Abdulixlah and Kingjp have come through with a fresh new single “lights go out”, providing bright, uplifting vibes that are much needed in these times. Containing a nostalgic, dream-like beat centred around textured, organic sounding samples and warm, syrupy bass, “lights go out” is an immersive offering that drew us in immediately. Moreover, Abdulixlah’s smooth, emotive vocals and introspective lyrics are beautifully crafted and evocative. Brand new to the music scene, hopefully more is soon to come from him soon, as he shows potential on this offering.
Dami: What was your first introduction to hip hop?
Nomad No Home: My first real introduction to hip hop was an encounter I had back at the music summer program I had where they had a studio and I automatically felt connected and wanted to hear, and to be around music more.
Dami: What inspired you to start rapping?
Nomad No Home: I had been making beats since 2016. I was freestyling and my friends really seemed to like the freestyles so I started writing. I bought all my studio equipment around my 17 th birthday and my career really took off right from there.
Dami: Can you tell us a bit more about that?
Nomad No Home: Okay. As I had mentioned, I started making beats back in 2016 when I would get any chance out with my friends, or just with people in general. I would either have my music on my phone or with me on a USB and I would have people play it when they are in their cars, or speakers and it grew from there. In 2018 I started freestyling, just joking with my friends, not taking anything serious, but all three of the people who were watching me rap could see that I was not just saying regular rap rhymes. I would throw punchlines and references in freestyles like it was scripted, and my friends would flip. My first song “Atlantis” premiered on December 12th, 2020, and I just took each experience as a new encounter. I took what I knew and I implemented that, ran with it, and enhanced it to where I am at today.
Dami: Who are your biggest musical inspirations?
Nomad No Home: J Cole (even though I haven’t made a track like him yet) and Logic most definitely. My other inspirations are Dreamville, Yvngxchris, Lil Baby, Wvstend, and Lil Uzi Vert.
Dami: How would you describe your style of music?
Nomad No Home: I would describe it as lyrical but also fun at the same time. A lot of these songs were produced by Wvstend and myself. Stretching different timings into these beats to get your head bop the whole time is the best I could describe it. Most of these beats alone could put you in a trance, but on top of that I add my vocals and together it’s a masterpiece like no other.
Dami: Where do you grab inspiration from when making music?
Nomad No Home: To tell the truth, I play it by the ear on every song. I’ll rap about whatever is going on with my life, and also tell a few stories along the way. I want my music to sound unique like all other artists but also, to be a vibe as well. Like I said before, to fill all the vibes. Being versatile for all my fans.
Dami: What has been the most stressful part of being an artist?
Nomad No Home: Marketing for sure, but it’s the whole concept of making everything on the song. Then the other part of being an independent artist, which is the books and BMI registration, and making sure there are clean versions and lyrics on songs. Trying to make sure all my ends are secured is a tough process.
Dami: What has been the most memorable part of being an artist so far?
Nomad No Home: My shows, even though they are small right now. I filled the vibe in every room I have been in, no matter the size, and I believe a part of my versatility is I could perform at open mics, and karaoke nights, or places with a piano since I play that instrument. But also the 6th of January 2022 was really memorable. I did 24 hours in my studio making and mixing this EP.
Dami: Can you tell us more on this EP you’re working on?
Nomad No Home: Yeah, it’s called L.I.F.T.W which stands for Love Is for the Weak. I was struggling trying to find songs that were good enough to publish for the past 5 months. Every time I find motivation to make a beat or a song, something comes up, and something has happened. It’s about love because the release date (Valentine’s Day) is a really good holiday to release music with that type of motive and since I made all these songs about love and the different views that I see about love, turns out to be for the weak. In reality, life just has a way of always getting that 1 up on you which is what the last song was for (“igetit!”). Each song paints a story and a world for you to vibe in, cry in, rage in, party to, whatever you want with it. It’s your world!
Dami: What’s your creative process like?
Nomad No Home: I either make the beat or I’ll collaborate with a producer to make the beat, and then I’ll either write to the song or start freestyling right then and there. I prefer writing my raps down so most times I’ll sit back and think about what to put down- then, once it’s down in the DAW- I mix, add effects, and save a hit!
Dami: What are your dream collaborations?
