We Plug To You... FOUR KORNERZ

As an artist, if you have talent and you've got the "swag" to go with it then that's a double whammy, right? Now quadruple that and you've got four times your attention's worth in these featured artists. Over the course of time, "boy groups" from the Commodores to Boyz II Men have always had the ability to have effect of sorts on their listeners and while it would be premature to draw comparisons with those legendary groups and this here featured act, allow me to bring to you an evolution of the "boy group" in this new generation. They go by the name: FOUR KORNERZ - four biological brothers coming together to make good, inspirational music.

The London based-quartet is led by eldest brother Charles Deji Juba (lead vocals) and made up of TJ (keys/vocals), Vidal (drums), Daniel (Electro-vocals). A multi-award winning band already, Four Kornerz are set to release their new single "Superstar" next month (May 2). The single will serve as the band’s first officially release since their 2007 debut album 'Soulectric' and by all accounts, it sounds to be well worth the four year wait for some new music from the group.

Four Kornerz definitely had the ladies in mind when they wrote their new song - the bass heavy uptempo and catchy "Superstar" - which proclaims that they (females) are superstars and encourages all the females out there to believe in themselves and reach for the top. Coming from a set of cool dudes like Four Kornerz, I bet that their female listeners will certainly believe their message. Listen below:

"Superstar":

"...Love is gonna take you around the world, gonna give you more than diamonds & pearls, you gotta believe...Baby, you're a superstar...."

The lead vocalist, Deji delivers his trademark soulful vocals while the rest of the guys do their thing with the music giving it a "doowop" swing, making you move to the music as the message sinks in. Deji says of the song:

"the song was inspired by a lot of things. A large part of the story behind this song is based on the unrealistic body-type expectations mounted (on) us in today’s popular culture. The lyrics are more specific to women as I think the pressures on them are more extreme from things like size zero, cellulite and botox. However, both men and women can embrace the universal message in the song; Celebrating how awesome and wonderful you are".

"Superstar" is produced by Scsi who is part of the Four Kornerz production team and draws influences from the Soul artists of the Motown era as well as more modern chart toppers like Bruno Mars and Jamiroquai.

Preceding this new record, Four Kornerz independently released their debut album 'Soulectric' (2007) which featured gospel and inspirational songs as "Clap Clap" and "Gonna Make It". "Clap Clap" is a very danceable song with more upbeat instrumentation led by lush keyboard chords, drum kicks and soulful harmonies. Deji impressively goes jazzy with his scatting skills. The Neo-Soul elements of this song's musical ornamentation and accompaniment are very evident. The lyrics tell you to dance, so does the music.

"Clap Clap":

"Anybody wanna praise Him with me, Clap Clap your hands, you must move your feet to this"

On the other hand, the Control S-Club Mix of "Gonna Make It" has a distinctively uptempo Electro-Funk/Boogie vibe to it and with it being a club mix, that's quite understandable. The message of this song is very clear and quite compelling despite the record being a club dance track. "Gonna Make It" addresses and challenges the perception of self and how image does not determine one's success, that you're "gonna make it" no matter what others think or say about you. The lyrics were stylishly rushed but distinct and well delivered.

"Gonna Make It":

"...I'm gonna make it somehow, Just watch me now, can't hold me down..."

Adeptly inspirational in content, Four Kornerz uniquely create their music with an appealing electro-digital edge to it as you will have clearly heard on the songs above and FourKornerz are definitely topping my list of favorite Gospel artistes coming out of the UK. I am particularly drawn to their eclectic musical creativity and sound. It's Gospel yet fun, it's playful yet deep.The personality and message of their songs show through effectively and fits in perfectly with a mainstream mix. Four Kornerz music is boundary-less - you can play their music on the radio, at a party, in church or in your car. You enjoy it all round - it is spiritually effective, physically active and soulfully uplifting. Get their upcoming album to understand what I mean. I guarantee no regrets whatsoever!

Furthermore, Four Kornerz as a band are equally as sublime in their recordings as they are performing live! The band will feature new songs and a sneak-peek into some brand new material from their forthcoming project at their London concert taking place next Wednesday 27 April, 2011 along with supporting acts - emerging songstress Dionne Reid and popular Gospel artist Guvna B. On the night, fans will also have the opportunity to download a free exclusive Four Kornerz track.

“We are taking a different approach towards the Four Kornerz brand. It’s not just music but a whole creative process which will see us enter into other fields like a digital graphic novel which will accompany the Superstar release. More on that little venture soon.” - Deji (Four Kornerz)

Four Kornerz Live in Concert takes place on Wednesday (27 April) at 229 The Venue, 229 Great Portland Street, London W1W 5PN with the show kicking off at 7pm. Tickets are £10 (+ booking fee) in advance and more on the door. For more information and to book your tickets, visit: www.fourkornerz.com

Tosinger

We Plug To You... Franklyn - Just Being Frank

Hello people! Apologies for my inability to bring to you more quality music on a regular basis. Its my bad, honestly. But dont worry, I'm back and its all G.O.O.D MUSIC... Anyway, today I'll be plugging to you a certain Gospel Grime/Hip-Hop artist by the name of Franklyn. His mixtape came out in December last year but it just got to me a week ago and to be honest I have been bumping it on replay ever since...

Franklyn is a burgeoning rapper from Hackney, East London (can I hear a #TeamUK?) who's been making various appearances in the UK Gospel urban music scene for about two years now. With appearances on projects by several veterans on the scene such as Victizzle, Guvna B and Cadet, you can tell that Franklyn has been about and this recent solo project from the rapper was bound to be quality.

