Categories
Blog Roundhouse Features

Sir Louie shares versatile new project, ‘Made To Love’

Sir Louie has shared a new project, titled Made To Love. The rising Montreal artists flirts with elements of hip-hop, house, electronic, and more across 7 tracks that establish his vibrant, unique style. Out of the rich fabric that makes up Montreal’s music scene, Sir Louie certainly proves himself a voice to pay attention to with Made To Love, as he refreshes the listener with each character-rich joint. Moreover, the focus and care he puts into the songwriting and composition of each track shines through, with dynamic, poignant verses flowing into memorable hooks, equipped with vocal lines tinged with clarity. Songs like “Optional” and infectious and fun-loving, laced with bubbling bass-lines and colourful synths that recall house elements, while Louie’s sharp flows take centre stage as he rides the beat with ease. The immersive warmth and sultry feel of “Positions” gives the song a magnetic energy, while on “FLEX” he FLEXes his rap skills atop an instrumental that would be traditionally difficult to tackle. Fast-paced, garage and house influenced percussion lines ricochet beneath watery synths, recalling some UK hip-hop flavours while staying true to Montreal sounds. “Call Back” is a wistful, atmospheric closer that includes lush R&B lines merging with hip-hop and electronic for a potent wrap-up to the record.

Tyrus “Sir Louie” Facey, is a charismatic performer with a sound that reflects his passion for strength, love, and spirituality. Through his music, this talented freestyler and natural storyteller hopes to spread his message and inspire others. Sir Louie has made a name for himself and gained popularity with songs such as “Optional”, “Dear Hiphop”, and “Timbs” (ft. Flamenco Sketch), the latter of which features a feel-good video and a vibrant performance by both artists. Give a listen to Sir Louie’s latest release Made To Love here.

Connect with Sir Louie: Spotify | Instagram | Twitter

Categories
Blog Roundhouse Features

Hidden Renaissance continue to expand their horizons with ‘BA SING SE’ album

By Jacob Ezra

Hidden Renaissance are certainly a group you should be paying attention to in today’s underground hip-hop landscape. Glued together by a love for hip-hop and community, the expansive collective helmed by duo T H R O N E have just released their largest collaborative effort ever in their new record BA SING SE. Rarely has such a wide number of artists contributed to a project, with over 200 artists competing to appear on the LP, and the final product manages to remain cohesive throughout. Soulful, lyrically-focused tracks tie the threads together on BA SING SE, with an undercurrent of love and creative cooperation giving the record a uniquely vital atmosphere.

The textural, warm sampling patchwork of songs like “1996 (In the Heart, In the Mind)” and “There’s a way!” are simply beautiful, and when paired with evocative lyricism they become touching. The group keeps it raw as well, with songs like “It gets dangerous” varying the flavors with its gritty soundscape and potent, urgent verses. The cascading, glowing samples of “Heaven’s Resources II” add a touch of surrealism, combining neatly with the track’s detail-rich lyricism. The organic, lo-fi sheen of the project gives it an immersive, layered feeling and makes it easier to sink in to some of these tracks, particularly on the smoky “Jazz Cigarettes” and “And I’m Still Here”.

With its community-first approach to creation, Hidden Renaissance transcends the bounds of a record label or company. It is, instead, a revolutionary community that makes and releases music together as a shared creative experience. Their latest offering BA SING SE marks their largest collaboration ever, with over 200 artists competing to appear on it, crafting more than 300 songs in a 2 month period in the process. The final result is a curated, multi-genre ode and homage to the raw skill and diversity of the underground. Take a listen to their latest project BA SING SE here now, a sonic odyssey of soulful sounds built around a love for community and hip-hop.

Connect with Hidden Renaissance: Spotify | Instagram

Categories
Blog Roundhouse Features

DAMAG3, NOIR BENNY, and UNDERRATED ARTIST SEASON share hard-hitting single “BIG SMOKE”

DAMAG3 and Noir Benny have dropped off a new song called “BIG SMOKE”, released alongside UNDERRATED ARTIST SEASON. Produced by Zach Golden, sol, and Amber Ryann, “BIG SMOKE” is an attention-grabbing, hard-hitting joint that combines genres into a cohesive, electrifying blend. The rebellious sound of “BIG SMOKE” grips the listener from the get-go, as raucous, raw guitars, punchy, in-your-face percussion, and infectious bass underscore the powerful, urgent deliveries of DAMAG3 and NOIR BENNY. With industrial hip-hop and punk elements, “BIG SMOKE” is a tour-de-force of imposing sonics paired with poignant lyrical content and sharp songwriting.

