london

On his new release "Variables", Alfa Mist explores themes of identity inspecting its creation by means of reflection and retrospection. NBHAP editor Felicia met with the Newham jazz and hip-hop producer to talk about perspectives of positive pessimism as well as his understanding and appreciation for life and the joy of missing out.

The Berliner festival, XJAZZ!, is known for bending definitions of jazz. Considering it a word of freedom rather than a narrow genre description, its line-up features international artists with different takes on jazz. We spoke to headliner and South Londoner Rapper Nadia Rose about her music and its connection to the genre.

The South London-based Lucinda Chua is a multitalented artist. Cellist, producer, singer, and songwriter she now releases her solo debut "YIAN" (燕). The record is an intimate and atmospheric exploration of her identity as a person of the Chinese diaspora raised in England and showcases her carefully orchestrated and atmospherically electronic compositions.

The unconventional artist Nuha Ruby Ra releases her second EP "Machine Like Me". A sonic experiment at its core, the music is driven by playfulness as well as the aim to deconstruct musical boundaries. We spoke to Nuha about the ideas behind the record and its making.

The music of Pip Millett speaks for itself. On her latest record, "When Everything Is Better, I'll Let You Know" the artist sings of setting boundaries, so many emotions, and putting oneself first. In an interview, Pip shares her thoughts on expressing vulnerability, and the process of growth.

“I’ve always seen myself as a poet”, Joshua Idehen says about the beginning of his career. Ahead of upcoming releases, the spoken word musician opens up about his musical journey, balancing fatherhood with career, and his recent project "Hold Up Your Chin".

The Londoner five-piece Ezra Collective released their exuberant new record "Where I'm Meant To Be" via Partisan Records in November. It follows their debut record "You Can't Steal My Joy". We caught up with the band's drummer Femi Koleoso to talk about the role that joy plays in his life, the Londoner music community, and the similarities between jazz and boxing.

After a short summer hiatus here are some records from the previous months that are worth checking out. Every end of the month we are releasing a round up of reviews of recent releases that touched us the most. These are the personal reviews of hand-curated gems our team dug up (and the occasional chart topper). This time including Beyoncé, Xênia França, Interpol, Maggie Rogers, Hot Chip, Julia Jacklin, Kolinga, Working Men's Club, and Ben Shemie.