Browsing Tag

Rap

NBH Rucci searches for gravity in his latest single, Hold Me Down

Posted on 15 January 2022
https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/DPP73z8JSA2mwnbM8

In his latest single, “Hold Me Down”, the up and coming alt hip hop artist NBH Rucci explores the disparities between fears of being held down and lonely realities where connections feel transitional and leave us feeling short-changed.

The atmospheric dark indie hip hop single is an extension of the Michigan-hailing hip hop artist’s mission to share his triggering life events as a means of connecting with his fans and shining a light on the commonality of our pain. With trap and RnB nuances weaved into the short and sweet track that runs through in under 2-minutes, there is no denying that it hits the evocative spot and does it in a spectacularly succinct fashion.

Hold Me Down dropped on January 14th; you can check it out for yourselves via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

New Plague Radio went baroque with their folky hip hop hit, Devil Come, Devil Go

Posted on 15 January 2022

Fusion and hybrid sounds are pretty much the standard for new artists in 2022, but in a sonic shift that no one anticipated, bluegrass folk meets hip hop in New Plague Radio’s latest single, Devil Come, Devil Go.

With AJJ-style folk paired with the hypnotic structure of the rapid-fire deadpan rapped vocals, the experimental US outfit well and truly went baroque. Especially with the harmonic crooned deliverances of lyrics such as “a little dizzy all the time” (it’s not just me!!!).

After hearing their hook-filled Beastie Boys-inspired 2020 track, Methamphetamine Dance, in 2020, we were stoked to discover an artist so bold in their experimentalism. Methamphetamine Dance was the ultimate high-octane 90s-rock-tinged urban earworm, but Devil Come, Devil Go definitively proves that New Plague Radio doesn’t have authenticity at their disposal; artful gravitas is also in their arsenal. We couldn’t be more excited by the potential of New Plague Radio.

The official video for Devil Come, Devil Go is now available to stream on YouTube. Or, you can add the track to your Spotify playlists.

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

West Philly rap artist Jus NBL hits all the right notes in his album ‘Fine Wine’

Posted on 2 January 2022

West Philly rap artist, Jus NBL, dropped one of the freshest hip hop albums of 2021 with the release of his lyrically driven LP, Fine Wine. In the title track, the minimalist beats create the perfect platform for his high-energy rap bars as they grind through the gritty lyrics and the resilience that allowed him to find the light regardless.

Right from the first verse, Jus NBL proves how grounded he is in his lyricism. There’s none of the usual ego-fuelled grandeur, just an honest and direct lyrical delivery that is more than easy to connect with. The Jay Z reminiscences are strong, but they do little to dampen the intoxicating hit of Jus NBL’s authenticity in Fine Wine. Every rap fan should have room for him on his radar.

Jus NBL’s 2021 album, Fine Wine, is now available to purchase on apple music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

C.h.a.m.p brought the high vibes in his dynamic rap bars with ‘Baby Dedo’, featuring Eta Phi Nupes.

Posted on 25 December 2021

This summer, the up and coming American rap artist, C.h.a.m.p, went viral shortly after the release of his single, Baby Dedo, featuring Eta Phi Nupes. The jazzy, trappy, high-vibe track melds the old school with the new wave of hip hop and comes alive through the passion that the dynamically talented artist poured into the mix.

After a near-death experience when a bullet pierced his skull in 2019, C.h.a.m.p (Change Happens at My Pace) found purpose in music. It might sound corny to call it his calling but given his ability to mould clever wordplay into unique rhyme schemes and that he’s only just getting started, his rap career holds plenty of promise and commercial potential. If you could imagine what it would sound like if Busta Rhymes took on Snoop Dogg’s attitude, you’ll get an idea of the magnetism in Baby Dedo.

The official music video for Baby Dedo is available to stream on YouTube. Or the high fire single can find its way onto your playlists via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Different To The Rest: Wesco sets his own trends with ‘Rare Blend’

Posted on 20 December 2021

Following on from his first release called ‘World of Optimism‘ from late 2020, Wesco is back with a new single about showing us that he is rather distinct to the trend-following copycats out there who cry over spilt milk with the swag-packed ‘Rare Blend‘.

David Wesco aka Wesco is an underground rapper who has opted to keep his location hidden for the time being.

We find an introspective soul in full voice here who makes a raw blend of hip-hop – that is loaded with vividly told stories about making it – in this harshly populated dog-eat-dog world and lets us know that he is for real.

