YOU NEED TO BUMP THIS: SAMPHA + SBTRKT

Being a big Hip Hop head has never stopped me from constantly craving musical discoveries of a variety of genres. With the arrival of winter leaving me a bit gloomy, I toned down the rap and went from “Turn Up” to “Chill Out”.

On Drake’s third album, Nothing Was The Same, released in late September, the rapper from Toronto called on the help of a sultry, soulful voice for the hook of his track  “Too Much”. Recognizing his tone from a previous Drake collab on “The Motion”, I discovered Sampha Sisay: a singer, keyboarder and producer from the UK of only 24, though the depth and quality of his vocals had me picturing a much older man.

Collaborating at multiple occasions with acclaimed British DJ SBTRKT, who has known considerable success with the release of his self-titled album in 2011, the mix of the two is perfect in every way. Imagine Sampha’s melodic tone that echoes through your bones layered on SBTRKT’s complex electro-pop rythms: the product gives off a sexy, mellow vibe. Yum!

The masked DJ has gotten us excited, as he has hinted about an album in the works, in a tweet at the beginning of the month.

havent finished my next album yet . piecing things together – still pretty excited about it where its going though!

— SBTRKT (@SBTRKT) December 2, 2013

Sampha’s latest release, the track “Happens” completing the double-sided single alongside his full version of “Too Much”, dates from November 12. His debut EP “Dual” was launched in July 2013 and has drawn the interest of some big names of the industry, notably BBC’s Zane Lowe, who awarded “Too Much” the title of Hottest Record. The independant Brit record label behind both artists, Young Turks, is one to watch as it also nests artists such as The XX, FKA Twigs, Jack Peñate and more.

Let me leave you a few early Christmas presents that are sure to make you want to dim the lights in your pad and groove to these babies or maybe even inspire you to host a loungy soiree for your favorite peeps.