Queens, New York artist DevRAB has shared a fresh new EP called ‘MISFiT’, which features appearances from the likes of BIGBABYGUCCI and Kevin Powers. Inspired by feeling like he didn’t belong anywhere, which is a relatable theme for many, he created MISFiT to essentially show others it’s perfectly okay to feel like you don’t fit in.
Title track “MISFiT” opens the project and makes this messaging clear, presented in an engaging manner as DevRAB delivers infectious, powerful vocals atop sparkling, expansive instrumentation. Capped off by a cathartic hook that lingers in the listener’s head and can be best described as an “ear-worm”, “MISFiT” makes for a colourful introduction to the project and it makes a strong first impression. “KNOW BETTER” follows up the opener with psychedelic, raw instrumentation centred around kaleidoscopic synths and hard-hitting percussion. As booming 808s play out beneath, DevRAB delivers commanding vocals that showcase his versatility as a vocalist, as he delivers them with a more straightforward rap flow.
Project highlight “Private Shit” featuring BIGBABYGUCCI makes for a project highlight, with adrenaline-fuelled instrumentation that packs a punch. Here, DevRAB and BIGBABYGUCCI share a natural chemistry as they trade off stylish, catchy verses that enhance the track’s effortless swagger. The EP closes with “Up Now”, which contains softer, more atmospheric instrumentation and adds dynamics to the track listing. Here, airy keys and addictive, grooving bass underscores the track’s sharply-crafted vocal performance, making for an engaging, evocative closer to the project.
The latest from DevRAB, MISFiT makes for an infectious listen while also providing relatable themes that draw listeners into the song’s densely colourful atmospherics.
Stream “MISFiT” here and get familiar with rising Queens native DevRAB:
Rap Villain member Heem Da Dream, fresh off the release of his debut project “Cosmic Hotel”, sat down with me for our second interview. We talk about his new project, his upcoming single “Feels” and more
Dami: You released Cosmic Hotel earlier this year. Can you tell us about the project?
Heem Da Dream: Say no more. So Cosmic Hotel is a collection of songs that I recorded over a year and a half. I was just in the studio recording a lot with Shaun and Rocket felt like it would be a good idea for me to have a project and I thought so as well. With the consistent music I’ve been recording in the studio, I felt like it was a lot of different vibes but same energy so we put those songs together and that’s how Cosmic Hotel came about. It was a lot of things that got switched around like which songs would make the project but ay we got it done. It’s really a lot of “how I was feeling at the moment” type of music.
Dami: How were you able to pick the songs that made the cut?
Heem Da Dream: That shit was not easy. That’s like trying to pick which of your kids is going to survive. It’s insane, I ain’t gon hold you. Aside from me just listening to the music and picking which one I like the most cause that does go into it, I also had listening sessions with my team throughout the time period of me constructing the tape and getting things together. I had listening sessions in which I played the songs in the order that I felt the tracklist might be, or I’ll just go through them just to see which tracks people were fucking with and let them vote. Whichever songs had the most votes were taken into consideration or automatically chosen but I went back to relisten to them and put them in that order to see what the changes brought out.
Dami: What did you want people to take away after listening to Cosmic Hotel?
Heem Da Dream: I want people to see my individual growth as an artist and to see my starting base so they can tap in and then continue more on my journey and growth as an artist as I drop more music. I just want to give people a starting point to my journey aside from my music with my team. I want people to be able to grow with me.
Dami: What are 3 words you’ll use to describe your music?
Heem Da Dream: Geechie, wavy, and this last one- two words- hoe-friendly. Always hoe-friendly.
Dami: You got a single titled “Feels” dropping next month. Can you tell us more about it?
Heem Da Dream: “Feels” is coming out September 3 rd . I’ve been heavy in my drill bag lately with a lot of shit I’ve been recording. I’ve been seeing I got a lot of good reception from the drill songs I dropped on the tape. It just made sense so I’m about to see what this next drill shit do.
Dami: This your first drop since Cosmic Hotel back in May. Are you feeling any pressure?
Heem Da Dream: I ain’t feeling nothing but liberation. My wings are spread and I’m excited. I can’t wait to drop.
Dami: Apart from it being a drill track, what else should we expect from it?
Heem Da Dream: It’s my twin, Burcci on the beat so you can already expect a geechie, up-tempo vibe. It’s definitely something you should bump with the gang or with a lady friend or even while you’re out. Even if you’re alone, it’s gon help you turn up; it’s gon make you feel good.
