Detroit mainstay Valid continues his journey of the well-received Peach Brandy album with the release of an evocative video for “Places.” In this visually captivating piece from Lucky Penny Media, the MC honors his roots while reflecting on the city that shaped his identity. The video incorporates heartfelt home footage, whisking viewers back to 2005, the year of Valid’s last visit to Serbia as a young man. It serves as a celebration of Detroit’s rich hip-hop culture, intertwining memories of the past with hopes for the future.
“Places”, produced by Knowhere2run and Vibin wit DJ Mono, is a potent track from Valid’s recent album Peach Brandy that explores his heritage in Serbia and how it shaped him into the man he is today, with vivid lyricism set to a back-drop of rich, atmospheric guitars, warm strings, and organic percussion. The new visual, alongside the track, acts as an homage and tribute to his homeland with heartfelt, nostalgic shots that capture the song’s emotive narratives.
Mentored by Grammy-winning DJ Head, Detroit emcee Valid is making waves in hip-hop. After his acclaimed debut album, Mihajlo, in 2019, he released the Plum Brandy EP, gaining traction in Eastern and Southern Europe. Valid has collaborated with notable artists like Apollo Brown and Skyzoo and recently teamed up with Stretch Money to form the duo Bill & Isiah. Their album gained significant attention, charting on college radio in the U.S. and Canada, and their freestyle on Eminem‘s Shade45 became a defining moment for Detroit hip-hop. Performing alongside legends like Xzibit and ThaDogg Pound, Valid’s influence continues to grow, with exciting prospects ahead. His latest offering, the fresh visual for “Places”, makes for a poignant, memorable release, coming after the drop of his engaging, versatile Peach Brandy LP. Give it a watch here now on our platform.
Mama Yaya, Jake Bass and The Light Works have come together once again for a new single called “Truth or Dare (The Light Works Remix)”. A potent meeting of minds that brings each of their vibrant, character-rich sounds to the forefront, “Truth or Dare (The Light Works Remix)” presents another strong track from this trio of collaborators.
“Truth or Dare (The Light Works Remix)” is a versatile new offering, with its poignant blend of electronic, dance, R&B, and alt-pop elements. Immersive keys and rich guitars drift atmospherically alongside Mama Yaya’s soulful vocals, underscored by an infectious drum-line that incorporates DnB aesthetics. Building dynamically, powerful bass, raw synth lines, and added cathartic layers of percussion give “Truth or Dare (The Light Works Remix)” an epic feeling, culminating in a massive chorus, and giving the track much replay value.
Mama Yaya is a Chicago-based singer-songwriter of Palestinian and Jewish descent. She launched her music and acting career in the fifth grade and has performed at notable venues like U.S. Cellular Field, the Chicago Symphony Center, and Pritzker Pavilion. She has also collaborated with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for the Deaf and the Loud Symphonic Experience.
In the summer of 2018, Mama Yaya signed with Detroit producer Jake Bass at Boca J Music. For her latest release, “First Off (The Light Works Remix),” she teams up with Bass, who has been immersed in music since childhood. Starting at eight, he learned drums, piano, guitar, and bass by ear. By 15, he founded Boca J Music and gained recognition in the Detroit music scene. In 2016, Jake co-produced the 20th anniversary remix of Eminem’s “Infinite” and its accompanying documentary. He has also composed for various artists, filmmakers, and brands, including RYN SCOTT, Drew Verdé, and Mama Yaya.
“Truth or Dare (The Light Works Remix) features a collaboration with The Light Works, the creative duo of producers Ludlow and Freddy Todd. They blend Chicago house, Detroit techno, drum and bass, and hip-hop/R&B to craft a unique and infectious sound in electronic music. Raised in Detroit, the pair met in high school and have since established successful careers as producers, accumulating hundreds of millions of streams and touring globally.
