In the last couple of years, it has become increasingly apparent that within the constant flux we observe — often unconsciously — within the music sphere that the landscape of Rap music has shifted, if only slightly. The Trap era may still be cruising along, however, it would be shortsighted not to mention the astronomical…
The famous theatre phrase “The show must go on” has transcended into our everyday lives. With 2020 striking us with the COVID-19 pandemic, one thing that has managed to continue is the gift of art. With more time spent at home, we have been encouraged to have new approaches to the creation and consumption of…
What is the significance of naming an album after your name as an artist? From massive and impactful debuts such as Whitney Houston (1985), Mariah Carey (1990) and Run the Jewels (2013), Vince Staples joins a long list of artists who have, by definition, eponymously named their studio albums. However, unlike the previously named artists,…
Bugzy Malone (real name Aaron Davis) is one of Manchester’s shining stars of grime. But he is not only known for his crafty words and immaculate flow but for his daredevil demeanour that makes him a fascinating and intriguing figure. However, his adventurous side almost put his life to an end. Last year, Malone was…
It’s odd to consider the purpose of dance music during lockdown. The thought of music made to get everybody on the floor when those floors are currently banned stirs feelings of uncertainty and worry than they would have two years ago. Or what we say is two years but really feels like a different lifetime….
Every once in a while, music has the powerful ability to ground you in the present and take you years into the future simultaneously. In one listening experience, you are cognisant of both the pleasure you’re able to derive from the musical arrangement presently, while also able to imagine yourself 5, 10 or even 15…
Uniting hazy sonic tales with sweet melodies and powerful lyrics, Joya Mooi has carved out an idiosyncratic hybrid of soulful R&B and dream pop, embodying stories from her past and present. Born in exile to a South African father and a Dutch mother — the singer’s parents met in Angola while her father was in…
Pink Noise, characterised as random noise having more low-frequency components than white noise, is the namesake of Birmingham born singer, Laura Mvula’s latest and third studio album. Following five years after the release of The Dreaming Room, Pink Noise takes a sonic turn but parallel artistic trajectory into Mvula as a commander of vocals in…
“We are all living dangerous” Lebo Mathosa “This is the creation of a different kind of David. This is a Sistine Chapel of flashing neon lights, of pulsating bodies sweating off the Nivea-ness, of vice and escape from the feelings that emerge when darkness is no longer around to conceal them. God no longer floats…
Growing up in Canada with a French-Canadian mother and a Nigerian father, Michelle Oluwatomi Akanbi or Töme, has had exposure and connection to different cultures; an element that has informed and fed her music throughout her career. She has always felt a bit of a disconnect from her Nigerian roots because she was raised outside…
Oskido has been an important figure in South Africa’s music scene for over three decades. In that time, he has seen the popular sound change numerous times and seen many artists come and go. However, Oskido has maintained his status as a legend through his ability to adapt to the changing sound and technology. His…
During October of 2020 — a year within which much ado about everything changed for us all — Naye Ayla released her sophomore EP, Every Feeling, as an independent and unsigned artist on all digital streaming platforms. In the time since the EP’s release, Naye has continued to put her imagination, creativity and passion for…
