Latest Posts

Jay Hallic ft. E and Dicey Montana – “Dun Came Dine”

July 16, 2026

Jay Hallic’s latest cut is what happens when you put all the most iconic sounds of southern rap into one track. Hallic and his featured artists Dicey Montana and E boast the syrup-soaked southern drawl with a Texas twang. Its hook could have came from the mic of Bun B, and a whampy guitar paces the rumbling track. Each emcee focuses on their southern roots and their work on their block while spacing some triplets into their inert flows. This pairs perfectly with a windows down cruise with the humidity a bit higher than it needs to be. “Dun Came Dine” appears on the Now or Never project from Jay — freshly released this July. You can check it out on Spotify and you’ll find “Dun” on our Best Underground Hip Hop of 2026 playlist, updated every single week.

SMOKEBLEEDEM – “BLOODLET”

July 10, 2026

Tonight when you go to bed, all tucked in nice and it’s just you and your thoughts, alternative hip hop artist SMOKEBLEEDEM’s voice will be the last thing you hear. Anticipate night terrors. His latest single, “BLOODLET” might have been mixed by Satan himself. Press play on this track and give it a listen before you read any more. It’s an evil sound. His underworldy growls mask a sharply written and rhymed track, which becomes more recognizable as a hip hop cut with every second listened. Scoring the scour are Backrooms-ian piano loops. Like running up a never-ending staircase with no escape. It feels a bit like we’re pregaming a sacrificial ritual by tossing it on, which isn’t pleasant but it’s captivating. Give SMOKEBLEEDEM a listen on Spotify. He’s got other vocal deliveries worth experiencing too — attacking from all sorts of sounds.  

Vinnie Hoover & Hommy DeVito – “Missed Call”

July 7, 2026

Take a little bit of New York gritty hip hop and mix in brash Australian lines and you’ll land on Aus rhymesayer/beatmaker combo Vinnie Hoover and Hommy DeVito, Record fuzz and increasingly menacing piano set a particularly ominously scene in the opening seconds of “Missed Call.” Once Vinnie steps to the mic though, his dialect, phrasing and vocab make this a distinctly Aussie, distinctly distinct cut that’s gonna have you googling the hip hop scene down under. He’s hustling, trying to find his way to more fistfuls of cash through high-stakes journeys that come with the reward. Vinnie’s bold and striking, Hommy is cold and looming. Together they’ve got a track woeth your ears. The rapper, producer and schemer duo are just a couple days out from another of their monthly drops – stay up to speed on their website SCHEMINGGOODS.COM. If you’re digging “Missed Call,” check these artists out[...]

Mugensoul and Modal – “Sandy”

July 5, 2026

You know the feelings are heavy when you name a song after her. Lo-fi jazzy hip hop beatmaker Mugensoul is paired up with UK emcee Modal and a conversation with Sandy is on the to-do list. Muted, forlorn trumpets eventually introduce us to a sampled track crying out “whispering your name” — and Modal begins to expel. “Sandy” explores the weeks and months after the breakup with the song’s namesake. Conversations that should have happened, conversations that need to happen, explorations within oneself before those conversations. Mugensoul’s trumpets continue to eavesdrop, and the sample haunts the subtext. Check out more from this jazzy hip hop duo on their latest collaborative project, A Dog with a Crown is Hard to Control available where you stream. You’ll also find “Sandy” on our Best Hip Hop of 2026 playlist that we update every week.  

Amari Bandz – “Currency”

July 3, 2026

Rising hip hop artist Amari Bandz is doing cloud witchcraft with his autotune use. His latest track, “Currency,” turns the humanizer way down and leans into the extravagance that is an autotuned banger. Boasting a Zaytoven-style piano intro, the beat transitions into a spacier soundscape that allows Amari to really turn it to 11 with his performance. Ripping up and down the scale with perfect computer pitch, Amari talks of excess, whether it’s the luxury Balenciaga or same-day trips to Japan. Few contemporary rap artists can find the right intersection of autotune, creative lyricism, and pop accessibilty and fortunately for us Amari is one. Give him some shine on Spotify and Apple Music if you dig this track.

