#Repost BET.com: UK Hip-Hop Maven Nolay's New Album Is a Brilliant Testament to Honoring Women's History Month

Originally published on BET.com here. 

"What matters most is how well you walk through the fire." Of the immeasurable bars that prolific novelist Charles Bukowski penned throughout the course of his storied legacy, that one in particular could have been written with Nolay, an impassioned grime emcee from the UK, specifically in mind.

Although her story is glittered with some of life's most intense, heart-wrenching and challenging setbacks — overcoming a rough childhood strained by her father's schizophrenia, battling grips of addiction, and combating her own inner demons and surviving a horrific near-death car accident in 2016 — Nolay has not only been through hell and back, but she's also been an inspiring open book throughout it all, detailing her experiences honestly through her music over the past decade and counting.

With her talents on the mic a consistent and paramount lifeline throughout her anything-but-scripted journey, one can't help but have a strong reaction to learn that after months of writing, recording and promoting her latest album, This Woman, the audio files were lost beyond restoration days before the project was set to drop in conjunction with Women's History Month and International Women's Day.

While such an unforeseeable situation is enough to lead anyone to an utter breakdown paralyzed by grief, shock and anger, Nolay took a deep breath and re-recorded each of the project's 10 tracks in a matter of five hours without missing a beat. Her refusal to let something like a hard drive corrupting at the worst imaginable time speaks as much to her warrior spirit as it does her stubbornness; there was simply no way she was going to let herself or any of her fans down.

Now that the project has officially arrived, it's clear why Nolay wasn't willing to compromise the release date despite losing all of the originally recorded material. This Woman is simultaneously her opus packed full of unapologetic anthems to empower women and a refreshing reminder that she's just getting started.

Each track flaunts a feminist anthem in their own right. There’s a complexity behind her quick-witted lyricism that demands respect while also raising the bar for other rappers, proving that one doesn't have to sacrifice clever and catchy songwriting in order to get a conscious message across. While she is a tried-and-true grime emcee at her core, Nolay's production choices allow her breathing room to tactfully switch up her flow, with the album's fiery, attention-stealing opener, "This Way," a wise contrast to the minimalist soundscape allowing her voice to take center stage on her personal open letter "Note to Self."

With "P.U.S.S.Y.," "Sitting with the Kings," "Run Me Down" and "Dancing With the Devil" all emerging as the album's most important topics of discussion, including addressing equality, domestic violence and the divine power that comes with sexuality, the UK-born-and-bred emcee captivates listeners to hang on to her every word as she walks us through the less-glamorous-but-very-real topics relating to the female perspective and experience.

As a key figure integral to the ever-expanding grime movement, Nolay is well on her way towards becoming a prodigious icon in her own right, all without compromising being a feminist in order to be a rapper.

BET.com recently spoke to Nolay from across seas to celebrate her latest accomplishment.

You've really created an album to be proud of. How do you think you'll feel in five years from now looking back at this very release and moment?

Knowing the kind of person that I am, I'll probably listen to this in five years and hate it. [Laughs] That's only because I'm constantly growing as a lyricist and as an artist and as a woman as a whole, and I'm pretty hard on myself. I think that I'm my own worst critic when it comes to my music. But at the same time in the aspect of how it feels and how I felt in this moment I'll definitely look back and think to myself, “Wow, that was an incredible moment for me.”

With everything that you've been through, how have you managed to find strength to reinvent yourself and keep fighting through the fire?

I feel like it was a natural thing for me to do. After the car accident, it's almost like I was born again. After that, I got to a point where I looked at myself and I thought to myself, like, “Wow, you could be dead but you're still here.” I told myself, “You literally need to not hold back on anything you want to do now. You're here for a reason so embrace that.”

I wouldn't say so much as I've recreated myself entirely, I'd say that it's always been there, but at the same time I've probably been a bit scared to kind of take it there. Although I'm quite fiery, I've always been quite reserved at the same time, especially when it comes to talking about sex, my sexuality and all the rest of it. After the car accident and thinking about everything that's gone on, I just thought to myself, “f**k it.” You can't be the best artist you can possibly be by caring what people think of you. Recovering from the accident enabled me to be the best that I can be right now.

What do you hope men (and women) get out of this album?

I feel like it's for all of them. In my head, I haven't really thought to myself, “Well, this is to show males, this is to show females.” I've just thought, this is to prove to myself, first and foremost, that I've got the ability to be greater that what I've been showing.

In regard to the men listening, I feel like if you're a mature man, and you have a realistic approach and outlook on life, you will understand, as well as know, that women do go through these things that I'm talking about. So for the guys that know that that's what happens to women, I'd like them to walk away thinking, “I'm glad Nolay raised these issues because she's right.” To the men that would probably be sexist or misogynistic, I couldn't really give a damn what they walk away feeling about it. You know, it's not for you.

In regard to women, I want them to walk away feeling how I feel when I listen to a Beyoncé album or when I listen to something by a strong female. I want them to feel empowered. I might jump out of the bed in the morning when I'm playing something by Beyoncé and I'll feel ready for the day, ready for anything. That's how I want women to feel when they play my music.

How did the interlude for "P.U.S.S.Y." come about?

I literally typed in "the power of p***y" on YouTube and all these videos came up, with many guys talking absolute rubbish about how they can't help but be drawn to a woman because of her anatomy. I found it all quite derogatory, to be honest. But then I came across this fierce lady who had an afro and was smoking and she just breaks it all down and is so powerful. She talks about how she believes that men shouldn't be pimping women and so on. I just thought it was absolutely brilliant when I listened to her speak and I said, you know what, she said it better than I ever could, so I wanted to include it on the album.

What has the reception been like following the "Dancing With the Devil" music video?

It's been amazing. I was doing a series of videos, which I'm still collecting because I want to release them as one big awareness video. Previously, I asked a couple of females to do videos of their experiences and following that, other females that I hadn't reached out to started stepping forward saying, 'Can I make a video too?' I also received videos from males as well, males that have suffered domestic violence. And even from some of the abusers, which was pretty shocking for me, to be quite honest.

I've also had emails from charities and universities that want me to come down and speak. As it stands, we're planning a lot of stuff behind the scenes for me to continue advocating and raising awareness of domestic violence. I think it's better to speak to people while they're still young because they're quite impressionable. If you catch kids while they're still young, maybe you can help change their train of thought and how they look at abuse, because they've been desensitized to violence from the beginning. I'm also currently working on a documentary about domestic violence.

What can we look forward to next?

You can look out for me in your city! They always say that America is the hardest market to break and my biggest dream is to take on America. I came up on East Coast hip-hop, especially Biggie, so I'm ready! I'd love for Nas or Jay Z to know who I am one day. To have them be like, 'Oh my God, lad, have you heard of that rapper Nolay? She's amazing, lad." That would be a dream come true.

#Repost Billboard.com: Lorde, Pitbull, 2 Chainz & More Are Spotify Editors' Picks for New Music Friday

orginally published on billboard.com here. 

Every week, Spotify updates their "New Music Friday" playlist, featuring 50 of the freshest new tracks hitting the service that week.

On the heels of Billboard's partnership with the streaming giant, we'll be tapping Spotify's editors to sift through the soon-to-be-hits and highlight the best of the bunch.

Check out the picks and listen to the entire "New Music Friday" playlist below.

Lorde - "Liability"

Lorde returns to our #SpotifyNMF playlist this week to remind us exactly why her impeccable voice, fearless lyricism and unique artistry is propelling her into prodigious territory once again. Part lullaby, part poem and part possible personal monologue, the 20-year-old's latest offering, "Liability," is a truly beautiful display of honest self-expression. With her intensely stunning voice taking center stage, the song balances minimalism with creative theatrics, as soft piano melodies add to the track's whimsical dynamic. Lyrically, the song slow dances with romance's darker edges, as Lorde highlights what she considers to be her flaws, almost as a way to make sure she has power over them and prove that her faults do not solely define her. "Liability" is a complex, multi-layered confession of sorts, finding success as a ballad more than capable of captivating listeners through its balance of curious obscurity, daydream-esque fantasy and realism, with Lorde's mystical voice doubling as a breath of fresh air on a track strikingly different than her dark pop anthems. With "Liability" showing off yet another side to the singer, her forthcoming album, Melodrama, due out June 16, is beginning prove that when it comes to what Lorde will create next, the starry night sky's the limit.

Stargate - "Waterfall" feat. Sia & Pink

Norwegian production duo Stargate is ready to step out from behind the scenes, today releasing their debut single, "Waterfall." After over a decade of writing some of pop's biggest hits, including Rihanna's "Only Girl (In The World)," Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable," and Ne-Yo's "Miss Independent," as well as contributing hits for Katy Perry, Coldplay, Charli XCX, Fifth Harmony, Selena Gomez, Shakira and more over the years, Tor Erik Hermansen and Mikkel Eriksen have since signed a deal with RCA to release music entirely their own as lead artists. Recruiting Sia and Pink for their debut definitely sets their own bar high with "Waterfall" marking a new exciting chapter for the Grammy Award-winning musicians. The track features their frequent collaborator Sia and pop veteran Pink trading verses and taking turns handling the chorus over dancehall-inspired production, making for a strong offering combining the songwriting expertise the duo has spent the past decade honing with their expert knack for piecing it all together. The song's infectious quality is anything but out of character for Stargate, leaving fans eager to see what else the duo has in store for us now that they've assumed their rightful positions in the driver's seat.

