Browsing Tag

Lyrical Hip Hop

Stic N Move’s This is My Life became a vibrant new pulse in the heart of hip-hop

Posted on 22 April 2024

Stic N Move merged the vibrant soul of Reggaeton-inspired beats with the core of hip-hop in his latest single, This is My Life, which radiates the warmth of exotic rhythms and a palpable sense of old-school hip-hop grit.

The intrinsic authenticity within every element of Stic N Move is a refreshing divergence from the cliché rap tracks with rappers waxing lyrical on what they think the genre wants to hear. The instant hit showcases an infectiously charismatic approach that’s bound to captivate any hip-hop enthusiast.

Stic N Move, born Eric Braxton, lives his lyrics, expressing a genuine pursuit of passion over the trappings of fame. His music isn’t crafted from the fabric of superficiality; instead, it’s woven with the threads of personal truth and dedication to family.

The construction of the track is killer. The polyphonic keys are a vibrant extension of his personality, seamlessly matching the energy and conviction in his voice. The result is a sound that could light up any room and invigorate any playlist.

Stic N Move continues to redefine his journey by committing to projects like a new podcast and writing new songs weekly. His relentless drive and innovative spirit are making significant waves, promising a future rich with potential and new anthems for his growing audience.

“This is My Life” is more than just a song; it’s a statement, a manifesto of an artist who refuses to blend into the background, urging everyone to live authentically and passionately. As Stic says, leave your hatin’ at the door and embrace the groove.

This is My Life is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Twivee orchestrated an RnB hip-hop vignette of resilience and motivation with Ray of Hope

Posted on 5 April 2024

Twivee, the UK-based RnB and hip-hop fusionist delivered a compelling narrative of resilience and motivation in his latest single, ‘Ray of Hope‘.

‘Ray of Hope’ is a storm of fiery emotion, rampaging through Twivee’s distinctive vocal lines. His voice carries a unique blend of rough and smooth, soul and gruff grit, consolation and conviction. This duality in his voice mirrors the complexities of life’s struggles, making the track an emotional odyssey worth taking.

Twivee orchestrated a perfect backdrop for the mood of the track. The indie lo-fi elements, washed in saturation, amplify the intimacy and vulnerability of the release, while the grooves in the chorus are infectious, locking listeners into the momentum, making it a go-to anthem for anyone doubting their ability to navigate through life’s chaotic moments.

Twivee’s talent as a writer, producer, engineer, singer, and rapper shines through in this self-produced track. The bridge serves as a pivotal moment in the song, bridging the gap between the negatives and the positives. Lines like “Behind these eyes, I’ve seen pain” and “But I’ve seen skies and where it rains, it clears sometimes” encapsulate the essence of the track – a message of hope and perseverance.

Ray of Hope will hit the airwaves on April 5th; stream the single on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Whoisturso put resilience into rhyme in his viral-worthy hip-hop single, VENT III

Posted on 27 March 2024

Forget mic drop verses, in his standout hit, VENT III, the lyrical hip-hop luminary Whoisturso drops lines that will make your soul sink. After a stylistically atmospheric and contemporary hip-hop intro which lulls you into a contemplative state, the up-and-coming rapper who has moved from the streets into the studio wastes no time delivering lyrical blows that will stick with you for long after the outro.

“I’ve been fighting all my life, you expect rejection to phase me girl?” speaks volumes about the resilience of the human spirit, and our profound capacity to overcome trauma and open ourselves up to vulnerability. From there on out, every line hits hard enough that you’ll be left in awe of his ability to turn confessionalism into achingly affecting wordplay.

Regardless of your life path, as VENT III runs through, you’ll find fragments of yourself within it as you lose yourself in the scintillating production that allows the instrumentals to complement the intimacy in the candour.

If authenticity and lyrical gold got artists to the top of the charts, few artists would sit above Whoisturso. He’s got everything it takes to make it into the mainstream, it’s only a matter of time before he moves from being criminally underrated to being choked in hype. After hearing the themes of determination in VENT III, we know he’s not going to stop until he’s reached the top.

