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DUNN releases visual for soulful track “Alphabet Soup” (ft. LOS KEMET)

DUNN has dropped off a fresh visual for his track “Alphabet Soup”. Hailing from the vibrant streets of New Jersey, DUNN blends gritty realism with introspective lyricism, often atop resonant, soulful production. His latest offering arrives in a refreshing visual for his track “Alphabet Soup”, featuring LOS KEMET.

The soulful, laid-back sonics of “Alphabet Soup” contain emotive undertones that lay a canvas for DUNN and LOS KEMET’s vividly descriptive, thoughtful lyricism. They come through with poignant verses atop weaving, rich soul samples while displaying a natural chemistry, with true-to-life topics and sharp deliveries that grasp the listener’s attention from the get-go. The new music video utilizes subdued coloration and focused shots to capture the track’s reflective warmth- making for an engaging new offering from DUNN and LOS KEMET, released on No Diploma Records/ Eyecberg Digital.

Check out the new music video for “Alphabet Soup” here:

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Israel Jones, Giahni Bosquet, and BOMA release fresh single “Brick World” as Brick Road Records

Israel Jones, Giahni Bosquet, and BOMA have dropped off a new single called “Brick World”, their first as Brick Road Records. Channeling quintessential west coast vibes into an infectious, focused new song- “Brick World” finds the Brick Road Records artists displaying a natural chemistry atop potent production. Underscored by memorable key riffs, atmospheric, swelling strings, and rich grooves laid by producer Giahni Bosquet, BOMA and Jones lay down commanding verses that grasp the listeners attention from the get go. Check out their latest offering “Brick World” here now:

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Nate the Great lets us know that there’s ‘Still Pressure’ on fresh album

Nate the Great has shared a new album called Still Pressure. Naquan Brown, better known by his stage name Nate the Great, is an artist hailing from Far Rockaway, Queens, New York. With a passionate feel to his art and content, Nate is a versatile lyricist and producer who blends his love for anime, video games, and other avenues of pop culture into his sharp lyricism. His latest album Still Pressure, follows up a prolific string of releases with a heartfelt, inspiring release featuring appearances from the likes of A.D.V.I.S.S., Subjxct 5, and more.

Nate the Great demonstrates a natural skill for relatable, down-to-earth introspection, as he weaves together poignantly personal narratives throughout Still Pressure. The hypnotic, airy soundscape of “Retreat” brings in influences from both boom-bap and cloud rap while it paints the perfect canvas for Nate’s cathartic, vividly poetic lyricism. Glitchy, memorable grooves on “Overnight” make for an infectious listen as Nate touching on overcoming obstacles and maintaining a strong work ethic- while the latter is somewhat apparent intrinsically across the album. Nate comes off as a hard-working artist with focus on Still Pressure, as he goes the extra mile to create worlds for the listener sonically and lyrically. The potent “The Force Awakens”, produced by Subjxct 5, provides a highlight on Still Pressure with its weaving, lush samples and powerful lyricism.

Listen to Queens artist Nate the Great’s latest, the thoughtful, yet raw, Still Pressure here now:

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OJ Mountain delivers a layered listen with “don’t praise me, i won’t take it too well”

By Jacob Ezra

New York-based artist OJ Mountain has shared a new song called “don’t praise me, i won’t take it too well”. A tapestry of jazz-laced samples on “don’t praise me, i won’t take it too well” conjures an atmosphere that’s both relaxed and eery, while OJ matches the track’s otherworldliness with detailed, abstract lyricism.

Weaving, darkly hypnotic guitars and saxophones drift atop a fast-paced, frenetic rhythm section, accentuated by OJ’s surreal lines and deft flows. With rhyme patterns as unpredictable as the instrumentation, he keeps the listener on their toes and drops off an offering with “don’t praise me, i won’t take it too well” that is thought-provoking- as well as somehow soothing and ominous simultaneously.

Continuing his prolific run after a series of poignant singles and collaborations with T H R O N E, DAMAG3, and more, the intriguing single “don’t praise me, i won’t take it too well” appears ahead of OJ Mountain’s forthcoming album WRONG NOTES PLAYED WITH GUSTO.

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kJADE dives deeper on ‘THE SOUND THAT TREES MAKE’

By Jacob Ezra

kJADE has caught our attention for her fresh project THE SOUND THAT TREES MAKE. On , THE SOUND THAT TREES MAKE, kJADE delivers anthems of empowerment atop soundscapes of shimmering, jazz-laced minimalism. With a penchant for descriptive, introspective lyricism that gets to the heart of the matter- kJADE keeps the listener engaged with deft poetics atop smoky, intriguing instrumentals.

The cozy, freeing sound of THE SOUND THAT TREES MAKE– produced largely by esteban.mp3– gives it an intimate atmosphere that entices the listener, creating an apt backdrop for kJADE’s personal, observant lyrics. While sonically the album is often hazy and lo-fi, it contains uplifting undertones of self-empowerment that make THE SOUND THAT TREES MAKE a character-rich and multi-layered listen. “SPIRITUAL WARFARE VETERAN” is a highlight track that uses soaring, warm samples and deeply thoughtful lyrics to great effect. The album finishes especially strong with a series of expansive instrumentals that create an aura of freedom that takes the record to new heights on tracks like “INNR CHILD”.

