Latest Posts

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. 

mani zuko – “NeedNeedNeed”

October 23, 2024

“Australia’s underground rapper” mani zuko shows off more than just a hip hop pen on his latest single “NeedNeedNeed.” With a soft, melodic voice, mani hovers between singing and rapping as he pleads with his love interest to be “real” with him on this R&B-flavored track. Channeling Sampha, but with a pop-friendly hook, mani is a manic man holding onto his dream girl for dear life – how mutual is this interest, how unrequited is this love? Zuko’s rapping pen makes his verses tight, but his vocals and its accompanying production shine most as he wails to an audience of perhaps none. Boasting a tight 2 minute runtime and an earworm hook ready to latch on after one listen, “NeedNeedNeed” is needed on your R&B and pop rap playlists. Get a taste for more indie R+B and neo soul on mani zucko’s Spotify page.  

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.

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[...]

SLVCKR – “Park Bench (Freestyle)”

October 15, 2024

Over a whimsical flute sample, alternative/lo-fi rapper SLVCKR brings a raw, unfiltered, and airtight flow to his latest single “Park Bench (Freestyle).” Tapping south Florida rapper Pouya, SLVCKR’s effortless on the mic, switching up rhyme schemes and providing that authentic freestyle feel. With an ear for bright, Sega Genesis-type instrumental samples, SLVCKR’s beat choice provides a good juxtaposition with his venom-tinged delivery as he spits through his clock-and-dagger rhymes. Production features cartoon-y and over the top vocal samples sprinkled in, giving the track an air of “I’m just fucking around, but it’s nice, right?” Check out more releases from SLVCKR on Spotify, where he raps into darker influences that’ll resonate with fans of $uicideBoys$ and dungeon crawlers.  

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.

Phat Kat – “Still Bubblin'(14KT & Tall Black Guy Remix)”

October 14, 2024

Soul sample specializers 14KT and Tall Black Guy reimagine Detroit rapper/hip hop historian Phat Kat’s 2023 track “Still Bubblin'” for a spacey boom bap remix. Over soulful, ethereal production that could fit in on the Space Jam soundtrack, Kat talks about mature men problems, like exchange rates and checking mail, and cutting out friends. Kat’s bars have the same sharpness that made him a difference maker in the 90s Detroit scene. 14KT & Tall Black Guy reframe Kat’s slick rhymes with especially soulful vocal chops and floating Steve Miller Band-esque keys. You may recognize Kat’s work from his collaborations with other midwest legends, most notably J.Dilla, Slum Village and Black Milk. Listen to this track and more boom bap from Phat Kat on Spotify – and check out soulful chops from 14KT and Tall Black Guy while you’re there.