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Globe-trotting producer and rapper J-Hoon documents life in Hong Kong on sophomore hip-hop album, Noodles II
The 14-track album serves as a love letter to the beauty and grime of his hometown in the time of socio-political uncertainty and conflict
Known for his critically acclaimed work as an experimental hip-hop producer and a drummer for iconic Filipino bands Kjwan and Kapatid, Hong Kong-based beatsmith and rapper J-Hoon stages a comeback with the release of his sophomore album, Noodles II.
In his 14-track release, J-Hoon documents a decade of witnessing social instability, chaos, and fear in his hometown, Hong Kong—a city that has struggled to retain its degree of independence up until now. The eclectic, hip-hop-driven album also sees the multi-hyphenate share his personal observations on life and culture in general with no filter, as he goes back and forth between Hong Kong and several places/cities miles away from his home.
“Lyrically, it’s a collection of stories, commentaries, and musings about my experiences living in Hong Kong,” said J-Hoon. “You could say that it’s my love letter to the bustling city, a poetic unravelling of its beautiful and ugly side amidst the crumbling terror of political conflict. It’s also diarist in tone and very much contemplative; I didn’t know that I would be this brave to open up about my encounters in life, where stories and emotions sometimes get the best of me. Writing, for the most part, is cleansing and healing, and I really had a great time doing this exercise in my convenient time.”
Noodles II shows J-Hoon’s more collected take on hip-hop, boom bap, jazz, trap, neo-soul, IDM, and electronic music. There’s a looser feel to his musicality, and the songs are palpably more unhinged as compared to his debut offering. But what makes Noodles II a compelling record is its knack for intimacy and free-spirited energy, exploring music across genres, eras, and places with a more playful direction.
“This time around, I moved on to Ableton and MPD from AKAI,” shares the multi-cultural hip-hop head. “The approach is very much different from my debut as I’m more inclined to embrace less complex structures, and more of that classic hip-hop format. Also, I am playing real keys in some songs in this album, so that’s new. The overall vibe is reminiscent of the kind of analog and lo-fi hip-hop that I grew up with. But instead of making something more polished, I’ve tried to retain that raw, carefree attitude in this album.”
Noodles II follows the format of Noodles I, J-Hoon’s debut album released more than a decade ago. His sophomore outing features collaborations with several Asian producers, including Manila’s very own Chi Capulong and Justin De Guzman (JDG), Guangzhou’s Pete Chen, and Seoul’s Noden and Chillingcat. J-Hoon also collaborated with rappers and MCs from different parts of the region, like Guangzhou’s Rebelman, Kuala Lumpur’s Noyz134 and Hour Tan, Tokyo’s So Wada, Hong Kong’s Mattforce, YoungQueenz, and MouseFx from SensiLion.
As J-Hoon describes the collaborative nature of Noodles II, “in a way, all these experiences and characters constitute a bowl of Noodles where you have the broth and noodles, but it also has various ingredients, cultures,and sauces coming together to bring in a new but familiar flavor.”
Last month, J-Hoon released the soulful jam “Lei Ho Leng,” where he raps about chasing perfection at the expense of tarnishing the light in one’s heart or what is known as “real” beauty. Over soulful keys and dusty, vintage grooves, the Hong Kong-based rapper-producer delivers a bop of sumptuous subtlety and class. Other highlights in the album include “Paradise,” a song written during a tumultuous period in his life living in a troubled city while moving places; the Yehaiyahan-featured track “Reality,” which serves as a reflection of our realities across different places and continents; and the jazzy “Modern Li Bai,” which is a homage to the legendary poet of the same name.
“Noodles II” track list
1. Lei Ho Leng 妳好靓 feat. Rebelman
2. War feat Noyz 134/ Hour Tan
3. Modern Li Bai (remix) feat MattForce & YoungQueenz
4. Reality feat Yeheiyahan
5. Genie
6. Do the right thing
7. Education feat MouseFx Sensil
8. Paradise
9. Flower
10. First Day
11. Take It Back feat So Wada
12. Lifeline feat Pete Chen
Bonus:
13. Reality ( Sogoloo 松果龍 remix）
14. Reality (Delf remix)
J-Hoon’s Noodles II will be out on August 9, 2023 on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
Source: Nyou
Turkish DJ/Producer Mahmut OrhanAnnounces his New Single ‘Ederlezi’!
