VISUALS: BJ THE CHICAGO KID "PERFECT"

BJ The Chicago Kid unveils the music video for slow-tempo R&B-soul groove “Perfect.” The revamped version of  Fabolous and Jeremih’s “Thim Slick” is an ode to women who defy the standards of mainstream beauty. Shots of models in high fashion magazine’s juxtapose the video’s leading lady and her process of getting dressed, despite the possible insecurities women may face when dealing with body image. BJ reminds women that perfection has no set standards; Peep the visual above.

Morganne Nikole
Saint Heron:http://bit.ly/1qeZM1W

AUDIO: SHAN POO AKA BOY/FRIEND " RIDE SLOWLY"

With his newest EP in the works, Shan Poo aka BOY/FRIEND, lets loose on his second single “Ride Slowly,” featuring Fat Tony & Tom Cruz. The Mel Debarge & MNTN produced cut was premiered by Vogue, and is brazed with sweetened vocals, fluorescent electronic strains, and feel-good syncopation. Stay tuned forLow Key, set for release later this year.
Morganne Nikole
Saint Heron: http://bit.ly/1kJyRyH

AUDIO: ADAM BAINBRIDGE (KINDNESS) "WORLD RESTART" FT.KELELA AND ADE

Adam Bainbridge, musically known as Kindness, has officially announced his next album, titled Otherness. As a follow-up to the 2012-released effort World, What You Need Is a Change of Mind, the new LP will feature Swedish pop-star Robyn, Blood Orange’s Dev’ Hynes, and more. The album also includes tooled production and mixing by Bainbridge, with additional mix contributions from Blue May and Jimmy Douglas.

Along with the release date, Bainbridge has also unveiled the album opener track “World Restart,” featuring Saint Heron artist Kelela and Ade. The track is an electric-soul cut palpitating in hi-hat cymbals, strident bass, and flavorsome R&B-feel good vocals. Peep the cut below and be on watch for the Otherness LP, out October 13 via Female Energy in the UK, and October 14 via Female Energy/Mom+Pop in the U.S.

Morganne Nikole
Saint Heron: http://bit.ly/1BnaRXq

AUDIO: SPLASH "DONT LOOK BACK"

Dubbed as Brooklyn DIY scene’s first “new age boy band,” Splash lets loose on their newest cut “Don’t Look Back,” premiered via The FADER. The track is woven with ’90s R&B vibes of vocal affection and tender electronic-funk vestige. Vibe above and be on the lookout for an album release next year on Jarr’s subscription-based label, Other People.

Morganne Nikole 
Saint Heron: http://bit.ly/Vur3oA

VISUALS: ELIJAH BLAKE "6"

Elijah Blake bears his soul in the premiere of his new single “6,” produced by No I.D. and James Poyser. The piano embellished personal ballad unveils the unrestrained emotional pains and traumatizing childhood experiences Blake had with his father.

In an interview with Billboard, Blake discloses the meaning behind the song’s story:

“All your mannerisms are developed when you’re 6-years old, such as who you are or if you’re a glass half full or glass half empty type of person. I looked back to what I went through when I was a 6-year old. I went through religion being shoved down my throat and my biological dad being the Island guy who was really strict and pulled out the belt for everything. It affects me till this day, like how I am in relationships. I still have a hard time trusting people.”

“6” will be the first single from Blake’s forthcoming Drift EP, set to release in September. Peep the accompanying Sean Alexander-directed visual, featuring fellow song “Fallen” above.

Morganne Nikole
Saint Heron: http://bit.ly/1pmZskY

MIXTAPE STREAM: Kitty Cash Love The Free II

After letting loose exclusive teasers from SZA, Wet, Rochelle Jordan, Rome Fortune, and teen singer Willow Smith, Kitty Cash has officially released her highly-anticipated Love The Free mixtape sequel via ELLE. The one-track mixtape is sedated with electronic shades, tranquilizing bass palpitations, unorthodox hues of R&B, smooth soundscapes, two-toned levitation, and serene, genre-blending pulsations. Love The Free II features artists such as Yuna, Rainy Milo, Empress Of,Bipolar Sunshine and many more.

