We Speak Music

TIHANE dances with a Python in video for wildly alive new single ‘Throw It Back’

Published

10 months ago

June 27, 2025

Don Reed

“An absolute tune!”- Melvin Odoom, BBC Radio 2.

TIHANE’s debut album ‘The War on Love’ is a genre-blending journey that flips the classic love song on its head—featuring romance, rage, and resilience through a sound inspired by her Polynesian Croatian roots she calls ‘Indigenous Soul’. Blending vintage soul, hypnotic grooves, and electronic textures with raw storytelling, this album explores the mysteries of life, love and healing.

Co-produced by Segnon Tiewul and TIHANE, ‘The War On Love’ features vintage record samples and rich live instrumentation, bringing together artists and producers from across the globe—including Ghana, India, Bermuda, the UK, and the US—and blending genres from R&B and Neo-Soul to AfroHouse and World Fusion. One moment you’re in a smoky jazz room steeped in golden-era soul; the next, you’re dropped into a futuristic Afro House beat flip.

The first single from the album, ‘Throw It Back,’ has dropped on VEVO with a stunning visual of TIHANE wrapped in a python snake, Polynesian dancing in a lush jungle. The track, which has picked up BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music airplay, fuses exotic melodies with a strong beat and thick low end that feels sensually, spiritually, and wildly alive. Directed by TIHANE with cinematography/camera by Chris Oeurn, color grade by Cris Blyth and assistant camera operation by the song’s co-producer, Segnon Tiewul, the ‘Throw It Back’ video boasts a motley crew of adventurous creators who merge cinema with raw ceremony.

On the single, TIHANE says; “I hadn’t produced a track in years. But one day—mid-heartbreak—I locked myself in a studio and let the pain move through me. No plans. Just pure flow. It was raw. It was sensual. It was powerful. That was the moment I realized just how much of my power I’d been giving away—like so many women do. Performing love. Proving worth. Fighting to be chosen. This song became the sound of me remembering my own pulse. The lyrics came through fast, like they’d been waiting. A feminine force—both fierce and tender—took over. She wasn’t asking. She was commanding me: back into the body, back into pleasure, back into truth. Throw It Back might sound like a dance track—and it is—but it’s also ceremonial. It’s for anyone who’s had to move through ache… and figure out how to dance in that fire.”

TIHANE currently lives between Los Angeles and London, crafting sonic sanctuaries for those ready to feel again and rise again. The single and album follow the release of her track “Ain’t That A B!tch” last year, which got significant acclaim from Clash Magazine, EARMILK, CULTR, and more.

TIHANE’s powerhouse vocals have drawn comparisons to Amy Winehouse, Sade, Cleo Sol, and Adele—delivering the kind of soul you feel in your bones. From nostalgic melodies to her signature twist of rap-singing and percussion-driven drops, her sound is a dynamic force. She’s performed across four continents—from historic venues like L’Olympia (Paris) and Bush Hall (London) to cultural platforms like TEDx, Stamp The Wax, and BBC Introducing. Festival highlights include SXSW, Soho House NYC, Homecoming (South Africa), Nyege Nyege (Uganda), and Africa Nouveau (Kenya).

TIHANE’s debut album ‘The War on Love’ — an ode to radical tenderness— is both a personal testimony and a universal offering that invites listeners to feel deeply, move freely, and remember who they are.

Catch TIHANE performing at Pizza Express Live in London on July 22, 2025.

We Speak Hip-Hop

NY Rapper Kendu 718 Defines “Gritty” (Single & Exclusive Interview)

Published

10 hours ago

April 14, 2026

MJ Savino

Kendu 718 is taking over the scene with his latest single “Gritty,” produced by Juxx Diamondz of Back Block Music Group LLC. The NY rapper shows off his signature blend of storytelling and lyricism woven with slick metaphors. He’s simply writing bars and putting out heat; his deliverance though is aggressive and slightly intimidating; true NY style. Stream “Gritty” and get to know Kendu 718 in the interview below.

MJ: Before we jump into your new single “Gritty,” take a moment to let the world know who Kendu 718 is.

Kendu 718: Kendu 718 is someone who really lives what he talks about. I come from the pain of the ghetto—both my mother and father struggled with drug addiction, and growing up, all I saw was crime, poverty, and hardship. That was my environment. But through God’s grace, I was able to change my life. I left the streets behind 17 years ago, and I’ve been clean and abstinent from drugs and alcohol ever since.

MJ: When I think of gritty New York Hip Hop, you fit the mark. Define your lane in Hip Hop.

Kendu 718: I’m part of the culture, this isn’t something I picked up, it’s something I’ve lived. Hip-hop is a lifestyle, not just something you do in the studio. I’m not chasing trends or trying to fit into what’s popular. I represent authenticity, experience, and real New York energy. I’ve been doing this for years, and my lane is staying true to the essence of the culture.

MJ: Let’s talk about the new single “Gritty.” What can listeners expect once they hit play?

Kendu 718: The truth. Straight up. Real-life stories that reflect what I’ve been through and what I’ve seen in the streets. It’s raw, it’s honest, and it shows survival. When you hit play, you’re stepping into reality—no gimmicks, no filters. “Gritty” is my story. It’s everything I lived and everything I witnessed. But more importantly, it’s a message—just because we come from struggle doesn’t mean we have to stay there. We can grow, change, and build responsible, productive lives.

MJ: How did you link up with Juxx Diamondz and Back Block Music Group LLC?

Kendu 718: That connection goes back. I met Juxx through a mutual friend—rest in peace to the OG Benny Hill from Harlem, who managed both of us around 2011–2012. That foundation built real chemistry, and from there, everything developed naturally.

MJ: Can audiences anticipate a visual to “Gritty?”

Kendu 718: Definitely. Me and Juxx Diamondz are currently putting the treatment together now. The visual is going to match the energy of the track—raw, authentic, and true to the story.

MJ: What is next for Kendu 718? What are you currently working on?

Kendu 718: Right now, I’m working on my EP titled From God’s Mouth to Y’all Ears: The Sermon. It’s produced by myself and Juxx Diamondz, with additional production from SaulyOBeats, SkullzAngels, and my guy Dreadful Krueger. Everybody brought heat to the project. We also have some dope features on it.

MJ: Give audiences a little more insight into the sound and movement behind the project.

Kendu 718: We’re putting this out independently through Back Block Music Group, with distribution through Roc Nation. The project is a combination of strong lyricism, real-life storytelling, and powerful features. We represent that golden era sound—we’re keeping that foundation alive. And we’re always boots on the ground, staying connected to the people and the culture.

MJ: Let everyone know where they can find your music and stay connected.

Kendu 718: You can find my music on all digital streaming platforms. Follow me @Kendu_718 on Instagram to stay locked in. This is just the beginning—it’s going to be a hot summer. Peace.