EMURGENCY! VINYL OUT NOW PURCHASE HERE AND AT LOCAL RECORD
STORES ACROSS CANADA
DIGITAL RELEASE SET FOR FALL 2021
SUPPORT AMAI KUDA ET LES BOIS’ SANKOFA MAROON VILLAGE INITIATIVE HERE
Toronto, ON – July 9, 2021 – Today, Toronto-based group and movement, Amai Kuda et Les Bois, share Love Song – a fun, modern take on the classic Motown torch ballad. Inspired by a real life ‘tragic romance,’ the song plays up the tropes of the genre while genuinely speaking to the pain and frustration felt when two people love each other but can’t be together. The multiple distinct voices in the arrangement embody different aspects of the self, each responding to the situation with everything from passionate desperation to calm acceptance, but never taking themselves too seriously. In the end, the song even touches on life’s deeper questions, at once declaring the protagonists to be the writers of their fate and the subjects of a predetermined timeline. It packs a surprising punch for a playful love ballad.
Set in the 60s, the video portrays the complexities of romance with a fairly satirical twist. It captures the distinct personas of the vocals with Amai playing two diametrically opposed characters: the lovesick, shy, nerd girl (who also happens to be queer) interminably hung up on her ex, and the bold diva who feels entirely unrestrained by the conventions of monogamy. In the end, the video’s main message can really be boiled down to a Facebook status: “it’s complicated.” Most importantly, it encourages viewers to have as much fun watching it as the cast did in portraying a love square turned circle – a true nod to the sexual revolution of the era.
The video for Love Song was filmed at the Sankofa Maroon Village site (read more about this fantastic community space below) and directed and produced by Alex McFarland of The Trenches Media, with PA, Rob Licandro. The incredible cast includes Amai Kuda Yemoja Ile, Sharrae Lyon, David Tweneboah, Kudakwashe Mutamba, Tefetro Weekes, Emmett Jones, Selah Weekes, and Waylon Smith.
Love Song is featured on Amai Kuda et Les Bois’ new album, EmUrgency! out now as an exclusive vinyl edition, and set for a digital release this fall. It follows the project’s first single, Ecouché, a sonic, magical spell for healing of the waters. Channeled and sung entirely in a language of ancestral communication, it can never be performed the same way twice. Listen to Ecouchéhere.
Both tracks weave into EmUrgency!’s foundation as a sonic challenge to the music industry and to society at large to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. Inspired by Amai’s journey as a queer woman of African descent working to reclaim her power and support marginalized communities in doing the same, the project is an unapologetic demand for the voices and stories of those long ignored to finally be heard. The collective listening will flow as audiences can experience the music in an analog format first, while a digital version of the project with accompanying visual materials will be released from the summer into fall.
Order a copy of EmUrgency! here and see a list of national retailers below to support your local record store.
EmUrgency! was recorded, mixed and mastered at Quantum Vox Music with co-producer, Jimmy Kiddo, and reflects Amai’s vast influences: Afrohouse, alternative neo-Motown, a blend of alt rock, hip hop and downtempo, with inflections of Amai’s Trinidadian heritage and Toronto upbringing in the mix. The album speaks to the struggles, wisdoms, and joys of Amai’s journey, being guided by ancestors and Orishas, and staying true to her calling as mother, healer, warrior and artist, despite the many obstacles facing Black, queer women in the music industry and society at large. On the songs, Amai delves into African Indigenous spiritual traditions, connecting with gods and deities of Yoruba cosmology, the anti-colonial war for survival, unconditional love, honouring elders, as well as the inner child and how to preserve it in times of struggle.
Amai is also passionate about their initiative, the Sankofa Maroon Village (SMV), currently raising funds (see GoFundMe page) to establish the first Black eco-village in Canada. Sankofa Maroon Village is a physical and metaphysical space for African descended folk to rebuild healthy, ROOTED, sustainable community. SMV provides opportunities for communities to deepen their connections to nature, to each other and to their diverse African and Afrosporic cultural traditions and ancestors. They work from a decolonial framework and are committed to respecting the treaties and working in alliance with Indigenous communities, upholding human rights and protecting the natural world. You can find out more and support this powerful project here.
