Hoodie Allen – ‘No Interruption’

With the promise he’ll give whatever we want with no interruption Hoodie Allen’s piano driven beat, which features subtle kicks, a melodic synth and of course his clear singing voice on the chorus, is an easy going tune that is sure to provide the sound track to a lot of people’s summer’s.

The 23 year old has been making music for a while, and has even toured with the likes of Das Racist, Mike Posner and Chiddy Bang to name but a few. It seems though that now is his time to be in the limelight by himself, he’s getting the blog world in a frenzy as he has done with a few of his tracks before, but judging by the buzz around this extra chilled joint he’s served up, it looks like the work he’s been putting in as about to pay him off big time!

The beat for this banger was produced by RJF and WNDRBRD and it is the first single off Hoodie’s debut EP ‘All American’ which comes out on 10th April, and since Mr Allen’s done a pretty good job of anticipating what we want and serving it up, its likely that our ears are going to be in for some pure unadulterated (and of course uninterrupted) musical treats!

Buk Bak – ‘Ator Mi Line’

Since bringing us the massive track ‘Kolom’, Buk Bak return to us with another hot future classic called ‘Ator Mi Line’.

The Hip – life duo are proving themselves to be serial hit makers with this one, but what is great to see is that they are not simply sticking to the formula that works for them. So rather than sticking to the hugely synth driven beat with a stomping kicks they are now offering up a track that seems stripped back and almost accoustic in comparison to their previous hit.

‘Ator Mi Line’ opens with the simple sounds of a guitar and then builds up with the help of some kicks and claps and eventually some subtle but very effective strings.

As usual there is no shortage of auto – tuned musings on the track and this fuses well with the rap to give add variety to the track.

This may not turn out to be a massive club banger, especially as its not a track to spark an azonto frenzy, but it will be one that’s playing at barbeques and in cars this summer, so if you’re a soldier for the afrobeats cause, make sure you’ve armed your mp3 player with this hit!

Azealia Banks ‘F**k Up The Fun (produced by Diplo)

Ms Banks the quick flowing, sharp tongued and vulgar mouthed, hotly tipped rapper is back with a track called ‘F**k Up The Fun’.

She teams up with producer extrodinaire ‘Diplo’ on this one and the result is a fast paced banger which has a warfare feel about it. The heavy hitting drums and the more subtle drum rolls which run through the song, give a very strong battle sense to the track. Coupled with Azaelia’s ferocious attitude and confrontational lyrics, its clear she’s channelling the victorious heroine on this one, though this by no means indicates a loss of the fun, gone she brings to every track. There is no shortage of giggles from Azealia on this one, so it seems that she may have failed on her mission to F**k up the fun, because it seems she’s having it by the bucket load, and its slightly infectious.

Happy Birthday Ghana ft. E.L, EFya, Wanlov The Kubolor and X.O Senavoe

On 6th March 2012 Ghana celebrated its 55th Birthday. As the first Sub – Saharan country to receive independence Ghanaians are especially proud because the country has come so far! So much so that 4 of Ghana’s musically gifted collaborated to express the universal feeling of joy at the peaceful Nation has grown into.

The track has an incredibly old school feel about it due to the hi – life style guitar providing the rythm, though the hip hop flavour is unmissable due to simple hip hop kicks and of course the presence of 4 of Ghana’s present day musical superstars.

Happy Birthday Ghana is a song which is relevant to both the past and the present, not just musically but also socially. It shouts out the figures who helped shaped Ghana to enable it to become the place it is today, while also encouraging the younger generation to take pride in their motherland.

Ghana Music Award 2012 nominee Efya, provides a dazzlingly simple vocal that holds the song together while the three rappers each bring their unique flair and style to the track. This song is a must listen for all the Ghanaians. Its practically patriotism at the push of a button. Its just a shame its not even 2 minutes long, cause it will leave you wanting more!

Click below to watch the video

Nana Boro – Nsem Pii

Nana Boro the artist behind one of 2010’s biggest hip life joints is back with another party track. Admittedly he had a tough act to follow with ‘Aha Ye De’ and he’s chosen to go for a slightly different feel with this one.

‘Nsem Pii’ seems to sample the same syth melody from Edward Maya’s 2009 hit ‘Stereo Love’. The synth is a lot higher but the melody is exactly the same, though the beat that kicks in is distinctly afrobeats. It makes for a very interesting mix that fits together surprisingly well, providing a great backdrop for Nana Boro’s auto tuned musings in both French and Twi.

The track is one to move to, and while it was quite an ambitious idea to mix hip life and western dance music on one track it doesn’t really seem to live up to the vibes of Aha Ye De, but then again it could be a grower!

Liquideep ‘Still’

Continuing the house theme from the last post, Liquideep’s track Still is a great feel good house tune, with a sweet message and an infectious melody.

Liquideep is a duo formed of Ziyon a singer/ songwriter and producer and Ryzor a DJ. Together they create lush house tracks with infectious melodies and catchy hooks.