Anyways, lets cut right to the chase... The tracks you are about to hear are an extract of Franklyn's mixtape aptly titled 'Just being Frank'. Right off the jump, I should say that one thing I particularly like about this project is it's production... The production on the mixtape from beginning to end is just epic and what's even better is that Franklyn doesn't let the quality of the beat overshadow his lyrical dexterity all over this mixtape....

Okay, the first track you're about to listen to is called "These MC's" and as the name suggests, it is  a straight shot directed at other emcees and "fake" rappers making up false stories all in the name of spitting a hot verse but it also comes from a different angle in which Franklyn attests to his lyrical ability as well as his relationship with God. The track also features Brewer, who I must say, is a very talented young man. The production on this tune is actually very sick courtesy of Confectionery, it sounds Grimey with that fusion of Drum and Bass.

"These MCs":

This next track is called "Internal Bleeding" and it features the lovely Lola Godheld (who I must say is an amazing live performer). You see, when I review gospel artists, I do not just want to make it to be about how they are so into God because I feel as much as that is important, they (Gospel artists) have to be able to bring that top drawer quality of music regardless. With that said, this track from Franklyn is an amazing song! The message relates to everyone because we all have those moments when we think the world is against us and we think God is punishing us for things... Lola Godheld handles vocal duties on the chorus rather perfectly... Jheez!

"Internal Bleeding":

I actually feel like I should review every song on this mixtape because they're all definitely worth mentioning but because we gotta leave some songs for you to check out for yourself, the final song I'll be plugging to you from this mixtape is titled "Hear My Cry". On this one, Franklyn completely asks God the questions we all ask most times and having done that, he switches roles and answers the questions in a way full of wisdom that you would completely doubt his age if you knew it... The track features and is produced by Victizzle who I must say is some kinda Gospel "Timbaland" the way he works both the instrumentation and auto-tune on this song in such a perfectly blended style, check it out below.

"Hear My Cry":

The talent that Franklyn has got is undeniable and especially evident when you listen to the mixtape in its entirety which you most certainly should do. It will sound all the more better when you realise that this emcee is only 16... I am excitedly anticipating what Franklyn grows up to be and if he continues like this, I just know that I'm gonna be plugging him again to you soon. In the meantime though...

Keep in touch with Franklyn via Twitter // Facebook

You can also download the mixtape HERE

Thank you all for reading and listening, I'll be back soon....

Until then, have a lovely time...

Fhanthom

We Plug 2 You... Guvna B - Scrapbook

Allo Mate!! Happy New Year and are we back with some good music for you or are we back with some GOOD Music for you? I hope you've been GOOD and you had a GOOD Christmas & New Years. Going into 2011, we are going to serve you nothing short of GOOD music I can assure you. Having said that, I'm going to introduce you to our very first feature for 2011, Guvna B!

This UK-based Gospel rapper has been around for a while now and if you were watching the MOBO awards last year, you will remember that he won the award for best Gospel Act! Only a few months after that, Guvna B is NOT resting on his morales and he's back out with a brand new mixtape, because for Guvna it has never been about just the awards, he's always been ready to put out that hot verse with that hot message.

This 21 year old Ghanaian born rapper has come out with an amazing mixtape titled 'Scrapbook' and truth be told, regardless of your religious background, you will be heavily touched by this mixtape as it comes with alot of soul and originality. According to Guvna B, 'Scrapbook' is more of a gift to his listeners and is a body of work filled with tracks that Guvna has written over the years, hence the name 'ScrapBook'.

Oh Yeah! this first tune you're about to listen to is titled 'Skin Deep'. I particularly fell in love with this tune as soon as I listened to it. I feel like everyone I know should listen to this track and just picture me talking to them. Basically, we all have problems, but a couple of us never show those problems and people feel because we don't talk about our problems, it means that we don't have any. After Guvna adeptly gives this message, he tells you where to meet that ONE person that will always be able to see your problems (& help) even through those deceiving smiles...

This next tune is heavy! It's called 'One Body' and it features an array of emerging Gospel artists such as A-star, Presha J, Jake and Jay Dolph... For all you Grime fans, this one is for you. Each artist drops a monumental verse on this track and I'm sure you'll like this one. The title 'One Body' represents the kingdom of God which is You and Me.

"Love your neighbour that's it"

This next tune 'Kofi' is an emotional one and sees Guvna B on excellent storytelling mode. It aptly describes the relationships between two best friends finding different paths in life as with many relationships in our lives. This story line sounds as real as real can be, making it even easier for listeners to relate to it. Emerging UK artist, Michaela the Poet is the female vocalist on the chorus and considering the fact that she calls herself a poet, she did justice to the chorus. Her voice completely embodies the pain that the song aims to convey...

Can I just say that when it comes to this thing called rap, the UK has got it down to a Tee and we need to take more notice. On this next tune called 'B2B', Guvna B and Brewer go back-to-back on one hell of a thumping musical backdrop with much skill, finesse & flow. These two completely NAIL it if you ask me. I feel this tune can compete with alot of other rap songs lyrically, if only we appreciated Gospel Music a bit more. Enjoy this one...

I will say this now... This has been my best feature so far for We Plug GOOD Music because this 20-track mixtape has been able to touch me in ways alot of other mixtapes haven't been able to. Guvna B has been consistent in his ministry (music) for a long time and I hope he gets even more people to  appreciate him and his sound in 2011.

Download: Guvna B's 'Scrapbook'

Keep an Eye on Guvna B: Twitter // FaceBook // Website

God Bless You as you listen

P.S If you choose to think that this isn't GOOD music, you can send me an email and iWill apologise (lol)... BUT there won't be any need for that, trust me!

Fhanthom