Learn more about Amai Kuda et Les Bois below and stay connected as we experience this EmUgency! together over the coming months.
Toronto, ON: Mike’s Music, Chronic Pain Records, Flipping Vintage, Ani Rock, Bay Bloor Radio, Bay Street Video, Creats, Extended Play, Jeremy Nusinowitz, Luke’s Records, Press Vinyl Café, Resolute Records, Dead Dog Records (all locations), Play De Record, Pop Music
Vancouver, BC: Dandelion Records, Greenhorn Café, Hit Man Records
Montreal, QC: Musicotheque, Sonik, Centre Hi Fi, Cheap Thrills, Le Vacarme, Bbam! Gallery, Toy Wars.
Buy/order your copy of EmUrgency! on vinyl here EmUrgency! is available at these national retailers:
UK DJ, songwriter, and producer DJ PAPPY steps directly into football fever with “Offside Trap,” an electrifying new single made to rally behind England, the Three Lions, during this year’s World Cup campaign. Driven by urban energy, electronic force, and a stadium-sized sense of occasion, the track captures the belief, pride, and nervous excitement of a nation allowing itself to dream again.
Built for terraces, fan zones, pubs, clubs, festivals, and living rooms full of hoarse supporters, “Offside Trap” arrives as a full-throttle declaration of belief. It taps into that rare football mood when a country starts to feel something special taking shape, when every tackle, goal, chant, and final whistle seems to carry a little historical weight.
The track opens with a minimal, hypnotic, commanding melody that pulls the listener in immediately. The rawness of the intro feels deliberate, giving each note space while letting the tension build through restraint. It recalls the alluring opening of “Seven Nation Army” in spirit, though DJ PAPPY gives the idea his own melodic texture and personality. There is a gripping, chant-like quality here that football fans will instinctively understand, while the production remains firmly tied to his own energy and modern instincts.
From there, a march-like rhythm takes hold, setting the stage for enchanting male vocals that echo the spirit of the Three Lions’ roar. The performance feels confident, infectious, and emotionally charged, catching the pride of supporters who have carried England through decades of hope, heartbreak, and renewed belief. This time, the feeling seems different. This time, the dream feels alive.
Musically, “Offside Trap” brings together urban hip-hop cadence, electronic pulse, dance-driven momentum, and strong anthemic vocal harmonies. The result lands with streetwise swagger and stadium impact in equal measure.
The hook is where the song fully becomes a World Cup anthem. Big, communal, and hard to shake, it invites listeners to sing, clap, chant, and give themselves over to the moment. “Offside Trap” carries that unmistakable “olé, olé, olé” spirit, which makes it feel instantly at home wherever football fans gather to celebrate.
Arriving as excitement around the Three Lions reaches fever pitch, especially after that heart-racing 3-2 knockout win against Mexico, “Offside Trap” feels like the soundtrack to a nation standing on the edge of something unforgettable. The joy is real. The belief is growing. The chants are getting louder.
With “Offside Trap,” DJ PAPPY delivers what a great football anthem needs: energy, unity, pride, and a hook that stays in your head. It is a rallying cry for the fans, a celebration of the squad, and a reminder that when music and football collide, unforgettable moments can follow.
“Offside Trap” is available now on major streaming platforms.
Iowa-based Rwandese artist Michael M Jeni returns to his R&B roots with “Played,” a moody, atmospheric, and deeply personal release that leans into vulnerability without losing its smooth composure. The song, the fastest he has ever written, recorded, and released, traces the mental and physical exhaustion of giving chance after chance to someone you love, only to end up caught in the same pattern again.
Heartbreak sits at the center of “Played,” but the song is ultimately about reclaiming self-worth. It captures the moment when someone finally recognizes their own value and chooses growth over the comfort of what is familiar. That shift comes through clearly in the words, “I’m done with giving chances, let me find my way…you’re just somebody that I used to know.”
The production is built around minimalist, slow-burn R&B, with soft, crisp, and unobtrusive beats that leave space for the emotion to breathe. The intro feels floaty and atmospheric, carried by Michael’s rich, lush vocals as they set a silky foundation. The drums offer a gentle head-nod pulse rather than a heavy knock, giving the song room to ache instead of pushing it toward a forced climax.
