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Nkosi Bourne asks “Are You Ready?” on new single

Brooklyn lyricist Nkosi Bourne has released a fresh single called “Are You Ready?”. Following his recent soulful, thought-provoking song “Final Form”- “Are You Ready?” features textural, vibrant sampling instrumentation and self-aware lyricism that give it added flavor. Atop weaving, raw soul samples, warbling strings, and minimalistic percussion, Bourne paints a detailed picture in his verses while keeping his content confessional. With a carefree, laid-back warmth that makes this track suitable for long walks with headphones in late summer, “Are You Ready?” is a refreshing new offering from the Brooklyn artist. Containing hypnotic production and potent, heartfelt vocals, “Are You Ready?” Is sure to entice listeners with August winding down.

Watch the visualizer for “Are You Ready?” below.

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Gxldsoulrebel and 95 Goldie detail being at a crossroads with “Split Decision”

Gxldsoulrebel has connected with 95 Goldie for a new track, titled “Split Decision”. Hallmarked with lush, laid-back production, introspective flows, and commanding yet low-key mic presences, “Split Decision” makes for another thoughtful cut from these prolific artists. Atop silky, moody production centred around dream-like keys, warm guitars, and a poignant bass-line, Gxldsoulrebel and 95 Goldie weave together pensive verses laced with rich lyricism, while showcasing an effortless chemistry. As “Split Decision”’s meditative instrumentation builds hypnotically, the two rappers play with the track’s themes of being at a crossroads in life, at a time when introspection and reflecting on your past is key to move forward. It’s a relatable and heartfelt track that inspires one to look within in a world that often encourages the opposite. Give “Split Decision” a listen below.

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Achille shares hypnotic track, “cure”

Chicago producer Achille has shared a single called “cure”. Delicate piano lines and hypnotic, grounded percussion detail Achille’s single “cure”, conjuring dream-like soundscape in the process. Moored by rich bass, “cure” builds into a meditative groove while keeping a lightweight airiness that gives the track an engaging balance. With its freeing, relaxed instrumentation- “cure” creates a sense of relief, like taking a deep breath and letting the stress off your chest after a long day. Achille’s track “cure” continues his run of lo-fi tinged, emotive instrumental hip-hop tracks with a refreshing new joint. Give “cure” a listen below now. 

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Exus drops off vibrant single, “Pretty Girls”

Springfield, Massachusetts artist Exus has shared a new song called “Pretty Girls”. Exus is a versatile artist with a penchant for penning both heartfelt, vulnerable tracks and high-energy, addictive bangers. His latest, “Pretty Girls”, falls into the latter category- but with a more experimental, Jersey club-influenced twist. The catchy new joint is produced by prolific Massachusetts beatmaker and instrumentalist DK, and it excites and entices from the get-go with its vibrant tapestry of sonics and potent vocals.

Glitchy, atmospheric instrumentation underscores Exus on “Pretty Girls”, containing a mix of weaving samples, throbbing percussion, and addictive bass. As a vocalist, Exus shines with a versatile vocal performance including smooth rap flows merging with airy R&B lines. It makes for a dynamic and diverse listen that showcases Exus’ wide-ranging songwriting. Give Exus’ new song “Pretty Girls” a listen below.

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Nick Rose drops off eclectic new project, ‘Everything’s Cooler!’

Connecticut artist Nick Rose has dropped off a new project, titled . Born Nicholas William Costantini, Nick Rose is a 22-year old artist born in New Britain and raised in Plainville. He is the co-founder and creative director of the music imprint DONT TRIP RECORDINGS, LLC. Inspired by his personal tribulations and love for pop culture, a twelve year-old Rose began utilizing his talents as a writer and multi-instrumentalist to produce his own songs in his bedroom. Inspired equally by 1940’s big-band jazz, Motown soul, and classic hip-hop, Rose continued to build an engaging, eclectic discography of genre-bending releases that earned him a following in his home state of Connecticut and beyond.

His latest offering is Everything’s Cooler!, a 7-song project that includes sonic flavors from hip-hop, alt-pop, synth punk, and more. Everything’s Cooler! opens with the invigorating bounce of “Pulp Fiction”, a track that utilizes electrifying, raw synths and punchy percussion to a potent effect. Accompanied by Rose’s sharply-crafted, infectious vocals that build dynamically into an earworm hook, “Pulp Fiction” is a highly relayable track with an off-the-wall energy that gives it a unique edge. “Afraid”, featuring frequent collaborator Armani Jordan, makes for a project highlight with its atmospheric loops, crisp percussion, and potent verses from Jordan and Rose that demonstrate a natural chemsitry. Tracks like “Fountain” and “New Day” bring added versatility to the project with introspective, heartfelt lyricism atop soulful boom-bap production that draws from classic hip-hop influences. But Rose can equally pen a catchy pop track that could be radio ready- as made evident with “Wandering”, the vibrant lead single with a hypnotic feel and raw energy that remains captivating throughout.

Give Nick Rose’s latest project Everything’s Cooler! a listen below here.

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Montreal’s Mike Shabb shares infectious visual for “Thank God”

Montreal artist Mike Shabb has just shared a new visual for his track “Thank God”. Hot off the heels of his recent project Hood Olympics, “Thank God” makes for a standout from the release that has been given a refreshing new video directed by Remastered. One of the most prominent artists coming out of Montreal and the Canadian hip-hop scene at large- Shabb continues his run of expressive cuts with the video for “Thank God” that shows that he cannot be boxed in to one sound or style. His versatility shines through, as he tackles a staggering, stylish instrumental with ease, enticing the listener with dynamic flows and charismatic lines. The new video captures “Thank God”‘s energizing feel with enticing, fast-paced cuts and focused editing, making for an entertaining and cohesive accompaniment to the track.

Watch the new video for “Thank God”, produced by Shabb and Vnce Carter, below as Mike Shabb continues his run as one of the most interesting, eclectic rappers coming out of Canada today.

Listen to Mike Shabb’s Hood Olympics here:

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I’ll Never Die go “4 THE WIN” on new single

Music collective I’ll Never Die have dropped off a new single called “4 THE WIN”. Featuring vocals from Jay Nabi, Prince Shakir, and JUNE!, and production from pis.i, “4 THE WIN” finds them continuing to carve out their lyrically-focused, character-rich style with a strong new offering. Following up their album Da Infinity Fyles as well as prolific releases from individual group members, “4 THE WIN” finds the three emcees shining atop warm, airy production from pis.i while demonstrating a natural, effortless chemistry.

On “4 THE WIN” rich, laid-back guitars and pianos merge together into a smooth soundscape, underscored by minimalistic, organic percussion. The relaxed instrumentation creates a cohesive backdrop for Nabi, Shakir, and JUNE!, who come through with unhurried, refreshing verses containing vividly introspective lyricism. It’s a track that drops any frills and pretensions for an authentic track that wears its heart on its sleeve.

Made up of members JUNE!, Jay Cinema, Elijah Quinton, Roman., dj noonsomewhere, Nine Livz, Prince Shakir, and Jay Nabi, I’ll Never Die continues their run with their refreshing joint “4 THE WIN”. Take a listen to I’ll Never Die’s latest song “4 THE WIN” below.

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demahjiae and Elujay share hypnotic single “1178”

East Oakland artist demahjiae has connected with Elujay for a fresh single called “1178”. Following up demahjiae’s potent 2022 EP Angels Wear Black as well as stellar features on records from Navy Blue, Ovrkast., and more, “1178” finds him linking with fellow Oakland standout and genre-bending artist Elujay for a strong new offering that blends influences eclectically.

The hypnotic, soulful cut features expansive, warm production and engaging, melodically-laced verses that captivate from the start. Blending melodic inflections with heartfelt, introspective lyricism and raw flows, “1178” makes for an versatile release from demahjiae and Elujay that showcases their diversity on the mic. Underscored by a dream-like instrumental built around surreal, sparkling keys, airy percussion, and choral backing vocals, the emcees drop off potent, honest verses that are detailed and refreshingly introspective. Give “1178” a listen below now.

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insyt. takes listeners on a journey with ‘The Nothings I’ve Felt’

insyt. caught our attention for his recent EP The Nothings I’ve Felt. An introspective, vivid journey into the life and times of the artist- The Nothings I’ve Felt is a refreshingly personal, character-rich drop that puts insyt.’s lyrical abilities on full display. Following up his project The View From the Sky from earlier in 2023, The Nothings I’ve Felt finds him continuing to refine his potent, heartfelt sound with an engaging 5-track offering.

The Nothings I’ve Felt opens with “Eons”, a hypnotic joint featuring warm production and introspective lyricism from insyt. that sets the tone for the project and grasps the listener from the get-go. “Gemini” follows next with an organic, thoughtful cut that finds insyt. piecing together vibrant, poetic lines atop textural, laid-back keys and infectious percussion. “1973”, featuring Samad M, features glowing, gospel-tinged production that creates an air of nostalgia, suiting the emcees reflective verses. “Eating my Tail”, featuring Uhuru Noir, closes the project strongly with an emotive offering, finding the emcees confessional with gripping verses that feel cathartic in nature.

Take a listen to The Nothings I’ve Felt below here.

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D2x shares cinematic new single “Faith”

D2x has dropped off a new single called “Faith”. A standout voice coming out of Chicago’s vibrant hip-hop scene, “Faith” follows up his acclaimed 2021 album The Color Blue as well as his 2022 single “UNDERSTAND”, arriving ahead of his upcoming album Hotel 1105.

“Faith” contains refreshing production built around lush vocal samples, sparkling keys, and a bouncy, addictive rhythm section. With classic Chicago influences delivered with D2x’s own personal twist, “Faith” is a vivid new joint that entices with its lively soundscape. Moreover, D2x shines as a vocalist with a confident mic presence, crisp delivery, and emotive lyricism.

Overall, “Faith” is a strong new cut from D2x that has us excited for his upcoming album Hotel 1105, listen to it below.