It’s Midnight has come onto our radar for his fresh single called “Show Me”. A glossy, engaging pop and R&B-influenced joint that showcases the rising artist’s versatility and sharp songwriting skills, “Show Me”’s elegant melodies and sophisticated sonics make it a heavily repayable and focused new release.
As It’s Midnight continues to rise within the industry, it is evident he is putting his best foot forward when it comes to offering dynamic and diverse releases for his fanbase. Refusing to be boxed in to one style, he pushes forward with “Show Me”, taking on a refined pop sound for a refreshing cut. Atop warm synth pads and buoyant percussion, the artist demonstrates his skill as a vocalist with a series of tightly-woven melodies that blend cohesively with the atmospheric production.
Give “Show Me” a listen below and be sure to connect with It’s Midnight on all social media platforms to watch for updates from this up-and-coming musician.
New Jersey-based artist RUYi has surprised fans with the release of his new single “Heart of the World”. The single also features fellow Jersey artist, Nike’ the Artist.
On this 3-minute 90s-retro inspired track, RUYi and Nike’ flow effortlessly to portray a flurry of emotions- from love to hope to disappointment. Nike’ starts the song off with otherworldly vocals, which can be described of as nothing short of perfect. She talks about the steps she’s taking to gain success in music- from “one more TikTok, one more show, one more video and interview”. RUYi follows up using his verse to highlight some trials and tribulations black people face on a regular basis. To add more emphasis to his verse, RUYi dropped a skit, to accompany the single, titled “Children of the Diaspora” in which he showcases his frustration with the government due to the systems put in place, or the lack thereof.
RUYi and Nike’ showcase amazing chemistry on top of an amazing production. Make sure to check out the new single below.
Rising Toronto rock band, The Drifts are back with their first drop of the year, and the second song off their upcoming EP, titled “Breaking Every Bone”. The single was co-written with the Monowhales.
On the 4-minute single, The Drifts talk about how they’re ‘breaking every bone in their body trying to write a love song’. This single asks the question “how am I supposed to write a love song if I can’t stand you?”. Over the course of the single, a flurry of sad and despondent emotions are conveyed with fierce vocals over a very catchy chorus which perfectly highlights the Drifts’ sound. The performer agrees that they should’ve learned to walk away since but could never read the signs. This single was intended not for those who’ve fallen out of love or in love, but for those in between- those who are still on the fence. The single starts off slow and calm but later erupts into a ferocious burst of emotions which captures listeners immediately.
Michigan native, King Madi has dropped his highly anticipated single “ringpop”. This also serves as the lead single to his upcoming alum. The single is also blessed by Minneapolis native and rising artist, Chethelyricist.
“Ringpop” is a raunchy single which is also very fun and silly. King Madi made this single cause he realized the lack/absence of love songs that don’t have an abundance of very explicit lyrics. This single is King Madi’s attempt at bringing back smooth talk- probably why both artists attack the calm instrumental with chill bars, and a laidback delivery. Both artists drop verses of affection and how they’ll like their significant other to wear their ‘ringpop’.
With the season of love everywhere, King Madi and Chethelyricist have dropped an amazing single for the occasion and with Madi’s album on the way, we’re really hyped to see what he has in store for us this 2023.
3vd has shared a fresh new release called “Euphoria”. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, and its surrounding areas, 3vd grew up in a house with five other siblings. He began writing when he was only 8 years old and incorporates elements of Pop and R&B into his music to create a unique and timeless sound. In addition to writing and performing music, 3vd produces and engineers, something that sets him apart from other rappers his age. Hot off the heels of his well-received release “Cutthroat”, “Euphoria” continues 3vd’s run of progressive, vibrant offerings, and it takes on a different tone than the hard-hitting “Cutthroat”, keeping things refreshing and engaging.
Presenting a slower, cloudier style that showcases 3vd’s versatility, “Euphoria”’s laid-back atmospherics and emotive, melodically-tinged vocals give it an introspective feel as 3vd delivers heartfelt lines. Produced by @Dreamboii, it’s a refreshing, forward-thinking joint that blends genres to make for an intriguing, diverse listen. “Euphoria” is accompanied by a potent new visual shot and directed by @ZenenSaneshige that complements the song’s airy feel with atmospheric shots of 3vd giving an attention-grabbing performance of his song in open fields, as well as a variety of other colourful backdrops that draw the viewer in to this song’s vibrant feel.