Listen to “Truth or Dare (The Light Works Remix)” here now:
g0ldilock is back with a fresh single called “Road Running”, featuring Drelli. The prolific artist returns once again with a refreshing song that puts his versatile sound on display, this time featuring Drelli, and the two artists share a natural, synergetic chemistry with this new release. Blistering, vibrant synths, a booming rhythm section, and crisp percussion underscore the two vocalists as they deliver line after line of smooth, charismatic bars that blend melodious inflections with a more raw hip-hop delivery. As the track builds dynamically and powerfully, “Road Running” incorporates an explosive hook that adds much replay value to the track. Be sure to give g0ldilock and Drelli’s latest “Road Running” a listen here now.
Mama Yaya, The Light Works, and Jake Bass have connected for a new single, titled “First Off (The Light Works Remix)”. This song finds this talented cast of collaborators joining forces for a vibrantly emotive single that blends genres enticingly. Featuring rising, colorful synth layers and cathartic woodwinds drifting atop an energizing, buoyant rhythm section, “First Off (The Light Works Remix)” builds powerful grooves alongside engaging instrumentation. Further enhanced by Mama Yaya’s heartfelt, ethereal vocals that build dynamically across the track, “First Off (The Light Works Remix)” is an example of a song that brings all of the collaborators strengths to the table, with each adding their own unique dose of creativity. It makes for an uplifting song that courses with energy, as pulsating rhythms blend smoothly with bright synths and hypnotic vocals for an infectious new release.
Mama Yaya is a Chicago based, singer/ songwriter of Palestinian and Jewish descent. She began her music and acting career officially in the 5th grade and has since performed at venues such as U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago Symphony Center, Pritzker Pavilion, Uncommon Ground, and more, as well as performing with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for the Deaf and Loud Symphonic Experience. In the summer of 2018, Mama Yaya signed with Detroit producer Jake Bass at Boca J Music. For her latest collaboration “First Off (The Light Works Remix)”, she joins forces with Jake Bass, A Detroit-based composer and producer, Jake was born into the trade, fashioning his sound by playing drums, piano, guitar and bass, all by ear, starting at eight years old. By 15, he founded his production and publishing company, Boca J Music, and he was already catching the eyes and ears of the Detroit music scene. In 2016, Jake co-produced the 20th anniversary remix of Eminem’s “Infinite” and produced the related documentary. Jake has composed for automakers, television, filmmakers, and many additional artists including RYN SCOTT, Mama Yaya, Drew Verdé, and Apropos.
“First Off (The Light Works Remix)” is a collaboration with The Light Works, the brainchild of producers Ludlow and Freddy Todd, who fuse Chicago house, Detroit techno, drum and bass, and hip-hop/ R&B to create a distinctive and infectious sound in electronic music. Raised in Detroit, the duo met in high school and have since built successful careers as producers, amassing hundreds of millions of streams, and touring the world.
“First Off (The Light Works Remix)” makes for a poignant meeting of minds that blends R&B, pop, electronic, and dance aesthetics for a memorable new song. Take a listen to it now on all platforms HERE.
Rising Indiana artist Tewo has released his latest single, “Rapstar,” featuring Stevo. This new track solidifies Tewo’s position as an emerging talent in the Midwest hip-hop scene with a potent, infectious new release. Tewo is known for illuminating any stage with his irresistible presence, while gaining momentum in the Midwest scene as well as beyond for his sharp take on melodious hip-hop sounds.
On “Rapstar”, energizing, vibrant synths build atop booming 808s and crisp drums to create a synergetic backdrop for Tewo and Stevo’s catchy vocal performance. They feed off eachother’s energy with potent lines that dynamically build atop the engaging synths and powerful, bouncy rhythm section. Give Tewo’s latest song “Rapstar”, featuring Stevo, a listen here now.
Clara Zimm has dropped off a fresh EP, titled Back to Reality now. This potent, heartfelt new project combines atmospherics sonics with sharp songwriting for an engaging alternative R&B release. With soaring vocals and rich instrumentation, Back to Reality now is a dynamic offering that captivates from the get-go. Opener “Fading” is an enticing track that introduces Zimm’s poignant sound of Back to Reality now– with warm keys, powerful vocals, and an airy, hypnotic rhythm section. “Novocaine” follows up next with a smooth, intimate track that adds versatility with its incorporation of hip-hop influences in its engaging grooves and delivery. The glowing ambiance and silvery melodies of “Between the Sheets” makes for an EP highlight, with shimmering synths and strings taking the track to new heights. While “Venice Rooftops” contains colorful synth lines and crisp rhythm section that provide a strong foundation for Zimm to showcase her vocal range, as she locks in potent vocal melodies atop the song’s vivid instrumental.
