Critic Jonni: Music

A summer explosion of an anthem is here as Becky G collaborates with Kizz Daniel on a remix single of his track "Cough". This sees the Latin and Afrobeats superstars combine forces for an Afro-Latin summer-energised hit that we cannot get enough of. This acts as the follow-up to Kizz Daniel's single "Shu-Peru"; and Becky G's collaboration with Gabito Ballesteros on the single "La Nena".

Watch the official lyric video to "Cough" by Kizz Daniel & Becky G here:

Kizz Daniel, born Oluwatobiloba Daniel Anidugbe, is a Nigerian recording artist, performer and entertainer, and one of Africa’s highly sought-after Afropop/Afrobeat kings. He rose to fame with his chart-topping single “Woju” under his previously known name, Kiss Daniel, and has continued to impress with critically acclaimed songs such as “Yeba”, “Nesesari”, “Buga”, and “Cough”. Kizz Daniel is signed to his own record label, Fly Boy Inc. Born in Ogun State, Nigeria, and hailing from Abeokuta North, he graduated from the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, in 2013, with a degree in Water Resources Management and Agrometeorology, but decided to pursue music as a career alongside his studies. With three studio albums and an EP under his belt, Kizz Daniel is set to release his highly anticipated new album this summer, featuring the first single “Shu-Peru”. He was officially the most streamed African artist in the first two quarters of 2022 with his collaboration with Philkeyz, titled “Nesesari”, being his most-streamed track on Spotify, with 87.3 million streams. He is set to go out on an African and European tour to support his upcoming album set for the summer.

As for Becky G, the multi-talented American singer, songwriter, and actress has undoubtedly carved her place in the spotlight with an iconic career. From her breakthrough posting cover videos online to earning a record deal with Kemosabe Records and RCA Records, Becky G's star has continued to rise. Her chart-topping hits like "Shower", "Can't Stop Dancin'", and "Lovin' So Hard" propelled her to mainstream success, while collaborations with industry giants like Pitbull, Daddy Yankee, and J Balvin solidified her status as a global superstar. Apart from her musical achievements, Becky G's activism and inspirational platform have earned her accolades such as the Agent of Change award and recognition from the Latin Recording Academy. Moreover, her passion for giving back to the community is evident in her "En La Sala" podcast, where she donated to charity with every episode and hosted high-profile guests on various impactful topics. Not stopping at music and acting, Becky G recently launched her own beauty brand, Treslúce Beauty, celebrating Latinx heritage and culture with conscious, vegan-friendly products. As she continues to make her mark in the entertainment industry, Becky G's journey is a testament to her versatility, artistry, and commitment to positive change.

Written by Maurice Simmonds, Oluwatobiloba Anidugbe, and Skylar Mones, whilst it was produced by Marcel Larry Akunwata and Philip Ahaiwe Chukwuja, "Cough" is the remix of Kizz Daniel's 2022 hit "Cough (Odo)" which has amassed over 400 million streams across all platforms, and is currently his most popular song on Spotify with 48.1 million streams, making it his third most-streamed track on the platform, behind his collaboration with Philkeyz, titled “Nesesari”, which has 87.3 million streams, and "Buga (Lo Lo Lo)" which is a collaboration with Tekno at 62 million. The remix brings new life into the track and sees a Latin crossover, fusing incredible beats from both Afrobeats and Latin pop to create an addictive summer hit like no other. Becky G impresses effortlessly as her gorgeous vocals shine in her verse, while her tone wraps around Kizz Daniel's voice for the chorus bringing unforgettable harmonies that bring chills to the listener. Inspiring and catchy, "Cough" is set to become the Afro-Latin summer anthem of 2023.

Talking about the original track, Kizz Daniel shared how “for this song, I wanted to highlight the feeling of new love. The song itself is energetic and celebratory, and it really captures what it’s like to fall for someone new." A year later, this awesome remix has dropped with Becky G expanding that message and further bringing it to life.

"Cough", by Kizz Daniel & Becky G, is available to download and stream, right now, across all platforms, via Flyboy Inc / Empire.

Antonia - Rebound |

This new single from Antonia, along with the music video, titled "Rebound", was dropped last week, on Friday. It would've made a perfect New Release music video blog article but it didn't get released until after I had written about fellow Global Records track "Matado" by Gino Manzotti & MAXX; and so, I've had to wait a week to review this on my blog, but that didn't stop me writing about it for CelebMix. I fully love this song from Antonia to the extent where I would say that it's one of my favourite releases of the entire year. "Rebound" just speaks to me in so many ways, especially after my break-up a few months ago and now that I'm single. In the past, rebounding has been my go-to and I've not been able to do such a thing this time around because I haven't been clubbing due to the pandemic, so I've had to tackle my feelings head-on and learn to love myself for me. Antonia delivers this track perfectly showing off her vocals, her connection with the song, her honest portrayal of the lyrics, and the emotional side to the track. This track deserves worldwide success but will probably just be another awesome track that her fans will treasure.

