Richardine Bartee
The Holy Gasp – A Daily Affirmation (Submission)
Back in 2015, The Holy Gasp released the odd black-and-white official video for ‘A Daily Affirmation’. I’ll be honest. It would be a hard pass for me if that version showed up in any of my inboxes. The presentation and the clear rework of its vocal delivery are what made me want to take the chance. The Canadian musician is unique, brilliant, and funny in ways he couldn’t premeditate—even if he wanted.
KLANGPLANET – Voyage (Submission)
‘Voyage’ evokes the spirit of healing and wanting to go for a late night walk in London. There’s a space-related sample used, but it doesn’t patch in as otherworldly. Next, there’s a vocal, which says that the temperature is rising. Inherently, that makes me think of that moment when you’re on the treadmill at the gym— you’re finally sweating. You’re feeling the burn, but you want to keep going. You have to keep going. Toward the end, the record fades; You begin to cool down.
Morale – Hold Me Down (Submission)
Kicking off their year with such a big production, United Kingdom-based Morale releases a song about struggling with their inner demons into the world with an official visual component.
These things carry weight, they can really get hold of you and cast a shadow over who you really are. A lot of people keep this to themselves and although people always promote reaching out to others (which is definitely important), some can’t do that and it’s important for those people to know that they too can find the strength to face it and overcome it.
To be their debut music video, it’s damned good. Watch the official visual for the third single, ‘Hold Me Down’ now.
Kida Kudz – Jiggy Bop (Submission)
I walked in the studio and I told my producers, “I need to make an anthem” and we made a banger in an hour. Jiggy Bop is a liberating feel good song and please feel free to do any moves your body tells you to.
From London to Lagos, Kida Kudz is making everyone do the Jiggy Bop. The catchy record received a split video that reminds me of A$AP Rocky and Skepta’s ‘Praise the Lord (Da Shine)’. Watch the official video from Kida Kudz forthcoming EP ‘Nasty’, which features Loski and Chipmunk. It will be out later this year.
Preston Lovinggood – Everything Will Be Okay (Submission)
If you ever needed a pick-me-up, listening to this tune by Preston Lovinggwood would be your best bet. From his name to the title of the song, good times are in order. Listen to the track with the catchy hook below.
David Quinn – Where the Buffalo Roam (Submission)
If you’ve been looking for a song that could enter the Country charts on Billboard, without question David Quinn’s record will be the one. He’s unapologetically a country boy, sharing those stories in his songwriting. And if you were to take his soul, please, lay him down where the buffalo roam. No other place will suffice. You have to make his bed under the moon, please. Now, check out the song now.
KEØMA – Lovers (Submission)
Whenever I think about my past, I think about the good and positive times I’ve been able to experience. Love is an emotion that feels so good you’ll want to eat it—with someone at the dinner table. It’ll also make you do things you wouldn’t think about doing if you weren’t in love. There’s the other part, about doing everything together. In ‘Lovers’, those are the times that KEØMA shows in the visual. The moments when you’re inseparable, and in harmony.
Lu City – Starting Over featuring Reekado Banks (Submission)
Claiming that they don’t want to play games with our minds, Lu City and Reekado Banks team up for ‘Starting Over’, a Caribbean-themed record about their women of interest. Watch the official video below.
SASH – Moving Reckless (Submission)
From the time I heard/watched SASH’s video for ‘Wreckless’. I was hooked. Not to mention, he is a super young musician from New York City, who had the privilege of riding around in my favourite vehicle on Earth. This one is a bit personal.
