General News / October 4, 2019

Weekly round-up 4/10/19

General News / October 4, 2019

Weekly round-up 4/10/19

Earning some cash whilst you do your bit for the planet, an interview with one of neo-soul’s shining lights and swapping Dublin for Belfast.

This week saw a number of chats with up and comers, a feature interview with Joy Crookes and an opinion piece on reasons to swap Dublin for Belfast in the face of rising rent. We brought news of a Dublin headliner for YBN Cordae, detailed what we know so far about Frank Ocean’s new album and we ranked the top 20 Irish hip hop songs of the Summer too.

Will Belfast eclipse Dublin as the Island’s cultural hub?

We kicked off this week with an opinion piece that aimed to start dialogue about alternative cities to live in the face of rising rent and venue closures in Dublin. Viewing the issues through the lens of someone who lives in Belfast and commutes to Dublin the benefits and negatives of the north’s capital were weighed up.

Click here for more info.

OPINION

Quick-fire questions: Leo Miyagee

This week we chatted to Belfast rapper Leo Miyagee and he revealed which icon he would love to share the stage with, Dre’s hottest beat and what he is listening to ahead of his new EP. 

Click here for more info.

Leo Miyagee by Olin Brannigan

Hip hop power rankings

As we enter the last quarter of 2019, the final year in a decade that has been defined by the popularity of hip hop and the surrounding culture we thought it was the perfect time to reflect on what has characterised the trajectory of the most popular genre in the world this year.

Looking at recent releases, cultural relevance and industry recognition as rough guidelines to gauge which artists are in top form we listed the 12 hottest artists of the year going into the final quarter of 2019.

Click here for more info.

Hip Hop power ranking

 

YBN Cordae announced for Dublin Headliner

Raleigh native and certified spitter YBN Cordae released his highly anticipated debut project ‘The Lost Boy’ in July of this year. Having recruited some of the biggest names in the game for features and production credits in the shape of J.Cole and Anderson Paak. the 2019 XXL Freshman cemented his place as one of rap’s most exciting prospects.

Following the resounding success of his first full length effort and a huge performance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon YBN Cordae is bringing his smooth lyrical prowess to Dublin.

Click here for more info.

YBN Cordae

Ireland’s first reverse vending machine opens

News came this week of a new initiative inspired by a German programme hoping to reduce waste and encourage recycling by exchanging plastic bottles for ten cent vouchers.

click here for more info.

Picture: John Veage
Picture: John Veage

What we know about the new Frank Ocean album so far

Music’s most enigmatic pop star gave further clues to his next project this week in an interview with Wmagazine.

We dug into the details to get an idea of what might come next.

Click here for more info.

 

Frank Ocean, Photography: Collier Schorr Stylist: jason rider
Frank Ocean, Photography: Collier Schorr Stylist: jason rider

Snoop Dogg is bringing ‘I Wanna Thank Me Tour’ to Ireland.

West coast legend Snoop Dogg announced his return to Ireland.

Having frequently collaborated with other ground breaking acts throughout his career such as NWA and Dr Dre, the veteran performer will be present in both Belfast and Dublin in 2020.

Click here for more info.

snoop  billboard kenneth capello

 

Biig Piig shares funk laden ‘Roses and Gold’

Quickly becoming our favourite multi-lingual artist, Biig Piig dropped another gem this week.

Featuring a funkier aesthetic and her uncanny ability to effortlessly move between Spanish and English, ‘Roses and Gold’ follows the release of her moody summer anthem ‘Sunny‘.

Click here for more info.

biig piig by omar o'reilly district magazine issue 004

Ultimate Irish hip hop quiz #3

Each Wednesday we draw up a number of questions to test your grasp of the Irish rap scene. It’s the perfect way to demonstrate your expertise on the rapidly growing hip hop landscape in Ireland.

This week we focused on recent news to test whether you have been paying attention to current events within Irish hip hop. Featuring questions on the latest singles, new endeavours and a couple throwbacks to jog your memory this one is sure to test your knowledge.

