Featuring an animated Juicy J, the music video for Keys N Krates latest album track ‘Original Classic’ is nothing short of entertaining with its wonderfully absurd plot. Also added into this animated storyline is the actual band as well as other featured acts on this track: Chip and Marbl. The Original Classic album was released via Last Gang Records last year and since then the band has been receiving much-deserved appreciation for their out-of-the-box sound. If you can’t get enough of Keys N Krates latest sound fusions, then find out more about their current tour dates here.
The concept was visualized by quirky animator BirdPeterson who had the idea of an old-fashioned animation calling to mind early ‘60s breakfast commercials. Using the concept of a sugar-driven youth, Keys N Krates go on an adventure sharing their music with their peers in Canada. The video concludes with the band getting arrested by authorities for poisoning young minds with their “distracting” music.
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Overall the video is just good old fun, the band shared they burst with amusement and delight when Bird pitched the concept to them. A band that can show a more adventurous side production-wise and can still maintain a sense of humour is one that has more great ideas brewing.
‘Original Classic’ features on the Spotify playlist AFRO_GROUND
Bulgarian r&b artist Leena has released her latest single ‘Vertigo’ as a precursor to her upcoming album. Labyrinth of the Subconscious has been a few years in the making. The ten-track offering explores unknown corners of her mind, various emotions, and both the colourful & darker aspects of what happens inside our heads.
Leena has already garnered traction from the likes of TIDAL Global, Sofar Sounds Global, and curators like Sidekick Music, CloudKid, afterhours., Topsify, etc. Her upward trajectory in the Bulgarian R&B scene has seen her featured on the new albums of renowned Sofia-based rapper Grigovor & producer Gena from So Called Crew.
‘Vertigo’ is an upbeat track, with smooth, rolling beats reminiscent of summer. Sitting atop the vibey soundscape, Leena’s voice takes centre-stage, beautifully showcasing her honeyed vocals.
The album looks set to be a diverse offering, recorded and mixed by Gena in So Called Crew’s studio and mastered by Hristo Rachev from the eminent Sound Ninja Music Academy. Traversing the territories of contemporary R&B, soul and indietronica, Labyrinth of the Subconscious will drop early next year.
Tea Sea is an American rapper and poet. He has garnered over 230 000 streams and is continuing his upward trajectory with the release of his new single ‘Vanish.’
He is fast becoming known for his ability to create mood with his music. Based in Virginia, he creates melodic trap with cleverly considered lyrics. On ‘Vanish’ he introduces a dark concept, and although the track is intense, it still retains a feeling of hopefulness.
Tea Sea shares, “This song is born from loneliness and the feeling of being constantly misunderstood. It’s about seeking refuge in something that threatens to utterly destroy you, whatever that vice may be. The bright colors from childhood begin to fade into the background as you grow older and start to see the world for what it really is. We’re all animals at the end of the day and this is why our purer instincts tend to scare us — we like to think of ourselves as better than nature. The darkness in humanity is almost like some kind of foreign monster in and of itself that most people would rather do away with completely. Unfortunately, we’d lose the very thing that keeps us alive in the process.”
After years of producing music, Tea Sea has honed his creative skills, and it seems as though he’s hit on a formula for success. He gives some insight into his process:
“I wrote ‘Vanish’ near the very end of June 2021 at 10:19 PM (I like to date my lyrics when completed). It usually only takes me 2-4 hours at the most to write a solid record nowadays because I’ve been writing songs for over a decade. I always come up with the melody first unless the hook is just absolutely explosive. I pretty much only use Airbit for beats since they have a wide variety of different instrumental styles for the type of mood you want to convey in your music. My last seven records, including this one, have all been recorded at Aesthete Recording Studio; V is fantastic at his job (he’s the Head Engineer who mixes and masters my latest records).”
Fronted by vocalist Rebekka Salomea, and consisting of band members Yannis Anft (keys), Oliver Lutz (bass), Leif Berger (Drums) Salomea is a melting pot of potential with every release. They have performed at noteworthy festivals like MOERS FESTIVAL (Germany) and the Jazzablanca (Morocco) to mention a few. Singer Rebekka decided to embark on a creative collaboration in the form of an EP titled Conversations which showcases a mixed media visual experience. The EP was unveiled with high-fashion music videos and photography. The overall concept was female creatives supporting each other and celebrating women.
We chatted with Rebekka, who sheds light on the music industry and announces more live performances for 2022.
Looking back, what were some of your earliest entries into music appreciation? And music production?
