Tag: hip hop

There are places we leave behind without ever really leaving them. They stay in the music we make, the way we speak, and the memories that surface when we least expect them. For Omari Alltimer, that place is Research Forest, Texas.

Created alongside producer MNTRY, Research Forest is an album about memory, identity, and the process of finding your way back to a place you once called home. It isn’t simply a record about Texas, but more expansive, discussing what happens when distance changes the way you understand where you came from.

Born and raised in Little Rock, Arkansas, Alltimer came of age in the suburbs of Houston, a transition he describes as a culture shock. In his own terms, if Houston was Game of Thrones’ King’s Landing, The Woodlands was its “bougie Winterfell.” It was home, but it was also a place where he often felt caught between worlds.

As one of very few Black people in a predominantly white community, Alltimer experienced a sense of isolation that would later become central to the project. At the time, he didn’t fully appreciate the culture surrounding him. It was only after leaving Texas for his freshman year of college in San Francisco that he realized how much he missed home.

That realization became part of the inspiration for Research Forest—the kind of album Alltimer wishes he had growing up. A project for anyone who has ever felt out of place, misunderstood, or somewhere between identities.

MNTRY’s production gives the project that sense of space. On “4sho,” airy, layered instrumentation creates an atmospheric entrance for Alltimer’s sharp and reflective writing. “Feeder Rd.” moves into smoother territory, pairing lush production with sleek bars, while “Focus” brings some of the album’s most detailed storytelling against MNTRY’s ethereal, gritty sound.

The closing track, “The Cost,” provides a sense of resolution. Triumphant flows meet powerful production, bringing the project to a fitting conclusion.

Research Forest is a record about evolution—and about the places that remain part of us long after we’ve left them.

“Reality is a laboratory,” Alltimer says. “Since escaping the woods of Texas I keep finding myself there.”

Research Forest may be a physical place, but on this album it becomes something larger: a memory, a feeling, and a piece of home that never really disappeared.

Listen to ‘Research Forest’ here now:

After years of personal evolution, artistic refinement, and life experiences that have shaped his perspective, Brooklyn-born emcee, producer, and creative Dom Cruz continues a prolific 2026 with PAST LIVES II — a powerful new EP created with producer Blkgod9 that captures the weight of transformation, the scars of the past, and the freedom found through self-expression.

Raised in New York and shaped by a journey that carried him through Atlanta, Florida, Portland, and Southern California, Dom Cruz’s artistry has been built through movement, connection, and reflection. Each chapter of his life has left an imprint on his music, allowing him to create from a place that feels deeply personal yet universally relatable. His travels have expanded not only his creative palette but also his understanding of himself, and those experiences continue to fuel the honesty that defines his work.

Blending poetic lyricism with raw emotion, Cruz crafts music that exists somewhere between confession and cinematic storytelling. His sound is rooted in authenticity, vulnerability, and darkness — elements he describes as “all wrapped up into poetry.” Whether delivering intricate verses behind the microphone or building immersive soundscapes from behind the boards, Cruz approaches every record with intention, creating a direct and emotional connection between artist and listener.

Following a six-year hiatus spent navigating the responsibilities of life, Dom Cruz continues his return with a sharpened perspective and renewed purpose. PAST LIVES II serves as a testament to that growth — a body of work that reflects the lessons learned, battles fought, and experiences that have shaped the artist he has become.

The EP’s closing track, “VOID // FREEDOM,” brings that journey full circle. Produced by Blkgod9, Teedoteinsof, and Nopal, the song pairs hypnotic production with a commanding performance from Cruz, creating a soundscape that feels both atmospheric and urgent. The accompanying visual captures the track’s intensity through striking nocturnal imagery and focused energy, showcasing Cruz’s ability to transform personal reflection into a powerful visual and sonic experience.

Across PAST LIVES II, each track reveals another layer of Cruz’s evolution. The opening track, “FUCC ICE FREE FRANKIE JAX,” immediately sets the tone with its unfiltered energy, balancing grit with moments of introspection. “HIGHWAY 1” offers a shift in atmosphere, bringing soulful, warm production and laid-back flows that create a sense of movement and reflection. The title track “PAST LIVES II” stands as one of the project’s defining moments, combining haunting soul samples, organic percussion, and heartfelt lyricism into a deeply resonant statement.

PAST LIVES II represents a continuation of Dom Cruz’s story — an exploration of identity, memory, and the experiences that shape who we become. With a renewed voice and a willingness to embrace both the light and darkness within his art, Cruz proves that time away only strengthened his craft. Now, he’s returning with purpose, perspective, and a story worth hearing.

Watch the video for “VOID // FREEDOM” here:

Listen to PAST LIVES II on Bandcamp HERE and purchase it to support the artists directly.

Collaboration has always been one of the defining qualities of New York’s underground hip-hop scene, and Crimson Chanel is built with that same sense of shared creativity. The joint project from Inwood rapper Simya and Queens producer LQQPMASTER brings together introspective songwriting and cinematic production, resulting in an album that feels immersive without losing its raw edge. Rather than chasing trends, the pair focus on atmosphere, storytelling, and the chemistry they’ve developed through New York’s independent music community.

Simya has steadily carved out his own space within the city’s underground, blending hip-hop with influences that stretch beyond any single genre. His songs often blur the line between vulnerability and confidence, drawing from personal experiences involving addiction, family, and self-discovery while maintaining the sharp personality that runs through his writing. There’s an ease to his delivery that makes even his most reflective moments feel conversational, allowing the emotion behind each verse to unfold naturally.

That approach is matched by LQQPMASTER’s production- built around detailed sampling and textured arrangements, his instrumentals create room for every performance to breathe while adding a cinematic quality that ties the record together. Instead of dominating the songs, the production works alongside Simya’s writing, creating a balance that keeps the project cohesive from beginning to end.

The album establishes its identity immediately with “Faux Pase” and “Slyther,” two tracks that introduce its layered production and focused performances. “The Golden Ratio” slows the pace with expansive instrumentation and a more relaxed atmosphere before “Conjunction,” featuring Teatea, adds soulful orchestration and memorable vocal contributions. One of the project’s emotional high points arrives with “Chrysalis,” featuring Jay Cinema, where ethereal production meets some of the album’s most powerful performances. Closing track “Hit First” shifts into trap-inspired percussion and melodic vocals, giving the album a fresh burst of energy while broadening its sonic range.

Throughout Crimson Chanel, Simya and LQQPMASTER demonstrate a creative partnership built on trust and a shared artistic vision. The album embraces the spirit of New York’s underground without relying on nostalgia, instead presenting a sound that feels current, personal, and distinctly their own. It’s a focused collaboration that highlights the strengths of both artists while leaving a lasting impression through its thoughtful songwriting, rich production, and understated confidence.

Listen to Crimson Chanel here:

Connect with Simya HERE.

Connect with LQQPMASTER HERE.