Given the excitement for Spring Time, it was kind of disappointing to wake up to heavy rain and wind stronger than retorts that the UK isn’t racist. In any event though, here’s a selection of rhythms on the latest 5 For Friday for you to get your weekend moving.
Fresh off the back of his stellar London Class album, Knucks makes a trademark smooth return with a salvo of slick lyricism on ‘Los Pollos Hermanos’. Rising star Monét delivers a soulful, rhythmic vibe that brings the new spring season in with the clean, breezy feeling ‘Just One Of Those Days’. Cashh and M1llionz connect for an energetic bounce on their aptly-titled collab ‘Pounds and Dollars’. West London-based rapper E.Mak drops some real talk on some jazzy samples and ‘Cold Sweats’ is the result. WSTRN Season is back, and their penchant for making dope music continues with their latest effort ‘Mama Stay’.
Knucks – Los Pollos Hermanos
Fresh off his Wonderland cover, Knucks rounds off a good week with what feels like a loosey in ‘Los Pollos Hermanos’. Such is the talent Knucks possesses though, none of his tracks ever really feel loose. They’re always packed with double and triple entendres and that trademark butter-smooth flow. Using the backdrop of Breaking Bad’s morally ambiguous world as his playground, Knucks might be pointing to his role as a leader of a new method of operating, a bit like Gus Fring was in Breaking Bad. When the audience was introduced to Gus, we realised Walt was dealing with somebody at a whole different level from him. It was a challenge for Walt to level up. To try and steal the throne. It seems Knucks is hungry for competition this year. Locked in.
Monét – Just One Of Those Days
Peckham native Monét is a mix of global and local inspirations. Citing neo and contemporary soul maestros Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill and Solange as some of her biggest influences on her music. But locally, her auntie Natalie Stewart is one part of the legendary UK R&B duo Floetry. So the talent runs deep. On this single, with lyrics that reflect the occasional mundanity in relationships, the small day to day events, that, always end up being the things that matter most. You can hear she appreciates these moments more than any, her vocals are soft, but packed with a richness that meshes nicely. It’s the kind of song you could play on a hazy Sunday morning, or on a Friday night over dinner. Or… Well, whenever its “one of those days”.
Cashh x M1llionz – Pounds and Dollars
Since his return from a government enforced exile in 2019, the artist formerly known as Cashhtastic has been rebuilding his musical profile. He makes a smart play in connecting with man of the moment M1llionz, who’s a similarly inclined hustler. With a warped bassline, samples of money counting, then a sombre guitar sample, the production is like a mishmash of drill, electro and indie in places. Somehow, this works for both Cashh and M1llionz’ flows. Cashh makes reference to the new world he’s returned to “man are beefing on insta live / alla them tings new to me / you know how the ting goes usually…” making a point to the life he used to live. This is the new normal. It sounds good.
E.Mak – Cold Sweats
Hailing from West London, artist E.Mak comes through with some real talk on his latest single ‘Cold Sweats’. Over a smooth, rhythmic, classic rap beat – he reels off real talk about his manor, and the life he’s living. He opens by referencing the title “I’ve been waking up in cold sweats / I’ve been told that it’s anxiety / but I don’t know yet…”. He’s a proper storyteller, detailing personal anecdotes of the events he’s witnessed that have shaped him, but he doesn’t miss an opportunity to get a football reference in “I’m like Andy Cole in his prime”. He isn’t lying. Like Andy Cole, he doesn’t miss on this one – it’s a hit.
WSTRN – Mama Stay
WSTRN Season is upon us. Just as the weather seems to be improving. And the lockdown measures are slowly but surely easing. These guys curate good vibes only. This is classic form for them, with everything you expect, but with an interesting afrobeat tinge to it in the drums and the sax. They might’ve pinched a bit of inspiration from NSG, London’s other set of vibe curators. But it lands smoothly here. Extravagant visuals set the energy right: this is celebratory music, no doubt.
