A look back at The KISS Hype Chart celebrating Black History Month
Dedicated to black artists smashing it in the music scene right now, from the UK, US, Africa and beyond!
Last updated 16th Feb 2022
On Wednesday 20th October 2021 in celebration of Black History Month, the KISS Hype Chart paid homage to Black artists in a very special show!
Presenter Tinea Taylor pressed play on some of her favourite Black artists in the scene. Plus she caught up with some of our KISS family including Big Zuu, Davda, Rude Kid, Henrie, Shortee Blitz, AJ King and Swarzy, to hear about the artists they’re loving right now too!
Check out their curated playlist for BHM below...
1. Princess Cuts - Headie One feat. Young T & Bugsey - (Chosen by Tinea)
2. Ex for a Reason - Summer Walker feat. JT - (Chosen by Tinea)
3. War Outside - Kojey Radical feat. Lex Amor (Chosen by Shortee Blitz)
"His rise over the last five, six years has been phenomenal. He's on his way to being a household name." - Shortee Blitz
4. Ginger - Wiz Kid feat. Burna Boy (Chosen by Henrie)
"Absolutely incredible song. I think that 100% gives the essence of what it is to be Nigerian. Whenever I listen to it, I just feel so proud of the country that I come from, I love it so much and especially during Black History Month. Burna Boy being from Brixton as well repping both homes, absolutely love to see it!" - Henrie
5. Chosen - Blxst feat. Ty Dolla $ign & Tyga - (Chosen by Tinea)
6. Crazy Tings - Tems (Chosen by Swarzy)
" An incredible artist. Her new EP 'If Orange Was A Place' has been on reload in my house, and I cannot get enough of this track called Crazy Tings. She is definitely someone to keep your eye on. Tems is killing it, going from strength to strength. - Swarzy
7. Roadside - Mahalia feat. AJ Tracey - (Chosen by Tinea)
8. Woman - Little Simz feat. Cleo Sol (Chosen by AJ King)
"She goes in with the bars basically she shuts it DOWN elegantly, she's got Cleo Soul on the chorus who's vocals are so so dope and seems to have had enough talent left over to direct the video as well!" - AJ King
9. Lazarus - Dave (Chosen by Big Zuu)
"He's been absolutely killing it!"
10. 2055 - Sleepy Hallow - (Chosen by Tinea)
11. Badman - Skillibeng (Chosen by Davda)
"Right now Dancehall wise he's definitely running things and I say Dancehall but he's also doing Trap and the Drill, a bit of everything. This song is by no means new but right now, if you play this in a dance is crazy scenes!" - Davda
12. My Sister - Shaybo feat. Jorja Smith (Chosen by Tinea)
13. Good Hearts - Ghetts feat. Aida Lee (Chosen by Rude Kid)
"Not only do I feel he's one of the best artists in the UK but I believe he is one of the best artists in the world." - Rude Kid
14. In Between (Kooldrink Remix) – Hamzaa (Chosen by Tinea)
Our KISS Fresh station is all about supporting upcoming fresh talent. Check out some of the freshest young names in music that should be on your radar if they're not already! Including Tems, Koffee, Backgoad Gee and more HERE!
Black History Month is an opportunity to educate and learn about Black heritage. Check out Tinea's chosen most powerful books to read HERE
What is The KISS Hype Chart?
The KISS Hype Chart is a show on KISS hosted by Tinea Taylor that counts down your favourite 20 KISS tunes, including the important number 1, with the coolest artists and the big news happening in the music world right now.
When is The KISS Hype Chart?
The KISS Hype Chart takes place every Monday to Thursday from 7pm on KISS.
How I can listen to The KISS Hype Chart with Jack Daniel's?
Tune into The KISS Hype Chart hosted by Tinea, every Monday to Thursday from 7pm on KISS. Listen via FM or DAB Radio, KISSFMUK.COM, Smart Speaker ("Play KISS FM") or the free KISS KUBE App. Download the KISS KUBE App HERE!
KISS Presenters share the importance of Black History Month:
Swarzy Macaly - KISS & KISS Fresh Presenter
"What impact has black culture had on your life?"
Black culture is multifaceted and yet I believe Joy and Resilience are two key attributes of black culture that continue to shape my life. The joy I find in laughing with others despite the struggle, and joining in with the collective resilience - past and present - to keep on keeping on fills me with much hope.
"Who do you want to CELEBRATE this Black History Month? And why?"
I want to celebrate my MUM! She's bossed life throughout the pandemic and lockdown, and I'm so proud of all she's achieved. From listening to my Breakfast Shows on KISS to watching all my interviews and events online, my Mum has supported me ever since I first touched a mic in Year 7! Her strength and resilience inspires me and so my Mum is a huge reason for why I'm celebrating #BlackGirlJoy as part of Too Much Source 2021.
Tyler West - KISS Presenter
"Does Black History Month feel different in 2021? If so how?"
It feels different because we've had so much time in the last year to reflect. It feels like as the world opened back up, so has thoughts and conversations that needed to be happening 🖤
"What impact has black culture had on your life?"
Black culture is the everyday. Whether it be the music, the food, or any of the blessings we experience every day, it's in my DNA. It makes you so open to the idea "there's more to this life" you just need to let it in.
"Who do you want to CELEBRATE this Black History Month? And why?"
I want to celebrate my close ones. The ones who have spoken up and helped raise awareness when there's no one around, the ones who take time to educate and understand but also appreciate black history month the same as I do.
Kaylee Golding - KISS Fresh Presenter
"Does Black History Month feel different in 2021? If so how?"
I think many people and companies were emotionally charged by the horrific murder of George Floyd last year, and that inspired many people to get involved in Black History Month. Now over a year on, it can feel like people have forgotten that black lives still matter, and we need the same energy for Black History Month 2021 as we did in 2021. So I really urge people to continue to celebrate our black heroes, continue to educate themselves and those around them, and most importantly to continue to conversation on equality!
"What impact has black culture had on your life?"
It's very easy for me to say I'm half black so of course, black culture impacts my life that way. But realistically, even if I had no black descent at all black culture would still impact me. Like first off, the Windrush generation helped to rebuild this country. Without that, we have no idea what the UK would have looked like. Black culture has influenced music so heavily. Of course, I love black music, from rap to RnB, to afro-beats to dancehall. But even if that wasn't my music preference, black culture has had an influence on so many genres such as dance and pop music. And finally, I don't think I could go a week without having some form of Caribbean food. For me, it really is the best. I am so proud that to have black heritage.
"Who do you want to CELEBRATE this Black History Month? And why?"
I want to celebrate Phyllis Akua Opoku-Gyimah also known as Lady Phyll. She is the co-founder of UK Black Pride. And black pride is an event that I am able to celebrate both my sexuality and my ethnicity. It's easy for people to think they have to be celebrated separately when they really don't and Lady Phyll showed us that! I think with black history month we focus on US icons, which is great but we also need to celebrate our black UK icons, that are putting in the work RIGHT NOW. And Lady Phyll has provided a safe place for thousands of Black British LGBTQ+ people here in the UK.
Daisy Maskell - KISS Fresh Breakfast Presenter
"What impact has black culture had on your life?"
I think people are finally starting to realise the importance of educating and celebrating black history all year round as opposed to just doing so throughout the month of October. We have taken so much from black culture and benefitted from it in so many ways, it's about time we recognise this and start to give back.