Author: befree

By Damilola Grey

Dami: What was your first introduction to music?

jimmy: My first introduction to music was my father. He used to be an MC as well and my mother was a part of a band. I didn’t even like music at first, but it became something I was natural at.

Dami: What inspired you to start rapping?

jimmy: I was always interested in rap but I was never the MC. I was inspired by works of OutKast at a young age. There was one night a Tupac song came on and no one will believe me for this but while I was watching the video, it was like he was speaking to me. This was back when I was 23. My life was hell. I was in all sorts of shit but for some reason that night, I listened to “That’s Just the Way It Is”. That’s when I truly got inspired. I was inspired but not to that extent at that point. I’ll never forget that night.

Dami: How would you describe your sound?

jimmy: Gritty, grungy, real. In some instances, it takes all aspects of music that are considered “dark”. Some of my biggest inspirations are Kurt Cobain and artists like ScHoolboy Q or ODB. My lyrics are honest yet poetic. My production provides a lot of low-keys and low end, and there can be some dysfunctional frequencies, while at the same time, I can be melodic and influenced by the mantra of a guitar. The lyrics typically always equate to that oceanic mood. The mood of always going with the flow. I like to consider my sound the storm within the calm. The inner demons that tend not to express themselves. I often let them out on record. That’s how I’d describe it.

Dami: What’s your creative process like?

jimmy: There isn’t one lmao. Honestly, the creative process is that I’ll hear a sound, start with a melody or flow. I then lay my first few bars down once I get the melody or the flow. 80% of the music I make is all free-formed thoughts or freestyles. I may take a swig of some drank or a drag of a spliff and I’m on the mic. In some of my upcoming work, this process has been applied. I can’t wait to share it with the world. It’s been a while since I released.

Dami: What’s your relationship with lucidjason?

jimmy: That’s my lil bro, my compadre, my main man. We’re actually working on something special for the culture. We got something we testing out for everybody in the works at the moment but me and lucid have a certain chemistry that can’t be matched whenever we work in the booth. I have nothing but love for the kid and he has the same amount of love for me, so we just vibe on that level and the music is even more phenomenal. I got a lot of songs with him so ask him about the drops lol.

Dami: Can we know more about this special thing on the way?

jimmy: Well I got a lot coming out. I’m dropping an EP this year and my first album could come out later this year. Now I can’t unveil all the secrets just yet, but it’s been a long time coming. Just tell the people to look our for Testing and follow us at “testing.atl”. Some other things are coming as well. Shout out to the boy Spxke; me and him got something crazy too.

Dami: Any collabs on either?

jimmy: Been working with the 380 Gang on shit most definitely. Blvck Lvrd, Pyjign, TK, Spxke, kus.co. My boys Joe Kappa and lucidjason. Just know we tryna get shit popping out here in the south but we all coming different. With my own personal work, I got some special production and features but it’s at a minimum. Expect an introduction to jimmy. this year though. We coming heavy all year.

Dami: Who are your biggest inspirations?

jimmy: My biggest inspirations are Malcolm X, Bruce Lee, Kurt Cobain, Andre 3000, and most of TDE. Can’t leave out my mother and father. Without them, I wouldn’t have known this path, so I’m actually very grateful they had a son with this much potential. I’m inspired by legends and I aim to be one as well.

Dami: What moments can you classify as your career highs?

jimmy: My first show at the masquerade. Reaching one million views on Spotify. Those were two moments I think really set the tone for me to step my game up and take my platform seriously. I want to create more moments like that no matter what it takes.

Dami: What do you hope to achieve at the end of the year?

jimmy: I want to establish an actual connection that sets the tone for my future. Whatever that connection is, whatever that big moment is, I’m looking for it. At this point, it’s just anticipation. I’m putting it up to the higher being that it’ll work out.

Listen to “.Old Converse” by jimmy. HERE.

Berlin-based artist Mr Pigeons has shared a new album titled Blue Heron. The musician, who first came onto our radar with his expansive 2021 album Pink Fossil, builds on the surreal foundation he created with that record on Blue Heron, a dense, varied set of tracks that are mind-expanding and abstract. Frequently blending different genres and influences, this album combines disparate elements in a way that feels natural and engaging.

Blue Heron kicks off with the powerful, cacophonous opener “Subtle Needs”, a track that creates a mercurial, dark atmosphere using shrieking woodwinds that aptly resemble bird calls. Underneath, heavy 808s and metallic percussion create a solid foundation for Mr Pigeons dynamic, poetic vocals. Introducing the album’s mysterious, grand sound, “Subtle Needs” makes for an album highlight early in the tracklist.

