Thursday, July 31, 2014

Chance The Rapper Ft. Social Experiment: Wonderful Everyday (Arthur)

Chicago rhymer enlists Jessie Ware and Francis & The Lights for latest release...

The always incredible Chance the Rapper continues his sporadic Soundcloud-based releases with this new track. Wonderful Everyday is produced by his long-term collaborators Social Experiment, but also features the likes of Jessie Ware, Wyclef Jean, Francis & The Lights, Elle Varner and Donnie Trumpet.

Expect the more esoteric than standard MCing. If you're in the Chicago area this weekend you can watch Chance play Lollapalooza. Lucky you.

Download the track below or from here.


Jacob Banks: Move With You

Official debut from Birmingham's Banks...

Boasting a rather brilliantly unique voice, 22 year-old Jacob Banks is one of our favourite new singers.

Delivering his own take on R&B-Pop-Soul, Banks teams up with fellow Brummie Knox Brown on this upbeat do-wop boogie based banger.

The (as demonstrated by this video anyway) suave, sophisticated singer (who also loves a cartoon) releases 'Move With You' on 22 September. Follow Jacob on Twitter cos he's quite funny when he wants to be.


Lana Del Ray: Ultraviolence [Video]























Del Ray loses her groom in new video....

Del Ray's new video sees the Cali singer in full on wedding dress, writhing around, sort of like Madonna in 'Like A Virgin', but not really. Unfortunately for L-Rizz'e, it looks like she's left her husband somewhere as she roams about, filmed in Super 8, looking for him. Or maybe the meaning of life. Or, perhaps, the meaning of the video.

Lana's rather fabulous album is out now.


Wednesday, July 30, 2014

MNEK: Wrote A Song About You (Shakka B-Side)




Shakka adds a 16 to MNEK's new single...

West London's Shakka, who featured on Wretch 32's 'Blackout' spices up MNEK's new single with a few bars as well as some production flourishes.

MNEK releases 'Wrote A Song About You' is out 31 August. Pre-order here.



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Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Maison Martin Margiela: 2014 Footwear

New line comes in black and red...


Italian fashionista Margiela drop three new High-Tops this season with black, red and silver colourways.

Featuring hidden laces, rounded toe and padded Velcro ankle strap, these bad boys have a level leaver upper and camel brown sole.

Buy here from SSENSE


George The Poet Ft. Mega: If The Shoe Fits























New single from George's new EP

'The Chicken And The Egg' is the new EP from West London spoken word scientist George The Poet.

As ever with George, this is mind-spinning, beautifully rendered six minutes, produced by The Confectionary, reflecting on the cycle of fatherlessness.


Monday, July 28, 2014

Professor Green Ft. Tori Kelly: Lullaby
























New one from The Professor's new album...


With his new album, 'Growing Up In Public', due in September. Pro Green drops another taster from his third LP.

Pre-order the album here.


Sunday, July 27, 2014

Jessie Ware: Share It All

Another new track from the awesome Ware Ft. the xx's Romy...

This track won't be on Ware' forthcoming album, but it's a right lovely listen anyway.

Teaming up with Romy from The xx as co-writer, it's as lovely and delicate as you would hope from the two...

Ware's new album will feature Chance The Rapper, Ed Sheeran, James Ford, Nineteen85, Miguel and BenZel.



BAPE: Glow In The Dark Collection










 

A Bathing Ape lights up the night...

The A Bathing Ape hoodie gets a refix with this glow in the dark makeover.

The sweatshirts and hooDies which feature your choice of sharks, tigers or pandas are available exclusivly from ZOZOTOWN. Well dark...!

Thursday, July 24, 2014

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Laura Wright: The Sound Of Strength



Opera singer channels Hunger Games in new video...


With an intro from Rudyard Kipling's 'If', vocals and lyrics by Wright, Barber's Adagio is transformed into a dramatic three minutes of big beats, bigger voice and brilliant classical greatness.

Taking inspiration from The Hunger Games, the video sees Wright display not only her super-strong vocals but her 'suns out, guns out's physique too. 

Wish we looked like that in our pants...!



A$AP Rocky: SVDDXNLY
























New doc from Rock features Riri, Drake, Riff Raff and more...

Coming to an internet near you soon is a new docu on A$AP by Noisey, in which director David Laven travels deep inside the mind of the Harlem rhymer.

Rocky reflects on his upbringing and gradual ascent to one of Hip Hop's hottest rhymers.

Here's the trailer, featuring Kathy Griffin, Snop and Riri and which gives you a glimpse of what to expect...


Action Bronson: That's Delicious [Episode 3]























The finest cuisine and couplets live and direct from London Town...

In the third of the Munchies series, 'F*** That's Delicious', Bronsolino arrives in London to test out the finest pork dumplings, does a bagel-off on Brick Lane and discovers the best lamb chops ever at Lahore, before travelling to Liverpool to taste Maggie May's Scouse.


Love this series.

SBTRKT Ft. Ezra Koenig: New Dorp, New York























New single and album on its way...

Prepare your ears for a brand new album from the bemasked one that is SBTRKT. 'Wonder Where We Land' follows his self-titled debut, and features Jessie Ware, Denai Moore, A$AP Ferg, and Sampha - lots and lots of Sampha.


Today, the South London multi-instrumentalist released a new single, 'New Dorp, New York', Ft. Ezra Konig


‘Wonder Where We Land’ on September 22nd on Young Turks. Check the new single, below.

Monday, July 21, 2014

The Weeknd: King Of The Fall























Sky Ferreira features on the artwork...


New one from the Canadian composer. Ferreira doesn't feature, but we can only presume the two have been working together.

Press play on the 'King Of The Fall', below.

Friday, July 18, 2014

Nike Flyknit Air Max Sprite








Nike drops lime green flyknits...

Everyone's favourite silhouette the Flyknit arrives today in a brand new colourway; the blue and lime-green beauties are available now.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Kelis: Friday Fish Fry (Darq E Freaker Remix)

Freaker freaks out Fish Fry....

One of our favourite producers takes on the almighty Kelis and gives her a most esoteric makeover.

In the hands of Darq E Freaker, 'Friday Fish Fry' becomes a rainbow-filled soundscape of barely there 8-bit and kaleidoscopic chimes.



Premiered on i-D, check the remix, below, and check Kelis play at Latitude this weekend.

Professor Green: Not Your Man (Remix)

























Green enlists CASISDEAD and Dream McClean for remix
Featuring Thabo on the vocals, Professor Green is preparing his return to music with new sinlge 'Not Your Man', ahead of his third album 'Growing Up In Public'.

The video for 'Not Your Man' dropped earlier last week and now Green unleashes this super-sharp remix featuring himself, Tottenham's bemasked CASISDEAD and Dream McClean.

Buy the single from here and pre-order the album, out 22 September, while you're at it.


Wednesday, July 16, 2014

Vic Mensa: Feel That























New single from Chicago born, LA living lyricist...


Do you feel that?

Cos Vic Mensa does. The 21 year-old Hyde Park (Chicago, not London) resident, best mate of Chance The Rapper and Save Money crew rapper and graffer, follows up 'Down On My Luck' with a more stripped back track produced by Calmatic.

Expect a new album some time this year from the super-talented Mr. Mensa.


Jamie T: Don't You Find























T returns with a tear-jerker....

Known for his Cockney singy-raps of old, Jamie T has made a surprise return with a brand new single called 'Don't You Find'.

His first release since 2009, the track is a bit more downbeat that T's tracks of old. "I like the melancholy of it - it's the reason I put it out first," Jamie told Zane Lowe, who premiered the single on his show last night.

Check the track, below.


Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Nicki Minaj: No Flex Zone Remix


Nick keeps 'em coming....

She's had her share of detractors in recent years, but few can dispute Minaj's lyrical content of late. Bring on the new album please.

Today, Nicki drops a remix of Mike Will Made It's 'No Flex Zone'. The Queens MC goes in, all the way:

"i been hot since flip phones/ Running this game for five years/ Guess that's why my feet hurt/ Wonder when they bite me/ Do a b*tch teeth hurt?/ Yes I am an icon/ that's me on your t-shirt," she snaps, before pointing out, "I live next door to Brad Pitt's home." 

Press play, below.


Y-3 Yohji Boost Black/White

Monochrome footwear from the house of Y-3

Y-3 have just dropped the Yohji Boost, a black and white shoe that features breathable mesh, suede heel, bold graphic pattern across the trainer, and boost on the sole. If you own a pair of adidas Boost, you'll know how great they are to train in. Happy then that Y-3 have created a really great design - though it seems a shame to run about in them!

These are some smart sneaks and we'd like a pair please.

Get yours from here.

Monday, July 14, 2014

Wretch 32: Behind Barz Freestyle


Tottenham rhymer drops a tongue-twister....


One of the UK's most talented rappers, Mr. Wretch 32 is all about the wordplay.

This deserves at least 4 plays to fully appreciate exactly what 3-2 is saying; double entendres and puns-a-plenty, this is lyricism at its sharpest.

Watch out for a new single from Wretch, 'Six Words' coming soon.


Mikill Pane: The Godfather EP

Lanky Londoner drops second EP

If nothing else, you know the lyrically gifted Mikill pane for his remix of Ed Sheeran's' A-Team', 'Little Lady'.

If that's all you know of Mr. Pane, then you need to get more involved.

The thought-provoking MC has just released his new 4-track EP, and it's typically stuffed full of conscious couplets, mind-bending rhymes and a total disregard for anything as formulaic as 'genre'. 'Put It There' has pure bounce to the ounce while 'Raise The Heat' is an impassioned piece of poetry. This is music to listen to, rather than merely 'hear'.

So, do yourself a favour, and buy The Godfather for £3.16 from iTunes. You'll not be regretting it.

Friday, July 11, 2014

Joel Compass: Natural Habitat Mixtape


'Run' singer drops free mixtape....

He's worked with Pusha T and is best mates with Cheryl Cole, but the most interesting thing about Joel Compass is that he can sing. Really sing.

Delivering a sound somewhere in-between The Weeknd, How To Dress Will and Drake, the South London songwriter is currently gearing up for his album debut. While we wait for that to drop, Joel has kindly decided to unleash a free mixtape for us all to download. Whatta guy. The seven song tape on Soundcloud features tracks like 'Silverstone' and 'Smoking Rage'.

Listen, below, and download for yourself here.


Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Usher Ft. Nicki Minaj & Pharrell: She Came To Give It To You


Ush links with Skateboard P and Ms Pink Friday...


A triumvirate of talent here - from the R&B croon of Ursh, the rhyme skills of Nicki and Pharrell's general Pharrell-ness, 'She Came To Give It To You' delivers fairly typical Startrak style production; spanky drums, tightly wound guitar riff, knee-knocking percussion, all sweetened by a lovely little falsetto.

Basically, the song totally comes to life when La Minaj parachutes in with her bad self. The flow people, the flow!


Blood Orange Ft. Skepta: High Street


Put your Pinot Grigio up as Dev and Skepta drop new video...


One of the highlight's of Blood Orange's 'Cupid Deluxe' album was this collaboration with Skepta, called 'High St'.

Taking place around a bus terminus, Skeppy considers life growing up in Tottenham before becoming a rapper, while Dev sings and sounds right lovely.

'Cupid Deluxe' is available to buy from here.


Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Lunice: Can't Wait To


Montreal producer drops a track on Lucky Me...

The man credited with spreading trap returns with a brand new track in the form of 'Can't Wait To'. Lunice, also known for being one half of the awesome TNGHT with Hud-Mo, once again combines Hip Hop with electronica on this tautly-wound bass monster.

 
Check the Peter Marsden directed video below, and buy 'Can't Wait To' on iTunes now.


Monday, July 7, 2014

Reebok Freestyle: Excellent Red


Hi SPIRIT in truly excellent red...


Just yes. Yes to these trainers.

Loving the Reebok Classic right now, and really loving the Hi SPIRIT silhouette in this bright and bold 'excellent red'. Love also that it's called 'excellent red'.

Just keen a close eye on the 'nets for these to drop.

Friday, July 4, 2014

G FrSH Ft. Sonny Reeves: The Hardest Part


Disturbing Londoner drops another from 'Alife'...

Featuring the dulcet tones of Sonny Reeves, G drops a slow-n-atmosphere filled rumination on those four little letters (l.o.v.e, obvs).

G will release his new EP 'Alfie' in August.