Stream and purchase VENT III on Apple Music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

KAotik waxed lyrical on the tragedy of wasted potential in his old-school hip-hop track, Fascinate

Posted on 23 March 2024

KAotik (AKA Bruce Reign) kept old-school hip-hop fresh with his latest track, Fascinate, which strips the instrumentals right back to their fundamentals, allowing his killer canter to take the spotlight in the mid-tempo release.

Following a mellow, almost transcendentally toned intro, the spoken-word verses wax lyrical on everything from the tragedy of wasted potential to accepting fate without consigning yourself to it. By finding plenty of room to assert wordplay, clever cultural references and his ethos on putting lyrics to the forefront of his productions, the Washington-born, Laurel MD-residing artist of Nigerian descent used Fascinate to not only do what the single says on the titular tin, but to inspire, and he hit a home run in doing so.

If KRS One, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, and Black Thought feature heavily on your playlists, make room for this profound hit.

Stream Fascinate on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Frank Blunt redefined hip-hop’s intellectual edge with ‘Bored Games 2’

Posted on 8 March 2024

Frank Blunt’s latest single, ‘Bored Games 2′, is a testament to his stripes as a rap luminary. Blunt stayed true to his name by delivering an intellectually resonant and intellectually stimulating hit of wisdom; it’s a journey into the depths of Blunt’s psyche, a reflection of his soul laid bare through masterful lyricism

While the jazz-infused rhythms pay homage to old-school hip-hop, Blunt weaves his sonic signature through the production like gritty urban calligraphy to carve out his own unique identity, mostly noted through the cadence of his introspective gold. Blunt’s flow is a marvel of rhythmic precision and melodic inventiveness, ensuring that listeners hang on to every syllable. His ability to weave complex narratives which go plateaus beyond the ordinary tropes of the genre allows the tract to challenge perceptions while remaining grounded in realism.

Frank Blunt’s influences, ranging from Michael Jackson to UGK, from Jay Z to Outkast, are evident in his music, yet he’s far from a by-product of assimilation. After a decade of cutting his teeth in the industry, his unparalleled talent is as razor-sharp as his lyrical wit. If any up-and-coming rapper has earned their place in the pantheon of hip-hop greats, it is Blunt.

Bored Games 2 was released on February 7th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

bleed moxie is the antithesis of Andrew Tate in his cinematically luxe alt-hip-hop track, women’s society

Posted on 8 March 2024

In a genre often marred by stereotypical portrayals, bleed moxie’s latest alt-hip-hop single, ‘women’s society’ is a refreshingly progressive deviation. Mitchel Paulson, under his latest persona, weaved a narrative that not only celebrates femininity but also challenges the listener to re-evaluate their perceptions and discriminations.

After an intro of 50s doo-wop and a touch of retro Hollywood glamour, the beat ushers into the dreamy-with-hazy-hues jazz-infused soundscape, which lays the perfect foundation for the emotionally charged rap bars. His verses are a poignant tribute to women, far removed from the objectifying rhetoric prevalent in much of contemporary hip-hop.

The track’s artfully nostalgic production juxtaposes sharply with its message, reminding us of a time when women were upheld with respect in society. This contrast is a sonically visualised commentary on the current socio-cultural climate, especially in the wake of incel movements led by figures like Andrew Tate. This track is not just vital; it’s a necessary step forward in the evolution of hip-hop.

bleed moxie, a chameleon in the music world, has evolved from the party-hard, emo-tinged innovator to the introspective, mature artist we hear today. His journey through various personas – from the Mox & J. Project to MJ FLAWS – has been a testament to his adaptability and depth as an artist.

women’s society was officially released on March 1st; stream the single on Spotify and SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Saint Kon’s Latest Tour De Force is a Sonic Crusade for Empathy and Justice

Posted on 1 March 2024

Some artists use their platforms for good; some use them for ground-breaking greatness. After Saint Kon released 10000 Hours on February 8, she’s definitively in the latter camp.

The pop-meets-hip-hop mash-up ensured the track has swathes of cross-over appeal while her bars bruise in a way that you may start to question if you’ve ever been hit before. The raw and heavy lyricism explores everything from suicidal ideation to the compulsion to heal others despite how deep our own scars bed down in our psyche.

