SoReal expanded his Cinematic MusicVerse with Glass Hearts (Act II), a tension-soaked hip-hop chapter where film, narrative, and atmospheric production converge into a world built with discipline, desire, and emotional consequence. The visuals carry blockbuster scale, with sleek metropolitan styling, luxe lighting, and symbolic shifts that turn the music video into a full narrative instalment.
Following the groundwork of Act I, this second chapter introduces the Muse as a figure of connection and emotional truth, pulling the protagonist into the fragile space between temptation and what the spirit truly needs. Everything is brought to a fever pitch of polished and stylised pressure as SoReal lays down lived-in contemporary philosophy for the soul.
His delivery feels mesmerically measured and meticulously metered, grounding the track with passion, discipline, and accountability. Against the lofty female harmonies, his voice becomes the centre of gravity, carrying reflections on love, scars, faith, ambition, and the bruising process of becoming.
The outro pushes Glass Hearts (Act II) into subversively surreal territory, depicting universal oneness against the sharp edges of city desire… Mind. Blown. Once we’ve picked up the pieces, we’ll start anticipating the next chapter.
Glass Hearts (Act II) is now available to stream on all major platforms. But you’re going to want to check it out on YouTube, obviously.
Dark trap freestyler, PaNaMa HoLLa released his most menacing mix to date with WickSun (R&R).
The gentle piano loop filtering into a reverb-filled space sets a hauntingly disquieting atmosphere before PaNaMa HoLLa rolls in with his bared-teeth bars, snarling his way through the expansive production, which puts his measured-with-ferocity vocals front and centre, daring you to confront the visceral exposition of his hunger and determination.
If you’ve ever wanted to know what lies behind the façade of a fearless freestyler, WickSun is the ultimate gateway into an unreckonable talented mind. With PaNaMa HoLLa, cadence always precedes calculation, giving his bars an edge in the flattened wasteland of music of the freestyle scene. There’s a dangerous sense of immediacy riding through the undercurrent of the track; waves of tension refuse to break as pressure from the beat and delivery continue to tighten simultaneously.
PaNaMa HoLLa’s wider discography follows that same method, building songs from freestyle first and writing second, which explains why his work hits with such natural propulsion. As an independent artist with a PRO-registered catalogue and a growing reputation for writing with and for other artists, he is moving with the kind of leverage that comes from knowing exactly what he brings to the table.
WickSun (R&R) is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.
Few artists treat hip-hop as both a spiritual pulpit and a political loudspeaker quite like Malak Shalom. In this A&R Factory interview, the Texas-born rapper reflects on the influences that shaped his worldview, from the lyricism of Black Star and Nas to the unexpected pull of metal guitars and Christian rock. Our conversation moves through the gritty persistence required to keep creating while feeling overlooked, the genre-fluid philosophy behind tracks such as Belly Jelly, and the cinematic cowboy mythology that fuels his Hip-Hop Wrangler persona. Shalom also unpacks the political motivations behind The Undocumented Alienz and explains how alternate identities such as Shavirus allow him to express different facets of his voice. The result is a candid discussion about faith, protest, storytelling, and the restless creative mindset driving his music forward.
Great to have you here at A&R Factory, Malak Shalom — your eclectic discography has us absolutely hooked. We’d love to start by asking about your hip-hop origin story; how did it all start?
Much gratitude. Hip-Hop has always been a counterculture or subculture for many, especially inner-city populations predominantly. For me personally it engulfed my upbringing. Music in general has surrounded me. Hip-Hop was the popular trend! Black Star showed me wordsmith ability and the depths of lyrical construction. Common gave me postive vibes and more social insight. Especially the specific song he did called “Assata.” Nas lyrical skills mixed with that New York Queens grit was a strong influence indeed. Lately I been really bumping “Promise 2 God” by Sevin. I enjoy Aviyah. I really like Aviyah’s music. So if she ever reads this, please keep creating! All praises!! So in more direction towards your question it all started with a karaoke, mic, and some tapes!
What hurdles have you had to overcome to deliver the hits that are racking up tens of thousands of streams?