Next, “Where U At?” follows with an otherworldly instrumental containing a heavy, memorable bassline and clanging percussion. Here, Mr Pigeons comes through with some evocative verses that highlight his sharp lyrical ability, as vivid lines paint psychedelic images in the listener’s mind. Album highlight “The Reed” follows next, with hypnotic strings and eery vocal samples ringing out atop rugged drums. As the beat swirls in kaleidoscopic patterns, Mr Pigeons delivers a series of thought-provoking verses that draw the listener even deeper into this track’s moody, organic soundscape.

With three powerful, sonically massive leading tracks, “Like Magic” and “Overflow” change up the pace midway through the record by bringing in more carefree, laid-back rhythms. Weightless and ethereal, these two tracks provide a lighter mood before “Bread” re-introduces the darker, sweeping soundscapes heard earlier. An enigmatic track, “Bread”‘s rich production is captivating, as winding samples meld smoothly with Mr Pigeons vocals to soar atop crunchy drums.

The album’s latter half features some eclectic experimentation, with songs like “Sleeps” and “Tateguru” making use of glitchier, more maximalist soundscapes that suit Mr Pigeons dynamic vocals well. On the flipside, it also includes more minimalistic, relaxed tracks like “Calmer” and “Grandma” that provide breathing room, allowing for an engaging listening experience that takes the listener on a vibrant journey through varied, lush sonics, making Blue Heron an intriguing and diverse ride overall.

The latest from Berlin’s Mr Pigeons, Blue Heron takes the listener into unforeseen sonic territory, exploring moody, vast soundscapes that are thought-provoking in nature. Pairing rich, esoteric production with vibrantly poetic lyricism, Blue Heron is a record that beckons many re-visits to grasp its full scope, as he pulls from a variety of eclectic influences to craft something refreshing in so many regards.

Listen to ‘Blue Heron’ now:

By Todd Anderson

“Brix” is the debut single from Rochester, NY artist Devon Alexis, a refreshing track that pairs vaguely unsettling melodies with heavy, memorable grooves to create an infectious blend. Alexis crafted this song based around the theme of how it feels to stay in a toxic situation that has a bleak outlook. “Brix” speaks to the difficulty of leaving something that you know is broken, no matter how much it hurts to stay. Alexis handled the vocals entirely, delivering dynamic, catchy verses full of personal lyricism, where the instrumental was crafted by Brady O’Keefe. Haunting in sound, it utilizes dissonant keys and distorted, swelling bass to capture a feeling of uncertainty. This ghostly backdrop suits Alexis’ vocals, enveloping them in a mysterious mood that makes this song a layered listening experience. The debut single from Rochester’s Devon Alexis, “Brix” has excited to hear what more she has in store musically.

Listen to “Brix” now:

Bronx artist Ricky Mapes has shared a fresh new visual for his track “SPEAKEASY”, featuring Yon Cash. The latest offering from the TRDTN Records rapper, “SPEAKEASY” pairs raw, nocturnal production with commanding, dynamic flows to create an exhilarating listening experience. With a refreshing new visual to accompany the track, “SPEAKEASY” is a release that is simply easy to keep re-visiting again and again.

The production here is textural and atmospheric, with gritty, dense samples drifting atop dusty percussion. This beat conjures a dark atmosphere that immerses the listener in its foreboding mood, while providing a highly suitable backdrop for Mapes and Cash’s sharp flows. They come through with powerful verses that meld seamlessly, showing a natural chemistry as artists that makes this track thrilling to listen to. Accompanied by an engaging visual, “SPEAKEASY” will likely to remain in our rotation for some time.

Watch the visual for “SPEAKEASY” now:

By Damilola Grey

Dami: What was your first introduction to music?

imy: I feel like since I was out the womb. My dad and my uncles used to play Pac, Nate Dogg, Snoop and all the oldhead West Coast music. My other uncle was the one that put me on to alt rock at a pretty young age.

Dami: What inspired you to start making music?

imy: I think I always knew I wanted to. My uncle was in a group in the early 2000s and I always thought that shit was fire. I used to watch VH1 Soul, MTV Jams and all that when I was young too, so I guess music videos were a big influence as well.

Dami: Where do you grab inspiration from when making music?

imy: They are all about shit I have been through. People I’ve lost, relationships I’ve had, and just regular shit people go through.

Dami: How would you describe your sound?

imy: It started out as only hip hop but now I guess it’s more hyperpop/ alt R&B.

Dami: What’s your creative process like?

imy: I feel like I’m in discord with all my friends looking for beats all day. Once I find the beat, I play it over and over and work on the bridge first, chorus, and the verses. I mix and master everything myself on FL, so I punch in all my vocals and then rework everything at the end.

Dami: You dropped a track titled “Linux” sometime last month. Can you tell us more about it?

imy: That’s my one of my favorites so far and I usually don’t mess with songs right after but this one’s been on repeat for me. The song’s about old letters my dad sent to my mum when we broke up back before I was born.

Dami: What’s next for you after Linux?

imy: A few singles. Ichirou and I have an EP lined up and then I’m working towards another tape. I wanna get more features in. Videos for “Yellow”, “Cargo”, “Linux”, and “Lupin” are all on the way as well.

Dami: Can you tell us more about the EP on the way?

imy: Yeah it’s gonna be 6 songs, 2 pluggnb beats, either an indie beat like funeral or an R&B beat like vaile, and then the rest are hyperpop type beats. The first few projects I made were revolving around women and relationships. The next ones are about going as hard as possible. There’s not a lot of people where I’m from that make that type of music, and as of recently there’s a lot of people that never made anything other than West Coast or lyrical rap that, all of a sudden, are on a whole bunch of beats from producers I use. The project is gonna be called ‘Zeon’.

Dami: Any dream collabs?

imy: Tyler the Creator, Pharrell, Uzi, Kali Uchis and Uno.

Dami: How do you deal with feeling underappreciated as an artist?

imy: I don’t think I do. I think shit happens for a reason. When I pop off is when I pop off. The homie Haadi reminds me to keep being human. If I keep that shit with me, it’ll all work out.

Dami: What’s the most memorable thing you’ve experienced as an artist?

imy: Making Cargo. I started making music in 2016 but stopped cause of some bullshit at home. Cargo put life back into me. Me making Cargo showed all my friends that we should make music again. Now I got a team with me off that one song.

Listen to “OFF” by imyholly now:

https://soundcloud.com/holid9y/off?ref=clipboard&p=i&c=1&si=5298CEA8C35D45469C9DDB864D6DC2C0&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing

By Jacob Ezra

Jacob: What initially inspired you to start making music?

The China Blue: Music was sort of all I’ve ever known. It was always a huge part of my life growing up, in part because my father was a musician, so there was always a home studio with instruments to fool around with. I just always felt comfort by it, music has always affected me deeply, and I figured out my proper relationship with it is in the creation aspect.

Jacob: Where did you grow up, and how did it influence your music early on?

The China Blue: I grew up in south coast Massachusetts, in very much rural areas. I have a large and very close-knit Portuguese family, and all my cousins, aunts and uncles are musical or artistic in some aspect. The creation of music with some of my family members happened early on, and we were very much influenced by what we grew up listening; Toto, Journey, Michael Jackson, Phil Collins, The Police, etc. Lots of 80s music. But I wouldn’t say I acquired my own musical identity until I moved out of my parents’ home to Providence, RI. The city life suits me better, I love the people and experiences you can get out of it. Creatively, I moved and developed a lot faster there. There’s a bubbling art scene coming out of Providence and around Boston, MA that I’m lucky to say I’ve been at least somewhat a part of.

Jacob: Who were some of the main artists that shaped your sound over the years?

The China Blue: Michael Jackson was always my number 1 growing up. The ‘Thriller’ & ‘Bad’ albums are imprinted in my brain. I seriously take from everywhere though, there’s probably 100’s of artists that I try to reference in at least some way in my music, even if it’s not very noticeable. I’ve always been inspired by hip hop and rhythmic artists like Biggie, Lil Wayne, and Kanye and have tried to blend it with more atmospheric music I love, from say M83, Coldplay, or The 1975. I’ve been on a kick of female Rnb & Rap artists like Babyxsosa, Jenevieve, H31R, and YUNGCYBERPRINCESS.  

Jacob: How did you come up with the name The China Blue?

The China Blue: “China blue” is a color. My name doesn’t really have a meaning, It just sounds like it has an element of mystery or elegance, like a clothing brand. I found out about the urban dictionary meaning after.

Jacob: What is your creative process like when it comes to songwriting and putting tracks together?

