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June 7, 2022 Rapper Lil Seyi announces honest EP

Rapper Lil Seyi announces honest EP

Rising Maryland born artist Lil Seyi is pleased to announce a brand new release with the arrival of ‘AC Press’, lifted from the new EP ‘A Blue Tesla Story’ due this summer through Kitsuné Musique.

After the release of several singles and a wonderful ‘Remixes EP’, Lil Seyi has worked hard to come back with a project that lives up to his artistic ambitions. ‘A Blue Tesla Story’ is more than just four songs, it is a whole story, which must be listened to in its entirety, composed and performed by a young man whose trajectory is on the rise. 

Seyi, who has always been fascinated by golden-era hip-hop and offers an EP that combines the classic codes of the genre with his personal influences. Channeling the strong political messaging of groups like N.W.A and Public Enemy and the current social commentary of peers like Kendrick Lamar. The diversity and originality of his compositions remind us of Kanye West’s achievements, while the structure of the project and the way of linking the tracks remind us of Frank Ocean‘s creations.   

Seyi explains: “The nameless main character in a A Blue Tesla Story isn’t perfect, far from it actually. The EP even opens up with him going on a joyride, rear ending a car and driving away from the scene (hit and run). This decision leads to a series of events that end in the tragic passing away of his brother at the hands of the highway patrol. The EP continues as we follow the life of this main character as he deals with the public eye of this very public trial seeking justice for his brother. We see him getting support from protestors, but we also see him under heavy scrutiny as his involvement with credit card scamming surfaces. In the end, we find him left with nothing at all as time passes by and neither the supporters nor critics seemed to care about him or his late brother anymore.”

He goes on to add: “As human beings, we tend to reduce each other to our worst moments, because it’s a lot easier to point out the evil in others than realizing the brokenness within ourselves. What I hope to communicate in this story, is that defining yourself based on what this world tells you about yourself will only ever leave you empty. Because everything in this world will fail you at some point, your family, friends, spouse, church, teachers and even you will fail you. But the good news is that our creator who exists outside of this world defines us with love. God. Whom by definition is the embodiment of goodness and can therefore never fail us.”

Born in Prince George’s county Maryland to Nigerian Immigrants, music has always been a part of Seyi’s life. Before high-school, Seyi had taught himself how to play the guitar and drums and not so long after that he picked up the keyboard and taught himself how to produce music.

Seyi worked hard to take on the responsibilities that come with being an artist. Now he’s back with ‘A Blue Tesla Story’, an EP where thoughtful storytelling honours the wonderful music Seyi has composed for this new project.

AC Press / 1 June

Follow Lil Seyi:

Instagram

Image credit: TBC

May 30, 2022 Hip-hop musician M.I.A announces tour dates

Hip-hop musician M.I.A announces tour dates

Photo credit: Jan Lehner

M.I.A 2022 TOUR DATES

06/01 – Grona Lund – Stockholm, Sweden

06/02 – Heartland Fest – Funen, Denmark

06/10 – Primavera – Barcelona, Spain

06/11 – VYV Festival – Dijon, France

06/12 – Marsatac Festival – Marseille, France

06/17 – InVersion Festival – Lyon, France

06/18 – Freemusic Festival – Montendre, France

07/08 – NOS Alive – Oeiras, Portugal

07/09 –  BBK Bilbao Live – Biscay, Spain

Groundbreaking global trailblazer M.I.A returns with a brand-new track titled ‘The One.’ Produced by Rex Kudo & T-Minus, ‘The One’ signifies a compelling new era for the multi-talented artist and activist, who remains one of the most captivating and innovative creators of a generation. The track comes with confirmation that a new album titled MATA’ is on the way. 

Listen to ‘The One’ HERE.

Undoubtedly, one of the most important and potent multi-medium artists of this millennium, M.I.A’s career spans 5 studio albums, international performances, multiple sold-out world tours, GRAMMY® and Academy Award recognition, while continuously pushing the boundaries of digital and ideological possibilities. M.I.A has never lost touch with her indelible punk spirit that inspired her glitching directorial debut; Elastica’s Mad Dog music video, to her self-directed tour visuals, graphics and NFT’s that continue to bend minds to this day. She has consistently paved the way in the music and digital art space and helped create a community of outcasts during the defining years of the internet, a spectrum of influence that is unrivaled by a recording artist.

M.I.A will be performing live across select cities and festivals around the world this summer, as she gears up to release ‘MATA’ via Island Records. More details to be revealed soon.

Follow M.I.A:

Website / Twitter / Instagram / YouTube

March 25, 2022 Q&A with instrumental hip-hop musician TromBobby

Q&A with instrumental hip-hop musician TromBobby

Bulgarian instrumental hip-hop producer  Bojidar Vasilev a.k.a. TromBobby has teamed up with New Jersey vocalist Jermaine Holmes for this forthcoming album release PAUSE VOL.1. The album is slated for release on the 21st of April via Stereofox. We got a  taste of this new album with ‘LONGING’ which featured vocals from Jermaine Holmes. With a sensual fusion of jazz and an undeniable groove, we are hooked on this track and look forward to what the rest of the album is going to sound like. We chatted with TromBobby about his latest project and artistry below.

What are some of your earliest memories of music?

I guess it will be hearing the Bulgarian National Bigband when I was about four at Studio 1. My grandmother took me because her brother was the conductor. I also remember being fascinated by the sound that the lowest piano keys made. Could play them for hours.

Take us through your songwriting process. Are there any particular steps you take when putting music together?

I start with either the melody or harmony. Then continue with bass and drums. In the case of ‘Longing’ – Jermaine recorded it on a different beat. It was like a resampled, faster version of a very slow, older one. After he sent me the vocals, I deleted everything else, kept the tempo and reharmonized the whole thing. The next single that we’re gonna drop was made for something like two days. Sometimes you need to search longer for the right vibe and sometimes it’s right there from the start.

Studio work and music creation or performing and interacting with a live audience, which do you prefer?

I would say music creation is my thing, just because I love the process. Although, live shows can charge you for days, giving you a better perspective on how your music can be improved.

What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?

That moment when the audience sings the lyrics that you made up in your head in a moment of honesty. That’s beautiful.

If you could put together a radio show, what kind of music would you play?

Sweet soul music.

Name five artists and their albums who would appear on your radio show

D’angelo – Voodoo

Jimi Hendrix – Electric Ladyland

Otis Redding – Dock Of The Bay Sessions

Arthur Verocai – Arthur Verocai

Smokey Robinson & The Miracles – Special Occasion

What would you like to achieve with your music? What does success look like to you?

A Grammy would look great in my parents’ house, although paying the bills and living a normal life thanks to music feels like a blessing every day.

One last thought to leave your fans with?

Peace & love. “Keep in mind that I’m an artist and I’m sensitive about my s*it”.

Follow TromBobby:

Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Spotify / AppleMusic

May 21, 2021 Electronic jazz musician SENU share ‘Jetlag’ song

Electronic jazz musician SENU share ‘Jetlag’ song

Today, Friday 21st May 2021 sees the release of Jetlag– the debut album from SENU

The release of ‘Jetlag’ will be celebrated with a launch show, ‘Jetlag’ performed in its entirety, filmed live at Fuel HQ in Dublin, to be streamed on Nialler9’s YouTube channel at 8pm on Friday 21st May.

In addition, MCD has announced that tickets for SENU’s headline show at The Grand Social on 22nd February 2022 will go on sale today at 9am via Ticketmaster

Over the past year producer and multi-instrumentalist Sam Killeen has been releasing his original music under the moniker SENU, a vehicle for his unique blend of electronic beats, jazz and hip-hop. Today, he releases ‘Jetlag’ – the debut album from SENU

A sprawling electronic soundscape documenting a journey from Ireland to New York and back again, this is an album borne out of experimentation in more ways than one. Frustrated by insomnia, Sam challenged himself to write and record an album in one day. ‘Jetlag’ is the result of this experiment.

“Jetlag, as a whole, is about an experience meeting one of my musical idols, Evan Marien. I ended up staying in New York with him for a week and on return to Ireland I was overwhelmed with sleep deprivation, so I decided to challenge myself by attempting to write a full album in one night. This album is the result,” says SENU of the album’s origins.

As Nialler9 wrote in 2018: “If you’re well versed in the Irish music scene, you’ve probably tripped across Sam Killeen before.” Sam is well known for his work as a professional guitarist and musical director, having worked with the likes of James Vincent McMorrow, The Divine Comedy, Lisa Hannigan, Villagers, Loah, Bantum and more. Recently, he conducted strings for The Scratch’s album anniversary show (watch here). With his original music, he has supported acts such as Mark Guiliana, Cory Wong and the aforementioned Evan Marien.

Sam says: “As a session musician, my job usually involves writing and performing parts to music that specifically suits someone else’s style, whatever the genre may be. SENU became a place where I could push my boundaries creatively using the styles I love the most: electronic, jazz & hip hop music.”

While SENU is a vehicle for Sam to express his individual style, he is quick to credit the guest vocalists on the album with adding a new dimension to it. “Having Jamel Franklin [of Shy Mascot] and Caoi De Barra [of Wyvern Lingo] write on the album really lifted the music from its prior instrumental state,” he says. “Lyrics have been a great input to the music by the additional dialogue creating a space and image to the song. Both Caoi and Jamel have a unique energy and it was a real joy creating music with them.”

You can pick up a copy on Bandcamp here. 

Follow SENU:

Spotify