The music video, directed by Bogdan Paun of NGM Creative with Alexandru Muresan acting as director of photography, captures the pure essence of the song. Antonia acts brilliantly moody feeling lost without the one she loves, the one she misses, and she's regretful that she had to have a rebound to make her realise this. Most of the scenes are set in a bar - the typical place where someone may find a rebound - where she's drinking shots and performing to the camera. Other scenes sees her inside and outside a warehouse, really capturing the emotion of the song on her face which we can easily feel as we watch the video clip. I'm sad that there's no love-interest to add to the narrative of the music video, but there is a sponsor of Kreskova Vodka. Overall, another brilliant music video from the NGM Creative team, with Antonia giving it her all!

Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Amazon

Ruth Lorenzo - Miedo |

Ruth Lorenzo is back with an awesome rock-like ballad that is set to make you awe-struck. Clearly gaining inspiration from rock ballad classics, Ruth Lorenzo shines in every way with "Miedo" showcasing her beautifully stunning voice and her range capabilities. The X Factor and Eurovision star easily belongs in this music industry and deserves so much more success, and this brand new single proves just that. "Miedo" is the Spanish word for "Fear" and my rough Google Translate suggests the song is an open letter to Fear itself and Ruth Lorenzo is telling it that she isn't afraid anymore. It's one confident and inspiring song, that just builds and builds gaining strength towards the end.

It's been way too long since I last blogged, but I have now returned to blogging, purely because Sam Callahan has released this awesome new music video that has definitely impassioned me. Well, it's not just the music video, it's the absolutely incredible song that is all about getting back up after feeling so low and ready to give up on everything. I've been fighting for my writing career for a number of years now, and I still haven't reached the goal and the dream I've envisioned since I was a kid, and I still feel like I'm a long way away from getting there, but I will continue to push and put in all the hard work that is needed to get me to that moment - because I will get there. That is what I take from this song and music video and that's the whole intention. Watch Sam Callahan walk the streets to the top of a car park where he lights up a purple smoke flare, while scenes of four professionals training in their chosen fields are intercut throughout.

Sam Callahan is a singer-songwriter I have been following ever since he released his debut single "Runaway Train" back in 2012. For those of you who have been reading my blog for years will know that I've reviewed pretty much all his music videos on here. He followed his debut up with "Crazy" before becoming a contestant on the tenth series of The X Factor, where he made it to the live shows and came seventh overall. After the show, he released "Bigger Things", formed a rock band (which split not long afterwards), and released a club track titled "I Love It When You". In 2017, he released the incredible song "Burns Like Fire" and followed that up earlier this year with "Say Something". Today, he has released "Stitches and Scars" and it's his most emotional track to-date whilst taking it back to his roots. The track reminds me of "Runaway Train", only with more emotion and passion - Sam Callahan is still a star in the making and deserves success in all forms, he even wrote this track all by himself. The producer of the song was Jamie Sellers.

Directed by Sam Callahan & Gareth Mangan, the music video is mainly a narrative piece with the occasional performance scene throughout. It is certainly the best music video from Sam Callahan to-date, and I completely believe that. The visual stars professional MMA Fighter, Mike ‘Pretty Boy’ Hales, professional gymnast, Sophie Brace, British MX Championship contender, Tommy Lee Morris, and, world champion minibike racer, Robbie Daly.

The slight performance piece is gentle and basic as we follow Sam Callahan who is walking along the streets with his guitar, which he occasionally plays. We also watch scenes of him performing on stages from festivals to arena concerts. He leads us to a car park, and when he arrives at the top he lets off a purple smoke flare whilst acting confident.

As for the narrative, we watch these four professionals training. Mike 'Pretty Boy' Hales is running along the shoreline before a young kid decides to join him and helps him to work out; this professional MMA fighter can also be seen training up in a gym, similarly, Sophie Brace is also training in a gym - we watch her perform floor gymnastics. As for Tommy Lee Morris and Robbie Daly, we watch them ride their bikes on a track and their preparations beforehand. The ending sees them all achieving the goal they set themselves.

What more can I say about this music video? I've already covered it on CelebMix and Fuzzable, and it is set to be published on Outlet Magazine soon. What we've only just discovered is that Sam Callahan filmed this music video using his iPhone 8+ and he also edited and produced it himself. He put his all not just into the song but into this music video, and it's not a surprise that it is absolutely incredible. This music video is one I won't be forgetting, in years to come, and it just goes to show that hard work really does pay off. This is a masterpiece, and I'm beyond proud to give Sam Callahan his first five stars for one of his music videos! I hope he releases more incredible music videos in the future.

Buy on iTunes
Stream on Spotify

Barking - Ramz |

I've been avoiding this for one for some time as it has always ranked highly in the UK Top 10; however, it's dropping down, and since this is a backdated blog, I do know that it will drop out in a couple of weeks. At the time of this backdated blog, Drake is at number one with "God's Plan" and so that opens up the UK Top 10 to my Chart Mondays review, hence why I chose this. The song has done incredibly well, just missing out on the top position for weeks. It is a catchy song, but it's not my sort of thing, which also explains why I've been avoiding it; I am so far behind on my blog, it is now getting ridiculous, but I'm not one to give up, at all. Watch Ramz spend time with his lover around London as he sings his song after visiting a barber's shop to get his hair done in this music video for "Barking".

Ramz, real name Ramone Rochester, is an English rapper from London, who went to the University of Plymouth to study Sports Development before dropping out to focus on his music career. This track is his official debut single, and what a way to launch in the music world. He has released a few other follow-up singles that haven't managed to chart. This song clearly did go viral, it managed to chart at number two in the UK, number four in Germany, and number eight in Ireland. The main question is whether he can gain another hit, or he could just be a one-hit wonder. "Barking" was written by Ramone Rochester.

The music video starts off with a narrative but includes a prominent performance piece throughout. It was filmed predominantly in Barking, London, and features a wide range of co-stars and extras. His love interest isn't named, as far as I can tell, so if you know who the actress is, feel free to comment her name below.

There's not a lot to this music video to be fair, but it is wholly related to the song. Ramz fully brings it to the performance side of things, expressing a relaxed style whilst nailing it with his energy.

The song is titled "Barking", so of course it is set in Barking, London and this is made clear throughout the video. There's complete relation to the lyrics at times, including his teeth. The opening scene seems unrelatable since his friends peer-pressure him into having a line put into his hair.

The narration seems cute as we see him meeting up with his girl and taking her out on a date. There's nothing else to this music video though, and I can't really fault it, apart from him not really explaining the opening scene, and the narration kind of needs to be fleshed out a little bit more. The music video is now the most-watched video on GRM Daily - the YouTube Channel that the music video was released on.

Buy on iTunes

Vampire - Bud Sugar |

I previously wrote this up for CelebMix, and I can't help but love Bud Sugar. They've just got this unique quality to them. There's no other group out in the world who are doing what they are doing and it really allows them to stamp themselves into the music industry. They have also launched their own merchandise, where they're going to print 10 t-shirts, so I highly suggest you get them while you can. They're definitely a rising group you need to keep an eye on, and I can't wait to see what the future brings them. Watch Bud Sugar show off all their energy that they'll no doubt bring to any stage whilst setting fire to a guitar in this blood-red filtered music video for "Vampire".

Bud Sugar are a five-piece British group who have found their own niche genre in music, bringing something totally new to the music industry. They consist of Dylan Elliott, Stan Hill, Live Lans, Rob da Bass, and Bacary Bax. They've been booked for a few festivals this year and I'm sure more is coming up as they start to fully establish their name. They've released two EPs so far, and no doubt another one is coming with the release of this track - which is beyond catchy. Bud Sugar are a group you need to get on board with now before they go viral. "Vampire" was written by Bud Sugar.

Directed by We Made This with additional visuals by Octovision Media, this music video is a low-budgeted performance-based music video. If there's one thing this group has, it is energetic performance vibes. They just have this power that they unleash to every single viewer, listener, and event attendee.

This music video continues to establish this vibe from them. They bring their energy completely, and then also bring their weirdness too including lighting a guitar on fire during a short instrumental ending. Bud Sugar sure know how to bring the unexpected, not just in their music, but in their videos too.

Overall, the song is catchy and the music video relates. They sing about putting their "v's up high" which becomes a concept in the music video and something I can see them getting the audience to participate in when they're on stage. On the other hand, the video quality isn't all that great, with it swapping between video sizes and the red filter is a bit on the over-the-top side; regardless, Bud Sugar's energy makes it work. The words appear throughout, making this half a lyric video, although they're not easy to follow at times.