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.
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.
New Jersey’s Wiseboy Jeremy weaves personal narratives on “Sixthirty Five”, taking the listener along with him on a journey through his mind. “Sixthirty Five” exists in the past, present, and future- touching on growing up, grinding for something more, and hoping for a brighter future. Laced with bittersweet, hopeful samples and buoyant percussion, Jeremy comes through with a raw vulnerability that captivates. As he bookends the track with “this shit be from the heart”, one can see for certain that he fully means it.
Semiratruth – “The Star”
Glistening with ethereal sounds and evocative lyricism, “The Star”‘s emotive, freeing feel coupled with Semiratruth’s sharp songwriting makes it an engrossing joint. Putting into the listener into a dream-like hypnosis with warm, kaleidoscopic samples and soothing vocals, “The Star” is a character-rich, soulful song from Semiratruth.
Jaysanityy- “capital man”(ft. Jordan Ali and omontizay)
Jaysanityy, Jordan Ali, and omontizay hail from the DMV area, known for its rich musical history. They tap into the free-thinking sounds of the region with a song that is thought-provoking and hypnotizing. “capital man” appears on Jaysanityy’s album ‘Bag Man Julio’, a poignant collection of layered, lyrical hip-hop offerings that beckon multiple listens to catch everything.
Ryshon Jones- “TSB”/
Refreshing and introspective, Ryshon Jones’ “TSB” finds him reaching deep with his lyrics to connect with audiences. With his outside-the-box vocal approach, underscored by melancholic keyboards and a memorable bass-line, Jones paints vivid portraits that feel almost impressionistic in tone. “Fool”, featuring Loriah, follows up in a two-pack with a ruminative, nocturnal joint with an enticingly hazy atmosphere.
Sedona- “LOST CAUSE”
New York’s Sedona boasts an eclectic style with observant songwriting on “LOST CAUSE”, a vibrant track with a dose of moodiness. When listening to “LOST CAUSE”, its almost as if time slows down and one can visualize each detail, sonically and lyrically. Her song-writing is sharply-crafted and dynamic, and the rich jazzy production adds much character.
Imani Nichele has dropped off a fresh EP, titled dramaqueen.. Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan, Imani began her career as a spoken word artist and quickly gained recognition for her poignant and thought-provoking poetry. In 2018, she was named Detroit’s Youth Poet Laureate, a testament to her incredible talent and dedication to her craft. Since then, she has gone on to release potent music that is a blend of hip-hop, soul, and R&B, with a focus on social justice, self-love, and empowerment.
dramaqueen. is characterized by tapestries of rich, dark instruments that weave atop pulsating rhythm sections. Imani delivers poignant, vividly personal narratives that suit the thoughtful nature of the beats. Her voice is calm and confident, and her lyrics sharply-crafted and intentional. “SelfPortrait.” captures her penchant for introspection atop watery, nocturnal keys and punchy drums, while “MixedUp.” provides a project highlight with its infectious songwriting and emotionally layered performance. Give dramaqueen. a listen here now.
Cameroon-born, Houston, USA-based artist ArmstrongWW has shared a new single called “Dreamcatcher”, produced by ENGLESS*. Drawing from his own experiences and the world around him, ArmstrongWW’s music is a powerful blend of introspective lyrics and innovative soundscapes. His latest offering, “Dreamcatcher”, is an uplifting, cathartic song that distills Armstrong’s penchant for genre-bending, infectious songwriting. Elegant, laid-back instrumentation builds dynamically on “Dreamcatcher”, leading up to a truly beautiful, poignant hook that feels like an emotional release. A freeing, warm song, “Dreamcatcher” presents another strong offering from Armstrong as he continues his recent prolific run.
Watch ArmstrongWW perform “Dreamcatcher” live at Rice University:
omontizay and producer barrakain have caught our attention for their new single, “6 in the morn”. The artists, who have been carving their own lane for their refreshing, forward-thinking take on boom-bap, deliver a poignant new single with “6 in the morn” that demonstrates a natural chemistry. omontizay, who recently appeared on Jaysanityy‘s strong recent album bag man julio, brings forward a raw energy matched by barrakain’s immaculate production. The two play off eachother in a kinetic manner to provide a lively, vital track that brings forth their sharp songwriting. Give a listen to “6 in the morn” here now.
Making emotional connections with your audience is a very important element of promoting yourself as an artist. An effective way to do this is through story-telling. As a part of human nature, people are attracted to stories- and stories can be excellent tools to establish deeper bonds with your fans. Telling stories helps your audience relate to you, and makes them feel like they’re coming along with you on an artistic journey. Storytelling can communicate both your personal values and relatability, making your audience invested in you- and building connection with them over time.
As far as how to approach storytelling as an artist, it’s important to craft a story that is meaningful, vulnerable, and relatable. It can be especially powerful if it is able to tap into something universally and basically human. Everyone loves a good origin story and a come-up story, or a tale of an under-dog overcoming adversity- any story that shows authenticity. There are many types of stories that can help communicate these themes:
Autobiographical: Sharing personal experiences, memories, or challenges can create a relatable narrative for the audience.
Fictional: Creating characters, settings, and plots allows artists to explore different perspectives, emotions, and ideas.
Allegorical: Using symbols, metaphors, and analogies can help convey complex ideas and emotions in a more accessible way.
Historical: Drawing inspiration from real-life events, people, or cultures can provide a rich backdrop for storytelling.
Conceptual: Exploring abstract concepts, emotions, or ideas through art can create thought-provoking narratives that resonate with the audience.
Experimental: Combining different storytelling techniques or challenging conventional narrative structures can create unique and innovative works of art.
You can use your content and music to communicate your story in numerous ways. It doesn’t always have to be literal, and can also imply your value, message, and identity. But having underlying themes, and an underlying narrative of who you are as an artist, makes your fans invested in you and make them want to cheer for you.
When you tell stories about who you are and what your music represents, it completes your identity as an artist and allows you to stand out. If your story creates a deeper emotional connection with a listener, you will stand out to them and they will remember you based upon how you made them feel. Then, when they see this story that they related to communicated in your music, visuals, etc., they will continue to feel like they are along with you on an artistic journey. It’s like letting them into your world as an artist. It’s also key to approach storytelling with integrity if you want to build trust with your audience. While incorporating trends is entirely fine, jumping between trends without having a core message and core values will just confuse your fans and dilute your message.
Telling relatable, authentic stories through everything you do- from music to visuals to promotion, really helps set you apart as an artist and build loyalty with your audience. To summarize, here are 5 ways that storytelling can help artists promote themselves and build a fanbase:
Authenticity: Sharing genuine, relatable experiences and struggles helps artists establish a genuine connection with their audience. Fans appreciate artists who are open and honest about their lives.
Inspiration: A musician’s story of overcoming obstacles, pursuing their passion, or achieving success can inspire fans and help them identify with the artist’s journey.
Differentiation: In a crowded industry, a unique and compelling story can help musicians stand out and make their brand more memorable.
Emotional connection: Sharing personal stories can evoke strong emotions in fans, making them more likely to invest in the artist’s music and brand.
Storytelling through music: Musicians can weave their personal stories into their lyrics and compositions, creating a more immersive and meaningful experience for listeners.
In essence, a musician’s personal story can serve as a powerful tool to build a strong, relatable identity that resonates with fans and sets them apart in the competitive world of music.
Kaos the Baker has shared a new album, titled THE ESSENCE OF KAOS, produced by Australia’s SB11 and mixed and mastered by TimePiece. Raised in Akron, Ohio and Charlotte, North Carolina- Kaos the Baker has been making waves for his emotive, raw delivery, detailed lyrical style and ear for engaging, soulful production. A mainstay in Charlotte’s hip-hop scene, Kaos co-founded the label AKB2 Entertainment alongside his cousin and fellow talented emcee Lord Jah Monte Ogbon. His latest album, THE ESSENCE OF KAOS, is a powerful addition to his consistent discography, featuring versatile, charismatic vocals atop rich soundscapes from SB11.
On THE ESSENCE OF KAOS, Kaos the Baker handles a variety of soul-laced, lush instrumentals from SB11 with ease. He demonstrates dynamic flows, a confident, emotive cadence, and re-playable lyrics that give THE ESSENCE OF KAOS much character. Coming through with a variety of sonic flavors while staying true to himself throughout, Kaos delivers potent, driving tracks like victorious opener “The Essence”- while also laying down ethereal, thoughtful joints like “Forming Galaxies” with ease. With ceaseless energy and poignant focus, Kaos the Baker and SB11 present a sonic tour-de-force with their latest offering THE ESSENCE OF KAOS.
Listen to Kaos the Baker’s latest project THE ESSENCE OF KAOS, produced by SB11, here now.
New York artist Thought Provokah has caught our attention for his fresh EP Expensive Thrifts. A graceful, elegant set of underground hip-hop tracks that still retain their grit and rawness- Expensive Thrifts finds Thought Provokah painting reminiscent, vivid pictures with his lyricism atop production from IV, Ares Prod, Magnum Beats, Immortal Buddha, and Ganesboro. A sleek set of laid-back joints that find Thought Provokah exhibiting a focused, relaxed charisma through which he never sounds rushed, but always present and confident. “Wear Are You” is a poignant opener that brings forth a brisk, soulful feel with its cinematic key lines and triumphant vocals. Title track “Expensive Thrifts” is beautifully nostalgic with uplifting undertones, underpinned by a rich, infectious bass-line and characterized by Thought Provokah’s poetic verses.
Expensive Thrifts follows Thought Provokah’s persona Knapp Jones- who is on a little shroom trip and stumbles into a thrift store when a record he remembers- an Ahmad Jamal joint- piques his interest. As he gets deeper into his trip, he starts reminiscing as he sees items that bring about memories.
Give Thought Provokah’s Expensive Thrifts EP a listen here now. Support the artist directly HERE.
NAHreally and The Expert have dropped off a new album titled BLIP. This new LP from Massachusetts-born, New Jersey-based emcee NAHreally follows up his poignant 2022 album HACKINAWAY, and it finds him connecting with prolific producer The Expert for a thought-provoking collection of character-rich, ruminative songs. BLIP draws the listener into a hypnosis with a set of focused songs that are detail-oriented and relatable- putting a refreshing twist on observational lyricism while dissecting life’s minutiae from the outside looking in.
Songs such as standout track “Breaking Down in Real Time” featuring Open Mike Eagle, display NAHreally’s sharp eye for detail atop The Expert’s pensive production, as NAHreally tackles anxiety around aging in a manner that zooms in and gives listeners a clear picture. Jazz-tinged songs such as “Movement & Light” use ethereal production and vivid, poetic lyricism to convey a bittersweet wistfulness- while “Read the Room” discusses the awkwardness and uncertainty of human interaction atop potent, dark instrumentation from The Expert. Overall, BLIP is truly a journey through light and dark, and various integral emotions, while exploring the quirks and little complexities of being human.
Take a listen to NAHreally and The Expert’s new album BLIP here:
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