Wow, what a year. The main thing that has kept me going is my love of music! What I enjoy most about my job at AZ MAg is coming across amazing new artists. Here’s a nod to UK talent and a few ones to watch in 2017!
Ocean Wisdom
Beneath Ocean Wisdom’s music genre description on his Facebook page it states: “Hip Hop/Trap/Grime/Rap/ExtraGravy” The extra gravy is right! This Brighton lad is hailed to be one of the world’s fastest rapper. He’s a top lyricist with bars for days. Starting out beat boxing, Ocean perfected the skill to the point where he could spit double time. See him at work!
Nova Twins
What’s appealing about this duo is that they both play the guitar – they arent a gimic or pretty for the sake of being so, is what I’m saying! They don’t have sass, they have attitude and are unapologetic which I am all here for. They performed at the first UK Afro Punk this year and were recently featured in NME magazine. Lets hope they continue to work their way up and create more benchmarks for themselves next year! Nova Twins debut single was Bassline B*tch, released earlier this year.
Tawiah
I came across triple threat (singer, dj, musician) Tawiah when she was singing the vocals for Kano’s track Changes on 1Xtra earlier this year. According to her website, she’s been working on her debut album this year. I’m really excited to hear her final product, she has a beautiful voice and has been a part of the music scene for a hot minute, forging her way and making a name for herself. Check out her website! You’ll find a Soul For Real cover of Candy Rain and a Whitney Houston cover of I Wanna Dance with Somebody, nicely executed with that UK flavour. You can also listen to her 2nd EP FreedomDROP on her Soundcloud.
Official Website
Insta
Soundcloud
Karnage MC
Meet Karnage the rapper, who’ll soon to releasing a mixtape called RXPUNZEL next year! Some of the team recently saw Karnage at Brixton Reels – Too Black Too Queer showcase last month and really enjoyed his performance! Karnage has lyrical prowess, great word play and use of metaphors. He’s no wallflower, I’ll say that much! Check out his Stormzy Shut Up remix.
Soundcloud
Twitter
Instagram/YouTube/Facebook – @karnagekills
Rukhsana Merrise
Rukhsana’s track Money came up on my Souncloud stream page late this Summer. According to her bio her influences are Kanye and Frank Ocean, to Haim and John Meyer and it definitely shows in her music. Take a listen to her first EP September Songs released last year, where she wrote and put out a track a week for the month of September! Rukhsana is set to release her 1st LP, due next year.
Soundcloud
Rukhsana Merrise Official
Insta
Knighthood
Nicki Knightz and Henny Knightz, Alternative Hip-Hop duo Knighthood have grafted their way through 2016, releasing half a dozen tracks this year! They’ve been out in theses streets getting themselves out there, doing gigs and dropped a visual for their track Two Hours an a 1/2 Passed 10. Nicki’s also written some amazing music reviews, showing her love and in-depth knowledge of music – great reads!
Soundcloud
HennyKnightz
NickiKnightz
Bonzai
Made in Ireland and currently residing in Brixton, Bonzai’s sound is a mixture of Pop/ Electronica, melodic tones with a sprinkling of a UK MC! Her singing talents have had her doing vocals for the likes of established Producers Mura Masa and Flume and even got her a spot at Glastonbury this year! Her first video is called I Did, she’s different in a good way! I like her sound.
Instagram
Soundcloud
Official website