It’s been another eventful week. Trump won the election (by a lot, apparently), our government is in disarray (as always), and it’s still #EndSARS in case anyone’s forgotten. Nonetheless, the show must go on. Here are some releases you may have missed:
Vampyr (Outro) – T3agray
Every once in a while, we need a song to fill us with energy, one that we can scream at the top of our lungs. T3agray’s Vampyr is the solution to that dilemma, an absolute banger to belt at full volume.
A member of the new and exciting indie rock quartet 6daystolive, T3agray gives us his first solo effort with his LP Altruism. The standout track, Vampyr is filled with rage and energy, accompanied by dark and haunting guitars reminiscent of early ‘00s Red Jumpsuit Apparatus.
It’s a through and through rock song, taking us back to 2006, when it was all black eyeliner and spiky hair. It’s easy to envision high octane mosh pits accompanying this track, and it’s a show of strength from T3agray with his first outing.
Stop Calling The Police On Me – Serena Isioma
It doesn’t get anymore blunt than this. Serena Isioma’s latest single has a clear message, and she doesn’t mince words on this one.
Tweeting “…fuck the US government. fuck the Nigerian government. burn that shit to the ground then rebuild. Amen” in promotion of this single, her frustration is apparent, and it’s a frustration we share.
Serena employs an experimental blend of R&B and pop to convey this message, venting with the lyrics “stop calling the police on me, this is not the help I need”. It’s barely a political statement, and more a plea for fair treatment by the police, something we worryingly lack.
Off the Lead – Working on Dying & Lancey Foux
Philadelphia based producer collective Working On Dying and British rapper Lancey Foux team up for this trans-atlantic collaboration.
Lancey’s third single this year is no different from its predecessors, as he delivers his lines with autotune-drenched vocals. Lancey raps aggressively on this, over a bouncy beat that sounds like something you’d hear if you ever got lost in the world of Tron: Legacy. He has a penchant for queer melodies and beats, and Off the Lead continues in the same vein. Regardless, it slaps in its own unusual way.
Swing – Skeemz R1
We don’t have many drill artists in Nigeria, but the ones we do, do not disappoint. The lead single off Skeemz’s debut EP, we’re graced with Swing.
Backed by the menacing piano beat of OFB’s Listen Up, Pt. 2, Skeemz details life on the wrong side of the law. It’s a go-to when you need to get your blood pumping, delivering everytime without fail.
Out My Way – Korby
Months after dropping a teaser on Twitter, Out My Way had its official release. Although it’s Korby’s first single, he comes in with a bang.
Singing (and rapping) over a drill beat, Korby touches on everything from German engineering to life on the block. It may be his first song, but it’s one to serve as a warning as he clears his path to the top.
Winning Streak – Trill Tega
Trill Tega’s 3rd mixtape in as many years presents us with the song Winning Streak. Regardless of this year’s circumstances, Tega’s only trajectory is up, and this song affirms that notion.
Opening with a rather peculiar piano sequence, the track bursts into life with a flute instrumental, and Tega’s verse begins as he brags “gucci sliders when I leave the house”. It’s one you play when you want to feel on top of the world, and I think we can all do with a bit of that right now.