Latest Posts

Atlas Lane – “Perennial”

November 3, 2024 Matt Moretti

The days get shorter, the nights darker, but jammy singer-songwriter Atlas Lane won’t let us let go of the light on his breezy new single “Perennial.” Channeling some OAR, 21 Pilots and DIPATCH, Atlas has a jammy alternative hip hop vibe, heavy on the guitar jangle and a sing-songy delivery that feels straight from a San Diego beach. “Perennial” parks you on the bench facing the waves, as Atlas discusses his love of his Steinway piano, his aversions to highway driving, and finding balance between restlessness and impatience. There’s singing, rapping, guitar licks, piano twinkles – it’s a chill track with a lot to offer. Take a deeper dive into Atlas Lane when you’re yearning for those 80-degree July October days.

Negative Shawdy – “2Up”

October 29, 2024 Matt Moretti

The spirit of 90s Miami Bass is alive and well on alternative hip hop artist Negative Shawdy’s latest single, “2Up.” With a backbone of drum-heavy production, Shawdy crafts an “I don’t give a fuck” anthem ready for your clubbing playlist. Her vocals bounce from rapping to singing to hyper-pop influenced yips – you’ll feel the substance-fueled wide eyes and sweat dripping down your chest with every hit of the snare. Shawdy inhabits the same lanes as this female led alternative hip-hop/pop movements spearheaded by artists like Pink Pantheress. Explore more of her sound on Spotify.

Amp Melo – “Flight Path”

October 29, 2024 Matt Moretti

Elevate with Santa Cruz emcee Amp Melo on his latest jazzy grindset single “Flight Path.” The bluesy artist leverages a sharp pen pulling in mathematics, basketball and more references as he discusses the continued work it takes to find success in his day to day. This track is for fans artists like Blue & Exile and Logic – Melo boasts a silky smooth delivery on his rhymes and features jazzy, funky work from production duo Chubby Wallets. “Flight Path” comes of Amp’s latest project with Chubby Wallets, Off the Bench – a hip hop project heavy on the bball references for the hoop heads out there. Check out the project in full and more in the Amp Melo catalog on Spotify.

mani zuko – “NeedNeedNeed”

October 23, 2024 Matt Moretti

“Australia’s underground rapper” mani zuko shows off more than just a hip hop pen on his latest single “NeedNeedNeed.” With a soft, melodic voice, mani hovers between singing and rapping as he pleads with his love interest to be “real” with him on this R&B-flavored track. Channeling Sampha, but with a pop-friendly hook, mani is a manic man holding onto his dream girl for dear life – how mutual is this interest, how unrequited is this love? Zuko’s rapping pen makes his verses tight, but his vocals and its accompanying production shine most as he wails to an audience of perhaps none. Boasting a tight 2 minute runtime and an earworm hook ready to latch on after one listen, “NeedNeedNeed” is needed on your R&B and pop rap playlists. Get a taste for more indie R+B and neo soul on mani zucko’s Spotify page.

Teefa – “Confess”

October 21, 2024 Matt Moretti

Chicago emcee Teefa channels Lauryn Hill and the Fugees both in lyrics and production on her latest single “Confess.” Sampling some elements of the “Ready or Not,” beat, and most notably Lauryn Hill’s lyric “I must confess, my destiny’s manifest,” Teefa discusses the journey and pressures to be the best version of one’s self. Growth, motivation and drive are lyrical themes in a lot of Teefa’s projects as she works to bring excellence to her day-to-day. With a tight flow and sharp lyrics, Teefa delivers a smooth, inspiring single that will be at home on your conscious rap and alternative hip hop playlists. Take a deeper dive into Teefa’s previous releases ahead of her debut project, “The Making.”

Melo Griffith & seantommy – “READY YET”

October 21, 2024 Matt Moretti

Toronto-based artists Melo Griffith and seantommy join forces for a short and sweet track with elements of hip house and traditional rap on “READY YET.” Rapper/singer Melo carefully navigates a tight 1:33 runtime, taking advantage of every second to flex his quick flow, tight songwriting, and catchy interplay with the groovy beat. seantommy on production delivers a thumping, drum heavy, club ready beat that gets the head bobbing and feet moving. Melo’s mic E-N-E-R-G-Y and seantommy’s beat switchups ensure both artists get to shine equally on a really tight track that will fit in nicely with your higher energy party playlists. Both Melo Griffith and seantommy have a variety of sounds in their back catalog – take a look at their Spotify to learn more about these exciting artists up North.

Genra – “Insecure”

October 18, 2024 Matt Moretti

You know that feeling when you see a particularly tough picture of yourself? “Is that what I really look like – this is what people see?” That will put a hole in your soul. Bay Area rapper Genra digs into this how crippling this experience can be on his latest single “Insecure.” Genra runs through the checklist of things he’s done instead of rapping: got a new job, paid his taxes, trips to Costco, watching UFC – anything besides releasing music. The hiatus isn’t out of laziness. Genra admits his procrastinations come from self-doubt after he caught an unflattering glimpse of himself, tying the track title into the hook. It’s a highly relatable track from the alternative hip hop artist. In Genra’s hands, this idea is a catchy off-my-chest track featuring an evolving, sparkling, keyboard loop for a beat. You can find more from Genra on Spotify – check out[...]

SLVCKR – “Park Bench (Freestyle)”

October 15, 2024 Matt Moretti

Over a whimsical flute sample, alternative/lo-fi rapper SLVCKR brings a raw, unfiltered, and airtight flow to his latest single “Park Bench (Freestyle).” Tapping south Florida rapper Pouya, SLVCKR’s effortless on the mic, switching up rhyme schemes and providing that authentic freestyle feel. With an ear for bright, Sega Genesis-type instrumental samples, SLVCKR’s beat choice provides a good juxtaposition with his venom-tinged delivery as he spits through his clock-and-dagger rhymes. Production features cartoon-y and over the top vocal samples sprinkled in, giving the track an air of “I’m just fucking around, but it’s nice, right?” Check out more releases from SLVCKR on Spotify, where he raps into darker influences that’ll resonate with fans of $uicideBoys$ and dungeon crawlers.

Bolt Seminar and DJ MATCH – “BRAVE”

October 15, 2024 Matt Moretti

Bolt Seminar vocalist Dell Wells teams up DJ MATCH for “BRAVE” – a track where Wells takes us around the world in 141 seconds. Starting in Te Waiponamu in Māori, Wells ventures down familiar roads like Route 66 and into the barren lands of Uzbekistan in an empowering track that reminds you that new travels and discoveries are always worth it. Wells delivery is high energy, charming, and without fear as he tries out flows and bellows out the hook with with his whole chest. Production from DJ Match is a throwback boombap beat, with some 90s vibe instrumental samples and tasteful turntables. Bolt Seminar is a Brooklyn-based, four-piece hip hop art project that includes scratching, visuals and graphic design in their list of roles. Follow Bolt Seminar on Spotify and take a look through some of the past artwork from members John Sarastro and Ephemerel.

Phat Kat – “Still Bubblin'(14KT & Tall Black Guy Remix)”

October 14, 2024 Matt Moretti

Soul sample specializers 14KT and Tall Black Guy reimagine Detroit rapper/hip hop historian Phat Kat’s 2023 track “Still Bubblin'” for a spacey boom bap remix. Over soulful, ethereal production that could fit in on the Space Jam soundtrack, Kat talks about mature men problems, like exchange rates and checking mail, and cutting out friends. Kat’s bars have the same sharpness that made him a difference maker in the 90s Detroit scene. 14KT & Tall Black Guy reframe Kat’s slick rhymes with especially soulful vocal chops and floating Steve Miller Band-esque keys. You may recognize Kat’s work from his collaborations with other midwest legends, most notably J.Dilla, Slum Village and Black Milk. Listen to this track and more boom bap from Phat Kat on Spotify – and check out soulful chops from 14KT and Tall Black Guy while you’re there.

