Author: Hazel Clementine

I'm an interdisciplinary artist, musician & DJ

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Blog Roundhouse Features

Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon releases long-awaited music video for “NAH SHE GOT LITTLE”

By Hazel Clementine

“NAH SHE GOT LITTLE” is just one of many highlight tracks on Charlotte-bred, Brooklyn-based artist Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon’s vibrant album I’ve Really Never Been Better. The album title truly speaks for itself- as it is is lyrically, visually and artistically his best work thus far. Following the visuals for “ANGELA BASSET” and “SHE GOT THAT DAWG IN HER”, Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon’s third music video from I’ve Really Never Been Better is unlike any other visuals from his album. From the dazzling, chilled tints and shades of blue lights beaming on his melanin skin against his crisp white shirt- the video somehow made his appearance emulate an expressionism portrait painting. Being the one and only role in his music video, Ogbon wanted all eyes on him as he successfully managed to orchestrate as he states “……the growing divide between his predecessors, former lovers and peers”.

The expansion of Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon’s artistic growth and development is unmatched. He never disregards the importance of implementing creativity and innovation into his work- whether it’s visually, lyrically or sonically. View Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon’s music video for “NAH SHE GOT LITTLE”, produced by Dirty Art Club, below and if you haven’t already be sure to listen to I’ve Really Never Been Better on Bandcamp HERE (where you can support Ogbon DIRECTLY!!) and on all streaming platforms.

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WiFiGawd drops heat on his birthday with new album ‘Been Bout It’

By Hazel Clementine

If you’re not hip to the eclectic rapper WiFiGawd, then you might want to catch up. The prolific Washington DC emcee got his start on Soundcloud, and proceeded to expand his style into boundless territory with each release. Collaborations with the likes of Black Kray and Tony Seltzer helped cement his status as an underground mainstay, while his solo works speak for themselves as well. A diverse artist, WiFiGawd’s output frequently blends elements of phonk, lo-fi, trap, and experimental hip-hop.

His newly released album Been Bout It, is bound to get you hooked. The relaxed, infectious flows over overly raw, bass-boosted trap beats will have your house, whip and headphones rattling from the get-go. “Hustle and Flow” is an atmospheric, charismatic head-trip of a track, while “Pocket Watchin'” really captures the essence of WiFiGawd’s sound with its character-rich, surreal style. “In My Lane” is another highlight on the album as he raps factual knowledge atop booming, textural production- reason being the first verse on the song is “they say I never miss I’m like Curry of this rap game”.

On Been Bout It, WiFiGawd indeed stays in his lane, as his style is immensely different than any rapper today. Gawd’s techniques are impeccable because of his sleek flows, abstract rhyme patterns and his ability to maintain an organic delivery atop any type of beat he flows over. Listen to Been Bout It here on Spotify now!

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Mndsgn ate with no crumbs left on new album ‘Snaxxx’

By Hazel Clementine

Are you hungry looking for snaxxxs? Well look no further because prolific musician Mndsgn is serving delicious snaxxxs and they don’t disappoint. Mndsgn is back once again with a brand new album titled ‘Snaxxx’, which demonstrates his signature jazzy, detail-rich sound. From the very moment ‘YUM.ME’ starts, you know from the jump it’s going to be an album that takes you through dozens of pleasurable, vivid memories and experiences.

With album features from the likes of Liv.e, Devin Morrison and Anna Wise, it’s promised to bring back that classic silky rnb and jazz feel. Smooth, romantic beats with serenading vocals and organic, laid-back percussion Mndsgn made it feel like a late night quiet storm segment on a radio station. The sensual tracks ‘Midnitesnaq’ and ‘LUV MIRAGE’ felt as if you were listening to a Sade or Norman Brown song, with a lo-fi hip-hop twist.

Putting this album on repeat is an excellent choice, because whenever you listen to the album you’re guaranteed to hear different sounds, instruments and things you might have missed the first time. It’s expected that this album will make you want to fall in love for the first time (or fall in love over again) while you’re listening. Don’t miss out on this masterpiece from Mndsgn! Listen now on all streaming services or as always, support the artist directly by purchasing from their Bandcamp HERE.

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Stro Elliot shares electrifying new single “Monday’s Generation”

By Hazel Clementine

Musician, producer & DJ Stro Elliot has returned with a new single called “Monday’s Generation”, released ahead of his fourth album La Villa. Elliot is a founding member of The Procussions, an underground group that, prior to the release of their 2003 full-length debut, relocated from their native Colorado Springs to Los Angeles. Elliot also has solo album and beat tape releases dating as far back as 2011, with some of his projects leaning into experimental sonics, and others with more jazzy notes and classic hip-hop elements. His lead single off of his fourth album La Villa is titled “Monday’s Generation”- which is also available for preorder on Bandcamp- is just a taste of what’s to come November 17th.

Listening to “Monday’s Generation” makes you invigorated full of and lively emotions, from the upbeat, infectious drums to the beautiful, ethereal background vocals. Laced with engaging grooves and demonstrating a potent focus in its production choices, “Monday’s Generation” presents a refreshing preview of Elliot’s upcoming album La Villa.

“Monday’s Generation” reflects that Elliot is a member of The Roots, as it exudes a potent live band aura. Maybe it’s just us but couldn’t you imagine Black Thought dropping a verse on this exceptional beat? If you haven’t already checked out this single and pre-ordered this album we highly suggest doing so as it’s going to be a hit. You can support Stro Elliot here by purchasing directly from his Bandcamp HERE and preordering “La Villa” which will release November 17th.

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Elaquent & Ivan Ave bless our ears with a new single “IYKYK”

By Hazel Clementine

With an extensive catalogue full of vibrant kicks & snares, Elaquent’s boom bap style of beats never misses. With the first single of 2023, Elaquent releases “IYKYK” featuring Norwegian emcee Ivan Ave with the alluring melodies of the piano simultaneously joining in with organic, grooving drums. If you aren’t familiar with beat maker Elaquent you must be living under a rock. He has a lot of hit beat tapes including ‘Persona’, ‘The Midnight After’, ‘The Scenic Route’, ‘Bakers Dozen’, ‘After Midnight’ and ‘Komfort Food’, which exhibit a smooth, detailed sound that catches the ear right off the bat.

Rapper Ivan educates the listener on what “IYKYK” means if you happened to not know the meaning. Ivan delivers refreshing lyrics by including a narrative of what his day-to-day activities and encounters consisted of. Signed to Jakarta Records and Fat Beats Records, Ivan is a rapper from Norway with more than ten album releases since 2014. You can find both Elaquent and Ivan Ave on Spotify, Bandcamp, SoundCloud, and YouTube. We recommend you not only listen to their collaboration but their individual work as well. You don’t want to miss the heat!

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Unwind to the hypnotic rhythms of ‘Mushroom Funk’ by beatmaker Es-K

By Hazel Clementine

Es-K is no novice when it comes to beats. He has over 50 releases on Bandcamp, with most of his releases being soulful, organic instrumental hip hop beats & beat tapes. His most recent release is a brief but intricately detailed tape titled, Mushroom Funk. His latest projcet Mushroom Funk engagingly blends exhilarating components that sound somewhat retro, taking influence from the 1970’s funk era, soul, and jazz.

Es-K displays a boundless versatility and ear for character-rich sounds, with songs like the title track opener providing hypnotic, crunchy rhythms paired with ornate sonics. The fourth track, “Hot Butter”, is sonically more abstract than the rest of the tape, setting itself apart in the track-list. With it’s rich, syrupy textures, it’s as if you’re gazing at an abstract painting taking in all of the elements and movements throughout the piece. The artist says he almost didn’t include this track on the beat tape because it was the weirdest one out of the other tracks, but it happens to be Es-K’s favorite out of the bunch and we couldn’t agree more.

Support the artist directly by purchasing this beat tape and more of his work on his bandcamp here. You can also take a look at his website which displays not only his music but his artwork as well. Hope you enjoy the beat tape as much as we did!

Listen to Mushroom Funk on Bandcamp HERE.

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Talib Kweli & Madlib debut cinematic animated music video for “Riches Part Two”

By Hazel Clementine

The music video for “Riches Part Two”, directed and animated by Unjust, starts with the turning on of a television- and as the beat drops, an animated man shoots his gun, while the camera follows the bullet into a third person view. The viewer is then able to see the lyrics come to life in a vividly cinematic experience.

Seminal lyricist Roc Marciano starts the song off verbalizing ‘there’s too many washed rappers the market is crashing’- while the animation exhibits crashing objects outside of a high rise building. The animation then zooms in on another high rise building and briefly shows Roc Marciano on a podcast with Talib Kweli. Then with each verse, the animation transforms into something different matching the rest of the verses from Roc Marciano.

Continuing the animations alongside verses, Westside Gunn starts off the next verse with one of his infamous adlibs which mimics a gun shooting multiple rounds. Two guns appear in the animation shooting bullets in the air identical to his adlibs. When Westside Gunn mentions dreams, an illusion of an empty field with birds flying in sky shows on the screen.

The third verse transcends so effortlessly as Talib Kweli starts to flow over the hypnotizing beat. The fluid animations perfectly illustrate how Kweli’s metaphors are intertwined into his rhymes. From showing birds, fish and New York City to a rare vicious animal over the city; The animation flowed flawlessly over his verse.

The video then ends with the same person who turns on the television at the beginning of the video now sleeping in front of the screen. Concluding that he he fell asleep while watching the music video. A vivid, cinematic new offering from Talib Kweli and Madlib featuring Roc Marciano and Westside Gunn, “Richies Part Two” captivates with its engaging animated visuals and enticing storyline.

Watch the new video for “Richies Part Two” here:

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Paul Cherry releases celestial ambience on new jazzy R&B album ‘Pure Grooves Vol. 1’

By Hazel Clementine

One word to sum up the latest album from Paul Cherry, would be divine. From the windy city of Chicago, DJ and acoustic guitar player Paul Cherry releases a R&B & jazzy fusion titled Pure Grooves Vol. 1.

In 2018, Cherry released his very first LP Flavor which sonically differs from his new release, which gives more of a groovy R&B sound- whereas his first LP gave more of an indie rock feel. The album cover for his new body of work displays the warmth and love that his music exudes. From the sun, moon and ocean all the way to the stars, it’s as if you’re on a magical vacation dancing under the setting sun to the beat of the drum. Speaking of drums, drummer and percussionist Roy Arsenault played extraordinarily beautifully on the third track of Pure Grooves Vol. 1, titled “Don’t You Wish”, angelically sung by Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin. Tenenbaum, who’s an Argentinian singer is known for being one half of the electronic duo Magdalena Bay. The rest of the album proceeds with a multitude of rnb & jazzy elements from smooth jazz to eloquent soulful rhythms.

Be sure to check out Pure Grooves Vol. 1 on all streaming services or you can support the artist by purchasing directly from Paul Cherry’s Bandcamp HERE.