by vivrant thang
It’s been all about the females. Time to give the men some love! Here’s an advance of this week’s Urban Thought Collective column.
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One of the great things about being a music blogger – or even a blogger in general – is that it brings all kinds of people into your circle. One of my favorite readers is from the UK and we have became fast friends and music-swapping buddies almost from the moment he first commented. I’ve discovered that some of the best music comes from overseas and he has truly put me on to some gems.
Recently, he put together his first mixtape and sent it my way. As I was grooving to his eclectic mix of soul, funk, electronica, house, and downtempo, there was one song I kept coming back to from an artist I hadn’t heard before. That automatically activated my detective skills and I set about finding out all I could about UK-based Leon King.
Before I even get to the music, I must mention how when I added Leon as a friend on Myspace, he responded back with a private note thanking me for the add and for appreciating his music. I love it when an artist is still hungry. That response, coupled with my instant affinity for his sound, got him moved to the top of my list of artists to spotlight.
Music is in Leon’s blood. His father is a musician with crates just ripe for digging. From an early age, he was exposed to artists like the incomparable Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, Prince, and D’Angelo. At the tender age of 3, he was already aware of music’s effect on the soul and learned to play nursery rhymes on the piano. By the age of 5, he was playing the guitar and started professionally sitting in with other artists at 15.
Today, artists like like Bilal, Eric Roberson, Vikter Duplaix, and J*Davey are in heavy rotation on his playlists. If this is the flavor in his ear, it’s not a surprise that I was digging his style from first listen.
Listen to Digital Church
Listen to Knowingness
Although he is currently unsigned, he is grinding away on the independent scene. He told Straight No Chaser, “If you’ve done a real piece of work that stays true to you as an artist, and your deservedly happy then a major label steps in and signs you then great, you can get that large awareness and exposure, but how often does that happen? The opportunity is there to be heard but you really do have to be pro-active and make that happen, put yourself about!”
His EP will be available this year and he has already started work on two other EPs. Visit his Myspace page to hear more of his music and keep up with news about future releases. Leon King is definitely one to watch.
As always, share your thoughts about his music in the comments.
I’ve used one of his singles in my podcast. Love the tone of his voice.
Hey, hey, hey … i’ll be gettin a big head if u aint careful
Leon King was an artist i stumbled across via myspace (I regularly trawl through artists ‘friends’ lists to see what’s about). He is a very promising talent and i can’t wait for the EP.
There are a lot of UK (and US) artists working the scene hard but very few are getting the recognition they deserve. Even fewer are able to get label support to release material. If it wasn’t for sites like this & SB (and all the other wonderful blogs on the right) then these artists would remain virtually ‘unknown’.
Love his voice, the lyrics and music. He’s excellent. Thanks for the intro. My list is getting longer and longer.
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Great sound! It is so true about the amount of great music coming from overseas! This is my first time on your blog, and I really enjoy it. If you like him you might want to check out a guy name J. Most too…seriously soulful music.
Does any know or have the official lyrics for ‘Digital Church’?
I DO! : )
As good as my 1st tea in the morning
Cocooned in my covers stretching yawning
So grateful for this gift of life seems like i don’t Have to try
You and i will reside like atlantis
Flowing through seas and regardless of frantics
You give to me what i aim to be
With possibilities brought endlessly
I look up to the moon reflections on my mind
Lighting up the world reminding us of where we are
Knowing your not far
Because your my shooting *
I look up to the clouds drifting steadily
With certainty you can provide for me
My thoughts i see visions in my mind
They all come true thanks to you ; )
One word can open up your heart
One glance can tell you who you really are
The world in me is spiritual higher than chemical
One touch and you can feel the pain
One thought and you can feel right as rain
The world in you will lead to truth..
These are the making’s of you
As true as my 1st feeling of real love
A feeling there’s somewhere beyond skies up above
We know more than we think we do
Trust in yourself will help you too
A sense of peace in the worst state possible
More power in you then you thought was logical?
You make me strong when i need to be
Then suddenly all my fears are freed
X