I grew up surrounded by music. When I wasn’t practising, my mother would always listen to the radio or CDs. So from early on, there was Billie Holiday, Barbara Streisand, Joni Mitchell, Mozart, and Telemann. When I started singing lessons at around age 15 I would recognize some of the standards from home. And I loved musicals as a kid. For the longest time, I wanted to become an actress. I loved being on stage and performing. But it wasn’t until later that I really acknowledged how deep my musical understanding could go and what it felt like to have my own opinion and taste, then to express it with my own music.
When I started the Conversations project earlier this year, that was also a crucial moment for me. It helped me realize how producing my own music would give me freedom and the opportunity to be precise and experiment until I found what I was looking for. At the same time, professional music producers have years and years of experience which is necessary to master a craft. I have a huge amount of respect for that and want to thank and shout out to friends and pioneers like Ludwig Wandinger, yannis anft, Flying Lotus, SOPHIE, Ray Lozano, Salami Rose Joe Louis, Solange, Genevieve Artadi, JPEGMAFIA, Gianni Brezzo, and oh.no.ty!
Take us through your list of dream software/gear you would like to get?
The only thing I’m really dreaming of right now is to never record vocals with any other mic than the SIEMENS SM204 (which is the same as the AKG C12). To be quite precise – add the handmade CK12 “brass” capsule. – Thanks Ty for the nerd knowledge. Thanks Echoschall for actually having that!
Honestly though, the best gear in the world is worthless without people, who know how to handle it.
What do you need with you when you sit down to write or produce?
Time. Solitude. Space. Vibe. Patience. Focus. Discipline. A loving mindset, free of judgement. At least for a while. Trust. Paper & pens. Piano or other keys. Ableton. I like to write standing and walking actually. Lots of lyrics have come to me on walks, so I need my phone to record or type out ideas.
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, what do you prefer?
I can’t compare the two. They are completely different processes and require totally different mindsets. I love both forms of working. These days performing live and interacting with an audience is rare and I really miss that. There’s a part of me that needs the adrenaline, excitement, and “now-or-never” attitude, and some kind of a response to a shared experience by real people. Also, it allows me to reach certain places, vocally & emotionally, that I don’t usually reach otherwise. The way of expression is more explosive, intuitive, spontaneous, energetic, loud, sometimes aggressive. There’s a lot of interaction with my band and we love and trust each other. Every show is unique and can turn out differently.
On the other hand, in the studio, I reach places that are harder for me to reach on stage. It’s usually a place for my introverted, soft, sensual, low, vulnerable side. I guess the one cannot go without the other for me personally.
What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?
Our most recent shows at KLAENG Festival, Cologne, and at Huxleys. Berlin was more powerful than anything we have done live so far. Performing the Conversations project on stage, incorporating samples from the podcasts, and sharing that story live is really beautiful and meaningful to me.
Other than that: opening for KNOWER in Cologne was rad, to put it in their words. Our trip to Casablanca was unreal. Avignon was a great experience, for us as a band.
Name 3 artists you would love to collaborate with in the future
JPEGMAFIA, Tierra Whack, Flying Lotus.
Do you think music should provide social commentary and reflect the current world?
I find it hard to answer with a general yes to this question. I think music and artists have the power to make statements, to influence others, to educate, to speak up about injustices if that’s an intrinsic desire and comes from the heart. Fame comes with responsibilities, in my opinion. The more followers people have the more influential they can be. But I honestly don’t know how to feel about the trend of having public political opinions. Maybe some things better are commented on by experts, not celebrities.
I understand music as an art form and am obsessed with details and nuances, which the world itself is full of! I personally admire people who are capable of integrating a sincere, precise message into a good song. And then some of my favorite songs are about the most trivial things.
What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
Sadly, our tour had to be canceled due to the current situation in Germany. But Yannis, Oli, Leif and I are going to the studio, recording some new music and spending time making plans. And we will give songwriting together a shot. We’ve never done that – so I’m excited to see how that works out. And I need to regenerate and reflect on the past year. So much has happened and Conversations has really changed my view on what I and we are capable of creating.
But yes – catch us live in Berlin at XJAZZ on May 5, 2022!
One last thought to leave your fans with?
The closer we get to really knowing and being ourselves, the more real life feels. The more wholesome the experience. And the more it hurts. But I truly believe it’s worth it. Be it a therapist, a friend, or a stranger – having conversations, listening, and opening up to others, can make real changes. I want to thank everyone for joining us on this trip and for supporting us, with all the changes and experiments we’re going through.
