Kizz Daniel & Becky G - Cough

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.

New Release: Jax Jones & Calum Scott - Whistle


Jax Jones and Calum Scott's latest music video for "Whistle" takes viewers on a nostalgic journey through London's streets. The video was shot on an old bus that Jax Jones used to use in his local borough, Elephant & Castle. The official video features a special motion control (MoCo) camera that follows the lives of various passengers as they travel throughout the day, from morning to evening.

Jax Jones co-directed the video with Charlie Sarsfield, who has previously worked with artists like Stormzy and George Ezra. The cinematography is stunning, capturing the vibrant energy of the city and showcasing the unique lives of the passengers on the bus.

The song itself is a feel-good, upbeat pop track with catchy lyrics and a memorable melody. Calum Scott's soulful vocals add a whole bunch of emotion to the track, while Jax Jones' production skills shine throughout, with a thumping bassline and infectious beats.

Overall, the "Whistle" music video is a nostalgic and heartwarming production that showcases the beauty and energy of the city of London. The song is infectious and the visuals are visually stunning, making for a memorable and entertaining experience.

Michael Eddy - small towns


This light-hearted anthemic track, titled "small towns", really makes an impact as Michael Eddy completely shines from start to finish. His voice is soft and sweet giving the perfect teen heartthrob that we all have in our lives over the decades and generations. Michael Eddy's songwriting ability completely plays out as we hear about a girl he fell for and how she changed him into being someone worthy of her love but also allowed him to become a better version of himself. 

"small towns" focuses on the fact that Michael Eddy and his love interest are from a small town and so he's grateful for that as he may never have found her. This is the debut single from the singer, songwriter, actor, multi-instrumentalist, and dancer, who worked with acclaimed producer Michael Orland who is best known for being a mentor, vocalist, trainer, and pianist on the TV show American Idol.

The music video has a cartoon production vibe to it and has been shot, directed, and edited by Typo at the Apogee Studios. We first watch Michael Eddy on the side of a stage with his guitar over him as he kickstarts the song with guitar chords and vocals, he later stands up on the stage and starts to perform with a bandmate on keys and backing vocals, and Michael Eddy also jumps onto the drums. The next lot of scenes are him recording the song at a studio and we watch as he produces, lays down some vocals and plays his guitar. The entire thing sees him transition from reality to the cartoon version of himself and his bandmate as well as the stage and the recording studio. The animation flows through various styles and conceptual art that infuses a variety of styles giving you different perspectives. Every time you pause the video you get something new from American animation to Japanese anime to overly CGI art.

Emily Henry - How It Feels


Newly released, Emily Henry brings it for her latest single and music video, "How It Feels". Easily describing what it's like having someone in your corner, someone who turns any bad day into a good day, just by being there. Her voice is magnetic and her lyricism is off the charts, with the song easily addictive and one I'll have stuck in my head for the rest of the day.

The music video takes a different spin on what would normally be a relationship narrative and instead makes the suggestion that her cat is the one that brings sunshine into her life. There are scenes of her spending time with her cat (named Frenchie for the video, but really named Harry), as well as spending time playing board games and cards with her friends - once again suggesting that friends, too, can choose to spread positivity in others. 

Directed by Rah Foard and starring Emily Henry, Aubryn, Evan Moross, and Henry the Cat, this music video relates well with the song, twists up the narrative to surprise the viewers and brings something positive to the world overall. With cute simple edits that make the video pop, "How It Feels" is exactly what the world needs right now. Positivity is always a good force.

Scott Goldbaum - Mourning Coffee


A twist of words, "Mourning Coffee" is easily a stand-out track by Scott Goldbaum, bringing heart-touching lyrics that are sure to make everyone feel, in more ways than one. This marks his second single from his upcoming EP, following on from his debut single release, "Drive Too Fast". With the help of Molly Rogers on violin and viola, Kiel Feher on drums and percussion, and Kaveh Rastegar on upright bass, Scott Goldbaum has created this awesome folk ballad with hints of indie-rock mixed in. He mixed the track while Reuben Cohen mastered it, making "Mourning Coffee" this peaceful and calming number that hits us right inside. The poetic lyrics are full of so much meaning and integrity, that it's impossible not to relate to this song.

Scott Goldbaum said that "Mourning Coffee" is "the distinction between codependency and partnerships that are chosen and decisively cared for while the world is falling apart around you."