DAMAG3, from the New Orleans area, is the boot-wearing, punch-throwing, loud, and proud trans big sister that rap needed. Influenced by the likes of Kendrick Lamar, JID, BROCKHAMPTON, Smino, Lamb of God, and more, they have been creating a uniquely-infused sound that resonates across many genres. NOIR BENNY is an eclectic emcee whose sound ranges from smoothly soulful to confrontationally noisy and powerful. His lyricism and sharp, focused delivery stand out in today’s underground hip-hop scene, with potent tracks like “WOULDYOURATHER” and “W.Y.I.M. (What’s yours is mine)” releasing this year. Take a listen to their latest song with UNDERRATED ARTIST SEASON, “BIG SMOKE”, and further familiarize yourself with these standout underground emcees.

Connect with DAMAG3: Spotify | Instagram

Connect with NOIR BENNY: Spotify | Instagram | Twitter

Connect with UNDERRATED ARTIST SEASON: Spotify | Instagram

Categories
Blog Roundhouse Features

boygrim shares raw new single, “on your mind”

By Todd Anderson

boygrim has shared a new single, titled “on your mind”. An indepdendent artist based out of Los Angeles, Califonira, he combines the new and the familiar with his diverse, sweeping style. From his past electronica-infused rap to his current rock sound, boygrim has been sure to keep his sound fresh and evolve over the years. His latest song, “on your mind”, is a raw, potent new track that blends elements of indie, rock, emo and more into a blistering, somber single.

Winding, electrifying guitars open the song and build dynamically into a fast-paced, head-nodding groove consisting of pounding drums and infectious bass. Vocally, boygrim shines with his relaxed, emotive melancholia, lacing together evocative melodies and culminating in a memorable chorus.

Take a listen to boygrim’s latest song “on your mind” here:

Categories
Blog Roundhouse Features

Marllie shares refreshing new visual for “Lifestyle” (ft. Kaylo)

By Todd Anderson

Lagos-born, LA-based artist Marllie has dropped off a fresh visual for his song “Lifestyle”, featuring Kaylo. Marllie’s love for music stretches all the way back to when he was 12 years old, when he would rap on gospel songs. Growing up in both Lagos and Los Angeles, Marllie’s music is influenced by an international background, as he engagingly blends influences from hip-hop, Afropop, highlife, and alternative R&B into an idiosyncratic cocktail of sounds. His latest offering, “Lifestyle”, continues his streak of dynamic, versatile tracks with a sleek, stylish melodious joint paired with a refreshing visual shot in Los Angeles.

“Lifestyle” opens with expansive, warm guitar strumming laid atop bouncy, infectious percussion, as Marllie himself shines as a vocalist with sleek, silvery vocal lines that split the line between hip-hop and R&B, followed up by Kaylo’s engaging baritone vocals. The video enhances the song’s balmy, laid-back energy, with charismatic performances set to a California beachside dusk- an apt backdrop for the track’s emanating warmth.

Watch the video for “Lifestyle” here:

Connect with Marllie: Spotify | Instagram | Twitter

Categories
Blog Roundhouse Features

Myles T. Jordan shares evocative release “HennyPaper” [Video]

By Jacob Ezra

Prolific North Carolina artist Myles T. Jordan has shared a new release called “HennyPaper”, paired with a fresh video. Following up poignant recent drops “Light” and “I Gave U Power”, “HennyPaper” finds the NC emcee continuing his streak of vividly lyrical releases atop a somber, smoky soundscape of evocative keys, organic percussion, and engaging bass.

Jordan has a penchant for surreal, emotive lyricism that often stirs a thought-provoking depth. He displays that here, further enhanced by the darkly hypnotic, ruminative production which suits his introspective, detailed lyrical style. Give “HennyPaper” a listen below and check out the new visual while you’re at it.

Categories
Blog Roundhouse Features

BhramaBull and Waterr share raw single “Shop A Deal”

Waterr and BhramaBull have shared a new single, titled “Shop A Deal”. Following up a prolific streak of recent work from both artists respectively, “Shop A Deal” presents a cohesive, engaging collaboration between emcee Waterr and producer BhramaBull that demonstrates their signature raw, gritty sounds.

Atop crunchy, sturdy percussion, rich bass, and winding, nocturnal flutes laid by BhramaBull, Waterr delivers cutting, focused verses that suit the subtly menacing feel of the instrumentation. The darkly jazzy soundscape on “Shop A Deal” conjures smoky sonics, paired with the laid-back yet assured, grimy flows of Waterr for a potent listen.

Take a listen to “Shop A Deal” here:

Categories
Blog Roundhouse Features

LIFEOFTHOM shares soulful new single “EZEKIEL”

By Jacob Ezra

New York artist LIFEOFTHOM has shared a new single called “EZEKIEL”, featuring AKAI SOLO, Ania Hoo, and JamesBurns. The genre-bending musician always brings something new and refreshing to the table with each release- flirting with hip-hop, R&B, indie, and more across his burgeoning discography. His latest song, “EZEKIEL”, is an emotive take on soulful New York sounds, with stirring, emotive samples underscoring his vivid verses. 

Atop warm, uplifting vocal samples, elegant keys, and engaging bass, LIFEOFTHOM flows in a cathartic, focused manner, while demonstrating a natural chemistry with fellow New York emcee AKAI SOLO. The pair come through with poetic, imagery rich verses that merge together seamlessly, painting a clear picture of their life and times in the process.

Give LIFEOFTHOM’s latest single “EZEKIEL” a listen below.

Categories
Blog Roundhouse Features

Apropos drops energizing single “Say Yes” (prod. Jake Bass)

Detroit artist Apropos has released “Say Yes”, a new single produced by Jake Bass. The song acts as the opening chapter of The Apropos Edition, a “deconstructed EP” that will feature four new tracks released over the next four seasons: autumn, winter, spring, summer. Say Yes is the first new release created entirely by the duo since the singer songwriter signed to Bass’ label Bassment Sounds 2.0 in 2023.

“Say Yes” contains energizing instrumentation that builds dynamically, centred around raw electric guitars contrasted by lighter acoustic strumming, punchy, textural percussion, and rich bass. Apropos shines as a vocalist with stylish, powerful vocals that convey a certain natural swagger. With an expansive chorus laced with gospel undertones, “Say Yes” is a vibrant tour-de-force of a track that captivates from the get-go.

Apropos is an international recording artist whose electric vocals and captivating stage presence have led to recognition from around the globe, including NBC’s The Voice, Pitchfork, Complex, NPR and Billboard. The veritable vocalist has collaborated with a variety of notable artists, including Grammy nominated composer & multi-instrumentalist Dave Wilder, Talib Kweli, ZelooperZ and more. Jake Bass is one of the individuals re-defining Detroit Music. Born into the trade, Jake Bass officially joined the “family business” working for FBT Productions in 2004 cutting his teeth in music production working alongside Father and Uncle, respectively, Jeff and Mark Bass best known as the Bass Brothers, who brought the world the groundbreaking work of Eminem. Graduating from Columbia College Chicago in 2012 with a Music Composition degree, Jake is no stranger to the mechanics of music.

Take a listen to Apropros and Jake Bass’ latest song “Say Yes” now:

Categories
Blog Roundhouse Features

RU$H and Mike Shabb’s “Moncler Boyz” (ft. Tha God Fahim, Big Cheeko, and Jay NiCE) is our track of the week

By Jacob Ezra

Prolific emcee RU$H and Montreal standout rapper-producer Mike Shabb recently shared their collaborative project MONCLER BOYZ, a stylish, sonically rich project containing potent, detailed lyricism and warm, evocative production. The title track, “Moncler Boyz”, featuring underground heavyweights Tha God Fahim, Big Cheeko, and Jay NiCE, caught our attention for its silvery, laid-back instrumentation and memorable vocals that demonstrate a natural chemistry between the emcees.

Underscored by graceful keys and emotive backing vocals, the track takes on a reminiscent mood, as the rappers glide atop the sleek joint with ease. Focused, vividly detailed verses flow together seamlessly, laced with memorable lines that have the listener rewinding to catch everything. Shabb’s glowing, minimalistic production manages to evoke rich feelings of nostalgia while also providing the perfect backdrop for the rappers’ charismatic, braggadocios lines in the process.

Give “Moncler Boyz” a listen now below, a track off RU$H and Mike Shabb’s potent recent project of the same title.