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STORMZY Releases ‘This is What I Mean’ Album

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STORMZY Releases 'This is What I Mean' Album

British musician Stormzy has released his highly anticipated third album, ‘This Is What I Mean’.

LISTEN/DOWNLOAD HERE

Over the course of his expansive, heartfelt and defiantly sprawling new album, the BRIT and Ivor Novello award-winning Stormzy has delivered an undeniable classic; effortlessly condensing any number of disparate styles and genres into music which bravely broaches any gap between modern Black British music, soul and hip-hop.
Executively Produced by British producer PRGRSHN, the album includes the top 10 single Hide & Seek; an emotive, soulful and ethereal offering and his latest release Firebabe; a beautifully delicate and deeply touching sound. An array of incredible musicians are also scattered throughout the record including vocal appearances from the likes of Sampha, Jacob Collier, Debbie and more, all of which are listed here.
A bold and courageous leap forward from his critically acclaimed previous two #1 records, ‘Gang Signs & Prayer and ‘Heavy Is The Head, this isn’t music simply for the pop charts but rather, an intimate and sincere love letter to music. He speaks on forgiving his absent father on the mellifluous ‘Please’ and refers to his challenges with paranoia, depression and self-doubt on penultimate track, ‘I Got My Smile Back’ – which also features a guest vocal from the incomparable India.Arie. It’s a record which showcases intensely personal and lyrical themes which in turn lay bare the vulnerabilities, regret, frailties, healing, joy and triumph in a manner and to an extent that reframes the notion of what rap artists traditionally might do and be.
In a letter posted to his social media pages last night, Stormzy wrote:
When Tyler, The Creator released the masterpiece that is ‘IGOR’ he shared a message with it and I wanted to do the same but I was hesitant. Mainly because I would love for my music to do all the talking but I thought I’d share this message anyway.
 
I do a lot of interviews and I forget that everything I say will be shared far and wide, which is probably naive of me. Things that I say in real life don’t feel the same when I see it in text. I feel like I overshare, which makes me feel naked at times. But I do it so that you guys can understand me a bit better and to give the art that I make some context. I’m never ever purposely trying to defy genres or go against the grain. I’m never tryna do what is unexpected of me or what is expected of me. If I rap for 7 minutes it’s because in my spirit, in that moment, I just really wanted to fucking rap. If I sing my heart out then it’s because my soul just absolutely had to. I love music. I love, love loveeeee music. I will rap for the rest of my life, I will sing for the rest of my life, I will make art for the rest of my life. And at no point will I ever do any of those things for any other reason than I JUST WANTED TO AND IT JUST FELT GOOD. I am not a calculated mastermind with the ability to gauge what kind of music to make and when I’ll make it, I literally just feel and then let it out. People been tryna box me in for years but I hope this chapter at least makes my biggest critic say “hey, he’s shit but he loves music and I guess he’s gonna do whatever he likes” lol
 
I pray you listen to this album in your own time, whenever you can. Listen to it properly with no distractions. I pray you listen to this album with an open heart and if you hate it after I promise to God I’m perfectly fine with that, I’m just grateful that you listened with openness. I pray that it moves you and captures your imagination. And I pray that someone, somewhere, feels it. 
 
This Is What I Mean.
And it’s what I’ve always meant. 
 
God bless. Stormz x”
 
The confidence which drove the album stemmed from a deeper and far more spiritual place than we have seen from Stormzy previously. For all the success and awards that he has accrued during his brief, meteoric career, the lockdown that ensued from the coronavirus pandemic gave him one commodity he’d long lacked: time. And thanks to his sense of accomplishment following Glastonbury he was, for the first time, in a position to make the most of it.
Much of the creative energy that shaped the album emerged from a Stormzy music camp in Osea Island – a remote island in the Essex estuary that’s only accessible via a Roman Causeway for four hours a day at low tide. Surrounded by leading-edge producers and musicians each and every morning they would eat and pray together and then spend the rest of the time driven to creative heights by each other’s talents.
When you hear about music camps they always sound intense and sombre,” says Stormzy. ““People saying: “We need to make an album.” “We need to make some hit records.” But this felt beautifully free. We’re all musicians but we weren’t always doing music. Some days we played football or walked around taking pictures. And the bi-product to that was very beautiful music. Because when you marry that ethos with world class musicians and the best producers, writers and artists in the world, and we’re in one space, that’s a recipe for something that no one can really imagine. You can’t even calculate what that’s going to come up with. And it came up with a big chunk of this album.
The net result is that while ‘This Is What I Mean sounds very much like Stormzy, it sounds like no Stormzy album you have ever heard before.
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HEADIE ONE X STORMZY RELEASE “CRY NO MORE” – FIRST SINGLE FROM HEADIE ONE’S NEW ALBUM

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Today UK Drill pioneer Headie One releases his first single of the year, “Cry No More” ft. Stormzy.  The song is taken from his forthcoming new album The Last One, set for release June 2024.