Listen/Stream here: https://lnk.to/ederlezi
Renowned Turkish-born DJ and producer Mahmut Orhan is once again pushing boundaries with his latest single, ‘Ederlezi’. Following the success of his recent releases, ‘Redemption’ & ‘Cutting Ribbons’, which showcased his venture into the darker side of electronic dance music, Mahmut is now venturing even further, creating a body of work that promises to be both sonically outstanding and accompanied by a unique live show experience.
Mahmut Orhan’s previous hit single, ‘Feel’, released in 2016 garnered an impressive 500 million+ combined streams across various streaming platforms and YouTube. The track achieved top ten chart positions in Greece, Luxembourg, and Poland, while also reaching the top 100 in Turkey, Germany, and Romania - a remarkable achievement by any measure.
Continuing his streak of success, Mahmut Orhan released the collaboration ‘6 Days’ with Colonel Bagshot in 2018, which also climbed the charts in several countries. The single secured number one positions in Turkey, Greece, Romania, and Serbia, further cementing Orhan’s reputation as a rising talent. His achievements have not gone unnoticed, with features in prestigious publications such as GQ Turkey, Billboard, and Dancing Astronaut.
Most recently, Mahmut Orhan joined forces with pop duo SOFI TUKKER on their hit album ‘WET TENNIS’, contributing to the track ‘Forgive Me’. The album has been a major success for SOFI TUKKER, with ‘Forgive Me’ showcasing Orhan’s production skills. Additionally, Orhan’s remix of SOFI TUKKER’s popular track ‘Swing’ has garnered over 12 million streams.
With the release of ‘Redemption’ & ‘Cutting Ribbons’, Mahmut Orhan embarked on an exciting new chapter in his career as a musician based in Los Angeles. The singles setting the stage for a series of unique and forward-thinking future releases that will continue to captivate audiences. The new direction runs in tandem with a stunning live show which Mahmut Orhan and his team have created.
As 2023 unfolds, Mahmut Orhan prepares for a thrilling year filled with multiple releases leading up to a busy summer/fall schedule. Fans can anticipate Mahmut to bring his enticing performances to the world throughout these months.
Listen/Stream here:
Follow Mahmut Orhan Here:
Source: Blackstar
James Arthur showcases grit, emotion and raw edge in new single “Blindside”
Following his recent return with new music, singer-songwriter James Arthur today serves up a superb offering in new song ‘Blindside’. Watch the Tim Mattia-directed video HERE.
‘Blindside’ is James at his very best, featuring a killer, top-down driving chorus and another belter of a vocal. Of the track, James comments, “Blindside is a song I’ve wanted to write for years, about falling in love with the right person at the wrong time. It’s an energetic song with a sad lyric and it really suited this new rawer style I was after.”
The anthemic single also comes with a visual helmed by Tim Mattia. The MV director shares, “Blindside is such a raw and emotional track, and when James and I spoke about how it came to be written, and the meaning behind the lyrics, I immediately knew we had to capture some epic performances from him, carrying on with the Americana feel of our previous video for ‘A Year Ago.’ We tied in a series of dramatic and emotional narrative scenes, showing the sudden loss of love in relationships, and a scene in which James gets literally more and more bloodied and bruised as the song progresses - the physical embodiment of his emotional pain.”
James recently received the BRIT Billion award which celebrates surpassing one billion career UK streams. Presented to him live on BBC’s The One Show, the award puts him in elite company, alongside recipients including ABBA, Anne-Marie, Coldplay, Ellie Goulding, George Ezra, Lewis Capaldi, Mariah Carey, Rita Ora, Sam Smith & Whitney Houston.
The Middlesbrough-born, recent Brit Billion-certified artist has scored 4 top 10 albums, with 2016’s Back From The Edge hitting the Number 1 spot and over his career has collaborated with the likes of Anne-Marie, Sigala, Rudimental, Marshmello and many more.
