While Post Malone may be clearing up the controversy after declaring American Hip-Hop to be a one dimensional gimmick, we’re rounding up 5 UK music tracks that’ll show off the depth in our sound. Cross cultural, introspective and socially conscious – your Five for Friday highlight our spectrum, get you in your feels and showcase artists doing what they love most.
Jaykae – Moscow
Jaykae frees the realness on his newest introspective release. Calling out the pretenders ‘Moscow’ lays it down through fluid keys and tight melody produced by regular collaborator Bowzer Boss. Questioning everything on ‘Moscow’, Jaykae takes aim at the perceived glamour of road life, exploring the dark pull of knife crime.
“The hook is basically asking someone, ‘What are you carrying a knife for? You ain’t gonna use that.” Jaykae explains, “What are you doing? You’re not bad.’ All these gassed up little dickheads out there, humble yourself man. Where are you going with that? Sort your life out, fix up, pull your socks up. Let us straighten you out.”
An authentic voice, in a scene that raised him, Jaykae sets out to lead from the front on the real issues facing the youth. Read our exclusive interview with JayKae here #0121TheRiseOfBirmingham.
Steel Banglez – Bad ft. Mostack, Not3s, Mr Eazi & Yungen
GRM Daily’s ‘Producer of the Year’, Steel Banglez brings the house party vibe to his new visual for ‘Bad’. Calling on the gang Mostack, Not3s, Mr Eazi and Yungen, Steel Banglez drives the beat with his typical no-nonsense anthem.
Diminishing the idea of out-of-reach ‘princess’ females ‘Bad’ is all about the search for the one that can do it all, “‘Bad’ is a track produced by me and my brother Zeph Ellis. I had a vision to bring together the most successful and unique artists of 2017 on one track.” explains Steel Banglez, “It was great to see such energy and I’m very grateful to all of them, especially MoStack for blessing me again with such a great chorus. This is a club banger for the mandem to play for the gal dem and a track for the ladies to vibe to with each other. ‘Bad’ is a perfect scenario of a woman who’s part of the gang and is down for the team.”
Poté – Flirt
Back with deep bass funk, Poté releases ‘Flirt’ on his Versicolor imprint, forever pushing forward, Poté steps out this time with his trademark blends of rhythmic percussion mingled with UK’s club minded Techno thump.
“Flirt is really me experimenting further and trying to push new ground between the drum/percussion work I really love, together with a techno umph.” Poté says of the release, an experimentation with the Baile Funk of ’80’s Brazil Poté delves into culture with his sound.
“Release by release I’ll be exploring different afro diasporic music which has influenced me and try to present it in a new light, with my own touch of course. I’ve always had a soft spot for Baile Funk especially after releasing music via Portuguese indie Enchufada, but rarely used that influence in my music, I feel like this is an overdue experiment.”
Dotty – Beautiful
Dotty slows the pace on this latest release featuring Bobii Lewis. ‘Beautiful’ is a finely balanced single that plays on the peaks and troughs we go through in life. Staying afloat in the pressures to succeed, provide and been seen that comes with modern life, Dotty peels back the layers in search of the truth.
Produced by Mike Musiq and Copa Beats ‘Beautiful’ is a story told from Dotty’s male perspective, looking at self love and self confidence in this Rap hymn to women everywhere.
Ryan De La Cruz – Just A Little Bit
Ahead of his Village Underground show on December 5th, Ryan De La Cruz drops ‘Just A Little Bit’. Produced by the Slim Typical duo ‘Just A Little Bit’ is lush shuddering bass and a Trap Soul sound, that is a story of defiance. Exploring a shadowy side of R’n’B, East London’s Ryan De La Cruz speaks of holding your ground when faced with the problems of this world.