Stream “Cry No More” ft. Stormzy HERE and pre-order The Last One HERE.

Produced by Tay Keith (Travis Scott, Drake), Tommy Parker (Ariana Grande, 21 Savage) and Pooh Beatz (Jack Harlow, DaBaby), “Cry No More” features Stormzy (who featured on Headie’s UK #2 hit “Ain’t It Different”) and sees Headie in a reflective mood: “Sometimes you gotta lose the battle, just so you can win the war, you gotta go back and forth, from the court to the roads to the court.”

The accompanying music video, directed by RAWTAPE (Keshi, Kasabian, NTS) shows both artists on the streets of their hometown, portraying the good, the bad and the ugly side of London life with Stormzy rapping, “I just laugh when they say that I can’t go higher, I’m a frequent flyer, my last albums cold but my new ones fire, I might call it Maya.”

Headie One says of the track and video: “This is one of my favorites from the album. I loved the sample and 808s straight away when Tay (Keith) and Pooh (Beatz) played it in the studio. Stormzy went crazy on it, too.”

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“The video concept was to show people that everyone has struggles they have to deal with daily. That’s no different to myself and Stormzy, regardless of what people think we’ve achieved in our careers. We still have things in life we have to deal with like everyone else.”

Watch the music video for “Cry No More” ft. Stormzy HERE.

The Last One is Headie’s second album following his debut, Edna in 2020 which reached #1 on the UK album chart, making history as the first drill album to achieve the milestone.

The new album completes the narrative of Headie’s story that began with his 2018 The One mixtape: from pain and regret to progression and finally, a new chapter and a new beginning. He has touched on some of the subjects and circumstances in previous projects but the lyrics on The Last One aim to dig deeper. The artwork also signifies the arrival at a destination. One where he now stands alone, free from the oppression of his past and on the horizon of a new life.

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K.Ytee Drops “Life” As He Rebrands

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K.Ytee Drops "Life" As He Rebrands
Budding Hip-hop Act Emmanuel Gyimah, formerly known as Ferrari Boy releases his first single of the year featuring Joey Blaq.
Dubbed “Life”, talks about life struggles and his personal experience as young artist in Ghana.
K.Ytee, born Emmanuel Gyimah, is a vibrant and talented musician hailing from Spintex a.k.a the Bank city in Ghana . Born in April 2002, K.Ytee’s journey into the music world came at an early age. Drawing inspiration from some of the greats like Sarkodie, J.Cole , Kendrick Lamar & Dave.

Growing up, K.Ytee was exposed to a diverse range of musical genres that permeated the Local sense. His unique style puts him on top of the list for up and coming acts who could go on to become greats. Within his music you’ll hear the experience he’s outlived whether it’s rap songs, love songs , drill songs he’s got something for everybody in his discography.

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UNCLE WAFFLES RELEASES NEW SINGLE “WADIBUSA”

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UNCLE WAFFLES RELEASES NEW SINGLE “WADIBUSA”

Today, multi-platinum international DJ-producer Uncle Waffles released her first single of 2024, “Wadibusa.” In this new song featuring Royal MusiQ, Ohp Sage, PCEE, and Djy Biza, Waffles returns with the iconic upbeat dance rhythms that propelled her into stardom.

LISTEN HERE

Hailed as the “Princess of Amapiano,” Uncle Waffles is back with the ultimate summertime banger as Amapaino continues its meteoric rise within the music scene. Following the weekly cadence of teasers Waffles began to deliver across her social media platforms, fans anxiously awaited the official release of the single, yearning to finally indulge in the full track.

The song begins with a steady tempo of traditional Amapiano sounds as vocals seamlessly blend in over Waffles’ euphoric and buoyant production. Her iconic tribal beats culminate in a melody of drums, cymbals, distant sounds of alarms, and swift reverbs.

World-renowned DJ-producer Uncle Waffles is taking over the music scene by bringing the South African Amapiano genre to the forefront. Often referred to as the “Princess of Amapiano,” Uncle Waffles has been making her rounds with international tours/performances and most recently performed at Coachella and Cannes this year. Despite being only 24-years-old, Waffles has solidified her position in the industry in a way that hasn’t been done before. Last year, she was nominated for a BET AWARD, nominated for a Headies Award, honored as the first Amapiano artist to perform at Coachella 2023, garnered nearly 2.4M followers on Instagram and over 2M followers on TikTok, and has amassed over 100K+ subscribers on YouTube. Since the beginning of her musical journey, she’s garnered major cosigns from top artists including Drake, Beyonce, Ciara, and more.

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LaaMi: A Vocal Powerhouse Making Waves

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Born Rauhel Halidu Yakubu, LaaMi emerges as a notable Ghanaian singer, renowned for her commanding voice, exceptional vocal range, and unwavering passion for catalyzing positive change.

Her musical odyssey began on the grand stages of some of Ghana and Nigeria’s premier reality shows, including Stars of the Future 5, TV3 Mentor 6, and MTN PROJECT FAME WEST AFRICA 7.0. Swiftly rising as a distinguished alumna of these competitions, LaaMi has graced events hosted by industry giants like MTN and GTV, alongside captivating audiences at esteemed lounges and weddings nationwide.

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LaaMi’s musical repertoire boasts her latest single, “Izan Bakasaniba,” showcasing her dynamic talent. Collaborating with esteemed Ghanaian artists such as Okyeame Kwame, Iwan, and Blakk Rasta, she continues to elevate her craft and inspire audiences far and wide.

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Beyond her musical prowess, LaaMi’s multifaceted abilities encompass crafting, culinary arts, content development, and beyond. With a fervent dedication to effecting change, particularly among the youth, she harnesses her music and diverse skills as potent instruments for societal transformation.

Her melodies not only captivate but also convey poignant messages that resonate with individuals from diverse backgrounds, making her a beacon of inspiration in the Ghanaian music scene.

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Wrench Kidd Enlists Gaffi for His New Single “Going Up”

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Wrench Kidd Enlists Gaffi for His New Single "Going Up"

Hailing from Umtata,Eastern Cape, Wrench Kidd emerged as a dynamic force in both music and fashion. Born on December 17, 2004, his creative journey began to flourish in 2019 when he delved into the realm of music. After honing his craft, he seized the stage at various talent shows in his hometown of Tsolo, culminating in a standout performance in January 2021.

It was on this auspicious occasion that he unveiled his inaugural body of work, the “Escape Puzzle of Fear” EP, crafted alongside collaborator Yung Potion. This debut release not only garnered local acclaim but also caught the attention of international figures such as Kiki X Chucky, Thxbi, Tru Crack, Logical Rhythms, and Lil Ivy, who praised his distinctive sound and vision.

In addition to his artistic endeavors, Wrench Kidd achieved a significant milestone by completing his Matric in the same year, underscoring his commitment to both his education and his passion for creativity. With his multifaceted talents and unwavering dedication, Wrench Kidd continues to captivate audiences and leave an indelible mark on the global cultural landscape.

Recently, Wrench Kidd teamed up with the hard-hitting Eastern Cape rapper Gaffi to drop his latest single, “Goin Up.” This track serves as a testament to his relentless ambition and drive to thrive in the music industry. Through compelling lyrics and infectious beats, “Goin Up” captures Wrench Kidd’s determination to ascend to new heights and make his mark on the musical landscape. With this powerful collaboration, Wrench Kidd continues to push boundaries and solidify his position as an emerging force in the industry.

Stream Wrench Kidd – Going Up (feat. Gaffi) here

Note to editor 

Social Media 

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/Wrenchkiddthebully

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/wrench_kidd/

 

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OT n Aiges Poke upcoming Gh rappers

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OT n Aiges Poke upcoming Gh rappers

Talented Ghanaian upcoming duo have dropped what could be described as a poke at other upcoming rappers in Ghana. Ot n Aiges who have received accolades from industry persons, rap lovers among others after releasing mind blowing and creative pieces like “Ass vrs Breast”, The Goat Debate etc., have releasing “Who’s Rapping”.

The song takes swipe at upcoming rappers who claim to be rappers but do what is far from the rap culture. The duo displayed a high level of lyrical dexterity on the song asking their fellow upcoming act ‘Who’s Rapping”?

The even went ahead to mention few cities they they feel rap has been dormant in, after other pioneers leaving the rap scene.

Stream OT n Aiges – Who’s Rapping via

Youtube – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Sj4wu7pyrs

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Other DSPs – https://easternchild.fanlink.tv/WhosRapping

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