Latest Posts

Nando Smoove and CAV – “Reparations”

August 19, 2025

Brooklyn’s Nando Smoove has his own ideas for reparations: “Fuck a piece, we want the whole world. To be better for these boys and girls.” His macro mindset is reflected in the lyrics of his latest single, “Reparations,” where Smoove and featured artist CAV discuss societal and cultural figures that have impacted the African-American experience. Where can they stack up with their impact? Is all cultural impact positive? Michael Jordan, B.I.G. and even Jerry Stackhouse get brought to the discussion on this highly introspective conscious hip hop track. If you’re into “Reparations,” take a listen to Nando Smoove and CAV on Spotify. You’ll find both of these artists on our Underground and Emerging Hip Hop playlist – updated every single week.

Louis Davis, Jr. – “ROOTIN'”

August 18, 2025

“You know all the answers, you ain’t gotta ask.” This line kicks off Bay Area wordsmith Louis Davis Jr.’s latest track single – an uplifting, motivational, and supportive banger in “ROOTIN.'” Louis’ verses tie back to the title of the track, assure his audience that answers lie within, and sacrifice and commitment are the keys to growth. You can’t expect to reach the top without laying the groundwork, and “ROOTIN'” reminds the audience that the grind starts before the shine starts. The double entendre here is that roots are essential starting points for success, and that Louis is rooting for his friends, enemies, and community to apply the learnings he shares on the track. Warm orchestral strings and heaven-sent keys pace the production here – matching the righteous tone that Louis delivers throughout the track, especially on the spoken word section in the back half of the track. If “ROOTIN'”[...]

Melanchro – “Pain Playground”

August 17, 2025

Up-and-coming cloud/emo rapper Melanchro values a good melody. The earworm chorus of his latest track, “Pain Playground,” rightfully dominates the 1:35 runtime of the track. Melanchro’s earnest and emotional pleas to himself get masked by vocals that expertly tap the catchy snarls of the 2000s emo-pop scene. In spite of its catchiness and in reference to its title, “Pain Playground sees the artist stuck on the merry-go-round of heartbreak, and he’s “pretending nothing’s hurting me, but that lie cuts way too deep.” You’ll be putting this one on repeat to get another taste of that hook. The LED Gengar constellation cover art goes hard as hell, too. Take a listen to this one on Spotify, and catch some more alternative hip hop tracks on our Emerging Hip Hop playlist.

Cerdarious and antonenow. – “GET RIGHT”

August 12, 2025

Compton artist Cerdarious teams up with the balaklava-clad rapper antonenow. for a tight new track, “GET RIGHT.” Clarity, motivation, and optimism pace the pens of each of these artists. Over two rapid-fire verses (with a literally breathtaking verse coming first), Cerdarious and antonenow. encourage friends and listeners to take a beat and trust the process, and stay focused. Life’s too short to get caught up, as referenced with lines like “I hope you live your life to the fullest and don’t regret it.” But a little extra money would help too, and both artists take a line to be realistic about that.  “GET RIGHT’s” beat is a hidden star, boasting a beautiful vocal sample that sounds like someone just put some money in a jukebox. If you’re feeling this track and want to hear more from these alternative hip hop artists, be sure to check out both Cerdarious and antonenow.[...]

MATTFOU – “Truth Be Told Again pt. 2”

August 10, 2025

Indie artist MATTFOU takes a break from his fuck ‘n rock outfit HÆDNUT to drop a study beats/conscious hip hop track that sounds right at home in your Nujabes playlist. Paced by piano and trumpets, “Truth Be Told” is a seamless entrant into these genres. MATTFOU’s lyrics focus on empowering the collective willpower while uplifting the next generation. On the hook, he raps “truth be told, we don’t break, even when the world tries to raise the stakes,” and closes out the song with more of this mindset: “I don’t rap to floss, I rap to breathe, to remind the next child what their soul can be.” My favorite conscious hip hop tracks are the ones that are focuses on the greater good – ones that non-hop hop heads can drop in on and see the quality of songwriting. That’s what MATTFOU’s done here, and he’s also done it on[...]

IAMJALEO – “Call Out”

August 4, 2025

Alternative hip hop artist IAMJALEO knows his worth. His latest release “Call Out” narrates the all-too-familiar sense of feeling undervalued. Through the lens of his less-than-satisfactory 9-5, IAMJALEO discusses how the time and energy suck away valuable time from creating art. Despite the temptation of calling out (as hinted in the song name and hook), paying rent and actually funding artistic passions keeps IAMJALEO and countless others clocking in when their heart and mind couldn’t be elsewhere. Their outlet becomes venting through art, which does benefit us listeners when it’s this well done and creative. “Call Out” boasts a backdrop of jazzy guitar runs and a chorus way more engaging than the job IAMJAELO likely crafted it during. If you’re digging, take a listen to more of his work on Spotify and check him out on our New and Emerging Hip Hop playlist, updated every single week with dope new[...]

khi – “star ignite”

August 1, 2025

What I dig the most about Atlanta rapper khi is the attention to detail within his bars. His latest track, “star ignite” is jam packed with internal rhymes schemes and seamless transitions to new lines and thoughts. ITs smoothness feels like a stream of conscious but it’s way too technically sound for that. khi’s nonchalant delivery and expert use of assonance position “star ignite” as a track you could throw right into the queue alongside Earl Sweatshirt. Lyrically, khi uses this track to discuss the isolationism tactics that have fueled his skills and his rise. When there’s limited time in the day to pursue your dreams, sometimes answering the phone moves down the list of priorities.  Get a better idea of khi by taking a quick stop on YouTube to check out this track’s visual. Stay up to speed with khi on Spotify, and while you’re there check out our[...]

Statz – “SATURDAYS WITH JOE” ft. Dez Luciano

August 1, 2025

Harlem’s Statz builds on his family legacy with his latest effort, “SATURDAYS WITH JOE.” The grandson of a 1950s doo-wop singer, Statz has an ear for soulful melodies and certainly put them to use with the production on this cut. “JOE” is built off of lovely simple sunburst vintage loop, sounding like something Party Supplies or Harry Fraud would have dropped closer to the mid 2010s. Statz and featured artist Dez Luciano offer their philosophical advice on the way people should approach life. Take this one for a spin and pick up some streetwise musings while you cruise through an orange summer evening. IF you’re digging Statz, check out more from him on Spotify. While you’re there, take our Underground and Emerging Hip Hop playlist for a spin – it’s updated with new artist every single week.

iced – “oh, you mad?”

August 1, 2025

Canada rapper iced stays cool in the face of bombastic bass – creating a memorable new single up north with his recent release “oh, you mad?” Built on a meth-fueled xylophone synth line and heavily distorted bottom half, iced brings suitably unpredictable balance. His flows run from frenetic to nonchalant and playful to menacing. Take “oh, you mad” for a spin and add this to your car playlists to test out those speakers your parents got you for Christmas. If you’re interested in more from iced, take a look at his Spotify page, where you’ll find a few other 2025 highlights from the artist, including the singles “LIL BOY” and “EXPOSED.” While you’re there, take a listen to our New and Emerging Hip Hop playlist, where you’ll find more exciting new artists every single week.

ZooDeVille – “Get it Tatted” ft. Adam Flowers, Pistol Mcfly, and Jonah Levine

July 23, 2025

ZooDeVille channels early 2010s blog rap to create a fresh, commercial-ready sound on their latest single “Get It Tatted.” Some of my favorite days spent circa 2013 were crawling the pages of DJBooth.net hoping I’d see one of the era’s mainstays repackaging a hot indie rock crossover into the hook for their next single. But in 2025, ZooDeVille, Adam Flowers, Pistol Mcfly, and Jonah Levine don’t need Empire of the Sun or Darwin Deez to drop an indelible single to build a pop rap single around. An earworm chorus that could have been Fueled by Ramen is generated in house by Zoo, and each artist adds in something accessible that makes “Get It Tatted” one of those feel good tracks you can mix in with a running playlist or a pregame and greet either inclusion with a smile. Some of the references are a little too new age for me[...]

MooreBeats – “Upside Down” (ft. LONG LIVE PHOENIX + O.H. BAGS + RealTime + The Commissioner + Z U L U + THEREALMFDOT)

July 23, 2025

MooreBeats is an up and coming old school hip hop producer who’s soulful beats give him more of an architect feel than your conventional beatmaker. His latest single, “Upside Down,” is a timeless, soulful boom-bap cut with such an approachable sound that he got 6 emcees itching to hop on it. Between LONG LIVE PHOENIX, O.H. BAGS, RealTime, The Commissioner, Z U L U, and the THEREALMFDOT, we get a full spectrum of rappers with conscious bars, charismatic deliveries and flows that don’t stop evolving. Give this track an add to your playlists that prioritize the art of sampling and the art of pure unadulterated bars. “Upside Down” appears on MooreBeats Team2025 project, featuring original instrumentals from MooreBeats and a full roster of exciting underground hip hop artists. Take it for a deep dive and come out with a couple new artists in your rotation. Check out MooreBeats on Spotify and[...]

Tebi Rex – “not with a fizzle fr”

July 23, 2025

The Irish duo of Tebi Rex (Max Zenga and Matt O) add another notch to their belt of momentum-building singles with their latest effort, “not with a fizzle fr.” Kicking off with angelic harmonies, “fizzle” evolves into a genre-bending, pace-changing track with elements of indie folk to coalesce with the duo’s alternative hip hop tendencies. Delicate piano, soul-searching saxophone and a grounding breakbeat each take their turn at the center of the production on the track. Vocally, Zanga and O take their turns embracing the light (potentially fleeting) that life’s given them to this stage, with harmonized, considerate singing vocals. Give this song a listen and decide for yourself what type of playlist it’d best serve – your ears will be happy regardless of what you decide. Check out more from Tebi Rex on Spotify, where they’re adding quality, high-performing releases to the growing Irish Hip Hop scene. While you’re[...]

Doza – “Keep it Down”

July 19, 2025

Los Angeles rapper Doza interweaves his Filipino and West Coast roots with his latest single, “Keep it Down.” Jumping directly into a verse, Doza name drops GOAT’d Filipino boxes Manny Pacquiao, California, and Dodgers/Japanese pitching legend Hideo Nomo seconds into the track. Doza’s references are sharp, but his commitment to the craft cuts deeper. “Keep it Down’s” hook begs those who aren’t taking him and his craft seriously to hush their tones so he and his art can control the dial. Production-wise, this track is built off off a classic 90s boom bap beat with at little bit of West Coast flavor — letting Doze feel right at home. If you’re digging Doza, check out more of his work on Spotify. While you’re there, check out him and other awesome up-and-coming artists on our Emerging Hip Hop playlist.

$vvokey – “Pain Move Slow”

July 16, 2025

Canadian rapper $vvokey can’t stop the cold, forward march of hurt on his latest track, “Pain Moves Slow.” The scenes from lost love haunt him as $vokkey falls into a dark hopelessness that consumes him throughout the song. He attempts to comes to grips with his loss on lines like “Eyes on the sky like I still want something.” Production matches through the tone with murkiness – A mysterious solemnity exists in its string lines. “Pain Move Slow” ends with an unceremonious bang, a testimony to how quickly emotions can take you to a dangerous place. It’s not right for your sunny day playlist, but $vvokey’s lines are packed with imagery and he’s got an ear for catchier hooks than you’d expect from the subject matter. The single appears on $vvokey’s Happy DeathDay! EP featuring really dope vintage VHS artwork. Listen to more from $vvokey on Spotify. While you’re there,[...]

Damon Omen and $cream-Capone – “Viola”

July 12, 2025

New York producer Damon Omen brings sounds from the underground on his latest team up with grizzled veteran rapper $cream-Capone. The collaborators’ recent single “Viola” balances a booming bottom half, melodic retro piano and the streetwise words of $cream Capone. Capone’s senses are never doubted, weighing temptations of the environment with lines like “No ouija board but the Devil’s sending information.” Omen’s bass knocks your ears off your head, but it’s earned not given. You’ll get caught up with that piano before the boom brings you back to earth. You can check out the tight visuals for “Viola” on YouTube, and more from Damon Owen on Spotify. While you’re there, check out our Underground and Emerging Hip Hop playlist, updated weekly and featuring Owen/Capone and other great rising artists.