Richardine Bartee
Sultan + Shepard – High on Emotion (Submission)
Get up, get out there, and do something. ‘High on Emotion’ is the type of record to make you snap your fingers, then, dance without instruction. Have you ever watched your rhythmically-challenged friends try to dance like pros? Yeah, well, none of it will matter when the high-energy Canadian creation comes on in any given space. Take a look around you. Everyone is smiling. Everything is alright for now.
JIM – Lonely (Submission)
Upon the first few seconds of the song, it reminds me of a production style, popularised in the early 2000s, directly, Fabolous’ ‘Can’t Deny It’ featuring Nate Dogg from the Brooklyn rapper’s debut LP ‘Ghetto Fabolous’. Eventually, the sound evolves, and the Norwegian teen singer opens up about wanting to run away with the person of his dreams. He’s smitten. There’s no “chill” button. He’s ready to risk it all. He doesn’t want to be lonely any longer. Without a doubt, at some point, the lyrics sound a little aggressive, when stripped of the fun backing track, but I get it. I will not judge the young man on what seems to be his innocence, but I am here to point out the obvious.
Sidenote: If you didn’t know, ‘Ghetto Fabolous’ came out the same day at the September 11 attacks in 2001. In ten days, it will be seventeen years since the gruesome terrorist attack.
$KELETON CLUB – DOA (Submission)
Death (of some sort) and (the remnants of) romance are the usual subjects in music. That sentiment doesn’t change with the debut single ‘DOA’. The hook says, “Think I’ll never die”. It’s not a far-fetched thought because I always feel that way. I know that my physical form will ripen and decay, but I don’t feel like my soul or spirit will ever die. I could be wrong, but it’s just the way I feel now. If you think the same way, the three-piece Montreal-based band made this one is for you.
FATHERDUDE – Let Me Live (Submission)
Bombastic, about ten seconds in from its start, New York City-based musician FATHERDUDE sings about being left alone to live his life, the way he wants. It is his first solo effort, two years after the release of his debut EP titled, ‘The Balance’. We are excited to see what’s next for the singer-songwriter. In the meantime, stream ‘Let Me Live’ below.
Zamaera – Z vs Z (Submission)
Malaysian emcee Zamaera is gifted to the bone. Her vocal delivery is impressive. She is beautiful. She is one of the only rappers, today, who understand the importance of trends and substance. In the June of 2018, Zamaera appeared on MTV Asia’s ‘Yo! MTV Raps’. Thus, over a million music fans have seen her, all over the world. Now, she’s ready to show those fans that she isn’t afraid to be vulnerable; get personal. Watch the official video for her letter to her past self. I think she has what it takes to crossover. In October, she kicks off a Southeast Asian tour to support her debut EP.
OLLIE – Better With You featuring Aleesia (Submission)
I don’t think it’s just the bible. I believe humans are better suited to a life partner. We are better with a spouse or partner than when we are alone. It does have to be the right person, though, or it would be unhealthy, short-lived, and seemingly a waste of time. If you’re single, and you are open to finding someone to make your life better, as you will theirs, turn up the volume on the OLLIE and Aleesia collaboration. It’ll motivate you to walk in the right direction, hopefully.
“I’m a movement by myself, but I’m a force when we’re together… You plus me, it equals better math…”
PS: As I listened to ‘Better With You’ by Ollie, I could not help but think about the lyrics of ‘Make Me Better’ by Fabolous featuring Ne-Yo. Check out the song from the EP—Maybe This Was Supposed to Happen—coming out on October 27.
FrankK – Hand on Heart (Submission)
If you’re looking for an end of Summer track to play, FranKK’s ‘Hand on Heart’ can be your buddy on the way to school, or into your holiday season. It’s a good song that reminds you of self-awareness, figuring things out, and growing. Listen to the Pop singer’s new single below. Then, read what the artist had to say about the track.
“A lot of my songs are about fantasies, and about money. I wrote a lot of them when I was really broke, which sort of made me obsessed with money. ‘Hand on heart’ however is a bit darker, and more personal, since it’s about trying to run away from oneself and about trying to fix oneself, even though it’s impossible. What’s broken is broken.”
Cautious Clay – Crowned (Submission)
I don’t ever have any critique when it comes to Cautious Clay’s music. The only thing I want to do is share it with my audience. So, that’s what I will do Hurry, now. Go, press play on ‘Crowned’ below!
Black Market Salesmen – Flower Child (Submission)
If you didn’t land the “job” with your Summer crush, then, Black Market Salesmen’s song may not be what you want to hear. ‘Flower Child’ is an energetic number about making someone yours. It’s a love-at-first Rock n’ Roll track that exudes confidence, admiration, and more. I could hear this in a bar as I wait for my warm plate of food to arrive. The television is going. The air is cold. People are chattering, and walking back and forth. It’s a good night.
The Heatwave – Closer to Me featuring Stylo G (Submission)
Taking it back to the days when gritty Jamaican culture plastered on our television screens, The Heatwave shows the raw and dutty side of Jamaica that we’ve all fell in love with in the nineties. Black women, of all sizes and complexions, are stars of this video. If you want to learn how to smoothen out your twerk, here’s a great place to begin. Learn from the Black woman.
Elephant – Call You Mine (Submission) (Bonus)
Based in New York City, home to some of the world’s best musicians, Elephant made music synonymous with what plays when the main character of a movie accentuates their worth. The sway of the track, the way it makes you feel, it’s all very emotional. If you’re not careful or mentally stable, you may fall deeper into the depths of your heartache. Do me a favour. Smile at the end of every lyric. We think that’ll do the trick! Listen to the smooth and touching ‘Call You Mine’ below.
