Latest Posts

The Master Mimic – “On Go!”

April 30, 2025

Mysterious emerging rapper The Master Mimic comes through with a KO on his first single – a relentless onslaught of bars titled “On Go!” Produced by Michigan beatmaker Enrgy Beats, “On Go!” is driven by its heavy bottom half, with accenting snares and a winding synth loop. Mimic finds countless pockets in the beat, hitting bars “Wilder than Deontay or LA Fires”as he switches subjects, targets, and punchlines with an effortless delivery. Sounding a bit like Zack Fox but influenced by the Detroit scene, The Master Mimic is definitely one to watch as his profiles add new tracks. Get in early. Listen to the Master Mimic on Spotify and check him out on our 2025 Underground and Emerging Hip Hop playlist. 

Howzen – “Blind Test”

April 24, 2025

Rising rapper Howzen’s parlayed his passion for drumming into a full-fledged hip hop hobby, showing off his talent on his latest track “Blind Test.” There’s not a vocal style Howzen won’t mix in — on “Blind Test” he’s singing, rapping, and using some tasteful autotune as he discusses his ancestors and his relationship with his faith. “Blind Test” respects the grind, as Howzen calls out on the chorus “All wanna know what’s next, but it’s about the mindset.” The track’s production includes some powerful string parts featuring violin and harp, supplemented by a floating gothic vocal sample. It’s a good motivational track for your grindset/mindset playlists. You can listen to more from Howzen on Spotify, Apple Music, or on our Rising Hip Hop Playlist. 

DEAD PERRY ft. P-Dirt, Raz Fresco and Daniel San – “’83 Canadian Hollow Tip”

April 17, 2025

If you’re like me, there’ve been a few hundred times you’ve been browsing for something to watch, and  you’ve stopped and read the description for the Tom Hardy biographical drama “Bronson.” Ultimately, you, like me, opted out of watching this movie despite its approachable runtime, curious central figure and relatively positive reviews. This was a good decision by us. It kept us out of the crosshairs of Bay Area Hip Hop producer DEAD PERRY and his friends. The latest track from the NorCal mainstay features cold, deliberate production, strong verses from P-Dirt and Daniel San, an immediately catchy hook from Raz Fresco, and a big fat @ sign for anyone who’s attended a “Bronson” watch party. Not me, losers! “’83 Hollow Tip” is infused with the personality of each performer and DEAD PERRY’s icy beat locks them all into place. Check out “’83 Canadian Hollow Tip” wherever you listen to[...]

Tre K – “Identity”

April 17, 2025

Energy bursts out of each bar of the latest single “Identity” from the trio of rappers Tre K, 400HazeMoney and YoungDiggz88. With menace, each artist delivers streetwise lines, talking about robbing banks, buying tanks and snatching back chains. It’s authentic hip hop and I trust every line from these dudes. The track features a regal, gothic vocal sample that feels just like a beat off of Watch the Throne. “Identity” also features a dope music video, letting you step into the shoes of the emcees as they run wild through their city. Check out more from the artists on Spotify, and listen to more underground hip hop on our playlist. 

Reedus 3m – “Boss’d Up”

April 13, 2025

Boston-based rapper Reedus 3m channels classic soul sounds into his modern rap delivery on his latest single, “Boss’d Up.” A warm, eager vocal sample paces Reedus‘ braggadocios stream of thought, acknowledging “it might sound fake or like a tall tale.” His penmanship comes from the J.Cole school of writing – evoking real emotions and knowingly leaning into the persona Reedus builds with each line. Even though the track clocks in under 2 minutes, Reedus gives plenty of love to the nostalgic, thumping beat as it bookends the track. If you dig soul samples in hip hop, you’re gonna be hooked on this one. Check out more from him on Spotify, and discover more up and coming artists on our Spotify playlist. 

