2016 was a huge year in music, no question. Release after release of insanely high quality music and 2017 is shaping up to be a very promising year in music as well. Here are some of the albums we’re looking forward to in the new year and some of the rumours that are getting us excited for what’s to come:

The xx, I See You
Expected release date: January 13

It’s been just a little over four years since The xx released their sophomore effort Coexist. The friend who introduced me to what is now one of my favourite bands once described their self titled debut and Coexist as ‘the stories teenage infatuation followed by the stories of adult relationships’ as their sound matured over time. We’ve been given a taste of what is to come with lead single On Hold and the newly dropped Say Something Loving, we may be looking at an xx album that explores the moments where you realise your relationship isn’t working, and you have no idea where you go from here. Prepare to feel.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blJKoXWlqJk

Kehlani, SweetSexySavage
Expected release date: January 27

After dropping her mixtape You Should Be Here in 2015 to massive acclaim, 2016 was an intense, emotional year for Kehlani.  Following a damaging social media incident, Kehlani was briefly hospitalised. Soon, she returned to the live scene with the beautiful 24/7,  in which she shed light on the incident and, before following it up with teaser singles CRZY, Distraction and Advice. From what we’ve heard so far, SweetSexySavage is going to be an R&B-heavy album with incredibly personal lyrics. Kehlani was named ‘one to watch’ in 2015 and in 2017 I believe she’s about to prove that.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1waZCoYbts

Big Sean, I Decided
Expected release date: February 3

After crafting a modern classic with his 2015 third album Dark Sky Paradise Big Sean is only moving from strength to strength. Last year he joined forces with Jhené Aiko to release TWENTY88, commenced work on G.O.O.D Music’s second compilation album Cruel Winter and was nominated for a slew of awards. Released in succession, lead singles Bounce Back and No More Interviews immediately set the bar high, as well as new single Moves, which came out with the official album announcement late last month. One of G.O.O.D’s most consistently promising artists, this should be a great album indeed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phr1pOFK1V8

Sampha, Process
Expected release date: February 3

On a routine flight between Melbourne and Sydney some time ago, I opened the inflight magazine. In the music section was a feature on, at the time, up and coming electronic musician SBTRKT. The visuals were so intriguing that I went a bought his self-titled debut the same day. This also introduced me to British crooner Sampha, who features heavily on SBTRKT’s work, and has since been called up to sing and produce with some of the world’s biggest names, like Kanye West, Drake, Solange and Frank Ocean. Sampha’s voice is a work of art in and of itself and his production talents are second to none. Having released two EPs and featuring on so many other songs over the past few years, it’s almost difficult to believe that Process is his debut album, but we absolutely cannot wait to experience the fully realised project, particularly as a solo artist, rather than as a collaborator. Pre-released singles Timmy’s Prayer and Blood On Me are both outstanding – this will undoubtedly be one of the best “debuts” of 2017.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_oM1DFL43Lk

Thundamentals, Everyone We Know
Expected release date: February 10

Sydney legends Thundamentals have been off the scene since their 2014 release So We Can Remember but have come roaring back with the announcement of their next album Everyone We Know. In 2016 we were treated to four singles Late Nights, Never Say Never, Think About It and Ignorance Is Bliss as well as a huge national tour with Pez and Mallrat (check out H&E’s review of their Melbourne show here). 2017 is set to be a huge year for the Thundas, let’s get it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t61f8PZtK8k

Rumours

G.O.O.D MUSIC (Various artists), Cruel Winter– G.O.O.D Music/Various Artists

Kanye West’s beloved imprint released its first compilation Cruel Summer was released back in 2012, and its follow-up, Cruel Winter has been constantly rumoured ever since. In the middle of 2016, West released a massive collaborative track, Champions,  featuring heavyweights Gucci Mane, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Travis Scott, Yo Gotti, Quavo and Desiigner. The track, as well as a few related social media posts, sparked more interest in the compilation. It has now been rumoured for a February release, although this is completely tentative; considering how busy Kanye West has been in both his personal life and careers, not to mention so many of their artists releasing their own albums and embarking on world tours (Desiigner is in Australia right now and Big Sean’s album is out next month, to name just two examples,) exactly where they found the time to piece it together is unknown. That said, they have had almost five years, so you never know.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fyfOvJ6ByIY