Born and raised in Virginia Beach, VA, Clara Zimm who’s soulful with an edge, is bringing pop and R&B elements to the table with old Hollywood class and modern flair to fit her own voice and world. Her debut EP, Back to Reality now, with a concept project that deals with the theme of fantasy vs. reality: Its easier to create and live in your own head rather than dealing with the truth, but eventually, we must come “back to reality.” A potent, memorable project that makes for an atmospheric alternative R&B release, Clara Zimm’s Back to Reality now entices with its smooth, melodious sound and emotive instrumentation. Take a listen to Back to Reality now here and connect with Clara Zimm while you’re at it.
Los Angeles’ rimhan is a multi-talented artist coming out of the West Coast who continues to push forward with heartfelt, captivating offerings. With a penchant for personal, raw lyricism that is often deeply introspective, as well as an ear for soulful, versatile instrumentals, rimhan continues to build a prolific discography. Recent offerings like the full-length project ‘soul food for the family’ as well as his newest single “HELL IN A CELL” with Nebraska’s Sleep Sinatra display a lyrical depth and multi-layered approach, with a series of instrumentals that are engaging and often intricate. We sat down with the Los Angeles artist to talk about his early inspirations in music, storytelling, releases ‘soul food for the family’ and “HELL IN A CELL” and more.
Roundhouse Music:Growing up, what initially inspired you to begin creating music?
rimhan: Growing up, what influenced me to make the music that I make is every day life and the things that I go through. I’ve never really been influenced by anyone else’s music. I’m mostly influenced by real life and the things that are going on around me. Real life is the best influence that you can have if you make music.
Roundhouse Music:How did the music and arts scene in Los Angeles influence you as an artist?
rimhan: When I first got involved with the scene, it was filled with a bunch of people that I was already listening to and growing up with. People like Pac Div, OFWGKTA, TDE & The Dogg Pound really influenced my sound. All of my influences are different now that I’m older and more mature.
Roundhouse Music: What’s your songwriting process like approaching a new track?
rimhan: That’s a hard question for me to answer, because I don’t usually approach a track when it’s time for me to record it. But if I have to really think about it, most of the time I’m writing the song before I even hear the beat that I’m gonna rap on. Then, when I hear the beat that I’m gonna use, I just figure out how I’m gonna use this shit that I already wrote before I heard the beat. Usually works like that to be honest.
Roundhouse Music: What do you look for in instrumentals that inspires you to write?
rimhan: What I look for in a instrumental is the energy that I need in order to complete the song. If the beat doesn’t have the energy that I need, I’m not even gonna use it. And I can usually feel the energy within the first five seconds of the instrumental. If it’s not something that I’m feeling then I’m not gonna use it. I’ve always been that way.
Roundhouse Music: Your storytelling feels very vivid, how do you approach storytelling when writing a song?
rimhan: Everything that is a part of my storytelling is something that I’ve gone through in my real life. To me it doesn’t even feel like I’m telling a story, it just feels like I’m getting something off my chest that I’ve been wanting to say for a while. Depending on the instrumental, things can really get deep, depending on the subject matter of what I’m talking about.
Roundhouse Music: Can you talk about the inspiration behind your recent mixtape ‘soul food for the family’?
rimhan: ‘soul food for the family’ is a tape that was inspired by all of the Sundays that I spent at my grandma’s house eating with the family. It was also inspired by all of the trials and tribulations that I’ve had as a black man living in Los Angeles, California. It doesn’t just represent the food that we eat physically on a daily basis, but it also represents the food for thought that is provided through everyday outlets.
Listen to ‘soul food for the family’ here on BandCamp.
Roundhouse Music: What was the inspiration for your latest song “HELL IN A CELL”?
rimhan: I be going to jail, bro. Lol. I guess the inspiration for this song is based on me telling myself that I really need to stay out of jail and focus on music.
