We Speak R&B
Notorious B.I.G. producer and co-writer’s new project Short Wave Craft drop modern trip-hop anthem!
Short Wave Craft is a joint collaboration between legendary producer Dominic Owen (Biggie Smalls, Rakim, Seal, Anthony Hamilton, Lil Kim) and underground musician, Tom Carr.
The duo offers clear undertones of soulful R’n’B and Dream pop in their work and after a successful previous single and debut EP are ready to drop ‘I Need You Tonight’ a modern trip hop anthem to strengthen the resolve of mankind after the recent battering of the last few millennia. The duo explains, “It began at the height of lockdown. The song itself and its overriding melodies, are an anthemic cry out for human connection, in times of separation. We were inspired by the idea of infusing traditional trip-hop elements with sprinkles of soul, gospel, and blues.”
Despite the initial inspiration for the track, it has an absolutely positive direction, and the duo go on to explain, “We purposely developed it around continuous movements towards crescendos throughout the music. We wanted it to sound iconic and expansive. There are electronic components, though as always with Short Wave Craft all the main instruments are played live by real musicians. We worked remotely between London and Bristol, sending parts back and forth until the musical narrative was established. After digging up on old blues sample where the man in question calls out ‘I Need You Tonight’ it became immediately clear that this was the marching call that the music needed. We then brought onboard a selection of female vocalists and gospel singers to create a ‘call and response’ platform, complementing his melody line. The fusion of ‘I Need You Tonight’ was complete.”
Short Wave Craft previously got their last single and debut EP ‘Panties & Pickles’ onto some niche YouTube channels that have close to a million subscribers between them and after seeing all the amazing comments in the chat board threads knew they were onto something, and felt inspired to take things to another level in 2023 as they build upon the initial success and reach an even wider audience.
They believe their sound will certainly please fans of artists such as Massive Attack, Portishead, Tricky, DJ Shadow, Air, St. Germain and the likes of Moby, Groove Armada and Morcheeba.
Their overall sound is unique to them however and is the evolution of the pair’s split time between Bristol & London, where they’re deeply plugged into the independent music scenes in both cities, bringing onboard an eclectic range of artists to contribute to their music. Short Wave Craft is a duo at heart, though with a collective mentality and spirit. The incredible history of one half of the duo Dominic Owen is nothing short of legendary having been in Brooklyn at the height of the golden age of hip hop, where in 1993 his musical home became High Class Productions in Brownsville, Brooklyn where he became head engineer and producer. At this infamous studio many of the 90’s Hip Hop legends like Notorious B.I.G, Rakim, Busta Rhymes, M.O.P. Raekwon and AZ would pass through, as well as future R&B giants Anthony Hamilton and Angie Stone. With this sort of legacy and his new partner in crime Tom Carr, Short Wave Craft are clearly building a new wave of unique trip hop, combined with soul and dream pop that is sure to keep 2023 fully hyped as they prepare to come through with a further EP and full length album.

We Speak Music
EZ Papi Releases “Naked”: a Dark and Vulnerable R&B Slow Burner
EZ Papi leans fully into vulnerability on “Naked”, a moody and emotionally raw R&B single that trades excess for atmosphere, delivering a late-night confessional soaked in tension and honesty.
Built around soft, atmospheric production and restrained vocal delivery, the track unfolds slowly, pulling listeners into its dimly lit world rather than demanding attention outright. There’s a quiet intensity running through the record, with EZ Papi balancing emotional openness against controlled, understated songwriting.
What makes “Naked” stand out is how personal it feels. Originally written years ago during a period heavily influenced by The Weeknd’s darker sonic era, the song has since evolved into something more reflective and self-defined. Instead of sounding like imitation, it now feels like an artist reclaiming his own voice.
Blending touches of early 2000s R&B, Afro-Caribbean rhythm, and modern alternative pop textures, the single creates a sound that feels both familiar and intimate. EZ Papi’s vocal sits front and center throughout, giving the lyrics room to breathe and making every line feel direct and conversational.
More than anything, “Naked” feels like a turning point for an artist stepping away from chasing placement or expectation and fully embracing his own identity. The result is a smooth, emotionally exposed release that proves subtlety can hit just as hard as spectacle.
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