Author: befree

LIFEOFTHOM has shared a new single, titled “HOO”. Produced by Stoic, the track features THOM’s signature lyrical prowess and experimental flow, showcasing his unique blend of classic boom-bap and genre-bending melodies.

Born and raised in Washington Heights, LIFEOFTHOM’s music is a reinvention of the classic New York sound. His ability to blend old-school backpack rap with elements of R&B, hyper pop, post-punk, alternative rock, and techno is truly remarkable, pushing the boundaries with cohesive, refreshing genre-bending.

“HOO” is no exception, with its vibrant East Coast hip-hop vibe and poised, versatile flows. The expressive production from Stoic perfectly complements lifeofthom’s unique style, creating a poignant take on NYC hip-hop that’s sure to turn heads.

Listen to “HOO” here:

ArmstrongWW has shared a new single, titled “Autopilot”. A self-taught musical alchemist, ArmstrongWW is a multi-genre artist born in Cameroon, Africa and raised in the musical hotbed of Houston, Texas. His latest offering “Autopilot” demonstrates his unique ear for production and knack for infectious, versatile songwriting- made evident in the track’s blend of hip-hop, alternative R&B, and more. Warm, vibrant instrumentation built around engaging key riffs, punchy, organic percussion and a resonating bass-line underscore Armstrong, whose vocals neatly walk the line between raw hip-hop flows and smooth R&B melodies. He builds his performance dynamically and keeps the listener enticed atop the hypnotic production, while delivering his signature introspective lyricism. Give “Autopilot” a listen here now.

Massachusetts lyricist Jxylen has shared a new visual for his song “7 Day Theory”, produced by Fushou. Following up his solid 2023 offering DIVINE ORDER: ACT I, “7 Day Theory” continues his run of gritty, sample-based tracks that put a refreshing, expressive twist on 90’s East Coast hip-hop influences. With an ability to be both forward-thinking, while also paying homage to classic boom-bap sounds, Jxylen brings forth an eclectic, engaging rawness with his newest release “7 Day Theory”.

“7 Day Theory”‘s dark, cathartic instrumentation is captured in the new visual, directed by EXIST. The visual’s focused minimalism is effective in translating the track’s grim, realistic feel and poignant lyrics. Give the visual for “7 Day Theory” a watch here now:

Norah’s World has caught our attention for her fresh song, “busy 2024”. A vibrant, eclectic mixture of genre influences ranging from alternative R&B to dance, electronic, and more- “busy 2024” is a forward-thinking track from Norah’s World that stimulates the senses. Underscored by colorful, refreshing instrumentation built around futuristic, glistening keys, expansive bass, and lively percussion- Norah’s World shines with her smooth, assured vocal tones and dynamic range. Give “busy 2024” a listen below here and tune in to a vivid slice of progressive R&B.

Ohio artist Chanelle Kazadi has returned with a new song called “OH MY”, produced by mcquaid. Showcasing her character-rich, focused sound- “OH MY” blends atmospheric, ethereal sampling with crisp percussion and rich bass to give the track a vibrant identity. Atop the spacey layers of instrumentation and booming rhythm section, Kazadi flows in an assured, yet smooth, manner- piecing together detail-rich lines with ease. Culminating in an ear-worm hook, “OH MY” demonstrates Kazadi’s sharply-crafted songwriting and confident mic presence, as well as her ear for otherworldly production. Give “OH MY” a listen here now and check out the visualizer while you’re at it.

Photo credit: @syremedia

insyt. has released his engaging debut album, titled Mi Casa, Su Casa. The prolific, introspective lyricist follows up his solid 2023 offering The View From the Sky with this new record- which provides a heartfelt dose of lo-fi-tinged hip-hop equipped with vibrant production and autobiographical lyricism. insyt. demonstrates his sharp songwriting and potent ear for production on tracks like the hypnotic “Venus & Serena”, with its organic loops and memorable verses. “Dharma”‘s introspective lines and laid-back production cultivate a sense of relief, blended with detailed, relatable lyricism. “Truth Serum”‘s jazzy, nostalgic samples create the perfect backdrop for insyt.’s emotive vocals, while closer “Highly Favoured”‘s graceful keys, natural percussion, and fluid vocals make for a highlight towards the record’s culmination. Give Mi Casa, Su Casa a listen here now.

Jay Rhymes, a skilled, lyrically-focused emcee out of Philadelphia, has dropped off a new EP called Extreme Charismatic Wiseguy. This raw, darkly hypnotic 4-song set features production from Arkin, Potato God, and Nino Lucania, pays homage to Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW), a legendary professional wrestling promotion based in Philadelphia. On Extreme Charismatic Wiseguy, Rhymes delivers a cinematic, engaging set of songs that puts his lyrical skills on full display. He sounds confident and focused atop the raw keys and dark atmospherics of opener “Join The Revolution (ECW)”, produced by Akin- while “A Matter Of Respect” (prod. Nino Lucania) is a tour-de-force of gritty instrumentation and intense rhyming. Closer “November To Remember” provides a highlight, with its frigid production from Lucania, pounding percussion, and cathartic, raw performance from Rhymes on the mic. Give Extreme Charismatic Wiseguy a listen HERE and support the artist directly via BandCamp.