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Maudixi releases vibrant new single “not listening”

Maudixi has shared a new single, titled “not listening”. Maudixi is a Baton Rouge–based alternative R&B artist whose sound blends neo-soul, indie rock, and bedroom pop. With warm, expressive vocals and introspective songwriting, she tells emotionally honest stories centered on healing, boundaries, and self-clarity. Her work shines through tracks like “Alice,” “Blue Mona Lisa,” and her latest release, the potent, vivid “not listening.”

“not listening” brings forth atmosphere drenched in emotion, through its usage of soulful acoustic guitar melodies, layered overtop organic sounding percussion and infectious bass. Maudixi shines vocally, weaving together smooth, poignant lines that build dynamically into an ear-worm chorus. Catchy and genre-bending, “not listening” is a memorable new offering from Baton Rouge’s Maudixi.

With “not listening,” she continues to carve out her own space, delivering a track that feels both intimate and assured while pushing her versatile approach forward. As her catalog grows, Maudixi stands out as an artist to watch, offering work that resonates deeply and lingers well beyond the final note.

Listen to “not listening” here now and further familiarize yourself with Maudixi.

Listen on more platforms HERE.

Connect with Maudixi: Instagram

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O Dawg shines on refreshing new album ‘Electronic Art: Nobody Beats the Rogue’

Brooklyn rapper O Dawg stakes his claim with Electronic Art: Nobody Beats the Rogue, a project that highlights his versatility and command of sound. O Dawg is a New York–based rapper known for his sharp lyricism, stylistic range, and charismatic delivery. Blending classic East Coast sensibilities with contemporary influences, he continues to carve out a distinct lane within the hip-hop landscape. His newest album captures an artist comfortable moving between styles, pairing sharp lyricism with production that ranges from atmospheric and textured to hard-edged and direct.

Across the project, O Dawg shifts effortlessly between boom bap foundations and polished, trap-leaning tracks, maintaining a clear identity regardless of the backdrop. His delivery is precise and expressive, with verses that feel intentional and rooted in character rather than trend. 

“FBGM” is a highlight track early in the track-list, pairing sleek, orchestral production with sharply introspective lyricism and effortlessly smooth flows. “Press Start” injects the project with a renewed sense of momentum, driven by energetic instrumentation, hypnotic grooves, and razor-sharp delivery. On “Shining Force,” the artist pushes their versatility further, blending vibrant sonic textures with slick, drill-influenced rhythms and charismatic rhyme patterns. The album closes on a high note with “THIS ONE GOT IT,” a triumphant finale built on powerful strings, lush grooves, and commanding performances.

Electronic Art: Nobody Beats the Rogue balances elegance and grit, offering a focused statement that emphasizes personality and presence. It’s a project built on clarity and confidence, designed to resonate with listeners who value both style and substance.

Listen on all platforms HERE.

Connect with O Dawg: Spotify | Instagram | X

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Seth Narley continues highly consistent run with new project ‘Welcome to the Show’ (prod. Halal Seeds)

Seth Narley and Halal Seeds have joined forces for a new collaborative project titled Welcome to the Show. Featuring potent, sharply delivered rhymes from Narley paired with Halal Seeds’ soulful, textured production, the record unfolds with a cinematic sensibility that immediately pulls the listener into its world. Welcome to the Show feels immersive and intentional, balancing grit and elegance while maintaining a strong narrative presence throughout.

“Tyler Skaggs (OD)” sets the tone by ushering listeners into the project’s mercurial and stylish atmosphere, driven by eerie piano lines, booming drums, and Seth Narley’s poised, controlled flows. “Roberto Clemente (PR)” follows with glorious guitar riffs and punchy rhythms that create a sleek backdrop for the track’s charismatic, hard-hitting bars, exuding confidence and momentum. Expanding the project’s sonic range even further, “Dinosaur BBQ (125TH)” introduces an orchestral soundscape that supports raw, powerful rhyme schemes, highlighting the duo’s versatility and willingness to explore dynamic textures.