EP track ‘Umami & Lime’ features on the Spotify playlist JAZZ_GROUND.FM
Toronto’s resident alternative popstar Saya returns with “Death of Me,” the second single off her upcoming EPREADY TO BURN, due out next year. “Death of Me” is an intoxicating Billie Eilish-esque sultry dark dancefloor anthem with a simmering alt-pop flow. This second single picks up right where her last single “SICK” left off, setting the foundation for the theme of the EP. The track is about unresolved attraction and lingering tension after a breakup, resulting in a powerful, sultry, pulsing dark pop banger that showcases Saya’s knack for writing infectious hooks. The samples and beats come together to create this sensation of spiralling, which perfectly complement the lyrics about a breakup. Layered over pulsing beats and pristine electro-pop production, Saya’s addictive lyrics explore the emotions of frustration, vulnerability, pain, and desire.
Variance premiered the track, and praised it for its “simmering” and “sultry” nature. Additionally, METAL Magazine shared an in-depth interview with Saya alongside exclusive editorial photos that are a must see. In the interview, Saya shares the inspiration of the EP and dives deeper into the narratives and her experience writing the record.
After parting ways with a major label, music became a challenge for Saya, feeling discouraged and uninspired. After a year of trial and error, taking time to herself, finding a new producer (Damian Birdsey), and teaming up with long-time friend/writing partner Alexandra Soumalias, the lead single “SICK” was created and her love for creating was reignited. Her EP sees Saya‘s triumphantly returning to music and more confident than ever. READY TO BURN is due out 2022 and continues the themes of Saya reclaiming her power, pushing the boundaries of genre, and breaking out of the projections previously placed upon her. After everything she’s been through, one thing remains clear: Saya is here to stay.
Keys N Krates, Kaytranada, Mura Masa and Flying Lotus
Keys N Krates need no introduction. The Toronto-based trio have become renowned for their idiosyncratic style, merging bass, trap, hip-hop, 808s, organic sounds, vocal samples into a cerebral melting pot of styles.
They’ve been on the scene since 2018, going from strength to strength and have now released their latest project, a thirteen track EP featuring inspiring collaborations and exciting new experimentations with sound – Original Classic.
Alongside the release is a visual album version by Sammy Rawal, which consists of a vibrant psychedelic video for each track, featuring models and ballroom dancers.
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We pinned down Keys N Krates’ Jr Flo during their North American tour, for some insight into the new release:
Original Classic is a diverse album featuring interesting collabs and varied styles. Do you have a favorite track on the album – what shouldn’t fans sleep on and why?
We honestly love all the songs on there and our favourites change by the day according to our personal moods. It’s a great listen and it’ll make you feel things. It’s dramatic but fun at the same time. It’s a whole universe of sounds and stuff that we like coming through our lense and we’re so proud of it. It’s a very unique project within the realm of dance music and we honestly feel like it pulls a lot of people into dance music that might not have naturally gravitated towards it before. It’s a bit of dance music made from an outsiders point of view and that kind of makes it special.
You mentioned that this album was about “finding your place in dance music.” Why was this important to you and how has it translated to the album.
We have our unique view on dance music, which comes from being outsiders, never really attached to any scene in particular. Guess you could say we were part of the trap scene 5 years back but we never felt overly connected to that as a scene or the direction it was moving in. So this record is us trying to make sense of different groups and tempos, but unifying them as slightly unidentifiable, but clearly tribal feeling. When we were learning more into the trap stuff, our stuff never felt really dancey to us. More head boppy or moshy, and at our true core we really realized we just want to make people groove and dance, and have a good time in our own way; so this album was about making that happen.
Looking back, what were some of your earliest entries into music appreciation? And music production?
We all grew up listening to rap, r&b and a bit of house music so beat making a drum programming and stuff like that has been part of all our lives since we were teenagers; at least subconsciously. Tune came up as a drummer, Greg came up as a turntablist/DJ, and Matisse came up as a classically trained pianist by trade so we all have those respective core backgrounds. Tune would play in bands as a drummer growing up but also dabble in beat making and eventually pursue audio engineering. Matisse wrote and sang r&b music, and Greg competed in DMC and ITF DJ battles. So our teenage lives were already sort of immersed in music to some degree.
Take us through your list of dream software/gear you would like to get?
We have really most of what we need. Ableton is a powerful beast and so are all the stock and 3rd party plugins. We’ve started to amass a bit of a synth collection lately and have been playing with those, and that’s been really fun from a tactile perspective. They also sound amazing to us, which could be a lot of psychology but who cares; it’s fun and they create a vibe and get us playing around and making ideas, and it’s a nice change from just staring at a screen. We honestly aren’t that precious about gear. Just whatever creates fun. Ableton, some interesting Kontakt banks, and some fun synths are really all we need.
