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Ricky Mapes shares potent visual for “Banksy 88”

The Bronx’s Ricky Mapes has dropped off a new visual for his track “Banksy 88”, produced by The Natural Law and directed by Schweppes Baguette. The opening cut from his recent album OVERTHINKING, “Banksy 88” presented a standout off the record with its emotive, sharply-crafted lyricism and soulful, textural production. Atop a tapestry of gritty horns and rich strings that give the song a powerful sound, Mapes delivers line after line of potent social commentary and introspection, drawing the listener into the track’s immersive feel and relating them in the process. The new video, directed by Schweppes Baguette, features crisp shots and a compelling performance from Mapes with warm, inviting coloration. Check out the video for Ricky Mapes’ “Banksy 88”, released on the prolific Soulspazm, below and stream OVERTHINKING while you’re at it.

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Finch and Chaos TV share warm single “Count My Luck!”

Philadelphia producer Finch has linked with Chaos TV for a new single called “Count My Luck!”. The track continues a prolific run for Finch that has included recent singles like the engaging “Kingdom” with Jawny’s Room, and “Empty Pockets” with dkj. “Count My Luck” finds him continuing to carve out his niche and sound, utilizing vibrant, expansive soul samples to create an uplifting, energizing soundscape, while mooring an infectious groove with crisp percussion and booming 808s. Chaos TV delivers charismatic, smooth flows atop the buoyant instrumentation while keeping a brisk level of energy that suits the instrumentation. “Count My Luck!” demonstrates a kinetic level of chemistry between the two that translates on to the record, which packs a punch despite its 1 minute 24 second run time. Give “Count My Luck!” a listen below.

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YB shares triumphant album ‘Dreams Don’t Have Deadlines’

By Todd Anderson

Arkansas-born artist YB has dropped off a fresh new album called Dreams Don’t Have Deadlines. YB is what happens when optimism and uplifting content meets melodic trap. He wraps emotional storytelling over hard-hitting 808s and trunk-knocking drums, making for a refreshing blend of sounds and styles. He has now come through with a triumphant, infectious new album called Dreams Don’t Have Deadlines, which finds him further defining his sharply-crafted style with a set of relatable, cathartic bangers.

YB is an artist that has a penchant for combining emotive themes and content with hard-hitting, gritty sounds. Over a tapestry of booming 808s, raw horns, and clasping percussion, he manages to rhyme poetically in a way that feels emotionally captivating for the listener. This contrast helps YB stand out and provides him ground to continue expanding his characteristic style, as made evident by his new project Dreams Don’t Have Deadlines. It sees him building on the positive elements of his past releases, with songs like “HOSTAGE” and “LIGHT” displaying a keen sense of songwriting and focus that translates naturally into YB’s confident vocals and production choices. Songs like the lead single “PRAYING HANDS” push the energy levels to the limit while also providing thought-provoking content. Then, there are tracks like “B.I.G.” that take on a laid-back approach and in doing so demonstrate YB’s overall versatility.

With the release of Dreams Don’t Have Deadlines, YB continues to transcend the medium with his studio work. Over 10 million streams as an independent artist, and a prolific streak of releases has led to him building much momentum in the underground and beyond. Give his latest release Dreams Don’t Have Deadlines a listen below and be sure to connect with YB while you’re at it for more soon.

Connect with YB: Spotify | Instagram | Twitter

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Ania Hoo shares vibrant release, “Dreams/ Truth Is…”

Ania Hoo has caught our attention for her fresh 2-pack “Dreams/ Truth Is…”. The sharply-crafted, versatile new release finds Ania cohesively blending genres such as R&B, electronic, and more. With focused songwriting, Ania laces the first song “Dreams” with silky, smooth melodies atop bubbling bass, atmospheric synths, and lively percussion. Her vocal lines are catchy and engaging, embedding themselves in the listeners memory from the get-go. The second track, “Truth Is…”, creates a humid, vivid atmosphere with its layered keys, infectious bass, and expansive vocals. It’s an immersive, hypnotic track that arrives perfectly in time for the summer, presenting a refreshing new drop from Ania.

