Chance The Rapper - Wonderful Everyday

Press play, and prepare to beam at your device in gratitude. Recognise the tune Chance the Rapper just released, with the most wonderfully extended intro? Yes, that’s the Arthur theme song. Talk about a #ThrowbackThursday. Aided by a few friends - namely Wyclef Jean, Elle Varner, Jessie Ware, Ziggy Marley, Eryn Kane, Nate Fox and Stix - the Chicago native has recreated the unforgettable tune into something so soulful that the enthused nostalgia easily felt for anything 90s quickly turns into legitimate heart-melting joy. 

Chance’s previous ‘Social Experiments’ have included collaborations with his friend and roommate James Blake: a sultry cover of ‘Wilhelm Scream’ and a remix of Blake’s ‘Life Round Here’. The 21 year old’s work rate is impressive considering his relentless touring schedule, and a recent bout of flu. Aside from his unflagging work ethic, to capture the attention of our ears with this free, feel-good track whilst the world seems to be imploding is rude, but quite frankly, fantastic.

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SBTRKT feat. Ezra Koenig - New Dorp, New York

Disclaimer: if you want an album of breathy declarations, your journey with SBTRKT might begin and end with his self-titled debut. The post-dubstep pigeon-hole must have gotten too small because the Young Turks producer has taken a playful departure from the norm in an unexpected collaboration with Ezra Koenig.

Koenig’s punchy vocals dip and dive audaciously, never getting too comfortable in one range. There’s a surprising amount of focus on the automated lyrics, with SBTRKT razing down production to essential percussion. Meanwhile, there’s been a switch up in those well-loved swooping synths: a pacing bass drum pasted under an elastic bass groove transforms that old trippy instability into a foundation built too strong not to be danced on.

The single is released ahead of his upcoming album, Wonder Where We Land.

WONDER WHERE WE LAND UK TOUR DATES:

26/09/14 – Leeds, UK @ O2 Academy

27/09/14 – Glasgow, UK @ O2 ABC

29/09/14 – Bristol, UK @ O2 Academy

30/09/14 – Manchester, UK @ Albert Hall

01/10/14 – Nottingham, UK @ Rock City

02/10/14 – London, UK @ Brixton Academy

Words: Grace Shutti.

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Return of the Rudeboy

As sharp menswear returns to the streets, Somerset House has curated an exhibition to celebrate where it all started in the Return of the Rudeboy. Brain-child of creative director Harris Elliot and Photographer Dean Chalkley, the exhibition is a celebration of the slick dress of Caribbean men in the 1980s. It captures modern-day men (and women) who have taken the Rudeboy style and attitude beyond a point of reference.

Vivid portraits show their flair in crisp jackets, pin-rolled trousers, pork pie hats and shoes so shiny you could see your face. Not to mention flourishes of floral cummerbunds, fresh air max, dazzling sock choices, and hats, again. Really, they’re everywhere. Also note: the cultural vibrancy is no longer exclusive to the Caribbean. See: Kanye-West-esque tunics by way of Africa.

Rudeboys are never boring and this exhibition isn’t either. Chalkley’s portraits hang inside vintage suitcases next to original photos from the 60s. Choice jackets have a pride of hanging place in rooms surrounded by sewing machines and pristine barbershop scissor sets. If that hasn’t got you putting on your shoes already, the fully-functional Rudeboy x CUTS Barbershop is essential to the fresh trim you will never see a Rudeboy without. 

Return of the Rudeboy is open for free at Somerset House until 25th August. Find out more here.

Images: Dean Chalkley.a

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Introducing: Dpat

Originally posted on The Agenda

Soulection signee, and up-and-coming producer Dpat is a magician. Thus, his conceptions can only be described as works of art.

At only 23, the Houston native is making elevated music that collides with the airy aesthetic of his LA-based label. From nothing he creates layer upon layer of texture, reworking each one to form a wonky collage of a sound that, simply put, breathes. No song is the same, but equally none can be detached from the others. Good luck trying to turn it off after one song. Whether it’s the swirling distortion, beautifully crafted vocal samples, wah-ing synths or starch-straight beats, each paints a part of an expansive sonic landscape.

