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Get to Know: Ambré
Photo Credits: Nate Guenther Ambré has always existed somewhere between different creative worlds. Born and raised in New Orleans, she grew up surrounded by the city's unmistakable musical culture, but her own creative ambitions originally extended far beyond music. Today, she is a Grammy-winning songwriter, producer and artist whose work moves between R&B, soul, blues and alternative sounds without feeling tied to one category. Her debut album PEYOTE is perhaps the clearest
Shelley Paterson
5 hours ago


Get to Know: 54 Ultra
54 Ultra is one of the most prominent rising voices in music right now, and it is no surprise why. His sound feels difficult to place precisely in one genre or style, because it refuses to sit comfortably in one singular mode. His work is rooted in retro influences, driven by textured production, percussion and a distinctively modern undertone. 26-year-old John Anthony Rodriguez, better known by his stage name 54 Ultra, has steadily established himself as an artist to watch.
Katy Bright
23 hours ago


AXCS Opens the Door to JAY-Z’s London Moment
With JAY-Z set to take over Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 4 and 5 September, London is about to become the next chapter in the artist’s 30-year cultural legacy.
New Wave
23 hours ago


Lancey Foux Is Defying All Expectation On The Time Of Our Lives
There has always been something deliberately unpredictable about Lancey Foux. For more than a decade, he has built a world around himself that refuses to sit still, one where excess, vulnerability and experimentation constantly collide.
New Wave
1 day ago


K-Trap: Taking a Breather, Looking Back with TRAPO
For K-Trap, success has come at a pace that rarely leaves much time to stop and take it all in. At a small, intimate gathering at Curzon Hoxton, the rapper took a moment to do exactly that, with the screening of his new documentary TRAPO charting some of the biggest moments of his career. Around 45 minutes long and presented as an A Simmons Brothers production, the film offered an insight into K-Trap’s journey so far, from his early days as Kiddo, his former rap name, growing
Chibuikem Tracey Chimbo
3 days ago


JAY-Z Brings the HOV Era to London With UMusic Shop Camden As The First Stop
Now that energy is heading to London. From 27 August, UMusic Shop Camden will host the exclusive JAŸ-Z 30 pop-up, arriving ahead of his two-night takeover of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 4 and 5 September.
New Wave
6 days ago


Get To Know: DAMEDAME*
Made up of producers, songwriters and artists Barbara Boko and Edith Nelson, DAMEDAME* have spent years moving between the foreground and the background of music, developing their own sound while helping shape the worlds of some of the industry’s biggest artists.
Ivié Imafidon-Marcus
7 days ago


KILIMANJARO Releases New Unmissable Single 'Moving On'.
Dropping Friday 21st of August, MOBO Award-nominated Zambian-Scottish artist KILIMANJARO's new single 'Moving On' is one to be listened to. The track is a collaboration with Iñutu and the product is a deeply personal exploration not just between colleagues, but between siblings. The expansive and experimental electronic production, layered rhythms and sharp beats are paired with emotional vocals, resonant of the balance between the pair. 'Moving On' explores themes of accept
Katy Bright
Aug 25
FEATURED ARTICLES


Thirty Years On: How The Score Found Its Second Home in London
Through the early to mid-90s, America was on one of its many cultural hate trains. And once again, its lenses focused on the Haitian immigrants, legal or otherwise, coming into the country after the coup d’etat that removed democratically elected President Jean-Bertrand Aristide. It was under these intense rays of xenophobia that three black musicians decided to tell the struggle of black Americans and immigrants in a sound so irresistible it found its way across the Atlantic


Soundtracking the Beautiful Game: A Brief Look into how Football and Music Go Hand in Hand
One of my favourite things that used to happen whenever I was hanging out with my guy friends was me putting on a song, only for them to immediately look at each other and say, "Wait, this was on FIFA 11!" The impact of video game soundtracks aren't anything new and plenty of people rediscover songs from their childhood by either seeking out the music they grew up with or by chance hearing it out in the wild and being transported straight back to their youth. For many people,


Red Bull Midsummer Brought It's Electronic Global Community Together Simultaniously Across Time Zones
Red Bull transformed one of London's most striking rooftop spaces into the beating heart of a worldwide celebration of electronic music as Red Bull Midsummer arrived at Wagtail for an unforgettable day-to-night experience.


