Browsing Tag

California Hip Hop

Jay Doce lays defencelessly bare in his ethereal rap track, Vulnerable

Posted on 6 February 2023

Up-and-coming Cali hip-hop artist Jay Doce versed poetry into an ethereal atmosphere in his standout single, Vulnerable.

Vulnerability is often something that we’re desperate to hide in our dog-eat-dog world, where weaknesses are exploited, and almost everyone has experienced being ghosted by this point. Jay Doce proved how sweet it can be to open yourself up completely and let the world see your soul exposed.

The melodically downtempo track hits all the right evocative notes instrumentally but the hardest blows come from the songwriter and rapper’s raw expression, which disarms you through the sheer visceral resonance. Any fans of East Coast hip-hop will want to save space for the lyrical luminary on their playlist.

Stream Vulnerable on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Pluto Mars – This Ain’t That: Strap In for a Psychedelic Space Adventure

Posted on 30 November 2022

Luminary Richmond, CA rapper Pluto Mars teamed up with the music video director, Kiko Valle, to take his fans on a psychedelic space adventure with his latest single, This Ain’t That.

The kaleidoscopically fiery rap track meets electro anthem creates a galvanising platform for the bars that bring the new wave of hip hop crashing in around the genre-fluid instrumentals that could easily fill a floor and make it writhe to the futuristically rich melodies.

True to current trends, the short and sweet track runs through in under two minutes, but Pluto Mars used every second to drench you in drum and bass grooves that you will want to sink in time and time again.

This Ain’t That premiered on November 20th; you can catch it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Zinc XD cuts loose in his melodic experimental hip hop track, NO TIES

Posted on 23 October 2022

Northern California hip hop artist and producer Zinc XD used our innate incapacity for honesty as the muse for his stormer of a latest single, NO TIES.

NO TIES breaks boundaries with its intricately exotic instrumentals and sniping lyrical wit that puts the independent 100% DIY artist leagues above the rest. Few push the experimental envelope further than Zinc XD with his melodic electronic sequencing that effortlessly complements his vocal style, which allows you to bask in the charisma in his expression.

After playing around with drums, guitars and lyrics since the age of 6, Zinc XD waited until he was 17 to launch his debut. Many would believe that is still too early to boast a matured sound; to that, I would say just press play and drink in the colourful mellifluous flow of this new wave hit.

Stream NO TIES on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Koosha Azim – Koryŏ Capsule; psychedelia has a brand-new futuristic hip hop flavour

Posted on 12 July 2022

Some people go on holiday and upload a new picture on social media every 30 minutes; when the Cali experimental hip hop artist Koosha Azim hit Seoul in South Korea, his trip inspired two future sonic worlds on his EP, Koryŏ Capsule.

If you needed any convincing that travel really does broaden your mind, delve into the trippy psychedelic textures in the two-track release. Raw yet robust, Koosha Azim pushes the boundaries of hip hop beyond recognition into trippy territory that you will want to visit time and time again.

Track 1, Fly to the South, is a wavey, reverb-dripping and quasi-spiritual track that allows you to taste the spacey transcendence of his journey. While Track 2, Jeju, is a feat of kaleidoscopic ambience, complete with ethereally ambient layers and soul-infused trap star energy.

Koosha Azim began producing music in 2020 after being inspired by a few talented close friends. He started his production experimentalism by sampling old Persian music and orchestral compositions to create his hip-hop beats. Before releasing his EP, Azim released five singles: the first, The Genesis, arriving in late 2020. He is currently working on his debut LP Godspeed Said the Rain, an avant-garde production that processes a coming of age story and falling in love to the backdrop of war & conflict.

Here is what Azim had to say about his latest release:

“Capturing the excitement of moving to Seoul, South Korea, Fly to the South celebrates experiencing the high life of a new region. Akin to the distortion of the mind on a psychedelic journey, the production is arranged with banging 808s, a spiritual flute sample, and a mysterious synth ambience. It is a hip-hop anthem for the restless youth.

Jeju was inspired by a trip to Jeju Island. The island was a peaceful place that inspired the futuristic world I created on the track. The song discusses falling in love in Korea and feeling like a Rockstar while travelling across the globe.”

Koryŏ Capsule was officially released on July 8th. You can check it out by heading to SoundCloud and Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

JODDY has made his debut with the ultimate grounded feel-good hip hop track, TRISHA

Posted on 3 January 2022

Californian rapper and singer-songwriter JODDY has dropped his hook-filled alt hip hop debut single, TRISHA, featuring Hoe Hunna and Maggie Kiing. While some rap artists release music as a means to fame and notoriety, the striking sincerity in JODDY’s debut proves just how invested he is in the life-saving culture of hip hop. After experiencing poverty, gang violence and losses of love, JODDY found solace in music and became inspired to extend that solace to his fans.

The sun-soaked beats, mellifluous cadence and nuances of RnB and Afrobeat in the gorgeously layered vocals ensure that TRISHA runs through as the ultimate grounded feel-good hip hop track.

TRISHA was the first single released from his debut EP, Punch Drunk Music, which promises to deliver relatable substance. Punch Drunk Music will be available to stream and purchase on all major platforms from January 21st, 2022. If you appreciate fresh hip hop talent and dopamine, get him on your radar.

JODDYs debut single, TRISHA, is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The prodigal of dark trap SORAthaMOON returns with his latest single, Damn, featuring Ivytheterrible

Posted on 1 August 2021

LA-born, San Antonio-based experimental artist SORAthaMOON has released his latest dark trap single, Damn, featuring Ivytheterrible, produced by sil; the genre-melding lo-fi track runs free from stylistic constraint. Discernibly, the artist doesn’t follow trends; he creates vibes and eases you into them with the rhythmic pull of his viscerally eerie instrumentals.

Despite the chilling tone, SORAthaMOON’s playful attitude ensured that the ensnaring release isn’t without a potent shot of charisma. The roots of old school hip hop pull through in Damn, but SORAthaMOON contorts them into his signature sound that we are sure will see him go far.

Check out Damn for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

OvaDos stops the clock in his latest RnB hip hop release, ‘TIMES UP’.

Posted on 27 June 2021

Inglewood, CA rapper, songwriter, producer and engineer OvaDos has eight years of experience in the industry which shines through in his latest 3-track release, TIMES UP.

Each of the three singles is a smooth, mellow feat of RnB hip hop, but the standout track TOOL proves why OvaDos is primed to take over the rap game. After an ethereal, atmospheric intro, OvaDos grooves in with his sublime rap flow; the canter is enough to give J Cole envy.

Despite his hunger to become an intrinsic part of the music industry, his self-produced and engineered hits still carry a humble, instantly loveable vibe that will inject plenty of your soul onto your playlists.

TIMES UP is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast