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Exus delivers potent new album ‘From Me, To You’

By Todd Anderson

Exus has come onto our radar with his fresh new album, From Me, To You, a heartfelt set of songs that blend atmospheric, sharply-crafted instrumentation with honest, emotive lyricism. A potent project that contains subject matter relatable to a wide scope of listeners, From Me, To You finds Exus at his best as a lyricist, as he delivers captivating verses that remain vivid and poetic throughout, particularly on songs such as the gospel-tinged “New Life” or the closer “For You”. It’s a set of songs that draws you in closer and closer as the track list progresses, with the opener “Do You See Me?” setting the tone before Exus takes the listener on a journey through personal songs like “Message To My Diary” and “Dancing In The Rain” that get to the core of trials and tribulations that the lyricist has seen in life. Then, there are songs such as “Song Cry” that elevate Exus’ songwriting with potent verses and detail-rich bars that find his skills as a writer at centre stage. It’s a project full of impactful moments, and each song provides them with bars that are memorable for their honest, emotive nature.


The latest from Exus, From Me, To You is a powerful album that kicks off 2023 on a strong note, and it has us excited for what may be coming next from him.

Connect with Exus: Spotify | Instagram

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Samson Oats drops intense debut single “Home Safe”

By Damilola Grey

Budding artist and California native, Samson Oats has dropped his first ever single titled “Home Safe”. The 2-minute track sees heavy rock and pop influences.

Home Safe sees Samson talk about knowing that you’re enough for a person, but feel like you’re not at the same time and then start questioning everything. The single was inspired by Samson’s partner who, at the time of the creation of this masterpiece, was going through a fallout with her closest friends. Samson ended up becoming her primary support system and was overcome with empathy for her situation. He made this single to capture his insecurities about love and the anguish people feel when they realize their relationships aren’t as sacred as they think it is. Home Safe talks about the pain everyone feels when close friends or lovers turn their backs on them. The sober delivery adds another layer to the melancholic picture Samson Oats paints.

Samson has started his career with a bang. The flurry of emotions from this single isn’t the work of a regular artist.

Stream Home Safe below

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An Interview with rooney toones

By Damilola Grey

Dami: What was your first introduction to music?

rooney toones: Both my parents were avid music listeners; mainly big fans of old Bollywood and classical Indian music, along with rock music from the 60’s like the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and The Eagles. I was in chorus for most of my time throughout middle school and high school, so I mainly started out singing and then everything went from there.

Dami: Would you say Bollywood music influenced your sound?

rooney toones: Not as much as I thought; I used to not really like Bollywood music. I thought it was super cheesy. It was then that I realized how many of the songs I grew up listening to were Bollywood samples, like Indian Flute by Timbaland, and even Toxic by Britney Spears was a Bollywood sample. I think as I got older, I started appreciating it a lot more.

Dami: What inspired you to start making music?

rooney toones: It was actually my best friend who got me into making music. He pulled up to my house one summer before my sophomore year and said that he was making an album this summer and asked if I wanted a verse on it. I got two verses in and that was the beginning of that. Granted I didn’t realize back then I wasn’t the best rapper but it was the spark that got me to where I am rn.

Dami: Would you say a lot has changed sound-wise for you since then?

rooney toones: Oh, for sure. The last few years since my junior year in college, I’ve been sampling like a mad man. It’s been a blessing honestly. I’m listening to music from all around the world from any time period. There’s a vast amount of amazing music in the world that will never see the light of day.

Dami: How would you describe your sound?

rooney toones: Very stripped back. I like to keep things simple. It leaves room for more collaboration and makes for a better song.

Dami: Who are your biggest inspirations?

rooney toones: I got a very long list honestly lol, but I’ll keep it short. Dilla, Madlib, The Alchemist, 9th Wonder, Kanye (the music, not the person), and Conductor Williams as of late cause his beats are different than anything I’ve heard in the last few years. I love Pharrell, Timbaland. Yeah, I could go on forever.

Dami: You just dropped your debut album. Tell us more about it.

rooney toones: For sure. I wanna start a series of tapes called “Rooney n Friends” where I just get my friends and any other rappers, singers or producers I meet and click with and work with them. It’s all in the love of good music. I feel like in this day and age of music, collaboration is way more important than it has ever been.

Dami: Is this album the start of the series?

rooney toones: Yeah honestly, I just wanna start putting out more tapes. Whether they’re on streaming services or on Bandcamp and SoundCloud.

Dami: Is it going to be a regular thing?

rooney toones: Yeah, I’m tryna make it one. My goal is to be more consistent with releases. We’re in an age where the more content you have out, the more success you will see. But that shouldn’t take away from the quality of the work so there’s a balance.

Dami: So, do you already have the sequel planned?

rooney toones: I’ll probably start working on it down the line. Right now, I have a few beat tapes planned out, but there is a deluxe version of “Rooney n Friends” volume 1 in the works as we speak.

Dami: What should we expect from it?

rooney toones: Just some more amazing rappers hopping on the instrumentals from the album, not gonna say who so as not to spoil the surprise.

Dami: What do you want listeners to take away after listening to your music?

rooney toones: To appreciate the friends and family around you, and to appreciate good music.

Dami: What’s your creative process like?

rooney toones: I don’t really have one locked down. I like to listen to old records and music for about an hour or two and then take inspiration from what I heard and put it into my own creations. A lot of the time I spend making music, I’m looking for cool samples.

Dami: What are 3 words you’ll use to describe your music?

rooney toones: Damn that’s tough. First word I would say is bouncy, and then I guess I’d say vibrant and just all-around fun.

Dami: Is the “Rooney n Friends” series your only planned drop for the year or do you have some extra shit planned?

rooney toones: I got a few more things I would like to drop, but nothing as big as the first “Rooney n Friends”. I’m just ecstatic that this project is out and I finally have quality piece of work out. It’s been a good week, I’ll say that.

Dami: What else you tryna achieve this year?

rooney toones: Just get more music out at the moment. I also DJ on the side so I would love to get more gigs in my city and other cities in the country.

Stream HERE.

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The Ian Moore shares infectious remix to “GODLIKE”

St. Louis artist The Ian Moore has come through with a remix to his well-received track “GODLIKE”, which adds mainstays Futuristic and Mark Battles to the mix for a new cut that exhibits a natural chemistry between the three artists.

“GODLIKE” was produced by H3 Music and was mixed by Hope Gipson from Nerd Milk Studios and Carter Mckee from Suburban Pro Studios, and the instrumentation on the track is simply infectious. Containing sleek guitars that drift in layers atop dark, stormy synths alongside heavy percussion, “GODLIKE” is an inspiring, hard-hitting joint that demonstrates the duo’s self confidence. It’s a track that conveys raw sonic power, matched by the rappers’ cutting, poignant verses for a true tour-de-force.

“GODLIKE is a song about having confidence and facing the world head on. I know that confidence can come and go, but when I wrote this song it was during a point where all the pieces started to fall into place,” Ian says about his creative process. “I felt like I was able to take on the entire planet and could achieve any goal I had in front of me. The song is called what it is, because that’s exactly how I felt while creating it, Godlike.” The Ian Moore is excited to add another artist he admires to the track to further elevate the song.

Listen to The Ian Moore’s “GODLIKE – Remix” below and get familiar with this rising St. Louis artist.

Follow The Ian Moore: Spotify | Instagram | Twitter

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Valid and Stretch Money share fresh visual for “Sentimental”

Detroit artists Valid and Stretch Money are capitalizing on the success of their recent single, “Sentimental” with a fresh new visual. Cohesive with the song’s retro-meets-modernized sound and style, the video contains a charming throwback feel that makes this release extra engaging. The 80’s pop-influenced, synth-laden sonics of “Sentimental” are reflected in the track’s strong new video, which features fun-loving shots with classic 80’s attire and dance moves. The video even features an infomercial at the end in which they advertise a number, 1-833-ValStretch, which can be called in the USA for more information on the duo’s work.

Directed by Jerry Reid, the vivid visual continues the Detroit artists’ hot streak, making us excited for what may be on the way from these Motor City mainstays.

Watch the video for “Sentimental” here.

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ArmstrongWW shares elegant new project, ‘Recovery’

Cameroon-born, Houston-based musician ArmstrongWW has shared a new project, titled Recovery. Born Armstrong Orock, ArmstrongWW is an alternative hip-hop and soul artist involved in an on-going crusade to liberate his birth country of Cameroon, Africa using music as a medium. The release of his debut 7 track EP. Recovery has been anticipated by recently released singles “Superstar You” and “Run!”, and the project arrives now in its full form- a graceful, mature record that finds ArmstrongWW contemplating potent themes atop a soulful array of glistening instrumentals produced by Domain Brown, Bowen Thi, as well as Armstrong himself, who who crafted the instrumentals for 3 out of 7 songs.

Recovery contains a set of tracks that stick with you upon first listen while also growing overtime, as layers of depth unfold within Armstrong’s versatile songwriting. Songs like the opener “Hello Earth” and “Run!” are clever, focused lyrical hip-hop offerings that remain nimble and light on their feet while also purveying a sense of profundity. Showing another side of Armstrong’s musicianship are soulful tracks “Momma Say” and “Superstar You”, which contain a more melodious performance that smoothly incorporate R&B elements. The heartfelt, warm sonics of Recovery draw the listener in and immerse them in the project’s hypnotic, emotive feel, culminating in the title-track closer, which includes some of ArmstrongWW’s most vivid lyricism, with the lines “even on this earth I’m an outcast, time the only thing I’m trying to outlast, now the stakes are high like outback, I should go to mars for the weekend…” capturing the record’s zeitgeist concisely.

Recovery shines with authenticity throughout its tracklist, inviting one into an intimate, pensive world of character-rich lyricism and velvety, poignant instrumentation. It’s a mesmerizing debut from ArmstrongWW that has us excited for what may be coming from him this year, as he sets off on a strong note in 2023.

Listen to Recovery here:

Connect with ArmstrongWW: Spotify | Instagram | Twitter

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Nkosi Bourne shares refreshing video for “Drowning”

Brooklyn artist Nkosi Bourne has shared a refreshing new video for his song “Drowning”. A standout track from his well-received EP Glimpse from late last year, “Drowning” contains an emotive, reflective feel conveyed through poetic, vivid lyricism and laid-back production. The new accompanying visual takes on a “day in the life” theme for a retable offering that also captures the sound and thematics of the song well, making for a cohesive addition shot by Cultivison, a production company run by Cult Classic. Containing a thoughtful, hazy atmosphere that is distilled well in the video, “Drowning”‘s new music video captures Bourne’s inner world in a way that intrigues and engages.

As track two on Nkosi Bourne’s mixtape Glimpse, “Drowning” immediately stands out with its precise patterns of rhymes and percussion. It showcases themes of resiliency, constant challenges,  lack of complacency, and more. It’s a solid offering from Bourne that capitalizes on the success of his Glimpse mixtape, and continues his run of earnest, focused releases into the new year. Watch the music video for “Drowning” below and familiarize yourself further with Brooklyn musician Nkosi Bourne.

Connect with Nkosi Bourne and watch for updates from him: Spotify | Instagram | Twitter

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Foreverongo shares emotive release “Danny Phantom” [Video]

Foreverongo has shared a fresh new video for his song “Danny Phantom”. The Indianapolis artist tells an original, uncut story with his music based on experiences, pain, love, and passion in every track he creates. He brings a raw, uncut flow when delivering raps, while also being quick to slow the beat down & soothe his audience when the time is right. Foreverongo brings much potential and consistency with his output, with lots to deliver and prove in his future. His latest offering, “Danny Phantom”, executively produced by fast-rising music company Rare Music Entertainment, continues his run of engaging, emotive tracks alongside a sharply-crafted visual directed and edited by Andrew Coleman.

“Danny Phantom” is an immersive, memorable track that includes strong production centred around booming 808s, watery keys, and crisp, trunk-knocking percussion. Atop the refreshing instrumentation, Foreverongo delivers a series of sleek, clean verses that neatly toe the line between a raw delivery and smooth melodies. “Danny Phantom” is accompanied by a mesmerizing, focused video directed by Andrew Coleman that captures the track’s engaging feel with concise, thoughtful shots and editing.

Watch the visual for “Danny Phantom” here and familiarize yourself with rising artist Foreverongo.

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An interview with Jordan Ali

By Damilola Grey

Dami: What inspired you to start making music?

Jordan Ali: I first started making music when I was 18 for fun with my friends after we had come up with the idea to create a mixtape for our friend group. Secretly, I had always wanted to try it as I was one of the best freestyle rappers in my class and I loved singing at home. I took it as my chance to try something, and I got bit with the music bug. Kept at it even when everyone else moved on.

Dami: Who are your biggest inspirations?

Jordan Ali: Tyler the Creator, Andre 3000, Michael Jackson, Prince, Jay Z, Frank Ocean, Kendrick Lamar, and my grandfather.

Dami: Would you say they have a really big influence on your sound?

Jordan Ali: Earlier when making music, they did but now I analyze and feel inspired more by their techniques in production, curation, and work habits. I just recently started making music straight from how my soul feels.

Dami: When making music, where do you grab inspiration from?

Jordan Ali: My own life, interesting paradigms and situations I see or hear about, the Black-American experience, and seeing people vibe with my music at the live shows. Admittedly though, sometimes the shit just enters my mind from absolutely nowhere.

Dami: How would you describe your sound?

Jordan Ali: I’d describe my sound as a dynamic and genre-bending approach to classic soundscapes throughout hip-hop and black art as a whole. For example, my song “Deez Days” sounds very similar to an early Joey Badass/J Cole song, instrumentally. There’s a Tribe Called Quest interpolation at the end, and the flow throughout is more of a 90s gangsta hip-hop approach. I like mixing shit up lmao. Or even “Food4Soul” which is a lo-fi reimagining of a 2010 conscious rap beat, but I use a Southern flow on it with a really chill cadence.

Dami: What’s your creative process like?

Jordan Ali: I either write the song first and beatbox a rough sonic foundation to send to a producer or I have them turn on a beat and freestyle for a long ass time then go back and Frankenstein fly shit that I said to make a fun and compelling track.

Dami: You recently dropped a single titled “Food4Soul”. Tell us more about it.

Jordan Ali: “Food4Soul” was originally a poem I wrote for fun, which later turned into an audition for my university’s spoken word team, then the intro to an EP that never came to fruition, and now sits as a lynchpin song within my debut project. It’s been through a lot of changes, which is kind of funny because the song talks a lot about dealing with change you didn’t know you needed while simultaneously hoping for the change you want. “Food4Soul” is me asking as many questions as possible in hopes I find the answer.

Dami: Why’d the EP never drop?

Jordan Ali: I used to be with a production duo and they went back and forth tackling EPs with me. When it was time for the EP, one of them dropped off the face of the Earth, so I decided to try something new. New vision, new rap name, new message, and all around became a new man.

Dami: What’s next for you after “Food4Soul”?

Jordan Ali: A prelude EP for my debut project, then my debut project. The EP is currently called “Pack Your Bags”.

Dami: What should we expect from it?

Jordan Ali: Expect that it’ll be me once again experimenting and jumping into a new soundscape, but being authentically Jordan Ali. I recently started throwing shows and parties with my homies in Baltimore, so that’s really inspired the new music. The long nights out in the streets, the energy we cultivate in the venues, the days we spend together just discussing life, and all the times we’ve leaned on each other.

Dami: What do you want listeners to take away after listening to your music?

Jordan Ali: That we’re all here together, dealing with the human experience, and no matter how good or bad it gets, it’s a beautiful one. I want people to find the strength to do more and do better within themselves, in the most sustainable and authentic way possible.

Dami: How do you deal with writer’s block?

Jordan Ali: I usually attribute writer’s block to stagnation or burnout in my own life, so I’ll go hang out with someone I haven’t seen in awhile or take a trip to somewhere I’ve never been. You can never go wrong with just being Nature as well.  

Dami: What do you have planned for this year and what do you hope to achieve this 2023 too?

Jordan Ali: More shows, more music, more music videos, more travelling, more life, and more community. You gotta keep up with me to catch it all. The main thing I want to achieve is financial independence off the strength of music, doing 5 shows overseas, and doing right by the Baltimore Art Scene that constantly fuels me.

Stream “Food4Soul” by Jordan Ali HERE.

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Valid and Stretch Money are “Sentimental” on infectious new single

Detroit mainstays Valid and Stretch Money have joined forces for the much-anticipated single “Sentimental”. Produced by Chuck Cross and featuring vocals from Kelly Kerr, “Sentimental “is a sharply written and vibrantly infectious single that neatly blends hip-hop with flourishes of pop for an offering that can appeal to a wide range of listeners. On “Sentimental”, punchy, colorful synths build into an addictive, club-influenced melody dynamically, before bouncy, energizing percussion and rich synth bass create a strong groove beneath. Vocally, the artists weave together cohesive performances that elevate the track to new heights, as Valid begins with a sturdy, charismatic flow before Kerr delivers a smooth hook, followed by potent, captivating lines from Stretch Money. All three artists demonstrate natural chemistry vocally, shining on the track with their unique contributions.

Valid and Stretch Money come through with a release that can truly be described as eclectic here, as an influence of 80s pop and electronic runs as an electrifying undercurrent, fused engagingly with hip-hop. A refreshing single that cannot be boxed in to one category or style, “Sentimental” demonstrates the Detroit duo’s creativity and has us looking forward to further work from them with much anticipation. Take a listen to “Sentimental” below and connect with Valid and Stretch Money.

Connect with Valid: Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Facebook

Connect with Stretch Money: Instagram | Facebook