The China Blue: It always varies in some ways, but my roots have always started in production, so I usually start with crafting a beat or synth texture and build up a song from there. I do it all on my computer in my bedroom. I can play a “tiny” bit of everything, enough to at least get some ideas down, and then I’ll sometimes bring on better musicians than me if I need something in the instrumental tighter. For my vocals I kind of just start mouthing random sounds and cadences over the instrumentals so I can find vowels that sound pleasing and catchy, and then fill in the words. Often times afterwards I spend a while going through the lyrics carefully, making sure I’m saying exactly what I mean to say. I really care about lyricism and keeping myself current and honest in my expression. For the mixing and mastering stage, I usually now get an engineer for cleaning things up at the end; I realized it’s not ideal to do everything yourself even if you can.

Jacob: I really enjoyed your debut EP ‘The Last Several Months’. It feels like you blended genres and influences in an interesting way- what different genres did you pull from when making it? And was this a conscious thing or did it just happen naturally?

The China Blue: Like I said previously I definitely do pull from everything. I love all types of music, and regardless of genre, some songs just have that thing about them that feels like a gift from above. I’m just trying to chase that feeling regardless of what genre I’m playing around with to do that. At the time of writing ‘The Last Several Months’ I definitely applied my regular sort of rhythmic influences while also being super into emo music. I wanted to write something that felt cohesive but dynamic.

Jacob: Is there a song that you feel the closest to on ‘The Last Several Months’?

The China Blue: I think “Nervous” will always have a special place in my heart, because I felt like with that song I was able to take what had been the hardest thing I’d gone through in my life at the time (the break up from a long term relationship) and make something out of my pain that was both honest and catchy, and it was received well. I also think my beats on “SiLENCE” and “Why (It Didn’t Feel Right)” were pretty technically interesting at least from my end. I put a lot of thought into each millisecond of those songs.

Jacob: I understand you recently moved to Savannah, GA. What inspired the move? And how have you been enjoying it so far?

The China Blue: It was both the gravitation towards the ability of living with three of my best friends who are all creatives and are super inspiring, where we’d get to escape into nice weather and be in a new headspace, and also necessity. My place in Providence, RI was put on the market and I decided to take this leap without necessarily a clear plan forward. I’m loving it so far; the weather helps with my depression for sure. But I do plan on coming back up to New England soon.

Jacob: What inspired your recent single “out of my mind”?

The China Blue: I wrote it at really stressful time in my life, when my mental health was for sure getting the best of me. I was definitely smoking too much, partying too much, not sleeping or taking care of myself, and was starting to feel lost. I was risking my friendships and relationships, and I couldn’t ever relax no matter how hard I tried. I eventually hit a wall where I just could not get out of bed for a while. I started feeling a little insane, and with the stress and negative voices in my head I briefly convinced myself I was schizophrenic, which is definitely not the reality of my situation, but I at least feel like I could sympathize with someone who is.

Jacob: What was the process like of creating and recording “out of my mind”?

The China Blue: The other half of the conception of the song is realizing I wasn’t helping myself by taking myself too seriously. The music is a simple, percussive groove that helped me kind of shake out whatever voices were in my head at the time. It’s the opposite sound and feeling from the sort of depressing lyrics, which I think is helpful tool of mine to exit negative feelings. Uniquely in this song there really isn’t much going on besides the simple groove and I enjoy the restrain I showed here, because I have a tendency to throw layers and layers of atmosphere on songs.

Jacob: “out of my mind” discusses mental health and sends a message that can really relate with listeners today. How important is it for you to emotionally connect with your audience?

The China Blue: Mental health is a very important and personal cause for me, as I understand the destruction it can have on mine and other people’s lives if not kept in a good place. It’s always going to be a theme in my music, and I just want to approach it from my honest experiences as opposed to necessarily offering clear solutions. It’s something I struggle with too, but to me and my listeners; we’re in this together.

Jacob: What are your plans for rest of the year musically?

The China Blue: I want to play as many shows as I can, and release a few more singles as well as another EP. I have plenty to talk about and be honest about in my music.

Listen to The China Blue’s latest single “out of my mind” HERE.

Listen to The China Blue’s EP ‘The Last Several Months’:

By Griffen Elliott

In Jacob Maul‘s Latest Single “Online Gf”, he recounts the struggles of having a long-distance online girlfriend capturing a sense of longing in both the lyrics and feel of the song. At only 18 years-old Maul possesses an impressive knack for songwriting, marrying multiple different vocal melodies in a way that flows and carries the listeners through each section of the song. Not only that, but this track also has a wonderful vocal performance to go with it. Featuring lovely runs from both the backing vocals and lead sometimes, happening over top of one another creating interesting countermelodies. Simply put, a song you want to sing along with when you’re missing someone.