Jamaican-American artist Ania Hoo navigates a colorful, eclectic, and vibrant universe through her music. Inspired by artists such as Marvin Gaye and Teena Marie, she strives for her music to emulate the purest of emotions. Taking us away from the modern world and its endless need for consumption, we see Hoo opening us up to her vision that is focused on creating with integrity and intention. A world where music gives space to the collective to not only want to feel good, but to demand to be loved properly. Take a listen to Ania’s latest, the eclectic, vibrant 2-song offering “Dreams/ Truth Is…” below and be sure to connect with Ania Hoo.

Watch the music video for “Truth Is…” here:

Connect with Ania Hoo: Instagram | YouTube | TikTok | Spotify | Apple Music | SoundCloud

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Ki Storii shares R&B-infused self-love anthem, “Taboo”

Ki Storii has returned with a fresh single, titled “Taboo”. With the recent resurgence of rap queens leading the pack and ushering in a new group of rising stars, the door is open for captivating new voices to emerge.  Enter Bronx, NY artist Ki Storii, who is making the charge and consistently proving herself as one of the bubbling young acts in the female rap game. After her 2021 “Whole ‘Nother Level” single topped 100K streams on Spotify and her latest party hit “Shawty Lo” is approaching 50K, the ‘BX Baddie’ is ready to make her mark on 2023 with her new single, an intriguing spin on self-love titled “Taboo”, featuring Brianna Knight.

“Taboo” makes for an enticing, vibrant listen- with retro-tinged yet sleekly modern production and charismatic vocals from Ki and Knight. Colorful vocal samples and electrifying synths drift atop a crisp drum line, recalling the nostalgia of mid-2000s hip-hop and R&B but with a refreshing twist.

“Taboo” finds Ki Storii continue to carve her lane coming out of the East Coast with another strong track that empowers with its lyrical content. Take a listen below and connect with Ki Storii for more.

Follow @Ki.Storii on Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube

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Pastel Blank shares warm single “Shareholder”

Victoria, Canada’s Pastel Blank has come through with a fresh single, titled “Shareholder”. Formed in 2019, the versatile project, which often blends art-rock and funk, is headed by singer/ songwriter Angus Watt. Pulling influence from the jerky rhythms and genre-bending curiosity of Talking Heads as well as the interlocking guitar work of Canadian post-punk luminaries Women, the music of Pastel Blank coats experimentation in pop-minded song structure. It’s a potent, warm release that arrives just in time for summer, putting Watt’s songwriting on full display with infectious melodies and a laid-back charisma.

“Shareholder” contains vibrant, balmy guitar stabs that take on an organic tone, underscored by lively percussion that gives the song an engaging pace. With rich bass dropping in beneath to moor the track, Pastel Blank delivers silky yet confident vocals that contain a self-aware confidence. With energizing synths layering in beneath to give the song a captivating pace, Pastel Blank adds a chorus that entices the listener with its hypnotic melodies, capping off the track in style.

The latest from Victoria’s Pastel Blank, “Shareholder” makes for an exciting new track that blends art-rock and funk for a cohesive offering.

Watch the new video for “Shareholder” here:

Connect with Pastel Blank: Instagram | Spotify | Facebook | YouTube

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“stuck” presents a solid new offering from Bemi and Wiseboy Jeremy

Chicago artist Bemi‘s cut “stuck”, featuring New Jersey standout Wiseboy Jeremy recently caught our attention for its infectious, warm sonics and sharply-crafted vocals. Bemi, a Chicago native hailing from the 409, recently dropped his solid new projct Channel Two: Analog, from which “stuck” was a highlight track. On “stuck”, he exhibits natural chemistry with Wiseboy Jeremy atop the amarah production, which shines through for its smoky, laid-back grooves and organic sound.

An engaging blend of alternative R&B and lyrically-inclined hip-hop, “stuck” is a track that is smooth in style and relatable in content. With performances that sound effortless and yet immaculately crafted and focused, Bemi and Jeremy drop off a warm new joint that inspires the listener to reflect on their position in life. Give it a listen below and stream Bemi’s Channel Two: Analog while you’re at it.

