Detroit artists Valid and Stretch Money are continuing their run with their new visual for “The Girls”. A poignant track from their recent album Bill & Isiah, “The Girls”, produced by Pig Pen & DJ Jmac, stood out for its bassy sonics, raw, stylish vocals, and retro-futuristic style. It’s a highlight from the record that feels truly Detroit in sound and tone, and it makes its mark in the tracklist for presenting a refreshing, authentic take on the Detroit hip-hop sound.
They continue their run fresh off the album’s release with the new visual directed by Jerry Reid & Slander King, which does well to distill the track’s sleek, retro mood with muted, smoky shots, charismatic performances from the emcees, and nocturnal, atmospheric settings. Accompanying the bass-heavy, raw track, the video also captures its uniquely Detroit sound and style, and in doing so represents the spirit of their strong recent Bill & Isiah record.
Give it a watch below and connect with Valid and Stretch Money.
blackbyrd has shared a new album, titled Shoegaze for Black Kids. blackbyrd (formally known as mikeyblackkk) is an artist from the burgeoning Western Mass music scene. Combining the melodies of shoegaze and dream pop, with the raw lyricism of 90’s boom bap rappers, blackbyrd offers an idiosyncratic sound with his new album as he takes a step forward into new territory from his previous output.
Shoegaze for Black Kids shines by combining various genres into a poignant mix, while blackbyrd himself stands out as a skilled and focused lyricist who does not waste a word as far as delivering a message. It’s a record that is simply refreshing, as it is difficult to categorize and refuses to conform throughout. Songs like the aptly titled “Rebel” are evident as this, and especially the expansive scorcher “White Noise” that is perhaps the most seamless blend of hip-hop and shoegaze on the album. Take a listen to Shoegaze for Black Kids if you want to hear something that defies boundaries in a world where too much output leans towards cookie cutter formulas.
In a music industry saturated with generic hits and superficial lyrics, LA Kenzie emerges as a breath of fresh air, captivating listeners with his latest single, “Wok’s Up.” This powerful track, taken from his album “Bohemian/Socially Unconventional,” has swiftly garnered a devoted fan base and earned acclaim within the hip hop community. LA Kenzie’s undeniable talent shines through as he seamlessly weaves together introspection and social consciousness, crafting a lyrical masterpiece that resonates with listeners on a profound level.
From the moment the first notes hit, “Wok’s Up” captures your attention, drawing you into LA Kenzie’s world. With a unique style that effortlessly melds raw emotion and thought-provoking storytelling, LA Kenzie proves himself to be a formidable force in the hip hop genre. His ability to navigate the depths of his own experiences and translate them into powerful verses sets him apart from his peers.
However, what truly elevates “Wok’s Up” to another level of artistry is the accompanying music video, skillfully directed by the renowned Filmswave. The visuals serve as a mesmerizing visual journey, perfectly complementing the introspective nature of the song. LA Kenzie’s performance is magnetic, as he flawlessly captures the essence of his lyrics, creating a captivating visual experience that resonates with viewers long after the video concludes.
With “Wok’s Up,” LA Kenzie delivers a sonic masterpiece that transcends boundaries and defies expectations. His ability to effortlessly blend introspection, social consciousness, and undeniable talent is a testament to his artistry. As he continues to captivate audiences with his unique style and thought-provoking lyricism, it’s evident that LA Kenzie is not only leaving his mark on the hip hop scene but also contributing to the evolution of the genre itself. Check out the video below, and let us know what you think!
Brighton artists Hatter and Vitamin G have connected for a new release, titled “Leanin'”. Two mainstays in Brighton’s rich scene, the artists connect for a track that refreshes with its brisk pace and sharply-crafted sonics. Infusing classic grime influences as well as undertones of drill and hip-hop, “Leanin'” is an energizing release that finds the emcees delivering charismatic, engaging performances atop blazing instrumentation, produced by Hatter. The sound light on their feet and focused atop the raw beat, while displaying a natural chemistry as they trade verses at a lightning speed.
