iFeature is making waves with their new album, Forbidden, which they unleashed on April 26,2024. Known for their bold fusion of music and art, iFeature invites listeners to an intense 12-track odyssey through many emotions. iFeature is not your typical artist. Beyond their musical talents, they have a profound knack for visual arts and an unwavering commitment to DIY self-promotion. Their unique blend of skills, including playing the piano since the age of 5, taking full control of mixing, mastering, recording, creating all their sounds, and delivering heartfelt vocals, showcases an unprecedented level of creativity and dedication. At only 23 years old, iFeature already boasts remarkable success in their career.
Forged in their home studios across Paris, France, and Lübeck, Germany, Forbiddenstands as a symbol of resilience and innovation. Merging blistering dubstep and wobbly, dizzying drum and bass,iFeature crafts a unique auditory experience that’s both immersive and reflective. More than an album, Forbiddenis a journey of self-discovery and authenticity. It’s a call to trust and express oneself fearlessly, a testament to iFeature’s genre-defying music and artistic dedication.
Forbidden offers a fresh perspective on electronic music, urging listeners to explore their emotions and break free from constraints. iFeature welcomes all to experience this groundbreaking release and to stay updated via their social media platforms.
Alt pop powerhouse Nastiya Kai is set to unleash another single and video, ‘Party At My House’, on April 19th, 2024 via her label Nastiya Kai Music. She has also announced the release of her debut album, Demon Era, set to drop later in 2024. ‘Party At My House’ follows the release of her haunting hit ‘Bury Me’ in October 2023, which received support from NOTION Magazine, CLASH Magazine, and EARMILK as well as landing her an interview with Numéro Magazine and airplay on Flux FM. With her music accumulating more than 141 500 streams and counting, the dark pop diva is carving a place for herself in pop’s prolific world, and she’s here to stay. Hailing from Moscow and now based in LA, Nastiya Kai is an entirely self-taught musician with a sound that has been compared to Caroline Polachek and Sub Urban. Carving a place for herself in the ever-growing pop world, her music is for fans of avant-pop luminaries such as Billie Eilish, Grimes and VÉRITÉ.
‘Party At My House’ is a multifaceted composition that seamlessly melds avant-pop rhythms with glitchy ambient tones, culminating in a tender acoustic finale. The accompanying video, crafted in a DIY fashion, follows Nastiya as she navigates through a masked gathering, mirroring the themes of isolation and solitude embedded in the song. The forthcoming album assures a rich tapestry of feelings and musical styles, highlighting Nastiya Kai’s distinct prowess and unfiltered passion.
Nastiya Kai revealed: “‘Party At My House’ is a song about loneliness and what lengths one will go to to avoid feeling this way. This song is a little bit like a movie to me and describes a particular day in my life. It’s a glimpse in my subconscious really, I really wanted to tell my story here. It is an electronic party song with an underlying sense of anxiety and an unexpected change of narrative in the end. Exactly what a party you didn’t want to go to would feel like.”
Thy Young, a Sierra Leonean producer based in California, released his latest single ‘Luck’ featuring Rahim, on March 28, 2024, via Survival Records, LLC. This track serves as a preview of his upcoming album, Scent of Amie, scheduled for release on June 14, 2024. Known for his exceptional production abilities, Thy Young is esteemed as one of Sierra Leone’s premier producers. His extensive portfolio includes collaborations with renowned artists such as Kontri Boss, Dom B., and Swadu Natasha Beckley. Notably, he clinched the Best Music Producer award at the Sierra Leone National Entertainment Awards (NEAs) in both 2020 and 2021. Among his notable productions is the hit ‘Champion’ by Shadow Boxxer & Mellow Seven, featured on CNN Inside Africa. Inspired by the likes of 2Pac, 50 Cent, Jimmy B., and Amie Kallon,Thy Young’s music resonates with fans of Rema, Davido, and Obongjayar, hinting at a promising trajectory in his solo career.
‘Luck’, crafted by Thy Young with collaborative mixing and mastering by Steven Glaze, showcases Rahim’s emotive vocals set against an irresistible afro-swing rhythm. Thy Young’s production is adorned with melodic guitar riffs, soulful singing, and uplifting horn arrangements, evoking a sense of jubilation.
Thy Young shared: “‘Luck’ is a song that is inspired by the love between my late mother and my father. And the bond that is between my partner and me. It is a traditional love song that aims to resonate with everyone.”
London-born Dancehall and Hip-hop artist, freelance A&R, model and actor Yung Saber has just released an infectiously feel-good new single, ‘Gucci Prada’, on January 26th, 2024. Boasting over 10 million streams across all platforms, Yung Saber stormed the UK Dancehall scene with his track ‘Tump & Kick’, which became an international hit and earned radio plays across the globe in 2021. He went on to do two remixes, the first one featuring Stylo G followed by an All-star remix featuring UK Dancehall trailblazers Big Zeeks, Shanti Force, The Rara, Doktor & Irah. Saber has performed at MADEFestival, Brighton Harbour Festival, Glastonbury, Notting Hill Carnival with Amazon, +44, and many other venues throughout the UK. He has appeared on several BBC radio shows such as Rampage, Seani B and BBC 1Xtra. In February 2023, he attended BBC Maida Vale Session with Seani B and performed his hit single ‘Karl Kani’ with a live band for BBC dancehall weekender.
Influenced by the likes of Super Cat and Vybz Kartel, Yung Saber’s sound can be compared to J Hus, Govana, MoStack, Not3s, Krept & Konan and Yxng Bane.
Read our chat with him below.
Looking back, what were some of your earliest entries into music appreciation? And music production?
I’ve grown up around sound system culture – my mum’s a DJ, she used to run pirate radio stations, my uncle was a sound man (one of the founders of Coxsone Sound), and my older brother Brakeman being a well-known MC in the late 90s and early 2000s (at that time with it being hard to become a household name). This is what I was surrounded by and was my inspo very early on to become an entertainer.
Tell us about your first live performance – what was it like?
My first live performance was at Burgess Park in Peckham in 2005/2006. I was 15 and all I remember was that I was nervous but at the same time having the time of my life finally doing what I love to do.
What is London’s Dancehall scene like? Have you found it easy to build community through it?
When I entered the London dancehall scene it was a mess – no love, no unity, no support, there were certain gatekeepers but me and a few others were able to build a community in which talented individuals are now getting the right exposure that they deserve.
If you could paint a picture of your unique sound, what would it look like?
My sound is a combination of UK rap with dancehall.
Take us through your songwriting process. Is it spontaneous, or do you have rituals?
I can’t tell you my process but everything is spontaneous and off the top of my dome, and I’m a heavy believer in prayer and God guides me through the process.
What do you personally consider to be the highlight of your artistic career beyond your music (as an actor, A&R or model) thus far?
Finding fresh new talent and acting, one of my goals is to do more acting and to run a successful record label for young fresh talent.
Do you have any non-musical hobbies?
I enjoy cooking and gaming with my kids.
As an artist, it becomes apparent that there is a huge difference between the art and the industry. Is there anything about the music scene that you would personally change?
Yes, the way the females are treated the way they are sexualised and almost feel like they need to use their body just to get their foot in the door, obviously this isn’t every female’s experience but it is the vast majority.
What is the most memorable response you have had to your music?
Managing to create momentum around the viral hit song ‘Tump and Kick’ during the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you could go back to the beginning of your career to give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
Believe in yourself, have the right people around you, and don’t trust so easily.
