Browsing Tag

Lyrical Hip Hop

Nsilo – Peterbilt: A Truck-Sized Tale of Unreckonable Grit

Posted on 25 July 2024

Nsilo’s latest single, Peterbilt, revved onto the hip-hop scene with a force as unstoppable as the eponymous truck it salutes. The narrative arc in the artist and producer’s hit may seem unconventional, yet the juggernaut of the road became a powerful parable as it becomes the centre of the track that positions Nsilo as a fearlessly untouchable contender in the annals of old-school hip-hop.

When Nsilo waxes lyrical, it’s impossible not to feel the force of his bars that have been honed by his love for 90s hip-hop greats and classic poetry alike. Yet, Peterbilt exhibits the up-and-coming artist as so much more than just an adept lyricist with a razor-sharp ability to find the perfect cadence to make every bar bounce with maximum impact.

The track’s production is a masterclass in balancing dark, layered textures with lighter elements. Waves of caustic reverb slice through the beat, resulting in an atmosphere which haunts as it uplifts and exhilarates. The meticulous synthesis attests that Nsilo knows exactly when to cast shadows and when to let the light in, mirroring the complexities of his storytelling which reflects on the values of blue-collar work, ensuring every hit is infused with authenticity and grit.

Stream Peterbilt on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

2nd Class Citizenz bruised the boundaries in UK hip-hop with the orchestrally elevated volition in their seminal single, Change

Posted on 25 July 2024

‘Change‘ by 2nd Class Citizenz strikes with the ferocious fearlessness that exemplifies UK hip-hop while setting the collective leagues apart with its ornate orchestral arrangement that thematically juxtaposes the bruising bars, allowing the listener to reflect on how both halves live.

Each line bounces with flawless metric precision in the composition that will instantly greet you with a ‘fuck, this is fresh’ affirmation. Each rapper in the trio injects their own brand of flair, fire and fervour to make a significant sonic impact without resorting to brute force. Instead, ‘Change’ opens minds to the collective’s ethos of using the motifs to pierce lyrical gold into the psyche of their listeners.

The intellectually profound, endlessly accessible bars make every verse a revelation while allowing 2nd Class Citizenz to live up to their reputation as the grittiest, most authentic rappers in the UK.

Change is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rampage Wood scorched the airwaves with luxe hip-hop hit, All Summer

Posted on 9 July 2024

Rampage Wood didn’t come to play in his latest single, All Summer, he came to conquer. Since his 2018 debut, the Arkansas underground has failed to conceal his luminary sound which has amassed a loyal international audience.

All Summer glows with the aesthetics of 00s East Coast hip-hop to belie his Southern roots which pulled through stronger in his earlier material, influenced by the likes of Lil Wayne. With gospel-esque cinematic transcendence enveloping the beats, the hit is sublime on the senses and pushes a unique dynamic behind Wood’s provoking lyricism.

As one of the most cerebral rappers in the game, his flows are finessed with witty intellect; his ability to catch you off-guard with the lyrical gold in every bar is unmatched. With flawless metric precision and swathes of charisma to energise his delivery, you can’t help but get hyped by All Summer, which carries the luxe appeal of Jay-Z’s hits while blazing through the heat in Rampage Wood’s authenticity.

All Summer was officially released on June 3rd, it is now available to stream on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Be Bigger Not Bitter with Tago’s Feel-Good Hip-Hop Juggernaut, Let Me Talk About Mine

Posted on 16 May 2024

Tago stepped back into the spotlight with his latest single Let Me Talk About Mine, which is set to be a significant moment in his career. The Dallas-based rapper and producer, who has spent the better part of a decade behind the scenes, enriching other artists’ careers, now takes centre stage, showcasing his own story with soul-infused conviction that demands attention.

With Let Me Talk About Mine, Tago crafted lyrics that are both sharp and introspective, set against a backdrop of electrifying beats and cutting-edge electronica aesthetics that shake the dust off old school while tapping into the grit of it.

This single is an unreckonable assertion of self-worth and an invitation to witness his ascension in hip-hop. His narrative is potent, steeped in personal growth and the gritty realities of forging one’s path against the odds. Tago captivates through this monolithic hit, employing kinetic rhythms that propel the listener through his journey of self-realisation and unflinching ambition.

It’s a track that will stand the test of time as a testament to Tago’s ability to weave traditional influences into a modern sonic landscape that pulsates with energy. If you’ve ever felt overshadowed, step into the limelight with his emboldening instant classic.

Stream the official music video for Let Me Talk About Mine from May 16th.

Follow Tago on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Majesty defined her hip-hop legacy in ‘What Goes Around Comes Around’

Posted on 15 May 2024

Karma may be a bitch, but there are few fiercer figures in the hip-hop industry than Majesty, who will be reigning supreme after the drop of her legacy-defining single, What Goes Around Comes Around.

The solid beats, sharp flows and even more cutting wordplay establish Majesty as a triple threat in the genre filled with pretenders that would kill for her ability to deliver conviction with soul. As the luxe jazzy instrumentals that are filtered through a filmic lens take you back to the ‘90s East Coast hip-hop sound, Majesty’s cadence attests to her determination to perfect her craft and inspire through her independently released hits.

Anyone who hits play on What Goes Around Comes Around will find themselves vindicated by the rhythmically explosive exposition on the sweetness of karmic justice. Along with everyone else who can’t get enough of this hit, we can’t wait to hear what Majesty has locked, loaded and ready to drop.

Stream What Goes Around Comes Around, which has already racked up over 3k views on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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