James is one of the world’s biggest streaming artists, with over 37 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone. ‘Say You Won't Let Go’ became his breakthrough hit in the US. It was officially the UK's most streamed song in 2016 and has gone on to be enjoyed via 4 billion streams while the song's official video has achieved 1.5 billion views on YouTube. Earlier this year, the track became his first RIAA Diamond Single with 10 million certified units – making James one of just 100 recipients of an RIAA Diamond Single certification in the programme's history.
Other huge hit singles include: ‘Impossible’, ‘Can I Be Him’, ‘Sun Comes Up’, ‘Naked’, ‘Empty Space’, ‘Rewrite The Stars’, ‘Falling Like the Stars’, ‘Train Wreck’ and ‘Lasting Lover’, which are all certified platinum records. The song Cars Outside is currently becoming another global hit for James.
Back from the Edge was released on October 28, 2016 and entered the UK Albums Chart at #1. James’ last album, 2021’s It’ll All Make Sense In The End, was a lockdown project recorded at home that leant heavily on programmed beats. Playing it live he found himself tweaking the songs to give them an organic band feel.
James Arthur is currently in the studio working on a new record.
James Arthur’s “Blindside” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
Source: Nyou
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Halle rises above the noise on debut single “Angel”
The ‘Little Mermaid’ star delivers a powerhouse vocal performance on top of orchestral arrangements and silky, R&B groove
Global superstar Halle makes a splash with the release of her debut single “Angel.” Produced by GRAMMY® Award-winning producer, songwriter, and composer Theron “NeffU” Feemster (Michael Jackson, Justin Bieber, Ne-Yo), the track weaves a cinematic soundscape with a R&B groove punctuated by orchestral arrangements. This backdrop highlights her skyscraping range as the powerful, provocative, and passionate lyrics captivate, “Heaven knows your wings can weigh you down, but angels make a way somehow.” After the widespread conversation around The Little Mermaid, “Angel” offers a reflection on Halle’s commitment to empower and uplift young women around the world, “but if we fall, we fall on clouds.” Listen to the anthemic track HERE.
The track arrives with an exquisite official video directed by Wendy Morgan (Alicia Keys, Janelle Monae, Lous AndThe Yakuza), watch HERE. “Angel” made its global premiere on BET Soul, BET Her, MTV Live, MTVU, MTV Biggest Pop and across MTV’s global network of channels, as well as on the Paramount Times Square billboards.
“This song for me is so very special and near and dear to my heart,” says Halle. “With everything I’ve gone through the past 3-4 years, suddenly finding myself in this bubble of all these eyes and new opinions, it was easy for me to feel doubt in myself and who I was. This song for me was my climb out of those feelings, a mantra and promise to myself that the work I’m doing here on earth matters and that I matter. I wanted to be able to embrace and be proud of myself and who I am naturally through and through. I hope other brown and black girls and everyone in general feel embraced, respected, and inspired hearing the words of this song.”
Halle shines as a four-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated multiplatinum singer and songwriter, show-stopping performer, and dynamic actress across film and television. She initially captivated audiences as one-half of the acclaimed R&B duo Chloe x Halle alongside her sister Chloe Bailey. The pair delivered two fan favorite full-length albums, including The Kids Are Alright [2018] and Ungodly Hour [2020]. The latter bowed in the Top 20 of the Billboard 200 and Top 3 of the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Chart in addition to yielding the platinum single “Do It.” Along the way, they notably gathered four GRAMMY® Award nominations, including “Best New Artist.” Beyond magazine covers and television performances, they ignited the stage during the On The Run II Tour co-headlined by Beyoncé and Jay-Z. Simultaneously, Halle landed a recurring role on the hit Grown-Ish as Skylar “Sky” Forster before breathing new life into Disney’s 2023 live-action blockbuster reimagining of The Little Mermaid. Next up, Halle stars in the remake of The Color Purple in the classic role of Young Nettie Harris. Produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, and Quincy Jones, it opens in theaters everywhere this fall.
