Another week just passed by, and a new month is just around the corner. Over the weekend, Kanye West surprised us with the release of his 10th studio album, Donda, following a contentious rollout,as we’ve come to expect from Ye.
On our side of the world, we’ve got a surprise visual off DPR LIVE’s latest record, a stunning birth video from Filipina-American artist ((( O ))), and a formidable new single from Srinagar rappers SOS and Ahmer.
Check out the full roster below.
((( O ))) – “the way it is”
Filipina-American neo-soul artist ((( O ))) (also known as June Marieezy) shares a profoundly intimate video to celebrate the birth of her child in “the way it is.” Filmed by Kasuy, the footage shows moments during ((( O ))) in labor and giving birth at home, as well as tender moments with husband FKJ and a brief glimpse of their newborn.
The track is also part of her latest record (which she calls “moondrops), ((( 3 ))). The 12-track album features “all improvised songs extracted from one night’s jam,” according to her announcement post on Instagram. Earlier this month, ((( O ))) shared that they performed a “hallad” (hearing ritual) where they “asked spirit to let us hear from bb and let bb know mama’s voice and body is available to learn more about bb’s purpose. papa held mama’s belly with sand in his hands and we meditated together to hear what bb had to say. It made us very happy and emotional.” A standalone video for “Bayou” was also released after, revealing a pregnant ((( O ))) communing with nature. — MG
Straight Outta Srinagar [SOS] & AHMER – “Srinagar Anthem”
Tufail and Aatanki of Kashmiri rap duo Straight Outta Srinagar (SOS) teamed up with fellow rapper Ahmer to represent their city and its people in “Srinagar Anthem” via Azadi Records. The three aim to depict what it means for people to persist and thrive despite personal, political, and cultural turmoil. Accompanied by a visual helmed by Yameen Meer and beat by Delhi-based producer NDS, “Srinagar Anthem” presents a balance in chaos. — AK
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DPR LIVE – “Summer Tights”
South Korean multi-hyphenate DPR LIVE drops the surprise music video for “Summer Tights,” where he goes through a ringer, mostly: freezing on mountain tops, walking with a chain collar, and rollerblading under neon lights. The irresistibly funky track provides much-needed escapism amid a still-raging pandemic, which he intended when recording his EP, IITE COOL. In an interview with NME, he said that the “summer soundtrack, themed album” is about giving “some type of joy.” He adds, “I felt like this was a good time.”
The outro features a snippet of another IITE COOL track, “Boom,” and a cameo from his fellow Dream Perfect Regime cohort DPR IAN. — AK
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9K KAO, K.AGLET, ZENTYARB – “รอฉันเลิก”
Thai rappers 9K KAO, K.AGLET, and ZENTYARB are waiting to get their shot at love in latest track, “รอฉันเลิก” (loosely translated to ‘Wait I Quit’). The three ultimately decide that it may be best to deal with their feelings for the women they like to go on a wait-and-see route, swearing that they are willing to wait if necessary.
The track is the latest reunion from the trio following last week’s “City To City.” — MG
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吳卓源 Julia Wu – “精神分裂 Split”
Taiwanese singer-songwriter Julia Wu shows how love can take us to extreme places and situations in her latest R&B track, “精神分裂 Split.” The 2Chill-directed video stars Wu alternately in a dreamy and institutionalized state, as his leading man Kunda shieh observes nearby. The track is her follow-up to the funky cut, “better off without you,” featuring Taiwanese rapper 瘦子E.SO. — MG
OZworld – “龍 〜RAW〜”
Japanese rapper OZworld is “breathin’ out vibes and melody” in the zen-oriented track “龍 〜RAW〜,” made in partnership with a rolling paper brand. All about vibing out in the present moment, he raps, “超ファンタスティック みたい/ Life is 素晴らし/じゃん/戻れない/ この時間だからこの音に蓋を”(Super fantastic/ Life is beautiful/ Can’t go back in time/ That’s why I gotta put a lid on this sound) over a DJ Whitesmith production. The Loyal Won-directed video sees him hanging out at home and having a laidback night with a friend. — AK
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高爾宣OSN – “No Name”
Taiwanese rapper 高爾宣OSN shares the downcast visual for his equally brooding single, “No Name,” the EP version for his upcoming BYGONES EP正式發行, out next month. The 高爾賢 Alex Kao-helmed video shows 高爾宣OSN drinking by the beach. The new single arrives after “Fall.” — MG
Anisha Khemlani contributed to this feature
