Discrete swaps the beach for the streets in ‘C.G.C.’

Having gained momentum with seven mix tapes and two full-lengths, Discrete shows no signs of slowing down. The California rapper is continuing his streak with new single ‘C.G.C.’ lifted from January’s ‘Let Me Remind You’. This effort sees him team up with Director WhoisGFX again, after enlisting him for previous single ‘Move Yo Body’. Only this time around, the pair swap the beach for the streets. The summer vibes and breezy attitude heard in ‘Move Yo Body’ feel like a distant memory compared to the harsh, no-nonsense rap in ‘C.G.C.’ but it’s a welcome reminder that Discrete has many different tricks up his sleeve.

Follow Discrete:

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/alwaysdiscrete/tracks

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/embed/qFrxd_VzDLo

Twitter: @alwaysdiscrete  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/always_discrete/

Website: https://sosharpproductions.com/artists

Hip Hop, Funk & Soul Machine Jonny Dee delivers his ambitious take on The Human Experience

Album opener ‘Rhythm of my Life‘ sees Dee throw his interpretation of Corona’s house classic ‘Rhythm of the Night’ for the hook. Immediately infectious, you can’t help but become engulfed in Jonny’s wonderland of groove and melody.

Dee preaches positivity on this release, stating: “The whole idea of ‘The Human Experience’ is essentially understanding and loving yourself more and more, to the point that when you look back out at the rest of the world, a lot of the struggles that people have just don’t make sense”. 

Whilst diverse in sound, the concept of escapism runs throughout the album. Fantasy is clear through titles ‘Ticketless Trip‘ and ‘A Ways Away‘ as you take Jonny’s hand and travel across the vistas, one hip hop house party at a time.

The diversity of this album is refreshing throughout as Dee shifts smoothly from 90’s west coast hip hop on ‘Luna’s Lullaby‘ where Dee’s laid-back cadence is delivered in a sonic amalgamation of Ice Cube meets Kid Cudi.

Deeper in the album we are treated to a lo-fi guitar instrumental with ‘Cosmic Poem‘ where Dee really gets to showcase his multi instrumentation.  We then wrap up the album with funk jam ‘The Man Who Fell from the Sky’.  As the track serves a decent homage to funk legends such as Chic or Earth, Wind & Fire, Dee launches into a high-tempo flow showing of his lyrical acrobatics before the album abruptly ends.

Even with an album so dense in eclectic sounds, you can’t help but want more.  Dee provides his unique take on The Human Experience, portrayed as a sonic, alternative reality that perhaps might give you a new perspective to your day; an experience indeed.

Words: Lewis Budden | @lewisbudden

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/iamjonnydee/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamnotjonnydee

Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamjonnydee

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjonnydee/

Website: http://artistecard.com/iamjonnydee

Shaka Shams offers fresh take on rap with Elements: Crystal Clear EP

Residing in Belgium and hailing from South African descent, it’s no wonder diaspora is rife in Shaka Shams music.

The 18-year-old rapper takes influence from old school and modern hip-hop, as well as trap, boom-bap and ambient, resulting in a refreshingly unique sound.

While his music may prove impossible to pigeonhole, his lyrics are easier to pin down. Crystal Clear is the first in a series of releases under the Elements umbrella which will see Shaka exploring different themes – with this EP it’s the sometimes murky world of late night club life.

Taking his name from his Zulu roots, Shaka channels the mighty warrior ability of the Zulu into creativity, turning himself from the shy youth of his early teens into a musical force. Having picked up the hip-hop bug from his cousin at the age of 11, recording his own track at their house. Though it would have been easy to keep music as just a hobby, Shaka was determined to get to the next level and to get his music heard by as many people as possible.

