Rising rapper Boot Raymond has dropped off a new album called, maim. Coated with an air of warm nostalgia, and paired with vividly detailed, personally rich lyrics- maim makes for a thought-provoking and immersive listen. Showcasing Raymond’s innate lyrical ability atop a set of abstract, soulful instrumentals, the album draws the listener in from the get-go with its emotive feel.
Opener “black sambas”, with KIDD, uses a pastiche of layered sampling and gritty, organic percussion to create an apt backdrop for Raymond’s imagery-laden poetics. “ego trip”‘s weaving, psychedelic production provokes deep thought while Raymond reflects on his past, and how it brought him to where he is now, as well as his hopes for the future- making for a relatable cut. “fein4love”, mixed by @croko.moko, makes for an uplifting offering and a project highlight, with cathartic vocals that ring out clearly, chalk full of emotion. The hypnotic feel and lucid lyricism of “another praise” feels laid-back and pensive, with a certain soulful wistfulness that shows up throughout maim and gives it its own character.
Boot Raymond’s latest offering maim is a heartfelt project full of enticing moments that draw the listener into his world. It paints a personal portrait in a vivid manner while demonstrating sharp lyricism and a keen ear for engaging instrumentation. Listen to maim here now.
This shit is dope. I just want to say that right off the bat. Freetape 4: Renegade Rap is the fourth project in the Freetape series, where Free Hamze pairs up with one producer for a whole project, to make magic. This one is a collab with fellow Austin producer YoursTruuly, and it lives up to its title. Freetape 4 is an anti-imperial hustle manifesto ladened with equal parts unshakeable resolve and grief. The unlimited range of YoursTruuly’s beats provide the perfect canvas for Free to paint a landscape of emotional peaks and valleys as he navigates the complexities of his existence.
“Still” starts with an excerpt of Miles Davis in an interview, talking about a peer of his taking things to extremes. Was he referring to Free Hamze? Who’s to say? (note: Davis passed away several years before Free Hamze was born). Either way, I’mma assume the snippet is indicative of Free’s own temperament.
Then the beat comes in. The airy sample creates a breezy and serene atmosphere that feels like taking a stroll through a cloud. Free saunters on the beat with equally easygoing and melodic flows ‘bout flippin packs, unabashedly carving his own lane, and bein content with the life he’s created. If you’ve listened to Free Hamze, then you know this is his modus operandi. He’s BEEN on this tip and he’s STILL on this tip. “Still’ is a smooth intro track that showcases Free’s trademark swagger.
“I Can’t Lie” shows us the fatalistic side of Free Hamze. Free immerses himself in a somber and captivating beat as he speaks on feelings of hopelessness, the family he’s lost, and how all of this led him to trappin’. The depression Free raps about comes from the trauma of imperialism and white supremacy, havin been subjected to the evils of Isra-hell and the U.S. as a Lebanese immigrant who ended up in Austin, Texas.
It’s no wonder he’d seek freedom outside the conventions of society. Free Hamze’s hustler ethos is the result of his determination to change his circumstances by any means. This determination is shadowed by deep feelings of survivor’s guilt. More than anything, he longs to return home, for his people to be free, so he does what he can. But there’s an acute awareness that no matter how hard he hustles, it won’t fill the void left by the destruction of his home and a still-growing list of martyrs. It’s important to Free that we know this about him, because otherwise we could never understand him or his art.
We know now that there’s an ever-present sadness in Free. On “Two $idez” he shows us that grief can act as a catalyst that pushes you to revolutionary action. He’s joined by Locuust (rap moniker of YoursTruuly), on a track that serves as a battlecry. The intro consists of a Lebanese freedom fighter saying they’ll never be defeated as long as they keep their heads high. Then, Locuust comes in guns blazing, letting us know what the fuck she’s about. Her verse is a pithy denouncement of Zionism and the military-industrial complex. It’s colored by intricate rhyme schemes and clever metaphors, delivered with infectious zeal. Free starts his verse by asking a set of rhetorical questions that highlight the brokenness he feels- a brokenness that can only be combated by earnest self-expression and a commitment to resistance. He implores us to pick up arms in the fight against fascism ‘cause these hypocritical crackers ain’t gonna defeat themselves (tru).