Pitbull/J Balvin - "Hey Ma" feat. Camila Cabello - from the Fate of the Furious soundtrack

While the Fast and the Furious film franchise is notorious for dominating the box office and for the fast-paced nature of its plot – an exhilarating premise built off of high stake illegal street racing, undercover FBI work and heists – another element not to count out is the movie's soundtrack. With the eighth installment of Universal's most successful franchise due to arrive in theaters next month, a new single off of the soundtrack has finally been released, along with a new action-packed trailer for the film. The song debuted is a collaboration featuring the likes of Pitbull, J Balvin and Camila Cabello, titled "Hey Ma," and was recorded both in English and in Spanish. The eighth movie in the series was also filmed in Cabello's original home of Cuba, adding to the fitting charm that she was able to lend her vocals for the upbeat addition to the film's score. J Balvin's verse opens the steamy single, with all three handling the chorus and Pitbull taking care of the second verse. The Spanish version of the single arrives today and finds itself in good company on this week's #SpotifyNMF playlist, with the English version set to be released the same day the film hits theaters on April 16. With Vin Diesel, Dwayne Johnson, Charlize Theron, Jason Statham, Tyrese Gibson, Kurt Russell and more making up the film’s epic cast, we're sure the scene "Hey Ma" soundtracks is going to be nothing short of awesome.

2 Chainz - "It's a Vibe" feat. Ty Dolla $ign, Jhene Aiko, Trey Songz

When thinking about the hypothetical possibilities regarding what would happen if 2 Chainz, Ty Dolla $ign, Jhené Aiko and Trey Songz got in the studio together, it's a safe bet to wager that it'd result in quite the vibe. Naturally, their first collaboration had to call dibs on using the three words "It's A Vibe" as the song’s title; it's only fitting. With 2 Chainz expertly recruiting these three fine additions to his track, the song is exactly what it promises it sounds like, with each passing the mic around accordingly and building off of each other's laid back, characteristic vocals. This song definitely falls under the category of "mood music," with its swooping beat full of jazzy finger snaps, subtle keys and funky drums, helping to create the illusion that these four artists crafted this undeniable earworm with the lights dimmed low, a copious amount of champagne on standby and maybe even a fireplace or assortment of candles to further complete the stress-free scene. With "It's A Vibe" further proving 2 Chainz, Jhené Aiko, Trey Songz and Ty Dolla $ign's collective ability to set the mood proper, this song reminds us that turning up in the luxury of one's own home can make for the perfect Friday night line-up.

alt-J - "3WW"

British indie rock band alt-J kicked off the month by announcing their comeback in a nonchalant, straightforward manner, releasing the first single of their freshly confirmed third studio album, Relaxer. The single, "3WW," is a gentle and spacey reintroduction to the group's celebrated eclectic sound, featuring a lengthy instrumental opening, with vocals not arriving until a minute and a half into the five-minute jam. With additional vocal support from Wolf Alice's Ellie Rowsell, the track has a hypnotic quality surrounding it, enticing listeners to follow the beat until soothingly cryptic lyrics make their first appearance. The title "3WW" stands for "3 Worn Words," remaining open to interpretation and playing off of a theme of three’s incorporated in the group’s return, such as how the song’s teaser was released on 3/3, the full song arriving three days later and the album arriving three months and three days after the single. "We’d like to thank you for your patience over the last year or so," the band shared in a recent statement. "After finishing touring This Is All Yours in December 2015 we took a long break. Thom released a solo album; Gus opened a restaurant; Joe has been watching a lot of films. We hadn’t set a time limit on our time off but by August 2016 we were ready to get back into the studio. The result is our third album, Relaxer, and we are really excited for you to hear it." The new single also draws inspiration from the Japanese PlayStation1 game "LSD: Dream Emulator," with each vocalist singing about three various characters and sharing alternate perspectives of a delicate, simple romance. With the new album due out in June, "3WW" marks a more-than-welcome return for alt-J.

#Repost BET.com: Khalid’s ‘American Teen’ Proves Youth Isn’t Wasted on the Young

Originally published here on BET.com.

There is a beauty in that predestined moment when a song comes on the radio that feels like it was written for you and your friends, and you all begin singing the words together in unison without hesitation. There's an exhilaration found in an uncertain young love, just as there is growth in that first heartbreak you didn’t see coming. There's an excitement found in the freedom of driving on the highway with the windows down after school lets out, just as there is magic in falling asleep in an Uber and not waking up until your friend is shaking you because you've arrived at your destination.

There's a relief in passing final exams and sneaking home without getting caught after a late night hanging out in a parking lot or your friend's parent's basement. There's a tremendous power in not only believing, but also knowing, that you are more than your hometown suggests and the day to explore beyond its familiar borders is finally drawing near.

Khalid, a 19-year-old soul singer from Texas, knows these feelings all too well — because he's still living them. With his debut album, American Teen, he toasts to all of these relatable late-teenage phenomena with an authenticity that proves while he may be wise beyond his years, he's in no rush to grow up overnight either. In turn, that same particular aesthetic is found in his distinctive voice itself, with his maturing vocal talents shining with a polish that suggests he’s been in the game for much longer than he actually has.

Factoring in that this teenage recording artist just graduated high school a year ago — roughly around the same time Kylie Jenner was spotted lip-synching his now-viral hit single "Location" on her SnapChat — this is exactly the magnitude of a debut that doubles as a breath of fresh air.

For his major-label debut, the El Paso native declared his release date (March 3) as the day that will change his life forever. And now that the manifested milestone has finally arrived, Khalid is winning what amusingly feels like a safe bet. While the odds are now stacked in his favor, it wasn't always that way. His own self-awareness gives new life to what otherwise could have been ignorantly written off as just another SoundCloud rapper getting lucky. Khalid did much more than find his way into the spotlight at the right place and at the right time — he came prepared for what happens next.

While our music climate has undeniably, and at-times frustratingly, evolved into a machine where all you need is one single with the potential to be a hit record and a perfect storm of calculated opportunities to take it there, Khalid's debut on RCA has 15 of those, and each one has a beating heart and glowing spirit of its own. It's difficult to skip over songs on this record, challenging the current listening process of new music. American Teen is equal parts cohesive story and collection of separate tales, with its nuanced emotions tied together by a young man experiencing his teenage years as completely and unapologetically as possible. With American Teen as evidence, he’s in it for the long haul while still enjoying every step along the way.

Khalid's lyrics are a direct reflection of his genuine personal story, and his transparency elevates him into an assumed role of becoming a voice for the youth that is as brave and confident as it is vulnerable and honest. In the dismal age of Trump's presidency, it is important, shocking and revitalizing to hear someone — a Black someone, no less — say he is proud to be an American again and be completely serious. As Khalid looks towards his bright-eyed future on his title track, "American Teen," he restores a newfound hope without letting go of being a realist.

His maturation finds strength in a way that doesn't skip over the tough times but addresses his current reality in a way that embraces hardship. He grew accustomed to this as a dreamer who moved around the country with his single mother, whose job in the U.S. Army dictated a lifestyle constrained by both discipline and impermanence. He blindly trusts his struggle is part of the process towards getting to the proverbial other side, each time learning from his mistakes and proving himself right.

With dreams bigger than a hometown not even originally his own, the lead single is perhaps the most culturally impactful on the record, but songs such as "Young, Dumb & Broke," "Saved," "8Teen," "Hopeless," "Nobody Hangs Out Anymore" and "Let's Go" swiftly challenge that claim, each gloriously amplifying a voice of the youth (and for the youth) that is well on its way to capturing a global audience in a new, refreshing way. Khalid is an outsider who naturally assumes the role of a leader, something that is impossible not to commend, if only his humble, calm demeanor would allow that compliment to go unchallenged. On American Teen, adolescence is measured by state of mind, and not by a calendar dictating when life can begin, and Khalid’s “no better time than now” mindset is as remarkable as his experimental production choices. With American Teen, he covers a lot of melodic ground, managing to incorporate the evident influence that '80s pop has had on him personally without completely turning off his peers who gravitate towards the increasingly streamlined trap-infused R&B movement spearheaded by August Alsina, Bryson Tiller and Tory Lanez.

As the ambitious 15-track collection unfolds, Khalid details that "oh s**t" post-graduation moment not wanting to fall in love with social media's illusions and rising above the preconceived notion that your life has already been chosen for you by someone else. His debut album discusses how love may be born through technology, but the yearning for a larger IRL connection will never be satisfied by a subtweet. Khalid is an old soul who will never be entirely defined by the universal teen anthems found on his debut album, helping to further solidify the sultry and seasoned Frank-Ocean-meets-Bill-Withers vibe his music emits, while carving a lane of his own on the same highway his idols have traveled down.

As we get to know Khalid through his music, it becomes clear that just because he intuitively knew his moment would one day arrive doesn't mean he shouldn't still celebrate — and celebrate we will.