MTV IGGY

She was helped up by Disclosure and Rudimental, but Sinead Harnett is now ready and able to stand on her own two. Out on May 26 via Black Butter Records, “Got Me” has the London-based singer’s melodic embellishments sitting pretty on Eats Everything & Lukas’ bouncy house beat. Listen below.

“Atinga” begins with a waist-agitating beat that is almost immediately punctuated by electrically-charged piano stabs. The London-based Ghanaian rapper DeeVS then jumps on telling us that “something’s gon happen.” The saying “atinga”, short for “atinga beyere atinga,” literally means “something’s about to happen” and it’s no joke, as the track instantaneously causes hip rolling.

DeeVS is no stranger to club bangers that sting like hot fire. His modern Afropop tracks previously shined on his EP, The Journey, on HT Records. “Atinga” is the second song from his upcoming ATBmixtape. In the lyrics, he encourages us to “download [it] for free,” a very generous gesture, but also crafty since our appetites are totally whet for more.

It’s here! Another Artist of the Week poll! Another epic week-long digital battle of the bands! We’re excited for this one. We’ve rounded up the best new bands we featured this week and now you have until next Friday morning at 11 a.m. EST to vote for your favorite artist to be our next featured artist of the week. Ready? Aaaand … GO!!!

Deen Burbigo

A French rap artist hailing from Marseille, Deen Burbigo finds inspiration from fellow countrymen IAM and Fonky Family as well as English-slinging artists Wu-Tang Clan, Nas, Jay-Z, Mobb Deep and Boot Camp Clik. We’re digging his Inception EP as we patiently await his debut LP slated for September.

Zion T

Dapper dandy Zion T is a smooth criminal in the video for “Babay”. Taking neo-soul and disco-funk cues from Jamiroquai and Justin Timberlake, the Korean crooner goes Thomas Crown Affair in the video stealing our hearts along the way.

Roses Gabor

Getting her start as the vocalist on Gorillaz’ “Dare” and finding support and encouragement in the UK bass scene, it’s Roses Gabor‘s turn front and center. Her celestial swag is apparent in “Stars”, where her sweet vocals float over ethereal beats. The song is her debut single on Toddla T’s record label, Girls Music.

Owiny Sigoma Band

Owiny Sigoma Band is a collaboration between Kenyan and London musicians who produce club-ready afro-psychedelia. “Nyiduonge Drums” manages to be rave-ready and still retain the groove of the sampled hand drumming. Slick editing and Instagram-like filters on the video conveys the band’s essence even further.

Pedropiedra

Former member of Chilean hip-hop act, Los Hermanos Brothers, Pedro Subercaseaux has reinvented himself as Pedropiedra, a playful singer-songwriter crafting ’60s-inspired indie pop. It’s not surprising that the former rapper can craft lyrical whimsy, but it’s very intriguing that he’s so effortlessly been able to construct such catchy melodies.

Your votes have been counted! Gate Flowers is our new artist of the week!

The alt-rock/grunge sounds of the quartet powered their way to the top spot as the Korean rock scene continues to break through internationally. We love the single “Do It” off their most recent album Times and another track from that album, “Night, Night,” was nominated for Best Rock Song at the 2013 Korean Music Awards. UK residents are highly encouraged to see them perform live with Apollo 18, Galaxy Express, and Goonamguayeoridingstella at the remaining dates of the Korea Rocks tour. Best of luck for the rest of the tour!

“La Cosita” is the new sultry dance single from Tijuana’s ruidoson producer Santos.  Stemming from another “La Cosita”—the quebradita song from 1990s pop stars Raul Ortega y la Banda Machos—it’s consistent with ruidoson’s major tenets: a nostalgic lens, irresistibly pulsating 4/4 beat, and something slightly spooky in its come-hither prowl.

It’s a sneak peek of forthcoming album Mi Tecnobanda, which will be released on Tropic-All later this year. Santos tells us about how the album pays homage to the ’90s quebradita scene and its tecnobandas, “we want to give a little life to this genre that was so popular and made an entire generation dance.” I’m not going to lie, I didn’t know what quebradita was before today (a regional techno-folk fusion of cumbia music and dance), but I’m feeling its legacy.

Sahel Sounds, as a blog, is a treasure trove of information about West African musical currents, especially those that intersect with technology, film, DIY production, and the interplay between media and culture. It’s also a budding record label that’s put out Malian rock, avant guard electronic music from Niger, and Music from Saharan Cell Phones, two volumes of music collected from Saharan mobile-sharing networks.

Their most recent release is a doozy of cross-cultural sampling. Harafin So: Bollywood Inspired Film Music from Hausa Nigeria proves that the Nigerian film industry has a much deeper cultural connection to India than just competition with Hollywood for global film production domination. Sahel Sounds and Little Axe Records traveled to Kano in northern Nigeria (or “Kannywood”) to see how after generations of consumption of Bollywood films, Hausa artists are creating soundtracks, dance sequences, and love ballads influenced by Indian films, but infused with local pop currents including low-tech drum programming and artfully Autotuned vocals.

After sifting through thousands of songs, many of them local hits, Harafin So presents the best of this thriving cultural bouquet:

20-year-old SION is the latest to be signed to Chase & Status’ MTA Records, and his first release on the label is a strong one. The Welsh producer works his disco-tinged deep house magic on Nate Dogg’s classic, “Gangster Walk,” and gives it a new lease of life. SION to di world!

Download for free: H E R E

“Man better mention me when they talk about grime,” rhymes Skepta on the remix of Diddy’s “Hello Good Morning” track and, after the many years he’s invested in the scene, who are we to argue? Paying homage to the Boy Better Know MC and producer this time round is Rinse FM DJ and Butterz label co-owner, Skilliam, who brings us a well-selected 21-track mix of Skepta’s finest grime offerings. Listen…

Tracklist:

01) Bumbaclart Badman Remix
02) Private Caller
03) Fuckin Widda Team Vocal
04) Fuckin Widda Team Remix
05) Stupid
06) Red Bull Academy
07) ASAP Vocal
08) ASAP
09) Stageshow Rhythm
10) Tingles
11) Hench Remix
12) Sweet Mother
13) Dustbin Man
14) The End
15) Autopsy Freestyle
16) UFO
17) Dead
18) Reggae
19) Dark
20) Rockstar (Poomplex Edit)
21) DTI (MC VIP Mix)

Download for free: H E R E