Arcade Fire

During a reddit AMA in mid-2016, the band’s frontman Win Butler hinted that the next Arcade Fire album could be ready for the North American spring of 2017. Back in October, the Canadian group also played a secret show, during which they apparently debuted several new songs. Considering that Will Butler released his solo album last year, the 3+ year break since 2013’s Reflektor is understandable, but we’re hoping that 2017 will see the band’s fifth studio album.

Arctic Monkeys

Arctic Monkeys members have been busy with their own projects, including Alex Turner’s Last Shadow Puppets, and drummer Matt Helders spent much of 2016 touring with Iggy Pop. Now that that’s all been wrapepd up, it’s looking like a follow-up to 2014’s AM is on its way; the boys were recently spotted arriving in their home town, spurring rumours that they’re back in the studio.

https://twitter.com/1892AnfieldRoad/status/807193215703142401

Bad Religion

Donald Trump is President of the United States, so of course Bad Religion are making an album.

Gorillaz

Gorillaz creator Damon Albarn has been hinting at a new Gorillaz album throughout 2016, sending the internet into a frenzy. Now slated for 2017 the album is rumoured to feature Vic Mensa, De La Soul, Snoop Dogg, LCD Soundsystem, André 3000 and The Horrors, just to name a few.

London Grammar

Fresh from performing at Falls Festival, London Grammar dropped an ethereal new track on January 1, no doubt a first taste of their long-awaited follow up to 2013’s If you Wait. Judging by the ethereal atmospherics and the spotlight firmly focused on Hannah Reid’s stirring vocals, it’s looking like the album will no doubt expand on the sound fans came to know and love on their groundbreaking debut.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqhgXAGP4Ho

Schoolboy Q

Although he only dropped Blank Face last year, Q recently posted on Instagram that he’s already working on a new album, which will hopefully see the light of day this year. We’re cool with that!

System of a Down

SOAD have been spotted on Instagram practicing new material, and have just announced a string of new shows. If this is a new album, it’s the bands first in 12 years. Further evidence of new material is that they have announced a few European tour dates, and it’s looking like they’ll perform at a few festivals as well.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSvFpBOe8eY

It’ll be hard for 2017 to live up to the amazing music that 2016 produced, but considering that these are just a tiny percentage of the albums we’re waiting on, it’s looking pretty promising.

The entire world has been gearing up for the upcoming Suicide Squad film starring Jared Leto, Margot Robbie, Will Smith, Cara Delevingne and Viola Davis leading a stellar cast. Seeing as it’s a story about a group of supervillains, we expect the soundtrack to echo the dark and sinister atmosphere of their world.

Kehlani’s eerie new track does exactly that.

The song Gangsta received its first listen on Zane Lowe’s Beats 1 before he had a chat to Suicide Squad’s director. The light melody and harmony in the vocals at the beginning of the track gives it a creepy sound that is sure to send chills down your spine.

The electro-pop sound picks up and falls back down again for the chorus as her voice intertwines with the noise. We can tell this track is definitely here to explore the psychotic love Harley Quinn has for The Joker with lyrics like “I need a gangsta// to love me better// than all the others do// to always forgive me// ride or die with me// that’s just what gangstas do.”

Lowe described Kehlani as a “haunting” and “tough artist”, which sounds perfect for the soundtrack. “I think Kehlani really sums up what her appeal is to people, which is a vulnerability,” he says.

