The cosmic futurism of Shabazz Palaces’ music has been an essential energy throughout the 2010s. Comprising of  Ishmael Butler (formerly Butterfly of the legendary hip-hop group Digable Planets) and multi-instrumentalist Tendai “Baba” Maraire, the eclectic, often mesmeric duo have throughout the years established themselves as one of the most forward-thinking artists within the genre. Their 2011…

Hey everyone! Hope you’re all doing well in this heat. Beginning of a new month this week, and I’ve decided to play catchup on a few great releases that came out over the last month or so. Let’s get right into it! Features Couldn’t Wait To Tell You… is Liv.E at her very best :…

As far as debut albums go, there’s nothing I’ve been anticipating more the last few months than Liv.E’s full-length album this year. I’ve been a fan of her music since about 2017 with the release of her excellent EP FRANK, something I still actively play to this day (“93” with Pink Siifu is my shit).…

Hey everyone, hope you’re keeping safe and healthy! A lot has happened over the last week, and it terms of music is has been as fantastic as per usual. So let’s get into it! Features Blu & Exile’s new album Miles is a beautiful, poetic project that embodies themes of love, struggle, loss and freedom There’s…

You simply cannot talk about jazz in the UK without mentioning Kamaal Williams’ influence. As Yussef Kamaal alongside the drumming maestro Yussef Dayes, the two talented artists were able to create a timeless body of work with 2016’s Black Focus, a phenomenal, rhythmic and highly intricate jazz record that pretty much helped mold a sprawling…

As far as legendary hip-hop duos go, Blu & Exile are up there in that elite tier of timeless music. Their debut 2007 album Below the Heavens is an incredible body of work, something I actively revisit to this day. Exile’s soulful and melodic beats are perfect for Blu’s effortless storytelling. The way he puts…

Hey everyone, hope you’re all still safe and well and making the most of the sun. There’s been a ton of great music that has been coming out recently, so excited to get into it! Some of these releases have come out quite a while ago, so apologies I’m only reviewing them now, but when…

Zara McFarlane has, over the last decade, established herself as a one of the leading voices within the legendary London jazz scene. Album after album, she has been able to bring a new, innovative and incredibly soulful sound that captures so much raw and utterly beautiful energy that it’s impossible not to be enamored by…

Lianne La Havas’ music is timeless. Despite this new album being her first studio project in over 5 years, it doesn’t feel like it’s long overdue. But her new self-titled album Lianne La Havas has finally arrived, and it is stunning from front-to-back. I’ve always been a fan of her lavish, gorgeous guitar-led melodies and…

Hey everyone, happy Sunday! Hope you’re all still keeping healthy and safe! It’s been a decent week for music, especially things that were released this Friday, so without further ado let’s get into it. Features Barnacles is an atmospheric, dreamy and ethereal album with wit and introspection that showcases SahBabii’s eclecticism as an artist SahBabii may…

SahBabii may be the future of hip-hop. The Atlanta based rapper has been making ethereal, dreamy music for a while now, but I’ve got the feeling his latest project Barnacles is his most complete one to date. For those who aren’t familiar with the talented artist, he rose to popularity in 2016/2017 with the release…

Hey everyone, hope you’re all having a decent Sunday. There’s been more amazing music being released recently, so I’m excited to share some gems I’ve been listening to for the past week or so. Features On Mordechai, Khruangbin have been able to create more of a subdued, rhythmic album with moments of pure funky brilliance Where their…

I’m excited to continue my series of celebrating Black Women in music. Doing this just shows how many beautiful and talented women there are making exceptional music, from all corners of the world. Please do check out the first edition here. Also, if you’re still looking to find new reading material and information on organisations…

To me, Khruangbin’s music has throughout its years evoked a strong sense of nostalgia. Whether that’s remembering and reliving the moments I’ve been hiking in the mountains or gone on road trips with family as a kid. The Houston, Texas group, consisting of Laura Lee on bass, Mark Speer on guitar, and Donald Johnson on…

Hey everyone, hope you’ve had a decent week. Music has been phenomenal this week, so without further ado, let’s get into it! Features The incredible storytelling and spiritual aura of The Koreatown Oddity’s new album Little Dominiques Nosebleed makes it his most complete project to date For about a decade, Dominique Purdy, aka The Koreatown Oddity…

Ego Ella May’s talents as a vocalist and songwriter cannot be understated. The South London-based artist has had quite the incredible few years, blossoming musically into one of the most ethereal, soulful and spiritually uplifting musicians in the city. Her 2019 anthology album So Far was simply incredible, with lavish, textured instrumentals that just sound…

Those who have either followed me on social media or have kept updated with the website know how much I’ve been singing this man’s praises. New-York’s young hip-hop visionary MIKE has released some of the most eclectic, introspective and interesting albums over the last few years. From his exquisite 2017 classic May God Bless Your…

For about a decade, Dominique Purdy, aka The Koreatown Oddity has established himself as one of the most unique and versatile hip-hop artists within the LA music scene. On his brand new album Little Dominiques Nosebleed, the talented artist tackles the origin story to his “supernatural powers and spiritual awakening” that came from two separate…

Hey everyone, hope you’re keeping well and healthy. It’s still Black Lives Matter and still we need justice for Breonna Taylor, Oluwatoyin Salau and the saddening amount of other people getting killed. Once again if you’d like information or resources regarding these protests and funds to donate to and support, click here. As for the…

SAULT have released a brand new album titled Untitled (Black Is) at a fitting yet unsettling time, with next to no information or any promotion. The enigmatic and mysterious group have, since the release of their debut album 5 back in May 2019, kept quiet, with limited information on who they are. It is thought…

Black is beautiful. Black is soulful. With so much incredible music coming out on a weekly basis, it can be sometimes difficult to keep track of it all. And Black Women have been making some of the most exciting, soulful, experimental and beautiful music for the longest time. They deserve their flowers and a platform…

Hey everyone, hope you’re all keeping healthy and safe these days. The Black Lives Matter protests are still going on, as they should, and in case you want to learn about what’s been going on in the world, and different funds and organisations to donate to, make sure you click here. I am with everyone…

If you were to ask me who are some of the best UK-based rappers one of the first names I’d give you is Black Josh. The Manchester-based emcee consistently delivered incredible projects, with his debut full-length 2018 album Yung Sweg Lawd being a clear highlight in his discography. As a member of  Cult of The…

Hey everyone, hope you’re all keeping well despite all the shit that’s been happening in the US and around the world. A quick note that – I’ve compiled an extensive list of free educational material about the history of slavery and colonialism, as well as links to mutual funds and other Black-empowerment organisations to donate…

Over the past decade or so, Armand Hammer have established themselves as one of the most enigmatic, thought-provoking and fascinating groups in hip-hop. Composed of New York artists ELUCID and billy woods, their desolate, abrasive and experimental soundscapes make for an eerie, unsettling sound. Coupled with usually introspective, political and anti-establishment lyrics throughout, their music…

Firstly, I wanted to reiterate that Black Lives Matter. What’s been happening in the US for the past two weeks or so has been as a result of centuries of oppression and institutional racism and unfortunately it is still rampant across the country. Protests in the UK, France, Switzerland, Australia, Canada and throughout the world…

Love to everyone this week. He’s this week’s music roundup. Features With his poignant and poetic raps, Medhane continues to blossom as an incredible artist on his new album Cold Water Over the last few years, Brooklyn-based artist Medhane has blossomed into one of the most exciting and versatile hip-hop artists working today. On his new album Cold…