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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.

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Zoomo and Aasir share fresh visual for “Comrades”

Prolific producer Zoomo and emcee Aasir have dropped off a new video for “Comrades”, a cut from their recent collaborative album The Policy. A standout cut from the record, “Comrades” contains character-rich, textural production from Zoomo that gives off an air of nostalgia with winding, gritty samples, rich bass, and organic-sounding percussion. The instrumentation pairs well with Aasir’s laid-back, raw flows and detailed lyricism, as he laces his verses with eclectic references that keep the listener pressed to the speakers to catch each line. The new visual’s relaxed, DIY feel pairs cohesively with the track, making for a vivid accompaniment.

“Comrades” finds RRR producer Zoomo and Aasir demonstrating a natural chemistry, giving the track an engaging, unassuming style that is immersive and inviting. Check out the new visual for “Comrades” below and stream the remainder of The Policy while you’re at it.

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JazzZ and Tenten share immersive new album ‘ABSINTHE’

Nigerian vocalist JazzZ and Zimbabwean producer Tenten have shared a new project, titled ABSINTHE. The 14-track offering emanates an immersive warmth that draws the listener into its soundscape from the get-go- delivering a comforting listen with fuzzy guitars and keyboards, organic bass grooves, and silky vocals.

ABSINTHE has a lived-in, intimate feel that gives the project its own character, made evident from early in the track-list with the cozy keyboards and hypnotic grooves of “Again, Again, Again”. The instrumental’s coarsely-chopped, textural sound gives it a natural swing, complemented by JazzZ’s laid-back yet emotive vocals. The ethereal guitars, expansive strings, and watery keys of “Woe, Writhe & Hype” give the track a feeling of depth, as JazzZ’s verses soar with mesmerizing melodies. While the ruminative, nocturnal “Everytime” takes on a meditative pace, as crystalline keys and airy percussion mould naturally with JazzZ’s soulful delivery. “Gloria” makes for a standout later in the project with its regal sound and undercurrent of energy, laced into graceful keys, punchy percussion, and rich vocals, paired with imagery-rich lyricism.

ABSINTHE makes for a smoky, immersive new release from JazzZ and Tenten that exhibits expressive, jazz and soul-laced production and heartfelt, focused songwriting. Give it a listen below.

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Gxldsoulrebel asks “What’s Real?” on heartfelt track

We came across South Bend, IN artist Gxldsoulrebel‘s track “What’s Real?” recently, and from there delved into his recent project The True Man Show. From the record, “What’s Real?” makes for a highlight with its insightful exploration of self and society, containing richly poetic bars laced atop warm, hypnotic production. With his characteristically laid-back, crisp delivery, Gxldsoulrebel lays down heartfelt bars woven into dynamic rhyme patterns, that work cohesively with the song’s soulful instrumentation. Above thought-provoking key melodies and airy percussion, he shines on the mic by piecing together lines filled with vibrant imagery. Conveying a sense of hope while maintaining a true-to-life feel throughout, “What’s Real?” makes for a highlight cut from the South Bend artist. Give it a listen here now.