Dionne Bromfield – “Can’t Unlove You”
One of the UK’s best-loved emerging soul singers and the goddaughter of the incomparable Amy Winehouse, Dionne Broomfield returns with her first track of 2018 with the gorgeous “Can’t Unlove You”, along with the promise of a slew of new material coming this year.
The young star has since been crafting her sound in the studio and this is a long-awaited return from one of the most talented singers around. A slow-burning track driven by the passionate sounds of the electric guitar, Dionne is an old soul in such a young persona; her passion throughout the track’s entirety speaks volumes of the artist that she is.
Speaking on the track, Dionne states: “’Can’t Unlove You’ came from me not being able to sleep at 4am and over thinking about a guy who I was really in love with but knew it was wrong from the get go – that it would never work. It’s about trying to come to terms with the fact that no matter how much I try to forget you and us, I just can’t.”
An instantly recognisable voice at just 22 years old, Dionne Bromfield work – her albums Introducing Dionne Bromfield and Good For the Soul – has garnered her critical acclaim across The Guardian, The Independent and NME amongst others. An instant vindication for her true, timeless sound, Dionne’s ready to get back into the spotlight, and there is no doubt that you’ll be hearing a lot more about her in 2018.
DJ Mensah + Sarkodie – “Say I Do”
The talented DJ Mensah, Winner of Best Ghana DJ at the 2017 Ghana Entertainment Awards USA, teams up with the #1 African rapper and Ghana’s hottest export, the exceptionally talented Sarkodie for their latest release “Say I Do“. This latest summer vibe brings together a simple yet catchy azonto-provoking beat and mixes it with the passions of love.
Primarily rapping in his native language Twi, Sarkodie’s fusion bars hold the same flow and finesse like the very best, giving him the ability to transcend language barriers and helping Sarkodie ultimately become one of Africa’s premier rappers. “People get married every now and then, and people fall in love, always,” says DJ Mensah—before adding that the song is “timeless.”
With a popping season of weddings on the horizon, this latest cut deserves to be on the playlist at every wedding reception and the Yaw Skyface-directed visuals and its all female co-stars are just as enticing. Watch the new video below.
Rachel Foxx – “Wish”
After coming into real prominence after sensational Colours Berlin performance, fast-rising East London singer-songwriter Rachel Foxx is setting a standard when it comes to her multifaceted take on R&B. Now, following on from the hot take that was “Mistress” with Don EE, she returns with another absolute jam in the shape of “Wish“.
Contrasting “Mistress”, her latest track is smoother and silkier, typified by the finger-snaps reminiscent of the doo-wops of yesteryears but with a sensationally contemporary yet stripped back twist. “Wish” finds her in a far more vulnerable and honest state as she faces a relationship dilemma. She speaks candidly & longingly about trying to get over her ex but ultimately not wanting to – even when being with someone else.
“Wish” will feature on Foxx’s upcoming EP Flame, a stream of gorgeous R&B beats, exhibiting another side to Foxx’s talent. It will ultimately prove that she can effortlessly turn her talent in seemingly any vibe she wishes and cements her as a truly exciting rising R&B talent – who knows where she’ll go next.
Rapsody – “Pay Up”
Legendary Hip-Hop producer 9th Wonder‘s protegee Rapsody had a stellar 2017 with the release of her Grammy-nominated album Laila’s Wisdom – one of the most revered albums of last year. The North Carolina rapper keeps the campaign alive with a new video for the fourth single on the project titled “Pay Up“.
The concept of the song is centered around materialism and it is best summed up in the chorus – “He bought her tulips, roses, daffodils / She’s money hungry, but he can’t pay her bills…”
Directed by Brian Petchers, the video brings the concept to life as we find Rapsody’s labelmate GQ as the protagonist, trying to impress his women with a bouquet of flowers but she’s totally not impressed. All this action unfolds in feature film setting with a packed house of cinema-goers watching it happen. Kind of reminds me of The Fugees classic “Killing Me Softly“.
If you’re unaware of the talent that is Rapsody then you really need to get to know. The only woman to be nominated in the Best Rap Album category for this year’s Grammy Awards, she lost the award to Kendrick Lamar‘s DAMN. She was also the only person to have a rap verse on his legendary To Pimp A Butterfly. She can stand toe to toe with the best and her art proves it. Watch the video below.
Panic! At The Disco – “High Hopes”
With just a month until the release of Pray for the Wicked, Panic! At The Disco’s sixth studio album, it was only a matter of time before another teaser went out. “Say Amen (Saturday Night)” and “(Fuck A) Silver Lining” were well received by fans and critics alike, for keeping to the band’s original style, but with a slight twist of Brendon Urie’s own.
”High Hopes” is the third single off of Pray for the Wicked, but it sings a different tune. Hopeful lyrics that reflect in the song’s title, Urie talks about the journey he started on when he was barely 18 years old. More than ten years later, “High Hopes” sees him reflecting on what it takes – and what it took him, specifically – to make it as a musician.
The song was premiered with a brief note from Urie, highlighting its importance: “I spent too long not setting my expectations high enough, worried about how it felt to fail. I hit a point when I realized I had to aim high and fail, fail, fail in order to keep growing. This one is for all of you who helped me go for it all. I thank you.”
Listen to “High Hopes” below:
Cardi B – “Be Careful”
One of the most famous rappers at the moment, Cardi B has released her latest music video for “Be Careful”, her latest single off her number one album Invasion Of Privacy.
This new video features many religious symbolism and figures like images of saints. The video revolves around two scenes; the first being in a chapel when she marries a handsome man. She looks beautiful with her white hair and her bridal gown. The second depicts a funeral, her husband funerals; distraught by the his death in stunning black funeral attire with an iconic neon pink ponytail.
Cardi has released four singles so far – “Be Careful”, “Drip” with Migos, “Bartier Cardi” with 21 Savage and her number 1 hit, “Bodak Yellow”. She also features on Rita Ora latest single “Girls” appearing alongside Charli XCX and Bebe Rexha.
Watch the music video below:
Words by Jay Tijani, Qurat-ul-anne Sikander and Raúl Ramírez
