Browsing Tag

Mac Miller

Had No Stress: New Mexico hip hop artist Julian Kushman misses those happy days on Back In ‘06

Posted on 21 November 2022

Feeling so down lately and wondering why his mind keeps on twisting when the opposite is needed, Julian Kushman shows us deep back in the day when the less stress days made everything okay on Back In ‘06.

Julian Kushman is a Ruidoso, New Mexico-based indie hip hop artist who pours his heart and soul into each track and makes meaningful music.

“They have similar messages as me, everything they say I can relate to. Most of the time, I just feel worthless and I don’t want anyone else feeling that way. I think what motivates my music is not wanting other people to feel like I do.” ~ Julian Kushman talking about Logic, Phora and Mac Miller

Lathered in so much truthful insight and raw bars to slice open the actual story, Julian Kushman showcases a witty mind and so much fearless tenacity to tell the story he knows needs to be told.

Back In ‘06 from Ruidoso, New Mexico-based indie hip hop artist Julian Kushman is an excellent song which should shock many and relate with millions. With so much bravery and honest lyrics about what it’s like to feel you want to end things, this should be a real eye opener for those who don’t realize how worrying the mental health of the world is.

Recalling those happy days can always trigger a positive vibration.

Hear this new single on YouTube and see more on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Papa Aashi – She Hates Geminis: Cosmically Dark Trap

Posted on 19 September 2021

While some hip hop artists struggle to break the mould, Papa Aashi obliterated it with his latest single, She Hates Geminis. The old school rhythm and blues guitars, hazy reverb, tape deck echo and trippy progressions fuse together to justify the expression ‘it is a vibe’.

After becoming a DJ under the influence of Avicii, Aashi found a love for trap and its darker sub-genres before Mac Miller became the final piece in Aashi’s aural puzzle that lead to releases such as She Hates Geminis.

It’s rare to find an artist whose authenticity is just as noteworthy as their talent; if anyone has what it takes to become the next trap icon, our money is on PaPa Aashi.

She Hates Geminis is now available to stream via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Marc Lucid takes us back to the 90s era of downtempo RnB with, ‘Bout This’, featuring Rockie Fresh

Posted on 28 June 2021

Under the influence of 90s hip hop and RnB, up and coming Upstate New York-residing hip hop artist Marc Lucid released his debut album, Jungle Rulez, on June 15th. The lead track, Bout This, featuring the luminary rap artist Rockie Fresh is the perfect introduction to Marc Lucid’s smoothly hazy style of down tempo hip hop.

Any fans of Post Malone, Mac Miller and Tyler, the Creator will appreciate the soul-infusion in the mellow trap mix that candidly explores Marc Lucid’s introspection when it comes to everyday malaise. The soundscape gets a kick of energy when Rockie Fresh’s fiery rap bars hit full flow, but Lucid’s hazy stoner vibes are just as evocative in their own right.

Check out Marc Lucid’s album Jungle Rulez on apple music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nobel teaches us a lesson in ‘Perseverance’ with his latest infectiously resilient rap track, featuring ooozy_b

Posted on 5 June 2021

If you like your hip hop to drip with a Mac Miller level of cool, you’ll want to get acquainted with the grooves in Nobel’s indie hip hop single, Perseverance, featuring ooozy_b.

If anyone is well-placed to teach you a lesson in perseverance, it is Nobel. Nobel was born in Kurdistan during the Iran-Iraq war; at the age of three, he and his family fled to Northern Virginia, where Nobel discovered rap artists such as Tupac and the visceral work of alternative artists. His creative expression started with poetry before he started to form the signature rap style that he’s quickly becoming renowned for.

There is so much adoration to be had for an artist so motivated to make the world a better place when they’re more entitled to a dim view of humanity than most. Nobel’s infectious positive energy and powerfully meta lyrics will undoubtedly see him go far in his mission of proving that his Kurdish community can triumph over tragedy.

You can check out the official music video to Persevere by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

London’s luminary hip hop artist MAUS shows us true innovation with ‘Little Moth Lady’

Posted on 29 April 2021

After his 2020 debut, alt-hip hop artist MAUS has been making waves with his illusory sound and psychedelic narratives. His latest release, ‘L.M.L.’, featuring the original single ‘Little Moth Lady’, and FRAME’s remix is the perfect introduction to his chimeric sound.

The intrinsically evocative single is just one of the undeniable testaments to MAUS’ ability to orchestrate hazy hip hop that flows with purpose and convictive structure, never hindering the catharsis of the kaleidoscopic reverb. In the same way that an addictive novel compels you to keep turning the pages, the ethereal warm tones atop of the solid yet glitchy percussion keep you hooked.