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So I promised I would be doing some new and exciting things. Since exams have finished I have begun writing for The Agenda. The website is fresh, and it has up-to-date content on music, similar to what I would post on this site, in addition to fashion and style updates, culture and not to mention playlists that will be soundtracking my summer. It will give me a chance to try out writing about topics aside from music, which I'm pretty excited about. Check it out of one my articles on Appreciating Jazz in 2014.

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Take A (Screen)Shot For Me: XO - Holdin' On feat. RobLaw

 XO's Holdin' On is an example of beautiful submersion; when glugging synths aren't swelling, the vocals are swimming.

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Raleigh Ritchie x The Internet - The Chased

"The song drifts into a daydream, complete with beautifully warped drones that wrap around Anderson’s voice. The song is sparse but victoriously so. Anderson’s dreamy vocals are the centre of attention and hypnotising enough that the space and texture is justified, but irrelevant anyway. The Internet’s trademark trip-hop beats are immediately obvious and counteract the trippiness by giving the song pace."

Read the rest here.

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Röyksopp & Robyn - Monument

No one needs to be reminded of Sweden's mastery of pop, and with Lykke Li and Erik Hassle back, Robyn is the last, but by no means the least, to return. Fresh from her recent collaboration with Neneh Cherry, Robyn has just announced a collaboration and thus, tour with Norwegian legends Röyksopp. It's simultaneously ethereal and stuttering and you can listen to the preview below.

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Kwabs @ Village Underground, London

Kwabs live is nothing short of celestial. He took to the stage and hypnotised eyes were trained on him like we were his faithful congregation and he was singing the truth. During his set, the crowd alternated between cries of "YAAAS" and moments of appreciative silence. It may have something to do with his gospel-infused voice of silk that rolls over your head, or his tales of the last days. Either way, it was spiritual.

He unleashed songs from his Pray For Love EP (available for pre-order here), revealing face-crumpling, head-nodding hits, fuelled by a little african rhythm and a lot of kick drum. Showing that the heart-wrenching soul of 'Last Stand' and 'Spirit Fade' isn't all that he can do.

His dancing isn't to be missed either. Whether he stretches his arms to greet the audience, locks and drops or just gets down like an African uncle who catches the beat, he gets into the groove no matter the mood. A quick glance around the audience confirmed that the feeling was reciprocated.

Listen to Something Right from his forthcoming EP.

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MNEK - Every Little Word

I have told everyone I know that MNEK will be the future reigning King of R&B. He has spent the last few years, writing, producing and singing for everyone from Rudimental and Little Mix to Kylie but the King has finally come to claim his throne.

The production is immaculate/crunchy/funky etc. and his voice is flawless. I encourage you to find fault in it. 

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THIS and THAT: Afrobeat

D'Banj - Oliver Twist ; Fuse ODG - Antenna; Atumpan - The Thing ; P-Square - Personally.

Fela Kuti

Before Fuse there was Fela, the Godfather of Afrobeats. Think African James Brown. He mixed traditional percussion with electric rhythm sections, horns and call and response in a powerful combination of Yoruba and English. He was outspoken and his ideas polarising. Many songs criticised the corruption of the Nigerian government and he was so disillusioned with it that he formed his owned republic.

Seun Kuti & Egypt 80

Seun Kuti continues his father's legacy with a slick update. I.M.F. clocks in at a more radio friendly 3 minutes, but his message is no less potent. Featuring M1 from Dead Prez in a lightening fast verse, the crossover of two politically minded artists from two continents create authentic Afrobeat for the Hip-Hop generation.

Afrikan Boy

Afrikan Boy is one of the few British artists doing it for Afrobeat. Never one to water it down, Hit 'Em Up samples 'Wa Dele Wa Royin', and is another homage to Fela (it's hard to avoid). His song 'Lidl' may be more familiar, but while he hasn't lost that humour, his music definitely isn't the punchline.

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