Download and stream Love the Free II below and revisit part one here.

Morganne Nikole 

Saint Heron:http://bit.ly/VupJSx

Audio: Willow Smith "8"

In preparation for the official release of her forthcoming Love The Free II mixtape, Kitty Cash teams up with Willow Smith for a savory new ballad titled “8,” released via MTV News. The slow-tempo groove commences with sedated bass palpitations and electronic shades that saturates the teen singer’s high octave vocal waves. The two-toned levitation diverges into themes of truth and discovery in the thick multicolored vocal transitions and R&B-electronic vibrancy. Stream the track below:

Morganne Nikole 
Saint Heron: http://bit.ly/1oZ64qh

Audio: Marz Leon "Fire"

As a follow-up to the debut single “L O N E R,” Los Angeles singer-songwriter Marz Leon returns with a slow-ridden track, “Fire.” Her previous cut was a mid-tempo melody entrenched with syncopated electronics and effervescent lyrical quivers, where as the new cut is a resounding juxtaposition of deeply rooted bass throbs and echoed vibratos. The shadowy production illusions listeners into unhurried vibes of mellowed sound-scales and tranquilized intonations. Vibe to the sonic ambiance below:
MorganneNikole
Saint Heron: http://bit.ly/1nY4sHR

Audio: CHARGAUX "Burn Rubber"

Image: Kia Chenelle

Brooklyn-based doublet CHARGAUX return with another cut of audible impressive art. The latest reveal from their upcoming Broke & Baroque EP is a retooled rendition of The Gap Band’s 1980 smash hit, “Burn Rubber On Me (Why You Wanna Hurt Me).” The twosome remodels the original R&B funk frequencies into silky waves of electro-drums and sensual bounce. The accompanied bass tints and colorized instrumentation drifts ingeniously behind the savory vocals and kaleidoscopic harmonies, which fuses the sounds of classical melodies, R&B, funk and electro into a collective of artistic ambiance. Vibe to the melody below and be on the lookout for their upcoming Broke & Baroque EP, set to release this summer.

Morganne Nikole 
Saint Heron: http://bit.ly/1n84YCL

LP Stream: YAHUDA by The Trp & Michael Tousana

Dropping the “I” from “Trip” — to symbolize the removal of the ego and individual from their work — anonymous music trio The Trp took to Billboard to officially drop their 8-song collaborative LP alongside rising multidimensional talent Michael “Dos” Tousana, titled YAHUDA. The effort is a result of a cutting edge blend of abstract coolness and high energy quivers.

The project is a stratosphere of organic and experimental sounds with sublime euphonious journeys. From the mollifying R&B inflections to the futuristic accents of electronic guitar strums, the soundtrack is a avant-garde musical excursion.
Listen below:

Morganne Nikole 
Saint Heron: http://bit.ly/1mzC2Yr

Audio: Kito & Reijie Lee "ME & U" Cassie Cover + "Word$"

Australian duo Kito & Reijie Lee met at the youthful age of 13 and began their musical collaboration in 2009 when Kito asked Reija to write over a track she produced with Skream’s label, Disfigured Dubs. The finished product was “LFO,” a track embedded with soulful energetics and murky melodies. It was this release that gained the attention of Mad Decent headmaster Diplo, following with 2012-released Sweet Talk EP.

Now, in anticipation for their upcoming EP release the pair drop an appetizing cover of Cassie’s breakout hit “Me & U.” The track follows previous release “Word$,” an electrifying cut with multilayered reverbs and soothing vocals featuring NYC-based rapper Zebra Katz and his trembling lyrical librettos.

Both tracks are taken from their highly anticipated second EP, II, set to unveil on July 22 via Sony Music. Listen below.

Morganne Nikole 
Saint Heron: http://bit.ly/1zpQub2

Audio: SZA "Moodring"

In the mist of a European tour with The Internet and Kilo Kish, 25-year-old Brooklyn native Kitty Cash had an epiphany about her progression as a DJ and how her new career path created a sense of newly found freedom. As a result, she conceived Love The Free mixtape, an ode to friendship, freedom, rebellion, and finding oneself; a  19-track project debut with exclusive songs from Kelela, Vic Mensa, MeLo-X, and more.

As follow-up to the debut mixtape, Kitty Cash reveals the announcement for Love The Free II, featuring an exclusive teaser from TDE songstress SZA. “Moodring” is an echoed blend of electro-pop R&B with astral vocals and tranquilizing pulsations.

“I wrote Moodring the night I opened for Coldplay,” states SZA regarding the track. “I haven’t slept in two and half days due to anxiety. After the show, I drank every bottle of champagne Chris Martin that the band gave us that night with Thundercat and my band. Great fuckking time.”

Love The Free II will feature artists such as Yuna, Rainy Milo, Empress Of, Bipolar Sunshine and many more. The mixtape will also release a series of visual interpretations for select tracks, all directed by upcoming artists. Love the Free II set to release July 22.

Morganne Nikole 

Saint Heron: http://bit.ly/1neJkkK

Visuals: Kilo Kish "Begin Route"

Following the release of her special Instagram of alluring photography and teasers from the album, Kilo Kish has officially released her anticipated Across EP. The Caleb Stone-produced project is an artistic 8-track composition with themes of vulnerability, self-examination, and progression. Alongside the EP, Kilo has also unveiled a Phillip T. Annand-directed sneak peek of featured cut, “Begin Route.” The abstract pictorials invites viewers into Kish’s atmosphere as she cross journeys through experiences.

 Peep the visual above and snag a copy of Across EP, available now on iTunes.

Morganne Nikole 
Saint Heron: http://bit.ly/VYk88i

NEWS: TUPAC SHAKUR'S MURDER REVISTED IN NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC SERIES

Over the past two decades, the questions surrounding the death of hip-hop mogul Tupac Shakur has remained a mystery. A new National Geographic docu-series, The 90′s: The Last Great Decade? revisits the catastrophic night in Las Vegas, where the California rapper fell victim to murder. The three-night, six-hour series features in-depth interviews with Arsenio Hall, Malcolm Greenridge (member of Tupac’s Outlawz crew), and director Gobi Rahimi, who was with Pac during the final hours before his death.

 

Moreover, the visual addresses the rumors surrounding Pac’s warfare with the Notorious B.I.G., as well as accusations that Pac’s Outlawz crew smoked Biggy’s ashes. The segment also examines the speculations that Pac’s death is the aftermath of a conspiracy.

The 90′s: The Last Great Decade? will air July 6 to July 8 at 9pm EST.

Morganne Nikole
Saint Heron: http://bit.ly/Vni3lC

Audio: LANY "ILYSB" & "BRB"

As a follow-up to the release of their two debut tracks “Walk Away” and “Hot Lights,” LA trio LANY drops their latest doublet of acronym-based melodies “ILYSB” and “BRB.” The light electronic tones of “ILYSB” is escorted by mid-tempo claps and chilled vocal reverbs molding a velvety assemblage of soothing sounds. The cut is contrasted with “BRB,” a cut embellished with honeyed synth vibrations and tinges of shadowed R&B electronics. Although the context of these songs have yet to be revealed, their ingenious aesthetics speaks for itself. Vibe to the tunes below.

Morganne Nikole
Saint Heron: http://bit.ly/1tjBnzt

Audio: Azekel "Holy Matrimony"

Following the release of his Circa EP, London artist Azekel returned with a hefty bass and synth construction in his electro-soul cut, “New Romance.” Now the Londoner is back with “Holy Matrimony,” a suave new melody enriched with unblemished vocals and soulful fluctuations. The slow tempo groove is a work of inching bass and organic sound temperaments that constructs prolific ecstasies of new wave R&B.