What Slowdive is to Shoegaze, MAUS is to contemporary hip hop. Hearing just one of his releases leaves you with that tragically rare impulse to immerse yourself in every new release and get acquainted with one of London’s most luminary artists. The 22-year-old artist is a full-time musician and tattooist at Frank Carter’s iconic Rose of Mercy studio in London. Whichever facet of his talent he’s utilising, he discernibly never fails to make an impression with his imagery.

His debut album is due for release in Summer 2021. If you’re a fan of Yung Lean, Mac Miller and Blood Orange, you’ll want MAUS on your radar.

The original track is available to stream along with the FRAME remix via Spotify.

Connect with MAUS on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

T.N.L.C takes us to church with their jazzy high vibe hip hop track, ‘Divine’

Posted on 11 April 2021

There have always been conscious hip hop artists on the airwaves, but in 2020, the spotlight fell away from artists trying to keep the problematic stereotypes alive and onto inspiringly insightful artists such as rap artist Divine.

By fusing their faith with their love of Mac Miller, Kendrick Lamar and Logic, hitting play on any of his tracks is worth it for the lyrical connection alone. Then when you factor in the soulfully jazzy vibes that match T.N.L.C’s magnetic personality, it’s an all-consuming experience.

The best introduction to his sound is ‘Divine, a sunny soundscape that practically radiates with assured, optimistic energy. If any young hip hop fans are searching for a role model, they won’t go far wrong following in the humble footsteps of T.N.L.C.

You can check out the official video to Divine on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

BermudaCal serves a perfect slice of old school mellow hip hop with “Smoke In My Eyes”

Posted on 5 November 2020

Kicking off with smooth, mellow piano and jazzy saxophone before dropping in the hi-hat beats, BermudaCal’s “Smoke In My Eyes” is a perfect slice of old school mellow hip hop with lashings of smooth soul, jazzy stylings, and hints of old school R’n’B.

Melodic, complex, and perfectly driven without being brash, “Smoke In My Eyes” fuses BermudaCal’s jazz background, modern UK Garage, and rap with Cal’s saxophone prowess and lyrical grooves, blending Mac Miller with Post Malone and Frank Ocean to create a unique, old-style-yet-brand-new whole. Chilled, sexual, and beautiful, mellow yet never lacking in energy, “Smoke In My Eyes” could grace a hundred smooth-grooves compilations and sophisticated dinner party backgrounds this autumn.

Check out “Smoke In My Eyes” on Spotify.

Review by Alex Holmes

Press Kampe shows his eccentric side with catchy ”Tuck in the Socks”

Posted on 3 July 2020

Your style is timeless. You don’t care for normal styles at all. In fact, you are doing everything you can to stay away from any trend that is happening. You are ahead of your time and just want to put out good music.

The beat is so smooth on Press Kampe’s new track. He has such an unmistakable flow and wow, this is so catchy.

”Tuck In The Socks” strolls in like a rugged skater about to attempt a wild trick. Press absolutely shreds these bars here like a hungry fox that has just pulled his head outside and is so hungry for that dinner.

With influences such as the late great Mac Miller (RIP), this is a dazzling display of words like a real pro. For such a young act he is really developing nicely to be at the top of the food chain real soon. I feel like his energy and unique style really sets him a part from other artists and the beat is really funky fresh with extra ice cubes.

”Tuck In The Socks” is a fine song from Los Angeles emcee Press Kampe and this is a new rapper in the game to follow closely.

Stream this new banger from the 8th July on sunny Soundcloud

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Rooftop J – We Going Up: Magnetically Connectable Smooth Hip Hop

Posted on 6 June 2020

Inspirational Hip Hop never gets old. As long as apathy still lingers in our society, we’ll need artists such as Rooftop J to grace the airwaves with high-vibe tracks such as “We Going Up”.

With the steady downtempo beats, a sprinkling of Jazz tones and the atmospheric depth of We Going Up, you’ll easily find the groove in the mix and be pulled along as you hang off Rooftop J’s every word. Their Rap bars parallel the mellifluous feel of the beats in the track which is bound to be of interest to fans of Mac Miller, Kanye, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar.

Ever since Rooftop J made their debut in 2018, they haven’t been short of acclaim, and it’s more than easy to see why. Their magnetically connectable vibe is inimitable.

You can check out Rooftop J’s single We Going Up for yourselves via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast