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.
_
The Joy of Violent Movement is a completely independent and completely D.I.Y. media outlet. Over the course of this site’s 15+ year history, I’ve used my fiercely independent stance to cover music with an eclectic and global perspective that a lot of other publications just don’t have — and will likely never have.
To that end, I could use your support to continue to keep bringing you my unique global perspective on music. There are a number of ways that you can support this work.
I’ve been told that some people would prefer to make a one-time donation because it’s easy and less of an obligation. So, if you’re able to make a one-time donation, there’s a donation box below.
Make a one-time donation
Choose an amount
Or enter a custom amount
Your contribution is appreciated.
If you can give more regularly, please feel free to check out my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement.
Anything you can give is very much appreciated. It can and does make a real difference, y’all.
I know that a lot of folks are struggling to make ends meet in an uncertain and tumultuous economic climate. So there are other, non-financial ways in which you can support this work.
You can follow me on the following social platforms:
X/Twitter: @yankee32879 and @joyofviolent
Instagram: @william_ruben_helms
Threads: @william_ruben_helms
Bluesky: @williamrubenhelms.bsky.social
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheJoyofViolentMovement
As always, if there are posts that you dig, share them with your friends. The more eyeballs on my work, the better.