An animated music video, directed by Britt DeVandry, resembles what looks like a gift card, like a virtual gift card, in my personal opinion, which relates well with the theme of the song, and as the video progresses, it really manages to showcase the heart-wrenching lyrics. We watch an insect/bug-type person, sitting on a bench reading a newspaper; a few seconds later, we watch a bird fly across the screen. Later, a blurred person walks up to the bench, sits down and seems to be moving their limbs. As time progresses, we watch the new person start to materialise and we realise they're in an orange hoodie and drinking from a cup however the insect/bug-type person starts to blur and they get worse as time goes on. The most interesting bit is watching the seasons change and how that affects the entire image.

Marshall Oakman - She's No Doll, She's A Woman


Recently released is this music video by Marshall Oakman for his 2021 song "She's No Doll, She's A Woman", and gosh was it worth the year or so wait because this is such a good music video! It's really refreshing to come across this song, a track that is full of female empowerment, sung by a male singer-songwriter. Marshall Oakman wrote and produced this song, with the full intention of recognising, with appreciation, how much women bring to this world, as a whole.

It's an uplifting song full of power to women and full of respect, and the music video, directed by Ethan Felizzari, follows the essence of the song by adding an incredible narrative, intercut with scenes of Marshall Oakman performing the song with additional backup musicians (Samantha Coughlin on Bass, Hope Woodason on drums, and Daria Meyer on guitar). Marshall Oakman impresses on the keys and vocally during these performance scenes and it's clear there's a lot of passion for the song as you see him giving the song strength and sentiment. Samantha Coughlin, Hope Woodason, and Daria Meyer bring a tonne of stage presence and energy to these scenes too, clearly feeling dedication and devotion for the song itself.

This CK Films production showcases a developing narrative that interprets the song beautifully, as we watch Rosie Dean start off as a doll-like character before coming across a TV programme that reveals women who have changed the world - this new energy brings to light a different way in which she views the world, and she sees strong women out in reality, from incredible autobiographies to women in high-powered jobs, and even incredible mothers in the park. This frees her from who she was before and allows her to become freer and believe in herself more.

Chart Mondays: Nicki Minaj - Super Freaky Girl


Another week has gone by, and Sam Smith & Kim Petras are still at the UK top spot on the chart with "Unholy", so this time I'm reviewing "Super Freaky Girl" by Nicki Minaj, and I never know what to expect when it comes to this queen of hip-hop, but I can guarantee she serves in every visual, and this is just another serve and a half! Selling sex, fierceness and charged energy, Nicki Minaj doesn't disappoint both with this song and the music video, and you can totally understand why she has hit after hit after hit.

Sampling Rick James' "Super Freak" throughout, Nicki Minaj transforms the track creating lyrics about sexual fantasies and desires while also rapping about the length of her career. The songwriters are listed as Rick James, Alonzo Miller, Lukasz Gottwald, Aaron Joseph, Lauren Miller, Vaughn Oliver, Onika Maraj, and Gamal Lewis, with Dr. Luke, Malibu Babie, Vaughn Oliver, and Aaron Joseph acting as producers.

The music video sees Nicki Minaj as a Barbie-like character who also has a love interest who resembles Ken - played by Alexander Ludwig (known for being in The Hunger Games, Vikings, and Heels, as well as The Band Perry's music video "Gentle On My Mind"). The video feels like it's straight out of Fergie's music video for "M.I.L.F. $", it's that suburban lifestyle, only Nicki Minaj has a more sexed-up style, with sexual intentions and suggestions. There's choreography, of sorts, passionate delivery from this queen rapper, and there are also some vicious (freaky) accessories within the scenes including a very sharp knife and some scissors.

New Release: As December Falls - Mayday


I've been a fan of As December Falls for a couple of years now after first discovering them from a Facebook advert, and I've never looked back since, having bought their signed CDs from their store (yes I love signed CDs, I'm addicted), and signed up to their Patreon (the BEST Patreon account I've ever signed up to), and I've listened to their songs again and again. They've literally filled the gap of mainstream-rock female-led rock that I've been needing to fill ever since Paramore went synth-rock, and while some bands and artists occasionally stepped into the gap like Evanescence, Avril Lavigne, The Pretty Reckless, Olivia Rodrigo, and Bronnie, I never quite filled that gap until As December Falls came along, and now they're my favourite female-led rock band and I've loved every single track, cover, and demo they've ever dropped (including the ones on their Patreon, in addition to the track that Ande Hunter took lead vocals on, exclusive to Patreon).

The four-piece, consisting of Bethany Hunter, Ande Hunter, Timmy Francis, and Lukas James, hail from Nottingham and have been on the music scene since 2014, rising and building their fanbase. Two studio albums later and they're boasting millions of Spotify streams and sold-out tour dates! They've definitely on the verge of huge success, and I am totally here for it, especially as they're an independent band.

Directed by Justin Griffiths, this music video is a pure performance piece that totally showcases the band's vibe and energy. "Mayday" is hard rock at its finest and allows each of the band members to shine with the music video visually showcasing that during awesome cut scenes and unforgettable visuals. 

It was shot in a prison, and the band recruited some of their fans to star in the music video. There's also a slight narrative as we watch Bethany Hunter start singing in the corridor of the prison with orange overalls in her hands as arms reach out to her through the bars - easily referencing the lockdown that the pandemic caused - and later we see her performing the track whilst wearing the orange jumpsuit.

Such an amazing music video, that correlates well with the track, as "Mayday" is all about coming out of lockdown and struggling to be back outside and socialising - it really was a tough time for everyone.

“'Mayday' is our heaviest track to date. It was inspired after coming out of lockdown, we were so used to being trapped in our houses that getting back to normal life and going back to socialising outside was a struggle. It’s about becoming acclimated to things that aren’t healthy for you and breaking down those walls,” Bethany Hunter said of the track. She also went on to talk about the upcoming album, "The album is a call to arms. We were so tired of the music industry being full of sharks and just the world in general at the moment. Everywhere you look, it’s just falling to shit. It’s about not sticking to the rules when you know there’s a better way. It’s a middle finger up to old ways, that we can do this without that bullshit. That’s why we called it 'Join The Club'.”

Chart Mondays: Steve Lacy - Bad Habit


With Sam Smith & Kim Petras still at number one on the UK chart with "Unholy" - a song I adore and I hope will continue its reign for many weeks, I decided to choose to review "Bad Habit" by Steve Lacy for my Chart Mondays review. This song has peaked at number eight here in the UK after being stalled at number nine for the past two weeks, will it rise again next week? The track has had global success managing to chart at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, as well as charting in the top five in Australia, Israel, and New Zealand, becoming his biggest global hit to date.

Written by Steve Lacy, Diana Gordon (yes, that's Wynter Gordon who sang that hit song "Dirty Talk"), John Kirby, Britanny Fousheé, and Matthew Castellanos, "Bad Habit" is an addictive R'n'B indie song that has a hint of dance thrown in which is what makes this song extra catchy. Steve Lacy has been in the music industry for a few years and seems to be underrated so it's great to see him get the recognition he deserves.

The music video, directed by Julian Klincewicz, doesn't have a lot going on, Steve Lacy performs the track in a studio space where he can be seen dancing and moving to the track while a pulsating light switches colours, freestyling and just being himself, almost as if the camera was left running and the song was played on repeat and he was left to do his own thing. There's a clear passion for the track displayed, and the scenes with his dog are adorable. Halfway through, the visual takes on a blurred concept which then intercuts the other scenes in the rest of the video - my takeaway from it is that it suggests that things could be different in an alternative reality, which links in with the concept of the track.

Rutherford Royal - Back Burner


Spreading a bit of laid-back country and western music onto my blog is the recently released debut single by Rutherford Royal, titled "Back Burner". The song goes on to add an element of rock about three-quarters of the way through, bringing the listener right back in, before slowing it down to a mild and chill level as the song comes to a close.

Rutherford Royal, real name Andrew Christopher Rutherford Royal, is a Nashville-based multi-instrumentalist, producer and singer/songwriter, who manages to showcase everything he has got on this track, "Back Burner". He hails from the barrier islands of South Carolina and likes to use his deep connection with the land in his non-traditional music, gaining inspiration from the eastern south, transforming dark rock and indie Americana with current country and western rhythmic vibes. "Back Burner" totally showcases his awesome and unique art. He is set to release a debut album soon.

Talking about the track, Rutherford Royal said: "The boy has been waiting for the girl to fall in love with him as he watches her burn through several brief, meaningless, and destructive relationships. Despite clear signs that he should move on, he is determined to die on this hill. Often it feels like the right thing to do is take the side of love and wait for the one you know you’ll never get over. This can be the single most destructive decision you ever make, but half-measures will only lead to a life of what-ifs."
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