Money $ign $heed – “In Your City”

October 13, 2024 Matt Moretti

Rapping wasn’t Money Sign Sheed’s first profession. The Virginia rapper tells tales from the trap with a matter of fact delivery on his latest single, “In Your City.” Over a hazy, spacey, twinkly beat $heed reflects on his prior professions – reminding us that he does not need rap to make money. $heed’s shared the stage with Buffalo-bred tastemakers Griselda – and you’ll find common ground in their brutal honesty and authentic depictions of their life outside of the booth. Check out $heed’s Spotify page for more of his recent gangsta rap/boom bap releases.

Izzy Spears – “HEY THERE ft. Jack Powers”

October 11, 2024 Matt Moretti

Izzy Spears performs live from a BDSM Hell chamber in his latest single “HEY THERE.” The LA-by-way-of-Atlanta alternative artist brings a dark, frenetic, red-blooded energy to this highlight track from his latest EP BLOOD, SWEAT, AND DAMNATION. The genre bender chooses a post-punk guitar groove and a demonic delivery to whisper aggressive nothings in an intense growl – straight into your ear and your loins. It’ll have you feeling nervous and horny and curious what else he’s got in the chamber for the rest of this EP. Check it out on Spotify and for more audio damnation:

Phat Panda, Quick cp, SamWyze & Nano2Hype`Say What U Want…”

October 8, 2024 Matt Moretti

Detroit producer Phat Panda transports you to a 1993 Queens corner and brings 3 talented emcees with distinct styles with him on his latest cypher-styled single “Say What You Want..” On top of Panda’s subtle horns and tasteful chops, Nano2Hype serves as the host for this track, introducing Quick.cp first. Quick’s deep molasses flow hammers the track’s theme, “Say what you want, pay what you owe” as he emphasizes the hustle and the importance of putting in the work – in the same spirit of hip hop legends who forged their own path through relentless grind. Phat Panda continues shouting out his hip hop forefathers, namedropping Tribe and the Beasties before SamWyze switches up the flow, stretching words and punchlines in the manner of a Rhymesayers emcee as he tests the listener’s critical thinking with some impressive wordplay. The trio brings distinct styles and personalities, serving the spirit of a[...]

Clifton Neal & Don.Hundred – “Can’t Lose”

October 4, 2024 Matt Moretti

A soul sample in the hands of a good beatmaker carries its spirit to a new audience in a new lens. In “Can’t Lose,” the latest single from collaborators Clifton Neal & Don.Hundred, D.C. beatmaker Clifton puts his faith in the simple beauty of the sample, and Don puts his pen to his faith. Clifton’s production is subdued out of the gate, letting that divine vocal sample bring emotion and gravity to the track. Don introduces Clifton’s horns as he confesses to past struggles, growth, and the role his faith has had in. Throughout the track, Clifton continues introducing other chops and sections, continuing to rework the essence of the sample. As Clifton explores the sample, Don explores something higher – and it’s the perfect confluence for a track that feels soulful from start to finish. Listen to all 5 tracks on the “Don off the Cliff” collaborative project from[...]

Game Set – “Party’s Over”

September 25, 2024 Matt Moretti

Two dudes just got into a fight and everything’s weird now – fun’s done, party’s over. Who’s at fault doesn’t even matter, it’s a tale as old as time. But in the hands of Irish newcomers, GAME SET, it’s a compelling hip hop tale equal parts Beastie Boys and Jamiroquai. “Party’s Over’s” baseline teases some Dexys Midnight Runners but quickly transitions into a bumping backbone while production evolves with funky disco guitar tones, DJ scratches and an aggressive lyrical duel over this dumb fight that killed the vibe. But alas – the party doesn’t stop, it just moves. “One monkey don’t stop the show.” GAME SET comes to us by way of Ireland, with their hip hop scene steadily growing a foothold in mainstream circles. Get in early by giving them a follow on Spotify, where you’ll hear a couple more singles that show off their multitude of influences in[...]