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Shaw Calhoune shares soulful new EP, ‘Four Piece’

Maryland artist Shaw Calhoune has shared a new EP, titled Four Piece, via Big El Records. Following up engaging singles like “A House Sparrow’s Feather” as well as his project Fly Langston released in February, his latest offering, Four Piece,is a focused, detail-rich project containing soulful, rich production and true-to-life, vivid lyricism from Calhoune.

Four Piece opens with “Fu Kang”, a track that introduces Calhoune’s penchant for memorable, poetic lyricism atop a meditative instrumental containing thought-provoking keys and minimalistic percussion. “Kenny’s” brings in hypnotic soul sampled production as Calhoune laces his verses with clever, poignant lines- while “New Dynasty” introduces an expansive, elegant sound. Closer “Eddie Leonard” makes for a highlight from the EP with its powerful soul samples, potent keys, and raw, hard-hitting flows from Calhoune to finish the project on an emotive note.

Take a listen to Shaw Calhoune’s latest project Four Piece below now.

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Occ Taee and Solocash connect for new project ‘Splash Bros’

Indianapolis artists Occ Taee and Solocash have shared a new collaborative album, called Splash Bros. This eclectic, potent new release includes a series of infectious songs that draw from hip-hop, trap, hyperpop, and pop. It’s a journey through raw, hard-hitting sonics, laced with vibrant melodies and memorable vocal lines. “All Night” opens the project with a colourful, melodic cut- while “Mozart” provides a highlight with its catchy production and sharply-crafted, focused vocal performances. “Love Song” demonstrates their diversity with a more airy, emotive joint that finishes the project strongly.

Both artists have been making waves in the industry individually, earning widespread recognition for their characteristic approaches to music. Solocash’s raw energy and engaging songwriting have captivated listeners worldwide, while Occ Taee’s unfiltered, potent lyrics and catchy flow have solidified his position as an influential figure in the hip hop scene. Their combined prowess promises a memorable sonic experience, fusing infectious melodies, captivating hooks, and hard hitting beats that will keep audiences hooked from start to finish. Give their latest project Splash Bros a listen here. 

Connect with Occ Taee: Spotify | Instagram

Connect with Solocash: Spotify | Instagram

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Ishmael asks “What’s the Word” on new single

Ishmael has dropped off a new single, titled “What’s the Word”, on his label Maelrose Records. Hailing from Porterville, California, he started making music when he was 14, originally aspiring to become a producer. Beginning to rap and write his own lyrics in high school, Ishmael went on to found his own label Maelrose Records and release his first album Rise Above in 2018, followed by a prolific set of projects that expanded upon his soulful, lyrically-focused style. His latest offering, “What’s the Word”, features dream-like, optimistic production and laid-back flows that give the song a carefree, summery vibe.

Atop an organic soundscape built around watery, relaxed keys, uplifting vocal samples, and crunchy percussion, Ishmael lays down nostalgic verses that paint pictures of both his past and aspirations for the future. With lines like “to sum it up, I’m just excited and terrified at the same time of what my future’s gonna look like”, he hits a vital nerve and relates to listeners in an unassuming fashion. Give “What’s the Word” a listen below as the California artist continues his prolific streak of singles.

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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