The Internet have finally reunited for their fourth record, Hive Mind. Released on Friday July 20, the 13-track LP is a reminder of how far the R&B outfit have come since their birth as a group, over a joke made by Odd Future member, Left Brain. When asked by a reporter where he was from, the artist responded “I hate when people ask me that, I’m going to start saying I’m from the internet.” This idea amused the now vocalist and front-woman Syd, and inspired the name for the band. After their Grammy-nominated album Ego Death, Hive Mind is a superb return, following a three-year hiatus to pursue solo projects. Boasting a light-hearted and live-band vibe, the album features jazzy, ‘70s inspired chords, slinky bass lines and fuzzy guitar feels, all led by the silky-smooth storytelling of Syd, and occasional help of guitarist Steve Lacy.
In just under a month, American singer and rapper Lauryn Hill’s acclaimed 1998 record, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, will celebrate its 20 year anniversary. Known best for her vocals in The Fugees, Hill’s pregnancy and personal circumstances became the catalyst for the debut album, which took the music world by storm; combining R&B, hip hop, soul and reggae genres with a female view on life, love, vulnerability and God. Today, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill still holds a crucial place in the music industry; with the album being sampled by artists like Kayne West, Cardi B, J. Cole, Method Man and Blu + Exile. Just this year, hip hop giant Drake sampled Hill’s hook from the track ‘Ex-Factor’ to create ‘Nice for What’ off his new album, Scorpion. In response, Hill remixed Drake’s hit track live at New York’s famous Apollo Theatre, performing a freestyle over the Canadian artist’s beat.
This week’s artist spotlight is on Imbi The Girl, who has just released a moving new single, titled ‘Swell’. The Sydney artist burst onto the scene with their honest, thought-provoking tracks, ‘Acidic’ and ‘V.I.P’. Now, after a huge 18-month’s of performing at Listen Out, Groovin’ the Moo, Festival Of The Sun and more, ‘Swell’ is a unique storytelling project which combines honest and unfiltered lyricism with a unique blend of electronica, R&B and hip hop. Imbi The Girl’s music so far has navigated a number of important conversations, including drug use and its stigma, sexuality and identity, as well as dealing with anxiety. Providing the Australian rap scene with a breath of fresh air, the artist believes education and guidance on the finance and business side of the industry is crucial for up and coming musicians.