Born in the Bronx, NY, Seth Narley has been on a prolific run, consistently releasing music that reflects both focus and creative momentum. Following engaging 2025 drops such as THE AMERICAN DREAM: SON OF A DEALER and Oceans Mondrian, Welcome to the Show continues to affirm Narley’s reliability and artistic growth. Backed by Halal Seeds’ sharply crafted, cohesive production, the project stands as another strong entry in a catalog defined by consistency, intention, and evolving vision.

Listen to Welcome to the Show here:

Connect with Seth Narley: Spotify | Instagram | Twitter

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Jamal J. shares cinematic, thought-provoking album ‘My Armada & the Bitter Waters of Marah’

Jamal J. has shared a new album, My Armada & the Bitter Waters of Marah. The LP follows his earlier release, Babilu (Redition), with another monumental record built with the tension, depth, and world-building of a short film. On My Armada & the Bitter Waters of Marah, each track is infused with a sense of clarity and dimension, pairing intricate, mind-expanding lyrics with elegant, ethereal instrumentals that give the album a refined, cinematic quality. Moments of rawness and haunting beauty coexist as self-aware, detailed lyrics flow across soulful, boundary-pushing production with calm, collected ease.

The hypnotic, immersive sound of Saint Kay–produced tracks like “Salmonella” and “The Titan Kronos” draws the listener into the album’s ethereal atmosphere early in the tracklist, as Jamal J. demonstrates a unique ability to weave disparate phrases and words into vivid, fresh imagery. “Dichotomy,” produced by Reallyhiiim and featuring ANKHLEJOHN, layers a shimmering, infectious loop with organic production that sits neatly beneath the emcees’ poised, memorable lines. “Mudras & Gang Signs,” featuring Israel Jones, creates a hazy, thought-provoking atmosphere, bolstered by the duo’s richly poetic verses. “Weigh Me Down,” featuring Sol Chyld, stands out near the album’s culmination with reflective lyricism atop soaring samples and organic percussion.

Both meditative and invigorating, My Armada & the Bitter Waters of Marah is a layered record that draws the listener deeper into Jamal J.’s world. He continues to prove himself as a musician who cannot be boxed in- an artist who follows his own path with conviction while delivering emotive, expressive work.

Listen to My Armada & the Bitter Waters of Marah here now:

Listen HERE on all platforms.

Connect with Jamal J.: Instagram | X

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Eric Scott and Isabella Akhtarshenas share vibrant new claymation video for “Picking Flowers”

Eric Scott and Isabella Akhtarshenas’s new claymation music video for “Picking Flowers” (ft. Patriny Amorim) offers a vibrant visual companion created by Akhtarshenas to the track from Scott’s ‘Wolfstein’ EP. The video recently earned an award at the Los Angeles Animation Festival for ‘Best First-Time Stop Motion Filmmaker’. “Picking Flowers” immediately draws the viewer in with its warm, nostalgic palette and handcrafted textures, each frame echoing the song’s wistful tone. The claymation world Akhtarshenas builds for Scott’s track is charmingly tactile, yet layered with emotional undercurrents that mirror the track’s soulful production and vivid, introspective rhymes. Patriny Amorim’s feature adds further dimensions, giving the narrative an even richer resonance.

“Picking Flowers” stands as a refreshing offering in today’s digital-heavy landscape, reminding viewers of the beauty in tactile artistry and the emotional depth that animation can carry. It makes for a promising sign of what may come next from both Scott and Akhtarshenas.

Check out the video here now:

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Review: Sugar Bomb brings the funk on ‘Sweet + Explosive’

For Asheville, North Carolina jazz trio Sugar Bomb, 2025 has been a coming out party of sorts.

In May, the trio released their debut EP Sweet, a four track effort centered around spaced out melodies and slow-burning grooves. In September, they released a companion EP EXPLOSIVE, a funkier, more upbeat effort than its predecessor.

Now, the trio — made up of bassist Eli Kahn, drummer Joe Enright and keyboardist Jacob Bruner — has re-released both EP’s as one project, Sweet + Explosive, a debut album that pairs the somber, lyrical lead writing of the first EP with the head-knocking, improvisational focus of the second.

The intro track, “Rubber,” kicks off with some breathy legato synth chords and steady brushstrokes from Enright. It’s a gentle, eery start to the record, easing the listener in with a pleasant kiss on the eardrums. Let us not forget Kahn’s contributions, whose grumbling, pulsating bass lines lay down the perfect backdrop that ties it all together.

The slow cooking feel continues on the second track, “IDK,” which has a guest feature from saxophonist Dylan Hannan, whose earthy, moaning saxophone lines float perfectly over the relaxed instrumental grooves laid down by the trio.

The next two cuts bring more of the same. “Kerosene,” despite its title, is a moody, mid-paced number driven by Bruner’s dreary synths, while “Lullaby” closes out the first half of the project with some more spacey keyboard work and some rhythmic percussion lines from Enright.

The vibe of the project completely changes in its second half. Track five, “Frenzy,” abandons the slow-paced, melodic focus from the first half, pushing the tempo with its driving, off-beat drum patterns and pressing lead melodies that eventually cascade into utter chaos near the end of the song.

The next two tracks, “Issa Vibe” and “Eli Special” are both funky dance numbers, erected upon nifty staccato bass work and some heavily technical improvisational chops from Bruner.

The project closes with “Dance Tune,” which is perhaps the biggest ear worm on the entire record. Alternating between a moody, stripped back melodic riff and a fast-paced dance riff, the trio slowly builds momentum in the song’s closing moments before a satisfying release of tension that closes out the record.

While Sweet + Explosive is essentially a tale of two halves —one half moody, the other half funky — what brings this project together so nicely are the catchy melodies, airy soundscapes and demonstrably high level of musicianship from everyone involved.

Photo credit: Camilla Calnan

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O Dawg shares potent new single “Wake Up”

O Dawg has shared a new song, titled “Wake Up”. A Brooklyn rapper with a gift for versatility, engaging lyricism, and a naturally charismatic delivery, O Dawg has been building real momentum since his 2016 debut. His sound blends classic East Coast grit with modern influences, creating a lane that’s entirely his own- defined by strong craftsmanship, range, and an unapologetically individual voice. O Dawg’s latest song, “Wake Up”, is a potent, raw offering that harnesses his razor-sharp lyricism atop enticing, dark instrumentation from Camoflauge Monk.

“Wake Up” finds O Dawg gliding over Camoflauge Monk’s production, which is equal parts elegant and sinister- a soundscape built on gritty percussion and a rich, humming bassline that sets a tense, cinematic tone. His delivery is sharp and controlled, each bar landing with precision as he paints vivid scenes through his lyricism. The track feels like a warning and a statement at the same time- O Dawg waking the listener up to his presence, his vision, and the edge that defines his craft.

Listen to “Wake Up” here now:

Connect with O Dawg: Spotify | Instagram | X

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Lil Derik shares soulful new EP ‘Red Dragon’

Lil Derik has shared a fresh EP, titled Red Dragon. From the South Side of St. Louis, Lil Derik moves between two worlds. By day he’s a substitute teacher and basketball coach. By night he’s one of the city’s sharpest independent hip-hop voices. Raised on the words of Rakim, 2Pac, OutKast, and Wayne, he started rapping in high school and formed the collective “More Than Music” with his closest friends.

After graduating and heading to Mizzou, he created Huey vs. Riley: The Mixtape in 2018, a release that quietly became a local cult classic. In the years since, he’s built an impressive body of work with five solo albums, four collaborations, thirteen EPs, and countless singles, all leading to his 2025 studio album Enter The Dragon, released on his twenty-seventh birthday.

The project opened doors. Festivals, co-headlining shows, a Connect The Dots freestyle, and a spot in the 2025 St. Louis Freshmen Class all followed. Now, with momentum at his back, Lil Derik begins the next chapter, starting with Red Dragon, a three-track EP crafted alongside UK producer Brey10.

Lil Derik weaves together potent, poetic lines filled with hard-earned introspection, resting them gently in Brey10’s warm and textured soundscape. His lyricism feels lived-in and honest, soulful without trying to be and focused without ever feeling forced, with a butter-smooth flow that glides across every beat he touches.

The EP opens with “Buick Lesabre,” carried by laid-back, silky loops that feel like a slow drive through familiar streets. Derik’s verses move with a graceful ease, blending memory, reflection, and calm confidence into something intimate and effortless.

“Fall In Love” follows and widens the world of the project. Expansive sampling and organic grooves create a vibrant backdrop for Derik’s raw and engaging flow. He shifts between vulnerability and swagger with natural rhythm, making it one of the project’s standout moments.

The EP closes with “Til Death Do Us Part,” a cathartic finale built on rising, evocative instrumentation. Here, Derik sharpens his pen, offering pensive lines that linger long after the track fades. It is a closer that reaffirms his voice, his craft, and the emotional clarity he brings to every release.

Together, the three tracks form a vivid and soulful snapshot of where Lil Derik stands today: grounded, expressive, and fully locked into his artistry.

Listen to Red Dragon here now on our platform:

Listen to Red Dragon on all platforms HERE.

Connect with Lil Derik: Instagram | X

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Eric Scott shares expressive new EP ‘Wolfstein’

Eric Scott has released a new EP, titled Wolfstein. On his new EP, Eric Scott reimagines Frankenstein through a lens of emotion rather than horror. His Wolfstein character isn’t sparked to life by lightning, but by loss. He’s not sewn together with thread and sinew, but with grief, regret, and the fragile remains of a broken heart. This character is carefully constructed and reflected by the record’s brooding, and eerie, yet stylish sound. With a potent charisma, heartfelt vocals, and creeping, versatile beats, Wolfstein is an engaging record from Eric Scott that stands on its own for its immersive world-building and gripping portrayal of his character.

From the first track, “Dance Around the Darkness” (ft. Sunnie and RodBitches), Wolfstein invites the listener in to a hypnotic, dark sound- with an elegant, orchestral instrumental and versatile, infectious vocals. The shuffling, ominous feel and enticing, sharp flows of “This Ain’t That” (ft. Johnny Sublime) make for a standout track, as detail-rich, lyrical verses flow smoothly atop smoky, raw horns. “Nolove” (ft. Kingsley Ibeneche) adds an atmospheric, vivid flavor of alternative R&B, furthering Wolfstein‘s irresistible versatility.

Eric Scott’s Wolfstein makes for a powerful EP that explores a deeply emotional and unconventional world- poignant, captivating, and fearlessly original.

Listen to Wolfstein here:

Listen to Wolfstein on all platforms HERE.

Watch Eric Scott’s music video for “Wolfstein” here:

Watch the video for “??Alive” here:

Connect with Eric Scott: Instagram

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The engaging world-building of Eric Scott’s “Wolfstein” (ft. Smoke DZA)

Eric Scott‘s latest release, “Wolfstein”, featuring Smoke DZA, is more than just a new single- it’s an immersive offering that invites you into the world of the artist and the character he has created. “Drawing inspiration from Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein: The Man Who Made the Monster, this reimagining trades lightning bolts and laboratories for heartbreak and human emotion. In this version, Wolfstein is born from love and loss- stitched together not by science, but by sorrow- becoming something both hauntingly beautiful and deeply unsettling. It’s an angle approached with authenticity and originality, making Scott’s latest release “Wolfstein” stand out as he breaks the mold.

Sonically, “Wolfstein” is an enticing track- creeping, eerie keyboards, ghostly drums, and an ominous bass riff create the perfect backing for the track’s concept and presentation. Scott’s delivery matches the character of Wolfstein to the tee, with its mixture of emotion, hurt, and aggression. His subtle, hypnotic tone and flows add further dimensions of uneasiness to the track. Smoke DZA follows with a potent verse delivered in a similarly hushed, yet raw, tone.

The video’s high-contrast black and white aesthetic, along with its vivid, intense imagery, make for a cohesive accompaniment. Bringing the character of Wolfstein to the screen alongside companions cloaked in black, he portrays a complex and wounded character, carved from heartbreak, to create something both beautiful and terrifying.

Watch Eric Scott’s new video for “Wolfstein” here now on our platform, a single from his upcoming album Wolfstein.

Connect with Eric Scott: Instagram