He spoke to the film’s director David Ayer who said he knew the song was going to work quite well from the very first listen. “She’s had a life and she comes from some place, you know, and she puts that into her music and you can tell when an artist is really putting everything on the line and, you know, that’s what I like to get from actors.”

Other artists who are also to be featured on the soundtrack include Skrillex and Rick Ross, Grimes, Eminem, Panic! at the Disco, Kevin Gates, Action Bronson, the Black Keys’ Dan Auerbach and Mark Ronson.

You can listen to Gangsta via Apple Music now. The soundtrack for Suicide Squad will be released on August 5.

Image: Dazed Digital

Footage has emerged of Kehlani taking time during a recent performance in Oakland, California to discuss mental health and suicide prevention. Earlier this year, the young artist was hospitalised following a suicide attempt, prompted by a series of gossip-mongering posts on social media.

We’re so excited and proud of Kehlani, having since recovered, publicly discussed her attempt, has resumed performing, and even releasing a moving new single titled 24/7. Last month, Kehlani embarked on a short tour, during which the footage below was recorded. Kehlani gives the audience a short but profound motivational speech, during which she reveals that this was not the first attempt she has made on her life, and asks her audience to care for themselves, and others around them.

Tell someone, and please don’t try it. Don’t do it,” she says. “It wasn’t a first time thing – and that’s not okay – for anyone. Not the people who love you, the people who care about you, the people who love you.”

She implores her audience to use the Suicide Prevention Hotline in the US, and announces she will be working with the organisation a lot in future.

“It’s something that so many young people are dealing with,” Kehlani said. “And so many young people slip under the rug, like depression, severe anxiety, and many disorders that people know nothing about.”

“If you have a friend and they’re scaring you a little, just love them. Just hug them, and love them up, and tell ’em that it’s good, okay.”

“And from me to you, you are worth it, you are perfect, you need to be here, every single one of you.”

“This is my first show back after a while, and I’m very thankful that it’s in the Bay Area. This is one of the first genuine smiles in a few weeks,” she says to the cheering crowd.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFvhaSrnekE

If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide get help immediately. Choose life – not suicide. Call Lifeline 13 11 14.

Image: David Camarena / Instagram

American singer Kehlani is a strong woman. Earlier this year, reports came in that she attempted suicide following a scandal surrounding unconfirmed reports of her cheating on her then boyfriend, basketball player Kyrie Irving with musician PartyNextDoor. Twitter descended like a school of sharks, tearing into her (because the internet is a horrible, horrible place). It was a frenzy, and no one won.

Suicide is nothing that anyone should ever feel like they should have to consider. And as obvious as it sounds, telling someone to go “kill themselves” is terrible, no matter how joking you might intend it to be. The fact is, people hide things within themselves. No one is happy all the time, and comments like those Kehlani faced in the aftermath of the allegations may be the straw that broke the camel’s back.

This is something that Kehlani addresses directly in her latest song, the first release since her suicide attempt. 24/7 is a tribute to those moments of sadness. Layering her smooth voice over poppy, slightly glitchy beats (produced by DZL), the lyrical matter deals with her reassurance that sadness is natural. “It’s okay to not be okay,” the track opens with, but it’s unclear whether she’s addressing herself or not. “I don’t know nobody/ who smiles at everybody/ 24-7″ leads the chorus, pushing back thoughts of being the only one.

Listen to the whole track below, it’s really worth your time.

Image: TMZ

We’re still reeling over the devastating news that 20-year-old singer Kehlani attempted to take her own life this week, following some social media and tabloid-prompted bullshit about a photo of her with PARTYNEXTDOOR, implying that she was cheating on her NBA All-Star boyfriend Kyrie Irving.

Kehlani has since spoken out against cyberbullying and those who use social media to attack others.

Now, resident douchebag Chris Brown has used this opportunity to remind us of the fact that he is world’s worst guy, by insulting Kehlani and mocking her suicide attempt. Just what she needs at this point! A violent misogynist cyberbullying her in front of his 15.8 million followers.

The 26 year old rapper published a series of tweets which essentially laugh at her situation, suggest that her suicide attempt was a call for attention, and a weirdly misguided comment about her Instagram followers.

Read them all here:

I’m not really sure where to start with this unbelievably offensive, insensitive and downright disgusting tirade which had literally nothing to do with him in the first place.

Chris Brown, this is up there with some of the worst moments of your career. This is a new low and that’s saying something considering the despicable man that you are.

Do you seriously think it’s okay to bully, insult and accuse a woman who has literally just attempted to commit suicide because people were bullying, insulting and accusing her? How can you think it’s funny? How can you do this? How can you possibly feel good about what you’ve just written?

Image: Twitter

 

 

R&B singer Kehlani has spoken out against the internet community from hospital following a suicide attempt, TMZ reports.

Paramedics were reportedly called to the singer’s home at 1:45pm on Monday and upon arrival were told that she “wanted to harm herself.”

She was then placed on a psychiatric hold and transported to a nearby hospital for a mental health assessment.

Since the ordeal, the singer has taken to Instagram (and since deleted the posts) to speak out against her online attackers, claiming that she had attempted to take her life over online rumours that suggested she cheated on her current boyfriend Kyrie Irving with her ex-partner, PARTYNEXTDOOR.

“Don’t believe the blogs you read…no one was cheated on and i’m not a bad person…as of today I had no wish to see tomorrow, but God saved me for a reason” she stated.

However, the support that began flooding in for the singer was quickly surpassed by haters, saying she was a “cry for help” amongst other things. Now, the singer has again spoken out against her attackers, confirming that she and Irving had already split before she got back together with PND.

“Im tired of being called the “cry for help” cuz never in my life have I EVER asked a single soul to take pity on me…I am severely and utterly in love with my first love…Went thru a bad breakup and ended up easing back into a relationship with a man who was one of my bestfriend.”

Kehlani Insta 2

Although the post has since been deleted, it is clear that the pressure and scrutiny generated by social media and the broader online community has again proved to be destructive force in the lives of artists caught in its spotlight.

Kehlani 3

Images: Genius.com TMZ

In a deleted Instagram post, Kehlani has displayed a photo of her arm attached to a hospital IV, with a caption explaining that the singer had attempted to take her own life.

Yesterday saw the tabloid media whipped into a feeding frenzy when news began to circulate of Kehlani having reportedly cheated on NBA player boyfriend Kyrie Irving, with OVO artist PARTYNEXTDOOR, following a post of the two in bed together.

 

According to HipHopDX, more than one million hashtags were created during this frenzy. Needless to say, the whole situation obviously, understandably led to the singer – and all others involved – forced to deal with a really ugly and private situation in an extremely public way. Tragically, the 20-year-old seems to have reacted in the worst way possible, with an attempt on her own life.

Kehlani then deleted all of her social media accounts, but today returned to post the photo of herself in hospital.

The post reads, “Today I wanted to leave this earth. Being completely selfish for once. Never thought I’d get to such a low point. But.. Don’t believe the blogs you read .. No one was cheated on and I’m not a bad person… Everyone is hurt and everyone is in a place of misunderstanding.. But as of today, I had no single wish to see tomorrow.. But God saved me for a reason, and for that… I must be grateful.. Cuz I’m not in heaven right now for a reason… On that note.. Bye Instagram.”

kehlani-suicide-attempt

To those who feed off tabloid news: these stories affect more than your website’s daily unique hits and your Facebook feeds. They affect people, they affect lives, and they have the power to potentially end one. Be careful of what you write.

Howl & Echoes extends all of our love and support for the young performer.

To anyone living with depression and suicidal thoughts, you are not alone. Please visit Beyond Blue for information and support.

Image: Viper

Grammy nominated singer-songwriter Kehlani has dropped new a track following the release of her debut mixtape You Should Be Here.

