Phoenix artist fresco. has caught our attention for his recent song, “YUNG NiNJA GAiDEN”. Here, the emcee tackles an icy, raw soundscape built around glimmering keys and sturdy drums, with an infectious bass-line gluing together the groove. On the mic, fresco. sounds confident and in control, and yet there’s an energy and urgency that keeps his flow and vocal delivery engaging throughout. Displaying a penchant for sharp lyricism and focused lines, fresco. impresses with his latest track “YUNG NiNJA GAiDEN”. Give it a listen here now.
Jay Cinema and Chow have connected for a fresh project called Alchemy. Cinema is a visionary abstract hip-hop artist from Yonkers, New York, known for his boundary-pushing sound and thought-provoking lyrics- while producer Chow is a prolific beat-maker whose captivating, refreshing twist on underground hip-hop sounds merges particularly well with Cinema’s expressive style. On Alchemy, the two find a natural, engaging chemistry as they piece together a tapestry of raw, sampling soundscapes that drift from eery and claustrophobic to vibrantly psychedelic. Chow’s heavy, gritty drum lines, glitchy patchwork of samples, and potent bass-lines provide an intriguing soundscape for Cinema, as he lays down bar after bar of vividly poetic, often grippingly introspective lines. The project provides an interesting mixture of dark sounds with colorful textures, which gives it added character. Songs like “All On Me” are powerfully cathartic despite their laid-back demeanour, while joints like “Chemdawg” are kaleidoscopic and layered, bringing together that dark griminess with a certain almost intangible vibrance. Many projects get described as “sonic journeys”, but Alchemy is one that is certainly worthy of the title, with its vast range of emotions and sounds laced within Jay Cinema and Chow’s heartfelt performances. Give Alchemy a listen below now.
Kardinal Bloo has dropped off a new album called Birds Rap Too. Kardinal Bloo is a rapper/ bassist of Haitian descent from Arlington, Tx. While Kardinal’s always had a passion for music, he didn’t start creating tracks until he was studying medicine & psychology at the University of North Texas in Denton, initially under the name BlackFace Alien (BFA). Denton proved an excellent starting ground rife with open mics, house shows, and small venues that allowed Kardinal to master his stagecraft alongside his lyricism, giving birth to the style he likes to call “class conscious rap nonsense”. Kardinal Bloo earned a reputation for being an exhilarating and charming performer, which lead to him opening up for the likes of R.A.P. Ferreira and almost Homebody Sandman (a very annoying story he’ll tell you if you ask) before leaving Denton. As of 2024, Kardinal Bloo is based out of Austin, Texas. His latest offering, Birds Rap Too, is an engaging 9-song offering chock full of eccentric charm and creative, conceptual tracks.
The thought-provoking yet fun-loving Birds Rap Too puts Kardinal’s personality on full display with an off-beat charisma that captivates on tracks like “SkiddleDeeDoo” with YoursTruuly. “The Bird In Us” is a highlight track with airy, potent production and lyrically rich verses with vivid imagery. “Life Is Jarring” slows down the pace with a laid-back, atmospherically soulful soundscape that creates an apt backdrop for the song’s fluid, focused vocals.
An expansive, vibrant project from this Texas up-and-comer, Birds Rap Too provides an entertaining, thought-provoking listen across its 9 songs. Give it a listen here now.
Baton Rouge artist JoshSimmons has dropped off a fresh visual for his song “MENACE”, directed by Ricardo Betancourt. A song from his strong recent album DEMO (Deluxe), “MENACE” finds Simmons rapping with a sleek, engaging confidence atop an ominous, powerful instrumental. Underscored by booming 808s, clasping drums, and nocturnal, hypnotic synths, Simmons attacks the track with poignant, memorable bars that display a keen sense of focus. The new video captures the song’s nocturnal, raw feel with fast-paced, spacey editing and an intense, charismatic performance from Simmons. Give the new “MENACE” video a watch here now.
Philadelphia artist Ryshon Jones has shared a new song, called “Sense of Certainty”. Beyond just a unique delivery style, Jones has carved a lane for his ability to connect with listeners- as he is an artist unafraid to drop his guard and speak from the heart. His latest offering, “Sense of Certainty”, follows up potent releases like “Life Feeds the Work”, and “Weight My Senses”. On “Sense of Certainty”, the emcee displays his penchant for personal lyricism and vivid instrumentation with a refreshing song that cuts deep with its hypnotic blend of warm keys, infectious percussion, and focused flows. Give “Sense of Certainty” a listen below now.
YUNG OC OTAKU has caught our attention for his recent song “AND I”, produced by MACADEN. This serene track follows up engaging offerings like “OKC Freestyle” and Litany For Survival with a soulful, raw joint with smooth bars from OC OTAKU and a refreshing instrumental from MACADEN. Atop glistening keys, hypnotic, wistful vocal samples and crunchy percussion, YUNG OC OTAKU glides with a vivid set of bars. Give “AND I” a listen below now.
LBE Hunt has dropped off a new song, titled “Dunking In Sauconys”. The Hampton, Virginia artist is known for his deft ability to flow on soulful sounds and tell stories from childhood strategies. His latest track, “Dunking In Sauconys”, caught our attention for its hopeful yet realistic style and sound- with LBE Hunt sounding optimistic atop a glistening, jazzy instrumental while dissecting the truths of life. Filled with personal anecdotes, “Dunking In Sauconys” shows how powerful Hunt’s confessional material can be- bolstered by a potent yet relaxed instrumental. With undertones of victory, “Dunking in Sauconys” is a layered, thoughtful new offering from Virginia lyricist LBE Hunt. Give it a listen below.
Influential Virginia artist Nickelus F has dropped off a fresh video for his song “PIMENTO”. A strong addition to his ever-expanding discography, which always finds Nickelus F versatile and dynamic, “PIMENTO” condenses all of what we love about Nickelus F- witty, charismatic rhymes, soulful, eclectic production, and vivid lyricism. Atop textural, atmospheric vocal samples that drift alongside a buoyant rhythm section, Nickelus F glides with sleek flows that feel effortless and yet assured. The new video, shot by @Teonproductions and @theMSQ, captures the song’s focused, elegant sound with warm, stylish, fast-paced shots and an engaging performance from Nickelus F. Give it a watch below now.
Isaiah Mostafa and Baghead have connected for a fresh song called “Cheatcode”. Mostafa, a Bay Area native now based in Brooklyn, is known for his sultry, haunting approach to contemporary R&B, laced with futuristic sounds. Baghead is a renowned San Fransisco producer with a wide-ranging discography, who seamlessly blends jazzy swing with a modern bounce, infusing his tracks with crunchy sample chops and soulful synths. Their latest track “Cheatcode” is a collaboration that makes a lot of sense, considering they both hail from the Bay Area and have a knack for futuristic, eclectic sounds that combine genres engagingly. “Cheatcode” brings out both of their strengths- as Baghead laces the track with sugary, vibrant synths and a bouncy, infectious rhythm section, which creates a strong foundation for Mostafa’s silky, dynamic vocals. The silvery, sleek new song provides refreshing vibes and an engaging vitality that keeps the listener hooked throughout. Give it a listen below now.
Gxldsoulrebel has dropped off a fresh single, titled “Baby Steps”, produced by frequent collaborator Yung Elder. A vibrant artist out of South Bend, Indiana, Soul is known for witty, defining punchlines, avid storytelling, and poetic license. His latest offering, “Baby Steps”, is a soulful, refreshing drop that utilizes coarsely chopped, psychedelic samples and detail-rich, personal lyricism to a laid-back yet haunting effect. The combination of Soul’s confessional lyricism with the emotive waves of samples makes for a rich, potent listen, presenting a memorable new cut from the Indiana artist. Give “Baby Steps” a listen below.
