Iranian-Swedish artist Nadia Tehran teases the release of her forthcoming new debut ‘Dozakh: All Lovers Hell’ (out May 16th) with brand new single ‘Jet’. Reminiscent on M.I.A.’s superhit ‘Paper Planes’, ‘Jet’ takes flight with a pounding drum beat and fantastic bass which is backed up by Tehran’s empowering and ruthless, almost careless flow. It’s this relentless delivery that gives the track a sense of freedom – it’s say to say that ‘Jet’ will instantly get you hyped, no matter what.

‘Mere Gully Mein’ represents the emergence of real Indian hip-hop. DIVINE and Naezy are the new age desi rappers who talk about all socio-political-economic issues governing the country which is quite a change from the superficial and aspirational hip hop that surrounds us today. With an intent to change the masses’s misconception and rewrite the history of Indian hip hop the duo’s authentic and original story is being identified by people all over the world. Hailing from the city’s chawls and gullies to now making waves not just in the country, but also internationally these two rappers and their rap-to-riches project has also been an inspiration for 2019 released Bollywood movie, Gully Boy.

London based singer/songwriter Suzi Wu is a force to be reckoned with on her powerful new project, ‘Error 404’, which follows up 2017’s ‘Teenage Witch’ EP. Having worked with Mike Dean (Beyoncé, Kanye West, Travis Scott), the four-track EP is an explosion of punk-pop with opening track ‘Grim Reaper’ setting the scene wonderfully. Each track sees the rising pop star enforce her emphatic vocals over upbeat and equally captivating soundscapes that are equal parts playful and ruthless. With ‘Error 404’, Suzi Wu has created a body of work that sounds nothing like anything else out there – it’s a taste of the future of pop.

Consider yourself introduced to London/Leicester based singer, songwriter and producer ARUN, whose latest single ‘Y.D.E.K’ (which stands for You Don’t Even Know) is an absolute blast. From the moment you hit play, ARUN throws you into a whirlwind of sounds from twinkling keys to a dazzling brassy section all driven by a superb bass-heavy beat to create the perfect backdrop for that magnificent voice. An infectious track if ever there was one, ‘Y.D.E.K.’ is one of those tracks that you will instantly put you in the best of moods from the moment you press play.

Danny lived his childhood in the USA, where he formed a band, which did not fare badly for his young age. After moving to the small city of Cuenca, Ecuador, at the age of fourteen, a tragedy occurred. Danny’s best friend committed suicide leaving a broken heart and all their undocumented musical projects blank. After a long recovery, Danny learns to record with an old laptop. It is then, at the age of sixteen, when Nockah is born. After recording some homemade demos, Danny meets musicians of similar influences who were attached to the project. Alongside Agustin, Daniel, David and Luis, Danny records his first homemade single, which attracts the attention of their first followers, and classified their sound as spatial indie core. A few days ago, after several months of production and editing, the music video of ‘Seres’ was released, exceeding the expectations of the growing Nockah fan group.

‘O.G’ is the new title track from Cherries’ upcoming and highly anticipated mixtape with the same name (will be released in the near future on her own label ‘Araweelo’). O.G. is a Swedish acronym for ‘Orten Gäri’ (in English ‘Suburb girl’) and the song is an anthem for girls who’ve made something out from nothing.

The playful track, which is produced by talented Swedish producer Filip Hunter, shimmers with a touch of old school, down tempo R&B that’ll make everyone move.

Cherrie is proof that music is an international language – she’s brought attention to music lovers all around the world with only singing in Swedish. One of her biggest ambitions is to unite the Somali diaspora around the globe and acknowledging that you can become what you want if you have the strive and ambition to succeed. Cherrie is here to inspire and radiate positive vibes, inspiring us to rule our own destiny and to be proud of ourselves.

Dip into the lush soundscapes of ‘Thinking’, the irresistible debut single from newcomer Chi Virgo. The London based singer-songwriter lays down her stellar vocals over a dazzling array of vibrant sounds that mould the worlds of soul, R&B and electronic music. Opening with the jabs of those sci-fi synths, it’s Chi Virgo’s silky smooth vocals that steal the show on the incredibly catchy and infectious track.

Consider yourself introduced to unperfect, a brand new group from the U.K. whose debut single ‘Gots To Give The Girl’ is a delightfully impressive affair. Comprising of Chloe, Siobhan, Soipan and Tiah, the group encompass a refreshing take on classic R&B nuances with a modern edge. The sun-kissed and groove-inflected production serves as the perfect backbone to the instantly infectious track which wonderfully showcases each member’s uniquely smooth and intoxicating voices.

Jinka’s music is explosive in all the best ways possible. Originally from Transylvania, the West Berlin based singer, songwriter, producer and musician unleashed her powerful debut single ‘Trash From The Past’ in 2017 and has since been dropping her vibrant and atmospheric slices of electro-pop cuts into the universe. Her latest offering is the unique and playful ‘Ghost 2 U’, a track which continues Jinka’s trend of adding a dollop of the unexpected – something that’s also present in the track’s accompanying intriguing music video. Whether it’s through the oddball sound samples or her energetic vocal delivery, Jinka has the ability to keep you on the edge of your seat at all times.

