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PB Mogul feat. 38 Spesh – “20 on the Stove”

December 2, 2024

Utica’s PB Mogul brought the trap with him on his hip hop journey. On his latest track, “20 on the Stove,” PB digs into the details on a modern trapping classic: “started with ‘cane on the griddle, now I rock stages and venues.” “20 on the Stove” features menacing, gritty and understated production that feels like you’re walking the same cold concrete blocks PB references in his tracks. Mogul is assisted on the track by WNY legend 38 Spesh, who’s quick to drop the quintessential coke bars that he and frequent collaborator Benny the Butcher are the best in the game at. Here’s another upstate NY rapper with an authenticity you can hear in every bar – Check out more from PB Mogul and 38 Spesh on Spotify.

Ha Keem – “Long Way to Go”

December 2, 2024

Multi-talented hip hop artist Ha Keem combines 90s alternative hip hop sounds with a melodic, modern R&B delivery on his latest single, “Long Way to Go.” The Central Coast rapper is quick to flex that he can “sing, dance, and rap too” but on this track he prefers to take it slow and enjoy the moment. “Long Way to Go” slides smoothly between rapped and sung verses, with tender backing vocals complimenting a catchy, chanty hook that’ll vibe well with fans of Anderson .Paak and the Roots. Production-wise, we get some delicate keys, a funky bass line, and more live instrumentation that brings a brightness to the track. “There’s no need to rush it” – Add this to your good vibes hip hop playlists and check out more from Ha Keem on Spotify.

DAOx3n – “In Ice”

November 25, 2024

Emerging experimental hip hop artist DAOx3n creates a sound all his own on his latest single, “In Ice.” Boasting a seemingly wild, but carefully crafted sing-songy delivery, DAOx3n is one of one. His sound will resonate with fans of off-the-wall melodic rapping pioneers like ILoveMakonnen, and in his more conventional moments, $uicideboys$ and Bone Thugs. Lyrically, “In Ice” touches on DAOx3n’s journey from an early age to his current output – “I make this melodies to touch the soul, keep it ethereal.” “In Ice” closes out the Dialing 0ut EP – three tracks showcasing DAOx3n’s artistic vision, featuring his challenging delivery, precise triplet flows, and brooding, evil carnival-flavored production. Check out the track on Spotify, Apple Music, or another platform of your choice.

Laz Lo – “Neighbors”

November 22, 2024

“Love thy neighbor” is complicated for Parisian rapper Laz Lo. On his new single “Neighbors” Laz Lo discusses the human experience and the societal and geopolitic impacts that happen when people from different walks of life continue to cross paths. Seamlessly switching between English and French delivery, Laz Lo crafts an elevated track with politically-charged lyrics referencing Palestine’s pursuit of freedom, and other events he sees closer to home. Lyrics give you a ton to unpack, but a groovy beat and a poppy chorus ensure you’re gonna have a good time listening to this even if you’re zoning out. Fans of MIA’s early work will be into how this combines dance-y beats with more serious themes. Give Laz Lo a listen on Spotify and check him out on IG to keep tabs on his future output.

Gasoline Monk and Burn Herm – “Abacus”

November 22, 2024

Gasoline Monk and Burn Herm create a track equal parts Adult Swim and Aesop Rock for their new single, “Abacus.” Monk’s dizzying keyboard loops and Herm’s cryptic lyricism give the track an uncanny feeling – you know you like it but you’re struggling to wrap your head around what you’re hearing. It’s great for the hiphopheads who love to dissect lyrics while walking dimly lit streets. Gasoline Monk’s gritty, loose drum section will put a rhythm into your step while Herm lets you chew on lyrics referencing heretics, mathematical visuals, and “keeping an abacus.” I wish I was smarter. “Abacus” appears on Hermit and the Monk – a collaborative project from Burn Herm and Monk. You’ll hear more from the oracle of Herm while Monk seamlessly mixes in his psychedelic, jazz and electronic influences into the beats. Take a listen to it and more from these artists on Spotify.

Showtime Ramon – “Lap of Luxe

November 19, 2024

Sacramento rapper Showtime Ramon emits Final Boss energy on his latest single “Lap of Luxe.” Pounding piano notes, a booming bottom half of mix and an overly braggadocious figurehead? Yeah – “Lap of Luxe” feels like we’ve been posted up at a Mortal Kombat-type cabinet for an hour, our eyes are bleeding and it’s time to rip up Shao Kahn. Ramon delivers line after line of classic rap swagger, reminding his opponents on the chorus that they’re “Almost to the finish, their chances all the way ugly.” Ramon adds to the gaming atmosphere with “Fatality” coded backing vocals that have a cartoonish boom to them. Take a look into Ramon’s deep discography for video game, athlete and WWE references. Take a listen to “Lap of Luxe” below:

Big Soap – “Steve Rogers”

November 15, 2024

Norfolk’s Big Soap goes all Captain America for the hook on his latest single, “Steve Rogers.” With a menacing patience to his flow – Soap details checks off the modern gangsta rap must dos, laying out his grand plans to stay on top of his opponents. “This ain’t a rap verse, this is a master thesis… but like ads on a free version you have to see this.” “Steve Rogers” features those Griselda-flavored adlibs that’ll get stuck in your head immediately after you hear them. You’ll also hear a bit of Cam’ron here with the effortless delivery and space between his bars. This track features a plodding boom bap beat to get your head nodding – add it to your driving around playlist today. “Big Soap’s SoundCloud is flooded with new tracks and if you’re a Spotify-heavy user you can check out more from his discography there too. Big Soap[...]

Dr. Ooo – MAIL MAN

November 14, 2024

Dr. Ooo has been a purveyor of wordplay in the Buffalo hip hop scene for minute. Drew Hartman’s rap project has been going strong since before Soundcloud was an era. For over a decade, he’s been combining his Rhymesayer-flavored poetic delivery with some of the tastiest boom bap beats and samples this side of the Pharcyde. Our Album of the Week is Ooo’s latest full-length, MAIL MAN, where the delivery thankfully is packed with dope beats and heady lines instead of Spectrum bills.   Mail Man’s kicks off the rapping on “Stranger Things” – a lyrical tour-de-force packed with tight flows, metaphors, and double entendres. Production-wise, we’re in a transported back to that comfortable boom bap place with delicate trumpets that allow Ooo’s wordplay to be the star of the show. “Been a hot shot since we was playing hopscotch / I was sipping Big Gulp and shawty brought me Pop[...]

redesign larussell

Showrocka + Larussell + D Breezy – “Resign”

November 9, 2024

People say “Remember when” is the lowest form of conversation. Those people are no fun. Showrocka, LaRussell and D Breezy reminisce on the good ole days  on “Resign” – a cheery, celebratory hip hop single from the trio. “Resign” is feel good hip hop at its finest, with a ubiquitous and timeless flavor to it. Choppy vocal samples and arpeggios create a lane for Showrocka and LaRussell to talk about sipping good and counting money while fondly remembering about yesterday’s problems. Production has a feel that would be equally at home in the late 90s Gang Starr album or in the late 00s on a DatPiff Curren$y download – it’s easy on the ears and friendly to the headbob. The emcees represent both coasts well in their output – take a look at a Showrocka, LaRussell and D Breezy on Spotify.

Nicki Knightz – “Step With Me” ft. JoeJas

November 9, 2024

East London’s Nicki Knightz is in the crib with your lady on her effortlessly cool single, “Step With Me.” Shedding the pink balaclava, but flexing her signature husky delivery, Knightz kicks off this track with a swagger-filled opening verse that reiterates how well taken care of your girl is when she’s in the care of Knightz. Nicki rides a retro boom bap beat that perfectly accompanies the 90s alternative rap vibes given off with her style and aethsestic. The track features an assist from fellow Londoner JoeJas, who takes adds a bit of a sing-a-long element to the song’s hook. The Knighthood Society rapper has plenty more visuals and tracks in her back catalogue – take a deeper look on Spotify. 

Kbean + Dyedhairsuicide – “Sarah”

November 6, 2024

Enjoy a mash of genres and sounds on Kbean and Dyedhairsuicide’s cloud rap banger “Sarah.” This track subverts expectations – taking a post-punk, new wave Cure-style guitar jangle, adding in some Trapaholics-style DJ shoutouts, and turning it into an emo rap track that perfectly encapsulates the DIY recording sensibilities of the genre. Both New York City artists max out the autotune to discuss their relationship issues, drug use and more interpersonal trauma. But don’t get too caught up in the emotions – there’s a “Dyedhairsuicide just fucked my girl raw” mixtape call just around the corner to make you spit out your drink. Kbean and Dyedhairsuicide have the zeitgeist cloud/emo rap sound down on their Spotify pages. Take a look and discover more.

hip hop artist negative shawdy

Negative Shawdy – “2Up”

October 29, 2024

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.

hip hop artist amp melo

Amp Melo – “Flight Path”

October 29, 2024

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. 

Teefa – “Confess”

October 21, 2024

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

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.