 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0Kw0fUQEISOSWhdGKvie61#_=_

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuljcs8wen1SvN2VxaCm2wA

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Shaka-Shams -1842007332735575

Twitter: twitter.com/shaka_shams 

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/shaka_shams

Meet the trailblazer who is pushing the boundaries of rap

Erike Sparks is determined to avoid the rap landfill. With each step, the East Londoner has strayed from the well-worn rap route. Take his video for ‘Infrared Beam‘- you won’t find a single trademark of a rap video. Instead of the typical backdrop of tower blocks and a hype-crew, Sparks can be seen wielding a torch around the incredible panoramic of Scotland. It’s a high-quality production but there’s no flashy commodities taking the viewer’s attention away from the music and the rapper himself.  The whole concept speaks volumes about Erike and his ambition to push the boundaries of his genre.

Of course, this sentiment is echoed loudest in Sparks’ music. His sound is entirely self-produced, utilising unique beats and sounds from different cultures around the world and taking influence from everyone from Giggs to Tupac. Determined to be a rap artist from an early age, what sets Erike apart is his constant search for new sounds to incorporate into his work and to be an innovator, not a follower. From what we’ve seen and heard so far, it couldn’t be more obvious Erike Sparks is the trailblazer rap has needed for a while now.

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/erikesparks

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6nuB8NMRJ3KczAd01HlF3m

Youtube: https://youtu.be/w9tyNcdlZpw

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Erike-Sparks-music-147467039231414/

Twitter: @sparkserike

Instagram: @erikesparks

Quadri drops ominous new track ‘White Denim’

While some rappers opt for tongue-twisting acrobatics, cramming in words a mile-a-minute, Quadri, takes a different approach. The South London rapper takes notes from the Giggs school of rap, choosing his words wisely and leaving spaces in between phrases for dramatic effect. Between his prowling delivery and the low electronics, the track has an ominous feeling, like Quadri is a predator circling his prey. Make no mistake, it’s just a matter of time before he pounces.

Listen to ‘White Denim’ on the Urban Radar spotify playlist.

Follow Quadri:

Website: www.qhmusic.co.uk

Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/quadri_artist

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Quadri.Artist/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/quadri_artist/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quadri.artist/

 

Jonny Dee channels Kid Cudi in new cosmic-rap track ‘Feedback’

With each single Jonny Dee has been paving the way to mainstream consciousness. His brand of cosmic rap has garnered attention from the likes of BBC Radio 1xtra and sent his Soundcloud plays skyward. Continuing to stake his claim as a rap prodigy, the San Diego hustler has just dropped new single ‘Feedback‘, lifted from his forthcoming EP ‘The Human Experience’.

While his typical quick-witted, tongue-twisting rhymes still run rings around the listener on ‘Feedback’, the chorus offers the kind of lazy, hypnotic drawl that’s usually associated with Kid Cudi. Cudi references aside though, Dee seems to surpass the tropes of rap by injecting a fusion of genres into his music. Elements of funk, jazz, psychedelia, soul, video game music are woven throughout ‘The Human Experience’

When we spoke to Dee about the forthcoming release he said:

“The whole idea of ‘The Human Experience’ is essentially understanding and loving yourself more and more, to the point that when you look back out at the rest of the world, a lot of the struggles that people have just don’t make sense.

“It’s all about a person getting more in touch with themselves, finding happiness that way, and wanting to help others to do the same. The music is a guideline I guess to find some freedom and peace from the “everyday struggles”. ‘The Human Experience’ is the act of going out and trying to understand humans, why they do the things they do, treat each other the way they do, and trying to help them.”

‘The Human Experience’ is available from May 12.

 

Follow Jonny Dee:

Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/iamjonnydee/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamnotjonnydee

Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamjonnydee

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamjonnydee/

Website: http://artistecard.com/iamjonnydee

Follow Urban Radar playlist on Spotify!

