Tracey over chilled vibes from Romain, telling the story of a world of influencers, photo-ops, and falsehood; Ramsell’s London, in four-minute microcosm.

You can check out Instagram Models via Spotify.

Review by Alex Holmes

Gus – Colors: Tear-Jerkingly Uplifting UK Hip Hop

Posted on 21 August 2020

It’s not every day we get the pleasure of describing Hip Hop as mesmeric, but we couldn’t help being transfixed by UK-based Hip Hop artist Gus’ latest hazy single Colors.

Colors kicks off with a stunning low-tempo Jazz piano arrangement before the atmospheric beats create the perfect platform for Gus’ bars. It’s within the Rap bars that Gus’ sets himself apart with an insane amount of distinction.

Gus didn’t just scratch at the surface for the lyricism, he dug deep to offer his own experience of oppression. Yet, there was no apathy or anger within his tone, simply a request for understanding and an olive branch of connection to everyone else who feels defeated by injustice and prejudice.

I could say Colors is emotional and compelling, or I can admit that I was a teary mess before the track was even halfway through.

Colors is available to stream and download through all major platforms via this link

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jase Emeka has dropped their trippy and playful high-vibe Hip Hop single “The Dream”

Posted on 28 July 2020

UK-based experimental Hip Hop artist Jase Emeka has dropped their most playfully inventive single yet with “The Dream”. It can be hard to find authenticity amongst up and coming artists, but you’d be hard-pressed to find an artist offering as much soulful charisma as Jase.

The Dream kicks off with an extended trippy and hazy instrumental prelude before Jase comes in with his humility-soaked spoken word vocals. Of all the Hip Hop intros I’ve heard as of late, none allowed me to feel as endeared as The Dream did.

When the slow tempo smooth Rap bars kick in, you’re hooked by the lyrical melodies which find perfect synergy with the light, warm and grooving beats. For my sanity’s sake, I’ll definitely be placing The Dream on my playlists and Jase on my radar. If dreamy melodic Hip Hop which oozes soul is your bag, I’d highly recommend that you do the same.

You can check out Jase Emeka’s single The Dream via Spotify.

Keep up to date with their latest releases by heading over to Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

London’s Lynx Cane lyrical ability stands out on ”Snow White”

Posted on 7 July 2020

London’s Lynx Cane is a firm fixture of respect in the UK music scene. He is back with new track ”Snow White”. This is all about being with that special soul and travelling around Europe together, loving each moment.

Life should be this simple and the track is accompanied with a slick beat full of piano and distorted energy. This is a quality underground Hip Hop song. There is no ego here and we are treated to a lesson in proper lyrical skills.

Produced by WilfMerson, I love everything about this London based emcee’s track. ”Snow White” is 1 minute 46 seconds full of raw lyrics that impress mightily. It’s high time that Lynx Cane is acknowledged as one of the foremost UK Hip Hip artists and this song further cements that feeling. He remains in the shadows for now but I’m confident that 2021 will change all of that.

To hear this song click here to his Spotify.

For more music, head through to Bandcamp.

Click here for the Soundcloud link.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Dozy Boi – Reality: Absorbingly Exotic Jazz-Soaked Chill Hop

Posted on 22 June 2020

UK-based Up and coming Hip Hop artist and producer Dozy Boi has recently dropped their sublimely cathartic Chill Hop album “Here”, you might want to prepare your Lo-Fi Chill Hop playlists right about now.

While each single carries an arsenal of ambience, the best introduction to Dozy Boi’s tension-stripping approach to production is the standout single “Reality”.

The only interruption to the soft mellifluous Jazz-soaked beats is a vocal sample which implores you to question your perception of reality. Ordinarily, that would drive me into an existential crisis, but thanks to the absorbingly exotic textures found in Reality, it’s all too easy to succumb to the smooth and comforting vibes.

You can check out Reality along with the rest of Dozy Boi’s debut album which dropped in May 2020 for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ryse has taken the UK Hip Hop scene by storm with their second single “When I Was Young”

Posted on 2 June 2020
https://open.spotify.com/track/4oMKfPp9X2rsuFVwy7h8je

UK Hip Hop artist Ryse broke the mould with their recently released evocatively resonant second single When I Was Young.

Whether it’s the mesmerizingly sombre instrumentals or the magnetic pull of Ryse’s atmospheric spoken word Rap bars on the prelude, you’ll be transfixed from the moment you hit play.

