The Hempolics drops the visuals for their latest single ‘Bongadashi’ ahead of their upcoming second album Kiss, Cuddle & Torture: Volume 2’. The band will also support Toots and the Maytals farewell UK tour in May.
Bongadashi’, is the follow up to the upbeat soul and reggae mash ‘Play On’ and the trip-hop meets dub-influenced single, ‘Full of Surprises’, which saw support at radio from BBC 1Xtra’s David Rodigan, 6Music’s Steve Lamacq, Don Letts, Chris Hawkins and 6Music Recommends, BBC 6 Music Mix Tape with Tom Robinson and BBC Scotland’sVic Galloway.
In the words of the band’s mainman and producer Grippa Laybourne – who has previously worked in the studio with a variety of international top acts like Mattafix and Faithless – ‘Bongadashi’ is “a pure British reggae-funk stomper full of swagger and verve”. The song is about the inherent danger on the streets whether in London or Port of Spain in Tobago, the home of Hempolics collaborator Franz who lends the vocals to the track. “When fear comes out of the blue, when you’re walking down the street and someone starts on you not sure whether you’re safe or not on the streets – Bongadashi coming,” Grippa adds.
The Hempolics’ blend of Reggae, Hip-Hop, Dancehall and Pop has already been heavily supported across UK national radio by BBC Radio1, BBC 1Xtra, BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6Music, where the band had three playlisted singles. They went on to have 6Music ‘Album of The Day’ and were subsequently chosen by Liz Kershaw’s pick for ‘Album Of The Year’, after an impressive live session for Lauren Laverne.
‘Bongadashi’ is another stand out track and a statement of intent ahead of their forthcoming sophomore album and support slot on the Toots and the Maytals farewell UK tour in May, playing at O2 Academy in Bristol on Friday 15th May, London’s O2 Academy Brixton on 16th May, Leeds’ O2 Academy on Fri 29th May and Manchester’s O2 Apollo on 30th May.
LIVE DATES
April 10 – London – International Ska Festival
April 12 – Leeds – Hifi Club
April 17 – Southampton – Brook
LIVE DATES SUPPORTING TOOTS AND THE MAYTALS
Fri May 15 2020 – BRISTOL O2 Academy Bristol
Sat May 16 2020 – LONDON O2 Academy Brixton
Sun May 17 2020 – FROME Cheese and Grain
Fri May 29 2020 – LEEDS O2 Academy Leeds
Sat May 30 2020 – MANCHESTER O2 Apollo
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