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Nkosi Bourne asks “Are You Ready?” on new single

Brooklyn lyricist Nkosi Bourne has released a fresh single called “Are You Ready?”. Following his recent soulful, thought-provoking song “Final Form”- “Are You Ready?” features textural, vibrant sampling instrumentation and self-aware lyricism that give it added flavor. Atop weaving, raw soul samples, warbling strings, and minimalistic percussion, Bourne paints a detailed picture in his verses while keeping his content confessional. With a carefree, laid-back warmth that makes this track suitable for long walks with headphones in late summer, “Are You Ready?” is a refreshing new offering from the Brooklyn artist. Containing hypnotic production and potent, heartfelt vocals, “Are You Ready?” Is sure to entice listeners with August winding down.

Watch the visualizer for “Are You Ready?” below.

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Gxldsoulrebel and 95 Goldie detail being at a crossroads with “Split Decision”

Gxldsoulrebel has connected with 95 Goldie for a new track, titled “Split Decision”. Hallmarked with lush, laid-back production, introspective flows, and commanding yet low-key mic presences, “Split Decision” makes for another thoughtful cut from these prolific artists. Atop silky, moody production centred around dream-like keys, warm guitars, and a poignant bass-line, Gxldsoulrebel and 95 Goldie weave together pensive verses laced with rich lyricism, while showcasing an effortless chemistry. As “Split Decision”’s meditative instrumentation builds hypnotically, the two rappers play with the track’s themes of being at a crossroads in life, at a time when introspection and reflecting on your past is key to move forward. It’s a relatable and heartfelt track that inspires one to look within in a world that often encourages the opposite. Give “Split Decision” a listen below.

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Achille shares hypnotic track, “cure”

Chicago producer Achille has shared a single called “cure”. Delicate piano lines and hypnotic, grounded percussion detail Achille’s single “cure”, conjuring dream-like soundscape in the process. Moored by rich bass, “cure” builds into a meditative groove while keeping a lightweight airiness that gives the track an engaging balance. With its freeing, relaxed instrumentation- “cure” creates a sense of relief, like taking a deep breath and letting the stress off your chest after a long day. Achille’s track “cure” continues his run of lo-fi tinged, emotive instrumental hip-hop tracks with a refreshing new joint. Give “cure” a listen below now. 

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demahjiae and Elujay share hypnotic single “1178”

East Oakland artist demahjiae has connected with Elujay for a fresh single called “1178”. Following up demahjiae’s potent 2022 EP Angels Wear Black as well as stellar features on records from Navy Blue, Ovrkast., and more, “1178” finds him linking with fellow Oakland standout and genre-bending artist Elujay for a strong new offering that blends influences eclectically.

The hypnotic, soulful cut features expansive, warm production and engaging, melodically-laced verses that captivate from the start. Blending melodic inflections with heartfelt, introspective lyricism and raw flows, “1178” makes for an versatile release from demahjiae and Elujay that showcases their diversity on the mic. Underscored by a dream-like instrumental built around surreal, sparkling keys, airy percussion, and choral backing vocals, the emcees drop off potent, honest verses that are detailed and refreshingly introspective. Give “1178” a listen below now.

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insyt. takes listeners on a journey with ‘The Nothings I’ve Felt’

insyt. caught our attention for his recent EP The Nothings I’ve Felt. An introspective, vivid journey into the life and times of the artist- The Nothings I’ve Felt is a refreshingly personal, character-rich drop that puts insyt.’s lyrical abilities on full display. Following up his project The View From the Sky from earlier in 2023, The Nothings I’ve Felt finds him continuing to refine his potent, heartfelt sound with an engaging 5-track offering.

The Nothings I’ve Felt opens with “Eons”, a hypnotic joint featuring warm production and introspective lyricism from insyt. that sets the tone for the project and grasps the listener from the get-go. “Gemini” follows next with an organic, thoughtful cut that finds insyt. piecing together vibrant, poetic lines atop textural, laid-back keys and infectious percussion. “1973”, featuring Samad M, features glowing, gospel-tinged production that creates an air of nostalgia, suiting the emcees reflective verses. “Eating my Tail”, featuring Uhuru Noir, closes the project strongly with an emotive offering, finding the emcees confessional with gripping verses that feel cathartic in nature.

Take a listen to The Nothings I’ve Felt below here.

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D2x shares cinematic new single “Faith”

D2x has dropped off a new single called “Faith”. A standout voice coming out of Chicago’s vibrant hip-hop scene, “Faith” follows up his acclaimed 2021 album The Color Blue as well as his 2022 single “UNDERSTAND”, arriving ahead of his upcoming album Hotel 1105.

