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Professor Green releases captivating visual for “Nervous”

By Mark Generous

In his latest release, “Nervous,” Professor Green, accompanied by K Koke and R.A., delivers a compelling and confrontational exploration of hip hop’s essence. Renowned for his unapologetic storytelling and rooted in Hackney, London, Professor Green brings forth a track that not only pays homage to the genre but also exhibits a distinctive musicality complemented by captivating visuals. As an experienced MC with a history of triumphs and challenges, Professor Green’s “Nervous” stands as a testament to his resilience and commitment to authentic expression. From his early days winning freestyle battles to catching the attention of Mike Skinner, Professor Green has consistently pushed boundaries in the music scene. Surviving adversity, including a life-threatening incident, he continues to redefine his genre. With chart-topping hits like “I Need You Tonight” and “Read All About It,” Professor Green’s latest release cements his position as a trailblazer, inviting listeners into a world where unfiltered storytelling and raw expression take center stage.

Watch the here:

Listen on Spotify

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Michael Kirby evokes vivid emotions on latest single “The Real Thing”

By Mark Generous

Michael Kirby – the New York City-based music artist hailing from South Windsor, CT – continues to captivate audiences with his latest track, “The Real Thing”, featuring Bloodbathblair. Drawing inspiration from the dating landscape of NYC, Kirby crafted a melodic narrative that explores the rare occurrence of a first date going exceptionally well.

Recorded in the heart of Brooklyn at a friend’s studio in July, the song is a testament to Kirby’s ability to weave personal experiences into his music. Warm, vivid guitars and laid-back, organic percussion give “The Real Thing” a potent groove, setting an apt foundation for Kirby’s soulful, dynamic vocals. He delivers soaring vocal melodies that cohesive merge with the balmy instrumentation, making “The Real Thing” a memorable, vibrant listen.

With a distinctive voice that sets him apart in the industry, Kirby has been making waves since his 2018 debut album, “Spying On Heaven,” where he showcased not only his musical prowess but also his philanthropic spirit by donating 100% of the proceeds to a food bank in NYC. His sophomore effort, “The Lion Inside You,” further solidified his place in the music scene. In 2023, Kirby continues to shine with a series of singles, including “Fool Me Once,” “Might Be The Night,” and “Explor(h)er.” His music, featured on popular Spotify playlists like “Rap Royalty,” “Lazy Afternoons,” and “Sound of Relaxation,” reflects his prolific nature and enduring appeal. Michael Kirby’s “The Real Thing” is a testament to his storytelling ability and the unique charm that defines his musical journey.

Listen To “The Real Thing” here:

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TaReef KnockOut releases immersive visual for “You Was Laughing”

In his latest music video for “You Was Laughing”, Florida rapper TaReef KnockOut delivers a compelling visual narrative that seamlessly merges family aesthetics with lyrical wit. Taking on the track originally by hometown rapper and 2023 XXL Freshman Luh Tyler, TaReef aims to make a statement about resilience and determination. The video not only serves as a testament to TaReef’s hardworking and family-oriented persona but also showcases his dedication to proving doubters wrong while staying true to those who believe in his craft. With a combination of captivating visuals and meticulously crafted wordplay, “You Was Laughing” becomes a true homage to the art of hip hop, portraying TaReef KnockOut’s journey as a man who uses the power of music to express, inspire, and overcome.

Watch his latest music video:

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Myles T. Jordan spreads “Light” with new single

North Carolina artist Myles T. Jordan has dropped off a new song called “Light”. Following up a prolific streak of versatile, lo-fi tinged releases that put Jordan’s lyrical abilities and dynamic vocals on display, “Light” contains expressive verses laid atop warm, calming production. Atop swelling, airy keys, punchy drums, and an infectious bassline, Jordan delivers melodically-tinged yet raw flows with a commanding presence. Mixing in catchy inflections, while keeping his content heartfelt, Jordan releases a heartfelt cut with “Light”. “Light” culminates in an ear-worm hook that adds diversity and vibrance to the track, making “Light” an immersive sonic journey. Give it a listen below now.

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Rigel Crux, JUNE!, and Nglewood Ali. connect for new song “Inglewood Slide”

Rigel Crux has connected with JUNE! and Nglewood Ali. for a new song called “Inglewood Slide”. Crux, originating from Inglewood, California, brings a genre-bending fusion of R&B and trap soul to the table, crafting seductive, lush symphonies that provide an authentic perspective on love, sex, and relationships. For his latest song, he connects with prolific I’ll Nevah Die rapper and producer JUNE! and Nglewood Ali. for a balmy, groove-heavy cut that tantalizes the senses.

Produced by JUNE!, “Inglewood Slide” creates an irresistible, emotive groove with watery keys, expansive bass, and bouncy percussion. Accentuated by warm backing vocal flourishes, “Inglewood Slide” is an immersive joint that creates the perfect backdrop for Crux’s dynamic, versatile vocals. Splitting the line between hip-hop and R&B, he weaves together a series of smooth, potent lines that keep the listener on their toes throughout, while adding much replay value to the cut. Give “Inglewood Slide” a listen below.

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Bryson the Alien and Tezmanian share otherworldly song “Faces”

By Jacob Ezra

Bryson the Alien has dropped off a new song called “Faces”, featuring Tezmanian and produced by Ghowste. Based in Portland, the prolific Bryson the Alien is the co-founder of SUMALIENZ with Just Alfa and Tezmanian, who appears on his latest cut, as well as outfit Unexplained Aerial Phenomenon. Following up the eclectic single “Shepherd” with Fatboi Sharif, “Faces” takes on a similarly hypnotic, lo-fi atmosphere laced with a surreal mood and vibrant lyricism.

Murky, raw bass and space-age synths blend into a hypnotic groove on “Faces”, while creating an otherworldly soundscape. The production creates a “sheets of sound” effect that pairs cohesively with the emcees’ off-the-wall flows and outside-the-box lyricism. They display a natural chemistry while delivering head-spinning rhyme patterns in a hushed yet contained delivery, giving “Faces” a mesmerizing feel.

Take a listen to “Faces” here now.

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Unwind to the hypnotic rhythms of ‘Mushroom Funk’ by beatmaker Es-K

By Hazel Clementine

Es-K is no novice when it comes to beats. He has over 50 releases on Bandcamp, with most of his releases being soulful, organic instrumental hip hop beats & beat tapes. His most recent release is a brief but intricately detailed tape titled, Mushroom Funk. His latest projcet Mushroom Funk engagingly blends exhilarating components that sound somewhat retro, taking influence from the 1970’s funk era, soul, and jazz.

Es-K displays a boundless versatility and ear for character-rich sounds, with songs like the title track opener providing hypnotic, crunchy rhythms paired with ornate sonics. The fourth track, “Hot Butter”, is sonically more abstract than the rest of the tape, setting itself apart in the track-list. With it’s rich, syrupy textures, it’s as if you’re gazing at an abstract painting taking in all of the elements and movements throughout the piece. The artist says he almost didn’t include this track on the beat tape because it was the weirdest one out of the other tracks, but it happens to be Es-K’s favorite out of the bunch and we couldn’t agree more.

Support the artist directly by purchasing this beat tape and more of his work on his bandcamp here. You can also take a look at his website which displays not only his music but his artwork as well. Hope you enjoy the beat tape as much as we did!

Listen to Mushroom Funk on Bandcamp HERE.

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Toronto’s Eric Ryan shares potent single “Loose” (ft. Ley Vara)

By Mark Generous

Hailing from the vibrant city of Toronto, Canada, Eric Ryan emerges as a captivating independent artist, but it’s his voice that truly steals the spotlight. Eric’s vocals are like a velvet cascade of emotion, effortlessly navigating the intricate landscapes of R&B, neo-soul, lo-fi, and alternative influences. With roots in the school choir and a profound affection for R&B, soul, pop, and alternative sounds, his voice resonates with a depth that captivates listeners’ hearts.

His latest offering, “Loose” featuring Ley Vara, showcases not just his remarkable vocal prowess but also his exceptional songwriting skills, painting vivid stories of love and passion. In every note, Eric Ryan unveils a world where his voice is the guiding star, and his music is an enchanting journey of the soul, destined for the highest ventures of success in the music industry. One of my favourite artists of 2023.

By 2023, Eric’s music had transcended boundaries, thanks to its mesmerizing qualities, gaining recognition from TikTok influencers and earning a place in the spotlight on renowned music media platforms like Early Rising, Lyrical Lemonade, and CBC Music Toyota Searchlight. Check out Ryan’s latest song “Loose” below and further familiarize yourself with this rising Toronto artist.

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Talib Kweli & Madlib debut cinematic animated music video for “Riches Part Two”

By Hazel Clementine

The music video for “Riches Part Two”, directed and animated by Unjust, starts with the turning on of a television- and as the beat drops, an animated man shoots his gun, while the camera follows the bullet into a third person view. The viewer is then able to see the lyrics come to life in a vividly cinematic experience.

Seminal lyricist Roc Marciano starts the song off verbalizing ‘there’s too many washed rappers the market is crashing’- while the animation exhibits crashing objects outside of a high rise building. The animation then zooms in on another high rise building and briefly shows Roc Marciano on a podcast with Talib Kweli. Then with each verse, the animation transforms into something different matching the rest of the verses from Roc Marciano.

Continuing the animations alongside verses, Westside Gunn starts off the next verse with one of his infamous adlibs which mimics a gun shooting multiple rounds. Two guns appear in the animation shooting bullets in the air identical to his adlibs. When Westside Gunn mentions dreams, an illusion of an empty field with birds flying in sky shows on the screen.

The third verse transcends so effortlessly as Talib Kweli starts to flow over the hypnotizing beat. The fluid animations perfectly illustrate how Kweli’s metaphors are intertwined into his rhymes. From showing birds, fish and New York City to a rare vicious animal over the city; The animation flowed flawlessly over his verse.

The video then ends with the same person who turns on the television at the beginning of the video now sleeping in front of the screen. Concluding that he he fell asleep while watching the music video. A vivid, cinematic new offering from Talib Kweli and Madlib featuring Roc Marciano and Westside Gunn, “Richies Part Two” captivates with its engaging animated visuals and enticing storyline.

Watch the new video for “Richies Part Two” here:

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Paul Cherry releases celestial ambience on new jazzy R&B album ‘Pure Grooves Vol. 1’

By Hazel Clementine

One word to sum up the latest album from Paul Cherry, would be divine. From the windy city of Chicago, DJ and acoustic guitar player Paul Cherry releases a R&B & jazzy fusion titled Pure Grooves Vol. 1.

In 2018, Cherry released his very first LP Flavor which sonically differs from his new release, which gives more of a groovy R&B sound- whereas his first LP gave more of an indie rock feel. The album cover for his new body of work displays the warmth and love that his music exudes. From the sun, moon and ocean all the way to the stars, it’s as if you’re on a magical vacation dancing under the setting sun to the beat of the drum. Speaking of drums, drummer and percussionist Roy Arsenault played extraordinarily beautifully on the third track of Pure Grooves Vol. 1, titled “Don’t You Wish”, angelically sung by Mica Tenenbaum and Matthew Lewin. Tenenbaum, who’s an Argentinian singer is known for being one half of the electronic duo Magdalena Bay. The rest of the album proceeds with a multitude of rnb & jazzy elements from smooth jazz to eloquent soulful rhythms.

Be sure to check out Pure Grooves Vol. 1 on all streaming services or you can support the artist by purchasing directly from Paul Cherry’s Bandcamp HERE.