Take a listen to kJADE’s latest project THE SOUND THAT TREES MAKE here.

Photo credit: Apetight

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kevspeakstruth releases introspective EP, ‘K.E.V.’

By Jacob Ezra

kevspeakstruth has shared a new EP, titled K.E.V. K.E.V. further showcases his signature sound, which finds a balance between his roots in both NYC and Florida- with southern-tinged percussion and rhythms merging with Kev’s East Coast-influenced delivery and lyricism. Like much of his output, it finds him unwilling to be placed in a box, while he also wears his heart on his sleeve across the EP’s five tracks. Discussing topics like trying to find direction in your mid-late 20’s, staying true to your grind, and more, Kev wastes no time in delving deeper into matters that directly impact listeners.

“Imposter Syndrome” poignantly discusses self-doubt atop an emotive, vibrant instrumental, contrasted by the ominous, darkly jazzy sound of follow-up track “Clover”. He also delves engagingly into drill on the energizing “Hermanos” and even left-field electronic on closer “Siamese”, as K.E.V. takes on an identity of its own with its diverse soundscape, paired with kevspeakstruth’s heartfelt introspection. Give a listen to K.E.V. here now.

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SpaceCave and freespottie find a ‘Freespace’ on international collaboration

By Jacob Ezra

Freespace is a 6-song offering from SpaceCave and freespottie that caught our attention for its transcendent sonics and unfiltered energy. SpaceCave hails from Novosibirsk, Russia, while freespottie originates from across the globe in Atlanta, USA- and the two manage to find a blissful common ground atop a series of layered, immersive instrumentals while displaying light-on-their-feet flows and heartfelt lyricism.

The carefree feel and off-the-cuff presentation of Freespace makes it enticing from the get-go. Hypnotic, cloudy samples and punchy percussion accentuate the two emcees potent flows on songs like “Find the Groove” and “Words of Advice”. “Just Another Night” adds jazz tinges with glitchy undertones that give it a mind-expanding style- while closer “New Day”‘s tranquil, reflective sound and warm flows recall hints of Nujabes while SpaceCave and freespottie also give it character of its own.

The fun-loving, free-spirited mood of Freespace feels desired in today’s musical landscape, as the two artists approach the EP with little cares as to an overly manicured presentation of themselves. With a natural, off-the-cuff feel and rich, laid-back production, Freespace is an enjoyable release from these two. Check it out here now.

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Valid and Stretch Money deliver an anthem for hard workers on “Nine To Five”

Valid and Stretch Money, also known as “Bill & Isiah,” come together once again on Valid’s latest single, “Nine To Five.” Following their successful collaboration album in 2023, the duo delivers a Summer 2024 anthem with this track produced by Vuk Starinac. This track resonates with hardworking individuals who clock in day after day, yet still manage to keep their style and spirit alive.

Valid’s latest release featuring Stretch Money demonstrates the pair’s creative vision, charismatic approach, and ability to inject humor into their work. Demonstrating the chemistry that the duo has become known for, “Nine To Five” finds them trading clever verses that have the listener re-winding throughout. With hypnotic, playful production centred around sleek keys, punchy percussion, and rich bass, “Nine To Five” makes for an infectious listen. Featuring a new music video that captures the track’s humorous, laid-back swagger with an engaging performance from Valid and Stretch Money – “Nine To Five”, released on Valternativa Records– provides the whole package from the two Detroit mainstays.

Listen to “Nine To Five” here and check out the new music video.

Connect with Valid: Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Facebook

Connect with Stretch Money: Instagram | Facebook

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Myles Clayton connects with Chris Celestial for raw single “Sittin’ N da Middle”

By Jacob Ezra

Myles Clayton and Chris Celestial have connected for a new single called “Sittin’ N da Middle”. The new song finds I’ll Nevah Die member Clayton and I N D affiliate Celestial demonstrating a potent chemistry atop a beat with a powerful energy that’s both thought-provoking and unsettling.

It seems that Clayton and Celestial are natural collaborators, with both emcees demonstrating pensive, introspective lyricism and an ear for dark, cacophonous production. “Sittin’ N da Middle” brings their strengths together atop a cerebral instrumental that is equal parts grimy and atmospheric. Walls of imposing samples, droning backing vocal samples and a rumbling rhythm section underscore the emcees’ cathartic, hard-hitting vocal performance and imagery-rich lines. Give “Sittin’ N da Middle” a listen here now.

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cropscropscrops and stale brick share thoughtful 2-pack “4-way stop/ the 20th anniversary death cab for cutie transatlanticism”

Ohio-bred, Montreal-based artist cropscropscrops has dropped off a new 2-pack called “4-way stop/ the 20th anniversary death cab for cutie transatlanticism”, produced by stale brick. The new release finds cropscropscrops further refining the detail-oriented, abstract hip-hop sound heard on his project from here, out there with Vaygrnt. With these two songs, crops brings the listener along with him as he adds a magical edge to the mundane happenings of daily life. With the jazzy, down-to-earth soundscapes and observant lyrics of these two tracks, crops and stale brick give a sense that there may be more than meets the eye in each day’s seemingly average happenings. Listen to “4-way stop/ the 20th anniversary death cab for cutie transatlanticism” here.