NJ rapper/singer Coi Leray released her debut album Trendsetter just two months ago, and now she’s already followed it with a new single, the very catchy ‘Involved,’ and she also announced the Trendsetter tour. It kicks off later this summer, following some festival appearances, and will feature TBA openers. [via Brooklyn Vegan]
Ms Banks is back with news of her forthcoming mixtape Bank Statement, and has shared new cut ‘Bounce’ to accompany the announcement. ‘Bounce’ is Ms Banks’ first outing since teaming up with Tion Wayne and Eight9FLY on ‘Typa Way’ in March, and lands with a Kevin Hudson-directed video. [via Line of Best Fit]
Young Devyn has returned with her new single ‘Decisions’ via 4TH B’WAY/Def Jam Recordings. The track is accompanied by the raw video which perfectly embodies Young Devyn’s hustle and depicts Brooklyn’s iconic landmarks from the BK bridge to the city’s streets. Speaking on ‘Decisions’ Young Devyn shares, “‘Decisions’ shows a side of me that my fans haven’t seen before and I’m excited for everyone to see what I have coming this year!” [via Prelude Press]
Sampa The Great has released the single ‘Never Forget.’ It’s a collaboration with two of Sampa’s relatives, sister Mwanjé and cousin Tio Nason, as well as the Zambian rapper Chef 187. In a video statement, Sampa says that “Never Forget is “an ode to Zamrock music,” the fusion of African music and psychedelic rock that came out of Zambia in the ’70s. She notes that Zamrock is known around the world but not necessarily in Zambia itself, and that she has that in common with it: “I started my professional career outside of Zambia, and bringing it back home has been a huge thing for my journey. And so I’d like to pay homage to those who came before me, who paved the way for me and who don’t necessarily get to see their flowers now.” The song has a striking, richly styled video that credits three different auteurs — director Imraan Christian, creative director Rharha Nembhard, and on-set director Furmaan Ahmed. The video is full of clips of the Zamrock artists of the past. [via Stereogum]
Paigey Cakey makes her return to the scene with latest banger ‘Myspace’. Produced by SV On The Beat, ‘Myspace’ sees Paigey Cakey get busy on a slowed beat seeing the artist show her vast versatility on the mic regarding her forever expanding lyrical cadence in an effortless fashion. Creating a vibe perfect for a kick back, Cakey rides the beat while dropping gems in her bars regarding her lavish lifestyle, letting her doubters know it’s a privilege to be in her space. [via GRM Daily]
LUCI has signed to Don’t Sleep Records and unveiled her debut single, ‘Ash & Dust,’ a wildly original statement that points towards the future of hip-hop. The track opens with waves of dark synths before stripping back to layers of skittering percussion. Her words are about transformation, but her delivery is somewhere between a rap and a howl, with occasional yips and warbles that suggest being demolished and reborn is even less pleasant than you might imagine. “Wakin up from ash and dust,” she spits, “They ain’t neva met a bitch like me/ Assassinate the character/ You gone have to come fight me/ I am only passenger/ Pray the lord don’t strike me/ Pray the lord don’t strike me.” “The truth is I have never been anything less than genuine,” LUCI said in a statement. “My great grandmother would always say, ‘from dirt we come to dirt we go.’ Apparently Adam and Eve rose with human complexes, while being told they were perfect. Well perhaps they were perfect the entire time. I used to think there was something wrong with me, but now I just accept that I am built different. It’s not in me to let anything beat me down. Or paint me as I am not.” ‘Ash & Dust’ comes with a music video directed by Object and Animal. The lo-fi visuals show LUCI covered in clay and prosthetics, bouncing on a bed, staring into a mirror, and (why not?) smoking a jay, showing the beauty and pain of reinvention. [via Consequence]
