#ESPspotlight REVIEW: 'MOST WANTED' EP, LAUGHTA

This young lady is set to release the first project to pique my interest in UK Hip Hop in the last six months. 23 years young; Lebanese MC and Actress Laughta is set to unleash her 5-track, sophomore EP, 'Most Wanted' this coming Monday, 24 June.

Having had more than a few listens over the last few days - whether intentional or not, what rings most clear, is how well she hits specific audiences in each of the tracks on the list.

Available from Monday via Laughta's bandcamp account

From the opening strains of 'Tool', the sound is unmistakably British, with LONDON FIRE stamped throughout each broken beat. Establishing her sound as a borderline Grime contender with a difference; the first track is an Independence Anthem / two-finger salute to the ex who took her for granted before he realised her obvious potential. There's no mistaking Laughta's 'great energy and unique, quirky sound', as described recently by fellow artist Lady Lykez. The first of several catchy hooks, you can imagine this one blaring out of car stereos everywhere.

'Hard At Work' was never a more apt title. The track showcases a rap skill, and lyrical prowess that proves this lady is nothing to laugh about. Tailor-made for homegrown airplay; one can only hope Laughta gives serious consideration to submitting this to every radio station in the lands ruled by Old Elizabeth. Was I too subtle with that one, or was the hint sledghammer-worthy?!

'What'ya Looking At' is a refreshing change of pace that, despite the calm tone of her delivery, lets you know she's no lightweight; not in her chosen musical genre, or her everyday encounters. A nice Summertime track with good production from Str8face, Laughta's cheekily comedic, storytelling abilities serve well for the scenario-favouring audiences like myself.

'Love Me Or Leave Me' is the 'take a stand' tale that begins reminiscing about the good ole days of young, new love, before the object of your affection gets a little too comfortable. Where 'Tool' marked Laughta's generic territory musically, 'Hard At Work' established her skill level amongst her peers and 'What'ya Looking At' showed her temperate versatility whilst also touching on her storytelling abilities; in 'Love Me Or Leave Me', Laughta fully focuses on drawing you into the tale she's telling, until her memory becomes one of your own. Another catchy hook, this one stays in your head hours after you've finished listening.

Title track 'Most Wanted' is a good battle jab for this early stage of her career. Fully sold on the infectious character that dominates throughout; her simple similes imply nothing but the promise of progression that you fully expect her to realise by the inevitable next project.

Although this outing could have benefited well from another 2-3 tracks to strengthen the overall body of work, the precise selection of songs that showcase some of her best selling points are the obvious reasons why, when it comes to the current UK Rap game? #LaughtasMostWanted.

The 'Most Wanted' EP by Laughta is out this Monday, via bandcamp. Connect with her via Social Media (Facebook / Twitter) and, to catch her at her very best, make sure you come down to the Queen of Hoxton on the 24th July at 7PM for her first official launch party.

Click through for more details!

Make sure you Stay Tuned to this very blog for more news and reviews coming your way this week!

Until the next!
ES ;)

#UPCOMINGEVENT: LAUGHTA, 'MOST WANTED' EP RELEASE, QUEEN OF HOXTON, 24TH JULY

There's only one venue worth being at come 7pm on Wednesday, 24th July, and that's the Queen of Hoxton, for the official EP launch party for one of the brightest new talents to come out of North West London in quite some time.

Fresh off supporting US Rap heavyweight Joe Budden at his London show in March; Hip Hop MC Laughta will celebrate the long-awaited release of her second Independent EP, 'Most Wanted', as part of the High Bar Nation collective. Support on the night will come from fellow artists, Str8face, Charm, Gamal Artist, Lady Lykez, GhettoLuv, Kitty Rose Cummings and Aaron 'Roach' Bridgeman, of SB:TV fame, to name but a few....

Tickets are available in advance from the Resident Advisor website, or pay more on the door.

For more information and the latest news, be sure to follow Laughta on Facebook!

I've got my ticket - see you there!

ES ;)

UPCOMING EVENT: Not Another - Queen Of Hoxton, 2nd May

‘Not Another’
Industry Showcase

@ Queen Of Hoxton, Shoreditch (Basement)
  
Thursday 4th April
(1st Thursday of the month)
7pm-12am

Hosted by 1Xtra’s CJ Beatz

£5 concessions notanother@rockthebelles.com

Not Another is a live music sound clash featuring the most current, fresh and exciting UK acts and musicians as you have never seen them before live on stage at Queen Of Hoxton. Hip-Hop MC’s, jazz musicians, turntablists, vocalists and many more explosive one-off performances! Be blown away by the hybrid of genres on stage that you won't see at any other live music night.

