Sareem has finally dropped his highly awaited self-titled project, his first full-length release in 2 years. The 12-track tape boasts of features from AG3, Alexander the Great, and SPYKid, as well as others. It also features a personal favorite track of mine, “Sareem Abdul Jabaar”.
When I asked him what his self-titled album meant to him, he said “Sareem is me, it’s my family name. Sareem is a way for me to harness confidence that I fought like hell to find when I was growing up. It’s a way for me to search the words of what I’m feeling at that time. I’d say I’m at my most real/vulnerable on this album specifically because I don’t try to frame it as some “I’m better than you” or “I’m flexing this and you ain’t” type shit. I feel like anything that can be seen as flexes rather reflect my flaws on the later songs. I guess that’s what I was trying to go for with some of it, like if I’m flexing, it’s not out of desire or a want, but more out of desperation, selfishness and survival”. Sareem is full of hits and I honestly feel like everyone should check it out, and see why he’s called Sareem Abdul Jabaar.
Surrey, Canada artist PEAK has returned with a new song called “SLIDE”, the first single from his upcoming debut album 99 Reasons. Staying true to a prolific release schedule, he follows up recent releases such as “OUTLAW” and “NO HOOK” with another energizing and catchy single that showcases infectious production and sharply-crafted vocals.
Produced by KULTARGOTBOUNCE, “SLIDE” contains smooth, stylish instrumentation that neatly blends R&B and hip-hop influences. Refreshing in sound, the beat is vital and uplifting, underscoring PEAK’s emotive vocal performance. Topically, he discusses persevering through tough emotions and feelings of uncertainty about a love interest. Capped off with a catchy, ear-worm chorus that lingers in the one’s head long after listening, “SLIDE” marks another infectious and vibrant offering from the emerging Surrey, Canada artist.
“SLIDE” will appear on PEAK’s upcoming debut album 99 Reasons, and has given us many reasons to be excited for the full release.
Canadian Artists Rylis and Kashaga have shared a new single and video, “Cyclone”, following their recent success with single, “Dumb With U”, that amassed over 25,000 streams on spotify and over 15,000 views on the music video directed by Colton Davis.
The pair met in early December of 2021. After having viral success on TikTok, making musical content around the trending, “Timbiebs”, Rylis and Kashaga met up in person and began collaborating their creative minds.
Their latest release is “Cyclone”, an infectious offering that provides heavy replay value through sharply-crafted, vibrant songwriting. Accompanied by a refreshing new visual, “Cyclone” is a release that is simply easy to revisit again and again.
The production on “Cyclone” is energizing and catchy, centred around vital, raw guitars and driving percussion. Beneath, rich bass underscores the vocalists’ engaging verses, as the song builds into an explosive, addictive chorus. Showcasing focused songwriting paired with cohesive production, “Cyclone” finds Rylis and Kashaga expanding upon their recent releases to provide a bright offering.
The accompanying visual enhances the song’s summery mood, making for a refreshing viewing experience. Arriving just in time for the balmy summer months, “Cyclone”‘s visual finds the artists’ delivering a charismatic performance that complements the song’s lively feel.
The latest from Canadian artists Rylis and Kashaga, “Cyclone” showcases poised songwriting and provides a fresh mood before the arrival of summer.
Erik Evy: My parents were always playing music around the house. Most of it being alternative and rock music. I was introduced to hip hop by kids at school. My first bands I loved were Green Day, Linkin Park, and Avril Lavigne.
Dami: What inspired you to start making music?
Erik Evy: I was living at home after college and I thought screw it, I can write the music just as good as the music I am hearing now. The biggest hurdle was honestly getting over the fear of being judged. Ultimately, I chose myself and I have learned not to care that other people see my music.
Dami: Who are your biggest inspirations?
Erik Evy: Being from Chicago, Chance the Rapper, Saba, and Kanye are all big influences. Right now, I am drawing a lot of inspiration from other artists that I am connecting with. There are a lot of artists who are relatively unknown who are pushing the sound.
Dami: Where do you grab inspiration from?
Erik Evy: Inspiration comes from myself. I am eager to discover what I can create. The more I experiment, the more I find my sound. The rest of the inspiration comes from life. In my opinion, the best music relates to life.
Dami: What’s your creative process like?
Erik Evy: My biggest perk is having a studio in my apartment. That way anytime I think of an idea, I can create on the spot. I am learning to plan ahead in my work so I do not feel pressured to make a hit. I typically find a beat, feel the emotion from that and then take my time to write the song. I cannot freestyle a song haha I need to write it down and let it sit for a few days.
Dami: You just dropped a single titled “Quarter Life Crisis”. Can you tell us more about it?
Erik Evy: I released “Quarter Life Crisis” on the 23 rd of May. Song is on all platforms and the music video is on YouTube. I love this track. This is my most confident song yet. I am singing, rapping my ass off, and delivering a catchy hook. This has been a moment I have been waiting for.
Dami: What’s next for Erik after this?
Erik Evy: I have a show coming up on June 7 th in Chicago. My first show and I cannot be more pumped. I will be playing unreleased music, and some of the recent songs. Following the show, I will release another music video, and then I will have a small project in July.
Dami: Any dream collabs?
Erik Evy: Oh my haha, here we go. Saba, Chance the Rapper, Dominic Fike, James Blake, Bieber, Vince Staples, Alicia Keys and Jaden. There are lots of lesser known artists that I want to work with but I want to keep those plans secret for now. They may happen sooner than you think!
Dami: What do you hope to accomplish by the year’s end?
Erik Evy: I hope to release my full mixtape and have it featured on Lyrical Lemonade’s “Chicago’s Top 50 Projects” for 2022. It will be my most complete work. Outside of projects, I want to be able to meet more artists in Chicago and I want to get more performances. I believe my next big step is to develop a core fan base here in the city.
Dami: What’s the most challenging part of being an artist to you?
Erik Evy: The biggest challenge has been staying consistent on the grind. Sometimes I can get wrapped up in the less important tasks but keeping track of my goals has been a huge motivation. I have come a long way in the past year and I need to continue to look forward to give everyone the best I can create.
The experimental rapper-producer digs through his catalog to share a once-exclusive song on streaming.
The Jackson, MS Gios4ma standout builds on the success of his 2021 EP, “GO LIVE,” which was lauded as a refreshing project in the otherwise dark times of the COVID-19 pandemic. The EP has accumulated more than 40,000 streams across digital streaming platforms, and it also landed on the “Trending Albums” section on Audiomack next to Danny Brown’s acclaimed “XXX” (Deluxe Version) album. Gio’s latest drop is a notable track from his “Heatwave vol. 1” EP, available on Bandcamp. Re-released publicly on June 1, Gio is celebrating the song’s five year anniversary.
Listeners witness a masterclass in rapping over a woozy instrumental. With unique talents as a producer, Gio simply provided the instrumental and allowed his collaborators to show out in their respective verses. Chicago native King $ly delivers poignant rhymes about the state of the world post-2016 election and his determination to keep fighting in the midst of hard times. LA-based rapper Ghostie 8k takes aim at racism in our society, empathizing with his friends caught in an oppressive cycle. Gio takes a unique approach towards the end of the song, mixing the refrain of Ghostie 8k with $ly’s catchy hook. “Saudade Samba” is a song that rewards repeat listens.
Hip hop mega-collective Hidden Renaissance have shared their debut single “The Hidden Ones”, a vivid expression of detailed lyricism and textural, colorful production. Featuring consistently sharp vocal contributions from DEADPAN, King Quad, Snick Foley, LANO, and Pareto as well as producer brown_buddha, this song finds the artists sharing a natural chemistry as they balance boisterous energy and calming sonics effectively. “The Hidden Ones” features vibrant instrumentation centred around layered, watery keys and reminiscent accordions drifting atop organic-sounding drums that provide a sturdy rhythm. Throwing it back to the glory days of rap collectives, with a refreshing twist, “The Hidden Ones” makes for an expansive and focused offering.