FOLLOW HALLE
Website | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok | Discord
Source: Nyou
Doja Cat recreates personal paintings in “Paint The Town Red” music video
GRAMMY award-winning global superstar Doja Cat releases her new single and music video, “Paint TheTown Red” today via Kemosabe Records / RCA Records. The music video was directed by Nina McNeely (Miguel / Fergie) and Doja Cat and was shot in Los Angeles, CA. The video is based around three paintings that Doja Cat designed, each one of the scenes in the video is a recreation of the paintings. Last month, Doja Cat painted the single artwork on her Instagram Live as she chatted with fans and previewed her new song.
This is the first official single from Doja Cat since she announced her first North American headline tour, The Scarlet Tour beginning this fall with special guests Ice Spice and Doechii. Previously, Doja Cat dropped her track and video, “Attention” via Kemosabe Records/RCA Records to mass critical acclaim with Rolling Stone calling it “scorching.” Doja Cat was also featured on the cover of V Magazine last month for “The Global Music issue.”
Earlier this year, Doja Cat was featured alongside label mate, SZA on the remix of her #1 Hot 100 song, Kill Bill. On the remix track, Doja Cat received high praise for opening the song with a badass rap verse, followed by SZA’s original chorus; Billboard proclaimed “Doja’s inclusion on the track injects a new excitement: the superstar opens up the remix with detailed rap storytelling.” She also was named one of TIME100’s Most Influential People of 2023, where she graced the cover of one of the four global TIME Magazine April issues as well as being recognized as an honoree and performing at the exclusive TIME100 Gala.
About Doja Cat:
GRAMMY award-winning global superstar Doja Cat made her first upload to Soundcloud in 2013 at just 16 years old. Having grown up in and around the LA area, she developed a knack for music by studying piano and dance as a kid and listening to the likes of Busta Rhymes, Erykah Badu, Nicki Minaj, Drake, and more. Signed to Kemosabe/RCA Records in 2014, she released her Purrr! EP and followed that with her debut album Amala in spring 2018, but it was her August 2018 release of “MOOO!” which catapulted her into the mainstream and was met with critical acclaim.
Doja Cat released her sophomore GRAMMY-nominated platinum album Hot Pink in November 2019 to mass critical acclaim; the album has garnered over 6 billion streams worldwide. It features “Streets”, the viral sensation that soundtracked the ‘Silhouette Challenge,’ one of the biggest TikTok trends to date and her GRAMMY-nominated #1 smash record “Say So” which has been RIAA certified 6x platinum and catapulted Doja into global superstardom.
With over 20 billion worldwide streams to date, Doja’s creativity and showmanship as a performer have been praised time and time again, she has delivered unique and show-stopping performances on nearly all the major Award Show stages and music festivals throughout the world. Doja Cat’s GRAMMY award-winning album Planet Her came out in June 2021 and dominated the charts, debuting at #1 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart and #2 on the Billboard Top 200 and Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and generated the highest first day Spotify streams for an album by a female rapper. GRAMMY award-winning “Kiss Me More” ft. SZA, the lead single off Planet Her is certified 5x platinum by the RIAA and hit #1 at Top 40 and Rhythm radio with over 2.2 billion streams worldwide. That fall, Doja Cat became the first rapper to have 3 songs in the Top 10 at Top 40 radio. Last year, “Woman” went to the top of the Billboard Rhythmic Airplay charts which ascended her to become the first women to have four #1 hits from one album, other hits including “You Right” with The Weeknd and “Need to Know.” She went on to land at #1 on the Billboard Artist 100 chart for the first time. Amongst others, Doja has won 5 AMAs, 5 Billboard Music Award, 3 MTV VMAs, 3 BMI Awards, 2 MTV EMAs, 1 GRAMMY Award and 1 NAACP Image Award along with garnering a total of 16 GRAMMY Award nominations. Additionally, Doja has been nominated for 20 Billboard Music Awards, 10 MTV VMAs, 9 AMAs, 9 BET Awards, 8 MTV EMAs, 5 BMI Awards and dozens more. Most recently, Doja was named one of TIME100’s Most Influential People of 2023 where she was featured on the April cover issue and performed at the TIME100 Gala in New York City.