‘Still’ has been around for a few months now and has all the top DJs going mad for it, not to mention filling dance floors as soon as its played. DJ Edu has played it a few times on his ‘Destination Africa’  show on 1xtra.  The tune has an unmistakable light hearted feel created by Ziyon’s fervent and clear vocals reverbing over the the synths and kicks. There is a real summery vibe about it, so for those of us who live in sun starved England its a great one to put on and imagine partying in South Africa’s warmer climate!

Click below to watch the video.

Rudimental ‘Spoons’ ft MNEK & Syron

Rudimental are a London production elective who can’t seem to put a foot wrong at the moment. They remixed Ed Sheeran’s single ‘Drunk’ a little while ago, and did it so well their remix has received support from Zane Lowe, Pete Tong and 1xtra.  Now they’re back with an absolute house banger called ‘Spoons’.

The track features the incredible vocals of the uber talented MNEK, an 18 year old singer/ songwriter and producer from Lewisham, and of course the extremely gifted Syron, a 19 year old singer also from South London. Despite their youth these artists have been putting in work for a long time and have truly mastered their crafts. Both artists have been hotly tipped as ones to watch in 2012, with bloggers going crazy for them and all the taste makers getting into a frenzy some people probably wonder what the hype about these two is, but this track should wipe away any doubts.

Syron’s husky voice fits perfectly will with the smooth soulful sound of MNEK as they sing their hearts  on this chilled jam. The beat has a funky house element to it though the reverb effect on the vocal which runs through the song gives the track a lofty and airy feel.

Being a house track it is of course repetitive but Rudimental have accomplished a true feat in the sense that it never gets old. Using two vocalists means the repeated lyrics seem some how different, the harmonies also help to add new elements, and when the track finishes you’re left wanting more.

‘Spoons’ has already received so much love from the likes of The XX , Mista Jam and Disclosure, to name but a few and I’m sure in years to come it will be counted as a house classic!

Click below to watch the video.

Pepper ‘Running Rings’

Pepper first stepped into the limelight in sky’s 2010 ‘Must Be The Music’ TV talent show. She auditioned with her friend Emma, together they formed the group ‘Pepper and Piano’. From the moment she sang her first note on the show she dazzled the crowd, so it is very easy to see why Dizzee Rascal was so quick to snap her up in the wake of the competition.

She’s been working on a number of acoustic sessions which she posts at quite frequent intervals on  youtube. My favourite of her acoustic songs I’ve heard so far is ‘Running Rings’. Accompanied only by an electric guitar Pepper’s stunning voice and cheeky lyrics tell of her feelings towards men who like to show off. The subject matter may not be completely original as Jamelia had her hit back in the day with ‘Money’ and then there was J-Lo’s ‘Love Don’t Cost A Thing’; but Pepper’s awe inspiring vocal and brash phrasing set her tune apart. For instead of seeming whiny like J-Lo and Jamelia, she ridicules and comes across as a very strong and confident woman on this track.

Click below to have a listen, but men be warned, if you have no charm and think cash and nice clothes are all you need to attract a woman, the lyrics might prove a little hard hitting.

Dewy Sinatra ‘Popular Pt One’

Dewy Sinatra is a bright, energetic wordsmith with a great flow. His words glide effortlessly over the beat just like or in some cases even better than some chart topping artists. There is however one notable difference between Dewy and these artists, and that is the fact that he is a gospel artist.

The young Londoner may be flying the flag for his religious beliefs but, but he does it with such flair that any preconceptions you might have about gospel music will be wiped away.

‘Popular’ samples a show tune of the same name from the theatre production ‘Wicked’. The sample can be heard throughout the beat but is most obvious during the chorus where the vocal is also sampled. Mr Sinatra opted to make a 2 part song. Both tracks sample the same show tune though the subject matter varies and the elements which are sampled are different. Part one which is my favourite has a catchier vibe about it. The melodic piano, big kicks and repetitive vocal in the background draw you in very quickly and once you’ve heard it there’s no forgetting the song.

Click below to listen to Dewy demonstrating that gospel music isn’t all about hell fire and condemnation.

Popular Pt. One

Also check out his sound cloud if you like what you hear.

http://soundcloud.com/dewy-sinatra/tracks

Speech Debelle ‘Studio Backpack Rap’

It’s been a while since I wrote about music that isn’t afrobeats. So I thought I’d bring it back home to London with today’s post.

The 2009 Mercury award winner Speech Debelle released her album ‘Speech Therapy’ last week and this is the first track on the album.

The huge kicks and heavy synths immediately draw you in to as she walks us through the love affair that music makers have with their chosen profession. The beat is so on point its impossible not to bop your head to, while her flow and witty word play puts the passion for music across beautifully. Its seems almost possible to develop the condition Ms Debelle is describing just from listening.

The video for this track which has been up since November is extremely simple but fits the song well. Shot on a what looks like a south London estate it follows these music lovers around and sees them at work, as well as showing Speech rapping, dancing and looking like she’s having the time of her life.

Speech says when the music hits her she feels tipsy, and though that might not be the feeling you’d use to describe it, I reckon the funky hip hop vibe of this track will definitely leave you with a feeling of euphoria! Click below for your dose, and if you like what you hear you should definitely check out the album (which is on spotify) because she’s got a lot more where this banger came from.