Click here for more info.

nuxsense by cait fahey for the face

Top 20 Irish hip hop tracks of the Summer

Melodic bangers, warm weather anthems and a couple that flew under the radar, this week we curated the top 20 Irish hip hop songs of the Summer.

This Summer was laced with tons of great hip hop tracks coming from the emerald isle. Ranging from trap-infused heaters to silky, smooth boom bap, what stood out most was the variety of tracks on show. Coming into the final quarter of 2019 we decided to rank the best singles from June to the end of September giving some leniency to include some more recent standouts.

Click here for more info.

rogan omega - DublinFX

Dublin’s essential events this weekend 4//5

Ireland Music Week, soul and disco classics and an Irish club debut for Korea’s finest.

Every Thursday at District we curate a selection of unmissable events in Dublin ahead of the coming weekend. Whether you have an appetite for thumping techno or are craving some hip hop classics we have you covered.

Ireland music week sees many talented Irish artists feature in a number of showcases across the city and we’ve selected the pick of the bunch. There’s also a themed party in The Sound House, an Irish club debut for a Korean DJ and an appearance from one of the Beastie Boys.

Click here for more info.

Premiere: Sober Seven links with Hare Squead’s Lilo Blues for ‘Fabulous’ 

“I’ve had time to work on my craft and going solo was a big transition, I’ve taken time to figure out what I want to say and now I’m ready to let everyone hear it.”

This month saw Hovay, formerly one member of Hendrick Lane release his debut single and now the group’s other half, Sober Seven has shared his first solo effort.

Recruiting Yu Yaj and Hare Squead‘s Lilo Blues for the infectious cut, there’s an abundance of natural chemistry throughout the pop-tinged track.

Click here fore more info.

Sober Seven - Fabulous
Sober Seven – Fabulous

Get to know: August 08

Bowling with Rich Brian, his vlog series and his plans for the rest of 2019.

This week we spoke to Red Bull Records/88 Rising’s August 08. The Californian artist has major song writing credits for the likes of G-Eazy and DJ Khaled however he’s now coming to his own as a solo artist and recently released his sophomore EP ‘Happy Endings With an Astericks’. He spoke over email about his friendship with DUCKWRTH and bowling on tour with Rich Brian.

Click here for more info.

August 08 - Photo Credit - Mancy Gant

Jafaris and Joy Crookes link for ‘Early’

Hailing from South London but with roots in Ireland, Joy Crookes has always had a strong affinity with the emerald isle.

Expanding on her Irish connection, the songstress has joined forces with Jafaris for a soft and considered piece. ‘Early’ sees the duo reflecting on the inevitable speed at which romantic relationships blossom despite forewarning.

Click here for more info.

Joy Crookes Jafaris Early

Belfast’s Leo Miyagee drops new EP ‘Inner City Blues’

One of the country’s hardest working MCs is back with another project.

Having released ‘FFDLC’ to a hugely positive reception earlier in the year, there wasn’t the expectation that Leo would release another project before 2019 bows out. However, never one to rest on his laurels the spitter has beefed up his discography with the snappy ‘Inner City Blues’.

Click here for more info.

Leo Miyagee Inner City Blues

Joy Crookes is embracing her Irish roots

“I may not have been able to say it out loud in real life so saying it through a song is just as honest but even fucking cooler. “

We sat down with upcoming neo-soul singer Joy Crookes to talk about honesty, defining her own identity and the self-prophesying power of music.

Click here for more info.

Joy Crookes - By George Voronov
Joy Crookes – By George Voronov

Heaters: The best new music this week 4/10/19

Each Friday we curate a collection of must listens to keep you in the loop with the most exciting releases of that week. Ranging from rappers in the Emerald Isle to boundary pushing, experimental producers and everything in between, we’ve got you sorted.

This week sees one of Issue 6’s stars drop a ludicrously catchy banger, the producer behind ‘Mo Bamba’ link with a British rapper and a head nodding remix of a Tyler, The Creator hit.

click here for more info.

heaters-square-04-10