The new video is minimalistic in its approach but effective in capturing the track’s liveliness, with crisp shots that picture the two emcees hanging out in their hometown of Brighton and delivering a commanding performance of the song. Check it out below and further familiarize yourself with Hatter and Vitamin G.
Chelsea Reject has recently been garnering significant buzz out of Brooklyn, NY, and she dropped off a solid recent project with BUBBLE GRL. Her warm, breezy sound is refreshing in tone, as she seamlessly blending hip-hop and R&B elements for a dynamic listen. The opening song on BUBBLE GRL, “Grounded”, is a prime example of this, with its laid-back yet assured sound that reflects its themes of remaining grounded and true to oneself despite external opinions and influences. She possesses maturity and focus as a songwriter across the 10 diverse tracks on her recent project BUBBLE GRL, and “Grounded” is definitive of this early in the project’s track-list.
Jay Wood- “OVERACHIEVER”
Jay Wood caught our attention this month for his strong new track “OVERACHIEVER”. Hailing from the fertile Chicago music scene, which has produced many overlooked artists of late, Wood further imprints himself as a noteworthy voice from the region with “OVERACHIEVER”. The song has an anthemic quality to it, while remaining self aware in a way that makes its grandiose sonics feel natural. His vocal melodies are smooth yet confident, merging with the expansive, sleek instrumentation to give the release added replay value.
Nick Rose- “Pulp Fiction”
Connecticut artist Nick Rose shares his first single of 2023 with “Pulp Fiction”, an energizing track that showcases his ability to blend genres with ease. Characterized by raw synths and punchy percussion that give the track dashes of synth-punk, “Pulp Fiction”’s pulsating rhythm is immediately recognizable and catchy. Mixing elements of punk and alt-pop, Rose’s vocals contain an undertone of urgency that grips the listener from the get-go.
Hidden Renaissance, kllz- “New Friends, Same Old Pains”
Rich grooves and organic-sounding samples characterize the prolific Hidden Renaissance’s recent project BARBAROIS, and one standout track from early in the record is “New Friends, Same Old Pains”, with production from kllz. The track demonstrates the attention to detail seen in a lot of the Hidden Renaissance collective’s work, while elevating its sound to new heights with rumbling bass, vivid samples, and infectious percussion. It’s a solid dose of instrumental hip-hop that feels effortless and well thought-out simultaneously.
Johnny VùDOE- “introducing”
This track was technically released at the end of March, but this is one of my favourite tracks from 2023 so far and certainly deserves an inclusion. The Bronx’s Johnny VùDOE makes his presence known with a free-spirited track that kicks off his soulful EP 2pieceAAbiscuit. His lyrical abilities shine through atop the textural instrumentation, as his ability to paint vivid pictures within his verses becomes clear. For an unassuming, carefree track packed with inherent talent, check out VùDOE’s “introducing”, as well as his project 2pieceAAbiscuit.
Virginia artist mynameisntjmack has dropped off a new track, titled “transport”. Continuing his prolific run into 2023 after last year saw the success of his genre-bending track “BUNKER/ PREROLL” with Tommy Richman, as well as his well-received, introspective track “Leak”, “transport” presents a mysterious, hazy soundscape that provides a solid foundation for jmack’s thoughtful flows.
“transport” contains smooth production, containing watery, layered keys that blend with organic-sounding, dry percussion for a hypnotic groove. Enhanced by a particularly infectious bass-line, “transport”‘s mesmerizing instrumentation suits jmack’s calm yet emotive delivery and moody, pensive lyricism. He delivers a sharp performance on the mic that demonstrates his penchant for relatable, ruminative lyricism, making “transport” another solid outing from the Virginia artist.
The smoky, relaxed “transport” precedes mynameisntjmack’s upcoming EP BOOKMARK, and it gives us even more reason to be excited for the release of that project. Give it a listen below.
