GRUNGECAKE

Category: Music

  • ‘Sit Down’ (Remix) breaks borders with Afro B, Rafa Pabön, Snik, and Lalo Ebratt

    Lahrel is not playing it safe this Summer. The British-Jamaican newcomer raises the stakes with the ‘Sit Down’ (Remix), a genre-bending anthem that fuses Afrobeats, Urbano Latino, Dancehall, and UK Rap into one explosive track.

    [media-credit name=”Sit Down Remix” align=”none” width=”300″][/media-credit]

    Out now, the remix is a high-energy rework of her fan-favourite single, which already pulled in over 225,000 streams.

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    What makes this remix stand out is its global cast. Afro B brings his Afro-swing magic from the United Kingdom. Rafa Pabön slides in smooth from Puerto Rico with Latin urban flair. Greek star Snik adds grit and edge. And Colombia’s Lalo Ebratt keeps the energy wild with his unmistakable charisma. Each artist owns their verse, offering a unique twist on Lahrel’s addictive hook that ties the whole track together.

    The track comes with a visual-first campaign designed to catch fire across TikTok, Reels, and Shorts.

    Lahrel might be new to the scene, but she is building with intention. The ‘Sit Down’ (Remix) is a confident step onto the global stage, and with heavyweight collaborators from four continents, she’s making it clear, she’s ready for movement.

  • Ghana’s beloved singer Gyakie’s captures Soweto in latest video for ‘Unconditional’: Watch

    Approximately six hours ago, Ghanaian singer Gyakie shared her official music video for her new song ‘Unconditional’. In the video directed by Wayward, she dances alongside four young women and rides through the streets of South Africa on the back of a motorcycle. Some familiar places shown include Rivonia, Vilakazi Street in Soweto (by former South African President Mandela’s house), the famous towers in Soweto (where Costa Titch filmed the viral video ‘Big Flexa’ featuring C’buda M, Alfa Kat, Banaba Des, Sdida & Man T), and local street dancers (or “intersection hustlers”) in traffic at the light (or the robot, as locally described).

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXgrJxuySsU&h=315]

    Currently sitting at eleven thousand views and counting, the “song bird” has given fans her growing international fan base what they’ve been waiting for—more music. A month ago, Gyakie shared the official music video for ‘Sankofa’.

    If you are unfamiliar with the meaning of Sankofa, according to my research, it translates to “go back and get it” or “return to your past”. It is a word from the Akan people of Ghana that signifies the importance of learning from the past to inform and improve the present and future. Like Gyakie, Sankofa, a bird, with its head turned backwards, carrying an egg in its mouth, symbolises the act of retrieving knowledge from the past. 

    Check out that music video, too.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZQ0j41abRdw&h=315]

  • Rodney Hazard travels with ‘Islands (You & I)’ — A getaway you’ll want on repeat

     

    Rodney Hazard is back, and he’s brought the breeze of the islands with him. His latest single Islands (You & I) is a genre-blurring masterpiece that fuses the infectious pulse of Amapiano with his signature electronic textures. It’s the kind of track that instantly pulls you into a daydream—sun-warmed, rhythm-driven, and emotionally rich.

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    Teaming up with rising vocalist Rayfell, the song layers soulful vocals over hypnotic beats, capturing that sweet tension between romance and escape. It’s music built for movement, perfect for both late-night drives and dance floor sway. From the sparkling percussion to the deep bassline, every detail in Islands (You & I) is designed to make you feel something.

     

    [media-credit name=”Rodney Hazard” align=”alignnone” width=”300″][/media-credit]

    Rodney isn’t just dropping singles—he’s crafting soundtracks for emotional release. This track is a statement: he’s not bound by genre or geography. His sound is borderless, his vision clear. And if Islands (You & I) is any indication, what’s coming next will keep redefining what it means to mix feeling with sound.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UlSYJohSX34&w=560&h=315]

  • 5@5: A morning playlist featuring ThaFirst and KWESI

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    A mix of smooth and non-interruptive music shines on this morning playlist featuring Bat Zoom, OKARO, ThaFirst, KWESI, and Fletcher Tucker. Therefore, we believe these records are the best of the week. Check them out below.