“New Romance” and “Holy Matrimony” will officially be released July 14th on Thunderlightning Records/Generator. Tune in below:

Morganne Nikole

Saint Heron: http://bit.ly/VVqsh1

 

 

Audio: Jessy Lanza "You and Me"

Image: MixMag

British label Hyperdub celebrates their ten year anniversary success with compilation tapes 10.1, a project that yields dancefloor-oriented outpours and 10.2, which focuses more on vocal-based, R&B coated releases. One of the new cuts from the forthcoming 10.2 compilation is Jessy Lanza‘s silkened minimalistic track, “You and Me,” a melody fortified with glazed soprano falsettos, velvety vocals and tranquilized electronic tinges. Lanza’s blend of undertones create a euphonious sounded of electro-pop infused R&B.

For more Jessy Lanza pick up a copy of her debut Pull My Hair Back LP and be on the lookout for Hyperdub’s 10.2 compilation release on July 22.
Stream the track below: Morganne Nikole
Saint Heron: http://bit.ly/1k2qxod

Audio: CHARGAUX, “Lullaby” Feat. Soft Glas

Image: Richard Cormon

Pivoting from Opening Ceremony’s 2015 street runway show (where they played infectious covers of Beyoncé’s “Partition” and Kanye West’s “Flashing Lights”) and their previous release, Brooklyn-based duo CHARGAUX return with their second single “Lullaby,” featuring Soft Glas. The track was premiered via Vogue,   featuring a melody begins with colorized sounds of plucked strings, right before cascading into a interlocked soundscape of classical orchestration and mellowed R&B vibrations. The track’s slow-tempo sensual feel creates an abstract platform of audible art overlaid behind slight tinges of outer space interjections. Majesties of their stringed vibratos transform into mesmerizing frequencies of heavy bass pulsations, right before concluding with quivering accents of electronic grandeur.

Tune in to the composition below and be on the lookout for their forthcoming Broke & Baroque EP, scheduled for release this summer.

Morganne Nikole
Saint Heron: http://bit.ly/1jRSjTQ

Video: Marcus Alan Ward, “You Do”

Earlier this year, Cleveland artist Marcus Alan Ward, formerly known as Freeze-Tag, revealed a handsome fusion of electro-R&B in his track “You Do.” Now, Ward collaborates with video director duo Gold Rush to transform his genre-blending constellations into a wave of audiovisual art. The video depicts an incandescent distortion of kaleidoscope patterns and evolving imagery that invites viewers to journey through the abstract mind of Ward. The avant-garde figuration takes place within a intergalactic galaxy that lays wistfully behind the electronic guitar riffs and soulful R&B vocals.

“You Do” is from Ward’s upcoming LP release, Last Night I Grew Tentacles. Peep the digitized aesthetics below and be on the lookout for the album set to release this summer.

  
Morganne Nikole
 Saint Heron: http://bit.ly/1lNhsTZ

Watch Three Men in Heels Dance to Beyoncé

Conquering a Beyoncé routine can be complex, but for this trio of male dancers, their Bey-inspired dance mash-up was executed flawlessly. The latest YouTube masterpiece to go viral this week come from French choreographer Yanis Marshall and fellow dancers Arnaud Boursain and Mehdi Mamine, who delievered a fierce original dance routine to a melody of Beyonce hits including “Ring the Alarm,” “Upgrade U,” and “Crazy in Love” while pouncing in high-heeled stiletto boots. Marshall, a former contestant on Britain’s Got Talent, revealed that the video was a rehearsal for the trio’s final live performance on the show. Although they lost the contest to boy band Collabro, the video has received more than four million views since its release.

Watch the threesome slay in the video above.
Morganne Nikole
 Saint Heron: http://bit.ly/1lNhU4H