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Rap Music Promotion Blog

PK1UP – Wordplay: When Southern Gothic Hip Hop Met UK Grime

Posted on 21 January 2025

Birmingham-based PK1UP’s single, Wordplay, produced by Tezza Beats, has earned the independent artist a spot on the UK hip-hop map. With a Southern Gothic backdrop framing his bars and beats, the trailblazing luminary broke the mould while ensuring the accessibility of the track was never compromised. It’s all rooted in his ability to interplay cadence with candour; the way the metric precision carries the raw vulnerability and well-earned swagger ensures that too many hits of this track are never enough.

With every new listen, you find a new facet of genius within the lyrics. Between the evolving reprises and the progressive narrative, Wordplay pulls you closer to the artist’s scarred psyche, which is exhibited without apology or apprehension. The melodies make it an effortless track to listen to, but there’s nothing easy about the lyrical content—that shit will stick with you long after the outro.

PK1UP, who is quickly becoming a name to know in UK rap, brings a fresh perspective to the scene. With a distinct sound influenced by Detroit/Flint beats and experiments in Southern Hip Hop, Drill, and Grime, he’s already released over ten tracks, two music videos, and a standout collaboration with NasP on If Rap Don’t Work.

Wordplay is pure urban aural gold, a testament to PK1UP’s relentless artistry and refusal to compromise on authenticity.

Wordplay is now available to stream on all major platforms, including YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

LZee Walks the Razor’s Edge with Brutal Honesty in ‘3 am on LSD’

Posted on 16 January 2025

At just 16, Chicago-based rapper LZee proves he’s already a lyrical force to be reckoned with on 3 am on LSD. The brutally honest track exhibits the emotional turbulence of living on the edge as a coping mechanism. While many up-and-coming rappers lean on bravado, LZee flips the script with visceral candour, exposing raw vulnerability that resonates far beyond the surface.

The juxtaposition of the warm Latin guitar melody against the hard-hitting rattle of the 808s creates a magnetic dynamic, softening the blow of the heavy-hitting bars while keeping the track grounded in its gritty realism. LZee’s flow is flawless, with every syllable delivered in perfect rhythmic precision, amplifying the weight of his introspection.

Taken from his 2025 LP, Anti, 3 am on LSD demonstrates a prodigious level of polish in both its beats and lyricism, making it clear that LZee is not just another voice in the crowd. His ability to balance emotional depth with technical chops marks him as a standout in the hip-hop scene.

With his versatility and sharp wordplay, LZee is poised to climb to the heights his talent demands. If the industry has any sense, this single will be the spark that sets LZee’s career ablaze.

3 am on LSD is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

SAINT tgw – ‘in darkness,’; Hip-Hop’s Firestorm of Authenticity and Emotive Artillery

Posted on 14 January 2025

SAINT tgw is etching his way into the annals of hip-hop history with his raw authenticity and trademark emotively cinematic sound, and his latest single, in darkness, sets his reputation ablaze. Influenced by icons such as Tupac, Nas, and Biggie, while standing shoulder to shoulder with contemporaries like Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, and Drake, the rapper is blazing his own trail to the top without missing a step.

in darkness doesn’t just hit hard; it hits in all the right places. The high-energy intensity is perfectly juxtaposed with the meticulously measured cadence of his bars, which command a layered track that transcends typical hip-hop beats. Bluesy guitars angularly cut through the polished production, while the rattle of the 808s and blasts of bass create a visceral foundation for his fervent lyricism and charismatic conviction.

The anthem is a soundscape that melts the mind into susceptibility, making it impossible not to lock into SAINT tgw’s unrelenting momentum. SAINT tgw isn’t merely riding a wave of hype—he is the hype. in darkness solidifies his place as an industry heavyweight in the making and confirms what fans of raw, unfiltered hip-hop already know: SAINT tgw isn’t just aiming for greatness—he’s claiming it.

‘in darkness,’ will be available to stream on all major platforms, including SoundCloud, from January 14th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

INFAMOUS C-4 Brings the Boom Back with ‘Hear Me Now’

Posted on 9 January 2025

Atlanta’s INFAMOUS C-4 doesn’t just live up to the explosive energy in his moniker; he defies expectations with every bar in his latest single, ‘Hear Me Now.’ Anchored in the golden era of hip-hop, the track’s nostalgic boom-bap beats and rattling 808s nod to the days when DJ Jazzy Jeff ruled the airwaves.

‘Hear Me Now’ doesn’t lean on the past; it reinvents it. INFAMOUS C-4’s smooth melodic flow rides the beat with an effortlessness that feels timeless, while his lyrics leave pretence at the door. Every verse, delivered with playfully witty charisma and undeniable determination, showcases his ability to craft tracks that build a vibe that’s impossible to ignore. The jazzy undertones in the production give the track a temperate warmth, hinting at the wide-ranging influences that shape his sound.