Keli – “Meant to Be”

April 13, 2025

German singer-rapper Keli calls out her ex for ghosting on her latest single “Meant to Be,” but on this track at least, the ethereal otherworldliness comes from her side. At times, Keli’s murmurs sound like Portishead and make “Meant to Be” feel like trip-hop. But significant sections of the song are Keli offering up her grievances in more traditional rap form. Producer Benji.Cares  creates a sparse, dour landscape for Keli to fill with her relieved rumination, finding solace in the idea that she no longer needs to watch “fake fires on tv screens.” Add this one to your atmospheric, nighttime playlists. “Meant to Be” is Keli’s first single of 2025 – give her a follow on Spotify to check out her upcoming output.

Bullet Brak – “Eating Good”

April 11, 2025

Hip hop veteran and Maryland native Bullet Brak raps with an intensity that makes you want to avoid eye contact at best, and duck and cover at worst. “There’s no need for low speed” for the rapper on his latest single “Eating Good,” where he takes the form of an urban legend – and not one we’re trying to cross over here at the blog. Sending shooters on mopeds, Belgian waffling peoples’ faces, things of that nature. His streetwise authenticity spits out of every word, and it’s combined with some icy, choral, bell heavy production that feels a bit like both ends of the 2000s. “Roll me a bag of green crack and purple haze.” Now we’re talking. “Eating Good’s” a highlight off of Brak’s latest project, World Traveler.  Give it some spins on Spotify and while you’re there check out our emerging hip hop playlist.

Ben DSP – “BTF”

April 9, 2025

UK rapper Ben DSP takes the catchiness in his UK Garage roots and combines it with some tasteful boom bap with his newest single, “BTF.” The bilingual artist opts out of Italian and keeps it strictly English as he travels back and forth from “Brixton to Finsbury (BTF)” to court his potential mate. Ben relents that he’s got an inclination to ditch when times get tough, but he seems to have met his match, commenting “I don’t know how you can tell, I guess it takes one to know one.” “BTF’s” chorus is the shining star, countering Ben’s storytelling on the verses with a deep melodic hook. Brixton’s Nate Dogg, they’re calling him. Or Finsbury’s. Depends on the day. Check out more from Ben on Spotify and check out more rising rappers on our Spotify playlist. 

Nevi Outlyr & Hiram Torres – “Golden Ticket!”

April 6, 2025

Cali rappers Nevi Outlyr and Hiram Torres begin their villain arc with a bang on their newest single, “Golden Ticket!” Over a menacing, wonky beat, Hiram and Nevi take turns spitting in your face channeling Samual L and Travolta. Hiram kicks off the track with bar after bar of triplet swagger, before Nevi tags in sounding like Andre 3k wanted to punch you in the face. Together the duo ooze personality in between their threats of violence and ridicule. I’d say it’s good for a summer driving playlist but don’t wanna be legally liable for your actions on the road. Good for shadowboxing. Watch the trouble unfold in the must see music video for Golden Ticket! and check out more from the artists on Spotify. You can find them and more on our New and Emerging Hip Hop playlist.

WACHO! – “Day Drinking”

April 3, 2025

There are different emotions associated with day drinking. Mimosas when you’re feeling cute, bloody maries when you feel like dirt, sidewalk slammers when you’re a goblin, etc. When Fort Worth’s WACHO! takes a sunbaked sip of Gin and Juice, it’s because heartbreak’s on the brain. Despite WACHO!’s playful, sing-songy delivery, “Day Drinking” is a soundtrack to coping with alcohol, replacing one vice with another, “Your ass is gone so now it’s this bottle that I smack.” He’s got an ear for the poppy melodies and memorable bars, but sharp songwriting on lines like “you left me brokenhearted, liquor’s leaking through the cracks” elevates this track into a layered, complicated spotlight of substance issues. Give it a listen and check out other artists like WACHO! on our Spotify playlist.

