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:
Phoenix James is a rising force in the vibrant South Florida music scene, who has established herself as a daring, versatile singer-songwriter and producer across a vibrant discography. Soulful and genre-bending- her sound and songwriting emanates focus and intentionality while remaining expressively heartfelt. Phoenix’s versatile approach to music makes it difficult to place her work in one box, with multi-faceted releases that stay committed to remaining authentic. Her discography demonstrates range, with radiant projects like 2022’s New Stages EP presenting a refreshing, atmospheric take on alternative R&B, while her most recent solo release “Digital”‘s sleek, left-field electronic influences pushes towards the future. We sat down with Phoenix to discuss her beginnings, songwriting process, her new song “Digital” and more.
Roundhouse Music: What were some of your earliest inspirations to start creating music?
Phoenix: I think hip hop was definitely my first love. My Dad would put on MTV and I became obsessed with Missy Elliot, and when my dad explained that she was a producer, and what a producer was, I wanted to do exactly that. On the songwriting end, listening to the channel orange album was life-changing for me. The album felt like literature, and it made me dive into songwriting.
Roundhouse Music:What was it like for you growing up in Miami as far as being immersed in its music and artistic scene?
Phoenix: I literally would not have wanted to grow up anywhere else. Musically I learned so much from the mix of different cultures! The “Limbs” chord progression is derivative of a salsa progression. I grew up playing in different bands at house shows and student organized shows before dropping any music of my own. Miami and South Florida are filled with extremely talented musicians.
Roundhouse Music:What was your process like creating your latest song “Digital”?
Phoenix: “Digital” was really just a songwriting/beat making exercise. I was trying to get out of the slow song headspace. I like to practice songwriting by giving myself a prompt, and the prompt was “write about people who care more about the portrayal of their relationships on social media than the actual relationships”. I wasn’t going to release it, but I played it for a couple of people and they really liked it, so I decided to release it. It’s fun haha
Roundhouse Music: What inspired the electronic-infused sound on “Digital”?
Phoenix: I don’t think anything really inspired it directly, Ive just been making a lot of stripped down music, so I wanted to have fun!
Roundhouse Music:What’s your songwriting process like?
Phoenix: The answer to this question is constantly changing haha. My songwriting process always depends on what I’m doing, so it’s never a set thing. Sometimes a poem I write turns into lyrics (“Limbs”), sometimes I fully finish a beat and then I write ( I did that on “Digital”), sometimes I am writing lyrics in my head and producing at the same time (it’s weird) and sometimes Abner Dennis has me just start free-styling on the mic and we go bar by bar (“Peace” & “Contact High”), sometimes it’s Abner still working on the beat and I’m writing. It’s never the same.
Roundhouse Music: I know you recently performed at SOB’s in New York, what was your experience like performing there?
Phoenix: SOBs was so cool. Just seeing the list of legendary artists that had been on that same stage, and talking to the engineer about who his favorite performers were. The crowd was a little rude though, a bunch of NYU kids talking through all of the performances, but it’s all good haha. I’m big on concert etiquette.
Roundhouse Music: Would you consider yourself a spiritual person? I think your music has a spiritual feel. If so, how does it contribute to your creativity and artistry?
Phoenix: I definitely am spiritual, I think every musician is whether they think it or not. A spiritual feel? I don’t think anyone’s ever told me that haha, that’s cool, thank you. I think for me, it’s all about digging as deep as possible to connect to myself. Getting into the flow state and just word/melody vomitting everything out. I try to make sure everything comes from a place of presence and intention.
Roundhouse Music: Do you have a favorite experience collaborating with another artist?
Phoenix: I don’t think I’m allowed to talk about my favorite collaboration just yet, but I love working with artists that are free in the way they express themselves, and are down to try anything. Another favorite would definitely be working with Frank Sativa though, he’s a genuine person and super talented. We had fun in the studio.
Roundhouse Music: Do you have a favorite song that you’ve created and what makes it hold a special place for you?
Phoenix: I have an unreleased song that was just an insane experience to make. I took a substance with my friends in LA and we stayed up until the sun rose working on the song. The song is unlike anything we’ve ever made. When I play it for people they are kinda just like “woah” which I love haha.
Roundhouse Music: What’s on the horizon for you in music?
Phoenix: An ALBUM is on the horizon, I’m not gonna say too much right now, but I am sharpening my sword. Definitely excited for what’s to come.
Long Island, NY artist Johnny Storm has dropped off a new album called Hov Taught Us. The highly skilled lyricist is back with a fresh project that entertains the listener with each line- emanating a mood of vitality and focused with raw, sharp-to-the-point lines atop rich, soulful production. Storm’s charismatic style merges smoothly with a collection of stylish beats from the likes of Kash Flow, cantstopdizzy, JUNE!, and more that present a potent energy.
Storm delivers a flurry of imagery-rich bars in a present delivery that captures the listener’s attention from the get-go, as he makes every line count on Hov Taught Us. His sharp lyrical game shines through across the tracklisting, but some particular highlights include the hypnotic, raw “99 Raekwon”, or the sleek, charismatic “Live From the Island”. A potent display of energizing bars, rich production, and witty, poetic lyricism- Hov Taught Us is an engaging project front-to-back that pays homage to Jay-Z’s classic In My Lifetime, vol. 1 with the cover art and theme.
Listen to Hov Taught UsHERE on BandCamp and support the artist directly.
JUNECINEMA, much-lauded in the underground for their soulful sound and heartfelt lyricism, is a duo between NC’s JUNE! and NY’s Jay Cinema. Soon to release a new album, they impressed with their last single “FAITH”- which presented a potent anthem of resilience, and now their back with their second single, titled “LOVE AWAY”, featuring g3mst0n3 and produced by Wulf Morpheus. Here, they delve into a lush, warm soundscape as they weave together crystal-clear imagery. Atop Morpheus’ sultry sampling and enticing percussion, and alongside g3mst0n3’s heavenly vocals, the duo waxes poetic and drops off an engagingly hypnotic new joint. Give “LOVE AWAY” a listen here now.
Genre-bending Boston artist JORD4NEVERDIED is back with a fresh single called “SHOW NOT TELL / ALL NIGHT”, produced by Alexandr.. Following up the success of his infectious, nocturnal release “TACTIC!”, his newest song further showcases his hypnotic, energizing sound- one that isn’t easy to categorize or put in a box. JORD4NEVERDIED’s originality continues to give him an edge- with a rawness and emotionally layered feel that makes his work increasingly intriguing. On “SHOW NOT TELL / ALL NIGHT”, a blend of swirling, immersive synths, punchy percussion, and enticing vocal lines give the song an exciting, yet subtly haunting, feel. Give “SHOW NOT TELL / ALL NIGHT” a listen here now on our platform.
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 acrossthe 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:
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.
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.
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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