Yo! Majesty is an American hip hop group consisting of rapper Shunda K and singer Jwl B. Rapper. Shunda first met gospel singer Jwl in a club - their fitting philosophy is ‘church in the morning, club at night’.

With the group members being openly Lesbian and Christian you know you are in for an interesting controversial listen and maybe this is what keeps this group ‘real’ and strong.

Yo! Majesty was mentioned as one of the ‘Top 11 new bands of 2008’ by NME magazine as well as one of the ‘25 Most Exciting Bands In America’. Don’t Let Go is their brand new single taken from their debut LP, Futuristically Speaking... Never Be Afraid. The message is that of soldiering on through adversity.

There are 4 mixes on this single all worthy of ‘play’ time. First there is the 'Radio Edit (Clean)'. This single has a good beat, electro, vocals, melody; it’s just a good all rounder. I love that these girls mix it up with harsh rap to both smooth and edgy vocals. The passion they feel and have is certainly portrayed in this single.

The 'DJ NG Radio Edit (Clean)' is a deeper and darker remix but doesn’t lose any of its styling. It’s funky, fast and the bass is pure. Thirdly, Leo Yo Yo Greenslade and Alex Phountzi put the 'Greenmoney Mix' together. This mix is funked up, ‘inna’ London Style, with a cool beat and bass to die for.

My favourite remix is the 'A1 Bassline Radio Edit'. With a hand clapping rhythm opener, Christian Shank has made this mix a lively go lucky offering. With a hyperactive electro playing through this track he has made this version that of pure fun and playfulness.

I challenge anyone to not be able to tap, at the very least, their foot to this single. It’s hip-hop for the future and I look forward to hearing more from these gals.

10

Helena Rea