Steve Nguyen – “oyakake bukaeru”

June 28, 2026

Maybe the most important, genre-defining characteristic of lo-fi, study beats is that they take you elsewhere. It could be through hypnotic rhythms, lush layers and loops, a sample that entrances your mind, or any number of reasons. But it needs to take you somewhere that you currently aren’t. Steve Nguyen has this figured out. His latest effort, “oyakake bukaeru” is just another entrant in a long line of ambient, lo-fi, study beat tracks by him that accompany his contemporary visual animation. Fluttering flutes, heavenly harps and train track rhythms draw you into the journey – give it a listen and see where this one takes you. Check out Steve’s Instagram account to get a full taste of his multimedia artistry – rife with animation, music and more. You can check out “oyakake bukaeru” on our new Jammy Study Beats instrumental, too.

Tedsson – “The Double Text”

June 25, 2026

Does it get more helpless than the moments before sending that second text? Pathetic maybe, irrational probably, desperate certainly. Rising hip hop artist Tedsson explores the signs of “long paragraphs honed and rewritten,” and “seeing you post every minute,” before you end up stacking blue bubbles on his latest track “The Double Text.” Tedsson’s matter of fact delivery appropriately masks the fool-hearted emotions that come with the situation at hand, and he speaks to it in a breakup setting. “The Double Text” boasts a truly beautiful, longing soul sample to anchor its beat. Its music video is fitting as well, and I’d recommend pressing play on that below. I’m gonna steal an observation from a perceptive YouTube commenter (oxymoron) and say that Tedsson is cut from a similar cloth as NYC alternative hip hop mainstay Homeboy Sandman. If you’re digging “The Double Text,” then give is a listen on Spotify[...]

Heykryp – “Pregame/Function”

June 24, 2026

Pittsburgh PA’s Heykryp is a rising rapper who combines the experimental nature of cloud rap with more traditional trap sounds. His latest track, “Pregame/Function” smashes together murky and glitchy production that can only be held together by the honey smooth vocals of ‘kryp. It’s a fusion of sound that further bends your listening experience by introducing a hyperpoppy percussion section and counter melody. Heykryp’s backing vocals are often folded into the lead mix, simulating your swirling brain after too many substances. All in all the track rounds out to sound like you’re trapped in a Gameboy Color loading screen for a game about getting too turnt for your own good. If you’re feeling “Pregame/Function,” check out Heykryp on Spotify, and while you’re there give our Best Underground Hip Hop of 2026 playlist a listen. We’re adding rising, undercovered, and undiscovered artists to it every week.

D-NiAL and TrippyThaKid – “Pac-Man!”

June 18, 2026

The soundtrack to PAC-MAN! is a lot more experimental than I remember. This collaborative effort from rappers D-NiAL (Canada) and TrippyThaKid (New Jersey) is built off sugary electronic synth line and bumbling bass that feels like PAC-MAN! might have been hitting up the carnival for a plug. D-NiAL’s crafted an earworm of a hook, expertly airbrushed with some autotune to hack its way into your ear drums. Trippy has some awesome subversive lines, parlaying the neverending war coverage on the news with a hankering to play some Call of Duty. It’s a bit of a ridiculous sounding track, and it’s expertly delivered by two rising artists in the genre. If you’re feeling the dark arcade vibes of D-NiAL and TrippyThaKid, check them out on Spotify. While you’re there, give our Best Underground of 2026 Playlist a spin. Tons of dope new artists to discover on there and we update it every[...]

Kimi – “Make Up”

June 18, 2026

Dutch rapper Kimi proves that modern drill isn’t limited to the UK on his latest effort, “Make Up.” The track’s title is essentially the only English in the track, and it’s additive to its charm. Kimi hits all the marks of a hit drill track – an infectious loop that drives the entire beat, snappy drums and a relentless on the microphone. The rim hits on this percussion also set the track apart from others in the genre. KIMI finds his groove alongside it, adding a relentless that pairs well with the production. Give this a listen and add it to your gym playlist – drill knows no boundaries! Check out Kimi on Spotify – he’s on a run of great new tracks. While you’re there, peep our Best Underground Hip Hop playlist, updated for the best new tracks of 2026.

Jerré – “Bread”

June 15, 2026

If you’re ready for a kick in the ass, but in like a chill way, this new one from NYC rapper Jerré is worth checking out. Jerré’s lyrics serve to separate the dreamers from the doers. No time for scrolling — rent’s gotta get paid, and there’s work to be done if you’re going to get what you want in this life. The beat is punctuated by hand drum sounds, a walking standup bass line and zappy guitar that slithers in and out of the instrumental.His message is incisive, but his flow remains mellow and synchronized with the steady grooves offered by production. “Bread” is the latest single from the upcoming project Working HeadsCheck out more from the NYC artist on Spotify. You’ll also find “Bread” on our Best Hip Hop of 2026 playlist, updated every single week.

Irish Hip Hop Shy MAscot

Shy Mascot – “Prince Lotor Flow”

June 10, 2026

Irish Hip Hop continues to have a moment. Though sonically it’s more Roots than Kneecap, “Prince Lotor Flow” from Shy Mascot is another reminder of the rapping prowess steadily present on the the Emerald Isle. The latest single from the jazzy hip hop group is built on a bedrock of gaudy bass. Its smooth line saunters up and down the track while the emcee brings a grounding presence with his gruff, assured flow. The group leans into their jazzy roots with backing vocals as well, as he’s met with a female counterpart on the hook to elevate the evocative lyrics. They also drop some great NBA references (Celtics of course), which will always get a pop out of me. If you’re feeling Shy Mascot, give them a listen on Spotify. While you’re there, scope out our Best of Underground Rap 2026 playlist – we update it every week.

Kabusa Oriental Choir – “Folded”

June 1, 2026

There are three things you should know off the rip about the Kabusa Oriental Choir: They’re a choir from the capital region of Nigeria that covers popular songs in addition to creating enchanting original songs. Their sound is even more interesting than #1 would hint at. They just took on “Folded” by Kehlani and you should definitely listen to it right now. Warmth engrosses you from every angle as the voices of the choir hum, belt, rap, sing and delivery “Folded” in a way you’d never think would exist. Take a deep dive into their Spotify catalog to really experience the distinct sound they offer. “Soso” is their most popular for a reason, but there is magic up and down the profile. It’s a great tempo change for the summer, and affirming example of the sense of awe that world music can offer. Give it a listen below:

BlueBerry – “Maybach”

June 1, 2026

Today I am euphoric, for I have heard the opening soul vocal from French rapper BlueBerry’s latest single, “Maybach.” Though that steady, soaring sample cuts directly to the core of your brain, “Maybach” isn’t done with the sonic cerebral scratches. BlueBerry’s smooth gruff of a delivery lulls you in for the verses (all in French) before levity, whimsey and sound effects snap you back into reality on “Maybach’s” chorus. Most notably is the growl of a handcrafted twin-turbocharged V12 powerplant engine (I Googled this), notably found in the luxury ride that serves as the track’s namesake. It rolls up into an expertly produced and performed track that you’re going to want to experience again from the top once you wrap it up. Give “Maybach” a listen on Spotify, add it to your playlist, and check out our Best Underground Rap of 2026 playlist on Spotify. It sounds even better in[...]

Harry Grey, Mawlude and MK Zulu – “Rules”

May 25, 2026

The trio of Harry Grey, Mawlude and MK Zulu have pieced together a jammy, bright new neo-soul track that’s ripe to be played at a sunny day function. “Rules” explores the bond that love offers, and how it trumps all other forces that life throws at you. Grey and Mawlude offer up  verses that toes the line between rap and sing, with a celebratory bounce to it. MK Zulu counters the track’s soulful bassline with a warm trumpet to add another dimension to the bassline. It all comes together for a delightful genre-bending experience that pairs well with sunshine and soulmates. If you’re digging this soulful medley, check out these artists on Spotify. While you’re there, give our Best of 2026 playlist a listen. I’m sure you’ll find something you like.