Latest Posts

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.

Hundred Plus Club – “Get Away From Me Jack”

November 25, 2024

The Hundred Plus Boys are at it again. Fresh off a sweet streaming success in their previous single “Gobsmacked,” Buffalo’s post-punk outfit drops their follow-up “Get Away from Me Jack.” HPC’s has featured bright guitars and earworm hooks taking influence from the great acts of 2000s indie rock, but lately things have gotten darker. “Gobsmacked” started down a gothy-er path that’s continued with the rollout of “Get Away from Me Jack.”   On this single, frontman Zain Shirazi’s baritone vocals hide within a heavy bottom half featuring some pounding bass guitar and a drum section that flips between understated live playing and New Order in-your-face “Blue Monday”-styled drum machine, continuing the band’s experimentation with percussive elements. Shirazi’s brooding vocals menacing backing voices compound the feeling of being under a sinister spell, as Zain tries to resist:   “You want people to come to your show … / But I don’t[...]

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.

TRiiiPSS – “colorss”

November 21, 2024

The Pacific sun shines bright on “colorss” – the latest single from alternative hip hop triplets TRiiiPPS. The trio, currently based on two different sides of the Pacific Ocean, combine influences from California and Tokyo (among other regions), to create light, bright alternative music that can land anywhere on the music genre spectrum. Their latest jam, “colorss” combines some Julian Casablancas-flavored drawl with radio-friendly guitar section for a good-time indie rock single that feels right at home on a FIFA soundtrack. “Colorss” ponders whether or not a potential mate sees you the same way – the subject of many a good track. See how you like it and check out more of the good vibes from TRiiiPSS 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.

atlas lane

Atlas Lane – “Perennial”

November 3, 2024

The days get shorter, the nights darker, but jammy singer-songwriter Atlas Lane won’t let us let go of the light on his breezy new single “Perennial.” Channeling some OAR, 21 Pilots and DIPATCH, Atlas has a jammy alternative hip hop vibe, heavy on the guitar jangle and a sing-songy delivery that feels straight from a San Diego beach. “Perennial” parks you on the bench facing the waves, as Atlas discusses his love of his Steinway piano, his aversions to highway driving, and finding balance between restlessness and impatience. There’s singing, rapping, guitar licks, piano twinkles – it’s a chill track with a lot to offer. Take a deeper dive into Atlas Lane when you’re yearning for those 80-degree July October days.

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.