#jessb

New Zealand’s leading hip-hop boss JessB has dropped a new single, ‘FROM THA JUMP’, complete with a fearless music video. On the track and video, JessB – the moniker of Jess Bourke – said via a press release that ‘FROM THA JUMP’ is about staying true to yourself from your beginning. “Everyone changes as they grow and experience different parts of life,” JessB said.“The concept behind the song [and] the video by having ‘mini-mes’ was reflecting on how little Jess would feel about where we managed to get to so far in music. I think she would be pretty stoked.” Drifting cars, pyrotechnics and a slew of little JessBs provide the visual accompaniment to a song of slick beats and JessB’s distinct rap rhythms. Watch the Jodo Valley Productions clip below. [via NME]

Lex Amor seems to experience life on a very intimate level. An artist whose work is both intricate and direct, her creative dynamic fuses together disparate underground strands to find soulful expression. Debut project Government Tropicana dealt with identity through a very personal lens, exploring the experiences of working class London while celebrating different cultural norms. For her next chapter, Lex Amor is attempting to distill various currents that have touched our lives over the past two years. New single 'Rocks' is spartan but intense, the ominous Mike Keyz produced beat providing space for Lex Amor's poetic penmanship. The Tyrus-directed visual - shot in Lex Amor's trademark monochrome - seems to allow the framework of her lyricism to become ever more apparent. She comments... “With ‘Rocks’ we were essentially trying to illustrate the constant juxtaposition of our everyday. The reality of authority, dogma, societal pressure and our sometimes subconscious adherence to those norms; as well as our ability as humans and guardians of the earth to break out into our own dreams and freedoms. We are all living, breathing testaments of individual choice and freedom - there is a constant need - possibly now more than ever - to commit to our own personal freedoms and break out of structures that were not created for our souls to flourish - that’s why in the video there are moments of of almost demented adherence, and then breakouts - into hope, dreams and liberty.” [via Clash]

Yung Miami just went there. In her latest single, ‘RAP FREAKS,’ the Florida rapper and one-half of hit-making duo City Girls name-dropped fourteen celebs in less than two minutes. While capable of stirring up loads of drama, Miami says the tongue-in-cheek song is simply playful and not to be taken too seriously. "The song is showing love to all the rappers right now, it's nothing personal," she tells Billboard. "I [named] a bunch of the guys who are on top, that's hot, that's poppin'. Nothing is personal, nothing is literal, I'm just having fun." Miami, born Caresha Romeka Brownlee, says she was inspired to write ‘RAP FREAKS’ by a legacy of rappers such as Trina, Lil Kim, Biggie Smalls and Nicki Minaj releasing racy, name-dropping tracks. "I just felt like it was going to be a moment in hip-hop, so it was something that I went into the studio wanting to do," she says. If the track wasn't enough to get people talking, the emcee also released a jaw-dropping BDSM-inspired music video, laden with racy scenes involving whips, cages, lace and leather just in time for Halloween. The sensual red-and-black-themed visual flashes framed photos of some of the song's male subjects, including Diddy, Lil Baby, DaBaby, 50 Cent and Future, among others. [via Billboard]

Formerly known as Yung Baby Tate, the 25-year-old musician dropped the first word from her stage name as she enters a new era of her career. The rapper/singer/all-around talent issued ‘Pedi’ an upbeat song she has teased on social media throughout the month. The track boasts of the petty actions she’ll commit if a person dares to take it there. Directed by Norton, the visual highlights her personality and ability to deliver a full performance. In the colorful music video, Baby Tate showcases her dance skills with animated choreography as she interrupts various settings with mischievous, yet hilarious antics. In the song, Baby Tate is proud of her petty antics, declaring “Real a** bi**h and I might be crazy, but at least I’m authentic” after she warns of sending parents screenshots with no hesitation. [via Vibe]

South London rapper Mimi Mxnroe shares the bold ‘Want From Me’. Delivering each bar with convinction, her powerful lyricism leaves you wowed. Offering a real perspective of what’s wanted from a female rapper, ‘Want From Me’ questions the double standards of being a female in the genre. Mimi says, “’Want From Me’ is a song about women breaking the barriers that are enforced by their male counterparts! Being told they have to look, act and dress in a certain way to be successful is a thing of the past and everyday women from all walks of life are doing what they want and doing bigger and better than ever before! So don’t conform to the sexist ideologies of society – live in your true self!” [via LOCK]

Tantrum Records are delighted to announce the release of ‘Revolution/Retribution’ the third single from the Hen Hoose collective and a first-time collaboration from Jayda and Amandah Wilkinson. Jayda (they/them) is an exciting up and coming rapper based in Glasgow. Their style is influenced by multiple genres and they regularly host a show on EHFM (a community radio station). ‘Revolution/Retribution’ is a powerful, important and necessary song about the inequalities and alliances of People of Colour. In Jayda's words “’Revolution Retribution’ is mostly about my experience with injustice growing up in Edinburgh and how the community I know has always fought against it.” The empowering lyrics are captivating and enhanced by the energetic, strong production behind it.

Formidable Irish hip-hop artist YINYANG - aka Lauren Hannan - returns with her fierce new single ‘Skitz’, out now. Instantly packed with a punch, YINYANG once again bites back with cutting lyrics and fuzz-filled soundscapes in order to create a sound that is full of ferocity. Combining hip-hop sensibilities with a punk-infused ethos, ‘Skitz’ is delivered with an undeniable sense of self-assurance and sass. Talking about the single, Lauren explains, “’Skitz’ is referring to the sad clown paradox, to put it in a less decorative way it’s when you pretend you’re grand when you’re not. Painting on a happy face and using comedy to disguise the negative emotions you might actually feel. I’m terrible for it, I think we all are sometimes.”

‘Lose The Ugly’ is the highly anticipated follow-up single to Chyng Diamond's breakout ‘Get It Go.’ Both tracks will appear on her as-yet-to-be-titled debut EP due out in early 2022. Chyng says: “This track is about creating your own self-confidence and not being bothered by what others have to say. There’s always going to be someone that doesn’t like you or tries to bring you down because people love to hate. Weight can be lost but a bad spirit… that follows you forever.”

Ekelle has unveiled her new single and video ‘Come Back’. Ekelle is a multi-genre artist and songwriter from Toronto. She rhymes about what she knows best: her real life experience. We are in 2021 now but a lot of the wounds of 2020 haven’t been fully healed so Ekelle wants people to remember who they are, to seek supportive relationships and keep on pushing through. “I chose to call the song ‘Come Back’ because 2020 was a hard year for all of us. Some of us are still feeling the effects of what we went through that year today. The title ‘Come Back’ is a call to action. It invites you to get back on your feet and keep pushing forward as your authentic self.”

Alabama’s very own princess of rap, Flo Milli returns with her latest single ‘Ice Baby’ via RCA Records. The fiery track, produced by Brad!, brettonthebeat and Slade showcases Flo’s dexterous flow and bubbly bars.

"Spiritual superhero theme music'' is how Brooklyn, NY based hip-hop artist Nello Luchi describes her new release 'MAABA'. The K'riem Scott produced track depicts Nello as a messenger born to help deliver a powerful message to save the world. Nello is urging the listener to become more aligned with their ancestral past. 'MAABA' literally means "the soul that sees", as she believes she is one of few that sees the world is in spiritual warfare. The track is a class session in metaphysics in which Nello serves as your lyrical professor.