Roundhouse Music: How did the collaboration with Sleep Sinatra for your new song “HELL IN A CELL” come together?
rimhan: To answer your question honestly, I don’t even have a clue. He sent me a beat one day and I didn’t like it, but then he sent me another beat and it was something that I ended up fucking with, so I made a song on it. Now he’s sending me a bunch of beats, and we’re working on something that we’re gonna drop in October or the top of November.
Roundhouse Music: What do you hope listeners take away from your new song “HELL IN A CELL”?
rimhan: Get up off your ass and make your mama proud.
Listen to “HELL IN A CELL” here on BandCamp and support the artist directly.
Roundhouse Music: Do you have a song that you’ve created that you feel most close to and if so, why?
rimhan: It’s honestly not just one song, it’s a whole project. And that project would be ‘Live from the Other Side’. It’s a very emotional project and it involved a lot of crying and yelling and raw emotion. I love it dearly.
Listen to ‘Live from the Other Side’ here on BandCamp.
Roundhouse Music:What can we expect next from you on the horizon in music?
rimhan: I got so much music on the way, and I have videos for all of the music that is going to be released. I just need to people to be patient with me. That’s all I ask.
conswank has dropped off a new song and video, titled “Let It All Go”. conswank, an artist from Burlington Vermont, has started his solo musical world after being apart of group 99 Neighbors, and he is now venturing into his own sound and dynamic. conswank has been steadily building a beautiful story-driven discography about his life, detailing the positives, as well as as all of the challenges that lie within it. His latest offering, “Let It All Go”, is an atmospheric, sharply-crafted release brimming with emotion, that puts his versatile, genre-bending sound on full display.
On “Let It All Go”, ethereal keys build dynamically beneath conswank’s cathartic vocals, as they track takes on an atmospheric feel. Weaving guitars and elegant strings are added beneath to a lush, vibrant effect, as conswank brings forth a memorable hook that distills the song’s feel of wistfulness. A potent new release, “Let It All Go” has been released alongside a fresh visual directed by Vinay Umapathy that captures the song’s poignant narratives with cinematic, focused shots that are emotionally vibrant and yet captivatingly real.
Listen to “Let It All Go” here and check out the new music video as well:
Lord Sko and Statik Selektah have joined forces for a new single called “Lesson Learned”. This new single finds the prolific NYC emcee weaving together imagery-rich, charismatic flows atop mainstay Statik Selektah’s refreshing loops and raw drums. The track’s nonchalant atmosphere, potent, observant lyricism, and lush production lend to a track that is effortlessly enjoyable. Sko and Statik Selektah share a natural chemistry that translates to “Lesson Learned”‘s butter smooth sound. Accompanied by a new video shot in front of some classic scenery in New York adds to the track’s unpretentious, relaxed feel, “Lesson Learned” makes for an engaging new release from Lord Sko and Statik Selektah. Give “Lesson Learned” a listen here now and check the new video out as well while you’re at it.
Pariah Pete has released a new album, titled Terminal A. A versatile, dynamic artist from Phoenix who has been steadily building a discography of releases that explore soul, funk, and jazz to better understand the roots of hip-hop, while also performing alongside his live band The Mercuries. His latest offering, Terminal A, is a refreshingly personal release that blends warm sonics with sharp, often introspective, songwriting for an engaging listen throughout. Demonstrating Pete’s unique sound, which often blends elements of funk, jazz, dance, and more- Terminal A is a record that leaves no dull moments.
“Sunkissed” is a potent opener that finds Pete delivering layered vocals that are heartfelt while also emanating charisma and wit in his lyricism, backed by warm, grooving instrumentation. “100 Degrees” blends infectious, funk-laced production with commanding vocals for a memorable listen, while “Tropicana”‘s emotive keys, rich bass, and soulful vocals make it a highlight on Terminal A. A refreshing project chock full of personality and character-rich moments, Terminal A presents a diverse, emotive offering from Phoenix’s Pariah Pete. Give Terminal A a listen here now.
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