Pop Music and The Fan Experience: How Harry Styles Is Shaping Modern Concert Culture
Pop music’s energy thrives not only on sound but on the way fans connect with their favorite artists. In the 2020s


The Soft-Edged Sentiment of Saam Sultan
Music Editor Shenead speaks with one of UK underground's best kept secrets, Saam Sultan on his new EP 'Seraphim' fresh off the stage from a milestone moment in his career.
MOST POPULAR MUSIC ARTICLES


Lexa Gates Makes Intimacy Feel Like a Luxury
There’s something almost ironic about seeing Lexa Gates live. She’s an artist whose music already feels like you’ve accidentally opened someone’s diary. So naturally, I expected the live show to be bigger, louder, maybe even a little detached. Instead, she somehow made the room feel even smaller. The stage was stripped back to almost nothing. A white platform sat in front of soft pink drapes, washed in deep reds and purples throughout the night. No elaborate visuals. No dan


DAPs Are Back: The Best Digital Audio Players of 2026
The resurgence of high-resolution audio has reshaped how people listen to music on the go. Streaming still dominates convenience, but for listeners who care about detail


RAYE Drops Empowering New Single “Click Clack Symphony” Featuring Hans Zimmer
RAYE returns with her highly anticipated single “Click Clack Symphony,” a collaboration with legendary composer Hans Zimmer.


Get To Know: NO11
With his breakout song ‘HOW FAR’ hot on the charts since its release on the last day of 2025, “bangers, straight bangers” is what to expect from NO11. Still on the come-up, the Nigerian musician is determined to reach the top.


Get To Know: Mulaa Jones
Mulaa Joans is an enticing young singer-songwriter that has been steadily honing her craft, challenging herself to strive for songs that are rooted in candour, heartbreak and strength.
TRENDING MUSIC ARTICLES


JAY-Z Brings the HOV Era to London With UMusic Shop Camden As The First Stop
Now that energy is heading to London. From 27 August, UMusic Shop Camden will host the exclusive JAŸ-Z 30 pop-up, arriving ahead of his two-night takeover of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 4 and 5 September.
New Wave
6 days ago


Sample Session: Destin Conrad – ROADRUNNER
A closer look at the details and standout moments that shape ROADRUNNER as Destin Conrad brings his Jamaican roots further into his music. Rather than treating the project as a complete departure from the sound we know him for, ROADRUNNER feels like Destin allowing another side of himself to take the lead. There are moments that are playful, sensual, nostalgic and deeply rooted in Jamaican culture, while his smooth vocal delivery keeps the project connected from beginning to
Anisha Oliver
Aug 21


Central Cee Brings Football Culture From The Terraces To The Airwaves with Coca Cola
Football and music have always shared a language. Both are built around loyalty, identity, community and the collective energy of thousands of people moving as one.
New Wave
Aug 18


Boomtown's Radical Redesign: A Comprehensive Festival Review
Attending Boomtown truly was an experience like no other. From the very first moments, receiving the newsletters to queuing up to enter the festival, the energy curated was incredible. So many festivals can result in anxiousness, a worry that your stuff will get stolen or that something would happen late at night, but somehow Boomtown has created a community which has removed all of those feelings. Every single person I interacted with smiled, spoke to me like we were friends
Katy Bright
Aug 17


Ayra Starr Expands Her International Sound With New Album 'Starr Girl'
The new material points towards a more international pop vocabulary without abandoning the rhythms that made her distinctive.
New Wave
Aug 14


Aitch's Don't Be Afraid Documentary Review
‘Aitch: Don’t Be Afraid’ truly is a documentary unlike anything else I have ever watched. It is rare to find something which combines heartfelt moments, tears and humour so seamlessly, and Aitch achieves exactly that.
Katy Bright
Aug 2


Tyla's A*POP Declares African Music's Place at the Centre of Global Pop
Global pop star Tyla's forthcoming album 'A*POP' is quintessentially her. A bold evolution from her debut album, the 14-track album combines Tyla's sultry vocals with R&B, pop and amapiano.
Katy Bright
Jul 24


