The Hempolics tease more new music with ’Bongadashi’, the third cut taken from their upcoming second album ‘Kiss, Cuddle & Torture: Volume 2’, planned for release in April 2020 through their own record label Zee Zee Records via Kartel Music Group. The band will also support Toots and the Maytals farewell UK tour in May.
Due for release on 31st January, the single 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’s Vic 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, which will take in nine dates starting on Friday 15th May at O2 Academy in Bristol, before heading to London’s O2 Academy Brixton on 16th May and ending at Manchester’s O2 Apollo on 30th May.
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
Wed May 20 2020 – SOUTHAMPTON Engine Rooms
Fri May 22 2020 – CARDIFF Tramshed
Wed May 27 2020 – CAMBRIDGE Junction
Thu May 28 2020 – NORWICH UEA
Fri May 29 2020 – LEEDS O2 Academy Leeds
Sat May 30 2020 – MANCHESTER O2 Apollo
Vandala Magazine 