MUST LISTEN 130
Every week, we’ll be bringing you Must Listen: a series that's a compilation of rising artists along with songs that must be added to your everyday playlist. This week’s playlist consists of emerging acts like Bebi Monsuta, Ferdous, and Downtown Kayoto.
Returning after a year-long hiatus with his latest project, LeakOut, Sahbabii is starting the new year with plenty more releases. In his latest single, “How Bout U ?” the Atlanta innovator seamlessly blends melodies and catchy bars to make a memorable track, emphasizing his signature sound and only elevating it in his new music. The 25-year-old rapper announced he will be “flooding” his fans with new music soon, and to look forward to more surprise drops in 2023.
NYC-based trio Bebi Monsuta release their effortlessly cool banger “Julia Fox.” Oozing with confidence - the track gives each member room to flaunt their pretty-girl swagger and flow while gliding over a chill, laidback production.
Afghan-Dutch artist, writer, and producer Ferdous dropped his single “Deal With It” from his forthcoming mixtape Cool Party. The track is dripping in golden inflections with bouncy and bubbly production that compliments Ferdous’ spellbinding falsetto. Ferdous is a prominent force that you should watch out for this year.
Colorado-raised, LA-based artist Kayla Rae shares her sultry, new single “BLUE.” Reminiscent of 90s and 00s R&B girl groups Kayla grew up listening to. Kayla channels the universal feelings of watching the person you love to be happy with someone else. In the unapologetically vulnerable and enrapturing track, the songstress captures the high and low moments familiar to all break-ups, ultimately finding empowerment in overcoming it all.
Afro-Latina music R&B artist Immasoul released her new single and music video for “A Tu Lado.” The track blends together influences from dancehall, Afrobeats, and reggaeton into a bittersweet banger about two people who are destined to be together but can’t be. The track further expands on Immasoul’s signature sound where she’s making her mark within the Latin R&B space.
Australian pop artist KYE returns with her latest release, “Ribena.” Mixing R&B, garage, and pop tinges, ‘Ribena’ is an addictively smooth ride. Once again taking inspiration from early 2000s UK sounds, KYE swoons over that all-encompassing new love feeling, pulling her scintillating vocals front and center. Embodying an effortless confidence and star quality, proving she is well on her way to destined pop stardom.
R&B newcomer Immi Dash releases her second single “You Ain’t Good.” Capturing the moment of realization that the version of someone you’ve built up in your mind is not what you see in front of you, “You Ain’t Good” hears Dash’s dreamy vocals gliding across a sinuous 6/8 track, pouring her soul into the emotional self-written lyrics – and just as on her debut single “Show Me”, Dash’s follow-up carries listeners into an emotional earworm of a chorus, which utilizes a classic soul vibe with a modern twist.
Downtown Kayoto is the project of Zimbabwe-born, Hull UK-raised musician Chiko Chinyadza, returns with his latest single “Run from you.” Never one to be tied down to a specific genre, Downtown Kayoto's experimentation pays off once again. Meditating on his own tendency to run away from his problems, the track neatly builds towards its second verse as DK's dexterous rap vocals sweep into focus.