Yeshua Sunn has linked with kip c for a fresh single called “shi-ballads”. Following up expressive, thoughtful releases like “coldtrain++” and “shield of wind*”, “shi-ballads” continues to carve out Sunn’s ethereal sound with an engaging new song that blends detail-rich lyricism with atmospheric, lo-fi production. Atop a tapestry of kaleidoscopic samples, airy guitars, and reverb-soaked percussion, Sunn and kip c deliver soulful verses full of dream-like lyricism. Matching the track’s abstract soundscape and uplifting energy, Sunn and kip c’s free-form flows and poignant lyricism give “shi-ballads” a unique edge and make for a refreshing listen. Check out “shi-ballads” below.
Döuno has linked with Ukraine’s LoVibe. for a fresh single called “S19”. Hailing from the rich musical landscape of Baton Rouge, LA- Döuno’s music brings a refreshing twist to the timeless sounds of neo-soul, while drawing inspiration from personal experiences to give listener’s a view into his life. His latest offering is the potent, engaging “S19” with LoVibe., a vivid song that puts his sharp songwriting and atmospheric vocal style on full display atop buoyant, warm instrumentation. Atop airy keys, crunchy percussion, and infectious bass, he delivers sleek melodies that build dynamically into an ear-worm hook, giving added replay value and character to the track. Check out Döuno and LoVibe.’s latest song “S19” below here.
Prolific New York-based hip-hop collective I’ll Nevah Die have connected with Johnny VúDOE and Sidewaalk Kal for a fresh single, titled “PRYMETYME”, produced by pis.i. Featuring vocal performances from JUNE!, Jay Cinema, dj noonsomewhere, Johnny VúDOE, and Sidewaalk Kal, the song demonstrates an organic chemistry between the emcees as they weave together vivid, personal verses atop gritty production. “PRYMETYME” finds each of these prolific artists contributing adding their own flavour and character to the track, while coming together for a cohesive whole. On “PRYMETYME”, winding, raw horns, grimy percussion, and rumbling, lo-fi bass create a ruminative atmosphere for the emcees to detail rich lines about their lives and perspectives. As is often characteristic with I’ll Nevah Die releases, “PRYMETYME” is a refreshingly personal and stripped-back, down-to-earth cut that ditches the frills for something that cuts through the noise with its authentic approach. Give it a listen below.
Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter and producer Aloe Blacc presents his latest offering, “Mercy (Godfather Mix),” a project inspired by the legendary Godfather movies’ 50th anniversary celebration. In this track, Aloe Blacc reaches deep into the realm of rap- unleashing a compelling performance that weaves vivid storytelling with a soul-stirring hook. The soundscape gracefully incorporates the iconic love theme from the film, providing the perfect backdrop for Aloe Blacc’s heartfelt narrative of love, family, and the perils that lurk within the city’s streets. The accompanying visual pays a fitting tribute to the films with its moody and dark ambiance, while also highlighting Aloe Blacc’s charismatic performance style.
Notably, this single stands out with its remarkable cinematic elements and immersive storytelling, making it a captivating addition to Aloe Blacc’s impressive discography.
Check out the video for “Mercy (The Godfather Mix)” here:
Pacific Northwest multi-disciplinary artist Stounson has connected with New York’s Ricky Mapes for a fresh single called “Break Bread”, mixed and mastered by BlessedBySanto. Self-produced by Stounson, the track contains a raw, potent energy that suits the vital, confident flows of Stounson and Mapes. Underscored by gritty samples laid in textural, glitchy patterns atop sturdy percussion, the two emcees demonstrate their skills as lyricists, weaving together vivid, detail-rich lines with ease. Their dynamic, energizing flows match with the instrumentation’s darkly hypnotic feel, giving the track much personality. Give “Break Bread” a listen below now.
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.
South Texas emcee Fatboyshaun has shared a new visual for his song “Heart on my Sleeve”, an emotive standout from his recent project BLOOD ON MY CARHARTT. “The potent cut finds”Heart on my Sleeve” finds Fatboyshaun dropping off an introspective joint that demonstrates his versatility as a lyricist, with compelling lines laid atop textural, soulful production from Cuffedgod. Atop rich, nostalgic vocal samples and graceful keys, Shaun gives a cathartic performance and gets more vulnerable with lines like “ayo im tired of serving j’s on a dayshift, pray they drop my brothers cases, never a question if we gone make it”. Accompanied by sleek backing vocals from anekah as well as an organic-sounding, grooving rhythm section, he sounds comfortable yet delivers his verses with emotion and urgency, making for a gripping listen. The new visual, shot by tg_vision, enhances the track’s laid-back, focused feel with minimalistic yet engaging shots and a charismatic performance from Fatboyshaun.
Watch the new video for “Heart on my Sleeve” here and stream BLOOD ON MY CARHARTT while you’re at it.
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.
Indianapolis artist G.Hall has shared a fresh single called “Move Around”. Continuing his run of refreshing, hard-hitting joints that are often versatile in style, “Move Around” blends hip-hop and R&B influences into a dark concoction of atmospheric production and menacing yet catchy vocals. It contains potent production from Say Cheezz that creates an aptly ominous backdrop for G.Hall with its smoky, reverb-soaked synths and raw rhythm section. As a vocalist, he finds a solid medium between hip-hop flows and catchy R&B vocals with his melodic flourishes. Capped off by a hook that can best be described as an “ear-worm”, “Move Around” makes for a potent track from the Indianapolis artist that contains much replay value.
Take a listen to “Move Around” here and further familiarize yourself with G.Hall, a prolific artist coming out of the underrated Indianapolis scene.
South Texas-based artist Fatboyshaun has shared a new video for his track “Selassie”. The soulful, gritty new joint appears ahead of the release of his forthcoming project Blood on My Carhartt, and it provides a tasteful preview of the new record. Following up his well-received collaborative album Evil Twin with Ricky Mapes last year, the release of the new single and video (shot by tg_vision) finds him in his lane lyrically and vocally, underscored by textural production from A U R.
Hypnotic, raw soul samples consisting of swirling vocals, sparkling keys, and organic-sounding percussion underscore Fatboyshaun’s sharp flows. His lyricism is vivid and clever, beckoning many re-listens to catch everything, while his vocal presence on the mic captivates as he delivers dynamic verses. Laid-back yet brimming with confidence, “Selassie” presents an enticing preview of Fatboyshaun’s upcoming project Blood on My Carhartt.
