The mysterious Leikeli47 has returned to our music libraries with her new single Money. The masked rapper may have only just released an album last year, but it doesn’t mean she’s slowing down anytime soon.
Money’s funky, upbeat sound comes just in time as the weather starts to warm up again after what has been a chilly winter, and we’ll be pumping it out loud for all our neighbours to enjoy as we sit by the pool in no time. The sounds used in the melody provide texture as she raps over the top of it all.
It doesn’t distract from her confident lyrics and undeniable attitude. She name drops Hall Of Fame NBA players Kobe Bryant and Bill Russell describing herjourney to success; ”all my life I had to grind and hustle/I had to work like Kobe just to shine like Russell.”
The subject of the song, however, isn’t what it seems.
“‘Money’ isn’t about currency, it’s about the work. The phrase ‘I’m money’ or ‘I got money’ means I practice, it means I study, I’m confident, I’m that action and I’m results,” she said, as XXL reports.
She continues: “Real money don’t complain, we make it happen. Hard work and sacrifice can and will eventually lead you to whatever your version of the ‘good life’ is, but you gotta be money before you can see money.”
Be inspired by her words and listen to Money below:
Image: Billboard
What do you get when you mix trap, grime, and a hectic female rapper?
Well, besides a very excited H&E editor, you get the amazing new video from viral-sensation-turned-trap-legend Baauer, for his new single Day Ones, featuring rapper Leikeli47 and grime lord Novelist.
Now, we’ve never made a secret of the fact that trap and grime are among the most ultimate of guilty pleasures, but if this is anything to go by, Baauer’s upcoming debut album Aa is going to be something else.
Baauer first debuted Day Ones on Late Night With Stephen Colbert, and the video is now available below via Apple Music. Directed by Hiro Murai (who has previously worked with Earl Sweatshirt, Massive Attack and Flying Lotus,) it’s as intense and adrenaline-filled as the song itself.
Leikeli47 is an absolute standout – she released one of our favourite albums of 2015 and we’ve been championing her ever since. One of the loudest voices in the uprising of a new generation of female hip-hop artists, her bars, not to mention those from South London’s Novelist, have made for one hell of a trap single.
Baauer is set to drop his debut album Aa (pronounced “double a”) on March 18 via Warp/Inertia. As well as Novelist and Leikeli47, the album will feature a slew of big names, including Future, Pusha T, M.I.A, Rustie, Tricky-collaborator Tirzah, and plenty more.
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.