Image: The Roots

 THE ROOTS – “WHEN THE PEOPLE CHEER”

The ever-prolific Roots are releasing their 11^th album, And Then You Shoot Your Cousin, with this track being the first single. Listeners can’t help but to focus on the lyrics, which are both troubling and sincere.

 M+A – “PAPER PLANES (M.I.A. COVER)”

This cover is drastically lighter than the original, using layered vocals and minimal piano (instead of gun shots) for a dreamy reinterpretation of M.I.A’s biggest hit. 

ZHU – “PARADISE AWAITS”

ZHU combines his soothing voice with a funky, percussive beat to mold this upbeat and catchy track, foreshadowing the release of his EP The Nightday on April 20^th.

JHAMEEL X DWNTWN X GIRAFFAGE – “MOVE ME”

This collaborative effort, created by California-based Giraffage, DWNTWN and Jhameel, features conversational male and female vocals over poppy, avant-garde production that reflects each artist’s individual style.

SHURA -” TOUCH”

This song is as delicate in subject matter is at is on the ears. Up-and-comer Shura sings about seeing an ex for the first time in years, and her inability to process both the past and present emotions.