Seedhe Maut represent the next stage in the evolution of Delhi’s hip-hop sound. Comprising of rappers Encore ABJ and Calm, the duo dole out verses packed with social and political commentary, mastering the art of sharp, antagonistic and inventive rhymes through their rapid-fire delivery in both English and Hindi. The first single from their upcoming debut album ‘Shaktiman’ is produced by Sez On The Beat, and constitutes a fiery declaration of working class struggles; riffing off the metaphor expressed in the cult Indian TV series of the same name, the track imparts an underlying emancipatory message of self-belief, encouraging listeners to break free from the shackles of everyday life and empower themselves.

Dead Wicks is a self proclaimed “psycho-delic grunge-hop” group of New York-grown artists wielding a unique talent for re-working motown songs. Their recently released debut EP ‘Curses’ gifts its listeners a pandora’s box of irreverent genre-bending anthems filled with unusual chord progressions and twisted guitars through alt-pop craftsmanship and poetically chaotic lyricism. The first track on the EP, entitled “Glyph Trip”, kicks things off with a hard electro funk bass line and breathy staccato vocals, before flipping into sitar sounds echoing in a void of synth breakdowns and soulful wails.

Born in Korea and raised in the US, rapper pH-1 was making music alongside his day-job as a web developer when his delightfully uplifting sound began to attract attention on both sides of the Pacific ocean. The musician wanted to distinguish himself by making respectable music that he could sing for his family without any shame, whilst staying true to his emotions and artistic vision in creating his own style, earning him a record deal with Korean label H1GHR MUSIC and gaining recognition from the likes of Jay Park. His latest release sees him team up with PENOMECO; on “Cupid” the mischievous duo exchange romantic verses in both English and Korean over a uptempo synth-heavy beat.

Despite not having a single official record released, the excitement around artist Unknown T has been bubbling away for months now. Finally, this week he released his long-awaited debut track ‘Homerton B’, sending ripples through the UK drill scene just in time for carnival season. First heard previewed on one of the infamous DJ Tim Westwood’s legendary Crib Sessions, the track sees the east London rapper shelling ice-cold flows in his distinctive, instantly recognisable deep voice, as his memorable chorus adds an unexpected danceable energy to the track. Drill is arguably Britain’s most controversial genre of the moment, with many artists making headlines for criminal activity and police even going as far as to block tracks from YouTube and ban acts from recording or performing, but Unknown T draws the focus back to the musicality as his booming melodic delivery and crystal clear enunciation inject a startling fresh energy, illustrating the enduring power of innovation.

Rotation combines with fellow member of Sudanese collective nuslang. on banger ‘Affin Affin’. The track adopts a ‘trap-zanig’ style, fusing Sudani instruments with contemporary hip-hop to inject a refreshing dynamic energy. Driven by Rotation’s unique flow and a spine-chilling guitar solo by producer WillyWill, “Affin Affin” is a powerful example of the strength of the East African country’s vibrant rap scene, incorporating Western influences to create new original gems.

Innanet James has been keeping things lowkey for a minute now. Following the breakout success of his 2016 debut project ‘Quebec Place’ and its hit single ‘Summer’, the Maryland rapper has taken his time to perfect his follow-up record, and the 22-year-old does not disappoint with his long-awaited return. ‘Bag’ is an undeniable banger from the first kick drum, as James flows effortlessly over soulful keys and a playful trap percussion infused with a bossa nova rhythm, serving to build the excitement for his forthcoming EP slated to feature the likes of Pusha T, Rexx Life Raj and Mac Ayres.

Sudan-born, Ontario-based A7MD is an artist who deserves to be watched closely. Aside from his archives of releases under the pseudonym Skripter, his new moniker and new sound brings a refreshing, original approach to the contemporary trap sounds that dominate North America’s rap scene. His successful single Zombies, produced by DBLCRSS, boasts a distinctive melodic lilt to his bars, and he is equally comfortable flexing his lyrical skill in the verses as he is delivering a catchy mantra in the chorus; “I only did this for squad, and my only witness is God”.

Gifted with a unique voice that contains traces of traditional Punjabi folk singers, Prabh Deep is widely acknowledged as one of the best underground MCs in the country. With a flair for lyrical dexterity and a ear for big anthem hooks, his music paints a vivid picture of growing up in a locality that’s reeling from high unemployment rates and the recent influx of drugs into the community. His debut album ‘Class-Sikh’, produced in collaboration with Sez, was released in 2017 to widespread critical acclaim, with the album declared by Rolling Stone India to be one of the best releases of the year and Deep chosen as the Spotlight Artist for the month by Apple Music India. Pithy, crowd-pleasing single ‘Suno’ led fans to classify him through various lenses; the outspoken “underground” rapper poised to take over the burgeoning Indian hip-hop scene, the classically humble artist with no airs, and the good Sikh boy spinning rap flows out of traditional Punjabi folk rhythms.

Kenyan born, multi-cultural DJ/producer Suraj, globetrotting German turntablist/producer Max Doblhoff and Kenyan afro-fusion artist Alai K team up to create a contagiously funky track. ‘Bana Bana’ embodies the eclectic energy of East Africa’s finest musical collaborations, effortlessly spanning afrobeat, reggae and house influences.The uptempo beat is carried by raw, soulful vocals and reverberating crooning melodies, echoing a sound Alai K refers to as “Disco Vumbi” – a homegrown form of street dance music. Individually, each artist brandishes a strong personal style, with Suraj known for infamously percussive afrobeat and melodic house, Doblhoff (fka MDgroove) known for roots-inspired techno, and Alai K known for everything from hip-hop to traditional kamba, but together their collaboration paints a fuller, truer picture of East Africa’s contemporary creative sector, innovating both electronic and acoustic genres in unique fusion.