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THE i OF A GENiUS shares eclectic new single “DREAMFIRST.”

THE i OF A GENiUS has dropped off a new single titled “DREAMFIRST.”, produced by Driveby and mixed and mastered by Steel Tipped Dove. The Paterson, NJ artist was first inspired to create music when he heard “Let Me Fly” by DMX, and since, knew he could channel his personality through music and make something of himself. Early in his career, he performed a freestyle for mydiveo that was aired on My x TV, a national television network- as well as opening for Da$h and Chris Rivers. Since, he has steadily built momentum in New Jersey and beyond with a series of expressive releases that captivate with outside-the-box production and raw, lyrically-focused flows. His latest offering is “DREAMFIRST.”, a layered, eclectic track featuring surreal rhyming from THE i OF A GENiUS psychedelic production from Driveby.

Underscored by textural, syrupy samples consisting of gritty vocals and horns, The i OF A GENiUS effortlessly delivers dynamic flows that keep the listener on their toes with unpredictable rhyme patterns. He weaves together vivid lines, putting his lyrical abilities at the forefront with potent imagery atop the grimy beat from Driveby.

Take a listen to “DREAMFIRST.” below, as THE i OF A GENiUS continues his run of boundary-pushing joints.

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Fatboi Sharif and Steel Tipped Dove share frigid video for “Phantasm”, from ‘Decay’ album

New Jersey’s Fatboi Sharif and New York’s Steel Tipped Dove recently shared their collaborative LP Decay- an uncompromisingly experimental, head trip of a record that lives up to its namesake with dilapidated, raw instrumentation and apocalyptic lyricism. Following up the album’s release, they now share a video for Decay’s opening track “Phantasm”, directed by Mike Petrow. The new visual is characterized by surreal, wintery shots that capture the song’s frigid psychedelica. With an expressive performance from Sharif set to backdrops including the ruins of old homes and bare, ice-laden trees, the new video for “Phantasm” captures the ethos of Sharif and Steel Tipped Dove’s new Decay record. The track’s grimy, ominous guitars, cathartic bass, and menacing flows serve as the perfect soundtrack, distilling a sinister energy that merges cohesively with the visual’s frames. Give the new video for “Phantasm” a watch below, released via Backwoodz Studioz. 

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New York’s T’nah and Chelsea Reject shine on “VOGUE”

New York artist T’nah has dropped off a single called “VOGUE”, featuring fellow NY emcee Chelsea Reject. The pair previously collaborated recently on Reject’s song “Delays”, and now they return with a versatile, engaging new single. Drawing from drill with clean, bouncy percussion, while adding refreshing, watery keys for balance, “VOGUE” presents a smooth, atmospheric new cut from the two lyricists. Vocally, they engage the listener with crisp, melodically-tinged verses laced with melodic touches, giving a dynamic performance with memorable songwriting. Culminating in a soulful, airy hook, “VOGUE” provides much replay value while making for a sleek, stylish listen that blends together influences eclectically.

The latest from T’nah featuring Chelsea Reject, “VOGUE” finds them delivering a potent new cut that continues to show that they are two noteworthy artists coming out of NYC right now. Give “VOGUE” a listen below.

Watch the visualizer for “VOGUE” here, shot by Yami Golds and edited by T’nah:

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Jay Cinema and Jedos share warm new EP ‘Hell Of A Life’

New York emcee Jay Cinema and producer Jedos have dropped off a new EP, titled Hell Of A Life. First recorded in 2021, the 5-track offering finds Cinema and Jedos sharing a natural chemistry that translates to a set of warm, easy-going tracks. Characterized by relaxed, soulful production and heartfelt flows, Hell Of A Life makes for a meditative, emotive listen.

With an organic feel throughout, the EP presents an unassuming authenticity felt from the get-go on the opener “What Can I Say”, featuring Antoine Sand. As swirling, vibrant samples and minimalistic percussion create a dream-like soundscape, Cinema and Sand deliver introspective verses that feel freeing and cathartic in tone. “Fast Forward” creates a potent sense of nostalgia with emotive, hypnotic soul sampled production from Jedos and wistful storytelling verses from Cinema. Closer “Hell Of A Life”, featuring Sefu, makes for a highlight at the tail end of the EP, merging infectious, colorful instrumentation with true-to-life, engaging performances from Cinema and Houston’s Sefu.

Jay Cinema and Jedos present a refreshingly heartfelt, low-key offering with Hell Of A Life, a release that charms with its vivid sonics and potent lyricism. Give Hell Of A Life a listen below.

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Voidness, Kamii, and T H R O N E connect for new single “Pardon The Truth”

Brooklyn artist Voidness has linked with Kamii and T H R O N E for a new single called “Pardon The Truth”. ANDA and Hidden Renaissance member Voidness is a rapper and producer from Brooklyn, NY, whose sound can best be described as a mix between contemporary trap and splayed, sample-based underground hip-hop, paired with sociopolitically-focused lyrics. For his new song “Pardon The Truth”, he links with Baltimore producer Kamii and the prolific T H R O N E for a surreal, sharply lyrical new cut.

Ethereal vocal samples and mercurial keys open “Pardon The Truth”, before punchy percussion and rich, jazzy bass drop in to moor the track and create a solid groove. Atop the smoky instrumentation, the emcees weave together vivid, analytical verses that give a stark take on the world around them. “Pardon The Truth” makes for a poignant new cut that combines psychedelic, lofi-tinged production with thoughtful lyricism for an enticing, stimulating listen.

Listen to “Pardon The Truth” here:

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JIREH shares engaging new single “Parking”

Baton Rouge-bred artist JIREH has shared a new single called “Parking”. Combining his southern flare, mixed with sharp lyricism and sleek flows- JIREH has been steadily building momentum for his character-rich sound, made evident with his strong A Guide 2 Recognizing Your Saints album earlier this year. His new song “Parking” marks his first since A Guide 2 Recognizing Your Saints, and it continues to expand upon the eclectic, smooth sound of that LP.

With atmospheric, warm production centred around watery keys, surreal guitars, and a crunchy, steady rhythm section, “Parking” makes for a laid-back joint with a layered, engaging sound. JIREH comes through with some potent, focused bars atop the hazy instrumentation, drawing the listener further into the track’s immersive feel with his vibrant, detailed lyricism. He flows with an understated charisma that gives the song added replay value, while demonstrating a strong mic presence and crisp delivery.

Give JIREH’s latest single “Parking” a listen below.

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FlyBoi Rell shares infectious new album ‘Okami’

Raleigh, NC artist FlyBoi Rell has dropped off a new album called Okami. The 12 song offering finds Rell expanding upon the momentum he built with his lead single “Luck”, and it contains a set of infectious, bouncy cuts. Equipped with potent lyricism, focused production, and catchy sonics, Okami makes for a dynamic, engaging new release from the NC artist. The Nomads collective member continues his steady rise with this release, as he continues to refine his eclectic, expansive sound.

Rell establishes himself as an artist that can play in both the worlds of lyricism and catchy trap flavors on Okami. Songs like “Black Crescent” and “808s n Base” establish this motif with their smooth blend of booming 808s, atmospheric samples, and thoughtful lyricism. “Luck” bring a gritty yet elegant sound with winding horns, sleek guitars, and a punchy rhythm section underscoring Rell’s potent flows. “Ghost” presents a highlight later in the project’s tracklist with wistful, nostaglic vocal samples, ethereal guitars, and poignant verses from Rell.

Take a listen to Okami below and further familiarize yourself with rising artist FlyBoi Rell of the Nomads collective.

Connect with FlyBoi Rell: Spotify | Instagram

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Brocko and robbie t find “Sweet Relief” on new single

Brocko and robbie t have dropped off a new single, called “Sweet Relief”. Following up Brocko’s recent EP THE SUN GOD RISES with Lucyen, as well as robbie t’s single “LOBSTER BY THE LBS.” with lijah, “Sweet Relief” continues their run of warm, sampling releases that dabble in lo-fi and boom-bap sounds. The track provides a sense of catharsis with its glowing, rich soundscape built around elegant keys, swelling bass, and textural percussion. Brocko comes through with thoughtful verses paired with a smooth, clean delivery that pairs cohesively with the track’s graceful soundscape. “Sweet Relief” builds into a shuffling, DnB-inspired finishing rhythm section that provides a climax of energy, finishing the succinct 1 minute 35 second cut memorably.

Give “Sweet Relief” a listen below.

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Ché shares refreshing new self-titled album, ‘CHÉ’

New York artist Ché has dropped off a new self-titled album. Preceded by the potent singles, “APRIL 16th”, “SAMSARA”, and “FORGET ME NOT”, CHÉ capitalizes on the momentum the NY native has been building with 11 diverse tracks that draw from hip-hop, alternative R&B, jazz, and more. CHÉ is an album versatile in sound and heartfelt in content, as it finds the New York artist dropping a series of thoughtful verses atop engaging, diverse instrumentation. Throughout the record, an undercurrent of youthful energy is present- with shades of hope for brighter times, while also touching upon being in the thralls of depression and frustration. Using his bicycle as a motif, the album’s dynamic pace, observational nature, and NYC references are given added context and layers, giving CHÉ a conceptual edge. CHÉ is a record that won’t be boxed in, remaining refreshingly authentic with tracks that are sometimes triumphant- such as “LOCKER 260”- and at times darkly confessional and cathartic, like “NOBODY AROUND US”. There’s a healthy dose of surrealism present as well with vivid tracks like “PERFECTO PARK” painting a dreamscape lyrically and sonically. Album single “SAMSARA” also demonstrates Ché’s ability to craft infectious, memorable melodies in his songwriting, with a more pop-leaning offering that still delves into the jazzy, DIY aesthetics of the remainder of the album.

Overall, CHÉ presents a poignant new album from this young NYC artist that is multi-layered, heartfelt, and refreshing. It seems to be safe to say this could go down as one of our favorite records this year. Give CHÉ a listen below.

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Ovrkast. delivers smoky new single, “Month In Brooklyn”

Oakland artist Ovrkast. has shared a new single, titled “Month In Brooklyn”. The lyricist and producer has steadily carved his own lane for his eclectic, soulful, and relaxed sound, influenced by the likes of Knxwledge, Flying Lotus, and more, while retaining a distinct sense of minimalism. Following up his recent singles “TBH!” and “SHUTUP!”, “Month In Brooklyn” presents a smoky, jazzy single that reflects on his recent time spent in Brooklyn- being away from his home, family, and friends back in Oakland, CA. 

“Month In Brooklyn” contains laid-back, warm production centred around ruminative brass, infectious, organic-sounding bass, and pillowy 808s. Underscored by crisp percussion that locks in a steady groove, Ovrkast. drops emotive, engaging verses as he weaves together dynamic rhyme patterns. As crawling keys drop in beneath, he flows smoothly and with ease atop the sleek production, suiting its easy-going feel.

Ovrkast.’s latest continues his run of potent, jazzy DIY-inspired singles, with Ovrkast. producing, mixing, and crafting the artwork for “Month In Brooklyn”. Give “Month In Brooklyn” a listen below.