Thank you for labeling them hits. Unfortunately, I dont fill the adoration and still feel like Im an overlooked ghost. Not that I desire attention. But this is a business, a purpose, and gift meant for the masses. A gift is meant to be given. And numbers do determine success to a large degree in this industry. I still feel like I haven’t yet conquered the hurdle of getting the right exposure to help push the brand further. But hey, all it takes is one well positioned person to see the vision and help get things in real motion. The main hurdle i circumvented is the motivation and discipline to keep going. Keep creating through it all. That hurdle I believe I trounced.
You’ve built a reputation for pulling myriads of genres into your sound without ever losing your core identity. When you think back on your early years, what shaped that instinct to treat genre as raw material rather than something fixed in place?
Great question! I love great questions! My saying goes: the mind is open but the path is narrow. Im a fan to all, well most, music objectively. Just like I would study any autobiography/biography with open mindedness. In order to do this one must be pensive with a solid foundation. Know how to filter information and take or borrow what you need. But your core character has to be solid to not loose what makes you you. When you walk in Truth with God all things are tools at your disposal. You have access to the knowledge and information but the wisdom oversees it all if you know what I mean. Today music in general, even Hip-Hop, is evolving to be more flexible or experimental without loosing its signature. Travis Scott was kicking something like that in his latest Rolling Stone interview. Signature sound has its place yet you dont want to be a rigid artist. Breaking the monotony is beneficial.
Where did the whiskey-soaked imagery and moody attitude of The Hip-Hop Wangler originate for you, and what personal experiences fed into its world-building?
Another good question. I was born in Texas. So a great part of me has always been fond to Cowboys. Cowboys to a good extent are a fun part of Americas history. I love western novels. I enjoy Buffalo Soldier history. Don’t get it mistaken, I absolutely pull much enjoyment from large cities and can be a real social butterfly, but its nothing like a small town and riding through the country side blasting “Hometown Girl” by Josh Turner. The Hip-Hop Wrangler came after vibing to the beat. The concept came naturally along with the sister songs that followed afterwards. “Heeler Rope” “Belly Jelly” and dont forget to check out the newest one hopefully it will come to Spotify soon, called “Whats Your Local(455).”
Your most-streamed track, Belly Jelly, brings rock licks snarling into the production in a way that felt completely natural. What’s your relationship with rock, and how did those textures become part of your sonic signature?
Oh yea im definitely a Rocker dude! Especially Christian Rock. Bands like Chevelle, Five Finger Death Punch, Bad Omens, Three days grace, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nine Inch Nails, Likin Park, and Nirvana have caught my ear. Atleast a few of their songs have. Different people and different walks in my life journey have exposed me to different genres of music. We all crossed paths for a reason just like intersections and four way stop signs. Most people find it funny that for me, being a so-called African American, my favorite musical instrument is the metal guitar. I was kinda bugging out when I found out that the lead vocalist for the band Sevan Dust was a black guy with dreadlocks at the time lol As dark as he was I was even looking into Ozzy and Black Sabbath. Reading a little into his autobiography I can see what caused him to turn away from religious faith. That same point of contact discourages many. But yea, I definitely digg some rock just not the real dark demonic stuff. That type I can’t even listen to objectively due to the sound and subconscious mind, that we do have to be careful in warding. A true artist in my opinion cannot be categorized. A true artist has many layers and textures.
On the other end of the spectrum, The Undocumented Alienz satirises a brutal political reality through red hot EDM beats and post-modern lyricism. What pulled you toward tackling the US immigration system, and why through that particular sonic lens?
Such a hot topic isn’t it! I mentioned the word counterculture earlier. Artist have always been the true influences to challenge or encourage political change. Using our music as a vanguard to convey impactful messages is what its all about even in the face of controversy or criticism, and sometimes even death. Conspiracies are a real thing in many cases, and just because we use words to demonize our group people or ideas dosent change a matter of truth. And the truth is immigration is defined by the true ones that called themselves pilgrims that came with violence, false treatise, and shrewd tactics to take something in the name of settlement. Then once established as a nation you then create policies to bring back the same people you destroyed and kicked out from the surrounding countries to work in your factories and agricultural for cheap, with no legal process, to turn around and victimize them for the same thing. Almost like creating the problem then offering the solution. And obviously this is not the case indefinitely. I mean it can get deep. For me overall immigrants in this case means the indigenous. The so called white immigrants, although some isolated incidents and other labor struggles and forms of discrimination did accure to them as well, but collectively most of them did, and can, absorb easily into the white population. Automatically you naturally associate immigrants with black and brown people. So thus was the song inspired. Next question…
You work under multiple artistic identities, including your Shavirus moniker. How do those different personas help you express the full scope of what you’re trying to say as an artist and as a human being living through chaotic cultural conditions?
I know right. Good question. I fell like Christ when He turned to His disciples and basically said I am called many names but what do you call me…
Like the villian Bane on Batman Dark Knight Rises said: “It dosent matter who we are. What matters is our plan.”
Names posses meanings obviously. The persona of Shavirus is lyrical potent sickness. I desire to plague the game beyond lyrical wordsmith but with TRUTH!! And speaking of culture conditions, as gloomy as it may sound, i personally think they will be releasing a second strain of the Corona virus. Or in other words another plandemic. I know. I know sounds like another conspiracy; eitherway it has truth, cause THE SHAVIRUS iz coming soon!!!
What moments in your real life have pushed you towards this ethos of refusing sonic conformity?
Revolutionary iz in my blood and teaching. Many X Black Panthers Party members have taught me lessons and recommend literature for me to consume. Im not a rebel without a cause. For Satan himself was a rebel. Im down to conform to true justice, true liberty, and true equality with fairness. Neither am I a communist. I see the flaws in all government systems and believe they have to be living, adjustable, quick, and flexible to work for the majority of the people. And overall they must not oprress its poor or minorities. I guess its like Henry Thoreau “Civil Disobedience” or Martin with “Militant Nonviolence.” However, soon it may have to evolve into “any means necessary” by Malcolm. Even Christ stood to deliver the brokenhearted, poor, and oppressed. Not just Spiritually but it was an actual movement. A big reason why He was crucified.
Looking ahead, what emotional or cultural threads are you planning on bringing into your sound next?
More of what I been doing plus touching on more real-time affairs in the world. Im always down to mix it up a bit. Keeping it positive, introspective, political, social, and overall Spirtual. I desire to be an artist to make a song for the occasion without overly compromising. Flexible and multifaceted. Artist are storytellers and journalists news reporters. Let us bring the good news along with fun entertainment; for it is a business at the end of the day. But sometimes its the business mindset that currops uz…. Thanks for the interview.
Rap renegade Sicko reached the epitome of staying true to his moniker with ADDICTED TO FLESH, a grimey, in all conceivable ways, descent into beat-driven, smuttily macabre dark hip-hop torn straight from his LP, Dark Rap, Vol. 1.
The single makes a deliberate mockery of the easily offended, pushing lyrical extremes until the abrasive surface reveals something far more calculated. Beneath the spat-with-venom bars sits an obscure ingenuity that refuses half-measures. Sicko moves with the mindset of an ultimate contrarian rapper on the ascent, tearing through pretenders who posture as edgy while clinging to safety nets. Even Insane Clown Posse would struggle to match the sheer lyrical volition on display here. As Sicko, AKA the Demon King and damaged lyric spitter from the Mire, he drives straight into territory most artists only flirt with.
The production remains unflinching. Porn-groan samples are folded unapologetically into the structure, amplifying the deranged lothario persona he inhabits with unsettling conviction. There is no softening of the message, no cushioning of the themes. ADDICTED TO FLESH forces a confrontation with sex addiction. Good luck watching a Netflix dating show or Love Island the same way once this track has rewired the lens.
Sicko’s rise through the underground dark-rap sphere has been shaped by a DIY ethos and a refusal to dilute his aesthetic. Operating independently, he has built his own lane within the darker fringes of hip-hop, cultivating a persona that thrives on provocation while remaining razor-focused on imparting lyrical bruises.
ADDICTED TO FLESH is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify.
Y.B.Q. refuses to let dust settle on boom bap; he’s bringing it to the new generation of rap fans. His seminal 3-track release, ‘QUINCY EXPRESS’, kicks off with the livewire track, ‘COAST 2 COAST.’, which gives the sense he’s got the wit to go head-to-head with even the heaviest weight battle rappers. The way he slams cheeky humour into his bars and commands your rhythmic pulses into submission with his dominant cadence proves that he’s not painting by 808s. Rap is how his playful sensibility, unreckonable conviction, and ability to reduce the world into his plaything come into view, and it’s undoubtedly something you’ll want more of from the young luminary storming across the hip-hop map, one coast at a time.