    Bat Zoom – Lemon (Submission)

    Bat Zoo showcases enchanting power through a new track called ‘Lemon’. We get to see men cry on-screen, weep in real life or sing proudly about the lows of their relationships. One could argue that the chaotic sound, which enters at the ten-second mark, is an interruptive (based on ear sensitivity or personal music taste) composition, mellowing out soon after, making it the sort of jam to ease into your mornings.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOLos-xD7vY&h=315]

    OKARO – Like That (Submission)

    Swedish-Assyrian musician—OKARO—real name Delia Okaro has shared what her team seems to think of as a “sleeper hit” or a “slow burner”. Her latest song ‘Like That’ is doused with heavy Hip-Hop drums and distorted bass, telling the unfortunate story about lusting after an individual who “has it like that” and seemingly embodies what she wanted in an intimate partner.

    It’s said that the producer-songwriter plans to take the stage at Sweden’s PLX Tjärö 2025 Festival in mid-August! We would be on the other side of the planet, but we hope to see clips of a stunning live performance on one of her pages.

    ThaFirst – Ran Outta Luck (Submission)

    Last month, the son of Boy Better Know Grimes artist Frisco, North London rapper ThaFirst returned with the official music video to his new track ‘Ran Outta Luck’. Celebrating the city of London in the backdrop, the official shows off “the ends”, the spread-out skyline, and its iconic double-decker buses. When he’s not making music, he graced the runway in shows like fellow Londoner Skepta’s MAINS show and what it takes to earn hefty co-signs from fellow artists like Wretch32, Knucks and Pozer, according to the information received. We cannot wait until his streams match his outstanding profile. To help him achieve that, check out the music video below.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IWvbySZ_rzc&h=315]

    And if you’re into the “going to Mars” thing, you and the rising artist fancy the same things.

    KWESI – NEWPHONEWHOTHIS? (Submission)

    Have you enjoyed the inevitable multiple evolutions of Hip-Hop music over the years? I have, and one of my favourites is the dark, rage-infused sounds that have encouraged more new-age artists to sing-rap for over a decade.

    If you ask me, it’s a favourable nod to the distinctive styles with F1LTHY and KP Beatzs at the intersection.

    If you like Lil Uzi Vert and Playboy Carti and anything coming out through his Opium (00pium) label, there’s a high probability you may be into Cincy artist KWESI’s ‘NEWPHONEWHOTHIS?’ It’s the fifth track on his new extended play ‘SHEESH!’. After you listen to this one, it will be difficult to close your eyes again.

    Fletcher Tucker – To Light a Fire featuring Phil Elverum (Submission)

    If you want to head back to sleep (because you woke up too early), we think this track by the self-described “Freak Folk” artist Fletcher Tucker’s ‘To Light a Fire’ may do the trick! It is a ten-minute [plus] work, featuring Phil Elverum (Mount Eerie) on percussion, inspired by surviving “a white-out blizzard in the Sierras and the hypnotics of Hildegard von Bingen”. Stream the song and see if it doesn’t put you in a tranquil state.

  • Hear Syd’s latest track ‘Die For This’

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    As she gears up to hit the road with Billie Eilish this Summer, Syd lets us peek behind the curtain of her creative process—and unsurprisingly, it’s both effortless and boundary-pushing. On her new single ‘Die For This’, she doesn’t just play with tempo—she bends it to her will. With lush production and vulnerability laced through every lyric, Syd reminds us why her fingerprint on modern R&B is so singular, so studied, yet so nonchalant. You hear her influence in what others try to do—but Syd lives in a lane that’s been hers from the jump. And whilst others may imitate, they can’t recreate the intent or finesse. She’s flattered, not phased.

    Since blessing us with her 2017 solo debut ‘Fin’, Syd has operated as a cultural engine. From helming Hive Mind with her GRAMMY-nominated crew The Internet to co-writing ‘Plastic Off the Sofa’ on Beyoncé’s ‘Renaissance’ (yes, that track) and building her own studio in Los Angeles—she’s built a blueprint in real-time. Collaborations with Zayn, Lil Uzi Vert, Kehlani, Disclosure, and Kelly Rowland? Check. Fronting campaigns for Valentino, Louis Vuitton, and Adidas? Also csydheck.

    Ten years after Ego Death cracked the atmosphere and reset expectations, Syd’s presence is just as powerful—if not more nuanced. ‘Die For This’ isn’t just a Summer song—it’s a statement. She crushes, she flexes, she floats. And this tour with Billie? It’s just another page in a book we’re all lucky to read in real-time.

  • Denver’s Underground Music Showcase bows out “in its current form” after 25 years

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    Denver’s indie lifeblood is pulsing to its final beat this July. After a legendary twenty-five‑year run, the Underground Music Showcase—fondly known as UMS—is bowing out “in its current form”, with July 25–27 marking what organisers are calling a grand and necessary “blowout”. Since its scrappy DIY debut in 2001, born from the passion of Denver Post journalists Ricardo Baca and John Moore, UMS has grown from a handful of $5 shows into a sprawling celebration of local and touring talent—four outdoor stages, twelve venues, and over two-hundred bands this year alone. It’s the stage that propelled acts like DeVotchKa, Flobots, and Nathaniel Rateliff—but evolving realities have reshaped the landscape dramatically.

    UMS co‑manager Jami Duffy, who now steps in alongside Casey Berry under the Youth on Record umbrella, described the festival’s gamble with rising costs. From security, climate‑resilient infrastructure, and fentanyl safety measures to higher artist wages, accessibility standards, and mental‑health services, the bar has soared. Even sold‑out crowds don’t close the financial gap anymore.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qKBdpJYpH1Q&h=315]

    But this finale isn’t an ending—it’s an inflection point. Duffy emphasises that skipping this year would have robbed the community of a proper farewell. Instead, UMS is seizing this moment to spark dialogue during its Get Loud Music Summit—inviting artists, fans, venues, and funders to envision what comes next.

    Denver’s city budget woes—$250 million shortfall at one point—mirror the statewide and national strains on arts funding and public safety support. Still, Duffy remains hopeful. She challenges the community to build a coalition: venues, philanthropists, government, and fans alike. Maybe UMS morphs into something new—fragmented guerrilla gigs, tighter showcases, or a renewed DIY spark. She believes creativity thrives when the stakes are highest.

    This year, the festival will carry extra emotional weight. Legacy acts and rising voices will take the stage amid a vigilant audience aware they’re part of history in motion. As Duffy urges, “breathe in those moments…you can hug a little longer…play your asses off”.

    UMS may be ending, but its essence—the underground, the unexpected, the electric—lives on in Denver’s tenacious music scene.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9womMYx3yw&h=315]

    Three years ago, the Financial Times released a twenty-minute documentary detailing the risks festival organisers face. In the United Kingdom, there were approximately six hundred festivals in 2019. As of 2023, there are fewer than five hundred. If you ever thought about being a festival organiser, I would recommend watching the video above. It could help you decide if it is worth it.

  • Kesha unleashes her wildest era yet with ‘.(Period)’, a frisky, unfiltered Pop frenzy

    NSFW visuals, #1 hits, and an eighteen-thousand strong tour kickoff make it clear: She’s never been more in control.

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    With her latest studio release ‘.(Period)’ (stylised as ‘Period’), globally-recognised musician Kesha isn’t just back—she’s reborn. Described by Rolling Stone as “a frisky pop record that delights in throwing things at the wall and seeing what sticks”, the genre-defying album earned a rare 4-out-of-5-star rave, and it’s not hard to hear why. From the moment ‘The One’ debuted at #1 on iTunes US across all genres, it became crystal clear: Kesha’s creative instincts are sharper, riskier, and louder than ever.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9NvqJOgjrc&h=315]

    The album doesn’t just flirt with chaos—it marries it. Tracks like ‘Boy Crazy’ stand as proof, where she unapologetically directs a NSFW visual alongside Brett Loudermilk and Zain Curtis. It’s sweaty, sacrilegious, and sexy—a fever dream that reimagines ‘The Last Supper’ as a house party gone gloriously off the rails. The men, barely clothed and fully uninhibited, whirl around the GRAMMY-nominated artist as if possessed by the beat. As People put it: “Kesha is getting raunchy.” But let’s be clear—this isn’t shock for shock’s sake. It’s Kesha reclaiming her narrative, her sensuality, and her throne.

    [youtube=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVjBfGfG6Es&h=315]

    Elsewhere, ‘Attention’—a standalone track featuring St Louis-born Slayyyter and United Kingdom breakout Rose Gray—cements her knack for cross-generational Pop disruption. Both artists joined Kesha on her newly launched North American headline tour, which roared to life in Utah before eighteen-thousand screaming “Animals”. The energy? Electric. The statement? Clear. Kesha’s not only still here—she’s out for blood, glitter, and glory.

    If ‘.(Period)’ is the punctuation on her past, it also signals the start of a new, unhinged, liberated paragraph—written entirely on her terms. Stream the rousing eleven-track album below.

  • TikTok and Tomorrowland announce global partnership to bring best of Electronic music to global audiences

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    Yesterday, TikTok announces a new partnership deal with Tomorrowland (seventeen million followers), the world-famous Electronic Dance music festival, to deliver unprecedented digital festival experiences for global music fans. The new wide-ranging, year-long partnership will see TikTok serve as Tomorrowland’s Official Content Partner, offering 24/7 festival live streams, behind-the-scenes access, artist and creator collaborations, and interactive fan experiences that will bring music fans closer to the heart of the festival than ever before.

    Tomorrowland 2025, taking place over two weekends in July in Boom, Belgium, will feature a curated lineup of world-renowned DJs, visionary stage designs, and immersive storytelling. Through TikTok, users worldwide will be able to explore the magic of the festival with LIVE streams of headline acts, creator-led content, and a dedicated #Tomorrowland in-app hub which will act as a one-stop experience for fans all over the world to experience the festival for themselves. Additionally, CapCut and Tomorrowland will launch an official template for all users to spread the magic even further online.

    SoundOn, TikTok’s music distribution and promotion service, is partnering with Tomorrowland’s label Tomorrowland Music to host a songwriting camp ahead of the festival. Artists from both labels will collaborate, write and release original music to soundtrack the activities happening on and off the TikTok platform during both weekends. The songs will be performed live onstage at Tomorrowland, and released and distributed by SoundOn.

    A global phenomenon, #Tomorrowland is already hugely popular with the TikTok community. Posts using the #Tomorrowland hashtag have now been viewed over ten billion times—with creators using it as a chance to showcase their favourite #Festival content and performances from the two high energy weekends in Belgium—and TikTok’s Tomorrowland 2023 festival livestream was viewed by a record-breaking sixteen million people. The year-long partnership will also see TikTok exploring further opportunities with Tomorrowland’s slate of live music properties, which include Unity at Sphere, Tomorrowland Brasil, Tomorrowland Winter, and many more.

  • Scooter Braun steps down as CEO of HYBE America amid strategic leadership shift

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    On July 1, 2025, HYBE America confirmed that Scooter Braun will step down as CEO, transitioning into a Senior Advisory Role whilst remaining on the board. The move is part of a broader five‑year strategic plan initiated when Braun sold his Ithaca Holdings to HYBE in 2021. In his place, Isaac Lee, current Chairman of HYBE Latin America, will assume the reins as HYBE America’s new CEO.

    HYBE founder Bang Si‑Hyuk lauded Braun’s contributions: “An extraordinary partner, a visionary executive, and a true catalyst for cultural exchange”, commending his role in establishing HYBE’s ambitious US presence. Braun echoed the sentiment, expressing pride in HYBE’s achievements and reaffirming his commitment to support future leadership and artist-focused initiatives.

    Simultaneously, on July 1, BTS surprised ARMY with an OT7 Weverse livestream—hinting at a group comeback in spring 2026. Fans swiftly linked Braun’s departure with this news, interpreting the timing as a symbolic fresh start and reason to celebrate an era now “free” of Braun’s influence. Online sentiment was clear: “Scooter Braun out, Bangtan back — there’s no stopping us now.”

    Despite stepping aside from day‑to‑day operations, Braun will remain deeply involved in HYBE’s U.S. expansion. Vulture reports that he’ll continue advising on projects like Katseye, remaining the company’s second‑largest individual shareholder. His next venture has yet to be revealed, though it will “reflect his expansive cross‑industry vision and philanthropic interests”.

    Key highlights:

  • New CEO: Isaac Lee takes over HYBE America
  • Bruce remains involved: Braun stays on board as senior advisor
  • Fan connection: Leadership change ties into BTS’s anticipated spring‑2026 comeback
  • Next steps: Braun to shift focus to new ventures, albeit unspecified

    • This strategic transition marks a pivotal moment in HYBE’s evolving global posture—especially as it gears up for BTS’s next chapter under new American leadership.

  • Listen to global music icon Kesha’s new single ‘The One’ from her forthcoming album

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    Today, global music icon Kesha released her new single called ‘The One’ ahead of her forthcoming album entitled ‘.(Period)’ on July 4 through her record label. On the track produced by Zhone and Kesha, the Los Angeles-born artist reflects on the transformative realisation that self-love holds greater significance than seeking validation or affection from others. The song captures a personal journey of empowerment, emphasising the importance of inner strength and self-worth. It follows up her last single ‘Attention’ featuring Pop music disruptor Slayyyter and rising English singer-songwriter, Rose Gray—both joining the larger-than-life singer-songwriter on tour. Her upcoming tour, ‘The Tits Out’, starts next week—on July 1 in West Valley City, Utah. Kesha’s show dates in New York City’s Madison Square Garden and Los Angeles’ Kia Forum are sold out. Check out the tour dates below.

    Kesha & Scissor Sisters: The Tits Out Tour
    North America 2025

     

    July

    1 – West Valley City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre ^
    3 – Mountain View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre ^
    5 – Inglewood, CA – Kia Forum ^ (SOLD OUT)
    6 – Phoenix, AZ – Talking Stick Resort Amphitheatre ^
    8 – Dallas, TX – Dos Equis Pavilion ^
    10 – The Woodlands, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion ^
    12 – Tinley Park, IL – Credit Union 1 Amphitheatre ^
    13 – St. Louis, MO – Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre ^
    15 – Nashville, TN – Riverfront Park – Ascend Amphitheater ^
    16 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center ^
    18 – Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center ^
    19 – Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre #
    21 – Toronto, ON – Budweiser Stage #
    23 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden * (SOLD OUT)
    24 – Mansfield, MA – Xfinity Center #
    26 – Burgettstown, PA – The Pavilion at Star Lake #
    28 – Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center #
    29 – Philadelphia, PA – Mann Center for the Performing Arts #
    31 – Buffalo, NY – Darien Lake Amphitheater #
     

    August

    2 – Virginia Beach, VA – Veterans United Home Loans Amphitheater #
    3 – Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park at Walnut Creek #
    5 – Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion #
    7 – Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre #
    9 – West Palm Beach, FL – iTHINK Financial Amphitheatre #
    10 – Tampa, FL – MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amphitheatre #

    September

    28 – Columbia, MD – All Things Go †
     
    ^ w/ Slayyyter
    # w/ Rose Gray
    * w/ Vengaboys
    † Festival Appearance

    Kesha: The Tits Out Tour
    EU/UK 2026

    March 2026

    4 – Berlin, DE – Uber Eats Music Hall (SOLD OUT)
    6 – Paris, FR – Zénith Paris
    7 – Amsterdam, NL – AFAS Live
    9 – Antwerp, BE – Lotto Arena
    11 – Glasgow, UK – OVO Hydro
    13 – Manchester, UK – Aviva Studios
    14 – Manchester, UK – Aviva Studios
    16 – London, UK – O2 Academy Brixton
    17 – London, UK – O2 Academy Brixton
    19 – Wolverhampton, UK – The Civic Hall
    21 – Dublin, IE – 3Arena

    Her 5X RIAA platinum classic, ‘Your Love Is My Drug’, experiencing viral renaissance with over one million TikTok videos created and one billion views in the past month, more than fifteen years after its original release.