Author: befree

By Todd Anderson

Rich Ash is an upcoming artist and producer from Detroit, MI who has the full package. Lyricical, witty, luxurious, creative, optimistic are a few ways one might describe him. The music depicts life lessons, struggles, blessings, success, and plethora of other things. Rich has pioneered his path in the music world with catchy street music that proudly illuminates his hometown and hood. Rich Ash has an entertainment studio in his hometown where he has built strong connections and created multiple outlets to help rising artists.

When asked where does he see himself in 5 years this was his response:

“I want to be a CEO with a full entertainment and media company that specializes in breaking down barriers for people in music.” I also want to start an academy for creatives in need.

His most recent release is called “Update” and was recently added on genius, the track is a blazing, infectious cut that harnesses the sleek sound of current Detroit hip-hop. Atop the buoyant, stylish production, Ash delivers a series of flexible bars that draw the listener in to the song’s atmosphere. The accompanying visual is engaging as well, depicting a charismatic performance from Ash.

Watch the new video for “Update”:

By Damilola Grey

Dami: What was your first introduction to music?

King Havana: My dad is a professional jazz musician so I was introduced to music from a very young age. I’ve always loved music but I really got into music and hip hop in particular in middle school.

Dami: Would you say your dad was the one who inspired you to start making music?

King Havana: He definitely did have a role in that. I started writing raps when I was like 13-14 in order to process traumatic shit that was happening in my life at the time. I kept rap a secret for a while because I thought I was ass but I had some friends encourage me to try and pursue it when I was like 15-16 and that’s when I started taking it seriously.

Dami: What else inspired you to start making music?

King Havana: I’ve always been hella artistic and I loved drawing and acting, growing up. I’ve always found ways to express myself but music has always been my favorite mode of expression.

Dami: How would you describe your sound?

King Havana: I definitely think I bring an energy of classic hip hop to my music even though a lot of my production choices are more modern. I’ve had several people say my flows remind them of Tupac and even though I think that’s a crazy comparison, I definitely think I channel a lot of old school energy in my delivery.

Dami: What’s your creative process like?

King Havana: It honestly depends on the song but I usually work on songs in segments where I’ll come up with 4 to 8 bars at a time and then come back later and finish up another section of the song. I have pretty bad ADHD so my creative process is pretty sporadic but for certain more personal or focused songs, I’ll sit down and write out the whole verse at a time.

Dami: You dropped an album recently titled “Welcome to Havana”. Tell us more about it.

King Havana: “Welcome to Havana” is the finalized project of over two years of work. I started working on it early 2020. The debut single I dropped for the album titled “Good Life” was originally recorded around then. Originally, the album was a lot more influenced by trap production but as the record got more introspective and personal, I found myself gravitating to more soulful and jazzy based production choices. It’s a very personal record and I took a lot of time making sure that I did a good job of introducing who I am as an artist through each song.

Dami: What’s your favorite track off the album?

King Havana: Currently, my favorite track is “Lord’s Prayer” with Dread Scott. It’s by far the most introspective song on the album and has my favorite beat off the whole project. The beat was produced by Riccardo Tha Don and he went crazy on the jazz sample as well as the beat switch at the end with the slowed and reverbed vocal flip.

Dami: What do you want people to take away after listening to “Welcome to Havana”?

King Havana: I knew “Welcome to Havana” was gonna be people’s introduction to my music and me as an artist so I wanted people to walk away from the album excited to hear more from me. I wanted to get people invested in me as an artist and a musician.

Dami: What are 3 words you’ll use to describe the project?

King Havana: The 3 words I’d use are spacey, experimental, and personal.

Dami: What’s next for you after “Welcome to Havana”?

King Havana: I’ve already started working on my next album and it’s gonna be a decent sonic departure from “Welcome to Havana” but in the meantime, I’m gonna be dropping singles periodically to keep people updated with where I’m at.

Dami: What would you say has been your biggest achievement as an artist?

King Havana: My biggest achievement so far is releasing my first project and performing my first show. I had a list of things I wanted to achieve in my career in 2022 and I achieved them all and I’m very proud of that.

Dami: What would you also say has been the most challenging part of being an artist?

King Havana: It’s definitely the cost of paying for professional quality. I’ve been very fortunate to work with very talented producers and artists but it can still be very expensive, especially for a small artist like myself.

Dami: I know you said you’ve already achieved all you wanted to this year but is there anything you’re still tryna get before the year ends?

King Havana: I’d love to perform again if I get the chance.

Stream King Havana HERE.

By Todd Anderson

Nukstarr is a Queens, New York based female recording artist specializing in hip-hop music. Nukstarr has performed with the likes of Nems, Lil Mama, Juelz Santana, Phresher, Benny the Butcher, Maino and Jim Jones, to name a few.  She has been rapping since she was a teenager, and has been on the female battle rap circuit for the past several years. In July 2021, she established Nukcleairs, which is her own brand of sneakers, and in June 2022 Nukstarr established her own label, Prominent Sound Music Group (PSMG), with her best friend Delisa “De-De” Noble, with the intention of providing opportunities for aspiring recording artists to present their music to the world. With the release of Bird Flu, a collaboration with NYC Hot 97’s own DJ Chris Dollar, her and her team believe “She Got One!”

“Bird Flu” is an infectious, bouncy cut that includes a flair from classic mid-2000’s New York hip-hop while keeping things refreshing. It makes for a truly addictive listen, with warm, balmy sonics that make it suitable for summer, with heaps of style as well.

Listen to “Bird Flu” now:

Chicago artist Jay Daze has returned with a fresh new single called “Yeah.” Daze is a 22 year old artist on the rise from the Chicagoland area. He started releasing music when he was 18 in his freshmen year of college and has no plans of slowing down. His latest self produced single, “Yeah”, releases on Tuesday, August 30th, and features infectious, electrifying production and memorable vocals from Jay that showcase his ability to effortless craft catchy, vibrant melodies.

“Yeah” opens with textural, colorful synths that swirl in psychedelic layers atop punchy percussion and rich, engrossing 808s. Creating a solid foundation for Daze’s engaging flows, the instrumental is bouncy and warm, making for a great summer soundtrack. Vocally, Daze weaves together flows that blur the line between melodic songwriting and a more straightforward rap delivery. A powerful, addictive track, “Yeah” provides heavy replay value.

Listen to “Yeah” now HERE.

LA-based artist TK has shared a new single called “Password.” The much-anticipated single follows the distribution of the song as a music NFT on sound.xyz. Impressively, 50 editions of Password were sold to TK’s biggest supporters, generating $15,000 worth of revenue in less than 24 hours. Now available on streaming services, “Password” finds TK delivering a poignant, infectious release that captures his glowing, expansive sound. Blending flourishes of R&B with pop stylings for a vibrant release, “Password” contains sharp songwriting and addictive melodies that draw the listener deeply into the song’s airy atmosphere. Discussing how past trauma can influence our current relationships, the song also makes for an emotive listen many can relate to. The latest from TK, “Password” has certainly whetted our appetite for more music from him. Listen to “Password” below and get familiar with the LA-based artist.

Queens, New York artist DevRAB has shared a fresh new EP called ‘MISFiT’, which features appearances from the likes of BIGBABYGUCCI and Kevin Powers. Inspired by feeling like he didn’t belong anywhere, which is a relatable theme for many, he created MISFiT to essentially show others it’s perfectly okay to feel like you don’t fit in. 

Title track “MISFiT” opens the project and makes this messaging clear, presented in an engaging manner as DevRAB delivers infectious, powerful vocals atop sparkling, expansive instrumentation. Capped off by a cathartic hook that lingers in the listener’s head and can be best described as an “ear-worm”, “MISFiT” makes for a colourful introduction to the project and it makes a strong first impression. “KNOW BETTER” follows up the opener with psychedelic, raw instrumentation centred around kaleidoscopic synths and hard-hitting percussion. As booming 808s play out beneath, DevRAB delivers commanding vocals that showcase his versatility as a vocalist, as he delivers them with a more straightforward rap flow. 

Project highlight “Private Shit” featuring BIGBABYGUCCI makes for a project highlight, with adrenaline-fuelled instrumentation that packs a punch. Here, DevRAB and BIGBABYGUCCI share a natural chemistry as they trade off stylish, catchy verses that enhance the track’s effortless swagger. The EP closes with “Up Now”, which contains softer, more atmospheric instrumentation and adds dynamics to the track listing. Here, airy keys and addictive, grooving bass underscores the track’s sharply-crafted vocal performance, making for an engaging, evocative closer to the project.

The latest from DevRAB, MISFiT makes for an infectious listen while also providing relatable themes that draw listeners into the song’s densely colourful atmospherics. 

