Connecticut artist Nick Rose has come through with a fresh video for his single “WANDERING”. While the single originally caught our attention for its vibrancy and genre-bending songwriting, the video expands upon its strengths even further- with colourful, fast-paced shots that capture the track’s vital energy, plus engaging storytelling to go with it. Capturing the song’s liveliness and subtle feeling of urgency, the video depicts a chase scene of Nick and a love interest, equipped with chaotic, psychedelic effects that add to its dizzying pace and layered sound.
Born Nicholas William Costantini, Nick Rose is a 22 year-old artist, songwriter, and producer from Connecticut, born in New Britain and raised in Plainville. Nick is the co-founder and creative director of his imprint DONT TRIP RECORDINGS LLC. Inspired by his personal tribulations and his love for popular culture, he has built an expansive discography of releases that flirt with hip-hop, alt-pop, dance, and more.
Check out Rose’s latest video for “WANDERING” below.
Austin-based Hip-hop duo Tribe Mafia are back with their new song “Reach For The Stars” The upbeat feel-good song is produced by Grammy-nominated Phil Lewis. “Reach For The Stars'” mood is carefree, energetic, and upbeat, with a pop/ electronic dance sound. Debuting on CW’s “All American”, this positive anthem about self-focus will resonate with a variety of listeners.
Tribe Mafia is comprised of longtime friends Chinasa Broxton and Carlos Moore. The duo came up in Austin, Texas underground circles, going from recording their songs in the bathroom of their high school to international touring. The group’s blend of contemporary rap styles came to life on their 2020 project Teepee Gang. With their incredible talent and undeniable energy, Tribe Mafia is quickly becoming one of the most exciting acts in music today.
Keep an eye on this dynamic duo as they continue to push the boundaries of hip hop and make waves with their engaging sound.
Take a listen to “Reach For The Stars” on all platforms HERE.
Brooklyn artist Shane, the Shaman has shared a new EP called Lifestyles Of The Young, Black, and Gifted, produced by Tenten. The potent, focused 4-song project finds Shane delivering pensive, sharply-crafted lyrics atop smoky, sample-based production. The instrumentals from Tenten creates a hazy, mysterious atmosphere and a feeling of depth that pairs cohesively with Shane’s thought-provoking lyrical style. His laid-back yet confident cadence draws the listener’s attention quickly, and on songs like “Right Place” he especially shines with sleek wordplay, while Tenten delivers a strong beat containing raw grooves and dusty percussion. “Ebony and Ivory” makes for an elegant track that slows down the pace and finishes the project on a high note, with swirling keys and textural horns that suit Shane’s vocal tone as he delivers some of his most potent lyrics on the EP.
Take a listen to Lifestyles Of The Young, Black, and Gifted below and further familiarize yourself with Shane, the Shaman.
Arkansas artist YB has delivered a fresh single called “Praying Hands”. With a style that can be best described as optimistic in tone and content, but hard-hitting and trap-based sonically, YB is an artist that has been keeping fans eyes glued to him with a flurry of poignant, powerful releases, and his latest, “PRAYING HANDS”, is no exception. The booming, expansive single employs a heavy, trunk-knocking rhythm section and ethereal, ominous keys to create a cathartic yet uplifting soundscape. YB himself shines with a fast-paced, razor sharp flow and focused mic presence that captivates from the get-go. The song demonstrates his skill as an emcee and mic control that set him apart alongside quick-witted lyricism and sleek production.
Take a listen to “PRAYING HANDS” here and connect with YB on social media for more.
Cleveland artist 3vd returns to our platform with a fresh release, called “Man on a Mission”. The prolific artist recently dropped offerings called “Euphoria” and “Cutthroat”, which caught our attention initially for their versatility and sonic vibrancy. His latest, “Man on a Mission” continues the same diverse songwriting he has been displaying on his rapidly growing discography, accompanied by an engaging, energizing visual.