Though we dealt with heartbreaking themes through this mixtape, Did I portrays them with a bit more attitude. Her confidence glows as she refuses to apologise for standing up for herself. The strong R&B beat hooks the listener in, while the bold lyrics convince them to press repeat. Whether it’s about a lost lover or a bitchy friend, it’s a must hear for anyone who has been left broken by someone who doesn’t deserve to hear them cry.

“You can tell me you ain’t mean it// You can tell me it’s deceiving//That you said it for the reason // But you seeming like you tryna get out”, she croons, breaking down her movement through the heartbreaking situation. It makes you see just how weak the people who cause the problems really are. Getting defensive when they see you hit back, it all becomes “too real for [them] to handle.” With lyrics like that, you wouldn’t want to be on the other end of the situation.

The self-assurance she displays is both admirable and empowering. Relatable and emotive, it’s a source of strength for any listener who has felt the same way.

This track alone makes it easy to see why the upcoming artist has already been nominated for a Grammy, although she wasn’t expecting it so soon.

You Should Be Here is available here via Atlantic.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x3c61jEMu_4

This week has seen the nominations for the 2016 Grammy Awards, containing more than a few surprise entries and omissions, to be inevitably, endlessly debated in the weeks leading up to the ceremony on February 15.

However, few have appeared more surprised than Oakland singer Kehlani, who is nominated for Best Urban Contemporary Album alongside The Internet, Lianne La Havas, Miguel and The Weeknd.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9YwJiVRlR3c

In an interview with The Fader, the songstress revealed that it was a massive shock to receive the nomination.

“When they said my whole mixtape was nominated in a category full of albums, I basically started crying. I called my mom, I called my grandma, I called my friends. I haven’t stopped freaking out yet.

It’s crazy because I created most of my mixtape before I got signed. I’m just proud of the fact that my team did it themselves, and I wrote 100% of the lyrics. All the glamorous stuff is really cool, but getting recognized by your peers is a whole other ball game. So the Grammys are so important to me.”

When asked what the nomination meant to her, she replied that “I honestly didn’t expect [a Grammy nomination] this early. I haven’t even made my first album. I didn’t expect one to come for a while, so it’s completely ridiculous. I’m at a loss for words.”

Kehlani released her second mixtape You Should Be Here in April 2015 with guest spots from a range of artists including BJ The Chicago Kid and Chance The Rapper.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0E1xYcXsGp0

 

 

CMJ Music Marathon is currently on in New York City, and we wish we were there – but we’ve settled for the online coverage, live streams and anything else we can get our hands on. The Fader Fort, run by website The Fader and shoe brand Converse, is happening right now – and they’ve featured some of our favourite rising R&B female stars. We’ve been keeping a close eye on all coverage, but this is hands down our favourite collection so far.

Kehlani is only a fairly recent addition to my musical repertoire, but I’ve fallen fast, and I’ve fallen hard. The rising R&B star has grabbed my attention with her seductive melodies, understated rhythms and unique, independent style. Check out this video of her writhing around stage, performing a spine-tingling version of The Way, with the help of two dancers.

Also performing on the day was Leikeli47, another artist I’ve only been really recently introduced to. She performed as a featured guest with our boi Skrillex, on the track Fuck the Summer (it’s actually her track originally, as opposed to featuring on one of Skrillex’s). Clad in a full balaclava, as has become her signature look, the rapper absolutely SLAYS in front of a heaving crowd.

Little Simz, who dropped her album A Curious Tale of Trials + Persons, was also in tow – check out this incredible footage of her performing Dead Body. It’s heavy-hitting and so powerful, once again proving her to be one of the most exciting artists around right now – not just in UK hip hop, but the whole damn scene. For more on Little Simz, read our recent interview here.

There’s such a wonderful array of female R&B and hip hop artists around right now – genuine talents, too, not mass-produced crap. What a fucking time to be alive.