Browsing Tag

Rap

Maple Struggle – Tip Toe featuring Hannah Doherty and KillBill Sax

Posted on 8 May 2021

Starting with haunting minor keys, Maple Struggle’s definitively British rap track, ‘Tip Toe’, hits hard from the first note. The evocative potency remains the only constant as the single progresses through jazzy ensembles, indie increments, neo-classic crescendos and bursts of RnB pop.

Every curveball twist in the soundscape, featuring pianist Hannah Doherty and American saxophonist KillBill Sax, leaves you more impassioned by Maple Struggle’s resounding talent and unique brand of urban alchemy. One minute, you are breathing in the smoke in a nicotine-soaked jazz club; the next, you are on the grimy streets of London.

Tip Toe isn’t just a stellar moody yet enlivening single; it quite literally leaves you giddy through the imagination and authenticity.

Tip Toe is now available to stream and download on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Pick Patek has got us a problem with ‘GUAP’

Posted on 7 May 2021

The second of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania-native producer and performer Pick Patek’s collaborative singles with ProdOMG, ‘GUAP’ (Got U A Problem) shows off Patek’s more playful side with high-energy beats and a smooth, controlled lyrical flow. Lyrically, ‘GUAP’ is kicking back on haters, and defending Patek’s own lifestyle choices – it’s tongue-in-cheek, fun, and it kicks like a mule when it wants to, Patek’s delivery quickfire and machine-gun like, over subtle bass and beats. There’s elements of Kanye and Chance the Rapper in here, soft and subtle, but the track’s also got some serious bounce and groove and Patek has a sound of his own with those gentle nods to influences. It’s a cracker of a hip hop piece, and a definite for anyone who’s grown tired of having other people’s opinions forced upon them.

You can check out Pick Patek on SoundCloud, and follow on Instagram or here.

Review by Alex Holmes

Pray4Diego just can’t ‘Forget You’

Posted on 7 May 2021

Based out of Brooklyn, NYC, Pray4Diego is an independent recording artist and producer; new single ‘Forget You’ is a great mix of higher-tempo, hi-hat-focussed beats, tenderly picked electric guitar, and gentle, laid-back rap groove from Pray4Diego’s chilled, controlled delivery. Lyrically, it’s a plea to an ex-lover, where regret mingles with hope and a plea for another chance to make things right. It’s a well put-together track, nicely balanced between upbeat and longing, entreaty and repentance, all set to a simple backing of bass, hats, and that cute little repeating guitar line. The simplicity of the music and melody makes the track work, focussing the listener on the vocal line and lyrical flow, encouraging us to listen and take in Pray4Diego’s appeal. It’s tidy, it’s tasty, and it’d genuinely got soul.

You can hear ‘Forget You’ on Spotify; find Pray4Diego on Instagram and SoundCloud.

Review by Alex Holmes

ZH Livid – Why Did You Leave featuring Kaylee Hailey.

Posted on 6 May 2021

For his latest single, ‘Why Did You Leave’, up and coming hip hop artist ZH Livid collaborated with RnB Pop vocalist Kaylee Hailey to weave a narratively immersive love story. The collaborative chemistry breathes between them as intensely as it does in any of Eminem & Rihanna’s tracks.

With his sights set on gracing the billboard charts, it is easy to see the Oklahoma-born-and-raised artist’s vision coming into fruition. When you consider his catchy yet poignant lyrics, contemporary yet familiar trap beats and the sheer amount of passion he pours into each vocal note, ZH Livid is a triple threat. Why Did You Leave unravels as the ultimate poetic earworm by illustrating the art-inspiring beauty within romantic regret.

Why Did You Leave is now available to stream and purchase via apple music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

UK rap artist ChinChin Iller shared relatable regret with her debut single, ‘As A Friend’.

Posted on 6 May 2021

With ‘turning trauma into storytelling’ as her modus operandi, ChinChin Iller is making serious waves in the UK rap scene. Her debut single, ‘As A Friend’, shares the all too relatable regret of allowing a relationship to evolve beyond platonic only to find duality and frustration.

When an artist is so bold, daring and open, for personal catharsis and to help the listener overcome self-confidence-stripping trauma, it is impossible not to pay attention. ChinChin Iller’s lyrics cut with the same sharp intellect as George the Poet and Kae Tempest. Paradoxically, she brings soul to a deadpan direct delivery while the beats celebrate the best of downtempo British hip hop.