Oh Yeah?: The Sound of Steve Lacy Coming Undone (and Back Together)
Oh Yeah? arrives after four years of Lacy feeling more at ease abroad than in his own skin at home, a restlessness that runs through every corner of the record.
Kelis Cassia
Jul 17
ALBUM REVIEWS


The Confession Booth Is the Dancefloor: FLO's Therapy at the Club
The Grammy-nominated British girl group who spent the last three years redefining modern R&B, from the viral breakout of "Cardboard Box" through their GRAMMY-nominated debut Access All Areas, return with Therapy At The Club, their sophomore album, reframing the club not just as a place for a night out, but as a site of confession, release and self-possession, wrapped in sultry, euphoric R&B and pop. Widely known for the run of singles that carried Access All Areas into the UK
Kelis Cassia
Aug 10


Odeal Makes the Case for Another Summer Soundtrack
Odeal returns once again to soundtrack the summer with A Good Time... The seven-track project doesn't seek to reinvent his sound. Instead, it doubles down on the qualities that have become synonymous with his music, pairing groove-led production, danceable rhythms and his signature blend of Afrobeats and R&B. As its title suggests, A Good Time… is built around vibrant, feel-good production that captures the warmth and ease of the season. While the production is undeniably car
Chibuikem Tracey Chimbo
Jul 31


DAMEDAME Release Debut Album 'Dreams on the Passenger Seat'.
Today, DAMEDAME release their debut album 'Dreams on the Passenger Seat'. Barbara and Edith truly are marking a new genre for their music, and this album encapsulates exactly the identity the pair are seeking to create. A culmination of years spent mastering the contemporary music genre, the pair are finally stepping into the spotlight as their own team. The pair first rose to prominence on their work on Jorja Smith's album 'Falling or Flying'. Since then, their unique and ex
Katy Bright
Jul 24


Tyla's A*POP Declares African Music's Place at the Centre of Global Pop
Global pop star Tyla's forthcoming album 'A*POP' is quintessentially her. A bold evolution from her debut album, the 14-track album combines Tyla's sultry vocals with R&B, pop and amapiano.
Katy Bright
Jul 24
10 THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT


10 Things We Love About April + VISTA
April + VISTA are a duo that does not allow themselves to be limited in their artistic ambitions. There is no aim to have the most-streamed song, or to hit the charts with formulaic music; they create with pure intention to express what they feel, giving voice to language and feelings that often feel indescribable.


10 Things We Love About Ego Ella May
British-Nigerian singer-songwriter and musician Ego Ella May has quietly carved out a lane where jazz, neo-soul and contemporary R&B meet deep emotional introspection. Rooted in tradition yet unafraid to experiment, her music feels both timeless and refreshingly present — guided by a voice that prioritises feeling over excess, and intention over trend. Raised in South East London, Ego Ella May was introduced to music early, surrounded by a wide palette of influences that stre


10 Things We Love About Nasty C
South African rapper, Nasty C, proclaims his new era with a new album: FREE. In addition to being his fifth studio album, FREE is his first album since his independence and the inception of his record label, “Tall Racks Records”.


10 Things We Love About Hardrock
Hailing from Atlanta, Hardrock is fresh on the scene as the newest underground sensation. Garnering attention for his distinct style that feeds well into the Opium lifestyle, he blends a raw concoction of rock, trap and punk into his music whilst simultaneously drawing on inspiration from rap heavyweights such as Future, Young Thug and Playboi Carti.
GET TO KNOW SERIES


Get to Know: Ambré
Photo Credits: Nate Guenther Ambré has always existed somewhere between different creative worlds. Born and raised in New Orleans, she grew up surrounded by the city's unmistakable musical culture, but her own creative ambitions originally extended far beyond music. Today, she is a Grammy-winning songwriter, producer and artist whose work moves between R&B, soul, blues and alternative sounds without feeling tied to one category. Her debut album PEYOTE is perhaps the clearest


Get to Know: 54 Ultra
54 Ultra is one of the most prominent rising voices in music right now, and it is no surprise why. His sound feels difficult to place precisely in one genre or style, because it refuses to sit comfortably in one singular mode. His work is rooted in retro influences, driven by textured production, percussion and a distinctively modern undertone. 26-year-old John Anthony Rodriguez, better known by his stage name 54 Ultra, has steadily established himself as an artist to watch.


Get To Know: DAMEDAME*
Made up of producers, songwriters and artists Barbara Boko and Edith Nelson, DAMEDAME* have spent years moving between the foreground and the background of music, developing their own sound while helping shape the worlds of some of the industry’s biggest artists.


Get To Know: TRUENO
On the 24th April 2026, hip-hop superstar Trueno released his fourth studio album TURR4ZO following recent international acclaim on Gorillaz’ The Mountain tour. Crowds found themselves mesmerised by the Argentine wonderkid’s undeniable stage presence, formidable flow and lyrical maturity. It is hard to believe in the wake of such untethered success, just how far the young rapper has come: exploding onto the scene some seven years prior, Trueno remains a one-of-a-kind talent n


Get to Know: Armanii
The Kingston born artist has been steadily carving out his place in the genre with a sound he describes as “worldly dancehall,” blending the rhythmic pulse of Jamaica with R&B influenced melodies and introspective songwriting.


Get to Know: TheARTI$t
TheARTI$t makes music that lives in vulnerability. The Newark, New Jersey–born R&B singer is building a world shaped by honesty, reflection, and emotional transparency, a space where feelings translate into melody and personal experiences become songs listeners can recognise themselves in. For her, music isn’t about performance as much as it is about processing. Writing and recording serve as a way to work through emotions in real time, turning moments of self-reflection int


Get To Know: NO11
With his breakout song ‘HOW FAR’ hot on the charts since its release on the last day of 2025, “bangers, straight bangers” is what to expect from NO11. Still on the come-up, the Nigerian musician is determined to reach the top.


Get To Know: Mulaa Jones
Mulaa Joans is an enticing young singer-songwriter that has been steadily honing her craft, challenging herself to strive for songs that are rooted in candour, heartbreak and strength.


Get To Know: Jessy Blakemore
Jessy Blakemore’s music feels like a confession laid bare, the kind shared with great introspection, unfiltered and honest. A singer-songwriter from Reading, her sound exists somewhere between alternative R&B, indie, and soul, who was introduced to listeners by posting stripped-back covers and originals online.


Get To Know: threetwenty
Relationships sparked online are part and parcel with living in the digital age. Looking to dating Apps for love has become the norm and a profitable business, and before that, Facebook and Twitter, the OGs were a way of seeing what’s beyond the borders of your own country.


Get To Know: Joshua Baraka
At the tender age of 24, Joshua Baraka has taken the music industry by storm. He is the most-streamed artist from his home country, Uganda, and it's the most talked-about export in recent times, despite how "crazy" he thinks this all is. With outstanding EPs on his shelf, the young musician has now returned with his debut album Juvie - a work of art, executively produced by Grammy-winning producer, JAE5. Joshua has taken the time to chat to New Wave Magazine about Juvie , wh


Bricknasty Are in Love with the Process
“Just keep flipping it and flipping it and flipping it” Committing the journey over the destination is essential for any artist. Irish jazz punk band Bricknasty knows that better than anyone. A couple of weeks ago they released their 2nd EP BLACKS LAW , a cacophonous, ever-morphing journey through multiple genres and pained deliveries from masked frontman Fatboy. The new release signals a rebirth for the group both creatively and literally, with founders Fatboy and producer


Get To Know: LYVIA
LYVIA isn’t just another artist trying to survive the constant churn of online content. She’s one of the few who has built an entire world from something simple: a street corner, a microphone, and a mug of tea that somehow became part of her identity. While everyone else is busy reinventing themselves every week, she’s doubled down on authenticity. It didn’t begin on TikTok. It began outside, on cold pavements across Nottingham, Leeds, Manchester, and London, singing through


Get To Know: Zlatan
Zlatan Ibile is more than an Afrobeats artist; despite being one of Nigeria’s most respected and consistent, because of his ability to sing, rap, and move across genres with ease. Instead of being an artist, he is a movement. From the streets of Lagos to global stages, Zlatan, widely known as the World President, has built a career through relentless energy, unshakeable faith, and a determination to prove the streets can breed icons, too. He has collaborated with Afrobeats el


Shigeru Kaneko on Outdoor Expedition Book 99: Interview
Shigeru Kaneko’s Outdoor Expedition Book 99 is a meticulously curated homage to the craftsmanship and functionality that shaped modern outdo
FIRST LISTEN


Essosa on her new EP Crush! - New Wave Magazine First Listen
Fresh off a breakout few years that saw her glide from viral momentum into global co-signs and sold-out rooms, Essosa steps into a new era with her new EP Crush!, released May 1st, a project that feels as light on its feet as it is emotionally sharp. Glossy, 90s-tinged sonics, airy production, and honeyed vocals characterise the six tracks that make up the EP. From the first listen, Crush! immediately feels like a world built on lightness, nostalgia and emotional clarity, a


First Listen: Charlie Jeer's ‘Mona Lisa (Mahalia Version)’ Featuring Mahalia
The Mona Lisa is a revered painting of the Renaissance by Leonardo da Vinci. She captivates and inspires with a subtle smile. You can’t blame that classically trained, multi-talented musician, Charlie Jeer, who is as mesmerised by a woman’s demeanour and beauty that we can’t help but liken the two. Experimenting with something new, the musician, with his reimagined version of his latest ‘Mona Lisa’, featuring Mahalia, builds on the momentum of his debut EP Everything Is Tem


First Listen: Troy Javelona's 'DARLING'
Troy Javelona is a name that not many people are familiar with but swiftly that will change, still relatively early in his music career – he has been releasing music since 2023, his first drop of the year 'WHAT'S A GUY GOTTA DO', shared last month struck a note, and he has quickly followed it up with 'DARLING.’ The 23-year-old British-Filipino singer, songwriter and producer, solely worked on ‘DARLING’ from the comforts of his home in his bedroom studio. As you listen to the


First Listen: Mary Ann Alexander's ‘Better Than This’
Mary Ann Alexander is quickly rising through the ranks in the music industry as an artist who has a bright future ahead, and has managed to align herself with some of the most respected talent in the industry. She has collaborated with the UK legend Craig David and Tiwa Savage on the song ‘Commitments- Pt 4’ as well as receiving co-signs from the likes of Kehlani. With such a strong output of credentials to her name already, Mary Ann Alexander is looking to be one of this yea


First Listen: VNSA ‘HOW YOU MOVE LIKE THAT’
Image Credit: Dulla Rising star VNSA (pronounced vee-NESS-uh) is defining what sexy sounds like with her latest Sweet n Sexy Collection titled, SUM REAL S*XY SH*T . It features ‘HOW YOU MOVE LIKE THAT’, a hit record propelling her to a wider global reach, particularly within the dance community. Thanks to Todd Williamson’s viral choreography, the song has taken on a life of its own, with dancers around the world doing exactly as she says: “show me how you move like that.


First Listen: Bellah and Destin Conrad on ‘Typical’
From the very first note, UK R&B songstress Bellah’s new single, ‘Typical' featuring Tampa-native Destin Conrad announces itself with effortless confidence. Teaming up with Destin Conrad, the track is a sultry, intoxicating blend of warmth, intimacy, and late-night allure. ‘Typical’ captures the heat and subtle tension of a steamy night between two lovers, layered with the faintest touch of toxicity, while Bellah and Conrad glide over the production with seamless chemistry th


First Listen: Catch ‘Heisenberg’
Catch is MOBO-nominated rapper, who first caught the eye with a verse on north London rapper Clavish’s track ‘Stay Rappin'’. The voice. The cadence. The authority and authenticity as she delivered heavy-handed with a vim that felt as if it smacked you in the face. Hard-hitting rap at its finest, in an era of UK rap, which at least in the mainstream has dipped a bit. From South of the river, she has also featured on the projects of Marnz Malone and Tiny Boost, as well as co


First Listen: Nali's ‘Options’
One of R&B’s newer voices, New York songstress Nali, has started to gain momentum over the past two years. In 2024, The Brooklyn born artist released ‘4U’, before a string of releases in that same year led to her dropping her debut album I Love Nali in 2025. She grew up in Brooklyn and has earned public co-signs from artists including Khalid, Cash Cobain, and Coi Leray, which demonstrates the potential she has in the R&B scene. We get the chance to talk to Nali about the m
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