A!MS is an emerging and rising Ayia Napa, Cyprus-based artist, who has received international attention for a sound that he has dubbed “Global Street,” which is informed by his multicultural background and blends hip-hop’s spirit, street culture, global sounds, and digital-era creativity. He sees this new, hybrid sub-genre as a home for artists beyond traditional scenes, and as a way to unite voices from overlooked corners of the globe with a “as street, as it is worldwide” ethos.
The Cyprus-based artist’s sophomore album, last year’s Peak Season includes the Antaeus-produced “Light & Love,” feat. Julian Marley and Hypertone, the Golden Boy-produced Stjge co-written “Need Somebody” feat. UK-based rapper ArrDee, and the album’s latest single “Wait What?” features a collection of rising British emcees ZieZie, Ramz, Lillz, and Leon & Brodie. Clocking in at a little under two-and-a-half minutes, the song showcases each artist’s unique energy and distinct flows over a slick, hook-driven trap-meets-grime production, which features a looping, fluttering flute sample paired with bursts of twinkling keys, skittering, tweeter and woofer rattling triplets.
While anchored around an All-Star cast of up-and-comers, along with an established veteran, “Wait What” showcases the UK scene’s remarkable talent to a global audience hungering for new talent outside of North America.
Directed by WALKMNS, the accompanying video for “Wait What” is shot in a gorgeous, cinematic black and white and is split between footage of the artists performing at a festival and hanging out at what looks like a mix of suburban hotel, house, and mall.
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