“Euphoria” makes for another solid release that continues 3vd’s run of infectious singles. Give the video a watch below and familiarize yourself with this fast-rising Ohio artist.
Exus has come onto our radar with his fresh new album, From Me, To You, a heartfelt set of songs that blend atmospheric, sharply-crafted instrumentation with honest, emotive lyricism. A potent project that contains subject matter relatable to a wide scope of listeners, From Me, To You finds Exus at his best as a lyricist, as he delivers captivating verses that remain vivid and poetic throughout, particularly on songs such as the gospel-tinged “New Life” or the closer “For You”. It’s a set of songs that draws you in closer and closer as the track list progresses, with the opener “Do You See Me?” setting the tone before Exus takes the listener on a journey through personal songs like “Message To My Diary” and “Dancing In The Rain” that get to the core of trials and tribulations that the lyricist has seen in life. Then, there are songs such as “Song Cry” that elevate Exus’ songwriting with potent verses and detail-rich bars that find his skills as a writer at centre stage. It’s a project full of impactful moments, and each song provides them with bars that are memorable for their honest, emotive nature.
The latest from Exus, From Me, To You is a powerful album that kicks off 2023 on a strong note, and it has us excited for what may be coming next from him.
Budding artist and California native, Samson Oats has dropped his first ever single titled “Home Safe”. The 2-minute track sees heavy rock and pop influences.
Home Safe sees Samson talk about knowing that you’re enough for a person, but feel like you’re not at the same time and then start questioning everything. The single was inspired by Samson’s partner who, at the time of the creation of this masterpiece, was going through a fallout with her closest friends. Samson ended up becoming her primary support system and was overcome with empathy for her situation. He made this single to capture his insecurities about love and the anguish people feel when they realize their relationships aren’t as sacred as they think it is. Home Safe talks about the pain everyone feels when close friends or lovers turn their backs on them. The sober delivery adds another layer to the melancholic picture Samson Oats paints.
Samson has started his career with a bang. The flurry of emotions from this single isn’t the work of a regular artist.
rooney toones: Both my parents were avid music listeners; mainly big fans of old Bollywood and classical Indian music, along with rock music from the 60’s like the Beatles, Pink Floyd, and The Eagles. I was in chorus for most of my time throughout middle school and high school, so I mainly started out singing and then everything went from there.
Dami: Would you say Bollywood music influenced your sound?
rooney toones: Not as much as I thought; I used to not really like Bollywood music. I thought it was super cheesy. It was then that I realized how many of the songs I grew up listening to were Bollywood samples, like Indian Flute by Timbaland, and even Toxic by Britney Spears was a Bollywood sample. I think as I got older, I started appreciating it a lot more.
Dami: What inspired you to start making music?
rooney toones: It was actually my best friend who got me into making music. He pulled up to my house one summer before my sophomore year and said that he was making an album this summer and asked if I wanted a verse on it. I got two verses in and that was the beginning of that. Granted I didn’t realize back then I wasn’t the best rapper but it was the spark that got me to where I am rn.
Dami: Would you say a lot has changed sound-wise for you since then?
rooney toones: Oh, for sure. The last few years since my junior year in college, I’ve been sampling like a mad man. It’s been a blessing honestly. I’m listening to music from all around the world from any time period. There’s a vast amount of amazing music in the world that will never see the light of day.
Dami: How would you describe your sound?
rooney toones: Very stripped back. I like to keep things simple. It leaves room for more collaboration and makes for a better song.
Dami: Who are your biggest inspirations?
rooney toones: I got a very long list honestly lol, but I’ll keep it short. Dilla, Madlib, The Alchemist, 9th Wonder, Kanye (the music, not the person), and Conductor Williams as of late cause his beats are different than anything I’ve heard in the last few years. I love Pharrell, Timbaland. Yeah, I could go on forever.
Dami: You just dropped your debut album. Tell us more about it.
rooney toones: For sure. I wanna start a series of tapes called “Rooney n Friends” where I just get my friends and any other rappers, singers or producers I meet and click with and work with them. It’s all in the love of good music. I feel like in this day and age of music, collaboration is way more important than it has ever been.
Dami: Is this album the start of the series?
rooney toones: Yeah honestly, I just wanna start putting out more tapes. Whether they’re on streaming services or on Bandcamp and SoundCloud.
Dami: Is it going to be a regular thing?
rooney toones: Yeah, I’m tryna make it one. My goal is to be more consistent with releases. We’re in an age where the more content you have out, the more success you will see. But that shouldn’t take away from the quality of the work so there’s a balance.
Dami: So, do you already have the sequel planned?
rooney toones: I’ll probably start working on it down the line. Right now, I have a few beat tapes planned out, but there is a deluxe version of “Rooney n Friends” volume 1 in the works as we speak.
Dami: What should we expect from it?
rooney toones: Just some more amazing rappers hopping on the instrumentals from the album, not gonna say who so as not to spoil the surprise.
Dami: What do you want listeners to take away after listening to your music?
rooney toones: To appreciate the friends and family around you, and to appreciate good music.
Dami: What’s your creative process like?
rooney toones: I don’t really have one locked down. I like to listen to old records and music for about an hour or two and then take inspiration from what I heard and put it into my own creations. A lot of the time I spend making music, I’m looking for cool samples.
Dami: What are 3 words you’ll use to describe your music?
rooney toones: Damn that’s tough. First word I would say is bouncy, and then I guess I’d say vibrant and just all-around fun.
Dami: Is the “Rooney n Friends” series your only planned drop for the year or do you have some extra shit planned?
rooney toones: I got a few more things I would like to drop, but nothing as big as the first “Rooney n Friends”. I’m just ecstatic that this project is out and I finally have quality piece of work out. It’s been a good week, I’ll say that.
Dami: What else you tryna achieve this year?
rooney toones: Just get more music out at the moment. I also DJ on the side so I would love to get more gigs in my city and other cities in the country.
In the mid 2010s, Chicago hip-hop artist Qari was known for being one third of the eclectic group Hurt Everybody, where his abstract lyricism and chaotic deliveries found a perfect home over producer Mulatto Beats’ psychedelic, genre-bending production.
In more recent years, as Qari has embarked on a solo career, he has softened his tone and stripped back his sound.
On his 2022 project Stronghold, produced by jazz extraordinaire Eddie Burns, Qari explores the many forms of both grief and loss over a series of nocturnal, barebones instrumentals, making for a moody listen that never runs short on emotional potency.
Back on November 28, Qari returned with his new single “Step by Step,” where he sticks to a very similar formula, yielding himself a result that feels every bit as satisfying.
Qari opens “Step by Step” with a question: “What’s in it for me if I keep running?” The themes of angst and uncertainty that have carried over from Stronghold are ever-present here as Qari searches the ends of the earth for a sense of emotional resolve.
Qari’s verse plays out as an inner monologue, his soft spoken delivery meandering around a set of chunky, watery synth chords.
Despite Qari employing his trademark abstract, open-to-interpretation lyrical style, there are glimpses of his emotional headspace that are more concrete: “Never forget we blessed, stay fresh/I wasn’t living with love on my breath,” he raps in the track’s opening seconds.
St. Louis artist The Ian Moore has come through with a remix to his well-received track “GODLIKE”, which adds mainstays Futuristic and Mark Battles to the mix for a new cut that exhibits a natural chemistry between the three artists.
“GODLIKE” was produced by H3 Music and was mixed by Hope Gipson from Nerd Milk Studios and Carter Mckee from Suburban Pro Studios, and the instrumentation on the track is simply infectious. Containing sleek guitars that drift in layers atop dark, stormy synths alongside heavy percussion, “GODLIKE” is an inspiring, hard-hitting joint that demonstrates the duo’s self confidence. It’s a track that conveys raw sonic power, matched by the rappers’ cutting, poignant verses for a true tour-de-force.
“GODLIKE is a song about having confidence and facing the world head on. I know that confidence can come and go, but when I wrote this song it was during a point where all the pieces started to fall into place,” Ian says about his creative process. “I felt like I was able to take on the entire planet and could achieve any goal I had in front of me. The song is called what it is, because that’s exactly how I felt while creating it, Godlike.” The Ian Moore is excited to add another artist he admires to the track to further elevate the song.
Listen to The Ian Moore’s “GODLIKE – Remix” below and get familiar with this rising St. Louis artist.
ROUNDHOUSE MUSIC 