Already making waves with live performances across Atlanta, INFAMOUS C-4’s reputation is backed by good reviews and a hunger for greatness. His commitment to his craft – from top-tier rhyming to impeccable song-making – puts him in a league of his own. With the right push, the Grammy dreams feel less like ambition and more like inevitability.

Hear Me Now is available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify, where you can also discover his sophomore LP, Traffic Jamz Da Mixtape.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Aireill broke convention with his confessional alt-hip-hop track, I Might Die Like This

Posted on 8 January 2025

Aireill’s standout single I Might Die Like This, produced by Zeus the God and taken from his debut LP, Atonement., plunges into the raw depths of introspection. Saturated in delay and trippy alt-hip-hop textures, the track is a hazy yet vibrant meditation on pain and resilience, brought to life with an undercurrent of dancehall warmth. The production’s hazily distorted instrumentals create a transcendental backdrop while Aireill’s emotive bars storm through a narrative steeped in fiery urgency.

As the title suggests, the lyrical content doesn’t shy away from heavy emotional territory, yet Aireill transforms his personal confessions into a universal sentiment. His ability to connect with listeners while laying his struggles bare reflects the heart of his artistry. Beyond an outlet for pain, I Might Die Like This offers an unflinching mirror to anyone wrestling with their own demons.

Hailing from Sanford, Florida, and deeply influenced by his formative years in Jamaica, Aireill’s sound is steeped in duality. His roots in both hip-hop and dancehall are evident as he fuses his rhythmic foundations with a modern alt-hip-hop edge. What began at 14 as an exploration of music evolved into a deeply therapeutic process, allowing Aireill to hone his skills as a rapper, singer, and beatmaker while confronting life’s challenges.

With Atonement., Aireill demonstrates the versatility and depth of his creative vision. Each track offers a different lens into his emotional and artistic journey, and I Might Die Like This is the undeniable standout.

Stream Aireill’s debut LP, Atonement., on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lil Dom reigned as trap royalty in his emotively heavy hit, ‘emo prince’

Posted on 8 January 2025

Lil Dom has staked his claim as emo trap royalty with emo prince, a dark, immersive plunge into raw vulnerability. The track’s opening minor-key Latin guitar strings set a deceptively tranquil tone before the instrumentals dissipate into wavy obscurity, amplifying the emotional weight carried by his confessional lyricism. Every beat and verse swells with unfiltered emotion, creating a soundscape where ennui and exhaustion echo with haunting relatability.

Known for reshaping contemporary music’s edges with his blend of emo rap, cloud rap, and hyperpop, Lil Dom’s artistry pushes boundaries without losing sight of raw authenticity. emo prince exemplifies his ability to bridge the sonic gap between introspective lyricism and cutting-edge production. The track’s cathartic undercurrent doesn’t just narrate the tortured psyche—it invites listeners to sit in its midst, offering a shared solace for those wrestling with the weight of burnout.

As the song builds, its brooding atmosphere fractures with the bite of a raw rock riff, giving a powerful, climactic release that anchors the listener within its emotive grasp.

emo prince dropped on December 27; stream the single on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Le$Lie & Stevie the Vibe’s ‘Spend A Lil Sum’ – Hip-Hop Reimagined in a Kaleidoscope of Innovation

Posted on 7 January 2025
https://open.spotify.com/wrapped/share/share-6c57c85bdfe043e698553816c43fe457?si=aDLm-z6ARBOsQ02eQLSwpg&track-id=0Pj2z1QrWsCoakc3obi9ta

Stevie the Vibe and Le$Lie delivered a dark, trippy, bass-drenched experience with ‘Spend A Lil Sum’ while finding a pioneering way to pay tribute to the timeless appeal of old-school hip-hop.

The instrumentals oscillate in a mind-bending fusion of bass and sharply cinematic minor-key piano notes, and the relentless rhythmic precision underlines the bars as they bleed into the mix with seamless cohesion. RnB-esque vocals intensify the track’s immersive, urban kaleidoscope, giving the lyrics a spotlight that demands total attention. Then comes the sermon-esque outro, infused with shimmering gospel hues, branding this standout cut from the 2024 LP, Pressure, as a defining moment for both collaborators.

Prior to putting the Pressure LP into motion, Le$Lie honed his craft at the University of Michigan, earning a BFA in Musical Theatre while minoring in Performing Arts Management and Entrepreneurship. When the pandemic struck, he cut his teeth as a producer before unveiling his debut single, ‘In Too Deep’. Soon after, he reunited with his high school friend, Stevie the Vibe, to record the Pressure LP and co-founded Vibrascope Records—aimed at offering independent artists budget-friendly promotional opportunities.

Beyond his studio pursuits, Le$Lie is also a seasoned Broadway actor who spent two years on the First Broadway National Tour of Jagged Little Pill, appeared with the Toledo Symphony in A Gershwin Celebration, performed as Bamatabois in Les Misérables at The Muny, and took a lead role in a national Xbox commercial.

Spend A Lil Sum is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

KiDD Crash hit hard with his hyper-trap earworm, Fuck with Some Bitches ft Res YaxX

Posted on 6 January 2025

KIDD Crash’s seminal alt-rap track, ‘Fuck with Some Bitches’, featuring Res YaxX, obliterates genre boundaries. This high-octane track from the 2024 LP Partycrasher strikes like a sonic wrecking ball, merging hyper-trap tempos, polyphonic production, and silky vocal lines that tether the chaos. In a frenetic mix teetering on the edge of over-facing, the melody pulls through like a lifeline, steering listeners through the trippy, neon-lit, 8-bit-adjacent soundscape.

Hailing from Cleveland but shaped by Toronto, Ohio, and Florida influences, KIDD Crash (Jamelle Lillard) proves he’s no ordinary upstart. Armed with an honours degree in music production and a grind-hardened work ethic honed since his 2015 debut, Crash fuses raw ambition with the technical chops to rival his idols—Drake, The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar, and J Cole.

His dedication has seen him crossing borders to film music videos in Negril and Toronto, yet his roots in Sanford, Florida, remain grounded. Having first recorded music in his stepfather’s home studio at age 10 and cut his teeth on an upright bass in his high school orchestra, Crash’s sonic evolution has been a lifetime in the making.

With its acerbic wit and blistering conviction, Fuck with Some Bitches doesn’t just slap; it commands attention. As we step into 2025, KIDD Crash may still be hustling for his chart-topping breakthrough as a criminally underrated artist, but if he keeps on producing hits in the same vein as Fuck with Some Bitches, justice will soon be served.

Fuck with Some Bitches is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

DAlcon threaded the resolve of resilience through his latest alt-hip-hop track, Keep Going

Posted on 22 December 2024

DAlcon, the London-based rapper who split his upbringing between the UK and Spain, isn’t waiting for permission to redefine expectations. After capturing headlines in May 2022 by setting a Guinness World Record for the Longest Rap Marathon (39 hours, 37 minutes, and 45 seconds) and drawing attention from outlets like the BBC and Sky News, he now turns adversity into artistry. Health struggles, home eviction, and mental conflict only sharpened his resolve, pushing him to blend natural ambience with hip-hop to form his own authentic signature.

His latest single, Keep Going, plays out as a collaboration with the raw textures of nature rather than another industry-dominating name. There’s almost a sliver of Crazy Town’s Butterfly threaded through the soundscape and a whisper of Linkin Park’s lyrical potency woven in, but don’t expect a simple homage. DAlcon channels these influences to deliver an anarchic twist of future-focused ingenuity. Amidst an era when so many wear victimhood like a safety net, his lyrical grit calls listeners to account, reminding them that self-responsibility trumps complacency.

Each note surges with resilience, each lyric challenges the culture of blame. The emotive orchestration consoles while the words ignite. It’s a bold testament to the idea that no matter how scorched the earth, new seeds can grow if you choose not to surrender.

Stream the official music video for Keep Going on YouTube now, or go further in your support for DAlcon by purchasing the single on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

GiNN 諸葛靖 Darkened the Sphere of EDM Hip-Hop with His Seductively Entrancing Hit, Dizzy

Posted on 20 December 2024

One hit of Dizzy— GiNN 諸葛靖’s biggest single to date, which has racked up over 141k Spotify streams—slams you straight into a dark intersection between EDM & Hip-Hop.

Fans of both genres have had no trouble clocking the ingenuity behind this dark, reverberant, pulse-commandeering anthem that drags you into rhythmic submission.  GiNN’s bars become a magnetic focal point in the track as they wrestle the thick, pulsative progressions into line, a feat few could pull off without buckling under their own ambition.

Every progression is a juggernaut, hell-bent on stomping its influence onto the dancefloor and sinking into your synapses. It’s seductive but never salacious. Instead, it’s powered by the raw magnetism of GiNN’s enigmatic presence.

As a Los Angeles-born, Chinese American starving artist who grew up drifting between East and West, GiNN 諸葛靖 channels House, Techno, DNB, and ATL influences into his own Electro Hop blueprint. The lyrics may be indecipherable at times, but who cares when the vibe slaps this hard?

Stream Dizzy on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast