MONARCHY Around the Sun 100% Records
WILEY & DJ WHOO KID Creating A Buzz Volume 1. Free Download
This grime-led, on-point lyric fest is the latest instalment from the G-Unit DJ after successful link ups with Giggs, Tinie and Skepta. Although “hosted” by Ashley Cole, whose annoying voice is peppered on a few tracks, the short and slick mixtape is a raw slice of London living for our American counterparts. As Whoo Kid puts it in the video interview, ‘Music] crackheads will be like... Ahhh who is this guy from the UK?’ Track to Check: Don’t Throw It Away Remix Ft. Tony Yayo (DW)
The only way to describe the long awaited debut album from dance-inspired duo Monarchy is a colourful electro-tinged pop explosion that wobbles from classic to cliché in quick succession. Sugary vocals meet catchy electronic arrangements to provide, in the most part, a decent execution of their opening musical offering. We would rave about it but there’s just a little too much regurgitated Erasure for any one sitting. Track to Check: Gold In The Fire (DW)
AMPLIFY DOT
WU TANG
Born Ready
Legendary Weapons
newBRAN Ent
Ent. One Music
It’s about time we start seeing some female MCs come to the forefront and this year might be the year for just that with RoxXxan, Lioness, Nolay and Leshurr all doing their thing. A. Dot too is defo holding her own, with punchlines for days and flows that loop over everything from hip hop (Cameras Ft. Little Dee) to grime (Humanoids Ft. Marger) to a few more lo tempo tracks like Warning Shot Ft. Cherise. Things even get a little bashy on Dem A Watch Me. Track To Check:Boomerang Love Ft. Cherise (NS)
The Wu are back and as with every time they head back into the scene, there’s an ample air of anticipation around the accompanying release. Legendary Weapons doesn’t disappoint with more than half of the album being solid, (I’m just not a skit person) in particular the title track Legendary Weapons, but also get very involved with Drunk Tongue, Black Diamond and Meteor Hammer. No doubt Wu Stans will be on this. Track To Check: Diesel Fluid Ft. Method Man, Trife Diesel and Cappadona (NS)
ALBUM OF THE MONTH TODDLA T Watch Me Dance Ninja Tune
Yes. Just yes. This album has got so many future bangers ready to fire straight off the back of the Shola Ama featuring Take It Back. Love the bashment of Streets So Warm, the oldskool sounds of Cruise Control and the Fruity Loops feel of Cherry Picking. With guests including Skream, Roots Manuva on the does-what-it-says-on-the-tin of the title track and Ms. D on the dreamy lovers rock of Fly, this Carnival ready record has it covered from the BBQ to the bedroom. Track to check: Badman Flu (AO)
RWD’S REWINDS
J2K Ft. Kenzie May W.T.F (Electrik) Wiley Don’t Throw It Away Remix Ft. Tony Yayo (Mixtape) Lewi White Ft. Ed Sheeran, Yasmin... Young Guns (White) Modestep Sunlight (White) Nero Promises (MTA Records) Emeli Sandé Heaven (EMI) Marger Ft. Molly Shadows (Kushwave) G FrSH Alone (Disturbing London) The Thirst Damn Girl (White) Ms. Dynamite Neva Soft (Dynamic Ventures) Professor Green At Your Inconvenience (Virgin) Master Shortie Social Groups (Jive) Sway Song For The City (Dcypha) Tempa T Fletcher (Freestyle) Mellowhype 64 Fat Possum Dot Rotton I Want To Annoy Yo (Island) Lil Wayne Tunechi’s Back (Young Money) Pusha T Ft. Tyler, The Creator Trouble On My Mind (White) Oh My! Kicking & Screaming (Free Download)
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