SOME OF MY current favourite RELEASES...
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Music Of The Week Playlist.
Something I wanted to bring up was artists being highlighted. By this I mean them being put in the spotlight, now a lot of the time it’s interpreted as good -for their albums, single, music videos etc. - but there is a very high percentage of bad. I think social media has become a place where “celebrities”/public figures go and air their dirty laundry. I personally don’t support this as my business isn’t shared with a lot of people I call my friend, for privacy purposes, so why go and tell a bunch of people I don’t know? There’s lots of cons to that to be honest:
Switching the subject quickly let's talk about the rise of Afrobeats/Afroswing. I will never cap and say the days when Wizkid had released "Pakurumo" and my parents were doing it like no other to Ruff-N-Smooth were not the good days but, music has really evolved since then. The sound now is a lot more different but definitely fits with the times, 2015-18 was I believe when afroswing was at it's best. You had artists like Kojo Funds, Not3s, even Headie One was making music influenced by the genre. Nowadays I think it's very easy to gain publicity for trending music sounds. So what I mean is, it sounds like something you've heard before but different lyrics and artists. That's what people like, that's what sells. In terms of now I think you've got less people bred from the UK making afro-like music, and we're embracing more original music from africa. There's an increase of african artists that I couldn't see being prominent in that era of 2015-17ish which from my perspective is a good thing because those UK bred artists are dipping their toes into different waters. Me myself I like innovative sounds, creative sounds, and those tend to be in undiscovered artists so I end up broadening my music taste much more just to listen to those different voices. My favourite artist? Before I do drop his name I would just like to say why first. As an independent music creator he himself is a masterpiece. His music is so much more than what meets the eye, you'd think he's just any ordinary mumble rapper. I believe he's introduced me into a new style of afro music. Afro-soul. Currently there's a couple of artists that I really like that create this type of music, and honestly I love songs that I have to listen to twice to like. It may seem mad but I think the only reason why I can listen to a tune and not like it is because it's different to what I'm used to, I'm out of my comfort zone. But I like that. I like being forced to listen for a second time because round two has my full attention and I know I'm very quick to judgement so it's better to be able to d e c i p h e r my feels. Nonetheless, my favourite artist is Odeal. I think listening to him has really opened up my eyes to opportunities there are within the music industry just because I really did watch his come-up. Not to say it like he's stagnant now, the only way is up for him. Music Scene - Miriam.
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Music Of The Week Playlist.
Before I do start this blog I would just like to personally say thank you to Odeal. He's one of my favourite artists and has definitely played a big part on my perspective on musical expertise today, thank you O. So so so so, I was really excited for Hits no Mrs Odeal never disappoints me and I knew the 19th wouldn't have been a day he started. Soul Searching: The drum intro, yes. His vocals sat on this song so well even the ad libs. I felt like I was on an island when the song started. It was so tropical and it made me wish I was at the listening party. "Girl I laced many shoes, but not a soul like you" Mister? I'm telling you this man's metaphors are out of the world. Dango: This is my favourite on the EP, I had heard it previewed before the release and I had it on repeat. It's not even the lyrics, not that they're bad, but this beat is for real impeccable, like I could listen to this instrumental all day. As he says "May God blind the evil eye that watches me." 1942: When I'd first heard 1942 previewed, it was a love letter to me. Honestly reminds me of all the times I've been ghosted, treated like shit, he really just gave a male summer walker you know? 1942 said to me that I'm not that crazy because Odeal is madder. Picture: I hadn't heard this before it had actually come out and it really surprised me. I don't know why to be fair but it was really that afro-soul genre he lives in. Didn't scream afrobeats but didn't scream too much R&B either, it was just right. This song was produced so beautifully and sounds amazing in speakers. Afraid Of The Dark: Now I'll be honest this song gave me Russell Wilson. I loved it all the same, mandem might hate him a tad for appealing to the females but what's Odeal without tugging on my heart strings a little? But since he asked my answer is no, I am not afraid of the dark. All in all, I loved it. But in terms of next year I think he can only do better. I'm hoping to hear some of those songs he has in shackles and maybe a Supah Melody Bros part two? An album is what I'm so desperately reaching for. Odeal, a love letter?- Miriam. Music Of the Week Playlist.
To begin I'd just like to say I know this topic is a very broad topic, but I'm going to start with the general points. The objective of creating timeless music. I talk about songs being timeless but what actually is a timeless song? For me it's just a tune I could play today, next year, in a decade and always be brought back to that same irreplaceable vibe that I felt when I had first heard it. I think within the music scene once artists really realised that their music could be timeless it changed a lot of things. But one thing I didn't understand is people changing the way they crafted their music to the way they think will force it to be commercial. For example, not to say he does this but Loski, in one of his interviews, the +44 podcast with Zeze Millz & Sideman, he talks about how he doesn't listen to his own music because “it's not for [him]” which I see to be very mad but I also believe many other artists do the same. The point I was trying to make was that he creates music for other people's enjoyment but not his own, which some could say are commercial purposes. I believe that actually liking your music has a link to it being timeless, the best songs are the ones that don't sound like the trending generic sound and, it always takes time to discover those characters but when we do? We cherish those gems. Something else about timeless music is having the ability to be sampled. A song can go on forever and ever just with different renditions. Now obviously this point is controversial because sometimes a sampled song can be better than the original, but nevertheless you will never forget how you felt when you first heard the original. But to be very honest, lately artists have been taking this sampling technique out of hand. There isn’t as much original music being created anymore because it’s always about reviving a feeling rather than creating a new one. They’re not realising that all this recognition they get will still go back to the creator. I know personally when I hear a sampled song, which is nearly all the time nowadays, I’m always searching to know what was the original name, who made it, and what the ORIGINAL sound was. Looking for these things kind of showcases the impact the song would’ve had on its audience at its time of release. Anyways enough about sampling, let’s talk about the rise of artists. Before I was touching on the fact that we cherish the gems that don’t provide generic sound and it’s true but, why do we always take so long to find them? I genuinely believe there should be more spaces for undiscovered artists & undiscovered music that’s publicised because mainstream artists get boring after a while and besides, we’re constantly craving that new new. Social media platforms mainly focus on the artists that already have fame, which I understand as that’s how they keep their algorithm going, but they should also promote and showcase the growing artists. Recognition or Revenue? - Miriam. J Hus.
One of the best UK artists about right now. This year he's been silent or just very quiet either one works. Nevertheless he's recently created an astonishing album that goes by the name of "Big Conspiracy" . It's bound to be timeless, it's musical expertise, it's everything you hear when the name J Hus comes to mind. So honestly, props to him for that project. Now, hustla is a very versatile character but what's my favourite style of music from him? I think with tunes like "Samantha" out there, it has to be rap, it's his specialty and he story in a very effective way. But, that doesn't dispute songs like "Repeat" or "Sekkle Down" , it's rather that it's been his brand since he began to come-up. All times favourites by him:
If J Hus does release this year I'd really like to hear another Dave X Hus song and also Hus X Pa Salieu. Someone tell hustla to come out of hibernation - Miriam. |