 

Wiz Khalifa: We Dem Boyz (4th July Remix)


Rick Ross, ScHoolboy Q and Nas on board for remix...

Rather than just throwing new verses on, Khalifa has actually, you know, remixed the track.

Released to celebrate Independence Day, this slowed down version sees The Bawse, Q and Nasty Nas join Khalifa to celebrate being Dem Boyz.


Thursday, July 3, 2014

Craig David: Cold


Southampton singer returns with a new single...

Normally Craig David's smaking love on a Thursday (groan, old, old joke we know), but instead today the Southampton UKG star and lover of a freeweight has dropped a brand new tune.

'Cold' is a slow creeper, an insistent grower that has the feel of Timberlake/ Timbaland's 'Cry Me A River' or 'My Love' (though nothing on earth has yet managed to top either of those two singles). The track sees Craig talk about a cold-hearted chick who has him all twisted up, makes him feel high "like i swallowed a pill."

No word on when this might drop, but hit play below, repeatedly, until it goes on sale.


Ozwald Boateng x Nike

Saville Row suitman designs for Nike...

Interesting collab here as Nike experiments with their suit game.

Calling on one of Britain's finest tailors, Ozwald Boateng lends his sharp sartorialism to the suit, the images of which have been released to coincide with the World Cup, with Brazil branding on the chest and back.

Whether the suit will be released to the great general public is unclear, but keep 'em peeled.

Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Diddy Ft. Meek Mill, Frech Montana: We Dem Boyz (remix)


Diddy revisits Wiz Khalifa smash...

One of our very favourite songs this year is Wiz Khalifa's 'We Dem Boyz' (used to great effect in Astrid Anderson's recent Fashion Week show in London).

Anyway, P 'I'm a grown-ass man' Diddy enlists Montana and Meek for a typically Bad boy video; yachts, ciroc and scantily ladies are all on the menu.

Check Wiz performing 'We Dem Boyz' at Wireless this weekend in London and Birmingham.

Time For: Kiesza


A chat about toughness with the Hideaway star as she drops new video...

From ballet to boats to bullets to writing big, massive hits, 25 year-old Canadian Kiesza is having a pretty big year so far.
This multi-instrumentalist songwriting singer and one-time ballerina taught herself guitar perched at the top of a mast whilst sailing from Canada to Hawaii, turned down the opportunity to be a sniper for the Canadian army in favour of music school and counts Capoeira and Karting as two of her hobbies. EWe catch up with the Canadian redhead as she drops the video for brand new single, 'Giant In My Heart'..

How old were you when you joined the Navy?
I was 16 or 17. I was still in High School so I would work the whole Summer and then do part time. I’d go to class and then a couple of times a week I’d leave school and go and work for the Navy. I was a naval communicator, so I’d decode, including Morse Code. I was really good at it at the time. They would shine a light at me and I could interpret the light really fast.

What did you join up? In the name of patriotism?  
No, not at all, although I love Canada. My brother signed up first and I really loved the challenge. I’ve been a thrill-seeker since I was a kid so the idea of Boot Camp was really exciting to me; it’s one of the biggest challenges out there. It was really tough.

Rundown the ‘highlights’ of Boot Camp. I’m guessing this isn’t X-Factor style Camp where you sing a few songs for heavily botoxed pop stars?
There’s so many obstacles. They put you in a gas camber and gas you (laughs), you have to climb a 13-foot wall with no pegs. There’s a really long rope over a lake that’s really loose and you have to try and climb across. You have to walk 14k in blazing sun with 70, 80lbs on your back, one water bottle, in formation, marching. Some people passed out. They teach you how to sneak up on people in the grass and different ways of taking them down and ways to be silent while you’re sneaking up. There was a really cool, beautiful forest that they trained us in, and they had us make these tiny little tents and at the night time they would set off grenades and fire blanks at us to simulate war. When you’re asleep and someone starts blowing stuff up, it feels pretty weird (laughs). You have to snap into reality really fast and follow procedure.

