A “Last Lick” is defined as having the last hit in a given situation. In Jamaica it is a fun thing to do with peers. Today, we’re giving you the last hit to end your Summer vacay with our “Las’ Lick” Playlist! Featuring 33 tracks that popped up during the Summer, get your fix from some of your favourite upcoming and established Artists. Check out songs that may have missed your radar, or ones that got you hype during the past few months. Don’t let Monday catch you groggy and grumpy, let this Playlist put a smile on your face. Check out the “Las’ Lick Playlist” below, and show us some love on Instagram at @13thStreetPromo.
Recently, Recording Artist Royal Blu and Producer Tim Foresta finally released their long anticipated project, the “sinG with God EP“! Featuring 5 tracks, listeners were treated a mix of awesome lyrics, melodies, and production that will have you rocking and rewinding to catch the lines. Recently we got a behind the scenes look at the creative process with Blu and Foresta, more specifically the situations that led to the making of each track. Tune in!
Royal Blu:Ā ForĀ “Let’s Get High”, I remember being in studio and one of my Engineers who helped with recording the session was intentionally smoking near the booth so it could aid in me capturing the feeling of the song (haha). Leno Banton and some of the REM crew was in the studio session as well, and they’re like the Ganja gurus. So it made even more sense.
Tim Foresta: “Let’s Get High” was a very interesting process. I only had this rough loop of the hook part of the beat. I had no clue where this could go, but it had a vibe, so I sent it to Blu. He then was able to write an entire song with three verses, hook, basically a whole arrangement on this simple loop. He sent it to me via voice note. I was blown away and it instantly became clear what kind of a song this will be. Within an hour most of the ideas you hear now came to my mind. That’s also what I like about working with Blu. The process doesn’t follow the simple pattern of I send a beat, he writes a song ā done. It’s always different.
Blu:Ā I haven’t really said this anywhere else, but the songĀ “Believe”Ā was actually written out of me being hurt. I had a song calledĀ “Wrote You This Song”Ā that was originally set to be a part of this EP, but didn’t make the cut. It was the first song Foresta and I ever did, but we didn’t work in studio together for it. He was still in Germany. But basically, that song was about singing to my past self and letting him know that things get better in the future. Because the past self I was singing to at that time lost all the files for his song, the studio I was working with got ripped down, I was betrayed by friends, lost loved ones. It was a depressing time. So that energy carried over into writingĀ “Believe”Ā because I wrote those two songs very close together.
Foresta:Ā Believe. In 2014 I was in South Africa shooting a Documentary about Zimbabwean refugees, living in the streets of Cape Town looking for work. It was an idea by director Thandi Sebe, who at the time wanted to write a Theatre play about it. Growing up in Cape Town, she always saw these groups of men gathering and always wondered who they were and what they do. So, while doing this Documentary I composed some music for it as well and this is where the idea for Believe came from. In the end I didn’t use that beat in the documentary, but interestingly enough the topic Blu found for it perfectly fits the scene of the film that inspired me coming up with it.
A project that has been in the making for quite some time, the duo of Jamaican Recording Artist Royal Blu, and German Producer Tim Foresta finally release the “sinG with God EP“! Featuring 5 tracks, Blu brings the melodies and witty lyrics, while Foresta provides some wonderful Production to compliment them. Tagging along for the ride are Recording Artists Runkus (“sinG with God“) and Lila Ike (“Believe“) as they contribute fuel for the fiery project. Adding to the experience is Taj Francis as he provided the amazing Artwork for the project and the title track. Royal Blu has been having a great year so far, dropping an EP is the icing on that cake. The EP is available on all your favourite digital retailers/streaming services. Stay tuned to the Blog for more content in regards to this project! Prepare for something wonderful by checking out the EP below!
2017 has been pretty Good to Royal Blu. From releasinG a few tracks includinG “Meanwhile” with Leno Banton, to GoinG on his first International Tour with Runkus & The Old Skl Bond, “El fueGo” has been doinG well. Recently, he announced that he will be releasinG an EP with German Producer Tim Foresta titled, “sinG with God“. To hold listeners over till its release, he drops the title track. With Foresta on the boards and featurinG Runkus, we Get a Future reGGae joint that will make you move your feet, and be taken away to another dimension. Expect the lyrics that’ll make you rewind numerous times from the duo on this one too. Artwork for this sinGle was provided by the awesome Taj Francis so be sure to take it in while listeninG. If there was a video for this, I could picture a few scenes. Lyrics fi di brave, are you willinG to be saved with me? Expect the EP to drop on November 24 on all streaminG providers and diGital retailers. Check out the track below.
For years there have been talks about making venues for fresh young talent to showcase their works in Jamaica. While some have popped up over time, one that is here to stay is held at the Stones Throw Bar every monday by the name of “New Wave”! Located at 1b Mannings Hill Rd. in Kingston, patrons witness displays of Art from some rising stars from 8PM to 12AM. Since its inception in late 2016, it has quickly become the talk of the town, or rather the Island. For those who don’t know, we recently interviewed a couple members behind the “New Wave” team, Lindsey Lodenquai (Head Coordinator), and Davida-Mae Chambers (Social Media Manager/Coordinator). Open your mind for a “New Wave”!
13thStreetPromo: For those who don’t know, what is the origin of New Wave? How did it come about from an idea to an event?
New Wave: New Wave began with Protoje and Jason Panton who envisioned a platform for emerging local talents- once the idea is there, there will always be a way for it to manifest to fruition.
13SP: Describe a standard night at a New Wave event.
NW: VIBESY! It’s always a great feeling being there with persons who are equally enthused about culture and creativity!
13SP: “Jamaica has so much to offer culturally and artistically from this generation”. What’s New Wave’s stance on this comment, and how important is it for events like this to push Jamaica’s talent?
NW: The comment is so true, the talent this generation has is through the roof! Once we have the resources, It is our responsibility to nurture this talent and allow it to flourish.
It’s another Summer, and it’s time for the Pool Parties, new fashion, new destinations, and for those in School, freedom from the books for a while. For others, it’s a time to discover new music, and we’ll gladly help you in discovering new Artists. We advise you to get proper headphones, great speakers, money for tickets and audio purchases, and the mindset to fully enjoy the music. Here are 15 Artists to watch out for this Summer!
With a few years in the game, Florida based Recording Artist Khxos (formerly Khaos) has been releasing Dancehall tunes and gaining attention thanks to Social Media. He received a buzz that started to bubble in Summer 2015 thanks to the release of “One Touch”. Summer 2016 kept the ball rolling with his debut EP “Deception”, but collaborations with Andrew Trabass, Chargii, and Lincoln 3Dot helped to keep it blazing for the rest of the year. Early 2017 however saw his name change, and the release of “So Loud” and “BOMM” propelled him as one to watch this Summer as he prepares to release his debut Album, “Dopamine”.
They don’t call him “El Fuego” for nothing, his music keeps you on your toes, and his lyrics hit like the hot oil from frying Plantains. This Artist has been quietly making his way onto the scene and has made appearances from “New Wave” to “Live From Kingston: Class 2016”, to “Imprint” to Protoje’s “For The Culture” event. His collaborations with the likes of Lila Ike, Runkus, and Leno Banton have received numerous hits on Soundcloud, and he hits the road (or Air) with Runkus as a part of the “Class Is In” European Tour and a stop at the German Summerjam this Summer!
This Songstress came as a surprise this year with the release of her debut single, “So Shy”. Known as “The First Lady Of REM”, she followed up with a freestyle (Believe In You), and a follow up single titled “The Cycle”. She has also made appearances on “Smile Jamaica”, “New Wave”, “Speak”, and “7 am In Kingston”. Yanah is currently working follow up singles, and makes an appearance near you this Summer!