Atlanta’s S.U.R.F has connected with Atlanta-by-way-of-Brooklyn artist Ben Reilly for a refreshing new single called “Bet”. Showcasing his engaging, powerful sound and ear for infectious flows, “Bet” is a memorable banger that finds the two artists delivering stylish, energizing performances.
“Bet” opens with breezy synths before rich, bouncy 808s and crisp percussion are added to lock in a buttery rhythm. An addictive refrain kicks off the track, before the two artists deliver catchy, confident verses atop the sleek instrumentation. A lively track that provides heavy replay value, “Bet” makes for an atmospheric banger that will have the listener continuously rewinding.
The latest from S.U.R.F, “Bet” finds him connecting with Ben Reilly for an infectious banger that provides refreshing energy throughout.
Oh my! Rapper and TikTok influencer Charlie Curtis-Beard returns with a new single “good girls bad girls”.
The idea likely comes from the song’s opening sample, in which a random TikToker proclaims that “men do not want slutty women”. CCB then goes on to rap about appreciating all kinds of girls: good or bad, “clean or dirty”, girls who “fuck for work” or girls who “wanna twerk”. It’s a funny song that shows off CCB’s clever lyricism and competent rapping abilities.
His voice reminds me of early Childish Gambino: higher in pitch and somewhat “nerdy”. It’s endearing, and it helps his message of inclusivity of all women seem more genuine and refreshing. It also makes the song more engaging; it’s a voice you want to listen to.
Towards the end, CCB’s rapping turns to singing for a catchy bridge section that eventually explodes into an overlay of different voices over the original beat. It effectively shows that Charlie isn’t just a rapper, but also a singer. The song is short, catchy, and digestible: perfect for a TikTok age of music.
New York native Memoir. has returned with his 2nd offering of the year, just in time for warm weather on the east coast. The 2-track offering “Poised. // Hold Grudges.” comes as a dose of redemption and resilience overtop drill beats, with Memoir. adding “Poised II is the sequel to the ongoing “Poised” series where I display my passion, resilience, and willingness to overcome life’s trials and tribulations. For the song “Hold Grudges.” Memoir. mentions “It’s a reminder to not only myself but to others listening that whenever you are elevating, striving for your goals, people are waiting for your downfall. People who knew you before your perceived success will Hold Grudges.”
The first half “Poised II” creates an energizing soundscape with a sample drill beat that fuses vivid samples with pumping 808s and crisp drums. Atop the sturdy instrumentation, Memoir. weaves fluid, charismatic rhymes in dynamic patterns, adding extra vitality to the track. The second song “Hold Grudges” follows with a cloudy, ethereal instrumental containing subtle keys, driving percussion and sliding 808s. Here, he delivers powerful vocals that captivate with hearfelt, descriptive lyricism.
The latest from New York’s Memoir, “Poised II/ Hold Grudges” makes for a refreshing, infectious sample drill offering.
Melbourne, Australia’s Jay Dior has returned with a new song called “Stop Choosing”. This single details heartbreak atop bright, engaging instrumentation. “Stop Choosing” finds Dior delivering vibrant, catchy verses that culminate in an ear-worm chorus that lingers in the listener’s head. His vocal performance providing heavy replay value through his engaging melodious delivery. He combines stylings from hip-hop, rap, pop, and alternative R&B to craft a song that feels versatile in its blending of influences. The production here features fluttering, warm guitars drifting atop crisp, snapping percussion. As rich 808s drop in beneath, the song picks up a driving rhythm that energizes the listener. “Stop Choosing” makes for a refreshing track for the summer, as it proves to be a suitable soundtrack for warm evenings.
ROUNDHOUSE MUSIC 