Stream “MISFiT” here and get familiar with rising Queens native DevRAB:

By Damilola Grey

Rap Villain member Heem Da Dream, fresh off the release of his debut project “Cosmic Hotel”, sat down with me for our second interview. We talk about his new project, his upcoming single “Feels” and more

Dami: You released Cosmic Hotel earlier this year. Can you tell us about the project?

Heem Da Dream: Say no more. So Cosmic Hotel is a collection of songs that I recorded over a year and a half. I was just in the studio recording a lot with Shaun and Rocket felt like it would be a good idea for me to have a project and I thought so as well. With the consistent music I’ve been recording in the studio, I felt like it was a lot of different vibes but same energy so we put those songs together and that’s how Cosmic Hotel came about. It was a lot of things that got switched around like which songs would make the project but ay we got it done. It’s really a lot of “how I was feeling at the moment” type of music.

Dami: How were you able to pick the songs that made the cut?

Heem Da Dream: That shit was not easy. That’s like trying to pick which of your kids is going to survive. It’s insane, I ain’t gon hold you. Aside from me just listening to the music and picking which one I like the most cause that does go into it, I also had listening sessions with my team throughout the time period of me constructing the tape and getting things together. I had listening sessions in which I played the songs in the order that I felt the tracklist might be, or I’ll just go through them just to see which tracks people were fucking with and let them vote. Whichever songs had the most votes were taken into consideration or automatically chosen but I went back to relisten to them and put them in that order to see what the changes brought out.

Dami: What did you want people to take away after listening to Cosmic Hotel?

Heem Da Dream: I want people to see my individual growth as an artist and to see my starting base so they can tap in and then continue more on my journey and growth as an artist as I drop more music. I just want to give people a starting point to my journey aside from my music with my team. I want people to be able to grow with me.

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

Heem Da Dream: Geechie, wavy, and this last one- two words- hoe-friendly. Always hoe-friendly.

Dami: You got a single titled “Feels” dropping next month. Can you tell us more about it?

Heem Da Dream: “Feels” is coming out September 3 rd . I’ve been heavy in my drill bag lately with a lot of shit I’ve been recording. I’ve been seeing I got a lot of good reception from the drill songs I dropped on the tape. It just made sense so I’m about to see what this next drill shit do.

Dami: This your first drop since Cosmic Hotel back in May. Are you feeling any pressure?

Heem Da Dream: I ain’t feeling nothing but liberation. My wings are spread and I’m excited. I can’t wait to drop.

Dami: Apart from it being a drill track, what else should we expect from it?

Heem Da Dream: It’s my twin, Burcci on the beat so you can already expect a geechie, up-tempo vibe. It’s definitely something you should bump with the gang or with a lady friend or even while you’re out. Even if you’re alone, it’s gon help you turn up; it’s gon make you feel good.

Dami: Any visuals for Feels?

Heem Da Dream: Ooouu that’s federal right there but I got you because you’re family. I might drop a visualizer for it. Nothing too serious but I am dropping more music for the rest of the year and there definitely will be visuals for those so just be on the lookout gang.

Dami: Any features on those singles you got on the way?

Heem Da Dream: Of course. I’ve got a song dropping which features one of my brother, RV, the family type shit. It’s a surprise for the feature so a long as you’re tapped in, you gon be in for a surprise so stay tuned and stay geechie.

Pre-save “Feels” HERE.

Stream Heem Da Dream HERE.

Charlotte-based musician Tim Buds has shared a new single called “BATS.” Inspired by a deep love for hip-hop and rock music, as well as 80’s and 90’s punk and grunge, Buds has crafted a character-rich style through years of songwriting experience. Following up his well-received 2021 EP The Echo Room, “BATS” continues his run of genre-bending, engaging offerings that flirt with a versatile range of sounds.

“BATS” opens with sharply-written, evocative guitar lines before fast, vital percussion drops in to give the song an exhilarating rhythm. With rich bass driving beneath, the song takes on a punk feel, while also showcasing Buds’ characteristically idiosyncratic style. Atop the energizing instrumentation, he delivers a series of addictive, focused melodies before crescendoing into a cathartic hook that lingers in the listeners head long after playing the single.

The latest from Tim Buds, “BATS” finds him once again delivering a thoughtfully-crafted offering that blurs the lines between genres in a refreshing manner.

Listen to “BATS” now: