WHO AM I LISTENING TO?
- Tafadzwa Muchenje
- Feb 16, 2017
- 4 min read
Hare Squad // Sampha // MTMBO // Duckwrth // GhostPoet // Rhys Lewis // Couros // Mura Masa // Aminé // Liv Dawson // Yellow Days // Maggie Rogers // Rachel Foxx // Fortunes. // Goldlink // Chance the Rapper // Tei Shi // SG Lewis // Noname // Ray Blk // Kojey Radical // Mick Jenkins // Jordan Max // Jelani Blackman // Berhana // Khalid // Ravyn Leane // Raleigh Ritchie // Jay Prince // Samm Henshaw // Kevin Garrett // Eryn Allen Kane // Jorja Smith // Louis Mattrs // Daniel Caesar // Sam Gellaitry // Sampha the Great // Karma Kid // Tom Misch // Johnny Rain //
I'm expecting some absolutely banging tunes from the big names in 2017. I am not here to talk about them a lot though because they will be get a lot of media attention already when that happens. I'll give you a few notable mentions of the big guns making waves right now. Big Sean, who released his latest album IDecided which came out on the 3rd of February 2017 and is currently sitting #1 in America and #12 in the United Kingdom. I still remember his album Dark Sky Paradise people were beginning to truly appreciating his craft. We were really only just seeing the beginning of what he had to offer the game. With the skilful and witty rhymes to song like "IDFWU". That was only the beginning, now we are seeing a more mature and intelligent artist in his new album - in which he conflates the passing of time with growth and progress.
(3.5/5)
Godfather Another notable album release, the big man the godfather himself Wiley. Released his album in January 2017. He said that this would be his last album release - what a why to bow out. With the revival of Grime, thanks to the likes of Skepta, JME, Stormzy this is certainly the time to get involved with the game. The Godfather himself was a chief instigator in the grime scene in it's early days. He was apart of the crew Roll Deep, which released classics like "Green Light" and "Eskimo". With his new album, Wiley matches the same energy as the current grime leaders. This album is defiantly a classic already for me.
(3.9/5)
New Gen. ever heard of them? Neither had I, until I came across their new album, and WOW this 17-track compilation defiantly shows the talent with the new generation of London Rappers. With New Gen, they are really creating a new sub-genre of which you’ll hear garage, dancehall, reggae, and R&B singers alongside the grime and hip-hop MCs. New Gen is a product from XL records with it's aim to bring together the UK's best underground grime and rap artists between a group of 17 artists. With notable artists like Avelino, Ray Blk, AJ Tracey, 67, and Kojey Radical the album is truly a combination of the best of British future. The outcome is a head-banging brilliant album. I have to give this album a solid 5, it's just so good. I am expecting more from this project - the future is promising for British music. Listen to their song "Life Support" without a doubt their best in my opinion.
(5/5)
Back now to who else you should be listening to. In the header of this post I've written a list of some new and lesser known artists that you should defiantly check out. I'll talk about a few of my personal favourite.
One of my favourite artist. A UK based MC whose beats are electrifying and immersive with his flow being a cross between drowsy melancholic rap/spoken word. I wouldn't know what genre to class him under but the music he has been making has evolved with every release to perfecting his craft with his latest album, "Shedding Skin
" it has a moody atl-rock sound combined with gripping beats. Watching him becoming the artist he is today has truly been amazing - when watching him perform live you can really see the passion and love he has for his music, and how much of a perfectionist he is. The Guardian rated the album a 4/5 which I think is fare, but I'm going to give it a 5/5 it is compelling and a passionate album.
I'd like to see another release from him soon. With him further exploring this edgy vibe he has currently dipped into with "Shedding Skin". I must say though that if you are to listen to Ghostpoet you must really listen to all his work, with "Peanut Butter and Blues and Melancholy Jam" for which he was amongst the 2011 Mercury Prize nominees. Notable songs from that album are "Liiines" and "Us Against Whatever Ever". His second release, "Some Say I So I Say Light" with notable songs from this album being "Plastic Bag Brain", "Meltdown" and "MSI musmiD" and finally to his latest release in 2015 "Shedding Skin". This album was shortlisted for the 2015 Mercury Prize.
Aminé
One of the most fire groups to come out of the States at the moment is Aminé. The Portland rapper has shot to stardom after the release of his hit song, Caroline. The song peaked at No.18 on the American Hot 100 last year. He performed his song on his tv debut on 'Jimmy Fallons' show back in November.
The song is witty, fun and defiantly a good listen to. There isn't much about the Portland rapper but I am sure to expect something good from him this year.
KHALID
Khalid has become one of my favourite artists over the last few months. The best artists make songs that you don’t get enough of, one's where no matter how much you play them, there’s something that brings you back, and that is what he achieves. I am expecting a promising year for the singer. He is without a doubt an exciting prospect, the combination of his delicate voice and smooth writing just draw you in. With his music it's all about quality not quantity - he only has 7 single releases. Yet has more than 3, 000, 000 monthly listeners on Spotify which is incredible for someone who only started releasing him music in 2015. So yeah, make sure you keep him on your radar.
Again check out the list above. There is a whole range of artists from different genres - so there is a bit for everyone really. Some of these artist might have a break through year, so be on the look out.
Comments