And then you were nearly a sniper, right? Is that true?
I guess the story goes that I did some very accurate shooting my first time holding a rifle. They taught us the basics; how to point, cock the weapon and so on. Then they had us fire different shots at the target, which was really far away; 100/200m. They took the people that I guess they saw had very accurate shots and then they narrowed us down and had a competition. After everyone had shot, we were taking down the targets and I heard my name being called out. I thought I was in trouble (laughs). But it was because I’d been selected to join a new competition taking place in the next field. I was up against police officers and hunters – I’d never shot a weapon before that day. This is where I think mind over matter comes into play. There was this movie at the time that I really liked called ‘Enemy At The Gates’ about two snipers so I just pretended to be one of the characters. We took 15 shots and I think I got them all into the space of like an inch; very small. I had no idea, but as we were graduating they called out my name and the chief said it was the best shot he’d ever seen. Later, some people from the army approached me and suggested I could go on sniper training. It was never official. They’ve never allowed a female to be a sniper in Canada before so the question is, would they have allowed it?

Why didn’t you pursue it?
Shooting at a target is fun but when it comes to a person, there’s no way I could have pulled the trigger. They kept my training up in a simulator, with real weapons but with laser sensors and it’s like a real life video game, with helicopters and moving targets stuff. That’s when I realised they were preparing me for real life situations. The training is great but I’m too soft of heart. If you have a command to shoot a person a mile away who can’t even see you, you don’t even know who that person is or why you’re shooting them… no way. I could never kill a person.

And why the Navy and not the Army?
I love sailing. Before the Navy, I’d sail on this dam, Glenmore Dam, near my home. I started on smaller vessels and then went up to taller ships and ended up sailing to Hawaii from Canada.

Course you did.
(Laughs) I fell in love with the ships and ended up volunteering to do anything; crew, chef.  I would stand on the masts for hours, totally happy just to be near the boats. You’re in a very confined space with a lot of people so you never really have your own time, but there’s fun ways to zone out; I used to climb up the mast and that’s where I taught myself guitar. It’s a weird feeling; like you’re riding a giant horse when you get up to the top; the boat is literally galloping over these waves. Anyway, every few years, they go on a trip to Japan and back. I made it as far as Hawaii before I found out that I had been accepted to music school so I had to decide what I wanted to do. That was a tough decision but music won out.

So how did a classically trained Canadian singer find out about House music and end up writing a song like ‘Hideaway’?
I think it was ingrained in me from a child because my mum was into all that stuff. She was a hardcore Michael Jackson fan but then she got into ‘90s dance music. The moment that Romi, the producer I work with, started playing the beat for ‘Hideaway’ I jumped on the mic and it all came out. It just felt so natural.

What’s next musically?
I have a full album nearly, I write constantly. I have follow-up songs that are similar to ‘Hideaway’ but then I want to progress into slower, breakbeat stuff. I want to keep it soulful but also pay tribute to my favourite music from the 90s.

Check the video for 'Giant In My Heart', below.


Vans x Tyler, The Creator


Odd Future frontman designs three colourways...

He's worked with them before, and no doubt he'll work with them again... Tyler, The Creator loves his Supreme and he loves his Vans. The OFWGKTA rhymer, producer, director, actor and, well, designer, unveiled the three designs via Instagram yesterday.

All three are bright and bold and feature a lovely pink sole.

These will drop on 19 July, check Golfwang for details.

adidas Original x Juun.J

Collab debuted at Paris Fashion Week...


Korean street tailoring designer Juun.J debuted his take on the adidas Superstar silhouette at Fashion Week in Paris this week.

Available in black or white, high or low, you'll have to wait until February 2015 for this collab to hit the streets.

Juun.J is one of the fastest rising names in Korean fashion, thanks to his street-facing tailoring that is most definitely aimed at the young, the cool and the adventurous.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Baauer: Clang


Harlem Shake producer drops a clang(er)...


Groan, sorry about that. Blame it on being a Tuesday.

The Harlem Shake producer returns with a big old bang in the form of 'Clang', which you can download for free from here.


Jeezy Ft. Jay Z: Seen It All

The two J's join up once more...


Jeezy and Jay have worked together before - with Go Crazy being one of their finest collabos - but not for a hot minute.

Produced by Cardo, this soulful track is taken from Jeezy's forthcoming album, also called 'Seen It All, due in September. For those beef-mongerers among you, there's no shots fired at Drake. Instead Hov reflects on days gone by on the block.

Check 'Seen It All', below.