ArmstrongWW has shared a new single called “January Girl”, featuring Johnny Noble. Born Armstrong Tanyi Orock, ArmstrongWW is a genre-bending, multi-talented musician born in Cameroon, but now based in Houston, Texas. Starting his songwriting journey at the young age of 6, Armstrong spent years working on his craft and harnessing a versatile, idiosyncratic sound that combines hip-hop, R&B, and more, also sometimes incorporating elements of ambient in his instrumentation. A producer and vocalist, Armstrong has continued to prove himself within the underground scene of his home city of Houston, as well as beyond, and late last year released a well-received EP in Recovery.
His latest, “January Girl”, presents the same sort of atmospheric, engaging warmth heard on Recovery, but takes it even further with ambient sonics that feel refreshingly airy. Paired with an organic-sounding, rich rhythm section, the track’s vocals take it to new heights with infectious melodies drifting in spacey layers. With some indie and lo-fi flourishes, “January Girl” is a truly genre-bending track that continues the Houston-based artist’s run. Give it a listen below.
New Orleans’ DAMAG3 and Philly’s OJ Mountain have recently dropped a new project called The Valhalla Tapes: Vol. 1, and their track “SIN TAX”, featuring jules filmhouse and made by ok!, caught our attention right off the bat. The two prolific artists share a natural chemistry throughout the project, and nowhere is it more evident than on “SIN TAX”, an elegant, smoky cut that utilizes mercurial production and kaleidoscopic lyricism to great effect.
Drifting strings create an emanating warmth, while organic-sounding percussion and rich bass merge for an enticing groove beneath. The emcees sound assured and yet laid-back on the song, while delivering vivid, abstract lyricism that capture’s the beat’s ethereal, mysterious feel. It’s a track that beckons multiple re-listens to catch everything, as the rappers deliver complex, thoughtful verses atop layered production.
Take a listen to “SIN TAX”, and if you like what you hear, be sure to check out the entirety of The Valhalla Tapes: Vol. 1.
Hip-hop collective Hidden Renaissance have come through with an eclectic new instrumental album called BARBAROIS. Chock full of colorful moments laced within textural, soulful beats, BARBAROIS demonstrates Hidden Renaissance’s eclectic sound and outside-of-the-box creativity. Featuring a talented cast of producers, BARBAROIS makes a character-rich sonic statement across 28 tracks, and demonstrates the power of the art of collaboration.
To select the producers for BARBAROIS, Hidden Renaissance founders T H R O N E held a contest in a private discord server, in which 23 beatsmiths were chosen to compose the album. Including the likes of Protagonist, Delorean McFly, ZuRu, flywilliums, and more, the cast of producers on BARBAROIS oozes talent, while keeping things diverse enough to make the project’s long run time engaging throughout. The core of the record’s sound is built around coarse, soulful samples and dusty drums, and it often uses a “wall-of-sound” approach to add dynamics and layers. “New Friends, Same Old Pains”, produced by kllz, provides a highlight early on, with its weaving, nostalgic samples and punchy, gritty percussion. “Turn Back!”, produced by Protagonist, creates a hazy, nocturnal warmth with its lo-fi sampling and laid-back, swinging grooves. “The Ship” is an elegant, refreshing cut, using a minimalistic soundscape built around graceful keys to a great effect.
The versatile, vivid BARBAROIS marks a continuation of Hidden Renaissance’s prolific recent run, and it features a talented cast of collaborators that bring extra life to the project.
Queens, New York artist Winny SM‘s track “City Crisis”, off his recent album Concrete Jungle, caught our attention for its poignant lyricism, and smoky, gritty instrumentation. On “City Crisis”, weaving, dusky woodwinds and textural, dry drums create a stripped-back yet evocative backdrop for Winny, who shines as a lyricist on the track as he describes the daily struggles and hurdles that come with life in a complex, fast-paced city. His vocal delivery is captivating and emotive, and he flows dynamically and with gymnastic ease, with fluid rhyme patterns that match the beat’s laid-back yet engrossing feel.
Take a listen to “City Crisis” below and further familiarize yourself with the Queens lyricist, and check out his project Concrete Jungle as well if you enjoy the track.
ROUNDHOUSE MUSIC 