Category: Blog

By Jacob Ezra

Imani Nichele has caught our attention for her fresh 3-song offering, BLEAT. 22 year-old Chicago-based poet, rapper, singer/ songwriter and DJ Nichele was originally born in Detroit, and her work has diverse influences on spectrums between underground hip-hop, alternative, folk and more. Her latest release, BLEAT, is an engaging drop that blends laid-back, lush sounds with focused, potent flows. The immersive, grooving warmth of the title track opener- laced with character-rich vocals from Nichele atop watery, swelling keys- introduces the rich, relaxed sound of BLEAT. The coziness is taken to another level with the ethereal “sweatergawd.”, which contains powerful, spiritual undertones- capped off by Nichele’s intricate lyricism. Closer “PETA.” is a hazy, psychedelic cut with colorful tones that bring out a strong vocal performance from Nichele, who effortlessly and cleanly handles the instrumentation with dextrous flows and imagery-laden lyricism. Give Nichele’s latest offering, the versatile, impressive BLEAT, a listen below.

Washington, DC artist nofacerapper has dropped off a fresh single called “Blame Foule Monk”, produced by Foule Monk. Following up engaging releases such as “a mile a minute…” and “Face of the Moon”, “Blame Foule Monk” is a hard-hitting, raw track built around a phrase nofacerapper coined while working with Foule Monk, praising him with an infectious refrain.

“Blame Foule Monk” contains hypnotic, effectively minimalistic production based around whistling, ghostly samples and crunchy percussion. Laced with rich bass, the beat builds into a dynamic, catchy groove that provides an apt backdrop for nofacerapper’s poignant, cutting flows as he drops imagery-rich verses.

While producers in hip-hop don’t always get the credit they deserve, “Blame Foule Monk” takes aim at changing that in a refreshing manner. Give it a listen HERE on Bandcamp and directly support nofacerapper and Foule Monk.

By Mustafa Abubaker

Jake James is one of my favorite new rappers.

He’s cut from the same cloth guys like J. Cole, Drake, and Jack Harlow cut their teeth on… meaning he hasn’t ventured into the sounds Playboi Carti and his contemporaries have developed over time but rather draws inspiration from the golden age of hip-hop.

His new three-track project All Time High was recorded out of hotel rooms in Atlanta. The second track sounds like he’s ready for classic West Coast Dr. Dre production. The third track finds that sweet spot between the mainstream sound and the classic hip-hop sound he’s almost single-handedly kept alive.

Jake James is fasho one of those rappers you wanna keep tapped in with, bro got a lot of potential and you can tell he’s focused on making great music and treating music like a true job. Mix that with the passion, and you got a recipe for a star.

By Jacob Ezra

SwuM, GRIMM Doza, and YL are three artists that have all cultivated influence within their own respective lanes in the underground, and their latest collaboration “BLINK OF AN EYE” feels like a natural meeting of worlds. The song harnesses the nonchalant charisma and laid-back soulfulness that is a common in the three artist’s work, with a poignant lo-fi tinged track that brings their strengths together. “BLINK OF AN EYE”‘s hazy, hypnotic loops and dusty percussion blend with an uplifting airiness that gives it added character, while Doza and YL’s sleek flows paint true-to-life pictures over top. Give “BLINK OF AN EYE” a listen below now.

Utah producer bluemason has dropped off a new 6-track project called NO TIME!, featuring a notable set of guests including Uhuru Noir, Micah Gabriel, Lynx Cane, and Roman. “NICOYA” with Uhuru Noir and Micah Gabriel paints an expansive, nocturnal picture with its vivid, eery soundscape from bluemason and poetic lyricism from the emcees. “ALI!” with Lynx Cane employs a smoky jazz-laced instrumental embedded with hypnotic, cathartic vocal samples, as Cane flows as smooth as butter while depicting rich imagery. “ESSENCE” with Roman takes on a lighter tone with ethereal, drifting samples in lush layers, as Roman sounds poised and light-on-his-feet with deft verses atop bluemason’s poignant production.

Support bluemason directly by purchasing NO TIME! on Bandcamp HERE.

Lil Du Bois has dropped off a new song called “30°”, with Zaphros. Inventive Utah lyricist and CQCX member Lil Du Bois, who draws influence from a wide range of acts including Goodie Mob, Gil Scott-Heron, and Nas, continues his run of expressive cuts with “30°”, produced by standout Zaphros. “30°” contains hazy, melancholic guitar riffs that build in layers atop crisp percussion and booming 808s. Laced with raw, versatile vocals from Lil Du Bois, “30°” is a captivating, genre-bending hip-hop track with traces of rock, electronic, and more. Give it a listen below.

ZRA has dropped off a new EP, titled KPC: The Prologue, produced by noahillest and Jotek. The 5-song project finds ZRA tackling a set of character-rich, soulful instrumentals that pair cohesively with his energizing, emotive delivery and flows. “1. Simply Over Freestyle”, produced by Jotek, finds him laying down raw, captivating vocals atop layered, hypnotic vocal samples to a potent effect. “KPC”, produced by noahillest contains an airy, mesmerizing soundscape enhanced by ZRA’s vivid lyricism and heartfelt delivery. Closer “III. The Day the Sun Left” contains laid-back, psychedelic instrumentation that builds in dynamic layers while ZRA comes through with one of his potent performances on the project. Take a listen to KPC: The Prologue below and further familiarize yourself with ZRA.

UK artist Kip C has dropped off a new single, titled “Angelos”, produced by Noah.. Continuing the lyricist’s run of eclectic, expressive tracks that flirt with lo-fi hip-hop, experimental hip-hop, and more, “Angelos” presents an ethereal offering from Kip C. True to its title, “Angelos” employs a heavenly backdrop of vocal samples that drift above immersive keys and organic, smooth percussion, making for an uplifting soundscape suitable to Kip’s deft rhymes. With a laid-back, patient delivery, he drops off emotive verses that grip the heartstrings and suit the nonchalant beauty of the instrumentation. Give “Angelos” a listen below now.

Frequent collaborators Finch, Ozstriker, Golden Joe, 6teen, and Fritz Rango have joined forces once again for a hard-hitting new cut called “You Don’t Feel Alright”. A storm of vivid, pulsating sounds that blend influences from hip-hop, electronic, punk, and more, “You Don’t Feel Alright” presents a sharply-crafted song from the five artists that presents an electrifying chemistry. Atop raw cascades of synth layers, cutting percussion, and booming, sliding 808s, they drop off fiery verses that up the energy of “You Don’t Feel Alright” to fearsome heights. Give their latest collaboration a listen below now!