“Played” moves at a slow-to-mid-tempo pace, shaped by a smooth, swaying groove that makes it feel like a private late-night confession. Its hook is catchy and memorable, creating a lingering, circular pull that stays with you after the final notes fade.
Velvety keys, warm low end, airy synths, and delicate percussion give Michael’s conversational tone the right setting. The lyrics feel personal and relatable because he delivers them with a natural ease, letting the song’s soulful and introspective mood land without overstatement.
Michael sings with controlled vulnerability. His runs and ad-libs are carefully placed, which keeps the emotion raw without turning it theatrical. His vocal identity here is rooted in emotional connection rather than vocal dominance, using melody, harmony, and rhythmic finesse to make the record feel heartfelt, memorable, and widely relatable.
“Too many times you broke the rules, too many times I played the fool, I gotta graduate from this, you’re just somebody I used to know…”
Those lyrics form the emotional core of the record, capturing the painful but necessary decision to step away from a relationship that has become a repeated cycle of hurt. Instead of sinking into bitterness, “Played” turns heartbreak into self-respect, making the act of leaving feel like a declaration of personal freedom.
“Played” also serves as a compelling precursor to Michael M Jeni’s forthcoming project, “KING,” offering listeners a glimpse into the vulnerability, growth, and self-discovery shaping this new chapter of his artistry. Named after the meaning of his surname in Kinyarwanda, “KING” is expected to explore resilience, identity, healing, and personal empowerment.
Stream “Played” here and find a home for it in your playlist.
KING TYGUSS approaches music as a calling, with artistry that carries the force of Gospel truth. He is the kind of Gospel hip-hop artist who treats every track as ministry, using rhythm, testimony, scripture, and raw emotion to reach hearts inside the church and beyond it. His work feels rooted in something lived rather than performed. That honesty, along with his spiritual conviction, gives his music a weight listeners can sense right away.
A devoted educator, army veteran, and proud servant of Christ, KING TYGUSS returns with one of his most commanding and spiritually charged releases so far, “Made For This Moment.” The single brings together hard-hitting modern drill production and an uplifting Gospel-centered message, shaping the track into a declaration of faith and a rallying call for believers walking in divine purpose.
At its heart, “Made For This Moment” celebrates spiritual awakening, identity, and victory through Christ. The song speaks to those who know they were created for a higher calling, soldiers for the Most High moving boldly through faith and purpose. With passionate lyricism and a firm, commanding delivery, KING TYGUSS reminds listeners that Christ gave His life for humanity, and through Him, believers can begin to understand why they were made and what they were destined to become.
Musically, the record carries as much range as its message. It is built on a dark, bass-heavy drill foundation that grabs attention immediately, driven by booming low-end percussion, sleek electronic drums, and eerie melodic textures. Even with that intensity, the instrumental leaves enough space for KING TYGUSS to move across the beat with sharp flows and magnetic conviction. From the opening moments, the hook locks into an anthemic energy that stays with you after the track ends.
As the song develops, “Made For This Moment” takes a surprising but natural sonic turn, shifting into a glossy, haunting early 2010s pop atmosphere that recalls the cinematic edge of Iggy Azalea’s “Black Widow.” Tense synth stabs, shadowy melodies, and polished electronic details blend smoothly with the aggressive drill framework, creating a dynamic listen that reflects the depth and urgency of the song’s spiritual message.
What makes “Made For This Moment” so impactful is KING TYGUSS’ ability to connect modern mainstream production with unwavering Gospel truth. He brings faith into contemporary sound without softening its message, creating music that feels spiritually grounded while still speaking clearly to today’s listeners.
The result is a soaring Gospel anthem for every soldier of Christ who has accepted the call to action. It is for those living boldly for Him, carrying His message each day, and knowing deep in their hearts that they were truly made for this moment.
With “Made For This Moment,” KING TYGUSS continues to show that Gospel hip-hop can be sonically inventive and spiritually transformative, offering music that inspires strength, conviction, and steady faith in a generation still searching for purpose.
Check this heartfelt tune below, add it to your favorite repertoire, and share it with other soldiers of Christ.