B.O.T.A. quenched the UK’s thirst for sun-kissed dance classics
10 songs that defined 2022: Underground DJs Eliza Rose and Interplanetary Criminal scored an unlikely chart-topper.
Music
Burna Boy’s Last Last was this year’s bittersweet summer anthem
10 songs that defined 2022: With a little help from Toni Braxton, the African Giant stole our hearts.
100% Mercury: the Atlanta rapper who’s obsessed with Queen
The free-spirited artist takes inspiration from Kid Cudi bars, bad moods and Bohemian Rhapsody.
Skillibeng: “I’m the greatest dancehall artist of my era”
His red-hot fusion of dancehall and rap has provoked pride, and not a little alarm, in his home country of Jamaica. Now, 2022 has seen Skillibeng go global – taking his tunes and charm on the road.
How Doja cemented Central Cee’s global stardom
10 songs that defined 2022: The London rapper’s provocative hit was tailor-made for virality.
100% Bonnie Kemplay: the Scottish musician turning melancholy into gold
The UK’s top emerging artist (according to BBC Radio 1) talks sad music, winding up her dad and taking a cautious approach to astrology.
No FACE, No Case: Meekz is Manchester’s unstoppable rap star
The masked artist dropped one of this year's hardest mixtapes: Respect The Come Up.
Music-washing: why are international acts performing in Qatar?
Massive musicians have flocked to the desert to perform around the World Cup, bringing an intense ethical debate into sharp focus.
The best new tracks, picked by our staff
RATED BY THE FACE: A playlist featuring Pharrell & Travis Scott, PinkPantheress, Meekz and Nia Archives.
100% Louis Culture: the UK rapper with a taste for experimental beats
We quizzed the South Londoner about pad thai, rainy days and intense massages.
Say goodbye to Brockhampton
After a turbulent eight years, the hip-hop boy band has dropped their final album.
The best music T‑shirts to buy as Christmas gifts
Here’s where to buy bootleg band tees, stylish merch and vintage gems.
The best new tracks, picked by our staff
Rated by THE FACE: a playlist featuring Yunè Pinku, Wizkid, Lolahol and Kam-Bu.
Arlo Parks refuses to stay broken
After she cancelled shows earlier this autumn for the sake of her mental health, we joined the singer in Iceland for the final gig of her 18-month tour – and found a woman exiting one stage, ready for the next.
100% Bambii: the Toronto club legend launching her new phase
We quiz the DJ-turned-artist about free raves, peach cobbler and working with Kelela.
The best new tracks, picked by our staff
Rated by THE FACE: a playlist featuring Ice Spice, Bar Italia, DBN Gogo and K-Trap & Skepta
100% Maeve: the seductive and haunting songwriter
Following the success of her 2021 EP, the Cayman Islands-born musician has a fresh project up her sleeve. We sat down with her to talk Aretha Franklin, lentil dahl and digging for vintage finds.
Best DJ mixes: sleazy electro, spooky dub techno and Hessle Audio’s greatest hits
Chal Ravens’ column collects the best sets that have dropped in recent weeks.
Calendar girls: the pop icons who own seasons
Sad girl autumn belongs to Taylor Swift, Mariah Carey owns Christmas and hot girl summer... Well, do we really need to spell it out?
Listen to Sherelle’s DJ set from ABRA’s party
An impressive line-up assembled during spooky season at The Standard London.
The best new tracks, picked by our staff
Rated by The Face: a playlist featuring Wizkid, SZA, LSDXOXO and pinkpirate.
100% Mavi: North Carolina’s free-flowing hip-hop hero
Following the release of his intimate new album, Laughing so Hard, it Hurts, Mavi gives us the lowdown on his favourite cocktails, the importance of spending time alone and the secret to making the best fried rice.
What happens when band members hook up?
As pop-punk trailblazers Paramore return, complete with a new romance within the line-up, is the curse of “bandcest” a thing of the past? Or are those just, ah, rumours? A writer with personal experience reports.
Listen to THE FACE’s podcast with Neneh Cherry & Tyson
In Episode Three of Face-to-Face, the mother-daughter duo chat about family unity, nostalgia and the Buffalo collective.
