{"title":"Children Of Zeus","description":"\u003cp\u003eManchester-based soul project from [a=Konny Kon] (one-third of [a=Broke 'n' English]) and [a=Tyler Daley] (aka [a=Hoodman] from [a=Body Roq]).\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-story-so-far-2","title":"The Story So Far","description":"\u003cp\u003eKonny Kon \u0026amp; Tyler Daley met back in 2005, after both performing a show near Paris in their respective crews, Broke'N'£nglish and Body Roq. The duo met up back home in Manchester, spurred on initially by a mutual admiration of each others music, and produced their first track together, aptly entitled 'Coming Home To You'. A few years later, Tyler approached Konny about producing a full EP together. These sessions included the creation of a track called 'Still Standing', which ultimately saw the light of day last Summer on First Word. Still a highlight in their live sets, the Lenzman rub won \"Best Remix\" at the 2016 Drum \u0026amp; Bass Awards. The original has become somewhat of a British Soul anthem since its release, with people that missed it first time round still clamouring for it on wax. So we've included it on this EP. As they've grown within the family of Manchester's music scene, they've provided a tonic to the city's bass-orientated club scene, breathing Soul back into the city, whilst maintaining their heritage of Hip Hop swagger. As an MC, Konny takes no prisoners, whilst Tyler (a prolific MC in his own right) has gained a rep as one of the UK's strongest Soul voices. Both artists have been blessed with the talent of beat-making. A combined craftsmanship upon the boards and in the booth. From building a grassroots following of fans, they've since travelled the globe, sharing stages with giants and catching the ear of peers far and wide, from Pete Rock to Zed Bias. As well as hosting their own monthly radio show on NTS, they've collaborated with numerous Hip Hop acts, both sides of the Atlantic, as well as Soul royalty in the form of Caron Wheeler and Drum'n'Bass legends, such as Goldie (Tyler featuring heavily across his latest album). Children of Zeus have finally begun the process of crafting together their debut album. This EP is a compilation of the creations the duo have produced themselves over the past decade, put together to appease their loyal followers thus far, and as an introduction to those yet to discover their talents. A snapshot of what has been, and a mere taster of what's to come. It features brand new tracks such as 'Smoke With Me' and (vinyl-only cut) 'Tonight', the anthemic 'Crown' (featured on First Word's 'Two Syllables' compilation previously) and fan favourites such as 'No Sunshine Tomorrow' and 'Push On'. A collection of raw, gritty, Hip Hop Soul music. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black 12\"","offer_id":50417371611467,"sku":"1019240","price":10.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/b207194d-d469-425c-8d1e-800b10fc0167_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726727724"},{"product_id":"travel-light","title":"Travel Light","description":"\u003cp\u003eIt's been a long road leading to this album for Tyler Daley and Konny Kon. They first embarked on their expedition into the music game two decades back - Tyler entered the scene as a songwriter, producer and vocalist, originally under the moniker Hoodman, whilst Konny began MCing, DJing and beat-making for hip hop crews The Microdisiacs and Broke'n'English, along with DRS \u0026amp; Strategy. To date, Children of Zeus have released three sell-out singles on First Word ('Still Standing', 'I Can't Wait' and 'Slow Down') and a compilation EP comprised of tracks made by the duo over the last decade entitled 'The Story So Far…' (included for the very first time on CD, as a special limited edition bonus disc with this album). Children of Zeus are finally at the stage where they are releasing their debut album proper; the over-riding ethos of which is about keeping their eyes on the road ahead, whilst shedding the baggage they've accumulated over the years - 'Travel Light’. Features mainly come from Manny family; [ K S R ], LayFullStop, Metrodome (Levelz) and former Broke 'n' £nglish spar DRS. Guest production comes in the form of Switzerland's Sebb Bash, Nottingham's Juga-Naut, and London's Beat Butcha, and there's your favourite DJ's favourite DJ, Mr Thing, slicing up the turntables on two tracks too. There's a few extra special ingredients on this album, along with their trademark sub-heavy, rhodes-laden hip hop soul hybrid. Reggae music has always been an integral piece of the CoZ sound-system ethic, so we see Tyler putting on his lover's rock hat for 'Hard Work', and they invite soul queen Terri Walker to join them on the fierce 'Sling Shot Riddim', while the album closes with the epic K15-produced jazz-bruk opus, 'Vibrations', on which Konny breaks it down quite simply: \"high frequency means that you travel light, so get lifted yo, we'll live gifted”. Long as the journey has been, the time for looking back is over. This is about the present and future of Children of Zeus. A shining light in Manchester's now-school, and rightly heralded by many as the best new act to emerge in British soul music in the past decade. Aside from the above features, this project is written, performed and produced entirely by Tyler and Konny. Since the crew first took flight, the end destination has never changed, the aim remains the same - to create timeless music, in their own unique style, without compromise, irrespective of industry and life distractions. The moral being this - travel light.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black LPx2","offer_id":50435456139595,"sku":"1038629","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CDx2","offer_id":50435455451467,"sku":"1038630","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cover.ki_8_0cdb0e9c_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1726903836"},{"product_id":"balance","title":"Balance","description":"\u003cp\u003eWith shows on ice over the last 12 months, Children of Zeus took the time to mature their sound; \u003ci\u003eBalance\u003c\/i\u003e is 50 minutes of future-classic British soul music encompassing hip hop, neo-soul, gospel and r\u0026amp;b. Konny's laidback flow once again merges with Tyler's unmistakable buttery vocals across a set of bass-heavy backdrops and smoothed-out keys, taking the blueprint from their debut and evolving it into a deeper, more-refined sound.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs with previous material, the album is largely produced by the duo themselves, though we also see the return of Grammy-winner Beat Butcha, whose previous production credits include Jay Z, Beyonce, Nipsey Hussle, \u0026amp; Griselda (one of Butcha's productions graces first single\u003ci\u003e No Love Song\u003c\/i\u003e). Title track \u003ci\u003eBalance\u003c\/i\u003e comes from upcoming producer \u0026amp; Soulection regular, cay caleb and also features the only vocal feature on the album, from rising UK soul talents Akemi Fox and Georgie Sweet.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Children of Zeus journey began with a mutual love of 90s Manchester pirate radio; consuming hip hop and beats, r\u0026amp;b and street soul, lovers rock and dancehall, garage and bass music. Then followed decades of performing, creating and collaborating in different guises. Over the past few years, the hip hop soul duo have garnered props far and wide; from Jazzie B to Jazzy Jeff. They've done performances for the likes of Soulection and BBC, in addition to hosting their monthly NTS Radio show and collaborating with artists like Black Milk and Goldie.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom travelling light, to travelling nowhere, it's been a time where we've all had to reflect on the lives we lead. This album is about equilibrium; walking the thin line of life and striving to keep your footing firm at all times, ever pushing forward. Balancing the rough with the smooth and the work with the play.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe Children of Zeus sound is now fully grown. It's time to bring \u003ci\u003eBalance\u003c\/i\u003e into the universe. This is unashamedly big people music to be played out of big speakers. The definitive sound of UK street soul in 2021. The story continues..\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"First Word","offers":[{"title":"Black | LP | x2","offer_id":50454813081931,"sku":"1121424","price":24.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true},{"title":"CD","offer_id":50454814032203,"sku":"1121425","price":12.99,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/files\/cec344a1-c6ba-447d-8c97-ce9fba8fd50f_thumbnail_4096.jpg?v=1727186426"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0867\/1120\/6219\/collections\/test_0fc5ee8a_thumbnail_4096_79d8bbe2-2bdc-4db6-993d-56a063472e72.jpg?v=1726727704","url":"https:\/\/shop.roughtrade.com\/collections\/children-of-zeus.oembed","provider":"Rough Trade","version":"1.0","type":"link"}