Afton Wolfe and Brian Brown – “So Purple” (Jack Vinoy Remix)

April 3, 2025

Nashville artist Jack Vinoy took a look at blues rocker Afton Wolfe 2022 track “So Purple” and saw a couple more hues. Vinoy takes a floating flute melody from OG track, adds some spacey guitar, his own vocals and some hip hop drums and puts a whole new tint on the track. Afton remains center stage, opening the track with “Red and blue just a simple combination but a different radiation” forecasting the dynamic he, Vinoy and rising rapper Brian Brown bring to the remix. Brown contribute slick, slotted rhymes that somehow feel right at home countering Afton’s gruff, bluesy, space cowboy aesthetic. There’s a lot on the palette here to enjoy – give a listen to paint the picture, and check out other experimental hip hop on our 2025 playlist.

Baang – “Back Around”

March 31, 2025

Rising artist Baang (Believe, Aspire, Achieve, Now Go) is the face of the Arkansas rap scene, and a curator of refreshing, effortless hip hop tracks. His latest single “Back Around” captures the emotions of returning to your hometown, bringing your new experiences back to rekindling relationships. It’s also a love song. Baang nonchalantly discusses the differences in his upbringing with his interest, comparing their families; “I heard your daddy’s a doctor writing prescription, you know my brother is a doctor, he sell pills.” Baang also explores their partnership, how intertwined their emotions have become and quelling doubts over if he’s actually “back around.” Even with a mellow, composed delivery, the track’s hook sticks in your ears and its beat pairs well with a late night car ride. Toss it on when you’re thinking of someone. Check out more from Baang on Spotify and discover more artists like him on our[...]

Devantier Rain – “PHANTOM OF THE DRAMA”

March 27, 2025

German-Cameroonian artist Devantier Rain infuses his roots into an eclectic new single with his latest release “PHANTOM OF THE DRAMA.” Anchored by a Cameroonian choir and immaculately produced electronic elements, “PHANTOM” is a track that bends between hip hop and R+B. The choir sample murmurs and echoes behind Devantier’s thoughts about life and love in a potential relationship. Is his perceived Lois Lane genuine, or a phantom that he’s conjured? “PHANTOM” poses the questions; Devantier might have the answers – we’ll leave it up to you to decide. Cameroon choir chants take this to another dimension sonically, regardless of the legitimacy of Devantier’s phantom love. Check out more from Devantier on YouTube and Spotify and make sure to check out our emerging hip hop playlist on Spotify.

Freddy Printz – “Father Figures Freestyle”

March 25, 2025

Ottawa emcee Freddy Printz crosses off all the checkboxes of a tight freestyle on his newest track “Father Figures Freestyle.” Let’s get into it: First off, Freddy wastes no time. 1:48 minutes of no filler, no chorus needed, just bars. Secondly the bars are tight too. Freddy floats through one liners while effortlessly teasing his skills with the pen – “I was just one of them ones. Couldn’t be bothered – Freddy just followed the funds.” And like all good freestyles, the beat is one we wanna hear again. “Father Figures Freestyle” prominently features a sax effort that might fit in just as well on a deep house track. If you’ve got a playlist for freestyles and rap tracks with short runtimes, toss this in the mix. Check out Freddy on our Underground Hip Hop playlist and listen to more from him on Spotify and Soundcloud.

ProleteR & Napoleon Da Legend – “First Love”

March 23, 2025

French beatmaker ProleteR joins forces with buzzy DC emcee Napoleon Da Legend to write a love letter to hip hop on their newest track “First Love.” Napoleon snatches the mic and transports us here – both with his golden era-influenced rapping delivery and his vivid lyrics. “First Love” sounds like a journal entry to an adolescent crush but evolves into capturing the emotions and opportunities Da Legend associates with hip hop, which “turned this introvert into a virtuoso.” ProleteR cooks up a classic 90s boom bap beat with some soul samples chopped in, teasing his specialty electro-swing production style. Napoleon also has French roots – rapping in English on “First Love” but known for his bilingual lyrics on other tracks. “First Love” appears on ProleteR’s newest project Temperamental Cats – an LP that puts his full production chops on display, and one that released just last week. Listen to more[...]