What do you need with you when you sit down to write or produce?
Just time, free of distractions, to focus and get into a vibe and work. Our old studio was basically in a huge rehearsal building, so we had metal bands playing above and beside us when we were trying to make music which sucked. We finally got into a real studio this summer, and as soon as we got in there we were all like “ya we really needed this.”
What other artistic revenues do you pursue?
Tune mixes records for people a bit on the side. Greg and Matisse will occasionally take side solo DJ gigs, and Matisse has his “Low Key” project he does on the side which is really more of a passion project. For the most part, we rely on touring revenue, streaming revenue and sync revenue that we all generate together as KNK.
Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, what do you prefer?
It used to be live performance but more and more it’s becoming studio work. We’ve really had time to fall back in love with the music-making process and it’s just such an endless deep well of interesting challenges and rewards.
What has been the most memorable moment of your career so far?
It’s probably slightly different for all of us but we can definitely say that playing Coachella felt like a huge milestone.
Name 3 artists you would love to collaborate with in the future
Aluna, Yebba, Little Simz, Rihanna, Missy to name 5 lol.
Do you think music should provide social commentary and reflect the current world?
It certainly can, but it doesn’t have to. There’s no requirement that music has to meet to be validated in existence. Whether you think it’s good or not is another thing, but we’d always argue that songs about light or trivial things are no less relevant as songs about current social issues. There’s room for everything. People listen to music at different times and in different contexts for different purposes. A song being good is independent of what it’s about. A song may have a great message (in the listeners opinion) but that alone doesn’t make it a good song. Songs about protest can be great and they can be terrible just like songs about butts can be great and terrible.
What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
We just released an album called “Original Classic” which is really our current perspective on dance music. You should check it out. We’re really proud of it and there really isn’t another album out there that we can find that’s like it. It takes from house music, baile funk, afrobeat, trap, and uses a palette of 808s, tribal percussion and often orchestral textures.
One last thought to leave your fans with?
Check out our new album and we hope to see ya on the road at a show 🙂
Spiritually in-tune music producer and rapper Steven Malcolm endured much hardship growing up. After the loss of his Jamaican father and his mother leaving him to fend for himself in Michigan soon after, the creative turned to music production in order to find an escape. He finds solace in his faith and creating music with substance, that explores the music industry and staying grounded to one’s self. His latest single and video ‘On Point’ featuring KB talks about the story of the underdog and how one should never give up on following their dreams.
We chatted with the inspirational and multi-talented rapper Steven Malcolm below.
Looking back, what were some of your earliest entries into music appreciation? And music production?
It was around 2009, I remember being in high school and living in a house with a studio in the basement. A few friends of mine started a rap group called Exclusive and it was there where I actually learned to engineer and grew a passion for the craft. I believe I was around 19 or 20 at the time. It honestly was something just for fun, crazy how far it’s gone.
Give us a sense of the music scene where you are based.
Here in Grand Rapids Michigan, the music scene is pretty popping. It’s a very artsy city with a lot of young creatives who love to express themselves. Hip-hop is big here. A lot of tours come to Grand Rapids as well, so that’s always good
What key pieces of software/gear are you using to define your sound?
ProTools is a must for recording, I love my Apollo thunderbolt interface. And an Airbnb in an inspiring city.
What are some of your key musical influences?
Bob Marley and Michael Jackson.
What kind of relationship do you have with the internet? How does this inform your artistic expression?
I have a pretty good relationship with the Internet. I’m great on social media, have been since the beginning. It’s just always been a part of what I do as an artist. What messes with me is taking breaks lol, once I take a break I don’t feel like getting back on.
What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?
I honestly feel like I’ve already achieved what I needed to achieve with music. I’m doing what I love as my full-time job, and impacting millions as I go. The success part is still to be gained. To me, success in my career will be to tour the world and sell out venues. I’m working on it day by day.
What has been a memorable highlight of your career so far?
One of the many memorable highlights of my career is getting to perform in front of thousands of people. I did a tour a few years ago called Winter Jam, a 48 city arena tour. Each night tens of thousands of people and top-notch production. It was a dream come true.
If you could work with, or perform alongside any artist of your choice, who would it be?
Drake… he changes your life LOL. And he’s my favorite artist.
If you weren’t a musician what would you be?
A coffee shop owner in Montego Bay Jamaica, growing Ital food and living stress-free.
What can we expect from you in the near future? Any upcoming projects or gigs in the pipeline that you would like to tell us about?
I have the best body of work from me thus far coming out in January of 2022!!!! My album release will be crazy, the tour is to follow, along with amazing merch! Then after that, we got the single of the summer dropping with a legendary artist.
After impressing earlier this summer with their previous release, “Reload”, which received high praise, Club Noir have returned with their captivating new single, “Freak”. With its theatrical and circus-like instrumental, it arrives just in time for Halloween season and will no doubt continue the group’s impressive run.
Club Noir are based in Phoenix and formed by rappers Elijah NX, Alex G and Elijah’s brother, Isus. And, as always with their music, their talent and versatility shine through on “Freak”. Opting for a dark and eerie soundscape, the track commands attention from the opening seconds and maintains it through its addictive melodies and insanely catchy hook.
Lyrically, “Freak” is an ode to individuality and not fitting in, which many will be able to relate to. Expanding further, Club Noir say, “Freak is a song about not fitting into what is considered ‘normal’ categories in society and all the mixed emotions that go along with that. From emotions like ‘I want to please you; I’ll do anything you want me to do’ to ‘forget what society thinks – I’m going to do anything I d*mn well please and be me’ and everything in between.”
Another incredibly impressive track to add to their discography, Club Noir continue to go from strength to strength. And with more singles lined up for release for the coming months, expect to be seeing and hearing a lot more from this immensely talented group.
Like Mike recently surprised fans with the release announcement of his debut album, Pain, Love, & What Comes After. The album is a collection of songs that were written over the past decade, describing different chapters of Like Mike’s life as an internationally renowned artist touring the globe: the ups, the downs, and everything in between leading up to the moment the world shut down.
Pain, Love, & What Comes After is a heavy hitting album with features like Smokepurpp, Blueface, Wifisfuneral, and rap superstar Lil Baby. The 15-track body of work flows cohesively between songs, with peaks and valleys that craft a pensive story of pain, love, and everything in between.
Following the release of three singles setting the stage for the album’s ultimate release, ‘One Night’ with Mr Eazi, ‘W Hotel’ with renowned rappers Smokepurpp and Blueface and finally ‘Lipstick’ with S3nsi Molly and Jodi Couture; Like Mike provided ample insight as to what listeners could expect from the album. Available now in-full, the balance of the 12 unreleased tracks see Lil Baby grace the dynamic delivery of ‘Silence’ alongside additional features from Yung Mavu & Chuki Beats on ‘Butterflies’.
Like Mike’s foray into the hip-hop and rap space signifies a monumental shift in direction for the talented music producer and songwriter. Making a splash with this striking assortment of key collaborators, Like Mike embarks on this path with intention and poise. “I’m not trying to control life anymore,” Mike explains. “I’m trying to experience it. I’m trying to be present. This album is me being present through so many ups and downs and creating through my experiences.”
During a journey that spans over 15 years, Like Mike has achieved a staggering number of career highs and secured #1 singles in a multitude of countries. His 2016 single ‘The Hum’ went platinum and a collaboration in 2017 with Ne-Yo on ‘Higher Place’ secured the #1 Billboard Dance position.
This project grew from his need to dig deeper into the sounds of his early years and young adulthood, a blend of genres that were the soundtrack to his life. Like Mike’s younger years were in a period during which he was exploring his musical creativity. Singing and songwriting were the first steps into his musical career. “Music has always guided me through life,” he says. “Any moment can be intensified through music: moods can be changed, stories can be told, feelings become timeless, and memories can be solidified.”
Announced by national television with the words “2020 is her year” – Várvara intends to step up more in 2021, without forgetting her origins. As a living melting pot between the East and the West, it is a personal concern of hers to portray the duality of these two cultures in her music and challenge the ideas that exist in today’s world.
Since she would have loved to have someone to look up to as a child, she decided to be that person herself, and represent the people who come from where she comes from. Growing up in a Balkan household among other artists, Várvara was exposed to a wide variety of musical styles from an early age. She has retained this openness to this day and has understood that she should not be narrowed down into genres either.
When Várvara is not working on new songs in the studio, you can find her in front of the camera in roles that challenge her personally and allow her to grow. In 2020 she could be seen on the big screen in the lead role of the award-winning film APART.
Várvara’s new single CHAMPIONS is about marginalized people who step into the ring, day after day, and relentlessly give their best to win, regardless of whether they choose it or not. Powerful dancehall beats give the energy one needs to be the champion they truly are. Even though inspired by the immigrant community, the song doesn’t exclude anyone – it’s aimed at everyone who needs a team, because without team spirit we won’t get very far.
