Tag: written by jacob ezra

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kuya takes listeners on an introspective journey with ‘Tales From Ophir: Moros y Cristianos’

By Jacob Ezra

New York artist kuya‘s album Tales From Ophir: Moros y Cristianos is an introspective sonic journey- backed by soulful sampling and laced with detailed, thoughtful lyricism. Inspired by hidden and forgotten stories from kuya’s ancestors and heritage from the Phillipines, Tales From Ophir: Moros y Cristianos is an album that is refreshing and enriching in its take on spirituality, personal growth, and more topics. The record finds kuya flexing his lyrical skills as well, with many vivid, detail-oriented bars that pair well with the album’s emotive, sampling soundscape.

kuya keeps his sound organic and his message clear on Tales From Ophir: Moros y Cristianos, established from the first song “Get you back!”. Discussing his origins and ancestry in the Philippines, realities of living in New York, and embracing Islam, kuya gets personal in his verses while examining how history creates who we are in the present. “hi-fi” is a warm, nostalgic track that feels like re-discovering a lost and treasured memory. “Child of Ophir” creates a sense of optimism while simultaneously being reflective, paying homage to NYC with various sentimental, vivid references. “salaam!” is a soulful closer that finishes the album with emotive touches. Here, kuya delivers expressive, introspective verses atop glowing keys and laid-back percussion, tying together the record’s sound succinctly.

Support kuya directly by purchasing Tales From Ophir: Moros y Cristianos on Bandcamp HERE.

Listen to Tales From Ophir: Moros y Cristianos here now:

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ArmstrongWW meditates on the past, present, and future with “More to life”

By Jacob Ezra

ArmstrongWW has shown no signs of slowing down recently, with eclectic releases like “January Girl” and “Usually” that found the Cameroon-born, Houston-based artist unwilling to conform to one style or sound. He continues this trend with his latest song “More to life”, injecting a hearty dose of introspection into his emotive, vivid songwriting and tapping into something universal in the process.

With themes of growing up and discovering one’s path, while also knowing that more exists beyond the confines of what one is used to- “More to life” is a poignant track from Armstrong. Laced with warm, glowing sonics consisting of spacey keys and a rich rhythm section, the instrumentation lays the perfect groundwork for Armstrong’s rumination and authenticity.

Give “More to life” a listen below now, a single off ArmstrongWW’s upcoming project THINKING IN COLOR, coming November 3rd.

Support ArmstrongWW directly on Bandcamp HERE.

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Heyzeus shares refreshing two-pack ‘Buy One Get One Free III’ (ft. blkk j)

By Jacob Ezra

Indiana artist Heyzeus has shared a new two-pack called Buy One Get One Free III. Packed with clever, self-aware humor and charismatic lyricism that give Heyzeus’ music its own unique character, Buy One Get One Free III is simply an enjoyable project- with a fun-loving edge and refreshing feel that makes it entertaining and energizing.

“Rappers Grow On Trees”, featuring blkk j, contains a boisterous brass section and bouncy, sturdy percussion that sets an appropriate foundation for the two emcees confident flows. They come through with witty lines that keep the listener glued to the speakers to catch everything, while also demonstrating a natural chemistry. The second track, “Abundantly”, continues the two-pack’s character-rich flair with soaring horns, infectious bass, and raw, energizing percussion. Heyzeus drops off potent lines that match the vital energy of the track, adding extra life to the cut.

Listen to Buy One Get One Free III here:

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THE i OF A GENiUS connects with Fatboi Sharif and Noble for surreal single “Y LO HACES”

By Jacob Ezra

New Jersey artist THE i OF A GENiUS has connected with fellow Garden State emcee Fatboi Sharif and Noble for a fresh new song called “Y LO HACES”, produced by genius.world. Following up THE i OF A GENiUS’ psychedelic, potent single “DREAMFIRST.”. “Y LO HACES” contains a similar feeling of hypnotic surrealism that suits his flows as well as those of Sharif and Noble. Underscored by eery, dream-like vocal samples, ethereal guitars, and crystalline keys, the three emcees deliver detailed, vivid lyrics that enhance the song’s otherworldly tone. Darkly meditative and minimalistic, “Y LO HACES” is a lyrically detailed, layered track that manages to do a lot with a little. Give THE i OF A GENiUS’ latest song “Y LO HACES” a listen below now.

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Hidden Renaissance continues “The Hidden Ones” series with infectious third instalment

By Jacob Ezra

Hip-hop collective Hidden Renaissance has been building into an underground supergroup of sorts, as made evident with their prolific recent streak of releases that included the “The Hidden Ones” series. On the third instalment of “The Hidden Ones”, we get a dose of vibrant production from Alkane, as well as blazing flows from Chaos1.0, RahkStar, Humanbien, Ri, K Folks, and Les. With a sleek, energizing R&B and house-influenced melodies, “The Hidden Ones III” picks up an irresistable groove and sets a solid foundation for the emcees dexterous flows. Throwing in engaging melodious inflections and lacing their verses with clever quips that give the song added replay value, the 6 emcees flex their lyrical skills atop Alkane’s colorful sound palette. Check out Hidden Renaissance’s latest song “The Hidden Ones III” below, executively produced by T H R O N E.

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xoKeegan drops eclectic DRIVEBY.-produced EP ‘Where The Water Takes Me’

By Jacob Ezra

xoKeegan has released a new EP titled Where The Water Takes Me, produced entirely by New Jersey beatmaker DRIVEBY. Following up his glitchy, infectious Black Sparrow EP as well as well-received singles like “post-lobotomy”- Where The Water Takes Me conjures a forward-thinking, frigid soundscape laced with industrial tinges, as xoKeegan delivers an eclectic vocal performance that keeps the listener on their toes.

Opener “Mayday” feels subtly apocalyptic with its grimy, chopped-up production and eery flows, while “Harbinger”‘s textural, minimalistic instrumentation adds dynamics. “Ashes On The Ground” is a versatile, darkly atmospheric cut that puts Keegan’s abilities to weave together intricate flows on display. Closer “Over&Over” finishes the project with bittersweet, lo-fi tinged chops and introspective, captivating vocals from xoKeegan.

Give Where The Water Takes Me a listen here on SoundCloud.

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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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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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Lord Sko drops off smoky single “James Worthy Goggles”

By Jacob Ezra

New York artist Lord Sko has shared a new single called “James Worthy Goggles”. At only 19 years-old, the Washington Heights native has positioned himself as a true school hip-hop revivalist, proof that classic hip-hop is not lost in the new generation. With an ever-expanding catalogue that demonstrate his potent, refreshing take on classic NY sounds, Sko continues to build momentum within his city and beyond. Following up his recent singles “Finder’s Fee” and “Yellow Tape”, “James Worthy Goggles” emanates with a nonchalant charisma that captivates from the get-go.

Sko delivers silky flows atop smoky guitars, winding flutes, and warm bass that conjure a hazy, laid-back soundscape. He sounds comfortable in his lane and in the pocket- delivering detailed, observational verses atop the relaxed production. Dropping some quintessentially NY lines and shouting out Stack Bundles, he paints a vivid picture of his life in his city on “James Worthy Goggles”, drawing the listener into the track’s atmosphere in the process.

Give “James Worthy Goggles” a listen here now.

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Daniel Son and Wino Willy shine on “Frog Legs”

By Jacob Ezra

Toronto emcee Daniel Son and New Jersey producer Wino Willy have dropped off a new song, titled “Frog Legs”. This eclectic joint from the two prolific artists contains an undercurrent of powerful energy- expressed through Son’s elaborate flows and Willy’s atmospheric, cathartic production style.

Warm, hypnotic samples, ethereal backing vocals, and an organic-sounding, infectious rhythm section from Willy underscore Son’s poignant, focused verses as he laces the track with detail-rich lines that have the listener re-winding to capture moments. The expressive track contains just the right addition of charisma, distilling a raw formula from the two artists. A song off Daniel Son and Wino Willy’s anticipated LP, Gris Gris, “Frog Legs” presents a potent, eclectic cut, released on the rising label FXCK RXP. Give “Frog Legs” a listen below now.