There’s a fascinating synchronicity taking place here that I wanna elaborate on, so stick with me. The essence of the sample is a powerful, energizing swell of violins that sound like they’re from a Middle-Eastern composition. YoursTruuly and Free Hamze take that and flip it to make a Hip-Hop beat. A western art form created in response to the material conditions of oppressed (Black American & Caribbean/ Latino specifically) people in the west. That beat is then used to decry imperialism and the western powers that be. Every part of “Two $idez” works together to create a piece of art that demonstrates how the Palestinian struggle for freedom is directly linked to the struggle for freedom everywhere. Like… damn dawg. That’s poetic justice if I’ve ever seen it.
“Mirror World” featuring Chucky Blk and Locuust is the stand-out track for me. Together the 3 of them go fuckin bananas. The beat is beautifully haunting. It has its own gravity, like stars shimmering in the vast emptiness of space during the creation of the universe. Chucky Blk steps up to bat and expounds on that with a poetic verse that speaks of danger to come, creating yourself anew, and the arduousness of the task. He talks about how the birth of his daughter spurred his transformation, the satisfaction that’s come with it, and ancestral veneration. All of this is said with an air of defiant pride & joy in Chucky’s delivery, as he creates his own pockets in the (mirror) world of the beat. Free elaborates on Chucky’s sentiment that something is coming, a combination of natural disasters and man-made horrors that will strip us of our humanity. He draws lines between A.I. and the increasing violence of fascism. Free is nonetheless unfazed as he locks in on his art and revolutionary struggle, slightly annoyed you haven’t figured all this out yet.
It’s evident in his sobering tone and razor sharp flow. An internal locus of control guides him. The only man he’s concerned about is the one in the mirror. This level of focus makes him a threat to the powers that be. He coolly confirms they’re right to be afraid. The beat strips down to just woodwind. Locuust is there sipping tea, reading the leaves, finding solace in their guidance. Then the drums come back and she oscillates between hope & uncertainty in her journey of self-discovery in the context of increasing (mirror) worldly turmoil. She’s also seen what’s coming, and offers condolences. There’s a tension in her voice that captures the teeter-tottering of her orientation, and the verse is bolstered by her characteristic wordplay. Ultimately, she chooses to embrace hope and trust herself as we see how the story of our lives plays out. In a world where black, brown, and queer people are demonized for their very existence, this track shines. A mirror can only reflect what you bring to it, so they choose to bring their A-game.
On the song “Ouroboros”, Free Hamze brings us back to harrowing reality. Back once again to trappin, this time framed as a foregone conclusion. Like the sky being blue. Because he already knows that chasing desire will ultimately lead to his own demise… but we all need money. The fatalism from “I Can’t Lie” re-emerges, and Free confesses that even his dreams are wrought with grief (“I dream of processions/ And coffin parade/…. Tombstones of the martyrs/ With Surahs engraved”). Understandably, he’s too consumed by the sorrow of his circumstances to try to break the chain. Free’s M.O. to operate outside the status quo isn’t entirely from a desire to move different. The first rejection was western society’s failure and rejection of him. It makes me think of the African proverb “The child that is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth”. Free’s knowledge of his contradictions can’t save him as he too becomes the Ouroboros, the snake that eats its own tail. Despite the seriousness of the subject matter, Free glides on this beat like a gritty paper airplane, and the hook is infectious. Wasteey Monroe follows Free on the track with a unique and provocative vocal performance, but the lack of lyrical content on the verse makes it feel out of place in the context of Renegade Rap. The feature feels more like two verses put on the same song than it does a collaboration.
“Gunpowder Spliffs” is the closing track, and a fitting goodbye to Freetape 4. It’s got a proper outro feel. YoursTruuly comes through with a soulful beat that starts with James Baldwin telling us that the kids want to live. Free hops on this joint emanating a melancholy optimism when he speaks, one that was forged in the blistering crucible of experience. The survivor’s guilt is still there, transformed into a source of motivation that no fascist could ever begin to fathom. He reaffirms his commitment to speaking truth to power. There’s a tenderness he reserves for the kids that we get a glimpse. Because he was one of those kids that Baldwin mentioned. One of those kids that wanted to live, and he has. He’s STILL here! Free Hamze lives in the songs he makes and in the hearts of anyone who hustles because they have to. Anyone who stands tall in the face of capitalism, white supremacy, and imperialism, the three-headed beast that looms over so many people. Nothing can stop him!
Free Hamze showcases a rare penchant for songcraft and a moving sincerity that can’t be duplicated by machine-learning or the uninitiated. YoursTruuly’s production honestly leaves me awestruck. The beat for “Mirror World” is one of the craziest joints I’ve heard in a minute. Her occasional features as Locuust also poignantly add a layer of depth to the tapestry that they weaved together. Freetape 4: Renegade Rap is a must-listen project for anyone with a goddamn heart. So give it a listen if you haven’t, or repeat listen if you have! No number rating ‘cause that shit is for chumps.
Detroit mainstay Valid continues his journey of the well-received Peach Brandy album with the release of an evocative video for “Places.” In this visually captivating piece from Lucky Penny Media, the MC honors his roots while reflecting on the city that shaped his identity. The video incorporates heartfelt home footage, whisking viewers back to 2005, the year of Valid’s last visit to Serbia as a young man. It serves as a celebration of Detroit’s rich hip-hop culture, intertwining memories of the past with hopes for the future.
“Places”, produced by Knowhere2run and Vibin wit DJ Mono, is a potent track from Valid’s recent album Peach Brandy that explores his heritage in Serbia and how it shaped him into the man he is today, with vivid lyricism set to a back-drop of rich, atmospheric guitars, warm strings, and organic percussion. The new visual, alongside the track, acts as an homage and tribute to his homeland with heartfelt, nostalgic shots that capture the song’s emotive narratives.
Mentored by Grammy-winning DJ Head, Detroit emcee Valid is making waves in hip-hop. After his acclaimed debut album, Mihajlo, in 2019, he released the Plum Brandy EP, gaining traction in Eastern and Southern Europe. Valid has collaborated with notable artists like Apollo Brown and Skyzoo and recently teamed up with Stretch Money to form the duo Bill & Isiah. Their album gained significant attention, charting on college radio in the U.S. and Canada, and their freestyle on Eminem‘s Shade45 became a defining moment for Detroit hip-hop. Performing alongside legends like Xzibit and ThaDogg Pound, Valid’s influence continues to grow, with exciting prospects ahead. His latest offering, the fresh visual for “Places”, makes for a poignant, memorable release, coming after the drop of his engaging, versatile Peach Brandy LP. Give it a watch here now on our platform.
Los Angeles’ rimhan is a multi-talented artist coming out of the West Coast who continues to push forward with heartfelt, captivating offerings. With a penchant for personal, raw lyricism that is often deeply introspective, as well as an ear for soulful, versatile instrumentals, rimhan continues to build a prolific discography. Recent offerings like the full-length project ‘soul food for the family’ as well as his newest single “HELL IN A CELL” with Nebraska’s Sleep Sinatra display a lyrical depth and multi-layered approach, with a series of instrumentals that are engaging and often intricate. We sat down with the Los Angeles artist to talk about his early inspirations in music, storytelling, releases ‘soul food for the family’ and “HELL IN A CELL” and more.
Roundhouse Music:Growing up, what initially inspired you to begin creating music?
rimhan: Growing up, what influenced me to make the music that I make is every day life and the things that I go through. I’ve never really been influenced by anyone else’s music. I’m mostly influenced by real life and the things that are going on around me. Real life is the best influence that you can have if you make music.
Roundhouse Music:How did the music and arts scene in Los Angeles influence you as an artist?
rimhan: When I first got involved with the scene, it was filled with a bunch of people that I was already listening to and growing up with. People like Pac Div, OFWGKTA, TDE & The Dogg Pound really influenced my sound. All of my influences are different now that I’m older and more mature.
Roundhouse Music: What’s your songwriting process like approaching a new track?
rimhan: That’s a hard question for me to answer, because I don’t usually approach a track when it’s time for me to record it. But if I have to really think about it, most of the time I’m writing the song before I even hear the beat that I’m gonna rap on. Then, when I hear the beat that I’m gonna use, I just figure out how I’m gonna use this shit that I already wrote before I heard the beat. Usually works like that to be honest.
Roundhouse Music: What do you look for in instrumentals that inspires you to write?
rimhan: What I look for in a instrumental is the energy that I need in order to complete the song. If the beat doesn’t have the energy that I need, I’m not even gonna use it. And I can usually feel the energy within the first five seconds of the instrumental. If it’s not something that I’m feeling then I’m not gonna use it. I’ve always been that way.
Roundhouse Music: Your storytelling feels very vivid, how do you approach storytelling when writing a song?
rimhan: Everything that is a part of my storytelling is something that I’ve gone through in my real life. To me it doesn’t even feel like I’m telling a story, it just feels like I’m getting something off my chest that I’ve been wanting to say for a while. Depending on the instrumental, things can really get deep, depending on the subject matter of what I’m talking about.
Roundhouse Music: Can you talk about the inspiration behind your recent mixtape ‘soul food for the family’?
rimhan: ‘soul food for the family’ is a tape that was inspired by all of the Sundays that I spent at my grandma’s house eating with the family. It was also inspired by all of the trials and tribulations that I’ve had as a black man living in Los Angeles, California. It doesn’t just represent the food that we eat physically on a daily basis, but it also represents the food for thought that is provided through everyday outlets.
Listen to ‘soul food for the family’ here on BandCamp.
Roundhouse Music: What was the inspiration for your latest song “HELL IN A CELL”?
rimhan: I be going to jail, bro. Lol. I guess the inspiration for this song is based on me telling myself that I really need to stay out of jail and focus on music.
Roundhouse Music: How did the collaboration with Sleep Sinatra for your new song “HELL IN A CELL” come together?
rimhan: To answer your question honestly, I don’t even have a clue. He sent me a beat one day and I didn’t like it, but then he sent me another beat and it was something that I ended up fucking with, so I made a song on it. Now he’s sending me a bunch of beats, and we’re working on something that we’re gonna drop in October or the top of November.
Roundhouse Music: What do you hope listeners take away from your new song “HELL IN A CELL”?
rimhan: Get up off your ass and make your mama proud.
Listen to “HELL IN A CELL” here on BandCamp and support the artist directly.
Roundhouse Music: Do you have a song that you’ve created that you feel most close to and if so, why?
rimhan: It’s honestly not just one song, it’s a whole project. And that project would be ‘Live from the Other Side’. It’s a very emotional project and it involved a lot of crying and yelling and raw emotion. I love it dearly.
Listen to ‘Live from the Other Side’ here on BandCamp.
Roundhouse Music:What can we expect next from you on the horizon in music?
rimhan: I got so much music on the way, and I have videos for all of the music that is going to be released. I just need to people to be patient with me. That’s all I ask.
Lord Sko and Statik Selektah have joined forces for a new single called “Lesson Learned”. This new single finds the prolific NYC emcee weaving together imagery-rich, charismatic flows atop mainstay Statik Selektah’s refreshing loops and raw drums. The track’s nonchalant atmosphere, potent, observant lyricism, and lush production lend to a track that is effortlessly enjoyable. Sko and Statik Selektah share a natural chemistry that translates to “Lesson Learned”‘s butter smooth sound. Accompanied by a new video shot in front of some classic scenery in New York adds to the track’s unpretentious, relaxed feel, “Lesson Learned” makes for an engaging new release from Lord Sko and Statik Selektah. Give “Lesson Learned” a listen here now and check the new video out as well while you’re at it.
Mark Saunders has released a new “BRUDDAHOOD” short film, which has come after the release of the well-received single of the same name. A multi-layered, expressive visual from Saunders that captures the song’s potency, Saunders directed the film himself alongside Luis Vazquez, and he provides the vocals on the lucid fifth verse alongside a talented cast of collaborators that includes TeeDotOhh, Ducksauce, Flii BooGiie, and SNS. The “BRUDDAHOOD” short film is a focused, engaging look into Saunders’ artistic realm with its cohesive synergy of sound and imagery that feels raw and authentic throughout. The visual’s stark, nocturnal shots and fast-paced editing give it a bracing energy while at the same time, it feels down to earth and intimate- giving it an intriguing contrast that adds much character. The short film captures the track’s themes of “BRUDDAHOOD” as it follows Saunders, TeeDotOhh, Ducksauce, Flii BooGiie, and SNS through captivating performances, as the song’s gritty instrumentation and heavy drums suitably soundtrack the dark, energizing feel.
The “BRUDDAHOOD” film further showcases Saunders ability to merge different mediums and release multi-layered offerings that fulfill a larger vision. With the film’s poignant narratives, dynamic shots, and memorable performances capturing themes of camaraderie and brotherhood- paired with the song’s textural, intense feel- “BRUDDAHOOD” makes for a cohesive, thoughtful new offering directed by Saunders and Luis Vazquez.
Mark Saunders is a multi-talented artist from The Bronx, New York who pushes boundaries with his releases by combining various artistic disciplines in ways that challenge convention. Driven by a desire to inspire, motivate, and tell a story of many, Saunders seeks to find something universal and bring it out in his work, giving his output an authentic, engaging feel throughout. His latest offering, the “BRUDDAHOOD” short film, marks another entry in his growing catalogue of multi-layered, thought-provoking releases. Watch the “BRUDDAHOOD” short film here now:
Los Angeles’ Nick Coleman and New Orleans’ The Adoni have dropped off a new collaborative single called “Count It”. On this new track, the pair demonstrate a kinetic chemistry atop an infectious instrumental that is both smooth and energizing. With undertones of triumph laced into reverb-soaked guitars, booming drums, and massive 808s, “Count It” is an empowering track that finds Coleman and The Adoni dropping charismatic bars that blend together seamlessly. A single from the pair’s anticipated collaborative EP, “Count It” makes for an enticing new offering. Give it a listen here now.
South Bronx, NY artist Seth Narley has dropped off a new EP, titled S.A.L.Y. Born Raymon Calleja, S.A.L.Y. is the latest offering in a series of potent releases that have included A MILLBROOK STORY, NIGHT AT THE ROXY, and more. Here, Narley tackles a set of soulful, stripped back beats that bring his present, clear delivery and penchant for introspective, cathartic lyrics to the forefront for a vivid listen.
Energizing soul samples, airy percussion, and rich bass-lines accentuate the warm, emotive feel of the set of four tracks, paired with an engagingly raw sound and approach. Tracks like “Chanel Rap 24” and “Harlem Nights” are vividly written with back-drops of lush sampling, while “Minnesota Fats” is a potent track alongside Really Jaewon that puts their technical skills on display atop layered instrumentation. S.A.L.Y. is a project that just grabs the listener and draws them in, with each line painting sharp pictures in the process. Give S.A.L.Y. a listen here now.
New Jersey standout Wiseboy Jeremy is back with a new single, titled “Temple Doors”. Produced by $UPREMELOOPDIGGA, “Temple Doors” weaving, psychedelic instrumentation blends jazzy grooves with ethereal tones for a potent listen, capped off by Jeremy’s sharp lyricism and vivid imagery. The sonics on “Temple Doors” are beautifully disorienting, with a thought-provoking, hypnotic feel that give it a character unto its own. On “Temple Doors”, Wiseboy Jeremy sounds poised and focused atop the smoky production, while his imaginative lyrical style and emotive delivery give the track added character.
Take a listen to the prolific New Jersey artist’s latest song “Temple Doors” here now:
chace. has joined forces with Malik Elijah for a fresh song called “love letters to myself”. The Boston producer, singer, rapper, instrumentalist, creative director and owner of Mind Flex Records has been carving out his own lane for his infectious blend of hip-hop, R&B, and alternative music. For his latest offering he connects with fellow Boston-based musician, the prolific and lyrically gifted Malik Elijah, for a new track that contains a uplifting mood and sharp rhymes that keep the listener engaged from the get-go. Containing production that elevates with soulful, potent instrumentation, paired with focused rhymes that give “love letters to myself” an inspiring feel. Check out “love letters to myself” here now.
ROUNDHOUSE MUSIC 