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Nate Curry shares warm new offering, ‘Tight Knit’

Nate Curry has dropped off a new project, titled Tight Knit. Curry is a rising artist from Sacramento, California. Nate’s music is characterized by his dynamic vocal range and relatable lyrics, which touch on personal struggles and triumphs. His single “Temporary Fix” garnered significant attention, and he has since released several well-received singles and EPs. Nate’s music has been praised for its infectious energy, making him a favorite among fans of hip-hop, R&B and pop music. He has now dropped off a refreshing EP called Tight Knit, which presents a soulful, vibrant 8-song offering that demonstrates Curry’s versatility and sharp songwriting.

Tight Knit opens with the vivid, addictive “Paradise”, which incorporates warm synth lines atop buoyant percussion and grooving bass to create a colourful backdrop for Curry’s smooth vocal performance. The ethereal “Too Comfortable” makes for a project highlight with its intriguing blend of folk aesthetic with R&B and pop, with airy acoustic guitars and expansive backing vocals combining into an atmospheric soundscape. “Face the Fact” further showcases Curry’s versatility with a more hard-hitting, indie influenced track with punchy percussion and forward-thinking production choices. Closer “Lost In You” finishes the project on a high note with its colorful, ambient-tinged instrumentation and drifting, memorable vocal lines, while providing a sense of catharsis and release in tone.

After 3 years since his last album, Nate Curry reintroduces himself engagingly with his latest 8 song, 12 min 59 sec project titled “Tight Knit” that takes listeners on a sonic journey that marries a number of different genres and feelings. Give it a listen below.

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Troy IV shares vibrant album ‘TROY.exe’

Maryland alt-R&B artist Troy IV culminates his artistic development with his new project TROY.exe, an eclectic and fresh ten tracks following Troy’s pursuit, embrace, and separation of a romantic interest that catalyzes self-reflection of his internal and external conflicts and relationships. The largely self-written, produced, mixed, and mastered body of work serves as his most true representation as a flawed but maturing man and artist, a snapshot in time that shows polish and creases reflective of a 20-something unique in many rights but similar in more to those in his generation. The project presents a vibrant, cathartic offering from the artist that captivates with its refreshing blend of sounds, making it a standout release out of the DMV as we enter the summer months.

Leading single “good days” is Troy IV’s acknowledgement and appreciation of a healthy developing romantic relationship, using a smooth but grand instrumental as the bed for his sultry, passionate vocals to lay on, perfect for chill date night playlists. Sequenced soon after is “both ways”, a realization that a relationship, belief or habit must be sacrificed to make room for furthering his artistic and personal exploration. “real”, featuring Mettaworldzeke, gives a snapshot of Troy’s mindstate and values, delivered with much poignancy atop crunchy, vivid production, making for a highlight track. Closer “replay” is refreshing and hypnotic, with soulful, atmospheric production that mesmerizes beneath emotive vocals from Troy.

TROY.exe presents an eclectic, personal offering from Troy IV with enough personality and emotion to connect with listeners on a deeper level. Give it a listen below.

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Glassface shares atmospheric release “WHATEVER” [Video]

Glassface has dropped off a new video for his song “WHATEVER”. A multi-disciplinary artist, he has made a name for himself over the past 10 years in music production, music video directing, editing, VFX, and visual arts,. Glassface is now going full force with his solo music, and his goal is simple- to show people you can be many things at once, and to inspire others with his musical journey. His latest release, “WHATEVER”, presents an atmospheric, sharply-crafted offering that has been paired with an eclectic new visual. The music video for “WHATEVER” not only stars Glassface, but is also shot, directed, and edited by Glassface himself.

“WHATEVER” builds an ethereal soundscape through its watery, immersive keys, punchy, crisp percussion, and airy vocals. Glassface shines as a vocalist with his infectious melodies culminating in a memorable, colorful chorus. The accompanying visual brings the song’s vividness to full fruition with sharp, focused editing, and surreal shots that give the song added character.

Watch the new video for “WHATEVER” below and further familiarize yourself with versatile multi-disciplinary artist Glassface.

Listen to “WHATEVER” on Spotify:

Connect with Glassface: Spotify | Instagram | YouTube