New Music || Krept n Konan

Krept n Konan might just end up being the first UK grime act to really break through into the American market with their debut album Long Way Home. It already boasts collaborations with Ed Sheeran, Jeremih, Rick Ross and more, so as long as the music is up there with the rest of their material then it could be a strong album.
The lead single Certified isn't the most catchy or energetic song, which is what I am used to hearing from the rap duo, but their lyrics are as playful as ever and Rick's verse definitely helps elevate the track into a potential overseas hit.

New Music || Rihanna

Rihanna has everyone on the edge of their seat in anticipation for her new album but for now we will have to just wait. At least we have this new single to keep us going. Bitch Better Have My Money is an instant Riri classic with a catchy hook and a club beat that will catch on by the end of the month.
Her attitude is on full form and offers us a different, but more recognisable, side to the Bajan pop princess.
Love it !

New Video || J.Cole

J.Cole is one of my leading artists when it comes to making thought-provoking music videos with cinematic qualities. He has done it once again with his latest video, G.O.M.D, which also happens to be my favourite track off his album.
A slightly different sound to his usually mid-tempo, poignant tracks, this one is more of a club banger but portrays a very interesting story in the visual
I won't ruin it for you but let's just say J takes a disturbing and still relevant historical event and creates something quite powerful.

New Music || Jhene Aiko

Jhene Aiko never seems to get it wrong and she has another beautiful and soulful track on her hands with Living Room Flow.
As always, everything from the vocals to the production to the lyrics fits perfectly together and creates a sultry bedroom song to add to her already quite long list.

Introducing || Kyndall

The daughter of successful R'n'B singer El Debarge has a lot to live up to if she wants the same three decade long career. Fortunately, 19 year old Kyndall seems to have the talent and the songs to get her there.
She has just dropped her debut E.P., Still Down, and a video for one of the tracks which proves her potential as a young r'n'b artist. She can certainly sing and she looks the part but does the music live up to the rest of the package.
Well, after my first listen of the six track E.P, I can certainly say that she may well deliver a killer album so long as she sticks with what she is doing and gets a few strong collaborations too.
Check out one of the tracks, Playing Games, below.

New Video || Bobby Brackins

I haven't heard much Bobby Brackins music, in fact this single My Jam is my first introduction to the rising rapper. It is a decent dance track with great features from tween favourite Zendaya and of the moment R'n'B star Jeremih but I am not sure it will be the breakthrough hit for Bobby.
The video just dropped today and although it isn't particularly exciting or refreshing, the scenery is beautiful and Zendaya looks fab - if anything this is her moment to shine as she is fast becoming a superstar in fashion, TV and, now, music.
Take and look and a listen below...

Introducing || Natalie La Rose

Born and raised in Amsterdam, this 26 year old singer and dancer signed her recording contract back in 2013 and has finally started making waves in the music industry. It's a tough and highly saturated world for female r'n'b artists with even some of the most talented, such as Tiara Thomas, Tinashe, Mila J and Jasmine V, struggling to make an impact. So Natalie will need more than her good looks and vocal ability to make herself stand out.
Her debut single, Somebody, channels Whitney Houston's classic I Wanna Dance With Somebody and sees her team up with Jeremih for a fun and catchy club track.
The video, which is quite a generic dancey one, already has over 3 million views on Youtube which is quite an achievement for a relatively unknown artist.
If she continues on this upward spiral with a great debut album then she should definitely be on your radar in 2015.

Most Anticipated Albums of 2015

We are almost a quarter of the way through the year and have already been treated to three great albums (or two albums and a mixtape) thanks to Big Sean, Drake, Chris Brown and Tyga. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. This year is expected to be a major one for music fans with quite a few big name, popular artists promising to release impressive albums.

Kanye West

Kanye has already given us a tease of what to expect with this new album which he describes as 'cook-out music'. He premièred a new track, All Day, at the Brit Awards and it has me quite excited about the album which may see Kanye revert back to his pre-Kardashian sound.

Frank Ocean

I almost thought Frank had retired from the music industry or something since he has been practically silent for the past two years. After the success and critical acclaim of his debut album, Channel Orange, Frank would be a fool not to bring us some more. So he is.

Though there has been no teasers or release date, we can expect new music this year and I, for one, cannot wait.

Adele

I am not the biggest Adele fan and I haven't even really sat down and listened to a full Adele album but I can appreciate great music when I hear it. Adele is undoubtedly a superstar and her albums have broken multiple records so she has a lot to live up to.

I am interested to hear what route she takes now that she is in a happy relationship and she is a mum.

Drake

Aubrey has already given us a solid mixtape last month but it is he mammoth album that I am looking forward to. I doubt the mixtape is much of an indication as to what we will hear on the album but I have a feeling it will be just as surprising and successful.

Rihanna

Riri's eighth studio album has been anticipated by her fans and music lovers for about a year now seeing as this is the longest break between albums she has ever had. The album has already been fan-titled R8 and has the lead single FourFiveSeconds so we can get a feel of what this album may be. A slightly less club anthemy and commercial sound with more mature and vocal showcasing elements.

Either way, Rihanna always delivers stellar albums so I am waiting with bated breath.

February Favourites || Hip Hop Hooray

With so much great new music last month, it was hard to pick just three of my favourites. But these are the songs that I have had on repeat for the last couple of weeks and will probably continue overplaying well into this month.

Blessings - Big Sean, Drake and Kanye

Bad Bitch - French Montana featuring Jeremih

Banjo - Tyga and Chris Brown

New Music || Christina Milian

Christina Milian has been out of the music scene for a while now and turned her hand at presenting and reality TV instead. But now that she is dating Lil Wayne and signed to Young Money Records, she has headed back to the studio and dropped this new song Rebel.
After so many years, I expected some growth and some fun from Christina yet this song falls flat. Her previous music was r'n'b heavy, club bangers that have stood the test of time (everybody still loves Dip It Low and Whatever You Want) and Rebel is far from that.
The song is instantly forgettable and uses way too much auto-tune for a capable R'n'B singer like Tina. In fact, if this is what we can expect to hear for the rest of the year, then I would advise her to start over because this isn't good enough.