Buy/Stream “Paint The Town Red”:
Multi: https://dojacat.lnk.to/pttr
YouTube: https://dojacat.lnk.to/pttr/youtube
Source: Nyou
STEVE AOKI, KAAZE, AND JOHN MARTIN RELEASE ANTHEMIC SINGLE “WON’T FORGET THIS TIME”
Listen Here: https://steveaoki.lnk.to/WontForgetThisTime
2x-GRAMMY-nominated artist and producer Steve Aoki and Swedish producer KAAZE team up to soundtrack festival season with their latest collaboration “Won’t Forget This Time,” featuring anthemic vocals sung by John Martin (the voice behind Swedish House Mafia’s hit singles “Save the World” and “Don’t You Worry Child.”) Aoki dropped the big progressive house track during his recent MainStage headline performance at Tomorrowland 2023, where he was joined by KAAZE and John Martin. “Won’t Forget This Time” continues to be a highlight of Aoki’s summer sets as he makes his way across the European festival circuit.
Steve Aoki on the collaboration: “‘Won’t Forget This Time’ is a powerful fusion of emotions and melodies, crafted to ignite the dancefloor and leave a lasting impression on festival-goers. Teaming up once again with KAAZE and John Martin, we aimed to create a track that resonates with the spirit of festival season, taking listeners on a memorable musical journey.”
KAAZE shares: “I wanted to find that emotional touch for ‘Won’t Forget This Time.’ Steve and I had the exact same vision for the song when we started working on it. It’s like you could dance and cry at the same time. And John Martin really outdid himself this time.”
John Martin adds: “This is a song reminding us to be grateful for the precious moments in life. Stay present and keep your heart open for the magic.”
“Won’t Forget This Time” marks the second time Aoki, KAAZE and Martin have collaborated on a track together. Last year, all three artists linked up on “Whole Again,” a euphoric soul-searching anthem featured on Aoki’s HiROQUEST: Genesisalbum. One of the defining moments of the album, “Whole Again” captured the multitudes of feelings that many of us have experienced over the past few years. On “Won’t Forget This Time,” Aoki, KAAZE and Martin pick up where they left off, gifting fans another emotion-fueled dancefloor classic.
Source: Blackstar
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Kai Buizon delivers on the promise of her debut with new single “Kaibigan Lang”
The promising singer-songwriter expresses her thoughts on friendship, first love, and the blurred lines that overlap in the relationship
Breakout singer-songwriter Kai Buizon reflects on the blurred lines between young romance and friendship in her new single, “Kaibigan Lang”—out today via Sony Music Entertainment.
Inspired by a conversation between two friends, the folk-pop track depicts the innocence and uncertainty surrounding first love and its exciting yet confusing form.
“This confusion usually happens in ‘first love’ scenarios because you aren't really sure what love is the first encounter you have with it,” the young artist clarifies. “Your natural course of action is to question the way you feel when it finally does happen. The song explores this narrative further as the lyrics portray a conversation between two friends, where one is in love with the other and tells them so. The feeling is unrequited, though. So, the friend decides to pretend that the confession wasn't a serious one. It was all a joke. They were willing to hide how they really felt if it meant saving the friendship and keeping things the way, they were.”
Kai Buizon penned “Kaibigan Lang” during the height of the pandemic, when she was attending online classes in high school. The feeling of missing out on a "normal" high school experience led to daydreaming sessions (which would spiral into nervous thoughts), where she would think of possible scenarios when face-to-face classes start again: confessing her feelings to a boy she likes and eventually getting friend-zoned for whatever reason.
“The lyrics lean towards more of a coming-of-age theme than a love song,” Kai shares. “It’s more about figuring out how you feel as you process unfamiliar emotions or situations.”
The result, as expected, is nothing short of mesmerizing. Kai delivers on the promise of her debut with delicate vocals swirling atop guitar-pop chords and lighthearted arrangements, channeling the likes of Gracie Abrams and Laufey with youthful naivete. There’s tenderness in the song that is characteristically Kai from front to back, never afraid to showcase innocence and vulnerability at all costs, while speaking from a place of earnestness.
The track was produced by Ean Aguila (Ang BandangShirley) and Karl Lucente (Mandaue Nights, Honeydrop), with creative input from Kai herself and Brian Lotho. As Kai puts it, “Furthering the nostalgic factor even more, I have Mr. Aguila (lead vocalist and guitarist of Ang Bandang Shirley) and Mr. Lucente to thank for helping me capture the early 2000s OPM vibe that I'd envisioned for the song.”
Kai Buizon’s “Kaibigan Lang” is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment. The young singer-songwriter will be opening for Gary V’s BACK AT THE MUSEUM live concert series at the Music Museum on August 4, 12, 19 and 26, 2023.
Source: Nyou
Sponge Cola finds connection in uncertain times on ninth studio album, Hometown, Part 2
The anthemic pop-rock album includes focus track “So Close,” featuring award-winning pop singer Morissette
Filipino alt-rock outfit Sponge Cola has officially dropped their ninth studio album, Hometown, Part 2 via Sony Music Entertainment.
Embracing the anthemic immediacy of their 2022 outing with newfound warmth and restraint, the four-piece band’s latest album proves to be a vital example of how music can be a therapeutic outlet for expression and healing. The new collection of songs also sees the band exploring themes of triumph over adversity, resilience, and unfulfilled relationships. It also serves as a continuation of the band’s full-length album, Hometown—released in December 2022.
As lead guitarist Armo Armovit describes it, Hometown, Part 2 is all about finding connection in uncertain times. “We explored new ways of expressing familiar feelings with renewed perspectives incorporating different production elements, arrangement choices, and improvedapproaches to performance.”
The title also speaks for itself, serving as a continuation of one’s story, much like coming home to rest after a long journey and staying an extra weekend to reset. The record’s songwriting, on the other hand, was inspired by the members’ collective and individual fascination with K-drama and documentaries, as well as first-hand experiences with real-life events.
Drawing a lot of inspiration from pop and electronic elements, the 19-track album is produced by constant collaborator Joey Santos of Love One Another Studios, who has worked with some of the biggest and most underrated Philippine acts, including Ang Bandang Shirley, syd hartha, Coeli, and more.
Armo explains, “Joey Santos did a great job crafting the treatment for songs and dressing them in colors and styles that best express the message. The process was very organic and natural.”
Hometown, Part 2 is accompanied by the release of its focus track, “So Close,” which features pop singer Morissette. The song was specifically penned by Yael Yuzon, and tackles the story of two people who have built a deep connection over time, but whose relationship never really progressed into something that could last a lifetime.
“It's a song that took me 20 years to write,” shares vocalist and guitarist Yael Yuzon. “Inspired by Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez and The Unbearable Lightness of Beingby Milan Kundera, So Close talks about the possibility of a mirage in our poetic memory, a ‘what if’ that may have been nothing more than a light radiating from a dead star. We might just be romanticizing things.”
Other songs in the album include previous releases“Labis-labis,” a soaring tune that puts a uniquely captivating but relatable spin on the ‘love song’ format;“Hometown,” a grungy pop track with electronic texturesand a catchy chorus; and “Siguro nga,” a pop-rock ballad based on a character study of a popular K-drama character.
Track list:
1. Hometown
2. Alamat (MLBB 5th Anniversary Theme)
3. Kung Ako ang Pumiling Tapusin Ito
4. Lumipas Ang Tag-araw
5. Laman Ng Panaginip
6. Labis-Labis
7. Siguro Nga
8. JAIRAH
9. Kung May Oras Ka
10. Signal #4
11. So Close (feat. Morissette)
12. Champions
13. In the End
14. Labis-Labis - Acoustic
15. Kung Ako ang Pumiling Tapusin Ito (Remix) (feat. Matthaios and Clien of ALLMO$T)
16. Kung Ako ang Pumiling Tapusin Ito - Acoustic
17. Siguro Nga – Acoustic (feat. Kai Honasan)
18. Siguro Nga (TMAC's lo-fi Mix)
19. Laman ng Panaginip – Acoustic
Sponge Cola’s Hometown, Part 2 is out now on all digital music platforms worldwide via Sony Music Entertainment.
The pop-rock outfit will be officially performing the songs off their new record with an on-ground album launch in Eastwood City Central Plaza on August 12 from 6 pm onwards. Admission is free!
Source: Nyou
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ADB, Georgia Capital Partner to Issue Sustainability-Linked Bond, Largest of its Kind in Region
TBILISI, GEORGIA (3 AUGUST 2023) — The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Joint Stock Company Georgia Capital (GCAP) partnered to issue GCAP’s inaugural sustainability-linked bond. As a strategic investor, ADB provided foundational support to adopt this innovative instrument. This is ADB’s first subscription to a private sector sustainability-linked bond.
GCAP’s total issuance of $150 million with a 5-year tenor is the largest bond listed on the Georgian Stock Exchange and the largest sustainability-linked issuance in Georgia and the Caucasus, to date. ADB will invest $16 million, and the proceeds will be earmarked for refinancing renewable energy and education investments, and for financing corporate measures to achieve the group’s sustainability-linked key performance indicator.
“This investment builds on ADB’s commitment, as Asia and the Pacific’s climate bank, to develop capital markets in ADB’s developing member countries through innovative and path finder issuances, especially in the climate and sustainability space,” said ADB Director General for Private Sector Operations Suzanne Gaboury. “ADB’s long-standing partnership with GCAP provided the opportunity to propose the issuance of this sustainability-linked instrument. The sheer size of this issuance and the healthy private sector demand it managed to generate, is expected to spur further climate-related bond issuances in Georgia and throughout the Caucasus region."
Sustainability-linked bonds are forward-looking, performance-based debt instruments with climate-related objectives that are measured through predefined key performance indicators and are assessed against sustainability performance targets. Second-party opinion on the credibility of bonds issued was provided by Sustainalytics, based on the issuer’s sustainability-linked bond framework which is aligned with the International Capital Markets Association’s Sustainability-linked Bond Principles.
This issuance is critical to GCAP achieving its goal of being net zero in its operations by 2050. A key feature of the sustainability-linked bond is GCAP’s commitment to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2027 compared to the 2022 baseline. This will also support Georgia’s commitment under the Paris Agreement to reduce GHG emissions to 35% below 1990 levels by 2030. This landmark transaction has mobilized an unprecedented $83 million of private sector investors for a Georgian-listed corporate bond.
“Georgia Capital has pioneered corporate commitments to net zero, and we continue to support our country’s efforts to transition to a carbon-neutral economy,” said Georgia Capital Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Irakli Gilauri. “This bond will also support the development of the local capital market and promote the use of sustainable finance instruments and standards in the region. It will enhance our financial flexibility and provide an opportunity to continue with substantial deleveraging. We are thankful for ADB’s support and look forward to further collaboration on climate investments.”
GCAP is one of the largest private investment companies in Georgia. Its diversified portfolio includes investments and operations in banking and insurance, health care, renewable energy, water utility services, education, and housing and hospitality. Georgia Capital PLC, the parent company of GCAP, is listed on the London Stock Exchange. ADB and Georgia Capital’s portfolio companies have worked together in several transactions since 2019.
ADB is committed to achieving a prosperous, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable Asia and the Pacific, while sustaining its efforts to eradicate extreme poverty. Established in 1966, it is owned by 68 members—49 from the region.
Source: ADB
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Oh, Flamingo!, Ena Mori, The Itchyworms, and more to represent the Philippines in AXEAN Festival 2023
Now rebranded as AXEAN Festival, Southeast Asia’s leading music showcase platform will take place in Singapore from October 28 to 29, 2023
Six (6) Filipino music acts will be performing at this year’s AXEAN Festival, Southeast Asia’s premier collaborative showcase festival happening in Singapore on October 28 to 29 at Goodman Arts Centre in Singapore!
Filipino alt-rock icons The Itchyworms and critically acclaimed band Oh, Flamingo! will be joining Ena Mori, Alisson Shore, obese.dogma777 and LONER as the country’s representative to the second edition of the music festival.
Formerly known as ASEAN Music Showcase Festival, the newly rebranded AXEAN Festival will feature and attract networking opportunities with notable international talent buyers from Asia and the rest of the world.
Birthed in 2020 as a virtual music showcase festival, AXEAN Festival launched into the “real world” in 2022 and became an internationally recognized platform, bringing regional artists to the global music stage. With the announcement of the 2023 iteration of the festival, the organisers are taking the opportunity to re-introduce the festival with its new name – AXEAN Festival.