Dami: Any visuals for Feels?
Heem Da Dream: Ooouu that’s federal right there but I got you because you’re family. I might drop a visualizer for it. Nothing too serious but I am dropping more music for the rest of the year and there definitely will be visuals for those so just be on the lookout gang.
Dami: Any features on those singles you got on the way?
Heem Da Dream: Of course. I’ve got a song dropping which features one of my brother, RV, the family type shit. It’s a surprise for the feature so a long as you’re tapped in, you gon be in for a surprise so stay tuned and stay geechie.
Charlotte-based musician Tim Buds has shared a new single called “BATS.” Inspired by a deep love for hip-hop and rock music, as well as 80’s and 90’s punk and grunge, Buds has crafted a character-rich style through years of songwriting experience. Following up his well-received 2021 EP The Echo Room, “BATS” continues his run of genre-bending, engaging offerings that flirt with a versatile range of sounds.
“BATS” opens with sharply-written, evocative guitar lines before fast, vital percussion drops in to give the song an exhilarating rhythm. With rich bass driving beneath, the song takes on a punk feel, while also showcasing Buds’ characteristically idiosyncratic style. Atop the energizing instrumentation, he delivers a series of addictive, focused melodies before crescendoing into a cathartic hook that lingers in the listeners head long after playing the single.
The latest from Tim Buds, “BATS” finds him once again delivering a thoughtfully-crafted offering that blurs the lines between genres in a refreshing manner.
New Jersey native and member of Rap Villain, Tac0o has been on an insane run of singles from the beginning of the year and what better way to continue the streak than with “Prince of Da 3”. The 2 minute track is a very catchy, and finds Tac0o raps over an upbeat beat. Tac0o switches with different flows as the track progresses. The production, which was done by SoundsbyDax, was nothing short of amazing.
When I spoke to Tac0o about the single’s importance to him, he divulged, “it’s me embracing the sample and understanding that I come from a city full of other people doing what I’m doing but in music; no one sounds like me period. So with that in mind, I stand out like the Fresh Prince but I’m just in the 3 and not Bel-Air”.
Rap Villain have been on a crazy run all 2022 and Tac0o is showing us why he’s an artist to watch out for with what I consider, one of the best drops of the year.
Nautiis an upcoming rapper out of New Zealand who is taking strides to become one of the greats. His music is refreshing compared to everything else coming out at the moment, and gave me that nostalgic feeling of when I first got into rap music. Real bars, with real meaning. He just released a brand new EP titled “Road to a Brick” which was produced by Josh Blair, Roland Jones, Spyde who all contributed to various tracks on the project. From top to bottom this EP requires no skips, with each track flowing to the next with ease.
If you’re sick and tired of the clout rap and the rage wave that’s going on right now, “Road to a Brick” is the project to make you a fan of rap again hahaha. Cheers!
23 year-old New York artist Gio Genesis has shared a fresh new single called “Wasting Away.” The musician, whose nimble, rich melodies are reminiscent of artists like Giveon and Daniel Caesar but with his own refreshing twist, is hot off the heels of engaging singles such as “Shoot For Something” and “Wither (Remix)” from earlier this year, and continues his run of solid alternative R&B offerings with “Wasting Away.”
Packed with emotion, “Wasting Away”‘s poignant songwriting and warm, wistful sound make it suitable for the sentimental months of late summer and early fall. With drifting, atmospheric guitars that create a nostalgic, minimalistic backdrop for Genesis’ evocative melodies, the song shines with simply his voice and the simple yet highly effective backdrop.
The latest from Gio Genesis, “Wasting Away” marks another strong offering from him and has us excited for what may be coming in the near future.
Brizzi Beats just released a hot new beat tape titled “Morpheus”, featuring hits such as “Slang”, “Cobain”, “Desert Eagle” and many others. The project provides a dark mood that gives you all the feels, with a series of hard-hitting, ominous instrumentals that are as imposing as they are addictive.
Some of my personal favorites include “Immortal” and “Stealth”, which utilize nocturnal soundscapes and heavy instrumentation to provide eery sonics while simultaneously hooking in the listener with addictive rhythms. The project’s 14-song run-time is also highly consistent, as Brizzi provides back-to-back songs that are enticing and invigorating, leaving few weak moments.
