Tag: hip hop

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xoKeegan drops eclectic DRIVEBY.-produced EP ‘Where The Water Takes Me’

By Jacob Ezra

xoKeegan has released a new EP titled Where The Water Takes Me, produced entirely by New Jersey beatmaker DRIVEBY. Following up his glitchy, infectious Black Sparrow EP as well as well-received singles like “post-lobotomy”- Where The Water Takes Me conjures a forward-thinking, frigid soundscape laced with industrial tinges, as xoKeegan delivers an eclectic vocal performance that keeps the listener on their toes.

Opener “Mayday” feels subtly apocalyptic with its grimy, chopped-up production and eery flows, while “Harbinger”‘s textural, minimalistic instrumentation adds dynamics. “Ashes On The Ground” is a versatile, darkly atmospheric cut that puts Keegan’s abilities to weave together intricate flows on display. Closer “Over&Over” finishes the project with bittersweet, lo-fi tinged chops and introspective, captivating vocals from xoKeegan.

Give Where The Water Takes Me a listen here on SoundCloud.

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Professor Green releases captivating visual for “Nervous”

By Mark Generous

In his latest release, “Nervous,” Professor Green, accompanied by K Koke and R.A., delivers a compelling and confrontational exploration of hip hop’s essence. Renowned for his unapologetic storytelling and rooted in Hackney, London, Professor Green brings forth a track that not only pays homage to the genre but also exhibits a distinctive musicality complemented by captivating visuals. As an experienced MC with a history of triumphs and challenges, Professor Green’s “Nervous” stands as a testament to his resilience and commitment to authentic expression. From his early days winning freestyle battles to catching the attention of Mike Skinner, Professor Green has consistently pushed boundaries in the music scene. Surviving adversity, including a life-threatening incident, he continues to redefine his genre. With chart-topping hits like “I Need You Tonight” and “Read All About It,” Professor Green’s latest release cements his position as a trailblazer, inviting listeners into a world where unfiltered storytelling and raw expression take center stage.

Watch the here:

Listen on Spotify

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Michael Kirby evokes vivid emotions on latest single “The Real Thing”

By Mark Generous

Michael Kirby – the New York City-based music artist hailing from South Windsor, CT – continues to captivate audiences with his latest track, “The Real Thing”, featuring Bloodbathblair. Drawing inspiration from the dating landscape of NYC, Kirby crafted a melodic narrative that explores the rare occurrence of a first date going exceptionally well.

Recorded in the heart of Brooklyn at a friend’s studio in July, the song is a testament to Kirby’s ability to weave personal experiences into his music. Warm, vivid guitars and laid-back, organic percussion give “The Real Thing” a potent groove, setting an apt foundation for Kirby’s soulful, dynamic vocals. He delivers soaring vocal melodies that cohesive merge with the balmy instrumentation, making “The Real Thing” a memorable, vibrant listen.

With a distinctive voice that sets him apart in the industry, Kirby has been making waves since his 2018 debut album, “Spying On Heaven,” where he showcased not only his musical prowess but also his philanthropic spirit by donating 100% of the proceeds to a food bank in NYC. His sophomore effort, “The Lion Inside You,” further solidified his place in the music scene. In 2023, Kirby continues to shine with a series of singles, including “Fool Me Once,” “Might Be The Night,” and “Explor(h)er.” His music, featured on popular Spotify playlists like “Rap Royalty,” “Lazy Afternoons,” and “Sound of Relaxation,” reflects his prolific nature and enduring appeal. Michael Kirby’s “The Real Thing” is a testament to his storytelling ability and the unique charm that defines his musical journey.

Listen To “The Real Thing” here:

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TaReef KnockOut releases immersive visual for “You Was Laughing”

In his latest music video for “You Was Laughing”, Florida rapper TaReef KnockOut delivers a compelling visual narrative that seamlessly merges family aesthetics with lyrical wit. Taking on the track originally by hometown rapper and 2023 XXL Freshman Luh Tyler, TaReef aims to make a statement about resilience and determination. The video not only serves as a testament to TaReef’s hardworking and family-oriented persona but also showcases his dedication to proving doubters wrong while staying true to those who believe in his craft. With a combination of captivating visuals and meticulously crafted wordplay, “You Was Laughing” becomes a true homage to the art of hip hop, portraying TaReef KnockOut’s journey as a man who uses the power of music to express, inspire, and overcome.

Watch his latest music video:

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Rigel Crux, JUNE!, and Nglewood Ali. connect for new song “Inglewood Slide”

Rigel Crux has connected with JUNE! and Nglewood Ali. for a new song called “Inglewood Slide”. Crux, originating from Inglewood, California, brings a genre-bending fusion of R&B and trap soul to the table, crafting seductive, lush symphonies that provide an authentic perspective on love, sex, and relationships. For his latest song, he connects with prolific I’ll Nevah Die rapper and producer JUNE! and Nglewood Ali. for a balmy, groove-heavy cut that tantalizes the senses.

Produced by JUNE!, “Inglewood Slide” creates an irresistible, emotive groove with watery keys, expansive bass, and bouncy percussion. Accentuated by warm backing vocal flourishes, “Inglewood Slide” is an immersive joint that creates the perfect backdrop for Crux’s dynamic, versatile vocals. Splitting the line between hip-hop and R&B, he weaves together a series of smooth, potent lines that keep the listener on their toes throughout, while adding much replay value to the cut. Give “Inglewood Slide” a listen below.

