Over a spacey, jazzy hip-hop beat, Venna delivers some smooth vocals, followed by an contemplative verse from MIKE. Marco Bernardis added some extra instrumentation on the track, providing sax, synth and guitar. Production was handled by Venna, agajon and Bernardis.

In a press release, Venna spoke of the songs meaning and his collaborators: “Day x2 is a record based around just letting each day flow and allowing yourself to be open to lessons. Life can be challenging at times and sometimes it can be hard to allow ourselves to just be pillars of love but it’s important to learn from things and move on with love in our hearts. I made the record with agajon (producer), Marco Bernardis & MIKE. All 3 are people I respect highly and are artists I’ve made music with already.“

He also spoke of his soon to be released debut album, ‘MALIK’, set to be released on September 5^th. The 17-track project will feature a cast of collaborators including Jorja Smith, CARI, Leon Thomas, Smino, MIKE and musicians such as Rocco Palladino, Elijah Fox, AoD, J Warner, and frequent collaborator Yuseef Davies.

“Every experience, every memory, every conversation, anything new, any encounter has influenced how this album sounds. I might like a particular guitar tone from it, and then I bring it into my world. Everything has come and conjured into one place, and it’s beautiful to also hear and see,”

‘MALIK’ my debut self titled album will be released on the 5th September ‘25 .

A very special record that I’ve been blessed enough to work on with some of my favourite musicians and artists.

26 years in the making.

MALIK – 05/09/25 pic.twitter.com/9fcR5dVNd7

— venna (@vennaldn) May 12, 2025

“The album MALIK was named by my mother 26 years before the album was made. A strong name that means King or leader in Arabic. A name that I’ve lived with all my life. A name that my nearest and dearest have called me & a name that I learnt to become. Throughout the whole process of the album – I’ve had another name that I loved but I felt like I wasn’t living in my undeniable truth & what better way to live in one’s truth than naming their debut album the name that their mother named them.”

Venna has had a decorated career as a musician and producer. Many will know him for his work alongside Knucks, who has enlisted him to help on several tracks, including as an executive producer on Knuck’s highly praised album ‘Alpha Place’. In 2020, he won a Grammy Award for his contributions to Burna Boy’s ‘Twice As Tall’ album and has also featured on tracks with Beyonce and Wizkid.

Venna has UK tour dates schedule in Autumn, performing in Bristol, Manchester and London. Tickets and details can be found here.

In a statement from London’s Metropolitan Police, they said that Mo has been charged with allegedly displaying a flag “in support of Hezbollah, a proscribed organisation.”

@itvnews Kneecap say terrorism charge an attempt to ‘silence’ them #itvnews ♬ original sound – itvnews

The controversial clip was taken from Kneecap’s show at London’s O2 Forum Kentish Town in November 2024, showing Mo wearing a Hezbollah flag and chanting “Up Hamas! Up Hezbollah!”. Support for either of these organizations is illegal, as they are both deemed terrorist organizations by the UK.

Responding to Chara’s charge, Kneecap released a statement on X this morning: “14,000 babies are about to die of starvation in Gaza, with food sent by the world sitting on the other side of a wall, and once again the British establishment is focused on us.

pic.twitter.com/Yh0oteMTNN

— KNEECAP (@KNEECAPCEOL) May 22, 2025

“We deny this ‘offence’ and will vehemently defend ourselves. This is political policing. This is a carnival of distraction. We are not the story. Genocide is. As they profit from genocide, they use an ‘anti-terror law’ against us for displaying a flag thrown on stage.”

The group claim the charge has been made to try and strip away their ability to tour and play shows, arguing that its objective is “To restrict our ability to travel. To prevent us speaking to young people across the world. To silence voices of compassion. To prosecute artists who dare speak out.”

@yasg106_ BREAKING: Coachella audience erupts in #FREEPALESTINE chant during KNEECAP performance! @kneecap32 shows what it means to be Artists Against Apartheid – using your art, your platform, and voice at stages like #Coachella to be in firm solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for liberation, to fight against the U.S.-backed Israeli genocide, and to stand with the students abducted and detained by ICE, like Mahmoud Khalil, Rumeysa Oztürk, Badar Khan Suri, and Mohsen Mahdawi who are being persecuted for standing on the right side of history. #cochella #performance #audience #stand #artists #artistsagainstapartheid #chant #concerts ♬ Inspirational – neozilla

The groups current controversy began with their performance at Coachella, earlier in April this year. During their sets on both weekends of the festival, they displayed pro-Palestinian messages, claiming that Israel is “commiting genocide against the Palestinian people”. They also led the crowd in a chant of “Maggie’s In A Box”, celebrating the death of divisive Conservative prime minister Margaret Thatcher.

After the government announced it was launching an investigation into the Irish rap trio, Kneecap made a statement denouncing both Hamas and Hezbollah, also asserting that they don’t support violence against any politicians.

There were split opinions over their strong stance on Palestine and their freedom of speech. Their concerts in Germany have been cancelled, celebrities like Sharon Osbourne have called for a revocation of their visas, and they’ve separated from their booking agency. At the same time, many musicians stood behind the Belfast band, with artists such as Massive Attack, Paul Weller, Fontaines DC and IDLES signing a letter from Kneecap’s record label stating that together they “stand for freedom of expression.”

Even after the uproar and cancellations, the band are still on the bill to perform at Wide Awake Festival on Friday, 23 May at Brockwell Park. They’re also still set to perform at Glastonbury later this summer – you can read our coverage on that here.

Coming from Shepherd’s Bush, Foxell got his start during the “SoundCloud era”, where he built an early fanbase on the platform that helped launch so many emerging artists. As part of the Elevation Meditation collective, he’s worked alongside other musicians to develop a sound that’s both distinctive and versatile. His music often taps into the highs and lows of young adulthood, painting a vivid picture of life in London with raw honesty. 

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A post shared by Finn Foxell (@finnfoxell)

The Elevation Meditation collective is a West London-based music collective that Finn Foxell is a part of, alongside artists like Lord Apex, Xav, and Louis Culture. The group is known for blending elements of UK rap, jazz, grime, and alternative sounds, creating a distinctive style that reflects the underground music scene in London. Each member brings their own unique influences, but they share a common ethos of pushing creative boundaries and staying independent. This has help shape the UK hip-hop movement, making them feel completely unique in the modern music scene.  

 Leading up to ‘Mamas Boy’, Foxell has dropped a string of singles that highlight just how much he’s grown as an artist. ‘Her Way’, released in September 2024, is a perfect example of his ability to pair introspective lyrics with smooth, melodic instrumentation. The track carries a sense of reflection and optimism, touching on themes of personal growth and resilience, exploring the complexities of modern life with lyrics such as, “She fills the gap with drugs and other things that are appealing”. 

Another single, ‘HEADSPIN’, which landed in July 2024 and took a totally different route. With its high-energy, punk-infused rap sound, the track (produced by Subculture) mirrors the chaotic, overstimulated nature of modern life. It’s punchy, bold, and a perfect showcase of Foxell’s ability to move seamlessly between different sonic styles. 

‘ALIVE’, which came out in May 2024, takes yet another turn, bringing indie-folk vibes into the mix. It’s a anthem that feels light and fresh while still carrying that emotional depth Foxell is known for, making it sound like a proper English summer tune. This kind of experimentation has become a defining part of his journey, and it’s a big reason why ‘Mamas Boy’ is looking to be such an exciting project. 

The album’s title, ‘Mamas Boy’, hints at a more personal and thoughtful side of Foxell’s artistry. Known for his sharp lyricism and genre-blending approach, this project is expected to showcase deeper storytelling and a richer emotional landscape. As he continues to experiment and refine his sound, the album marks a defining moment in his artistic journey. 

With ‘Mamas Boy’ on the horizon, Foxell is cementing his place as one of the most dynamic voices in the UK music scene. His ability to merge different styles with authenticity and depth sets him apart, making this debut not just a milestone, but a bold statement of where he’s headed. Fans can expect an album that pushes boundaries and leaves a lasting impact. 

A refreshing proposition for rap in the UK, Guts N Grets is a departure from watered down or hybridised road rap and drill, it’s real, unmistakably city dwelling music. The uncompromising artistic range of Chunky, sees him twist contemporary and classic African influences to cross intergenerational black art experiences, with Benji Reid and Vince Fraser at the heart of the creative.

This new tune follows his 2021 single “Meh”, a hazy, glitchy track that was paired with a music video packed with feverish visuals. In the video description, the artist stated that the song was the first single from his forthcoming debut album entitled Somebody’s Child. You can view the video for “Meh” down below.

Chunky’s first E.P. Threats was released in 2017, consisting of three tracks, with two of them being instrumental. Chunky lays a defined foundation for his sound on this E.P., toting dark, atmospheric beats teeming with rumbling frequencies, skittering hi-hats and attitude-laced lyrics and flow. The Manchester artist’s first ever single was 2015’s “Oun_C”, which was backed with the B-side “Call Me, Let’s Do Lunch”. Much like two thirds of Threats, both tracks are eerie, hypnotic instrumentals that map out the beginnings of Chunky’s sound. You can check out Chunky’s discography on all available streaming services.

On his various socials, Chunky describes himself as: “a multidisciplinary artist from Manchester, United Kingdom via Zimbabwe. His catalogue of work spans over a decade with deep musical roots that start in the genesis of Grime in the north and expand into London’s bass music hubs….His interest in art and creation doesn’t stop at writing and composing but also extends to acting, modelling and creative direction with collaborations with 20 Stories High, SPORTSBANGER, and Benji Reid respectively. Chunky is an artist with solid integrity and desire to push the envelope, creating honest music and art that sits below the surface yet vibrates with enough force to shake the ground above.”