In the second video of Travis Garland’s #TGtuesday‘s we have a cover of The Bieb’s smash song, “Love Yourself”. He introduced us to this weekly video series with his quite fantastic cover of Tori Kelly’s “Should’ve Been Us“, in which he flipped up the song and gave it smooth R&B feel.

I do have to say, I much prefer how he flipped up the Tori Kelly song, while this one he just kind of left it the same. It is hard for me to give my perspective on a cover like this because I actually prefer the song to sound like this, it is a track that just doesn’t really need to be touched, and that’s exactly what he did. He shows off his vocals in spots that the original didn’t, added some smooth harmonies and left it at that. I like it.

Nothing amazing, but he is definitely growing and finding his place and I’m a fan. I look forward to hearing more from the #TGtuesday series.

My artists to watch are making some serious noise already!

Here we have Dua Lipa give us some genuine pop magic, with “Last Dance”. This is one of those tracks that is just dance floor ready and is just an innocent pop track with a more mature sound.

Dua Lipa recently covered The Weeknd’s “The Hills“, and her vocal ability is really quite unique. Her career is just about to take off, and with her previous track, “Be The One” still on heavy rotation, there is definitely room for “Last Dance” on my playlist.

I need to update this post, because I have been reading up the controversy surrounding this video, so I need to somewhat retract my previous statement.

First off, let me start by saying that she, once again, stole parts of this video from a documentary titled, “That B.E.A.T”, in which the original creators did not give her permission to use. There is nothing new there, with Beyonce comes “borrowing”. I understand everyone does it, but the difference is, there was not even one mention of credit given.

Focusing on the song, it is fire. Beyonce knows how to cater to her audience and she does a damn good job at it. This is the anthem that was missing from Rihanna’s latest efforts. The lyrics are empowering, and all about being the best you and all that fun stuff.

However the video doesn’t really follow any of that. I kind of get where she went with it, but she tried to add all this controversy in the video, but the lyrics are not very controversial, at all. Images of sinking police cars and the little boy dancing infront of the police squad while the camera pans over the “stop shooting us”. These images don’t quite follow along with the lyrics, “If he f*ck me good I take him to red lobster”. I could be wrong, and I might just be missing something, but it just doesn’t make sense to me.

All of that being said, take each thing separately and she has created some serious magic. Put them together, and you kind of just have a confusing mess.

Correct me if I’m wrong, please!

This track gained my attention from its extremely talented producer, MNEK. I first heard of KStewart with her track,”Ain’t Nobody” but that track never really resonated with me. I think this was around the time Ariana Grande was hitting her stride and I made a comparison to her. I hate to make that comparison but at times you can definitely see the similarities. KStewart’s track is definitely a standout with a fun video, that will give you some serious 90’s Mariah vibes.

This track is definitely a smash, and I really hope she gets some recognition, because there is a lot of talent here.

There is has been so much going on musically, that it is hard to keep track of. I stay to true to my Artists To Watch, and give them every feature that I can because they are that good. All I want you to do is check out the note this talent hits at the 3:20 mark, and if that doesn’t make you want to rewind and repeat, you should just leave.

Check out Gallant’s duet with Jhene Aiko,”Skipping Stones” because that is another track that you don’t want to miss out on.

Serious talent here guys!

Just realized that I haven’t dedicated a post to Zak since I discovered his Gorgan City collaboration. Around 5 or 6 months ago, he gave us new music titled “Say Sumthing” which was produced by the talented KAYTRANADA.

My favorite thing about this track is this amazing vocal ability of Zak, but that is stating the obvious. The production is something else, with a booming drum line while Zak belts pours emotion for an unnamed love.

I need to keep a closer eye on this guy, there is a lot of talent here.

I don’t know about you, but this was one of the tracks from Katy B’s upcoming album Honey, that I was dying to hear. It just premiered on Annie Mac’s show a few minutes ago, and I can already tell this track is going to be huge.

“Who Am I” features two huge names, Craig David and Major Lazer. Katy B takes a different stand on what I expected, giving it a much smoother vibe. With the addition of Craig David and Katy B matching vocals together, it makes for a sweet and smooth R&B flavored track. It kind of sounds like modern day version of the Kelly Rowland and Nelly track, “Dilemma”. The Major Lazer production is easily heard and just helps Craig and Katy stand out even more. I can’t rave on this track anymore, just take a listen below!

I have been a huge fan of all three of these artists for quite some time now and I am so glad to hear them all on one track together. Katy B has a HUGE album on her hands, from her smash “Turn The Music Louder“, and now she comes back with this.

I have been patiently waiting for about 5 years for Katy B to come tour the USA, here is to hoping this track get’s worldwide recognition to give her the needed boost!

Team UK stand up!!!

One of our Artists to watch for this year has just released some SOULFUL fire in a mesmerizing duet with Jhené Aiko. They have stated that this track is specifically for those that are “feeling lonely on valentines day”.

All I really need to say about this track is in the first 30 seconds. Gallant shows off his impressive vocal range hitting that sexy falsetto note and letting it ride the rest of the track. Jhené’s smooth vocals are the best way to even out the powerhouse that is Gallant. This track has so much soul and r&b flavor behind it, and it is sure is definitely a smash!

It is a very rare thing when someone covers a track and it is on par with the original, and sometimes better. When covering a powerhouse like Tori Kelly, you definitely have to do your own thing because there is no comparison to her vocal ability.

Travis Garland doesn’t stray too far from a melody that made this song what it is. Instead he takes the recent Pop anthem and gives it a haunting R&B switch up, and it surprisingly works. There is something very appealing about his vocals on this track that I haven’t heard from him yet. The video behind the track is simple, and yet brings the track to life even more letting the production take it somewhere else.

I have to admit, I have been following Travis Garland’s career for quite some time, and he has only caught my attention a handful of times. (‘Clouds‘ and “When Does It Go Away“) There is no doubt, he has some vocals on him, and lyrically he has got it.

This is the first video in Garland’s #TGtuesday video series, and I am curious to see what he brings out next week!

I randomly stumbled on this track and instantly dived into it after seeing the very talented Sinead Harnett‘s name on it. I have to admit, I’m not too familiar with Nick Brewer, but after hearing this track, I will definitely do a little more research on the rapper.

‘Never Say Never’ gives a sort of Professor Green, Eminem and Sigma mix, adding a powerful hook by the very talented Sinead Harnett. Don’t start comparing him to either of those talents because from the couple of tracks I have heard from him, he is definitely in his own lane. Brewer gives us a more upbeat and dance flavored take on rap, creating his own style tracks. ‘Never Say Never’ has all he makings for a top 40 hit in the UK, although the USA isn’t ready for his man, that doesn’t mean there isn’t some serious talent here.

Take a listen to the fantastic track below! if it sparks your interest, after the jump I included a track that as soon as I heard, I loved.

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