Festival co-founder Piyapong ‘Py’ Muenprasertdee explains, "Despite our different languages and customs, Southeast Asia is a region rich with historical heritage and shared cultures and identities. Colloquially, the term '"ASEAN" (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) is often used interchangeably with "Southeast Asia" due to reasons including the spoken language of its people, signifying the sense of unity we have as a region. After 3 successful editions, we want to make a statement of our commitment to elevate Southeast Asian music onto the world stage by renaming our event 'AXEAN Festival', with an 'X' symbolising our core values of collaboration and crossing borders, whether physical, lingual or cultural, while also inviting artists and fans from all corners of the world to celebrate and share their music with us!"
This first wave of artists performing this year is headlined by Shye, Reality Club, The Itchyworms, KIKI, and Oh Flamingo!. The event will also host performances from Singaporean pop artist Jean Seizure, Thai R&B artist Flower.far, Indonesian singer-songwriter TANAYU, and many more exciting artists.
AXEAN Festival is Southeast Asia’s first intraregional music showcase festival, an annual event that springboards Southeast Asian music onto the world stage held physically in Singapore with 2 main elements: a music showcase festival and business networking events.
Its inaugural edition was organized by 5 participating countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. It was held virtually via live video streaming of pre-recorded performances in September 2020, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, as an initiative to help regional artists stay connected with their fanbase and gain international fans. The goal was to encourage artists and their teams to look beyond the pandemic and prepare for future export and international touring opportunities by being performance-ready and meeting with music business professionals from all over the world.
The second edition was again organized online in 2021, but joined by 2 additional countries: Cambodia and Vietnam. In 2022, the third edition was its first live edition, held in Singapore and jointly organized by the 7 countries with Laos added to its upcoming 2023 edition.
The Wave 1 lineup of artists performing at AXEAN Festival 2023 in alphabetical order is as follows:
ABANGSAPAU - Singapore
Alisson Shore - Philippines
DVY - Indonesia
Ena Mori - Philippines
Flower.far - Thailand
H 3 F - Thailand
inch - Singapore
Jean Seizure - Singapore
Jessla - Indonesia
KIKI - Thailand
KWAN - Cambodia
Limebócx - Vietnam
LONER - Philippines
Mantra Vutura - Indonesia
Minh - Vietnam
motifs - Singapore
Nick. - Cambodia
obese.dogma777 - Philippines
Oh, Flamingo! - Philippines
Polarix - Cambodia
Rangkai - Indonesia
Reality Club - Indonesia
San - Cambodia
Shye - Singapore
TANAYU - Indonesia
The Itchyworms - Philippines
THINH SUY - Vietnam
Vũ Thanh Vân - Vietnam
Zweed n' Roll - Thailand
Get your tickets here: axeanfestival2023.peatix.com
Source: Nyou
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Calvin Harris heats up the club with Sam Smith-assisted banger “Desire”
Calvin Harris has released his new single “Desire” with Sam Smith. This marks their third collaboration following the success of “Promises” which spent six weeks at no. 1, and “I’m Not Here To Make Friends” which Calvin produced off Sam’s album Gloria earlier this year.
“Desire” follows on the heels of Calvin’s Platinum-selling single “Miracle” with Ellie Goulding, which spent eight weeks at no. 1, 16 weeks in the OCC Top 3, and has garnered over 2 million global single sales and 320 million streams globally across all partners.
The summer anthem has received critical acclaim upon its release, contributing to the powerhouse duo’s success as collaborators working at the crux of dance and pop music crossover. Billboard praised “Desire” for delving “deep into the trance realm” and for incorporating the “squiggly synth line” that gives the song a “very late-night club vibe.”
The song was previewed in the past few weeks by Calvin during his live performances in Ibiza over the summer. Fearlessly exploring ‘90s rave with contemporary electronic elements, Calvin Harris has once again tapped his hit-making potential with another banger that will surely elevate the genre to another exciting level.
Calvin Harris and Sam Smith’s “Desire” is out now on all digital music platforms via Sony Music Entertainment.
Source: Nyou