As A Friend is now available to stream and download on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

MidLskooL shares his posthumous requests in his hip hop anthem, ‘AfterParty’, featuring Miss Toto.

Posted on 5 May 2021

With reminiscence to the likes of Fatman Scoop, Snoop Dog, Timbaland and Missy Elliot, MidLskooL’s latest single, AfterParty, offers all of the infectious energy that you’d expect to find in a high-vibe hip hop anthem.

With MidLskooL bringing 00s hip hop vibes with his dominant rap bars and featuring artist Miss Toto bringing the soul with her RnB hip hop vocals, AfterParty is as dynamic as it is galvanising. It might feel strange at first to hear MidLskooL run through his funeral preferences, but if you look between the lines, you will find that AfterParty is a subversively convincing way of telling you that the concept of death doesn’t have to be synonymous with grief. As sombre as it may be, death provides an opportunity for celebration, and we’re notorious for not knowing what we have until it is gone.

AfterParty is available to stream and purchase via apple music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The prodigal son of RnB Hip Hop Playmaker JB returns with the indie earworm ‘Drip Skylark’.

Posted on 5 May 2021

Up and coming LA-residing artist Playmaker JB dropped his most infectious single to date with the release of Drip Skylark on February 28th. With indie, trap, RnB and pop pulling together in the arresting melodies, the listener gets little option when it comes to getting pulled in by the hooks.

Any fans of Post Malone and Mac Miller will want to pay attention to the African-American artist who has been racking up the streams since making their solo debut in 2020. Previously, JB has collaborated with EASTWOOD, COMPTON MENACE and many more iconic names in the hip hop scene.

With the versatility of JB’s sound that drips commercial potential paired with his humbly enigmatic vibe, his future career holds plenty of promise.

Stream and download Drip Skylark via apple music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tune into KiDD RicH’s new hip hop track, ‘T.V.’

Posted on 5 May 2021

With his motto of, “Being at the bottom for so long teaches you there’s only one place left to go”, fans of inspirational hip hop won’t want to look past KiDD RicH’s 2021 sophomore album for invaluable introspection.

The standout track on the Brooklyn-born and raised artist’s album, ‘T.V.’ is a mash of urban culture with everything from RnB to Reggae to Pop to Trap written into the contemporary mix. After an atmospheric and melodic intro, the track kicks into full gear to run through as a grooving sun-kissed mix which will freshen your summer hip hop playlists.

With his organic, minimally-produced vocals, the ease of the grind, and the sticky-sweet lyricism, you’d struggle to find high-vibe hip hop that will take you higher.

The Statement, Vol 2 is now available to stream in full via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Take off with Jamal Wade’s ‘Spaceship’

Posted on 4 May 2021

Hitch a ride off the planet with luminary hip hop artist Jamal Wade’s single ‘Spaceship’, taken from his latest EP, ‘April Very Own’.

With high-fire bars, ominous lyrical whispers, and ingenious diss lines, Jamal Wade efficaciously sets a sinister convictive tone in the atmospheric single. You would be hard-pressed to find an artist bringing the same amount of energy to the mic.The Tampa Bay native has stayed true to his style since making his indie debut with his EP, ‘God Forgive Me’, in 2019; as a result, he’s averaging 3 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone.

His bio is practically the ultimate success story for an up and coming rap artist in 2021. If he’s not already on your radar, we’d suggest making room.

Spaceship is now available to stream with the rest of April Very Own via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Baby Tap evokes 90s nostalgia and advocates authenticity with his latest single, ‘Be Myself’.

Posted on 4 May 2021

‘Be Myself’ is the latest short and sweet single to come from the unapologetically authentic Nottingham UK-based artist, rapper and producer Baby Tap – emphasis on the sweet.

The repetition of “I can be anything, but I just want to be myself’ hammers home the affirmation that you don’t have to share anyone’s vision of success; you can break the mould with your very own. With Baby Tap’s industrial hardcore and cyberpunk influences, he’s perceptibly leading by example.

Along with being a high fire feat of alt EDM hip hop that advocates individuality, Be Myself serves as a time capsule to the 90s with clever references to Pokemon and Power Rangers to evoke nostalgia and remind you of the times when finding Charizard cards felt like the pinnacle of success.

You can check out Baby Tap on SoundCloud, keep up to date with new releases via Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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