Built from the ground up with raw lyricism and cinematic production, Y.B.Q. (aka Yuh Boi Quincy) is staking his claim in the next wave of authentic street rap. Based in New York and fiercely independent, he spits straight from the furnace of lived experience with a voice that’s more than ready to dominate speakers and cyphers alike. While many polish the grime out of their work to reach the masses, Y.B.Q. uses that same grit as propulsion.
COAST 2 COAST. is now available on all major streaming platforms, including Spotify. – Review by Amelia Vandergast
Forever, the latest short-form statement from Acktual Lee, went out on blast to his 11k+ monthly Spotify listeners; an international legion of fans who naturally gravitate around his slick, luxe, soul-infused sound and want to keep his polished new releases in their orbit.
With old school soul brushing up against the shimmer of 00s Jay-Z-esque hip-hop, Forever is a magnetic meditation on the artist’s perpetual, unflinching desire to keep burning bright and the ground beneath him razed with his charisma and conviction, both of which are on full display in the release as he waxes lyrical with superlative metric precision.
The bars land like they’ve been simmering in gold; each one gilded with introspection, resilience and raw passion, while the instrumental foundation glides with the cathartic tempo of a summer cruise through emotional epiphany. The sampled harmonies amplify the soul of the track to luminous heights without ever crowding the conviction behind the mic. Forever isn’t a track that demands you soak in the lyrical gold; it coaxes you into a state of susceptibility by using a cathartic tempo to juxtapose the passion in the bars.
Every second of the release affirms that Acktual Lee’s sonic direction is sharp enough to slice through any static left lingering in hip-hop’s past. With momentum like this, there’s no risk of him fading from the radar.
Forever is now available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify.
Theycallme J, the Canadian–American army sniper turned lyrical marksman, fired shots with his bars in Drama — a track that locks on target and doesn’t waste a single pull of the trigger. Accompanied by an ‘official bathroom music video’, Drama strips away the smoke, mirrors, and flashy mirages to introduce an artist who refuses to filter truth through industry polish. The lo-fi setting doesn’t lower the impact — it intensifies it. As he waxes lyrical at his own reflection, the rawness builds a humanist lens that reframes every beat.
That emotional clarity cuts through the hypnotically toned East Coast-style instrumentals, steeped in luxe jazz textures and minimalist polish. Yet, what defines Drama is the energy in the execution. There’s no attempt to pacify or dilute the message — he lands each line with intention and weight, letting personal vexations and hatred of double standards when it comes to aggression ripple into collective resonance.
The narrative drills into the ways words betray us when they can’t match intent. As the verses unfold, theycallme J doesn’t just dissect disappointment — he offers it up for dissection, giving space for the broken to recognise themselves in the wreckage.
Theycallme J uses music as his sharpest outlet — cutting through the silence for abused men and anyone still aching from unreconciled truths. Drama is a calculated shot from the soul — and it hits with purpose.
Drama is now available to stream on all major platforms. For the full experience, catch the video on YouTube.
It’s never male artists who get described as unapologetic when they bring their fire, exposing the deep roots of misogyny that Kylie XO tears away with the force of a juggernaut in the high-octane anthem, which amplifies aural punches instead of pulling them. No patriarchal sickness gets away unscathed in UNHINGED; from sardonic attacks on the trad wife phenomenon to the expectation to fall in line with gender stereotypes to juicy threats of drowning poisonous protagonists in amniotic fluid.
Sonically, UNHINGED is just as fierce as the thematic core of the track. The way the track layers melodic harmonies, fervent rap bars and sound bites of sexism with scratchy samples and massive beats makes it an attack on the senses — one that will drive the same fury into you and rile you out of passive repose.
Taken from the TRANSMISSION 1 EP, UNHINGED marks Kylie XO’s place in hip-hop not as an up-and-comer but as a sonic insurgent. The queer British–New Zealand rapper and producer delivers everything the scene has been starving for: audacity, originality, venom, and charisma with no off-switch. Her high-energy performances are a seismic shift.
The scene won’t know peace until she’s finished burning through the fake, the sexist, and the submissive with verses like switchblades and beats that detonate on impact.
UNHINGED is now available to stream on all major platforms, including SoundCloud and Apple Music.