Check it out here and familiarize yourself with Brizzi Beats:
For their latest offering, Dallas String Quartet transforms the already upliftingand romantic “10,000 Hours” by country pop duo Dan + Shay into a luxurious instrumental arrangement perfect for serenading life’s happiest moments. This exquisite rendition brings the hometown feel with perfectly placed finger snaps, and weaves an elegant tapestry of uplifting and peaceful strings.
Optimistic, peaceful strings rise in layers over “10,000 Hours,” a dynamic classical release, until they reach an emotional crescendo. This cover is catchy and engrossing, luring the listener deeply into its romantic atmosphere. It is enhanced by rich stand-up bass. This cover from Dallas String Quartet is shimmering and opulent in sound, exhibiting their distinctive style as they skillfully combine classical orchestration with contemporary pop influences to produce a light, evocative offering.
Dallas String Quartet was founded in 2007 by violist Ion Zanca. A fusion of contemporary classical and pop music, DSQ is referred to as “Bach meets Bon Jovi” and is compared to artists like Lindsey Stirling, Vitamin String Quartet, Brooklyn Duo and 2Cellos. They use both traditional and electric strings performing as a quartet with the full accompaniment of drums and guitar and are known for their eclectic renditions of everything from Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child of Mine” to Shawn Mendes to Camila Cabello’s “Señorita” to their recent collaboration, “You Are The Reason,” with The Piano Guys.
Ever had an inkling to run out of your job, hop in your car and just ride away from it all? Stayathomedad can relate. Connecting with RVA content powerhouse theMSQshop, who not only filmed and edited the visual but handled creative direction as well as marketing for the song as a whole, the Orlando based singer/songwriter releases the music video for “Work Sucks.” The video for the Rasneek produced Pop song draws inspiration from popular television series ‘The Office‘ and serves as the first single from the Peter $un collaborator‘s upcoming album Music4YourMom, which was precursored by 2021’s Sweet.
Asked about his thought process when creating “Work Sucks,” SAHD states: “My wife came home from work one day, opened the door and just yelled. She then closed the door and proceeded to punch the air like Tre Styles in Boyz N The Hood. That’s when the concept was born. This record is a sign of the times we’re in on this rock hurling through space.”
Boasting a catalogue containing character-rich blends of Pop, R&B, and Soul, stayathomedyad (formerly known as Awkward Shaman) was born in Texas and grew up traveling all around the United States. He realized his vocal talents at eight years old while harmonizing to The Fugees‘ “Killing Me Softly.” His family immediately noticed his sonic similarities to Lauryn Hill and discovered he could mimic most melodies on the radio.
After high school, he joined the army and started his solo career in North Carolina. He was eventually deployed to Afghanistan to fight in the war, where he honed his songwriting, arranging, and rapping skills. The PTSD he experienced following deployment landed him at rock bottom and in a psych ward for two years.
While battling PTSD, stayathomedad never stopped working. He soon after landed a writing deal with T.I.‘s imprint Grand Hustle in addition toperformance opportunities at both A3C and SXSW, which opened the door for him to sing backup for Richmond rapper Peter $un while he was on tour with Russ. Now a family man, the onc-known awkward shaman is now stepping in full confidence and grace as a stay at home dad making music for himself and others.
Rising Brockton, MA-born, Los Angeles-based artist LÉA THE LEOX has shared a new visual for her recent single “T.V.” The video is vibrant and energizing, enhancing the spirited feel of the genre-blending single, which expertly blends influences from house, alternative R&B, pop, and funk.
Sonically, “T.V.” is rich and vivid, buzzing with a buoyant, vital energy, and showcasing sharp songwriting from LÉA and producer ObieIII. Sitting somewhere between Doja Cat and Kaytranada with a refreshing twist that is uniquely her own, “T.V.” provides a dance-able, empowering sound that is simply addictive. Containing warm, upbeat synths and bouncy percussion, the instrumental on “T.V.” creates a fun-loving backdrop for LÉA’s infectious vocals, as she comes through with a memorable performance that matches the instrumentation’s playful energy.
The video does well to enhance the song’s jubilant feel as well, with colorful shots that make focused use of movement, accompanying LÉA’s confident and charismatic performance. Throughout the video, she appears magnetic, drawing the listener into the song’s balmy, immersive sound and keeping their attention close until the end.
The latest from LÉA THE LEOX, “T.V.” tells the story of a hookup without the burden of further responsibilities. Telling the story of reclaiming your power and energy, this song and its accompanying music video screams fun summer dance vibes.
ROUNDHOUSE MUSIC 