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Flapjaques, casey plays the keyboard, and Naithemosthigh – “side eye”

November 3, 2025

The Chicago-based trio of Flapjaques, casey plays the keyboard, and Naithemosthigh each bring a special element to their latest single, “side eye.” The production tone is set early, with the swirlings of beatmaker Flapjaques who found a way to make a fuzzy lo-fi beat also sound like it came from Outerspace. Naithemosthigh’s raspy vocal tone is a great compliment to the shimmering beat. He shifts smoothly between a catchy singing hook and bold rapping delivery on the verses. You’ll never guess what casey is up to on this track. In all seriousness though, his care with the keys elevates this track and adds a grounding jazzy element to this otherworldy track. If you’re digging more from this trio, check them out on Spotify. While you’re there, give our New and Emerging Rappers playlist a spin – we update it with exciting new artists every single week.

Big Dese and Mike Martinez – “Word to Mick”

October 30, 2025

Artist/producer Mike Martinez and his collaborator Big Dese have found some magic in their new single, “Word to Mick.” Poignant, hilarious bars and an unafraid beat create a listening experience perfect for your hip hop head playlists. Production here is grounded in the simplicity of the fluttering orchestral strings on a short loop that seems to give lyrics an extra oomph. Big Dese and Mike Martinez are one-liner experts, toeing a line with comedy with how funny and outlandish their lyrics and delivery are. I got into this production style when first discovering Action Bronson and his work with Party Supplies, and I’m a sucker for it to this day. “Word to Mick” appears on NO RESPECT 2, a new aptly titled and covered project that features more of Dese’s incisive, self-depricating lyricism and Mike’s charismatic vocals and artistic ear for production. If you want to hear more like “Word[...]

Ronnie Gotcha and Odeljones – “MIBG”

October 30, 2025

The latest single from Colorado Springs duo Ronnie Gotcha and Odeljones might have my ideal hip hop beat attached to it. “MIBG” (“Music is the Biggest Glock”) starts off with a bang – er, actually a cocked gun. But when the beat picks up, we get a simple boom bap drum beat, a prolonged synth chord, and my personal favorite – randomly appearing piano drops you’d hear from the underground hip hop scenes of Madib and DOOM. Ronnie and Odel are at home in this beat – one that seems both structured and schizo. Their lyrics tell tales of of a changed rap game. Street flexes don’t hit the same to these guys – they’re focused on tearing up their opponents on the microphone, as evidence by the name of the track. “MIBG” is the title track on the latest collaboration from these two: Music is the Biggest Glock pt.[...]

D.R. Da Rula – “NEW LIFE”

October 25, 2025

Detroit’s D.R. Da Rula brings innovation and authenticity to his rhymes, and his lates track “NEW LIFE” is no different. Da Rula’s rhyming meter gives “NEW LIFE” a freshness that you’re not gonna hear in a lot of new rap songs. Lines go long – the rhyme doesn’t resolve when you expect it to. Right when you start to think he’s ignoring the beat, it resolves and satisfyingly scratches an itch before hopping right into another. “NEW LIFE’s” production samples some retro throwbacks, and its softness juxtaposes well with the edges Rula carries with his rhymes. With a nonchalant, conversational tone he delivers lines equally menacing, introspective and descriptive. “Same day I had my son, i bought a new pipe.” We’re excited to hear more from him. Stream more of Da Rula’s work on Spotify, where he leads off our recently updated New and Rising Rappers playlist.

NoMoniker Dev – “Mine”

October 23, 2025

If you’re interested in hearing some of the crispest drum sounds of 2025, you gotta tune into the latest track from Brooklyn hip hop artist NoMoniker Dev.  “Mine,” paced by those tight snares and kicks, tasty trumpet and sax parts, touchy keys and a warm vocal sample, is an ode to owning your shit. In NoMoniker’s case, it’s the rap artistry that he’s honed through years of experimentation in other genres and FL Studio. “It’s mine. Don’t play with it.” Dev folds his vocals in really nicely with the driving beat, bringing energy to match the horns and dropping down to a whisper to mix into the drum-first sections. This production needs to be heard, so stop reading and press play. If you’re digging NoMoniker Dev, give him a visit on Spotify. While you’re there, check out our Rising Rappers 2025 playlist that we give a polish every single week.