As glances around the corner with his clean shades on tight, Wesco makes his move and isn’t too concerned about what anyone else thinks. There is much smoothness in his voice and he sounds so calm, with that collected mentality that has kept him away from any needless issues that can pop off at any moment if you surround yourself with the wrong people. This is the vital message of independence that is marked by a consistent beat, which appears to suit this assured message completely.

‘Rare Blend‘ from the raw indie rapper Wesco, is that mixture of hardcore flows that slices through the naked speakers and catches your attention quickly. This is a statement track from a trend-supplied artist who shows us what his purpose is. Looking for greatness and avoiding the traps that so many get their souls clenched into, is the only mission that he is interested in. Sometimes in life, you need to be so focused – that you refuse to fit it anywhere else – as you conquer those lofty goals that you are so convinced you can obtain.

Stream this fiery new single on Soundcloud and see more via the IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

UK Rapper JPOW comes in with all guns blazing in ‘Socially Anti’, featuring Kirsty Clarke

Posted on 17 December 2021

For his latest release, Socially Anti, rapper and songwriter JPOW teamed up with Kirsty Clarke, who brought a breath-taking dynamic to this hard and fast hit. Her folkishly light vocal timbre and innocently soulful yet sharp style was the perfect contrast against JPOW’s dominant bars that affirm he takes no prisoners when he steps to the mic.

Without a doubt, the South Coast-hailing UK independent artist is one of the hottest new names in the UK rap scene. He takes the usual lyrical rap tropes and runs them through his scathing wit. As for the instrumentals, you would be hard-pressed to find a bolder mix of tone and texture. With the melodic reminiscences to Cosmo Shelldrake and the quivering classical notes around the snappy bass-drenched beats, Socially Anti is as cinematic as it is galvanising.

Check out the official lyric video for Socially Anti via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

L-SLY reached the pinnacle of lyrical dynamism with his seminal track, ‘The Way It Goes’.

Posted on 12 December 2021

Regina, Canada born, world-raised rap artist, L-SLY has made a name for himself in Canada since making his debut for being one of the most diverse lyricists and well-rounded artists. Based on his seminal sun-soaked high vibe track, The Way It Goes, it is easy to see how L-SLY became the pinnacle of hustler hip hop in so many eyes and ears.

Familiarities to contemporaries and OGs are more than scarce in the elevated feat of bass-riding hip hop that instantly reels you in and locks you into the frankly genius rap bars. Out of all the rappers we’ve heard this year, no one’s lyrical form comes close to L-SLY’s. He goes beyond the usual tropes to deliver motivation and dopamine in a way like no other.

The official music video for The Way it Goes is now available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Take Your Time: South London rapper ENIGMAR shows us how to get to our ‘Dreams’

Posted on 7 December 2021

Taken off his latest album called ‘Help‘, ENIGMAR plants the seed in our minds that shall assist us in getting to those much-wanted ‘Dreams‘.

ENIGMAR is a South London-based indie UK rap artist. He makes a vocally-stimulating blend of compelling music that guides you to a better mindset that helps you succeed in life.

Showing us his well-constructed delivery that is an enjoyable listen from start to finish, ENIGMAR raises the bar and shows us the way forward. In a dog-eat-dog world where things seem so gloomy and negative a lot of the time, this is a smart rapper who brushes off the standard-lowering distractions and brings in only positive words for us to learn from.

‘Dreams‘ from the South London, UK-based indie rapper ENIGMAR, is a bass-boosting encounter that takes you into a better position than before. He raps with so much conviction and inner determination, as he flows with a real certainty that is such a pleasure to witness. This is a track for anyone who is feeling down and who actually wants to get into a better place in your soul, as you grab hold of your destiny without anyone else telling you what to do.

Immerse yourself into this beat-filled track on Spotify and see more via the IG music channel.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Rico Suave shines a light on the beauty in vulnerability with ‘Say It Back’

Posted on 6 December 2021

From the moment you hit play on Rico Suave’s latest single, Say It Back, you instantly understand how he came about his moniker with his passion-driven approach to hip hop.

Say It Back is the lead track from the affectionately titled release, Hope You Love Me After. Each of the eight tracks pulls the listeners’ attention to the beauty in romantic vulnerability, proving that even though it’s terrifying, there’s nothing more beautiful than going all in, despite the blows that may follow.

With nuances of RnB and its downtempo grooves, Say It Back paints a picture of romantic anticipation as it reminds you of your own soul’s capacity to feel. In a world as dystopic and loveless as ours Rico Suave on the airwaves is a godsend.

Hope you Love Me After is now available to stream and purchase via the apple store.

Review by Amelia Vandergast