Mahalia + Kojey Radical – “One Night Only”
British R&B talent Mahalia dropped an impressive EP a few short months ago which went own an absolute storm amongst fans and listeners. After dropping the video for “Surprise Me” last month, Mahalia provides us with another visual of her Seasons EP for for fan favourite “One Night Only“, directed by Kalvadour Peterson.
The striking visual, paired excellently with the track, flips the narrative of casual sex on its head and puts the woman in the driving seat. Mahalia, with her girls, stand tall and confident as modern day women, a symbol of solidarity. Kojey Radical, who plays a modern day casanova, features on the track to help defend the male’s perspective as the two go back and forth.
Speaking to The FADER via email, Mahalia said: “This is my favourite video yet. I’m so happy I could work with Kojey on this one. ‘One Night Only’ is so special to me and I got to include some of my favourite girls. Hope you love it as much as I do!”
Conrad – “Bonfire”
Rising London artist Conrad returns to the musical forefront with a fresh release of his own in “Bonfire”, a powerful study on dealing with vulnerability and feelings of powerlessness with events around you.
The video is captivating with its use of striking imagery and breaktaking landscapes. Conrad is at one with his surroundings in his bespoke jacket, in solitude as he roams fields and valleys and sets a bonfire alight in a pensive form. The sparse, bold piano on the track, with its jagged baselines, perfectly complements Conrad’s superb vocal performance, and the deeply personal nature of Conrad’s lyrics.
The notable jacket is a custom creation from Marc Jacques Burton. Marc states: “The denim jacket we custom made is a reflection of Conrad’s inner thoughts and a mirror of the bonfire in the video.”
Speaking on the track, Conrad shared: “This song came to me at a time which most people will recognise – a place where you feel raw, emotional and exposed to the whole world. The bonfire is a metaphor for that feeling which is so hard to explain yet so recognisable to everyone you know.”
With a perfect amalgam of pure vocal talent and effortless style, Conrad’s emergence onto the scene is a bold one and the young artist already seems destined for very big things this year.
El. Train + Hadiya George – “Chasing Rainbows”
Emerging producer and cult US collective Soulection affiliate El. Train is making serious waves on both sides of the Atlantic. He adds to his spectacular wave of 2018 releases with another smooth cut in “Chasing Rainbows“.
Having released the bouncy, summer singles “She” with Barney Artist and “Gold” featuring Javeon earlier this year, his new single featuring Atlanta singer/songwriter Hadiya George brings down the tempo, giving the listener the perfect slow jam for those incoming winter nights! Hadiya’s voice is the sensually beautiful pairing to such a deep and passionate cut.
Recent radio support from BBCR1’s Mistajam, Huw Stephens and Jamz Supernova as well as press support from big hitters like The Fader, Red Bull, Complex, Dummy, Wonderland, The Sound You Need, EarMilk and many more are sure to not go amiss with supporters.
With a growing collaboration list that counts some of the hottest emerging UK talent in Pip Millett, Sam Wills, Iyamah, Age of L.U.N.A., Jerome Thomas and many more, El Train continues to cement his reputation as one of the hottest UK artist / producers to watch right now.
Zayn + Nicki Minaj – “No Candle No Light”
Since Wednesday, english singer and song-writer Zayn Malik has been teasing his upcoming track in collaboration with rapper Nicki Minaj and has finally released it yesterday.
The single is titled “No Candle No Light” and is co-written by Zayn himself. Together with the HipHop rapper, the two sing about a relationship that has reached its end: “Agree to disagree, some things aren’t meant to be, but I wanted you and me”.
Minaj begins the track with her signature “Young Money” call before dueting with Zayn. The two artists share the chorus as they vocalise over a sultry beat.
This year, Zayn had released a string of singles, including “Let Me”, “Sour Diesel”, “Too Much” featuring Timbaland and “Entertainer”.
The rap queen Nicki Minaj has recently collaborated with Tyga for his track “Dip”. Moreover, she debuted her own music videos to “Barbie Dreams” from her recent album Queen.
Zayn’s next album is currently in the making. The artist has tweeted: “I know you want a date for the album and I do too. The label is holding me back but I promise I am doing everything I can to get my music to you. Thankyou.. You will hear from me soon”.
K Camp + Wiz Khalifa – “Clouds”
In July, the HipHop artist had released his new single Clouds in collaboration with Wiz Khalifa. The official music video has now been released in which the two are surrounded by kush clouds and pretty women.
The visuals present a gloomy vibe with slow paced music, however it fits to the song’s content. K Camp sings about a significant other and how deep in his feelings he is: “My head in the clouds every time that I think of you (…) Blue skies and they fallin’ I am not myself around you”.
As the rappers create the clouds with weed smoke they sing about how this significant other makes them feel like the better version of themselves: “Want you to give me your all until there ain’t nothing left (…) Baby every time you see me I look like the better version”.
The music video correlates perfectly with the lines of the track. It immediately pulls the listener into that gloomy vibe, putting us in our feelings too.
K Camp delivered a number of tracks in the first half of 2018. The rapper dropped a five-track EP This Is For You before releasing his latest album RARE Sound which featured the song “Clouds”.
It is uncertain for now if Camp will be delivering any more masterpieces, but we are curious to see what next dope track Camp will debut.
Nana Rogues + Wizkid + Not3s – “To The Max”
Earlier this year, hit-making producer Nana Rogues thrust himself into the spotlight and made the transition from renowned producer to bonafide artist when he dropped “To The Max“, alongside Wizkid and Not3s. Now, he re-ignites his own excitement and excitement for the song as he finally drops a video for the sensual hit and it’s definitely a vibe.
The video, directed by Silent Tapes, features Not3s, Wizkid and Nana Rogues performing the song against a colourful backdrop and an array of beautiful ladies. Cut with additional VHS style footage, it’s visually attractive and makes the song even more enjoyable to listen to.
Aforementioned, Nana Rogues is already well known as a producer, producing loads of smash hits, including two songs off Drake‘s More Life – “Passionfruit” and “Skepta Interlude“. That same smooth and sensual energy is definitely not lacking on his own song, whilst leaving enough room for Wizkid and Not3s to shine.
Words by Jay Tijani and Pia Subramaniam
