Author: befree

New Jersey rapper Papo2oo4‘s banger “Intheway 98′” caught our attention immediately for it’s refreshing, retro-futuristic sound. Featuring an optimistic beat centred around swirling, spacey samples and bouncy percussion, the instrumental is evocative and raw. Over top, Papo2oo4 comes through with some smooth, candid verses that draw the listener into the track’s atmosphere. He sounds focused and sharp, delivering vivid lyrics spun in engaging rhyme patterns. Be sure to check out the remainder of his recent project AF1MG Live 2004, Vol. 3 if you enjoyed this track.

Written by Jacob Ezra

New Jersey artist Ethan Ross has shared an intense new single called “NEVER BREAK”, in collaboration with vocalist Lames, and produced by Luga. Featuring an imposing, industrial-tinged instrumental centred around heavy, textured synths, the production on this track is truly addictive. Moreover, the vocals here are immediately captivating, as they contain much character and carry a gripping, intriguing presence.

Admirable in its boldness and unwillingness to be categorized, “NEVER BREAK” is a refreshing offering that is authentic and forward thinking. An exciting track that provides much replay value while remaining uncompromisingly creative, this cut is certainly going to be in our rotation for a long time.

Listen to “NEVER BREAK” now:

Written by Damilola Grey

smudgeout is back with another song titled “cheap jewelry”. The 3-minute track talks about the fashion industry’s tight grip on American consumers. She uses the track to express her disappointment and dissatisfaction with the fashion industry while also advocating for ethical consumption. She expresses all this with amazing vocals, hard-hitting guitar riffs, and drums. She paints a vivid picture with “cheap jewelry” which helps listeners understand the song, as well as her grievances from her perspective. “cheap jewelry” also marks her second release of 2021, with “Queen of Hearts” as the first. With both tracks being amazing, as well as her 2020 album, we are really looking forward to what the 19 year-old artist has in store for the future.

Written by Damilola Grey

New Jersey native and Rap Villain artist BobCat is back with another single named “Cliff Hanger”. The track, which features Alley Rocket, is BobCat’s second single of 2021. “Cliff Hanger” also marks the end of Rap Villain’s November takeover. The track starts with BobCat’s verse which is full of quick flow switches, heavy bars, and lots of wordplay (one of BobCat’s many specialties). BobCat evokes a lot of emotion into his verse, painting a picture for listeners about him, where he comes from, and what he’s trying to achieve. Alley Rocket also graces the track with a verse which was nothing short of amazing. Overall, great production, fire verses and a perfect delivery make “Cliff Hanger” one of the best drops this year.

Listen to “Cliff Hanger” now:

South Carolina artist juicethedon‘s “Root of All Evil” is an elegant, thought-provoking release. Conjuring a warm, focused atmosphere, this is a track that immediately immerses you in its sound.

“Root of All Evil” features an uplifting instrumental centred around gorgeous vocal samples underscored by smoky keys and subtle percussion. juicethedon rides the relaxed beat with ease, providing sharply crafted, thoughtful verses that have us rewinding to catch everything he is saying. If you enjoyed “Root of All Evil”, be sure to check out the remainder of his strong recent album Never Ending Story as well.

Listen to “Root of All Evil” now:

Eclectic Wisconsin artist yung sum has shared a new single entitled “i wish”. Blending genres in an intriguing, idiosyncratic manner, this song clearly demonstrates his sharp songwriting skills and charismatic style. The instrumental for “i wish” is textured and immersive, containing crunchy, catchy percussion and nostalgic, quirky guitars. Over top, yung sum comes through with some evocative vocals that draw the listener deeply into this track’s atmosphere.

Listen to “i wish”:

Georgia’s Jerome the Prince has shared a powerful new track called “Jacksonville”. This cut features a glorious instrumental containing elegant vocal samples that drift over top of head-banging drums. Underscored by subtle organs, the beat is truly a sonic tour-de-force. Jerome the Prince delivers a series of fast-paced, elastic verses demonstrating his self-aware lyricism. His flow is entertaining and dynamic, as he flips line after line with a confident, captivating cadence.

Listen to “Jacksonville” now:

Bronx rapper Ki Storii‘s “What You Need” is an addictive, vibrant banger that had us hooked from the get-go. Containing powerful, driving 808s and bright, energizing synths, the instrumental on “What You Need” really got our adrenaline pumping. Moreover, her vocals are engaging and rich in character, with a confident, smooth delivery and memorable lyrics. “What You Need” is likely to have you pressing that replay button whenever it comes on.

Listen to “What You Need” now:

Montreal musician Anomalie‘s single “Bond” makes for a truly spell-binding listen, providing a refreshing, dynamic sound that had us hooked from the get-go. Mixing genres in a seamless fashion, “Bond” opens with a wintery, peaceful jazz section before dropping into an infectious funk groove. Bolstered by bouncy drums and rich bass, this part of the song feels disco-inspired, complete with bright, agile synths. Truly a top tier example of genre-blending, “Bond” is a memorable offering that revitalizes the listener with its idiosyncratic sound.

Listen to “Bond” now:

Little Rock, Arkansas artist DILLION‘s “Nickname”, featuring Jaykel the Smooth is a refreshing, vibrant offering. A joint off his eclectic new album Blue Lights, “Nickname” blends genres in an intriguing, unique fashion. The production here is bouncy and addictive, centred around colorful synths layered over top of one another. Underneath, playful 808s and crisp percussion create a solid foundation for DILLION’ and Jaykel the Smooth’s smooth, charismatic vocals. If you enjoyed “Nickname”, check out the remainder of DILLION’s recent album Blue Lights, a solid offering of expressive tracks drawing influences from a variety of genres.

Listen to “Nickname” here: