Latest Posts

Genra – “Insecure”

October 18, 2024

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[...]

Bolt Seminar and DJ MATCH – “BRAVE”

October 15, 2024

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.

money sign sheed

Money $ign $heed – “In Your City”

October 13, 2024

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.

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

October 4, 2024

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[...]

Irish hip hop group Game Set.

Game Set – “Party’s Over”

September 25, 2024

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[...]

FC the MC – “This Way”

December 2, 2016

Connecticut’s FC is a boom bap understudy with a sound in the wave of contemporary NYC rap. His single “This Way” is a pledge to imperfection, evident with the opening line “Most my life lessons I regret cause I’m quite reckless.” FC shakes off his youthful demeanor with a polished sound that captures your ears as you nod along with a head-bobbing beat.  “This Way” features a sharply rapped hook, and sounds extra crisp with the baritone voice of FC. His lyricism focuses on overcoming self-doubt and progressing, while still holding true to himself. Give it a listen below.

Sammus – “Song About Sex”

November 30, 2016

Ithaca’s Sammus hits a nerve with her single “Songs About Sex.” The fiery track speaks to sexual experiences (both good and bad) from a women’s perspective. The femcee talks about great sex with shitty people, poignantly expressed in the line “I can’t judge girl, I’ve been there I’ve done that, I’ve cum dumb hard so I run back.” She also details the all-too-real threat of assault, rounding the bases of a track ripe with emotion. The song’s beat flips an elevator music sample and brings it into the 2010s. I could explain this track front and back but Sammus’ words do it more justice on the chorus; “This is a song about sex in which I do not condemn women for the realities in which they are living. We should not be forgetting, we should be forward living, you should be for what we can’t afford to keep on forgetting.”[...]

Jay Fletch – “Money Can Change Everything”

October 11, 2016

Calgary’s finest is on display on “Money Can Change Everything” from the city’s Jay Fletch. Canada’s rap scene has been on fire, and Jay flexes his abilities on the carefully dreary, heavy beat for “Money.” He’s composed but reflective on a knockout hook where he raps “I swear to God money can change everything, tryna live my life, be a better man. Talk about the sun and the rain I’m the weather man.” Jay’s finances are definitely on display, but the track is more about personal relations and self-improvement. Jay’s got a killer, accessible sound emblematic of his country. Check out more from him here and listen to “Money Can Change Everything” below.

Decide – “The Powerless”

August 25, 2016

Demonstrated by the strength of the ironically powerful lead single “The Powerless,” rapper Decide‘s Struggle Inside EP is a motivating, empowering hip hop project. The five-track prepper focuses on day-to-day struggles we face, from struggles with work, to relationship woes, finally settling on closer “The Powerless.” Decide holds no punches as he calls for people to get off their asses and chase what they want. It begins with the line “Imagine me doing nothing just sitting around, looking at wall trying to figure something out.” He remains direct with his bars, and isn’t a fan of feeling sorry for one’s self. Production on the EP is varied, courtesy of the beatmaker Anno Domini Nation. “Rap Shit” has the bombastic thumps and charming piano keys of a Dr. Dre song. “Illusion of Choice” is both cloudy and epic. But “The Powerless” is classic hip hop. Chopped up vocal samples comprise the main[...]

TruthCity – “Changes”

August 17, 2016

Virginia transplant TruthCity has a story to tell. In his single “Changes” the rapper lays out the path he continues to trek to accomplish what he wants to in the industry. The struggles of a musician aren’t necessarily mysterious, but TruthCity makes you feel his words. It kicks off right away when he refers to his rhymes as “couch raps,” an acknowledgement of all the places he’s floated since his arrival in NYC. He recounts moments of self-doubt and frustration with gripping words and phenomenal flow. The uneasiness still follows TruthCity, but as the cliche goes, it’s about the journey, not the destination. “If I make it out, I’ll tell my story, of how tragedy can become glory.” Watch and listen below.

Napoleon Da Legend – “Sacrifice”

July 27, 2016

Brooklyn’s Napoleon Da Legend has a captivating sense of power in his voice. With a profound flow, Napoleon takes on the timeless beat from J. Dilla’s “Last Donut of the Night” on his single “Sacrifice.”   Napoleon’s subject matter comes from someone with enough success to be a force, but with a lot left to chase. The hunger is heard in “Sacrifice’s” outstanding chorus; “I will never stop until you’re mentioning my name with the best.” Rapped hooks are awesome when done right. “Sacrifice” debuted through All Def Digital. Napoleon’s Steal this Mixtape project can be listened to in full here, and features most classic beats from the likes of El-P, Madlib, the RZA and more. Give “Sacrifice” the listen below.

Relself – “Playin Catch-Up”

July 20, 2016

One listen to “Playin Catch-Up” by rapper Relself makes two things very clear: 1. He likes Adult Swim, and 2. He’s a fan of tongue-twisters. “Catch-Up’s” beat is an Adult Swim bump, one of the quick musical pieces that plays between shows. On the lyrical side of things, Relself’s lines are a slalom of syllables, immediately kicked off by the opening “Back to rappin lip be flapping wreaking havoc so, ya passive napping hazard havin asses fabric fold.” And the assault continues for the entirety of the two and a half minute track. Madlib and Rick and Morty fans will both be pleased, listen below.

Novi Nov – “Thinkin’ Bout Ya”

June 1, 2016

Pop-rap, or rap produced with commercial intent is a relatively polarizing genre. Everybody has heard a joke about Pitbull or Flo Rida sucking (even though “My House” bangs). In that same vein though, it’s hard to ignore the catchiness and charisma that an artist like Fetty Wap carries with him on all those singles. Pittsburgh rapper Novi Nov comes from the world of one of the most commercially successful rappers of the last few years in Wiz Khalifa. Though he hasn’t reached that status, he’s churning out some simple, enjoyable rap tracks with memorable, sing-songy choruses to plant into listeners’ heads. His latest single “Thinkin’ Bout Ya” describes a lady who won’t escape Novi’s thoughts. The chorus is a ton of fun and Novi doesn’t hold back on verses, switching between rapid and melodic flows. Light-hearted, commercial music is often the most fun, and that’s what Novi goes for and[...]

Tonight: Buffalo Rap Round Robin

April 16, 2015

What began as an annual Baltimore tradition has made its way to Buffalo, where three local acts meet three touring acts for a nonstop rap action in an innovative presentation of music. The Gypsy Parlor hosts tonight’s event, which begins at 9pm. The aim of the Rap Round Robin is to eliminate the “dead air and general lameness” of rap shows by creating an environment where there is continuous music throughout the show. Three stages are set up, and each act performs a single track before passing the mic to the next group. The audience is literally surrounded by music, and with three local favorites representing, this is a can’t miss show for hip hop heads. Jack Topht & Little Cake will take a stage tonight, along with Dr. Ooo, and Short Moscato. The touring acts for the tour are Passalacqua, Height Keech, and Eze Jackson, along with special guest PT[...]

Mario Bee and Mike Gerbino Announce Point of No Concern EP

April 14, 2015

Two former Rochester-based artists, DJ Mario Bee and rapper Mike Gerbino, are set to release their debut collaborative EP, Point of No Concern on April 20th. Featuring an assortment of hip-hop, electronic, and grime beats, the five-track record abrasively touches on subjects like the middle-east, prostitution, global warming, and Facebook. Well known for his work on HBO’s Brave New Voices poetry special, Gerbino is an accomplished spoken work artist in addition to his hip hop endeavors, while Mario Bee began his career DJing and producing in both Rochester and Buffalo before moving to New York City where he now gigs frequently throughout the city and the East Coast. The pair are also having a release party for the EP this Saturday at Leftfield Bar in New York if you find yourself in the area Check out the project’s first single, “Eliot Spizter,” below.