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Bryson the Alien and Tezmanian share otherworldly song “Faces”

By Jacob Ezra

Bryson the Alien has dropped off a new song called “Faces”, featuring Tezmanian and produced by Ghowste. Based in Portland, the prolific Bryson the Alien is the co-founder of SUMALIENZ with Just Alfa and Tezmanian, who appears on his latest cut, as well as outfit Unexplained Aerial Phenomenon. Following up the eclectic single “Shepherd” with Fatboi Sharif, “Faces” takes on a similarly hypnotic, lo-fi atmosphere laced with a surreal mood and vibrant lyricism.

Murky, raw bass and space-age synths blend into a hypnotic groove on “Faces”, while creating an otherworldly soundscape. The production creates a “sheets of sound” effect that pairs cohesively with the emcees’ off-the-wall flows and outside-the-box lyricism. They display a natural chemistry while delivering head-spinning rhyme patterns in a hushed yet contained delivery, giving “Faces” a mesmerizing feel.

Take a listen to “Faces” here now.

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Unwind to the hypnotic rhythms of ‘Mushroom Funk’ by beatmaker Es-K

By Hazel Clementine

Es-K is no novice when it comes to beats. He has over 50 releases on Bandcamp, with most of his releases being soulful, organic instrumental hip hop beats & beat tapes. His most recent release is a brief but intricately detailed tape titled, Mushroom Funk. His latest projcet Mushroom Funk engagingly blends exhilarating components that sound somewhat retro, taking influence from the 1970’s funk era, soul, and jazz.

Es-K displays a boundless versatility and ear for character-rich sounds, with songs like the title track opener providing hypnotic, crunchy rhythms paired with ornate sonics. The fourth track, “Hot Butter”, is sonically more abstract than the rest of the tape, setting itself apart in the track-list. With it’s rich, syrupy textures, it’s as if you’re gazing at an abstract painting taking in all of the elements and movements throughout the piece. The artist says he almost didn’t include this track on the beat tape because it was the weirdest one out of the other tracks, but it happens to be Es-K’s favorite out of the bunch and we couldn’t agree more.

Support the artist directly by purchasing this beat tape and more of his work on his bandcamp here. You can also take a look at his website which displays not only his music but his artwork as well. Hope you enjoy the beat tape as much as we did!

Listen to Mushroom Funk on Bandcamp HERE.

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Lord Sko drops off smoky single “James Worthy Goggles”

By Jacob Ezra

New York artist Lord Sko has shared a new single called “James Worthy Goggles”. At only 19 years-old, the Washington Heights native has positioned himself as a true school hip-hop revivalist, proof that classic hip-hop is not lost in the new generation. With an ever-expanding catalogue that demonstrate his potent, refreshing take on classic NY sounds, Sko continues to build momentum within his city and beyond. Following up his recent singles “Finder’s Fee” and “Yellow Tape”, “James Worthy Goggles” emanates with a nonchalant charisma that captivates from the get-go.

Sko delivers silky flows atop smoky guitars, winding flutes, and warm bass that conjure a hazy, laid-back soundscape. He sounds comfortable in his lane and in the pocket- delivering detailed, observational verses atop the relaxed production. Dropping some quintessentially NY lines and shouting out Stack Bundles, he paints a vivid picture of his life in his city on “James Worthy Goggles”, drawing the listener into the track’s atmosphere in the process.

Give “James Worthy Goggles” a listen here now.

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Daniel Son and Wino Willy shine on “Frog Legs”

By Jacob Ezra

Toronto emcee Daniel Son and New Jersey producer Wino Willy have dropped off a new song, titled “Frog Legs”. This eclectic joint from the two prolific artists contains an undercurrent of powerful energy- expressed through Son’s elaborate flows and Willy’s atmospheric, cathartic production style.

Warm, hypnotic samples, ethereal backing vocals, and an organic-sounding, infectious rhythm section from Willy underscore Son’s poignant, focused verses as he laces the track with detail-rich lines that have the listener re-winding to capture moments. The expressive track contains just the right addition of charisma, distilling a raw formula from the two artists. A song off Daniel Son and Wino Willy’s anticipated LP, Gris Gris, “Frog Legs” presents a potent, eclectic cut, released on the rising label FXCK RXP. Give “Frog Legs” a listen below now.

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Bryson the Alien and Fatboi Sharif connect for hypnotic single, “Shepherd”

By Jacob Ezra

Bryson the Alien has connected with Fatboi Sharif for a fresh new song called “Shepherd”, produced by ghowste. Portland-based Bryson the Alien is a multi-talented artist who is a member of the group Unexplained Aerial Phenomenon, has been on a prolific streak this year that includes projects such as the eclectic SCREW PAK: ZERO’S SAGA. For his latest song “Shepherd”, he connects with New Jersey standout and the garden state gargoyle of elaborate literature challenging the unknown, Fatboi Sharif, for a hazy, surreal new cut.

“Shepherd” contains moody, eery keys that create a darkly hypnotic atmosphere, suiting the hushed, ominous flows of Bryson and Sharif. They deliver thoughtful lyrics that enhance the nocturnal, meditative feel of the instrumentation. Lulling the listener into something of a dreamstate with its syrupy key chords and baritone flows, “Shepherd” makes for a layered, intriguing cut from the two artists. Give it a listen below here.