INFAMOUS C-4 cracked a grin and lit a fuse with the radio edit of Michael Blackson—a cheeky, wavy, lo-fi, saturated ride through the rapper’s charismatic wit, which only seems to get sharper with every new drop. With over 14,000 streams on YouTube alone, the track is doing far more than moving numbers; it’s turning listeners into believers.
Born Frederick M. Jones, INFAMOUS C-4 came up between Albany and Atlanta before finding his edge in Paulding County. His voice carries the weight of lived experience, but it’s filtered through humour, defiance, and a melodic ease that makes even the sharpest bar slide down like honey with a kick. His jazzy, metaphoric, story-driven style takes centre stage here—but it never overstays its welcome. It keeps you locked in while his delivery coasts over the beat with the precision of a seasoned provocateur.
If you want to add flavour to your vibe out hip hop playlists, look no further than this melodious earworm that sinks you into its catharsis. INFAMOUS C-4 doesn’t rely on smoke or mirrors—just razor-sharp charisma, undeniable talent, and an instinct for timing that keeps each punchline airtight.
Michael Blackson (Radio Edit) is now available to stream on all major platforms, including YouTube.
If you’re not already familiar with SPVNNI, now’s the time to get acquainted. With the weight of his latest mixtape RealEstate of Mind still settling on the city’s soundscape, he’s stepping onto the stage at Toronto’s Phoenix Concert Theatre to open for none other than Curren$y. SPVNNI spoke with A&R Factory ahead of the May 11th show to reflect on what it means to perform in his current hometown, how his set will bring the mixtape’s themes of integrity, ambition, and identity into focus, and why leaving a lasting impression on his audience matters just as much as the sound itself. From his plans to tour globally to the emotional resonance he threads through his performances, this conversation unpacks the artist’s intent, energy, and aspirations with a grounded sense of purpose and momentum.
Welcome to A&R Factory, SPVNNI — thanks for taking the time to chat with us ahead of a big moment in your career. You’re set to open for Curren$y at the Phoenix Concert Theatre on May 11—how are you mentally and creatively preparing for that set, and what does that stage mean to you right now?
I’m here to welcome the opportunity and put my best foot forward. Dropping this tape meant a lot to me, and now it’s time to create an impactful experience for everyone who shows up. We’ve made sure to create a mix that captivates the audience while ensuring those in attendance get the very best of what the tape has to offer.
Performing in your current home city of Toronto must hit differently, especially with a show of this scale—how do you think the local crowd will respond to what you’re bringing to the table?
With how we’ve set up the performance, the crowd is going to thoroughly enjoy the show. I’m ready for the city to hear the variety of rich sounds and the many styles infused into the tape. This is going to be one for the books, for sure!
With RealEstate of Mind still fresh, are you building your live set around the mixtape, or mixing in older material to give fans the full picture of who SPVNNI is?
Every piece of material I drop depicts who I am, so this tape is an extension of that. With that said, the live set will be exclusively devoted to the mixtape.
What matters most to you when you’re thinking about the impact of your performance?
The performance will be memorable for not only the music but also the energy. I’m here to leave the crowd with a piece of me as a testament to what’s to follow.
The themes in your tape—integrity, ambition, identity—land heavy. Do you try to reflect that emotional weight on stage, or is the focus more on energy and connection?
The emotional weight will carry strongly in both the energy of the performance and the intentional messaging behind the songs I’ve selected to perform. The connection will brew naturally, and my main focus is to create a unique experience for the crowd as I want them to feel like they’re part of something magnetic from an entertainment aspect, and furthermore, to see I’m here to stay while continuing to make waves with every step I take.
You’ve spoken about pushing boundaries in hip-hop—do your live shows follow that same ethos?
The quality of extending past limits is embedded in our everyday life, so it’s only fair we bring that same level of confidence throughout the night, come May 11th.
With momentum building globally, is touring something you’re looking to expand on this year? Any dream cities, venues, or collaborations that feel within reach after this Toronto date?
If the timing and opportunities align accordingly, then touring abroad would make sense. My goal is to continue building on this foundation between Canada and the United States with more established artists in the scene. However, with greater sentiment, going back to the motherland and performing in front of my people in Jozi is ultimately where I’d feel most proud of my accomplishments.
