Slim’s Pickings 2022 Pt. 1

For those of you unaware, I recently published a list of my top 10 favourite hip hop and RnB albums in The Wire Magazine, as part of their end of year review issue. It was a tough list to compile because 2022 contained a multitude of stellar releases, many of which deserved further praise.
Guilt quickly set in after I’d submitted the list to my editor, not because I felt like I’d made a mistake with any of my choices, but because I wish I had been given the time and space to write about the bevy of other favourites that had been in rotation over the last 12 months. So now I’m going to attempt to summarise those remaining projects and give them the shine they deserve. But first my original list and the accompanying blurb, for those of you who missed it the first time round. I should also mention that I fucked up with the Little Simz pick. I had it in my head that SIMBI came out in early 2022, but in fact it was late 2021. I blame my own sketchy-at-best memory and the fact that her MOBO win came so late in the year. Anyway…

Continue reading “Slim’s Pickings 2022 Pt. 1”

A. Billi Free & The Lasso: They Wonder

More tasters from the forthcoming A. Billi Free and The Lasso album, as they treat us to another single. They Wonder is more of that genre-blending soulful nourishment that we’ve been introduced to in their previous collaborations, and once again it should make you even more intrigued and excited for the full length. Speaking of which, Holy Body Roll is out on 11 March via Mello Music Group.

A. Billi Free & The Lasso: Thrive, Despite

The Lasso is back with more new music, continuing a run that has seen him at the helm of some of the most intriguing projects of the last few years. For this latest release, he has teamed up with A. Billi Free, the vocalist who has already had a hand in some of those aforementioned gems, including last year’s superb 2121. Thrive, Despite is our first glimpse of the forthcoming album, Holy Body Roll, and sets the scene with some soulful jazz-tinted production, adorned with some ultra smooth vocals from A. Billi Free. Holy Body Roll is due out on 11 March via Mello Music Group.

The Lasso: 2121 (Video)

The Lasso is gearing up to release a new solo album, following on from a very successful 2020, which saw the release of three superb collaborative projects. 2121 is the name of the album and it features a cavalcade of features from the likes of Hemlock Ernst, Ill Camille, Fat Tony and previous collaborators, Psypiritual and Lando Chill. A video for the title track saw its release this week, featuring the awesome vocal work of Rachele Eve and A. Billi Free. You can watch it above, and pre-orders for the album are available via Mello Music. The album is due for release on 19 February. Stay tuned for my review coming in next month’s edition of The Wire.