Browsing Tag

Afrobeat Hip Hop

.Roy Rekindles Hedonism and Hustle in His Hip-Hop Anthem, ‘Lush’

With Afrobeat and Dancehall motifs raising the temperature in the already fiery-from-the-fervent-flows track, Lush by .Roy is a serious contender for the underground hip-hop hit of the summer. Hedonism runs rampant through the rhythms and bars, getting you in the mood to throw away inhibition, knock back your favourite vice, and pull in somebody close. With far more substance than your average party hip-hop anthem, .Roy used the track as the perfect opportunity to flex his ability to wax lyrical while hyping the instrumentals to the nth degree. Lush deserves to reverberate on dancehalls and in house parties far and wide; it’s only a matter of time before the mainstream knows the trailblazer’s name.

Born in Newark, New Jersey, .Roy filters his sonic blueprints through love and universal order while refusing to confine himself to a reality designed by someone else. With a part-time Spirit Detective mindset and a full-time hero complex, .Roy’s music isn’t just a vibe, it’s a manifesto carved from chaos and imagination. His experimental tendencies never dilute his lyrical clarity—he knows hip-hop is his home, and there’s no lease expiry in sight.

Through Lush, he proves he can blur genre lines without losing his footing. While the rhythm intoxicates, the narrative sharpens—the push-pull between carnal abandon and spiritual self-awareness is what gives this track its bite. The period in his name marks not an end but a defiant continuation—and if Lush is any indication, the next chapter is already being written at full volume.

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

Review by Amelia Vandergast.

Grind to the groove of ZYNOVOX & Omofaaji’s Afrobeat Hip-Hop anthem, HUSTLE

ZYNOVOX and Omofaaji’s track ‘HUSTLE’ kicks off deceptively chilled with an ambient, tropically sweet prelude, before locking listeners into a fervent rhythm that sparks a grind-to-the-groove mentality. This isn’t empty bravado or excess flash; the Nigerian-born, Essex-based artist ZYNOVOX, known for his dexterous fusions of rap, afrobeat, drill, pop, and dancehall, fuels the fire with real intention.

Taking cues from Eminem and Kanye yet pushing beyond imitation, ZYNOVOX amplifies his influences into something slick and undeniably fresh. Paired with Omofaaji’s contribution, the dual bars bring serious heat, weaving soul-driven verses with high-fire conviction. The seamless interplay intensifies the track’s infectious dancehall rhythm, steering it clear from mediocrity and towards an anthem crafted to push listeners into new life heights.

‘HUSTLE’ is more than radio-ready; it’s practically engineered to provoke DJs into placing it straight onto their A-lists. With rhythms built for the dancefloor and lyrical bars compelling enough to elevate your serotonin levels, this track effortlessly unites substance with groove. It doesn’t flex for applause—it authentically motivates, setting a high-energy standard that’s impossible to ignore.

‘HUSTLE’ is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

DAP The Contract & Suté Iwar Turn Up the Heat with the Sun-Soaked Rhythms of ‘Fàájì’

With the single, Fàájì, DAP The Contract and Suté Iwar locked into an up-tempo groove that pulses with rhythm-led euphoria, lifting you so high you’ll be waiting for the comedown.

Lauded by just about everyone that matters, DAP The Contract exudes the same stylistically luxe enlivening energy as Pharrell Williams as he finds vibe-heavy intersections between hip-hop and sun-bleached Afrobeat grooves, resulting in a sound that could light up dancehalls and dominate the streets.

DAP’s journey has never followed a straight line. From Lagos to London, from Berklee to Columbia Law School, he’s discovered a space where classical training meets raw creative instinct. Nine solo projects deep and fresh off performances alongside Burna Boy, Skepta, and Rema, he leans into his Nigerian roots on Fàájì, weaving highlife and Afrobeat elements into his ever-evolving sound.

There’s no understating the feel-good appeal that cascades straight through your speakers into your rhythmic pulses. Despite the electronic production, there’s something fundamentally human with the silky vocals sliding over the mix and taking reigns of the earworm you’ll pray won’t ever leave. DAP carries the same effortlessly stylish energy as Pharrell Williams, making every moment of the track feel alive, electrified, and impossible to resist.

With over 4.5 million streams and 1.5 million video views, DAP The Contract isn’t just gaining traction—he’s taking over, one infectious production at a time.

Fàájì is now available on all major streaming platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Startzy keeps the vibe flowing in his latest high calibre and fire hit, In My Cup

South London’s Startzy returns with In My Cup, a viscerally vibrant exhibition of what it means to live with a lust for life. Following the success of Wahala Don Enter, Startzy continues to showcase his versatility, blending euphoric Afrobeats with smooth melodies and the raw energy of his roots. Inspired by a recent trip to Nigeria, the track captures the spirit of his travels while maintaining the feel-good energy that made his previous releases fan favourites.

With an infectious charisma riding every euphoric wave, Startzy orchestrated the ultimate rap anthem for those moments when you want the vibe to flow as freely as the urban earworm that could send an Afrobeat crowd into frenzy.

Startzy’s ability to command the written word and deliver cheek-driven, irreverent charm elevates In My Cup to anthem status. With co-signs from Flowdan and P Money, over 250k streams under his belt, and performances alongside Tinie Tempah and Kano, Startzy’s star is undeniably rising. In My Cup doesn’t just set the grimey gold standard—it proves he’s only just warming up.

Stream the official music video for In My Cup on YouTube now.

Follow Startzy to stay up to date with all of his new drops and news via Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

GeeMarr became the sound of summer with his afrobeat scorcher, Sosa

The Jamaica-born, South London-raised artist and producer, GeeMarr, continued his ascent from the underground with his latest single, Sosa. The irresistibly rich synthesis of rhythm, obsession and soul is poised to become any discerning afrobeat fan’s quintessential summer anthem.

Sosa fuses his foundational influence of afrobeat rhythms with the verve of hip-hop and the intricacy of Latin-infused melodies to weave sensuous intimacy throughout the production; each beat becomes a seductive pulse which seizes the warmth of summer.

The instrumental complexity surpasses typical chart-topping hits, showcasing a depth that hints at GeeMarr’s potential to redefine genre boundaries. Each layer of sound is meticulously crafted, from the soulful synths to the bouncy Afrobeat drums, culminating in a hook that lingers long after the final note.

The artfully crafted experience designed to pull listeners into a vivid atmosphere of rhythmic celebration is accompanied by a high-production music video that mirrors the song’s dynamic energy. Through visuals that are as vibrant as the track itself, the video highlights the dancy, energetic nature of Sosa, further cementing GeeMarr’s footprint in the Afrobeat domain.

Written, produced, and performed by GeeMarr, ‘Sosa’ stands as a testament to his artistry and vision. With its intricate instrumentals and thematic richness, the track is set to leave a lasting impression. As Sosa gains traction, it’s clear that GeeMarr is crafting a legacy that will soon beckon a mainstream awakening to his sound.

The official music video for Sosa, which has already racked up over 25k reviews, premiered on July 18; be a part of the hype and stream the video on YouTube or check out the track on all major streaming platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

KillaHrtz – Delusional: Let Your Logic Slip with the Hottest Hip-Hop Hit of the Summer

Delusional by KillaHrtz featuring Ronnie Quest and Jibril is drenched in a hazy heat and anchored in rhythmically rich textures. Starting with sultry Latin guitars, this single is poised to be the hottest hip-hop hit of the summer – literally and figuratively. The lyrics artfully explore how easily lust can lead to delusion, while the beats provide a foundation of impossible-to-resist organic danceable rhythms

Produced by KillaHrtz and Empedoklez, Delusional exemplifies the seamless blend of style and soul. KillaHrtz, a versatile producer based in Los Angeles, is renowned for his exceptional sound quality and production skills. As the founder of KillaHrtz Productions, he brings a unique, positive energy to every project, making him a sought-after collaborator in the industry.

The dynamic vocal performances from Ronnie Quest and Jibril further elevate the track as the sensually tropical vibes of Delusional invite listeners to let their logic slip and fully immerse themselves in the hot and heavy experience. With its infectious grooves and cultivated lyrical cadence, Delusional is a standout release that will undoubtedly dominate summer playlists.

As KillaHrtz prepares to release more singles and an eagerly anticipated EP project in 2024, Delusional sets a high bar and leaves us eager for what’s next.

Delusional is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Flex3r created a meditative dreamscape with his pop-hip-hop crossover, Let It Go

Flex3r (AKA Cedric Kasongo) versed the bars that punctuate his honeyed harmonies straight from the soul in his latest cocktail of hip-hop, RnB, Afrobeat and pop, Let It Go. Since making his debut, he’s established himself as an authentically compelling creator who pushes the limits of hip-hop; with Let It Go, he allowed his sound to sit on a plateau of pure mindful compassion.

While no one ever needs permission to let negativity go, we all need affirmations weaved into cathartically euphonic soundscapes from time to time. Harbouring hate will only serve to hold you back in life; let it go, and unshackle yourself with this stunning dreamscape of a release that borders on psychedelic etherealism.

The Congolese-American recording artist is clearly one to watch; from the distinction in his signature style to the revelations in his lyrics, the melody-maker who was born in DR Congo, raised in Zambia, and lives in Baton Rouge, is unparalleled through his determination to stay in his own lane.

Let It Go breathed freedom onto the airwaves on October 13; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Kevin Paradise drove his melodies into the fast lane with his genre-fluid Afro-centric hit, Racecar.

The American artist, Kevin Paradise (AKA Pop Paradise), always keeps a firm rhythmic grip on his Togolese roots in his radio-ready productions. His latest single, Racecar, which follows his riotously sun-kissed seminal EP, Anarchy in Paradise, provides the perfect introduction to his authentic Afro-blend sound.

Racecar amalgamates elements of Afrobeat with hip-hop and pop to deliver a distinctive cocktail of culture that will intoxicate your rhythmic pulses from the first verse. Between the intricate beats, soaring sax lines and sensually high-fire vocal lines, don’t be surprised if your speakers start to blow smoke while they’re pulsating to the grooves.

When Kevin Paradise isn’t creating floor fillers and party starters, in the vein of Racecar, he’s delivering relatable lyricism to his audience that has come to revere his lyricism as resonant sonic gold. His dynamic discography is a sure sign he will hold dominion over the Afrobeat terrain for years to come.

Stream Racecar, which cruised onto the airwaves this summer, on Spotify.

Keep up to date with the latest hits from Kevin Paradise on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

THE VISION blurred sonic boundaries beyond definition in his latest rocksteady with vibes production, WANNA KNOW

Sonic boundaries blurred beyond definition in the latest single, WANNA KNOW, from the London-based fusionist artist, engineer, and producer, THE VISION. Instead of pandering to arbitrary stylistic parameters, the alternative artist let rhythm and soul take the wheel and drive with the top down while painting a contemporary love story with more twists than a Shakespearean tragedy.

With so many lyrical layers to unpeel in WANNA KNOW, the trap pop hit spills a narrative that keeps giving with every listen; lock into the lyricism or lose yourself in the steamy synthetics of the hit, that provides the ultimate soundtrack to hazy summer nights with the Afrobeat rhythms, pop hooks, trap beats and deeply reverberant RnB vocal melodies.

WANNA KNOW hit the airwaves on the 14th of July; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Alex Caban embraced the future of Afrobeat Hip-Hop with ‘Anything’, featuring Jessica Peros

Brooklyn-based Hip-hop and Afrobeat fusionist Alex Caban is in fiery fresh form in his latest visionary EP, Love Letters. In the standout single, Anything, dark, moody, and future-ready electronica motifs collide with more evocatively inclined instrumentals to balance soul and scorn; the lyrical interplay between Caban and the featuring artist Jessica Peros amplifies the evocatively torrid gravity of the release to the nth degree. If there is any track that alludes to the danger of limerence, it is this consistently evolving narrative of insecurity, jealousy and passion.

With Jessica Peros’ Lady Gaga-Esque sultry vocal lines against Caban’s rapid-fire canter that will leave heads in a rhythmic spin, Anything is an impassioned triumph that makes no bones about alluding to how deep emotions run. Instead of scratching the surface, the lyricality of Caban’s emotionally-rounded triumph digs affectionately deep.

With meta lines such as “You’re not an astronaut, so why are you needing space”, the stellar production and the sonic distinction, you can consider Alex Caban a triple-threat.

Stream the Love Letters EP via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast