Obongjayar
Skiifall Transcends Genres On “Woiiyoie Tapes Vol. 2: Intense City”
Montreal’s contribution to hip-hop is undoubtedly understated. Producers like DRTWRK and Nicholas Craven have worked alongside heavyweights in the genre. Meanwhile, while Kaytranada has further cemented Montreal as a hub for electronic music. However, it’s artists like Skiifall who are shedding light on the MCs from the city. Over the past few years, he emerged as a refreshing voice who continues to blur the lines between genres and speaks to the sounds of the diaspora at large.
Two years after the release of his debut EP, Woiiyoie Tapes Vol. 1, he returned with the official second installment. Laced with seven songs in total, including the previously released singles, “Yuteman Denis” and “Fam Without Blood,” Skiifall continues to expound on his sound on Woiiyoie Tapes Vol. 2: Intense City. It’s hard to deny that hip-hop remains a foundation. Still, the sounds of the Caribbean seep through to form a sound that is both gorgeous and gritty. With appearances from Charlotte Cardin, Zibz, and Obongjayar, the production credits on Skiifall’s project includes DJ Dahi, Wondagurl, YAMO//SATO & more.
Skiifall Unlocks A New Level On New EP
The rapper explained how the death of his friend D’Andre Spring in custody influenced his latest project. “I didn’t want to post a picture of him or anything, I want to talk about it in my music because millions of people are going to listen to it,” said Skiifall. He added, “I didn’t choose to take part in this narrative — it was given to me by the government and the schools they send us to, the rules they give us. They keep us on a path where it’s difficult to succeed.”
Since breaking out with the release of “Ting Tun Up” in 2020, Skiifall’s become one artist to look out for. He’s gained significant momentum since then, leading to collaborations alongside BADBADNOTGOOD and more. Hopefully, we could expect more music from him before the year comes to an end. Check out Woiiyoie Tapes Vol. 2: Intense City above and sound off with your thoughts in the comments.
Tracklist
- Undawull
- 2 Charming
- Free My Mind
- Yuteman Denis ft. Charlotte Cardin & Zibz
- Fam Without Blood
- Intense City
- Our Souls Cry ft. Obongjayar
On The Up: The Artists To Watch In May 2022
This month’s slate of Artists To Watch is especially eclectic and positively fire. Follow along as we jump from dynamic British afrobeats and the next rapper about to take over, to an indie band on repeat, real Brazilian sh*t, and more. These are the artists to watch for in May. And this is On The Up.
Obongjayar
The Nigerian-born, London rapper came firmly into focus last year on Little Simz’s track “Point And Kill.” But it was on the first single from his upcoming album, “Message In A Hammer,” (with one of the best videos of last year) where we get to witness the menacing, raspy-tongued rapper establishing his piercing singular vision. A dynamic MC, he fuses British rap and afrobeats with a silky vocal delivery that touches newfound forms of R&B. On “Try,” the whole range of his voice — from a fine-grain sandpaper flow to his sweet coo over atmospheric production — is on full display. His debut, Some Nights I Dream of Doors, is due out on May 13th.
Momma
While Momma’s third LP (and first since signing with Polyvinyl Records), Household Name, isn’t out until July 1st, the singles that the Brooklyn alt-indie band has released leading up to it oughta be living on repeat in your speakers. Led by Etta Friedman and Allegra Weingarten, Momma has heavy vibes of The Breeders, with the vocalist pair complementing each other a la Kim and Kelley Deal. They supported Wet Leg on their sold-out tour earlier this year and will be joining Snail Mail for theirs in August. But we can’t say enough about how sticky Momma’s first three singles are. They channel ’90s nostalgia in a decidedly of-the-moment package, like on “Speeding 72” when they sing, “You can catch us around, Listening to “Gold Soundz”. Keep me in your car,” before a harmonic guitar riff takes the melody into space.
Domi & JD Beck
The future is here. Domi & JD Beck are two jazz prodigies signed to Anderson .Paak’s Apeshit label, who are starting to build some serious buzz. They backed Thundercat and Ariana Grande’s version of “Them Changes” at the 2020 Adult Swim Festival, sat in with the legendary Herbie Hancock at the Hollywood Bowl last year, co-wrote Silk Sonic’s “Skate,” and their debut album is due out later this year on Apeshit and Blue Note Records. The 21-year-old Domi plays keys, is French, and sports blonde pigtails that flap in unison with her hypnotic fingers tickling the ivories. At 18, the shaggy-haired JD Beck plays drums like he’s possessed by Gregory Coleman, and puts down some of the most dizzying snare work you’ve ever heard. They just dropped their debut single, “Smile,” which features .Paak, Thundercat, and Mac DeMarco in the hilarious video. The visual is a prime example of how they infuse child-like fun into complete and utter mastery of their instruments and it’s them who will surely continue to spread the gospel of real next-level jazz music to future generations.
