The always collaborative Blackwave. is back with a video for sauntering groove ‘Bittersweet Baby’, produced with Manchester-based Konteks. This time the Belgium-based hip-hop duo, rapper Jay Atohoun and singer-producer Willem Ardui, incorporate modern jazz loops with old school rap flows. This contemporary-meets-vintage sound is reflected in the visuals, which appear classic in its black and white filter, yet evidently urban with Atohonun’s fresh fashion, young skaters and the concrete constructions of Antwerp. Speaking about how the video and song meets one another, Ardui says: “In the video you see all sorts of different people doing everyday stuff, you see all these different little unfinished stories. It moves past you in a quick tempo but at the same time grabs your attention just long enough for you to keep thinking about it. It was all shot in black and white. This stands for the somber mood the protagonist in the song tries to escape from. He looks for new places to find joy and excitement, but doesn't realize it can be found all around him.” The constant movement of the characters throughout the Heleen Declerq and Yaqine Hamzaoui directed video portrays Blackwave.’s relaxed approach to hip hop, blending in different influences like soul, funk, jazz and pop. From here, be sure to do your due diligence and go check out Blackwave.’s ARE WE STILL DREAMING? LP, on which you’ll find ‘Bittersweet Baby’ and another of our favourite tracks ‘Elusive’. - Hannah Thacker