COLORSxSTUDIOS

Since the turn of the decade, Tiakola has continually impressed listeners with his poetic pen and versatile flow. While his early singles ‘Pousse toi’, ‘Étincelle (Maradona)’, and ‘La Clé’ kickstarted the rapper and singer’s career, it was the release of his debut album ‘Mélo’ that really cemented him as a front runner in the French hip-hop scene. Since then, Tiakola’s dropped a stellar EP, ‘X’, that further showcases his distinct voice and ever-evolving sound. More recently, he teamed up with fellow COLORS alum Gazo on a joint album titled ‘La Mélo est Gangx’.

For his debut COLORS appearance, Tiakola unveils his sweltering new track ‘T.I.A’. Against a deep bass line and a crisp trap-inspired beat, Tiakola lays down a mixture of fiery verses and icy smooth vocals as he recounts his journey through life and the challenges he’s faced along the way. Watch the full performance above and keep an eye out for more from Tiakola this year.

TONY DUNCAN for COLORSXSTUDIOS.

Phoenix, Arizona-based performance artist and musician Tony Duncan of the Apache, Arikara, and Hidatsa tribes is a cultural ambassador and performing artist. He has captivated audiences around the world with his hoop dancing and flute playing, and has performed at major events and venues such as the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, The Smithsonian Museum, The Billboard Music Awards, and The White House. Duncan has also released a number of spellbinding albums including ‘Earth Warrior’ (2012), ‘Native Son’ (2014), and ‘Purify’ (2017).

To mark the release of his new solo flute album ‘XXXXX’, Duncan graces the COLORS stage with an exclusive rendition of his new composition ‘Eagle Dances’. Guided by a profound rhythmic drum beat, the artist delivers a flute melody that evokes a soothing and peaceful atmosphere. Watch the full performance of ‘Eagle Dances’ on the site, and make sure to check out the rest of Tony Duncan’s new album which is out now.

Moonchild Sanelly is one of the most exciting artists to come out of South African in recent years. She’s worked with everyone from Beyoncé to Gorillaz, Wizkid, and Ghetts, yet it’s her unique brand of “future-ghetto-funk” that’s really won her an international audience. Defined by impassioned vocals and empowering lyrics, Sanelly’s incomparable style can be heard across her two striking studio albums ‘Rabulapha!’ (2015) and ‘Phases’ (2022). Most recently, she released ‘Scrambled Eggs’, an addictive Johan Hugo-produced track that is an ode to wealth and opulence.

For COLORS, Sanelly serves up a fierce rendition of her brand new single ‘Sweet & Savage’. Powered by a blistering electronic dance beat also produced by Johan Hugo, the track’s vibrant soundscape mirrors the artist’s playful delivery. In an infectious chorus, Sanelly asserts: “I’m a fighter I’m a lover / Tongue twisted pelican.” Watch the full performance on the site and make sure to keep an eye out for more music from Sanelly this year.

By effortlessly blending influences from his French and Greek heritage, rapper and songwriter VLOSPA has created a sound that is truly unique. Since introducing himself to listeners in 2018 with the singles ‘Fresh’, ‘KTLVN’, and ‘2310’, VLOSPA went on to share his debut projects ‘MEKTOUB’ (2020) and ‘MEKTOUB 2’ in 2020 and 2023 respectively. Both showcase his versatile flow and slick style, and include highlights such as ‘Peripoliko’, ‘Deal’ and ‘Mesanyxta’ (ft. LEX).

For his debut A COLORS SHOW, VLOSPA takes the stage with a spirited rendition of ‘Na Vreksi’, a standout track from his most recent EP ‘Inside Story’.  Against a scintillating soundscape of bold and bassy electronics, VLOSPA employs his magnetic flow to lyrically reflect on the monotony and challenges of life. Watch the full performance on the site and keep an eye out for more from VLOSPA in the near future.

JD CLIFFE for COLORSXSTUDIOS.

Since he first stepped onto the COLORS stage with Watford native Kai-A for a stellar performance of their single ‘Certi’ back in 2016, North West London rapper JD Cliffe has taken the UK rap game by storm. His fearless, expressive writing and infectious flows are evident throughout his discography, which now boasts stand out singles like ‘Deeper’ (ft. AYLØ), ‘Go’, ‘Bottega (ft. dxvl)’, and ‘The Future’.

Most recently, Cliffe’s sound has evolved into an amalgamation of indie rock and grime, as demonstrated by his COLORS performance of the high-octane new single, ‘BUSS UR HEAD’. Against a powerful soundscape of grungy guitar riffs and a killer beat, the artist delivers punchy rhymes that capture the gritty, bustling atmosphere of the UK capital. Watch the full performance on the site and keep an eye for more new music from JD Cliffe this year.

Since releasing his debut album, ‘Holly’, aged 18, New York-born, Toronto-raised singer, songwriter, and producer Justin Nozuka has been a prominent figure in the contemporary pop, folk, and alternative R&B scenes. Since then, his soul-stirring melodies and acoustic stylings have shone on follow up albums including ‘You I Wind Land and Sea’ (2010), ‘Ulysees’ (2014), and ‘Run to Waters’ (2018). Most recently, Nozuka released his fifth studio album ‘Daydreams & Endless Nights’. Standout tracks included ‘444’, ‘What’s the Point’, and ‘Dwell’.

For his debut A COLORS SHOW, Nozuka serves up a poignant performance of a brand new single titled ‘Chlorine’. Traversing R&B and alternative genres, the track sees Nozuka deliver soulful vocals exploring anguish and regret about a loved one moving away. Watch the full performance of ‘Chlorine’ and keep an eye out for more music from Jusin Nozuka this year.

São Paulo-born singer-songwriter Mariana Ferreira Froes, aka Mari Froes, is spearheading the new wave of MPB (Música popular brasileira), a genre combining traditional Brazilian styles (samba, samba-canção and baião) with jazz and rock. Since releasing her debut single ‘Moça’ in 2019 and her debut EP ‘Nebulosa’ the following year, the rising artist has dropped a collaborative project with Rodrigo Alacorn and Ana Muller titled ‘Taquetá Vol. 1’ (2021). More recently, she teamed up with Agnes Nunes on the album ‘Coração Marruá’.

With a new EP on the way, Mari Froes steps onto the COLORS stage to share an ethereal performance of her new single ‘Gabriela’. Against a breezy backdrop of gentle bossa nova rhythms and soothing guitar lines, Froes’ delivers warm and sultry tones that confess her love for the song’s namesake. Watch the full performance on the site and keep an eye out for Mari Froes’ new EP which is out soon.

Born in Paris, Egyptian-Iranian singer, composer and producer KUKII (fka Lafawndah) is a pioneering polymath: her work intersects the realms of music, fashion and the arts, and she is just as  comfortable composing scores for feature films as for runways. Over the past decade, she has carefully crafted her own unique brand of global pop music, as demonstrated on her EPs ‘Lafawndah’ (2014) and ‘Tan’ (2016), as well as her studio albums ‘Ancestor Boy’ (2019) and ‘The Fifth Season’ (2020). Recently, KUKII has been working on new music that draws upon the rich and vibrant history of Cairo’s trance scene.

Stepping onto the COLORS stage for the first time, KUKII shares a taste of this new music with a rendition of her new single titled ‘Rare Baby’. Blending the intensity of Mahraganat (a style of Egyptian electronic music often played at weddings) with 90’s post-punk and metal, the track generates an ethereal atmosphere, which serves as the perfect backdrop for KUKII to deliver impassioned vocals celebrating her individuality. Watch the full performance on the site and keep an eye out for more new music from KUKII in the near future.