Urban Radar has a brand new Spotify playlist, so now you can keep up with what’s hot on our office stereo. There’s an abundance of fantastic new music out there but rather than inundate you with it, we’re keeping it simple by picking just ten new tracks that you have to hear. We’ll be updating the playlist once a week, bringing you the best new and old tracks from both signed and unsigned artists that are on our radar. Among this week’s top ten, Quadri sits at the helm with his white-hot track ‘Fire’, followed closely by our most recent discovery Discrete, who’s making his bid for sound of summer 2018. Give it a spin and hit the follow button if you like what you hear.

Quadri makes his entrance with white hot track ‘Fire’

The first thing you’ll learn about Quadri is that he doesn’t waste any time. He’s got big ambitions and he’ll lay them out for you from the offset. “Call me QH that’s the brand, call me Quadri that’s the man,” announces the South London rapper in the first line of ‘Fire’. As if a career in music wasn’t challenging enough, Quadri has plans to conquer the rap world and the fashion world. With the self-assured braggadocio he exercises in this debut single, we’re inclined to believe he’ll get there through sheer determination and resilience. His story is one laden with set-backs and adversity but this track marks the turning point, as he becomes a musical phoenix rising from the ashes. Doubters, prepare to be silenced as Quadri makes his entrance onto the scene.

Listen to Fire here: https://soundcloud.com/quadri_artist/fire

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Quadri.Artist/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/quadri.artist/

SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/quadri_artist

Twitter: https://twitter.com/quadri_artist/

Hot Tickets: Unmissable Gigs in March

 

Fresh Tuesdays presents Yxng Bane

Tues 6 March | 19:30pm | Junction |£19 | Tickets

Chart-bothering rapper Yxng Bane will be bringing his arsenal of hits to Cambridge’s Junction this March. Since rising to prominence with ‘Rihanna’ and ‘Fine Wine’, the East Londoner has been further staking his claim as one of the hottest prospects in hip-hop.

Brighter Days present Mousse T, Lil’Joey

Sat 3 March | 10pm | Fez Club| £5 | Tickets

Having been around for over two decades, Mousse T is somewhat of a stalwart on the scene. The German producer founded label ‘Peppermint Jam Records’ in the early ’90s and later released certified hits ‘Horny’ and ‘Sex Bomb’ which catapulted his name into the international charts. This March, the titan will be on Cambridge soil, spinning for Brighter Days’ spring bash. Grab tickets while they’re still available.

Yazmin Lacey

Wed 21 March | 7:30pm | Portland Arms | £6.50 | Tickets

Gilles Peterson dubbed her a ‘brilliant singer/songwriter and great new name for the UK’, now Yazmin Lacey is bringing her incisive songwriting and soul chops to Portland Arms. Armed with her Black Moon EP and her formidable backing band, it’s one not to be missed.

SubSonik vs. Kalm: Drum and Bass Soundclash

Sat 3 March | 10pm | The Academy | £7–£10 | Tickets

The Academy of Sounds will play host to another drum and bass soundclash. This time around Cambridge crew, SubSonik, will go track-to-track with Norwich squad, Kalm.

Kalada drops irresistible track ‘Bussa Move’

Meet the man on a mission to get the nation moving: Kalada. Hertfordshire’s freshest hip-hop prospect has dropped a brand new track, ‘Bussa Move’, and if you can’t guess by the name, the track is about getting listeners on their feet. “The vibe behind ‘Bussa Move’ is to basically have fun,” he explains, “Whatever moves you make in life, you must do that like a boss.” And that’s exactly what Kalada does. Pulling references from dancehall, rap, sango and afrobeat, he achieves an infectious, vibrant carnival sound that’s impossible not to move to. How does he know? The track was tried and tested by the man himself. “When I come up with songs I dance for at least 15 minutes in my kitchen to the instrumental before putting lyrics to the beat,” he confesses. It’s no surprise that he cites Michael Jackson as his ultimate influence. Watch the slick video for ‘Bussa Move’ and see if you can resist getting out your seat.

Watch the video for Bussa Move below.