Nomad No Home: Yvngxchris. Even though we got a song, I want to make a hit in the studio with Yvngxchris. Another would be Tyler the Creator. I know my fans are going to be confused when this comes out but he literally creates his imagery and lyricism from the weirdest, funkiest beats, and blends it so well with his creative persona. I know if we were in a studio together, the vibe would be immaculate, and a lot of hits would be made.
Terrence Leon is back with his first single of the year, titled “Etch a Sketch”. This marks his first release of 2022, and there was no better way to start it than with this track. The 3-minute song sees Terrence talk about love, and being in love with someone to the point where you would Etch a Sketch of their name on your heart (get a tattoo of their name). He doesn’t see anyone apart from his partner cause there’s simply no one like her. When I talked to Terrence about this track, he said it’s about “appreciating the magic in the moment”. Etch a Sketch is a track guaranteed to have anyone in their feelings due to Terrence Leon’s heavenly vocals, the amazing production, as well as the smooth feel of the track.
Bungalow Collect‘s Zay Suav has shared a new banger called “Chumps”. The New York artist has been on a prolific tear lately, releasing a strong series of singles including “Disconnected” and “One 4 Da Ages”. For his latest, he continues to deliver with an exciting cut that energizes the listener.
“Chumps” bristles with refreshing energy, containing a forward-thinking instrumental centred around spacey, layered synths and addictive percussion. Moreover, Suav’s vocals are characteristically sharply-crafted and catchy, with elegant melodies that drift over top of the beat with a certain effortlessness.
Nashville artist Dear Me has shared a heartfelt new single called “I’m learning”. An evocative track that captures his personal, charmingly relatable style, this song conjures a wistful mood that drew us in immediately. Continuing the success of recent singles like “i wish this was still about you” and “Never the Same”, the poet and songwriter shines on this offering for his vivid songwriting and emotional depth.
“I’m learning” features a dream-like instrumental centred around reflective, earthy guitars and rich bass, and confessional vocals from Dear Me. With immersive instrumentation and movingly poetic writing, this track offers an emotionally layered listening experience that is highly relatable. Overall, the sentiment shared on this song is necessary for these times, with many people confused by our world right now and in the midst of searching for themselves.
Queens, New York rapper Jam Young and Denver producer Pike have shared a smoky new single called “Kick It Like That”. Here, Young delivers easy-going, memorable verses over top of a mesmerizing instrumental from Pike. As Young’s verses float smoothly, Pike lays down grand, warm horns anchored by organic sounding percussion. With a refreshing, relaxed vibe overall, “Kick It Like That” makes for a great soundtrack for reflecting upon one’s life and memories.
“Gone”, the latest collaboration from Norwegian artist Naits and German musician Jan Metternich, is an ethereal, refreshing offering that had us hooked from the get-go. With a sparkling instrumental centred around spacey, intriguing synths underscored by bouncy 808s and addictive percussion, “Gone” provides heavy replay value while simultaneously providing a fresh sound. Naits and Metternich’s vocals complement the instrumental and make the song more dynamic, with heartfelt melodies that imprint in the listener’s memory. A vivid offering from the two young artists, “Gone” will certainly remain in our rotation for the foreseeable future.
lucidjason is back with another track titled “4thesky”. The 3-minute track is about grief and losing people in your life, and the effects that has on you. Imp graces the first verse with a raw performance which is filled with emotion. They talk about their friend who passed away, and how they saw the effects it had on their family. lucidjason, who has the verse after Imp, raps his verse from a regretful point of view- he talks about his sister from an “I should’ve done more” point of view.
When I talked to lucidjason about his verse, he said his favorite line was “dearly departed reaper calling barely started” which means that people may go during the early stages of their lives. Oluwadoe blesses the track with her amazing vocals. 4thesky is a track full of intense emotions and the fact lucidjason, Imp and Oluwadoe were able to show listeners a glimpse of their grief in just 3 minutes is a testament to their dedication to perfecting their craft. I honestly can’t wait to see what each of them have in store for us in the nearest future.
Hailing from Surrey, BC, Canada, Mark Generous is a hip-hop producer whose music bristles with authenticity and refreshing energy. Combining influences from chill-hop, lo-fi hip-hop, and lo-fi house, he presents a blend of sounds that is eclectic yet never loses its cohesiveness. With songs cloaked in nostalgic warmth, his music often inspires one to drift away blissfully and reminisce upon past memories.
Generous is an artist who has had a highly prolific journey in music, releasing over 15 beat-tapes in only 3 years and collaborating with labels such as Aviary Bridge, Etymology Records, and more. Going from producing beats in his hometown of Surrey, Canada, to having his songs streamed over 5 million times worldwide, his growth has been invigorating to witness. Expanding his skillset over a series of projects, beginning with his first release Inmyroom in 2019, the producer’s progression can be documented across his tapes. From his early work, one can witness the foundation that would later formulate his sound, from the glossy smoothness of the instrumental “Hands To The Sky” to the graceful, warm piano melodies of “Earl Grey”. Moreover, later songs like 2020’s “HEAVY EYES” and “Ease In” are evocative, drawing one in with their layered, immersive sonics.
His 2021 album The Search finds Generous drawing from all he has learned over his prolific run of releases, yet equally continuing to expand his palette. Opener “Lunar Sunset” sets the tone for the project, kicking it off in a laid-back yet expressive fashion. With textural, warm guitar samples swirling in layers over organic percussion, this beat feels meditative and tranquil. Graceful flutes are added to beautiful effect, giving the song an entrancing feel.
“Lunar Sunset” transitions smoothly into the dreamy “Azalea”, an earthy track that feels charmingly as if it were just dug out of the record crates. Here, expansive vocal samples give the song much sonic depth, pairing nicely with crunchy, head-nodding drums and a rich bass-line. A memorable moment on this track comes when the vocal samples transition into ethereal strings, giving it a new sonic dimension. Following this is the wistful “Two Twenty One”, which ups the energy slightly and adds a glitchier element. With mellow keyboards and snapping, catchy drums, this track provides heavy replay value. Next, “The Runner” conjures atmospheric samples and energizing drums to add extra momentum. Complete with a rumbling, infectious bass-line, this joint had us re-winding as soon as it finished.
An album highlight appears in the smoky, pensive “Keeping A Distance”, a sublime lo-fi composition effective in creating a surreal mood. Here, the pairing of rich, reminiscent horns with refreshing, watery keys allows for a layered feel that immerses the listener deeply into the track’s atmosphere. As warm, dusty drums play out beneath in a steady pace, “Keeping A Distance” lulls one into a peaceful state of mental clarity.
Mark Generous making “Keeping A Distance”
The following track “A Meal Before” is effective in its minimalism, with airy pianos drifting smoothly over relaxed drums. Partway through, an intriguing synth line is added that creates a textural edge within the track. An example of Generous’ ability to mix elements smoothly that would typically be paradoxical, the synths bring an enchanting element that hooks the listener.
Finally, album closer “The Drive Home” ties the sound of The Search together while also bringing in a refreshing style not otherwise heard on the project. Here, a lo-fi house beat containing shimmering, celestial keys and lively drums sets the tone of the track, before dropping into an addictive groove containing soulful vocal samples that feels truly euphoric. Pulsing with vibrance and vitality, “The Drive Home” finishes the album on a high note. This song embodies the album’s title, with a vibe of curiosity and longing for something greater.
Over the course of 8 tracks, The Search showcases Mark Generous’ eclectic sound and evocative, immersive style. Unwilling to settle for the formulaic, Generous mixes lo-fi hip-hop, lo-fi house, and chill-hop into a mesmerizing blend. A vibrant addition to his already extensive and diverse discography, The Search is an album that will certainly be in rotation for us entering the new year. If you enjoyed this record, be sure to check out Generous’ other tapes, released between 2019 to the present day.
Erik Evy is back with another single titled “Synonymous”. The 3-minute track has a feel-good vibe, in which Erik keeps his OG lo-fi flow but adds a bit more aggression. Erik is apparently talking to a woman he has developed feelings for on the track, and he wants them to go on a ride while listening to some Mac Miller. He also asks for the lady to keep it loose with him as his heart rapidly beats each time he’s around her.
When I talked to Erik Evy about “Synonymous”, he said that this was the first song he’s made where he didn’t play it safe. He stated that while not everyone might like it, in order to get better he needs to experiment with different sounds. “Synonymous”, in my opinion, is one of Erik’s best tracks and I honestly can’t wait to see the new sounds and songs he has in store for us.
ROUNDHOUSE MUSIC 