Warbling, futuristic synths and booming percussion create an adrenaline-fuelled backdrop for 3vd’s powerful yet self-contained flows. He sounds focused and poised on the mic as he rides the heavy 808s and poignant synths smoothly, captivating the listener’s attention from the get-go. The new visual, shot by @Zenen Saneshige, does well to enhance the track’s raw, off-the-wall feel with nocturnal visuals and sharp, fast-paced cuts that suit the track’s buoyancy.
The latest from 3vd, “Man on a Mission” represents another solid outing from the young Ohio artist and it has us excited for whatever else may be coming from him this year.
Massachusetts artist Jxylen has dropped off a new EP called DIVINE ORDER: ACT I, produced by E.N.G. Creation, fresh off the heels of his recent LP PROJECT MAYHEM: FIGHT CLUB EDITION. While his previous full-length project was often a dark, ominous analysis of the world around him, DIVINE ORDER: ACT I turns things further inward with its introspective content, simultaneously taking on a lighter, cathartic tone in its production and lyricism.
Weaving, soulful beats carry a certain airiness beneath Jxylen’s flows, as he sounds more assured and less burdened on DIVINE ORDER: ACT I, managing to let much off his chest and turn his focus towards new possibilities. Songs like “DON’T WAIT” encapsulate this, with Jxylen still enhancing his delivery with force, yet containing it and throwing in a sense of subtle optimism to balance things out. “THE GOD HOUR” sounds nearly triumphant, despite its aura of gritty realism, as stabs of refreshing vocal samples and elegant keys ring out under Jxylen’s confident verses.
DIVINE ORDER: ACT I takes on a different tone from Jxylen, while retaining his usual penchant for poetic, thoughtful lyricism and grimy instrumentation. It gives off a sense of release and letting go to make way for a brighter future, while keeping its style and sound gritty and raw like the Massachusetts rapper’s previous efforts. Give it a listen below and check out the new video for “DON’T WAIT” while you’re at it.
Wrek has dropped off an eclectic new single, titled “Déjà vu”. Hailing from New Jersey, he has been building a versatile discography of releases prolifically of late, and “Déjà vu” is the latest expressive release from him, capturing his poignant songwriting and ear for character-rich sounds. The consistent East Coast artist shares a colorful track with “Déjà vu” that harnesses flourishes of Jersey club and dance music and mixes it engagingly with hip-hop and R&B flavors. The result is a highly cohesive drop that captures a youthful, optimistic energy with infectious songwriting and focused vocals.
“Déjà vu” presents another strong release from Wrek that finds him covering new ground with a vivid, catchy new drop that remains emotive and personal throughout. Give it a listen below.
Detroit’s Valid and Stretch Money have shared a fresh song and video called “Game Film”. After release the well-received “Commentate” and their engaging 80s inspired single “Sentimental” ,Valid and Stretch Money are back with their ode to 80s cinematography, “Game Film”. Co-production shared by platinum credited Grammy-Award winning DJ Head of Shady Records, Grammy-Award winning Anthony Rizzo, and Detroit staple Eddie Logix. “Game Film” is an ethereal, lush track that pairs silky instrumentation with assured, charismatic flows from the two rappers that demonstrate their natural chemistry.
Warm, hypnotic harps blend with drifting strings to create a blissful atmosphere, as crisp, refreshing percussion moors the track beneath. Atop the silvery beat, Valid and Stretch Money deliver poignant verses full of references to films from the 80s, demonstrating a deep love and knowledge of retro cinematography. The video, directed by Jerry Reid, makes for a cohesive accompaniment with VHS-inspired shots that capture the song’s old school feel, complete with locker room and gym settings and an engaging performance from the two emcees.
During a phone conversation, Valid mentioned to Stretch that an idea came to him for them to do a record referencing classic 80s movie titles, scenes, and phrases. As he was saying it out loud, it came to him instantly that sports team’s study game film. “Stretch, I got it. To stay true to the concept of the album, we watch game film like sports teams do, but our game film is these classic gangsta’ ass 80s flicks.” Stretch saw the picture painted clearly, and the two went to work on top of the Eddie Logix score. The two MCs would end up penning what both would consider some of their proudest works, and a legit ode to the VHS era.
Chicago artist Patrick Sun has shared a new EP called Villain Energy. Sun is starting off the year with his most honest body of work to date on his new EP. Through relatable storytelling and hard hitting bars across the project’s eight tracks, the Chicago rapper declares his own righteousness after accepting who he truly is as creator.
Villain Energy exudes a feeling of maturity and self-awareness across its 8 tracks, as it seeks to find a median between dark, ominous sounds and content and atmospheric brightness. Sun brings imposing, aggressive energy on the EP, while balancing it out with restraint and focus on the microphone. He especially shines as a wordsmith, with reflections upon self-acceptance and the complex moral nature of the individual’s inner workings. Portraying himself as a complicated character in a relatable fashion, Sun paints a clear picture for the listener. The mercurial feeling of the instrumentals enhances his message, with tracks like the expansive opener “Time Crisis” and the crisp “Follow Me” blending nocturnal elements with colorful, airy sonics.
Villain Energy can best be described as the peak of Sun’s character arc. The journey of reflection and acceptance that listeners hear on Sun’s EP creates an effect that moves one enough to consider the maturation of their own character and how they will ultimately choose to carry themselves in this life.
The New Jersey rapper-producer continues to expand his limits with “Practice”, a noisy, progressive track that showcases his versatility. The wall-of-sound approach and grimy samples almost recall an old school RZA beat but with clean, crisp drums and booming 808s that bring the track into 2023, or even a bit ahead of that. It’s a tour-de-force of hard-hitting production and forceful lyricism that makes it difficult to ignore Dzh’s “Practice”.
mynameisntjmack- “Leak”
mynameisntjmack, hailing from Virginia, drops off a stellar 2-part song called “Leak”. The artist goes into depth about his personal trials and tribulations atop a beat that showcases two disparate yet cohesive sounds. Beginning with a manic segment that implements a feeling of urgency with brisk flows and chaotic percussion, “Leak” builds before dropping into a smoky, laid-back ending that conjures a moody atmosphere for jmack’s introspection. “Leak” is an emotive, harrowing listen that showcases his diverse sound in the process.
Francesca Wexler- “LOVING U”
Francesca Wexler drops off another track this month, the genre-bending “LOVING U”. There’s no denying the Toronto-via-Lagos artist’s songwriting abilities, and with each track she seems to come up with a new inflection or melody that captures the ear in a refreshing way. Atop fluttering, futuristic production that builds in atmospheric layers, she once again lays down irresistible vocal lines that draw the listener deeply into the track’s textural, nearly aquatic soundscape.
Jxylen- “DON’T WAIT”
Jxylen’s “DON’T WAIT”, off his recently released DIVINE ORDER: ACT I feels cathartic in tone, as he lets much off his chest atop soulful production from E.N.G. Creation. His lyricism remains a standout as there are many layers to unpack within “DON’T WAIT”’s dense, vivid verses. The new video enhances the song’s catharsis with shots of open fields and an emotive performance from Jxylen. There’s a sense of relief to the track and video, while it also dives deep and remains unafraid to bare its soul.
LÉA THE LEOX- “Purpose”
LÉA THE LEOX delivers a heartfelt, thoughtful track with “Purpose”, a song that details her path of self-discovery and stresses the importance of connecting with what matters most in life. The acoustic R&B joint gives a clear picture of the songwriter’s mind state and personal journey atop pensive guitars and elegant strings. A moving song with a character-rich vocal performance from LÉA, “Purpose” makes for a relatable listen for many.
Ricky Mapes- “Heaven”
Bronx artist Ricky Mapes’ release “Heaven”, produced by PERFECT10, continues a prolific run for him with a sleek, atmospheric boom-bap cut. Retaining the essence of the lyricist’s gritty NY sound while adding in crisp percussion and airy samples that give the song a certain gloss, “Heaven” balances the rawness out with a smooth sheen. Paired with Mapes’ sharp, clever lines and sly delivery, its an offering that is simply easy to re-visit.
ROUNDHOUSE MUSIC 