Skepta, L3 & Michael Phantom - No Stress
Skepta’s had a big year. His triplet of single features over August and September shows his influence across the board in Britain’s rap game. Enlisting L3 and Michael Phantom, both members of the infamous Essie Gang, for No Stress shows his willingness to shed light on the new as much as the old.
Slowthai - Feel Away ft James Blake & Mount Kimbie
It felt like Thai had a point to prove after his NME awards show cock up, and boy has he done just that on Feel Away. Mount KImbie’s sincere production matches the Northampton rapper’s concious wordplay, whilst James Blake marinades the production with his angelic vocals.
Jesi - PPGS
Jesi has pricked our ears up with a succession of tasty trap singles. Melting plucked asian melodies with 808s and rolling snares, PPGS hits hard and grows increasingly infectious the more you play it. Hoping to hear more from him soon.
PA Salieu ft Backroad Gee - My Family
PA Salieu has had quite the year. From 'Frontline', to 'Hit The Block' with SL, to 'Betty', 2020 has certainly been a big one for the British-Gambian rapper. Not to mention the successful year for London's Backroad Gee too, after the release of his second EP 'Mukta vs Mukta'. However, this collab, 'My Family', is arguably the best work we have seen from the pair in 2020, which is saying something. We already saw the potential they possessed in 'Party Popper', and 'My Family' only raised the bar further, accompanied by a mad music vid.
Lijah - IF, I ft Jaydon Clover & Vitamin G
Our boy Lijah coming through with his latest masterpiece - entitled “IF, I”. With Vitamin G & Jaydonclover on the feature, this track has absolute BADBOY written all over it. We love the vibes this song brings, with its easy flowing hooks and wicked bars; the three have done an absolutely cracking job.
Feux ft Willow Kayne - Love Sometimes
Released as a deep cut in the lead up to Pure 9, Feux’s forthcoming album/ mixtape, Love Sometimes sees the Londoner teaming up with Bath’s finest - Willow Kayne. Over howling percussion, the pair duet with a sincerity that matches the lyrical content. GET THIS ON SPOTIFY FEUX BOY.
Sam Wise - Shuda Wuda Cuda
Sam Wise came back again with another banging single to further entice us for a second album. Starting off with a slightly more mellow tone than his previous release 'Road Rage', 'Shuda Wuda Cuda' shocks you when Wise's bars come in over the beat, which hits hard. As a still, somewhat, undiscovered artist, it's hard to believe that after SYWS Sam Wise still has bigger and better tunes being released. And hopefully still to come as well.
M1llionz - Lagga
Our drill pick of the month comes via M1llionz. Lagga, with its thundering 808s and potent wordplay, says a lot about the artist’s dexterity. The track comes with some compelling visuals, which we recommend you watch below.
BINA. - Dark Cloud
Blending R&B grooves with her neo-soul delivery, BINA.’s latest single could be her most accomplished to date. The jazzy production fits her subdued, sassy delivery effortlessly, getting you up and moving even if you are a Covid carrier isolating for 10 days.
Bel Cobain - At The Bay - Illiterate ft Lex Amor
The Silhouette Project’s latest single enlists Cobain’s honeyed vocals and a husky verse by Lex Amor. The artists combine beautifully over the droney boom-bap beat, accentuating a narrative of lonelyinhess I feel all of us have probably experienced over the lockdown period.
Frisco ft BBK - Red Card
BBK are back and oh Jesus... what a slapper Red Card is. The only issue with this song is that it actually angers me it can't be banged out at a live festival or gig set this year, or even from a DJ at a club or house party, because seeing the havoc this tune could cause could be enough to make a man cry.
Finn Foxell - Steady
IGLU NOISE goes IN on the production of Finn Foxell’s ‘Steady’. The flutes, trumpets and chopped vocal scratches combine in triumphant fashion, enriching the West Londoner’s wordplay, which addresses the collective growth of EM, as well as reminding us all to take a chill pill or two.
Action Bronson - Mongolia
One of the biggest bromance’s in modern hiphop, Bronson and Mayhem continued their collaborative efforts on this album. Mayhem attacks Mongolia’s beat with his assertive delivery, spitting over the Asian inspired instrumental with ease. Action and Hologram equally kill it with their shroom-referencing verses; the whole of Only For Dolphins is well worth a listen.
WRITTEN BY: ALL OF THE MAN