The candid verses retrospectively pull out resounding pearls from wisdom from the journey we all take from childhood to adulthood, while the choruses offer a combination of Pop and RnB Hip Hop giving When I Was Young plenty of earworm potential.

It’s really no surprise that after the release of their second single Ryse has been able to garner plenty of hype. When I Was Young is real talk. The track holds up a mirror up to your own perceptions, they might not be pretty, but ultimately you’ll be grateful that your eyes have been prized open with this authentically unforgettable hit.

You can check out Ryse’s track When I Was Young for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Deijuvhs destroys conventions with punky, brash bars on ‘Creepin Thru Da Nite’

Posted on 16 May 2020

UK punk-aesthetic rapper and rising star Deijuvhs has released new track ‘Creepin Thru Da Nite’. 

On the first explosions of glitchy, bassy growling through the speaker (which had to be, to save damage, turned down), Deijuvhs doesn’t hold back in making you think ‘What the hell is this?’ ‘Is this rap?’ ‘No wait. Yes? Absolutely not.’ After a sequence of cross genre-instigated pondering, it’s easy to see why Deijuvhs is making his name as one of the most interesting emergents of the current UK Hip Hop scene. 

‘Creepin Thru Da Nite’ an electrifying, distorted ride of growly beats accompanied by grime MC vocals. It’s sort of like the British equivalent of Death Grips – and that is by no small means, a small comparison to make. There’s big things to come from Deijuvhs, as well proven on this track. Don’t be surprised to see this guy creeping on the radio some time soon.  

You can check out ‘Creepin Thru Da Nite’ on Deijuvhs’ Spotify page here.

Wavier – Millions featuring evo-lvd: EDM Hip Hop which is all about the grind.

Posted on 27 February 2020
https://youtu.be/9AupQD_7Wv8

Breaking Hip Hop artist Wavier’s latest single “Millions” will appeal to EDM and Hip Hop fans alike. To create the high-fire drop they teamed up with evo-lvd who contributed to the dynamic eccentric energy poured into the Grime track which could only have ever come from London.

But you can expect much more than your usual gritty Grime tones in Millions. With the up-vibe grooves Wavier weaved into the fluid and polished mix, you’ll lock into an energetic hit when you hit play.

The smooth rhythmic grind transcends what the beats in Hip Hop usually offer, leaving us with no confusion as to why there’s so much hype around Wavier’s sound.

With the inventive electronic intricacies and effects, Millions possesses the level of gleaming ingenuity which you’d hope to hear from a new artist. He’s definitely one to watch.

You can check out Wavier’s track which dropped on February 15th for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Flamma – Licked Off My Face: Wit-Soaked Relentlessly Energetic Grime

Posted on 10 February 2020
https://open.spotify.com/track/1MzVky4armkwnqdwGgINR0

Flamma’s recently dropped track “Liked Off My Face” makes Dizzee Rascal sound as edgy as Mary Berry.

Their relentlessly energetic drop is just one of the tracks which you’ll find on their 2020 6-track album “Rise”. Each track stands as a testament to their pioneering approach to Grime, but there’s no better introduction to Flamma’s explosively expressive style than Licked Off My Face. If any Grime track can get you in the mood for hedonism, it’s Licked Off My Face.

While you’ll find plenty of grit in the wit-soaked Rap bars, the flawlessly intricate multi-layered beats are as polished as you’ll find in Grime.

You can check out Liked Off My Face along with the rest of Rise for yourselves by heading over to Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Kenneth Douglas Mukasa – Dear Little Homie: Classically Cinematic Hip Hop

Posted on 29 January 2020
Dear Little Homie by KD Mukasa

London-based artist Kenneth Douglas Mukasa has brought Hip Hop to evocative new heights with his single “Dear Little Homie”.

While the title may make it sound like your average Hip Hop jam, the cinematic work of classically-infused Hip Hop is anything but your average 808-driven jam. There’s soul, there’s style, and a sensual amount of poised sultry vibes.

With neo-classical piano melodies and the haunting quivers of strings creating the perfect platform for Kenneth Douglas Mukasa’s vocals, it’s hard to say whether it’s the instrumentals or the vocals which bring the most emotive weight to the mix.

But what is incredibly safe to say is that Kenneth Douglas Mukasa has one of the most refreshing new approaches to Hip Hop since Scroobius Pip. And we’re all too excited to have him on our radar.

You can check out Kenneth Douglas Mukasa’s single for yourselves by heading over to Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast