Posted in Album Reviews, Life

Kehlani – Folded needs all the Flowers

It’s been a very long time.

However, there’s always that one song that sticks with you and doesn’t leave your head. For me and pretty much most R&B fans it has to be Kehlani – Folded. I remember when I first started this blog it was due to me going through a very sad and depressing time, ironically a lot of Kehlani songs were on rotation. It feels almost full circle that she is the reason I’m back to writing again.

We’ve all been blessed with this song this summer/year but I genuinely believe if you had to explain R&B to someone not familiar , this would be a perfect contender. The content of the song of course isn’t a typical breakup/heartbreak song. If you were to compare it to stages of grief, you could argue this is the acceptance stage. It feels like she’s done with the begging, crying, screaming , hoping and pain and is now at the other end realising what she deserves. As always it’s a feeling I’m sure many can resonate or have resonated with at one point in their life.

For me, there’s something emotional about this song. Listening to it, I can really hear the harmonies, the beat, the instruments working in harmony together. It’s an addictive song which is ironic considering the message implying this is the end. Songs like this remind me why R&B is one of the best genres. It can evoke feelings in you that you don’t even realise you have. This is how kids can sing songs like Fantasia’s “When I see you” at the top of their lungs and adopt the pain she tries to evoke through her lyrics. Good music reels you in to whatever zone the song is in. Great music resonates with you and makes you think about all the emotions you have now opened as a result. This song does all of those things.

By far, this is the best R&B song released this year. I hope this is the just the beginning of a new era of R&B. I also recommend listening to the acapella version of this song. Sensational!

Real music is back!!

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Video Pick: Louis Rei Daily Duppy.

Louis Rei is most known for being a part of the UK trio WSTRN. His distinctive deep voice is usually what makes him stand out. I’ve been a fan of him for a while and believe he is a real talent. He provides personality to every song he features on.

His delivery and punchlines always capture me so I was excited to hear he had his very own Daily Duppy! I was even more pleasantly surprised to hear him on a drill beat!!! Halfway through the Duppy, the beat switches and we hear Louis Rei say “First time doing drill, not first time drilling”. Instantly you’re prepared!! He did himself proud as he rode the drill beat like it was his usual genre! I’ve noticed he’s been doing a lot more features with artists outside of WSTRN and I’m hoping it may lead to some more solo records too. His solo piece on WSTRN’s EP “Double 3AK” called “Bare Wit Me” was when I really saw his potential as a sola artist.

Have a listen to the new daily duppy below!

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#VideoPick – Promise – Mad.

This week’s video pick is from UK upcoming artist Promise!! I’ve been a fan of him since hearing his previous hit “Gara”. His new song is the perfect pick me up as we all prepare for the new lockdown! Promise always seems to have such great production on his songs and this does not disappoint.

This time he wows us with some crazy visuals for his new song “Mad“. The song has a great meaning behind it as Promise reminds us that we should always follow our dreams and try block out those that may not understand your vision. I feel that every song released by Promise is very intentional, it seems that each song has a specific meaning or lesson.

Can’t wait to hear more music from him! Check it out below!

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Video Pick: Unknown T – Daily Duppy

As a BIG rap fan, UK music outlet GRM Daily’s ‘Daily Duppy’s’ are something I always look forward to. It’s even more exciting when I hear a rapper I genuinely like is going to be featured. This was the case for UK drill rapper Unknown T. He definitely did not disappoint either!

Fresh home and on a roll with his releases, this Daily Duppy was long overdue. Filled with the usual wordplay format, his signature adlibs and signature dance moves, this is easily one of my top Daily Duppy’s.

Unknown T has also announced his new mixtape will be dropping on the 17th of July 2020 and I for one, cannot wait!

Check out his Daily Duppy below:

I loved his previous BBC Live Lounge performance last year which for me demonstrated his versatility. As a drill artist you expect them to stay in one lane especially with a distinctive voice like Unknown T has. However, this live lounge really solidified him as an all round artist in general. It’s a wonderful rare talent for an artist to be given any genre of song and any sound and still be able to make it their own. For me, Unknown T is one of the best in the UK right now.

Check out his previous live lounge below;

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Videos to Watch… MoStack & Dave…UK’s Finest.

Hi everyone, I know I usually talk about songs and lyrics but this post is dedicated to two important videos that have recently been released.

MoStack – Daily Duppy

The first video is a Daily Duppy from from UK rapper MoStack. He’s possibly one of the UK’s best rappers at the moment and this freestyle showcases his versatility. He raps about his lifestyle “see my eye bags, I carry nuff baggage” demonstrating his use of clever puns which is shown throughout the whole freestyle. The beat/instrumental used in this freestyle is great too and MoStack rides the beat like a pro. Some of my favourite bars are; “We don’t speak but your secrets won’t leave my mouth” and “How dare you think a weapon’s more stronger than prayer, I’m more than blessed, I’m more than flex”, MoStack is so talented with his words. This is definitely one of my favourite freestyles from a rapper and I love the rawness and the mention of his love for fellow UK rapper J Hus. I like freestyles when an artist spills out their true emotions and this is exactly what MoStack did. I look forward to more music from him coming in the near future.

PS: Free J Hus!!

Dave – Black

Before I start this I just want to remind everyone about Martin Luther King’s famous speech; “I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the colour of their skin, but by the content of their character”. This dream is seeming less and less likely as the days go on.

UK rapper Dave is infamous for his thought provoking music and incredible videos. This song and video is no different. This song is the first from his upcoming debut album ‘Psychodrama’ produced by the legend that is Fraser T Smith. Dave uses this track to discuss social and racial inequality and how it is to be a Black man in a white man’s world. As a fellow Nigerian, I love the accompanying video as it was filmed in my country and shows the beauty of it. As a Black woman, I love the issues raised, I feel this a song I would love my younger cousins to hear and to digest. I relate to so many things mentioned in this song as i’m sure many other people do. Statements like “Cause you need to do double what they do so you can level them” are things my mum told me from a young age and advice I know many other young black people have been taught. So many statements in this song are powerful; “A kid dies, the blacker the killer, the sweeter the news and if he’s white you give him a chance, he’s ill and confused” reminding me pretty much of the term “Black on Black” crime. We never say “white on white crime” so why is it a specific issue when black people are concerned? I love the awareness Dave brings to these issues and it’s so sad to see the constant battle many of us have to face just because of the colour of our skin. Another point to add is that Dave features many fellow Black celebrities in the video to showcase the positive role models we have. Dave ends by saying “Black is all I know, there ain’t a thing that I would change in it” which is my sentiments exactly. Have a watch below;