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HEAT OF THE WEEK: DEC 16

Our last HOTW for 2022 — Little Simz, Mulalo, Day1, Masego and more!

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Weekly updates


Welcome to Acclaim Magazine’s Heat of the Week. Here are our picks for the best new local and international releases — Follow our playlist here for weekly updates of the best new music!

01. Masego - You Never Visit Me

Masego’s ‘You Never Visit Me’ is a luscious display of R&B. Groovy basslines linger and piano keys flutter, creating a soothing late-night atmosphere. The multi-faceted artist’s swagger is on full display throughout silky falsetto vocals, commanding the track with a unique catchiness. ‘You Never Visit Me’ is the perfect soundtrack for smooth situations.

02. 24kGoldn - Checkers ft. Bandmanrill

24kGoldn sounds right at home on the thumping dance production of ‘Checkers’. His melodies soar over poignant kicks and pulsating bass lines, making the moves for this one to become a club staple. Bandmanrill also features, adding his own swagger to the fast-paced frenzy.

03. Cherry Chola - BLING

Newcomer on the Naarm scene is Cherry Chola with ‘BLING’. Taken off her debut EP Exotica, Cherry Chola bridges her Latin roots with production that incorporates elements of hyperpop, reggaeton, and Latin pop. It takes on many twists and turns as you sail through high-end vocals, before dipping into slowed-down, reverbed production, making for an exciting and eclectic introduction to Cherry Chola’s artistry. It’s as icy as the title entails, and we’re keen to see what Cherry Chola has to offer in the new year.

04. Gold Fang - Drop ft. CD

From Eora to Naarm, Gold Fang and CD soundtrack your summer festivities on ‘DROP’. The two artists fuse together energetic, animated rap delivery with sultry R&B vocals to create a tale about lustful longing for someone on the dance floor. Swick and Korky Buchek handle the production on this one, elevating the song’s storytelling with dancehall-inspired drums and soothing synths. It’s a sensual, summer-fueled offering from both parties, and is a guaranteed dance floor filler!

05. Little Simz - Angel

Clocking in at almost 6 minutes, ‘Angel’ is an ambitious display of lyricism. The beat is understated, with soft keys and howl-like synths sitting on top of bouncy drum patterns. The mellow atmosphere puts all the attention on Little Simz, as she unleashes food-for-thought lines on mental health struggles in the music industry, unfair label deals, and her own personal life. It’s a lot to digest, but undeniably fire. It serves as the opener for her new project NO THANK YOU, which you can stream now.

06. lilbubblegum - Fush & Chips

lilbubblegum’s ‘FUSH AND CHIPS’ is a straightforward, satisfying banger. Bellowing 808s propel a soulful sample throughout, in which the New Zealand rapper compliments with a raspy cadence and ember-filled triplet flows. Without a doubt, this one is bound to incite moshpits.

07. Central Cee - LET GO

Central Cee gets in his emotional bag with this new single. The beat is built around a sample of Passenger’s ‘Let Her Go’, switching it up with drill-drum patterns. Cee is more sentimental than ever on top of this production, serving as an open-book throughout every flurry of bars he delivers. It’s a testament to the rapper’s versatility and his summit-ascending potential heading into the new year.

08. Rosalía - Despecha (remix) ft. Cardi B

ROSALÍA’s ‘DESPECHA’ gets a fresh coat of paint in this new blockbuster remix. The vibrant sounds of the original and ROSALIA’s commanding vocals still stand out but are now enhanced by the boisterous bars of Cardi B. Together, these megastars make for a dynamic duo, dishing out an undeniable Summer season anthem.

09. Day1 - Mbappe (remix) ft. Jay1, Gambino La MG, KAHUKX

Day1 shoots for the goal with precision timing, delivering a global remix of his huge track ‘Mbappé’ just days before star player Kylian Mbappé is set to represent France in the FIFA World Cup finals against Argentina. Day1 refreshes his bars and packs them full of football references before crossing to UK artist Jay1 and French rapper Gambino La MG who add some world-class flair to the Brisbane artist’s banger. SIUUUU!

010. Mulalo - B.B.L (Bad Bitches Love)

Naarm’s Mulalo has treated us to a massive baddie club anthem on ‘B.B.L (Bad Bitch Love)’. Produced by Swindail and Kwame, this track will definitely have a permanent residency over the speakers of your local strip club. Mulalo has made it clear as day that no one is doing it quite like her, and this track speaks to that even more, from her fiery delivery to her fierce affirmations to the hypnotic “M.U.L.A.L.O” chant that closes out the track. ‘B.B.L (Bad Bitch Love)’ truly feels like only the tip of the iceberg of what Mulalo has in store, and we’re here for more.