“Faith” contains refreshing production built around lush vocal samples, sparkling keys, and a bouncy, addictive rhythm section. With classic Chicago influences delivered with D2x’s own personal twist, “Faith” is a vivid new joint that entices with its lively soundscape. Moreover, D2x shines as a vocalist with a confident mic presence, crisp delivery, and emotive lyricism.

Overall, “Faith” is a strong new cut from D2x that has us excited for his upcoming album Hotel 1105, listen to it below.

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Shaw Calhoune shares soulful new EP, ‘Four Piece’

Maryland artist Shaw Calhoune has shared a new EP, titled Four Piece, via Big El Records. Following up engaging singles like “A House Sparrow’s Feather” as well as his project Fly Langston released in February, his latest offering, Four Piece,is a focused, detail-rich project containing soulful, rich production and true-to-life, vivid lyricism from Calhoune.

Four Piece opens with “Fu Kang”, a track that introduces Calhoune’s penchant for memorable, poetic lyricism atop a meditative instrumental containing thought-provoking keys and minimalistic percussion. “Kenny’s” brings in hypnotic soul sampled production as Calhoune laces his verses with clever, poignant lines- while “New Dynasty” introduces an expansive, elegant sound. Closer “Eddie Leonard” makes for a highlight from the EP with its powerful soul samples, potent keys, and raw, hard-hitting flows from Calhoune to finish the project on an emotive note.

Take a listen to Shaw Calhoune’s latest project Four Piece below now.

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THE i OF A GENiUS shares eclectic new single “DREAMFIRST.”

THE i OF A GENiUS has dropped off a new single titled “DREAMFIRST.”, produced by Driveby and mixed and mastered by Steel Tipped Dove. The Paterson, NJ artist was first inspired to create music when he heard “Let Me Fly” by DMX, and since, knew he could channel his personality through music and make something of himself. Early in his career, he performed a freestyle for mydiveo that was aired on My x TV, a national television network- as well as opening for Da$h and Chris Rivers. Since, he has steadily built momentum in New Jersey and beyond with a series of expressive releases that captivate with outside-the-box production and raw, lyrically-focused flows. His latest offering is “DREAMFIRST.”, a layered, eclectic track featuring surreal rhyming from THE i OF A GENiUS psychedelic production from Driveby.

Underscored by textural, syrupy samples consisting of gritty vocals and horns, The i OF A GENiUS effortlessly delivers dynamic flows that keep the listener on their toes with unpredictable rhyme patterns. He weaves together vivid lines, putting his lyrical abilities at the forefront with potent imagery atop the grimy beat from Driveby.

Take a listen to “DREAMFIRST.” below, as THE i OF A GENiUS continues his run of boundary-pushing joints.

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Fatboi Sharif and Steel Tipped Dove share frigid video for “Phantasm”, from ‘Decay’ album

New Jersey’s Fatboi Sharif and New York’s Steel Tipped Dove recently shared their collaborative LP Decay- an uncompromisingly experimental, head trip of a record that lives up to its namesake with dilapidated, raw instrumentation and apocalyptic lyricism. Following up the album’s release, they now share a video for Decay’s opening track “Phantasm”, directed by Mike Petrow. The new visual is characterized by surreal, wintery shots that capture the song’s frigid psychedelica. With an expressive performance from Sharif set to backdrops including the ruins of old homes and bare, ice-laden trees, the new video for “Phantasm” captures the ethos of Sharif and Steel Tipped Dove’s new Decay record. The track’s grimy, ominous guitars, cathartic bass, and menacing flows serve as the perfect soundtrack, distilling a sinister energy that merges cohesively with the visual’s frames. Give the new video for “Phantasm” a watch below, released via Backwoodz Studioz

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New York’s T’nah and Chelsea Reject shine on “VOGUE”

New York artist T’nah has dropped off a single called “VOGUE”, featuring fellow NY emcee Chelsea Reject. The pair previously collaborated recently on Reject’s song “Delays”, and now they return with a versatile, engaging new single. Drawing from drill with clean, bouncy percussion, while adding refreshing, watery keys for balance, “VOGUE” presents a smooth, atmospheric new cut from the two lyricists. Vocally, they engage the listener with crisp, melodically-tinged verses laced with melodic touches, giving a dynamic performance with memorable songwriting. Culminating in a soulful, airy hook, “VOGUE” provides much replay value while making for a sleek, stylish listen that blends together influences eclectically.

The latest from T’nah featuring Chelsea Reject, “VOGUE” finds them delivering a potent new cut that continues to show that they are two noteworthy artists coming out of NYC right now. Give “VOGUE” a listen below.

Watch the visualizer for “VOGUE” here, shot by Yami Golds and edited by T’nah: