The Boombox # 2: Weekly Bangerz & Hip Hop News
Written by Lottey Willshire, Martin McConnell, and Jack Doonar.
With so much news and super-hot tunes dropping all the time it’s pretty hard to keep track of what’s going down in the pop and rap worlds! So we thought we’d save you the headache and publish a weekly rap-up (sorry for the pun) of the most important news and best new bangers, “The Boombox”.
Oh, and here’s the best new tracks according to us – have a listen while you read + follow the playlist & AAA on Spotify!
In this edition of The Boombox: Ivan Ooze, Sampha, Mick Jenkins, Lastlings, NxWorries, Ta-Ku & Wafia, Remi, and Kudos.
Remi Releases Sophomore Album ‘Divas And Demons’
One of Melbourne’s finest, the incredible Remi, just dropped his sophomore album and man was it something special! Where his debut ‘Raw X Infinity’ commented on society around him, ‘Divas and Demons’ shifts to tell his own story and own experiences, delving into topics of substance abuse, heartbreak and racism.
Packed with an array of irresistibly head-nodding grooves, the album goes onto feature some of Australia’s best, Sampa The Great, Baro, Simon Mavin from Hiatus Kaiyote and tonnes more. The result? One of this country’s best releases this year, period.
Remi. will be touring Australia with frequent collaborator Baro in early December, so check out the tour dates below!
Ta-ku & Wafia Release Captivating Three-Part Video For ‘(m)edian’ EP
Ever wondered if you’re too deep in the internet? Ta-ku and Wafia’s latest videos for their collaborative EP ‘(m)edian’ will leave you stranded in the deep dark web, but you’ll enjoy every twisted minute of it.
Co-directed by Ta-ku himself with help from Collider’s Damon Cameron, the three-part ‘short film’ takes you on an artistically psychedelic trip. The clips for Treading Water, Meeting In The Middle, and Love Somebody flow into each other to create a timeline spilling over with interpretive dance, floating plastic bags, and an old man in a bathtub.
Each track’s bassy beat along with both Ta-ku and Wafia’s harmonic vocals complements the visuals beautifully and really brings the whole package together. It’s impossible to capture the depth of these clips, so you’ll have to go and consume the craziness for yourself! Watch part one, Treading Water below and click HERE for parts two and three!
NxWorries (Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge) Announce Album
Ladies and Gentlemen, the time has finally come. If you don’t already know, NxWorries is the project of two hip-hop heavyweights who have both released some of this year’s most memorable tunes. The loop digging, sample chopping king Knxwledge who has worked alongside Kendrick Lamar and Action Bronson, and the soulful, musical genius Anderson .Paak, who apart from being the most sought after feature artist this year, managed to drop one of the year’s standout albums, the incredible genre bending Malibu.
Their debut project, a six-track EP (three without the interludes), kept the duo’s cards close to their chest. Luckily for us though, all can be revealed as the pair have finally announced the follow up, their debut full-length album, the brilliantly titled Yes Lawd! Announced alongside the track-list, cover art, and even a new single, it only get’s getter.
If you think their latest single Lyk Dis sounds familiar, that’s because it does. It was actually a snippet at the end of their original Suede music video, which means that it’s been locked away in their vault for over a year. Despite this, it was well worth the wait. The last two singles have been unbelievable, and thankfully, this one is no different. Featuring a remarkably smooth, swinging beat courtesy of Knxwledge, it’s an atmosphere Paak works so well on. Shifting to a subject he knows all too well, with his new-wave crooner tone, Anderson turns this into a steamy, West Coast flavoured banger.
With 18 vocal tracks and just 1 instrumental, these singles are just a peek into what the pair have been cooking up. Back in June Anderson .Paak took to his twitter to announce that we’re not ready for Yes Lawd! as it’s his “best work…a masterpiece”, and you know what? We’re starting to believe him!
AAA favs Lastlings Release New Track Time
Since wrapping up their debut headline tour, BIGSOUND performances, and spots at EMC:Play, Beyond The Valley, and FOMO Festival 2016, the hype around sibling duo LASTLINGS has continued to sky-rocket in anticipation of their sparkling single Time.
Time is another exceptional track from this Gold Coast pair, guaranteed to leave you pining for more of their dreamy goodness. They’ve also got stacks of live shows coming up alongside supporting Emma Louise and Vera Blue on their national tours, so check out the dates below sooner rather than later and catch them live in all of their beauty!
Mick Jenkins Drops Album + Aussie Shows
Mick Jenkins, one of Chicago’s finest, has finally dropped his debut album ‘The Healing Component’. Following up with 2014 and 2015 releases, ‘The Water[s]’ and Wave[s], Jenkins has taken his signature water waving style, and built upon it in this latest release.
Establishing in the opening tracks that the healing component is in fact love, he continues to expand on this incredibly, with his unique combination of melodic and rhythmic rhyming, paired with a level of lyricism which has us scrolling through Genius for hours looking for answers. Featuring collaborations from jazz hip-hop trio BADBADNOTGOOD, frequent collaborator Themind, and another of Chi-town’s finest Noname, it’s certain he held nothing back with this release.
Luckily we don’t have to wait too long to see Mick Jenkins, he’ll be over on Aussie shores late January for Laneway Festival.
What In The Wheat Is Happening In Sampha’s Video?
UK artist Sampha has created his first ever…mostly-Sampha…music video and his wheat game is on point! It’ll make sense once you watch it. It’s a stunning yet enigmatic clip for his single Blood On Me. The track itself is a unique brand of silk-spun British electronic-pop with a tinge of soul, showcasing Sampha’s always warm-and-worn vocals.
The video is AMAZING, so watch it below then read our English essay analysing it’s plot and metaphors HERE
Ivan Ooze Spits More Fire In New Single Bills
Melbourne emcee Ivan Ooze has been a busy guy this year. His latest achievement is the release of his latest project Bills featuring Wu Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah earlier this week after supporting the Clan on their Aussie tour.
Bills is the lead single off Ooze’s as of yet unannounced EP, which, if Bills is anything to go by, will be straight-up fire. On top of dropping a killer single and announcing an EP, Ooze has announced his national ‘Bills’ tour, hitting all the major cities with experimental hip-hop artist Lyall Maloney.
Kudos Drops Superb Debut Single
New kid on the block Kudos has blown us away with his debut single Plucker! The track puts a fresh and gritty twist on the signature sound that is Aussie rap, proving the Noosa Heads-raised rapper has well a force to be reckoned with.
Kudos is hitting the road next month to promote his debut single Plucker, and every Aussie hip hop fan will want to be a part of this single launch tour! Make sure you get in quick and grab yourself a ticket, but before you do, listen to Plucker below!