Godlvng – “Go!”

October 20, 2025

Godlvng is an abstract hip hop trio from our city that challenges the zeitgeist with their lyrics, and sends you to otherlands with their sounds.   Vocalists Tr38cho & Father Baker tend to meet producer Hunger Artist wherever they are. On their latest track, “Go!” that appears to be in some sort of dark, vaguely evil dungeon. Each vocalists lyrics are far from vague, posturing within some purgatory of understanding. “Go!” explores the relationships between prey and predator, both with foxes and hens and lions and sheep. They repeat the line “A Lion doesn’t concern himself with the thoughts of a sheep – that’s a lie if I ever heard it. If a lion doesn’t try to think like its prey then how does it eat?” examining conventional societal wisdoms. What else is nonsensical? What else need not apply? Should we lean into nihilism? That thought is also proposed here[...]

Nikmoody and Blvff – “explain it all later”

October 17, 2025

Nikmoody and Producer Blvff are two rising Long Island artists are putting the area on the map for hip hop. Their latest collaboration “explain it all later” boasts a driving rhythm from Blvff, taking influence from Arabic music in a similar manner to the excellent work Clipse did earlier this year. Nikmoody is relentless on the microphone, as the track features a spree of one-liners as he weaves between sports, LI and pop culture references. On the chorus, he’s tapping into his wiseguy Italian roots on the cheeky chorus where he asks (and expects) his listeners to trust him while he handles business. “Explain it all later” appears on Nik’s latest EP It’s not done yet, freshly available where you listen to music. If you’re digging “explain it all later” take a peek at these artists on Spotify. You’ll also find them on our Rising Hip Hop 2025 playlist — updated every[...]

Lex Leosis – “theweeds”

October 13, 2025

Blossoming Canadian rapper Lex Leosis takes 3 beats to to (re)introduce herself on her latest single, “theweeds.” Formerly of rap trio The Sorority, Lex has spent the last half decade perfecting her solo sound, and now that she’s on the other side of COVID and other health scares, she’s ready to take her sound worldwide. “theweeds” has three distinct sections, separated by instrumental changes from produced Harry Jay as well as Lex’s own narration. Her aggressive flow, confidence between the bars and tenacious one-liners combine for a highly engaging experience — especially when Lex combines her rapping with singing accents. You can find “theweeds” on our New and Rising Hip Hop playlist on Spotify — be sure to check out the music video for this track too, and get a taste of Lex’s poise and presence on the mic.

Trizz + AC3Beats – “On My Mama”

October 12, 2025

It doesn’t matter the problem – LA-area rapper Trizz is gonna have an answer for it. For his latest track, the Inland-empire emcee links up with another local artist in producer AC3Beats, who’s crafted a distinctly West Coast sound. Trizz’s flow is as calm as a California breeze, taking his time in meshing with AC3’s beat while he gets his solutions to life’s issues in order. On My Mama” describes his cool demeanor whether he’s inviting someone outside to settle a score or packing heat in the front seat. This track is an ode to the cool California gangster, and Trizz has the perfect attitude for the job. Check out the visuals for “On My Mama” down below, and check out these artists on Spotify (Trizz and AC3Beats) to discover more from their discography. “On My Mama” appears on our Emerging Hip Hop 2025 playlist — updated every week with[...]

flow.fx, Oriiginelle, and Milaa – “inhale_exhale”

October 11, 2025

German beatmaker flow.fx has found a delightful pairing with his singing countrymate Milaa and rising Eswatini hip hop artist Oriiginelle. The three join forces for the engaging, ethereal and tranquil new track “inhale_exhale.” The two female vocalists split duties here, offering encouraging if not spellbinding advice, as they beacon you closer and encourage you to breathe. Verses smoothly transition between singing and rapping as flow.fx’s drums pace you forward through the swirling sirens of the backing vocals. It coalesces together perfectly into one breath. Give “inhale_exhale” a listen on our Rising Hip Hop playlist, and give these artists a look while you’re there.

Stella Standingbear – “Mmhmm”

October 8, 2025

Rising rapper and award-winning Lakota artist Stella Standingbear has a lot to celebrate . Since her multiple wins at 2023’s Indigenous Hip Hop awards, Stella has shared the stage with Trippie Redd, gone viral with her music on social media platforms, and even made waves with a memorable showcase of her ancestry and culture in her On the Radar freestyle performance, accompanied by traditional dancers. Bear’s latest track, “Mmhmm” is a nice capstone to all she’s accomplished in recent odds, and is a great new entrant to the celebratory subgenre of hip hop. On a DJ Mustard-esque beat, Stella remembers where she came from, and takes a beat to breathe in all of her recent accomplishments. Her wordplay and storytelling still cut through this catchy beat, culminating in a fitting chorus, “I need a round of applause, I went and beat all the odds.” If you’re digging Stella, check her out[...]

JRoberts – “Celtic Connoisseur”

October 4, 2025

Worlds collide often for rising rapper JRoberts. The Irish-born, Toronto-based artist never strays far from his influences as he’s delivered a steady output of street conscious hip hop throughout recent years. His latest track, “Celtic Connoisseur” highlights what sets him apart as an artist. Fueled by his roots, his demeanor, and his desire for success, JRoberts has built out his own lane and it’s up to you whether you’re in on his journey. His gruff rapping delivery does little to put you at ease, comfortable with the places he’s been and paths he’s crossed. Soulful producer Imperetiv is behind the beat for “Celtic” offering up an expertly chopped sample for JRoberts to muse over. “Celtic Connoisseur” appears on JRoberts recent Shamrocks and Machine Guns project. If you’re feeling like more of JRoberts, check him out on Spotify. While you’re there, take our Underground Hip Hop playlist for a spin and[...]

Pablo Eskobear – “Found You”

October 2, 2025

Grand Rapids beatmaker Pablo Eskobear channels his drumming ability with his knack for finding interesting samples on his lovely new instrumental love song “Found You.” Crate digging served the Bear well on this one. “Found You” is built around a vintage soul love song, chopped into a slightly wonky, heavily evocative instrumental. Pablo plays with both the sample and the drums underneath it, adding, subtracting and manipulating them right when you feel settled in. Maybe it’s in the same way that love keeps you on your toes. Press play and listen to what he pulls out of this sample. If you’re interesting in hearing more production from Pablo, be sure to check him out on Spotify. While you’re there, check out our hip hop playlist where we feature interesting artists in the underground scene.

PB Mogul – “Funhouse”

October 2, 2025

Utica’s PB Mogul is a rapper best known for his gruff delivery and Upstate-street sense. He last graced our pages with the gritty trap anthem “20 on the Stove,” seeing a feature from WNY’s 38 Spesh. His latest, “Funhouse” is 100% PB, 2:48 minutes of venom as he chews up fashion posers, weak rappers, and anyone else he finds within his ironsights. The beat features the trappiest trap snares you’ve ever heard, and that subject is well known to PB too as he references the quality of his work by how happy his customers were testing it out. The best storytellers in rap have truth behind their words, and that’s certainly a core feature of the PB Mogul output. If you’re into this new PB track, check out more of his on Spotify. While you’re there, give our Hip Hop playlist a listen, where we feature new and up and[...]

Westside Gunn – HEELS HAVE EYES 2

October 2, 2025

Westside Gunn always delivers what he promises. Back in his pushing days on the seedier sides of Buffalo, that was crack or another illicit substance. Throughout his steady rise to the top of the rap game, it’s been addicting gun impersonations, endless pro wrestling references, and depictions of high fashion items that you’ll never own yourself.    Throughout a decade of increasing notoriety, the Griselda member’s collaborative CV includes the likes of MF DOOM, Danny Brown, Tyler, the Creator, and Rick Ross alongside some of the greatest beatmakers we’ve had going (Alchemist and DJ Premier to name a couple). Gunn and Griselda’s status has grown, but their essence remains the same – Buffalo scenes and faces have graced the covers and lines of countless pieces from the group through the years, with at least one significant project dropping every single year since 2016.    Gunn’s high workrate continues through 2025,[...]