Listen to “Online Gf” now:

By Todd Anderson

17-year old Georgetown, Guyana artist KGolden and Gio Perez have shared a fresh new single called “Too Deep”. An atmospheric alternative R&B banger, this track opens with airy keys that drift alongside ambient backing vocals. As groovy, energizing percussion drops in, the song’s catchy, smooth vocals enter in a graceful fashion, immersing the listener in the song’s warm mood. With a laid-back feel and memorable, focused melodies, “Too Deep” is a track that provides much replay value and refreshes the listener. For fans of alternative R&B and smooth hip-hop, “Too Deep” is a chilled out, elegant cut that is engaging in sound.

Listen to “Too Deep” now:

Austin, Texas artist Terrence Léon has come through with a refreshing new release called “I Want You”. After releasing engaging singles like “24 Hours”, as well as the sharp, poised EP, New Horizons, Léon has carved out a style that blends the relaxed, nostalgic aesthetic of 90’s R&B and the edginess of early 2000’s R&B. Léon’s latest single “I Want You” is an infectious, warm offering that captivates with soaring melodies and atmospheric, immersive instrumentation. Featuring airy vocal samples and smooth, refreshing keys gliding atop catchy, crisp percussion, “I Want You” is a memorable offering that provides heavy replay value.With its glowing sound and passionate vocals, “I Want You” provides a fresh soundtrack to warm nights.

Listen to “I Want You” now:

By Jacob Ezra

Massachusetts artist Jxylen has shared his debut album PROJECT MAYHEM, a mind-expanding journey through gritty, abstract hip-hop soundscapes. A versatile collection of songs that are otherworldly and yet simultaneously deeply emotive, this project is refreshing in its honesty and willingness to explore unforeseen territory. With cacophonous, nocturnal instrumentals and vivid lyricism that revolves around thinking for oneself and being critical about society as a whole, PROJECT MAYHEM is already shaping up to be one of the year’s most thought-provoking new releases in underground hip-hop.

The opener “BURN THIS SHIT DOWN!” sets the tone for the record, with moody, expansive vocal samples that are texturally gritty, ringing out atop clashing percussion. Apocalyptic in tone, this track creates a mystical, dark backdrop that suits Jxylen’s baritone vocals perfectly, as he kicks off the EP with some raw verses that show his sharp ability to critique society and deliver touchingly introspective lyricism. “BURN THIS SHIT DOWN!” transitions smoothly into the esoteric “JACOB’S LADDER”. Here, Jxylen delivers powerful line after powerful line atop an ethereal instrumental from Jadooks centred around swirling strings and graceful guitars. This track has a distinctly spiritual feel, with a depth that is often missed in today’s musical landscape.

“MEMENTO” brings in icy keys and subtle vocal samples that give it a layered feel, as heavy percussion pounds beneath. Jxylen’s vocals are highly dextrous and dynamic, as he flows smoothly atop the Nomstks-produced beat with a series of evocative verses. An album highlight appears in the vibrant banger “SALVADOR DALI PAINTINGS”, a psychedelic track that finds PROJECT MAYHEM reaching towering heights with a behemoth instrumental from The Heretic that rattles the speakers. This beat is stellar, containing kaleidoscopic samples centred around dazzling harps and strings. Moreover, Jxylen’s verses here are scorching, packed with focused, descriptive lyrics delivered in engaging, elastic flows.

PROJECT MAYHEM closes with another album highlight in “BLXCK SHEEPS CLOTHING”, which slows the pace down for a more laid-back yet equally nocturnal and moody joint. Here, bittersweet, ruminative keys glow within a dark soundscape, conjuring an image of finding a light in a pitch-black night. Matching the tone of the keys, Jxylen’s verses convey a subtle sense of hope, as he dissects his life and position in the world, making the listener feel a little less alone among the chaos of our modern times.

An expansive, psychedelic offering, PROJECT MAYHEM is relentlessly dark and yet never feels as if it sticks to a gloomy mood for the sake of it, instead coming across as emotionally layered and refreshingly authentic. Spiritual and emotive yet raw and cacophonous, this record exists in a grey area that can be hard to come by in a world where pressure exists to categorize and deduce. The fact that Jxylen achieves this so naturally on this album is an impressive feat, and is part of what makes PROJECT MAYHEM one of our favourite records this year. If you want a project that is thought-provoking and esoteric and also personal and relatable, it is likely that PROJECT MAYHEM is for you.

Producers: AUR, Jadooks, Nomstks, NTVRME, The Heretic, OLEHEAD

Engineered by: Jonas

Listen to PROJECT MAYHEM now: