We Speak Indie Artist
Tony Shades Impresses With “Nightmare Fuel”
Fast-rising electronic DJ/producer Tony Shades has returned with his anthemic new single, “Nightmare Fuel”. Starting with a subtle hypnotic electronic beat that slowly builds throughout, the six-minute track features vocalist Jessie Westreich and will no doubt have listeners transfixed as it reaches its atmospheric climax. The track builds on Tony Shades’ growing momentum in the electronic scene following previous successes “Go Gaga” and “Far From Home”.
Speaking further on the new release, Tony Shades says, “‘Nightmare Fuel’ is about the place the mind can sometimes end in when struggling to achieve your goals or find your best self. It’s about the feeling of knowing those emotions always inevitably come to the surface at some stage in one’s journey.”
Born and raised in Switzerland, and originating from a drums and cello-playing background, Tony Shades actually never expected to become an electronic DJ. In fact, he wanted to be a hip-hop artist and studied live sound engineering and music production in Los Angeles. However, he became disillusioned with this dream when he felt that some rappers were sending negative messages to the youth. Surreptitiously in 2019, he met and immediately bonded with two electronic music producers, who showed him the ropes and fuelled his journey in the electronic scene. Having released several successful singles already, “Nightmare Fuel” is shaping up to be his biggest release yet and marks him out as one to watch.
“Nightmare Fuel” is available to buy/stream now on all platforms: https://lnk.to/eUef2uNG.
Keep up to date with the latest from Tony Shades:
North London’s 4t9 isn’t just stepping into the UK rap scene – he’s kicking the door wide open with his debut single, “Freedom”. Blending hard-hitting drill beats with motivational lyricism, 4t9’s arrival feels bold, intentional, and impossible to ignore. While drill music often leans on themes of street life and bravado, “Freedom” carves out its own lane, focusing on self-belief, focus, and determination.
From the opening bars, 4t9’s delivery is sharp and direct. His tone carries a hunger that feels authentic, as he weaves between gritty observations and personal affirmations. The hook – “It’s been about freedom, it’s been about racks” – becomes a powerful mantra, embodying 4t9’s belief in chasing success on his own terms. There’s no reliance on empty bravado here; instead, 4t9 taps into the mindset of someone who’s faced challenges but refuses to let them define his path.
His verses showcase a knack for clever wordplay. Lines like “In Paris riding the metro / I’ve been wavy from the get-go / I still compete and I get gold / That’s the 9 on me like Crespo” highlight his ability to blend cultural references with sharp storytelling. He paints pictures of grind and grit, but it’s always laced with a forward-thinking attitude.
The track’s production matches this energy, with a brooding instrumental that balances dark, rolling basslines with crisp percussion. It’s the kind of beat that demands attention, creating the perfect backdrop for 4t9’s powerful delivery. Meanwhile, the track’s structure keeps momentum high, with the hook acting as a grounding point that ties the themes together.
Adding to the track’s impact is its visually striking music video, directed by ODXC. The visuals mirror the song’s intensity, capturing 4t9’s commanding presence as he delivers each bar with conviction. The sleek visuals, combined with the track’s unrelenting energy, make “Freedom” feel like a real statement piece.
With this debut release, 4t9 shows he’s not here to follow trends – he’s here to create his own lane. His blend of raw authenticity, sharp lyricism, and motivational energy makes this debut impossible to overlook. If “Freedom” is just the starting point, there’s no telling how far 4t9’s ambition will take him.
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