Sessa
In 2019, Brazilian singer and multi-instrumentalist emerged as a unique talent in the shape of the bossanova and tropicalia greats like Caetano Veloso, João Gilberto, and Antonio Carlos Jobim. His debut album, Grandeza, presented gorgeously-woven poetic expressions of love that only Brazilians are capable of articulating. Now he’s signed to Mexican Summer for the June 24th release of Estrela Acessa and the lead single, ”Gostar Do Mundo,” is a globally-minded declaration of otherworldly desire. Alongside a gentle guitar, Brazilian percussion, and female backing singers, he swoons, “Chega mais pra cá, moço lindo desse lugar. Vem me namorar, sabe o mundo vai acabar”. (translation: “Come closer, good looking man from this place. Come nestle up against me, because the world is ending you know.”) This is the stuff right here.
Doechii
Top Dawg Entertainment (TDE) has been notoriously insular in thrusting forward the career of artists from Kendrick Lamar to SZA. But when the venerable hip-hop label announced a new partnership with Capitol Records last month, Doechii was at the center of it. The Tampa rapper is here to usher in the next movement of the TDE roster and she’s come out with a serious bang. The absolutely bonkers (and NSFW) video for “Crazy” feels like it’s floating fiercely over an OG Timbaland beat (it’s actually produced by Kal Banx.) On “Persuasive,” she flashes a silkier side of herself, one that’s indulgent and coyly extravagant. No word yet on an album release, but don’t be sleeping on Doechii.
Doechii is a Warner Music artist. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music.
Obongjayar’s Dynamic Voice Shines On The Afrobeats Jam ‘Tinko Tinko (Don’t Play Me For A Fool)’
A dynamic lyricist whose style is forged in afrobeats and hip-hop, Obongjayar is gearing up for the May 13th release of his debut album, Some Nights I Dream Of Doors. The Nigerian-born Londoner came on strong in 2021 on Little Simz’s “Point And Kill” and Pa Salieu’s “Style & Fashion,” but as 2022 got underway, it’s been all about his singular talents and his upcoming solo release.
The breakneck-paced “Message In A Hammer” dropped in late 2021, and had one of the nuttiest, must-watch videos of the year. Now on “Tinko Tinko (Don’t Play Me For A Fool),” Obongjayar shows another side to his dynamic toolshed. An afrobeats cut at its core, it’s the sultry, breathy verses that flash his mighty voice. He’s an approachable lyricist and, who’s quickly coming into his own.
He shared some thoughts on the purpose and inspiration behind Some Nights I Dream Of Doors:
“This album dives into the idea of opportunity and tries to explore what that means, what lies behind those doors, and asks if we’re ready for it. The pursuit of success, what happens when you achieve it, and what happens if you don’t? What does success mean? The head, the body, and the end of a dream. Opportunity is looking forward, and in that lies the question of time. What is your place in it? To know the future, or to fully be aware of your present, you need to analyze and understand your past. It’s an endless loop that continuously piles on itself”
Watch the video for “Tinko Tinko (Don’t Play Me For A Fool)” above.
Some Nights I Dream Of Doors is out 5/13 via September Recordings. Pre-order it here.
Obongjayar Seeks Vengeance And Gets Justice In The “Message In A Hammer” Video
Obongojayar is a London-based, Nigeria-born afro-futurist singer that’s starting to climb in the ranks. The raspy vocalist was most recently featured on Little Simz’s single and desperado-esque video for “Point And Kill”. His 2020 EP, Which Way Is Forward? showcases a rising talent who culls masterfully from elements of dancehall, afrobeat, trip-hop, and future jazz.
He has a debut LP on the horizon, which hasn’t been officially announced, but the video for the lead single, “Message In A Hammer” just dropped and it would make Hype Williams proud. Directed by Rollo Jackson, it pits Obongjayar as the driver of a wretched mob boss who has abducted someone close to him. The blue and red lighting in the clip, which feels more like a short film, helps paint the picture of a tale of vengeance, with a dynamite performance from the laser-focused singer who’ll stop at nothing for justice.
“‘Message In a Hammer’ is about fight, and fighting against the powers that take and steal and rob from us, and calling them by their name — thieves and murderers,” Obongjayar said in a statement. It’s a can’t miss clip and foreshadows more fiery material to come.
Obongjayar heads out on tour with Little Simz next year, as well as a short European headlining tour of his own, with dates for the latter below.
4/20/2022 – Leeds, UK @ Belgrave Music Hall
4/22/2022 April – London, UK @ Venue TBA
4/23/2022 – Bristol, UK @ Thekla
4/24/2022 – Nottingham, UK @ Rough Trade
4/26/2022 – Brighton, UK @ Patterns
4/27/2022 – Manchester, UK @ BOTW
4/29/2022 – Paris, France @ Point Ephémère
4/30/2022 – Brussels, Belgium @ Botanique
5/01/2022- Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Bitterzoet
5/03/2022 – Berlin, Germany @ Lido