Line-up

Live

Cameron SBV www.youtube.com/user/CameronSVB

Alex Phillips www.facebook.com/AlexRVPhillips

Cyko Logic www.soundcloud.com/cyko-logic

Jay Prince www.jayprince.bandcamp.com

Laughta www.soundcloud.com/laughta 

DJ Emily Rawson will be on the decks. She is one of the UK’s most in demand Djs and promoters. She has recently dj’d and curated stages at festivals including BBC Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend, The Camden Crawl and Lovebox. 2012 has seen guest mixes for BBC Radio 1Xtra, a feature in Time Out as ‘Meet The Resident’ and playing in New York alongside legend Rich Medina as well curating and dj-ing an event at The Box NYC with Underground shoes. She was recently invited onto a the BBC World Service to speak about Women in Hiphop.  She has just dj’d for in invite only show for Grammy award winning Eve at Shoreditch House. www.mixcloud.com/djemilyrawson

Hosted by 1Xtra’s CJ Beatz www.cjbeatz.net

Concessions / advance: £5 notanother@rockthebelles.com / £6 on the door

Times: 7pm-1am

Address: Queen Of Hoxton (basement), 1-5 Curtain Road  London, Greater London EC2A 3JX

Contact: hello@rockthebelles.com / www.rockthebelles.com / www.twitter.com/notanotherldn

'Not Another' #UPCOMINGEVENT...7TH FEB

'Not Another'

@ Queen Of Hoxton, Shoreditch

Luke Bingham // Charlie Brown // Rufio Summers // Jody Brock

Hosted by 1Xtra’s CJ Beatz + VERY special guest  

DJs Emily Rawson & Lisa T  

Thursday 7th February (1st Thursday of the month)

£5 concessions www.rockthebelles.com 

Not Another is a live music sound clash featuring the most current, fresh and exciting UK acts and musicians as you have never seen them before live on stage at Queen Of Hoxton. Dubstep to Hip-Hop MC’s, jazz musicians, turntablists, vocalists and many more explosive one-off performances! Be blown away by the hybrid of genres on stage that you won’t see at any other live music night.

Hosted by CJ Beatz BBC Radio 1Xtra www.cjbeatz.net 

Charlie Brown www.facebook.com/charliebrownLDN Newly signed to Universal, Charlie Brown is a singer, song-writer with an already affluent catalogue of collaborations. Having started his career as a writer, Charlie Brown’s soulful melodies and pop-sensibilities quickly provided him with an exciting reputation, and a highly sought-after name. Already a well-established face and name within the industry, he’s collaborated with several UK artists including Tinchy Stryder, Professor Green, Alphabeat, Dionne Bromfield, Wiley and Jay Sean. Charlie’s new single ‘On My Way’ is already getting airplay on 1Xtra with the video not even released yet – watch out for this one! 

Luke Bingham www.facebook.com/lukebingham.co.uk This incredible singer/songwriter is signed 2 Universal Publishing and 3Beat Records. The 23 year old from Leicester has worked with the likes of Sway on his track Gemini. Basically think all the members of JLS moulded into one man!

Rufio Summers www.facebook.com/OfficialRufioSummers Passionate and alluring, Rufio Summers is a New School Blues artist with a difference. He captures audiences with his soulful vocals and sexual live energy, luring them back again and again. His writing style is reminiscent of Musical legends such as Paul Rodgers and D’Angelo but it his soulful, husky voice that gives him the edge so present in his music 

Jody Brock www.facebook.com/jodybrockmusic Jody Brock is a quirky 20 year old singer/songwriter from South West London. As a child Jody was mesmerised by the soulful sounds and voices from artists such as Donny Hathaway, Etta James, James Brown, Lauryn Hill and Nina Simone. The raw emotion, the dark warm tones and husky growls established by these great artists can all be found within Jody's sound among many other inspirations from the gen...res of rock, blues and jazz. Jody is a passionate songwriter and performer, who has already had the pleasure of working with many talented, established writers and producers. Writing about his own experiences in a way that others can relate to emotionally, is what motivates Jody the most. As a BRIT school graduate he hopes to follow in the footsteps of previous successful Alumni such as Amy Winehouse, Adele, and Jessie J. 

Emily Rawson www.mixcloud.com/djemilyrawson DJ Emily Rawson is one of the UK’s most in demand female Djs & promoters. Fresh from playing at BBC Radio 1’s Hackney Weekend, curating & hosting festival stages including The Camden Crawl & Lovebox, she has just got back from a stint spinning in NYC where she supported NYC hiphop legend Rich Medina, and has done a guest mix for BBC Radio 1Xtra. Emily was also featured in Time Out as ‘meet the resident’ In April.

Lisa T www.mixcloud.com/lisat keep your eyes on this upcoming female DJ - already bagging herself a weekly residency at Fabric (Mondays), a regular at Rock The Belles (Notting Hill Arts Club) and Not Another resident - her sets have the ears of the underground - known for debuting the freshest new talent blended with old school vibes that will take you back to THAT place.

 + VERY special guest

Concessions / advance: £5 hello@rockthebelles.com / £6 on the door

Times: 7pm-1am

Address: Queen Of Hoxton, 1-5 Curtain Road  London, Greater London EC2A 3JX

Contact: hello@rockthebelles.com www.rockthebelles.com  www.twitter.com/notanotherldn