North Carolina artist Dylan Longworth has shared a dreamlike new single called “like me back”. The young musician, who has been gaining momentum for his evocative songwriting and genre-blending, versatile sound, has come through with a heartfelt new offering in “like me back”. Effectively conjuring a surreal atmosphere sonically, this song’s spacey, soft synths create a warm, otherworldly ambiance. Atop the cloudy instrumental, Longworth bears his heart with evocative melodies that drift smoothly, culminating in a highly memorable chorus. Showcasing his relatable lyricism, Longworth’s authenticity shines through on this track, grabbing the listener’s undivided attention.
Melbourne, Australia artist LNG has shared his debut single “Attached to Me”, a smooth, infectious offering that fuses pop and R&B together in a refreshingly seamless fashion. Displaying a keen ear for melodies and a penchant for relatable lyricism, he appears to be already making a strong introduction with this debut.
“Attached to Me” features a warm, addictive instrumental containing glowing key and atmospheric backing vocals. As bouncy percussion and a highly memorable bass-line are brought in, this track picks up an irresistibly catchy groove. Overtop, LNG delivers sharply-crafted verses chock full of engaging melodies. His voice is smooth yet confident, drawing us into this track’s balmy atmosphere and holding our attention closely throughout. A sharply-crafted, fun-loving track overall, “Attached to Me” provides much replay value.
Birmingham, Alabama artist D-Bibbs has shared a fiery new offering called “NO KD”. The 22-year old rapper, who has been gaining momentum for his engaging sound and diverse vocal abilities, displays a sharp ear for production, as well as razor-sharp lyricism on this track. Accompanied by a raw, evocative visual shot by JakePutMeOn, “NO KD” is a memorable release that beckons many re-visits.
The instrumental on “NO KD” is triumphant and defiant, suitably underscoring D-Bibbs’ powerful vocals. With icy, adrenaline-pumping synths that soar atop head-banging percussion and muscular 808s, this beat is a truly addictive listen. Moreover, D-Bibbs’ verses are gripping, as he hits you with line after line of finely-tuned lyricism delivered with a commanding cadence. Paired with a refreshingly raw and unfiltered video that captures this song’s passionate essence, “NO KD” provides the whole package- infectious production, captivating vocals, and a well-crafted visual that enhances the track’s vibe.
London artist Orae Khalil‘s latest single “5 Year Plan”, assisted by Certy and produced by Mike Beats, has been in our rotation of late. Containing an infectious, moody drill instrumental featuring vibrant, nocturnal keys and booming percussion, this track makes for an addictive listen. Moreover, the vocals here are raw and engaging, yet also smooth and charismatic, adding replay value to this track and adding layers sonically. The latest from the talented Khalil, “5 Year Plan”‘s hazy, atmospheric drill sound is refreshing and vivid.
Solo Jaxon has just blessed us all with his new single “Winners and Bosses” this track has undeniable bounce and a triumphant feeling, which is fitting for its themes of hustling and perseverance. But what undoubtedly makes this song is the explosive and self-assured delivery by Solo. The vocals on this track grab you immediately and don’t let go, oozing a sort of confidence in the booth that would rival many established rappers today. If you’re looking for new songs for your gym playlist, or just something to keep you motivated, I strongly recommend some Solo Jaxson.
Daniel Price, Daniel Price, Daniel Price, a name you will want to remember. This man has been picking up steam, and his new release “Video Girl” is adding fuel to the flame. A natural swagger, and lush vocals that bounce on top of this song’s slick drum groove are the essence of what makes this track so sweet, although the guitar is the final chef’s kiss. Catchy melodies and fresh tones you wouldn’t usually expect to hear in an R&B record add a new layer of intrigue, and keep you glued for the 2:50 minute run time. Be sure to check out the music video that’s just been released while you’re at it!
Babyg theArtist has finally dropped her long-awaited EP Confetti World. The project dropped the same day as her birthday. The 8-track EP is a collection of all of Babyg’s sounds- from the hard-hitting “Reaper”- a personal favorite of mine- where BabyG and Dzh drop their hardest bars to the melodic, in-your-feelings type track “Aquarius Lover”, to “1017”, where Babyg addresses a friendship she lost sometime last year. Fans were also blessed with an extended version of “Confetti”.
Confetti World has a track for every mood, vibe, or feel. The New Jersey native stated that Confetti World represents putting aside your ego and having a parade to celebrate yourself- your past, your mistakes, excitement for the future and so forth. Confetti World was honestly worth the wait, and we are excited to see visuals, and whatever else Babyg has in store for us.
JuJu2x and Yung Vince have shared a new video for their song “Give Her Back”. Multi-talented artists, JuJu2x and Yung Vince’s diverse styles blend hip-hop and R&B into a seamless combination, providing an engaging sense for rap flows while simultaneously displaying keen ears for buttery R&B melodies. The artists, who originate from Fort Worth, Texas, have steadily been building a catalogue of vibrant, infectious bangers, and their latest release is no exception. “Give Her Back”‘s hazy, moody soundscape captured our attention immediately, drawing us into its layered sound. Accompanied by a fresh new visual, this release provides much replay value.
The production on “Give Her Back” is hard-hitting yet atmospheric, balancing heavy, crisp drums and booming 808s with elegant, reverb-soaked keys. The instrumental’s usage of heavy sounds with lighter elements lends itself to an engaging listening experience, drawing one into the song’s smoky, nocturnal mood. Atop the instrumental, JuJu2x and Yung Vince deliver rapidly-paced, exciting verses that combine smooth rap flows with melodic R&B sensibilities in their characteristic style. Raw yet effortlessly charismatic, their vocal performances add catchiness to this already contagious track. Accompanied by an exciting video that utilizes subdued lighting to capture this song’s dark, immersive feel, JuJu2x and Yung Vince deliver a cohesive package on this new release that enthrals the listener.
Culminating in their latest offering, it has been interesting to watch JuJu2x and Yung Vince’s growth as artists, over a series of memorable tracks that document their willingness to blend interesting sounds together. An exciting counterpart to Texas’ rich R&B and hip-hop scene, these two artists appear to be accelerating their songwriting skills at a rapid pace by way of a tireless work ethic. Moreover, the chemistry the two share is evident on “Give Her Back”, with their vocals flowing together seamlessly. With slightly different styles and tones, yet an overall similar vibe and ethos, the two working together seems like an organic fit.
Overall, “Give Her Back” is an exhilarating track that pairs spacey ambiance with head-nodding rhythms to craft an infectious blend. With JuJu2x and Yung Vince coming from Texas, a state renowned for producing talented, prolific artists at a fast rate, the two musicians stand out while still directly paying homage to the area’s beloved sound. This is made evident on “Give Her Back”, a vibrant, addictive offering that captures the classic feel of Southern hip-hop while simultaneously providing something refreshing. With its smoky, dark vibe and powerful sonics, “Give Her Back” will likely be in our rotation for some time, and it has us anticipating what will come from JuJu2x and Yung Vince in 2022.
Buffalo emcee Che Noir started 2022 off excitingly with her album Food For Thought, an elegant, evocative record chock full of sharply-crafted wordplay. Containing graceful, textured instrumentals that immerse the listener in their atmosphere, Food For Thought further showcases her immaculate ear for production, and cements her as one of the underground’s top lyricists today.
Highlight song: “Bless the Food”
Fatboi Sharif
New Jersey rapper Fatboi Sharif‘s 2021 project Gandhi Loves Children was one of our favourite offerings last year, catching our attention for its thought-provoking lyricism and mysterious, warm production. A quirky, character-rich emcee with a knack for off-the-wall, esoteric references, Sharif’s vivid bars never leave the listener with dull moments.
Highlight song: “Fly Pelican” with Roper Williams and YL
Hook
California artist Hook‘s 2022 album From, Hook continues her prolific run of forward-thinking, captivating releases. Surreal and atmospheric, her sound is idiosyncratic and highly recognizable, making her stand out in hip-hop’s current landscape and always giving the listener a refreshing experience.
Highlight song: “IDK”
Na-Kel Smith
Los Angeles musician and professional skateboarder Na-Kel Smith‘s recent album SKULLFACE BONEHEAD‘s abstract, textural sound further cements him as a creative artist always willing to push the boundaries.With an eclectic style that never gets boring, it will be interesting to watch Smith’s continual growth this year.
Highlight song: “HARVARD GRAD”
Rome Streetz
New York rapper Rome Streetz has been breaking major ground in recent years, releasing solid projects like Razor’s Edge with Futurewave and Coup de Grâce with Ransom, and delivering some excellent verses on songs like Westside Gunn‘s “Peri Peri”. The rapper’s gritty delivery and nimble flows are simply captivating, as his detail-rich verses paint crystal clear pictures for the listener.
Highlight song: “Pray For The Weak” with Ransom
D2x
Chicago rapper D2x shared a vibrant, engaging project in last year’s The Color Blue, which made waves on the internet for its personal lyricism and willingness to experiment sonically. Throughout the album, he showed much potential as a vocalist, with a dynamic performance that painted a picture of him as a diverse artist. All of this considered, one cannot help but be curious of what he may have in store next in 2022.
Highlight song: “Adult Swim” with Ro Marsalis
Rigz
Rochester, NY rapper Rigz has been making some major waves recently with his projects Wake Ups and 2022’s Gold alongside the legendary Muggs. With an infectious delivery paired with eclectic lyricism, Rigz’s style excites with off-the-wall flows, and his ear for elegant, addictive production is immaculate.
Highlight song: “Gold” with Muggs
Fatboyshaun
Texas artist Fatboyshaun finished 2021 on a strong note with $100 Pasta Plates, his collaborative project with producer Trox. With a natural talent for vivid lyricism, his recent output has us excited for what will come this year from the rising artist, whose commanding delivery and dynamic flows prove to be consistently memorable.
Highlight song: “Timmy Chans” with Trox
Chanelle Kazadi
Ravenna, Ohio artist Chanelle Kazadi‘s tireless work ethic, effortlessly smooth flows, and ear for off-the-beaten path sounds make her an artist that we are excited to watch this year. With her release Make It Work in 2021, she came through with evocatively personal verses and a layered sound that kept us intrigued by the details in both the instrumentation and lyrics.
Highlight song: “N.Y.R.”
Myles Bullen
Poet, rapper, and songwriter Myles Bullen‘s music blends a variety of influences in a stimulating, distinctive style, with sounds that are soft, dream-like, and psychedelic. Bullen’s willingness to be personal and meditations on a variety of potent current topics make them an engaging, thought-provoking artist to watch in 2022. Having just dropped a mesmerizing new project Mourning Travels, they seem poised for an exciting year ahead.
Highlight song: “* Ordinary Magic *” with billy woods
Marrgxela’s recently released UMBRA EP offers a short, yet potent introduction to the Florida artist. Though the project is primarily characterized by modern trap production and the artist’sconfident, melodious rapping, the project’s standout track “Talk 2 Me”is an outlier.Marrgxelamakes excellent use of space and harmonies, floating over soulful, but lively production. The artist masterfully switches flows throughout the track, commanding attention from the listener from start to finish while still leaving room for shimmering reverbs and production subtleties to shine through.
Make sure to check out the remainder of Marrgxela’sUMBRA EP:
ROUNDHOUSE MUSIC 