Latest Posts

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,[...]

d$hip – “SLID’N THRU”

October 1, 2025

Up and coming rapper d$hip was sent to “take over the underground” on his latest track “SLID’N THRU.” With relentless flow and swagger, d$hip brings a contagious energy that works on any style of instrumental. This time around, producer STUDIO5’s spun up a dance-y, sample-heavy beat with driving pianos and swirling strings that d$hip finds effortless comfort flowing on. As the beat evolves, d$hip digs in. His vocals could be a freestyle with the charisma he brings – impossible to practice or rehearse. Give it a listen for yourself and see what playlist if fits into. If you’re feeling more from d$hip check him out on Spotify where you’ll find a smattering of recent singles. While you’re there, take a look at our Underground and Emerging Hip Hop playlist – it’s updated every single week with exciting new artists.

Jordan Burgett – “bellies of the beast”

September 29, 2025

Listener beware: The griminess of the beat in this latest single from Cedar Rapids rapper Jordan Burgett will rearrange your face for the day. “Bellies of the Beast” is a little bit of “NOSEstalgia” with a war-ready chorus. It’s an instant classic instrumental for your minimalist, gritty, grimy playlists – and Burgett’s game lyrically, too. He’s not impressed with the industry he’s seen in his chase for acclaim, and he matches the energy of the beat in telling you why. If you’re feeling Jordan, give him a listen on Spotify. While you’re there, take our New and Emerging Hip Hop playlist for a spin – it’s updated every single week with fire new tunes from artists like Jordan.

Lucid – “Idk what you expect”

September 28, 2025

Wichita rapper Lucid brings the soul from unlikely places on his latest track “idk what you expect.” Built around pulsing piano and a stirring soul sample, this single is 1:55 of tight, freestyle-flavored hip hop.  Lucid challenges the listener and the person on the other side of his pen to understand his psyche. How do you create artful music without motivation? How can you find love without seeking substance? These are some of the questions Lucid words out in his quick-hitter — perfect to mix into your hip hop head playlists, heavy on bars and poetic verses. If you dig what you’re hearing from Lucid, give him a listen on Spotify. While you’re there, check out our New and Emerging Hip Hop playlist -updated weekly with exciting new rappers like Lucid.

Eat Greedy G – “Where I’m At”

September 22, 2025

Dallas rapper Eat Greedy G pairs his southern drawl delivery with the throwback 2000s production of Ziggy Made It for a memorable new number from the D. Cash Money brass and Zaytoven piano anchor the beat while G brings you to his world. Rapping on the hook, “Never gotta ask me where I’m at, 9 times out 10 I’m somewhere trying to get a check” G speaks to his grind while also highlighting his extracurriculars. Sometimes it’s mixing substances, other times it’s stealing your girl. Not much you can do about it. It’s a throwback piece of braggadocio that always sounds dope when you have a delivery that G does. Best listened to on a burnt disc. “Where I’m At” is a key single off of Eat Greedy G‘s latest release, I Signed MySelf featuring more southern influence across G’s vocal delivery and through the awesome production work of Ziggy Made[...]

Oliver Munch – “Ciggy Water”

September 18, 2025

Glitches, bloops and off-kilter rhythms form the contents of Aussie producer Oliver Munch’s latest track “Ciggy Water.” I’m not saying that sounds appetizing, but it might quench your thirst. Munch channels these abstract sounds into a track that feels casual and profound. Did I just have the best night of my life, or was it just another night with my friends? Maybe those are the same things. I accidentally just ashed my cigarette into your drink – that’s my bad. Add “Ciggy Water” to your instrumental playlists and decide for yourself what night it’s the soundtrack to. If you’re into Munch’s output, give him a listen on Spotify. For more exciting new artists, check out our Underground and Emerging Hip Hop playlist and find your next favorite track.

Whit. – “potion”

September 18, 2025

St. Louis rapper Whit. is a fan of the double entendre. Firstly, his artist name of course hints at the depth of his lyricism. But the wordplay doesn’t stop with his latest single, “potion,” which features an assist from the baritone vocals of Khiro Kano. The highlight of this track is the infectious chorus, where Whit. bounces on syllables with a rhythm that gets your head noddin.’ Trash can drums create an old school DIY feel on production, matching the stream of conscious delivery steaming from Whit.’s microphone. If you’re into Whit.’s latest, check out his SoundCloud account. He’s also on Spotify, where you can also find him featured on our Underground and Emerging Hip Hop playlist, updated weekly if not daily. whit. · potion w/ Khiro Kano

King Royal ft. AZ Chike- “How Deep”

September 8, 2025

Inland Empire native King Royal has a bit of a menace in the delivery of his introduction to his latest single, “How Deep.” There’s no doubt that Royal is the adult in the room when he snarls “This a grown man game” to kick off the winding single, but I’m not sure if he’s got his audience’s best intentions. Warped piano keys meet Royal’s barks, and a booming bass grounds you in the streets he’s reporting from. “It’s a 19 like Raja Bell.” AZ chimes in for the second verse, comfortable conducting business in the chaos of the beat. “How Deep’s” also got a highly memorable call and response beat that take this track over the top. Add this to your driving playlists while the weather permits. If you’re into Royal and AZ Chike’s collaboration, head over to Spotify and give them a follow. While you’re there, check out our[...]

Kibby – “on my self”

September 6, 2025

Columbus up-and-comer Kibby only needs 1:25 to make an impressive first impression with his newest single, “on my self.” Bass knocks right away while Kibby drops venom-laced lyrics, sounding like a Midwest Denzel Curry. The title of the track comes from his self-confidence in acquiring all these damn riches. Big bank take lil bank, better rich than sorry, shit like that. Kibby’s crafted a swagger-filled single that’ll fit in right alongside your other hype rap tracks. The production pairs a booming bottom half with some delightful sprinkles of soulful vocals. Check out more from Kibby on Spotify, and while you’re there give our Emerging Hip Hop playlist a spin.

Stevie Bellard – “motion”

September 6, 2025

Repping his Yeniche roots, independent hip hop artist Stevie Bellard flexes his ear for melodies and knack for sharp lyrics on his latest track, “motion.” “The Gypsy Prince” picks up influences from all over the road, citing acts like Tupac, Chris Stapleton, and Stevie Wonder in the same breath. At the same time, he stays true to his heritage on “motion,” kicking off the track with the line “I’m a traveler.” This line and many others throughout the track have weight, double entendres, and more as Stevie pours heart into his pen. This track has a motivational, radio-ready sound to it and a low melodic hook that comes from the clouds to get caught in your ear. You can listen to more from Stevie Bellard on Spotify and can hear “motion” on our Underground Hip Hop playlist.

american storyteller music

American Storyteller Music – “Livin’ it up in Chi Town”

September 6, 2025

Close your eyes and get transported to the windy shores of Chicago with the latest track from American Storyteller Music, “Livin’ it up in Chi Town.” The ambient study beats track pulls in the sights and sounds of Chicago. The Storyteller pairs fuzzy piano and saxophone with area references, taking us on a tour through neighborhoods and down streets. Lake Michigan looms line by line, and the soulful hook ensures your feet feel grounded in the shoes of a Chicagonite. The artist is heading an ambitious web project, Songs Across America, that identifies songs tied to regions and cities throughout the U.S. You can find “Livin’ it up in Chi Town” on here, and explore other parts of the country and the art that reflects them. You can also find it on our Underground and Emerging Hip Hop playlist on Spotify – updated every single week.

Manwolves + CRASHprez – “keep your focus!”

August 31, 2025

Two risers in the Chicago music scene combine forces for a cheery lil’ banger in the form of this new track “keep your focus!” Together, the “five regular dudes” of contemporary indie rock band Madwolves and effervescent windy city rapper CRASHprez are “CRASHwolves.” Their joint effort, “keep your focus!” takes the best of both sides – Manwolves expertly-crafted groovy guitar strums are the bubbly underbelly for CRASHprez’s town holler pronouncements. The wolves handle some hook work after Presidente’s catchy verses on this track that takes us back to the blog rap era. An indie rock hook with sharp underground rap on the verses fueled mine and many others’ souls for like 3 years in the early 2010s. And on this track, we get a verse from Manwolves too to really take it over the top. Give this a listen and check it out on our underground hip hop playlist, updated[...]

Javy XI ft. Toneyboi – “Shooter McGavin”

August 23, 2025

Orlando emcee Javy XI (ex-I) connects with Buffalo mainstay ToneyBoi for a fluttery new boom bap single that didn’t make the Happy Gilmore sequel, and that’s probably for the best. “Shooter McGavin” has a timeless sound built on brass. Trumpets pace each rapper as they serve bars “from Orlando to Buffalo.” The energy generated from that production fuels Javy and Toney – the veteran rappers match charisma verse for verse. Toney gets a Buffalo namedrop in on his crispy verse on the back half of the song as he enjoys the variety of flows he can test out on this tight beat. “Shooter” is a standout from Javy’s latest release, We’ve Become the OGs…Now What?, boasting a tracklist of more thoughtful wordplay and heavy on the soul sampling – a great pair if you ask me. Listen to more from Javy and Toneyboi on Spotify – while you’re there, check[...]