After a minor key piano prelude, the bass-heavy boom-bap hip-hop instrumentals storm in as she switches from vocal harmonies to a killer rap cadence that blazes through her compulsion to fight the countless injustices of the world.

If the orchestrally heightened, inventively produced and polished track doesn’t fuel you with the motivation to use your time on earth to fight against the insidiousness that seems to get more nefarious with every trip around the sun, you can probably consider your own soul defunct. 10000 Hours is a lesson in convictive empathy; if it worked its way into the consciousness of everyone who existed, the human race would be transformed overnight.

10000 Hours is now available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

A Milli chartered exotic new terrains in hip-hop’s landscape with his latest single, Legacy

Posted on 28 February 2024

A Milli’s latest hip-hop track, Legacy, is a testament to his evolution as an artist. Born from the streets of Hamilton, Ontario, A Milli has sculpted a sound that is as diverse as his influences. A punk ethos rages through his Eminem-reminiscent bars as he blazes through a narrative woven with the threads of his life experiences.

The single stands out for its unique blend of exotic melodies that seamlessly intertwine with the punch of 808s, creating a vibrant, colourful backdrop for A Milli’s rhythmically tight bars. If you want to be taken beyond the conventional boundaries of hip-hop and into uncharted waters where each wave of sound is laden with meaning and intent, hit play.

A Milli’s journey in music, starting from using a video game mic at fourteen to co-headlining tours, is reflected in the maturity of his sound and the precision of his storytelling. His ability to translate life into music, drawing from a reservoir of personal highs and lows, sets him apart in a genre that thrives on authenticity.

As A Milli continues to carve his path in the music industry, Legacy stands as a bold declaration of his artistic identity. It’s a track that doesn’t just demand attention; it commands respect.

Legacy dropped on February 16; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Slim Piccins preached to the streets in his cinematic old-school hip-hop track, Legal Dope

Posted on 27 February 2024

Slim Piccins’ latest single, ‘Legal Dope‘, is a refreshing divergence from contemporary hip-hop which almost feels like a parody compared to the hits from the golden era. The Charlotte, NC native brings a unique blend of raw, husky vocals reminiscent of Tyler, The Creator and Rick Ross, yet Slim Piccins stands distinct in his lyrical prowess. The track is a luxe fusion of orchestral strings and traditional hip-hop beats, creating a soundscape that is grounded and filmic in equal measure.

The narrative of resilience is a gritty testament to overcoming adversity without resorting to the typical glorification of material wealth. Piccins’ bars resonate, echoing the struggles and triumphs of a life that most can relate to.

His voice, deep and textured, weaves through the melody, adding a layer of authenticity. The production deserves equal acclaim for the way the orchestral elements elevate the song into a cinematic domain.

In ‘Legal Dope’, Slim Piccins doesn’t just perform; he narrates, he educates, and he inspires. This track is a bold statement in the hip-hop genre, proving that true motivational music doesn’t need the crutches of luxury and excess. It’s a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the soul of an artist who is not afraid to bare his scars and share his story.

Stream Legal Dope on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ride the waves in Caleb X’s latest flood of experimentalism, Kick Start ft Zay-OH

Posted on 12 February 2024

Since blasting off his career with his 2019 debut single, Space, the Atlanta-born, Virginia-based rapper Caleb X has honed his sonic signature to become one of the most authentic names in the hip-hop domain. His latest single, Kick Start, featuring Zay-OH takes motivational hip-hop to the next inspirational level while epitomising his ethos to ensure his music is as versatile as his own identity. Sonically spitting in the face of conventional constraints, Kick Start is a declaration of his ability to transplant humanism within catchy distinction.

By grounding the lyrics and bars in realism and the relatability of ennui with the era we’re all enduring and allowing the kaleidoscopically spacy instrumentals to ebb and flow in trippy trap-esque waves, Kick Start is a cohesively convictive juxtaposition that exhibits Caleb X as a promising luminary who has exactly what it takes to become one of the biggest new urban experimentalists.

Kick Start was officially released on January 26th; stream the single on Spotify and follow Caleb X on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast