Latest Posts

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.

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.

Izzy Spears – “HEY THERE ft. Jack Powers”

October 11, 2024

Izzy Spears performs live from a BDSM Hell chamber in his latest single “HEY THERE.” The LA-by-way-of-Atlanta alternative artist brings a dark, frenetic, red-blooded energy to this highlight track from his latest EP BLOOD, SWEAT, AND DAMNATION. The genre bender chooses a post-punk guitar groove and a demonic delivery to whisper aggressive nothings in an intense growl – straight into your ear and your loins. It’ll have you feeling nervous and horny and curious what else he’s got in the chamber for the rest of this EP. Check it out on Spotify and for more audio damnation:

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[...]

Tonight: Telefon Tel Aviv

February 26, 2020

A powerhouse of the 2000s underground electronic movement makes its way into the Nickel City tonight for the first time. Telefon Tel Aviv helped drive the IDM and glitch scene for the first half of the aughts; experimenting with electronic music customs and influencing bedroom producers for years to come. Following the tragic death of Charles Cooper in 2009, Joshua Eustis abandoned the name while working on projects elsewhere, touring with likes of Nine Inch Nails and Puscifier.  Eustis recently returned to the Telefon Tel Aviv name while working on new material, bringing us 2019’s Dreams Are Not Enough. Hauschildt and Icky Reels join Eustis on the stage. The Rec Room show kicks off at 8pm – $25 cover.

Dogs in Stereo Debuts New Video “Traffic Circles”

November 8, 2019

Imagine you need a playlist for a trip through some quicksand deep into the Earth. Buffalo’s lo-fi slacker rock and rollers Dogs in Stereo are ready to accompany you throughout this plodding, inevitable journey, where you say goodbye to the world around you and simply succumb. If there’s beauty in that, “Traffic Circles” will bring it out. Dreary guitars and vocals capture a fed-up, aimless energy. Joe Cardina’s project nails the depressing, grey feeling of hoping that there’s no hope with this track, reminding you to take your Vitamin D this SAD season. Dogs in Stereo goes bleak here, but it’s just one of many sounds they pull out of their bag of tricks. Varying synths and harder punk sounds highlighting other releases. Dogs in Stereo’s Idle EP hits the streets 11/15, and you can catch the release party at Mohawk on 11/14. Check out the visuals, with Shauna Presto’s direction.

SCIENCE MAN Drops New Video for “Brazilian Napkins”

October 17, 2019

Open up your mind (and ears) and let SCIENCE MAN come in. Buffalo’s premier garage punk monstrosity is back with some bizarre visuals complimenting single “Brazilian Napkins.”  Intense, grotesque and single-shot, the performance gives off shades of the Ludovico Technique, if paired with thrashing guitar riffs. Between spastic actions of dental hygiene, SCIENCE MAN (John Toohill) screams of emotional desperation, drawing on recent experiences in Sao Paulo to round out a track that’s heavy from the ceiling to the floor. SCIENCE MAN dropped the vid to kick off a two-week tour through the Rust Belt and beyond with Nervous Tick and The Zipper. They return to Buff to tear down Pallet Town on 10/25. Have a listen:

Tonight: The Burkharts

October 12, 2019

Welcome The Burkharts back to Buffalo as they cap off their eight city tour with a stop at Milkie’s for a Saturday night showcase. The Buffalo boys bring home some supremely sweet and catchy tunes, recently on display in their May debut Lazy Dazing. Grip tightly onto your last memories of the summer and vibe out to their surfy, lollipop guitar riffs and indie rock earworm choruses. Fans of Mac DeMarco are going to be stoked with the songs and if their videography is any indication, it’s going to be a heckin’ fun performance as well. Ex-Pat and Coral Collapse round out a loaded evening at Milkie’s. $6 to get into the doors, opening at 9pm. Wear your finest mustard attire.

Dezert Eez – “Rolex Dreamin ft. Talib Kweli”

December 13, 2016

Michigan staple Dezert Eez link up with hip hop legend Talib Kweli on their single “Rolex Dreamin’.” An awesome posse cut, “Rolex Dreamin'” features four furious verses from Kweli and the Dezert Eez trio of 5-Star, Nivek and O’Nill. Talib kicks things off, likening himself to a bird of prey as he vocalizes his viciousness. From there, Eez takes their turns dancing around a great chorus shouting out good drinks, weed, and a great home in the Great Lakes. These dudes are pure spitters, with verses heavy on wordplay and internal rhyme schemes. Even a smoke session has imagery to it in the hands of Eez, highlighted with the line from the closing verse, “smoking algae in the squad in my unc’s garage, collared greens now it’s Nike’s out the box, breaking bread with the guys at the liquor spot.” It’s a dope posse cut from a dope posse, give it[...]