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D. Moe the Artist waxed lyrical around the landmines of entanglement in ‘Sweet n Low’

Posted on 23 December 2023

D. Moe The Artist’s latest track, Sweet n Low, is a mesmerising blend of lyrical depth and sonic warmth. The Greer, SC-hailing 28-year-old lyricist and singer crafted a soundscape that allows you to ride the waves of the vibes while exploring the bitter-sweet intricacies of affection.

The track, produced by Supreme Buddha, is a masterful display of D. Moe’s prowess as a storyteller and musician. The track is saturated with mellow, delay-laden instrumentals that create a smooth, melodious platform. It’s on this sonic canvas that D. Moe paints his harmonised rap bars, delving into the nuanced landmines of affection and entanglement. His voice, both soothing and expressive, weaves through the beats with a natural ease, making every word resonate with the listener. D. Moe doesn’t just rap; he converses with the soul, offering insights into the complexities of human connections and conditions.

Behind the artist is a story of dedication and ambition. With his independent label, Prodigious Minds LLC, D. Moe is not just making music; he’s building an empire. His journey from collaborating with artists across the US to standing on the brink of his 2024 project Prodigious Minds is a testament to his commitment and talent.

Check out the official music video for Sweet n Low on YouTube.

Follow D. Moe the Artist on Instagram to keep up to date with the news on his album release. The LP is set to drop on January 1st.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

J Swave waxed lyrical on the cyclicality of capitalism with his soulfully smooth rap track, Round and Round

Posted on 19 December 2023

UK rapper J Swave is a conduit of soulful innovation in his latest track, Round and Round. With ethereal backing harmonies which resonate as though they’ve just been torn from the sunset of an ambiently exotic deep house track behind his steady and captivating canter, the track unravels as a profoundly melodious commentary on the unyielding demands of capitalism.

J Swave, with his Nigerian roots and diverse background, has consistently demonstrated his ability to resonate with a wide audience. His debut EP, III Styles, and the mixtape Catch the Swave have already set a high bar, but Round and Round elevates his artistry to new heights – far above the standard set for underground artists. The track’s cross-over commercial appeal is undeniable, with a melodic sonic signature almost hypnotic in its gravitational pull.

Going beyond the hot-headed anger and opting to verse emotionally charged poetry that delves deep into social issues, it’s effortless to become consumed in the introspection. His verses are a poignant subversion of the medieval theology that love is the central force in the world. In Swave’s portrayal of the UK’s capitalistic dystopia, it’s not the measure of the heart but, lamentedly, the weight of one’s wallet that defines a man.

As the backing vocals provide a hauntingly beautiful contrast to Swave’s grounded, rhythmic flow, the track entwines euphonic magnetism with a provoking stimulus for the mind. It’s a track that not only resonates with his growing fan base but also stands as a compelling invitation for new listeners to explore the depth and versatility of his music.

Watch the official music video for Round and Round, which premiered on December 13th on YouTube, or stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Genaddy took motivational hip-hop to a cinematically fiery new plateau with his debut, 1,000 Mile.

Posted on 14 December 2023

After dropping his debut single, 1,000 Mile, the veraciously fresh rapper, Genaddy, has already shed his up-and-coming underdog status, amassing over 56k monthly listeners on Spotify with his astronomically high-octane energy.

By taking motivational hip-hop to a cinematically fiery new plateau with orchestral elements sweeping across the big beats, there’s no overstating the epic scale, dramatic intensity, or the way the production enhances the storytelling.

With a flow as fervent as Busta Rhymes and Twista paired with the sharp and ingenious wordplay of Nas and Lil Wayne and the production pumping out the innovative and emotional resonance of a Hans Zimmer score, we may as well hand the keys to the hip-hop dominion over to Genaddy in 2024. With a debut LP locked, loaded and ready to drop nuclear bombs on the airwaves next year, Genaddy isn’t an artist you want to sleep on.

Check out the 1,000 Mile single, featuring the B-side, Circles, on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

17thekid became the fieriest flow queen on the underground hip-hop scene with her latest single, Roll Call

Posted on 12 December 2023

Roll Call, the latest boom-bap hip-hop track from 17theKid, is a fresh nostalgic throwback to the 90s, infused with the artist’s fiery and larger-than-life energy.

The multi-talented indie artist brings her unique blend of skills as a rapper, drummer, singer-songwriter, producer, audio engineer, and dancer to the addictively electric track that is a testament to 17theKid’s intellectual prowess and sharp wit, as she weaves intricate lyrics that showcase her academic background and deep understanding of the genre. Her flow is impeccable, effortlessly transitioning between rhythms and rhymes, proving why she’s quickly becoming known for her conviction and creativity in the hip-hop community.

The beats are masterfully crafted, offering a rich and layered backdrop that complements 17theKid’s dynamic vocals. The track’s production, despite being self-recorded in a modest home studio, doesn’t lose any of its polished edge, highlighting 17theKid’s growing skills as an audio engineer.

Her ability to meld different aspects of her artistic personality into a cohesive and compelling narrative is a testament to her versatility and dedication to her craft. In Roll Call, she not only pays homage to the boom-bap style but also puts her unique stamp on it, making the track both a nostalgic journey and a bold statement of her place in the modern hip-hop landscape.

Roll Call hit the airwaves on November 25; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

West London’s freshest trailblazer Zush held no prisoners with the killer cadence in ‘Playing for Keeps’

Posted on 7 December 2023

West London rap icon in the making Zush showcased a luminary on the cusp of great acclaim by unleashing his high-octane hit, Playing for Keeps, which flavours UK drill with a Caribbean kick while exhibiting his ability to hold his own against the charisma of Stormzy and Dave.

By bringing cultural flavour into the dark and ensnaring atmospheric Drill tones, the depth of the track is enhanced to the nth degree; from the first beat you are immersed in an adrenalizing aural visualisation of his infectiously visceral sonic signature.

After the success of his seminal single, We Got the Sauce, which saw his talent recognised by Pulse 88, Itch FM, GRM Daily, UGM, The Beat London, Westside FM, Bound 2 Blow and many more, Playing for Keeps is an impossible-to-ignore statement of intent from an artist who exhibits his determination in every facet of his captivating expression.

By honing his talents from a young age as a high school beat-maker, DJ in a rap group and percussionist in a steel band, Zush was primed to make an unforgettable entry into the domain of UK rap. The influence of hip-hop legends like Nas, Busta Rhymes, Missy Elliot, and Pharrell, coupled with the Caribbean beats from his upbringing, is evident in Playing for Keeps, which fuses his reverence for sharp flows with his affinity towards his Caribbean roots, which pull through when he asserts his Caribbean accent in the chorus as a juxtaposition of the drill bars which exhibit his command of flow and cadence.

Playing for Keeps dropped on the 30th of November; stream it on Spotify and never miss another seminal release from Zush by following him on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mr Asap made lyrical bombs out of his mic drops in ‘Heathrow’

Posted on 3 December 2023

Taking influence from Dave, Lotto Boyzz, MoStack, and Wu-Tang Clan and turning that inspiration into a brand-new urban fusion, the London-based up-and-coming artist, Mr Asap, is ensnaringly fresh on his new track and music video, Heathrow.

By bringing cinematic elements into his instrumentals, including evocatively weighted minor key piano progressions and classical strings, Mr Asap went beyond the drill beats to deliver a track that will consume your consciousness whole while he flexes his skills with wordplay in a way that makes lyrical bombs out of mic drops.

It may be early days in the industry for Mr Asap, but his determination to step out of the ordinary with every bar has established him as a luminary the spotlight deserves to shine on. Expect even bigger things from Mr Asap in 2024; with his swathes of charisma and his gritty true-to-form intellectualism, he won’t disappoint.

The official music video for Heathrow premiered on November 24th; stream it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mizzery Jones ensnares via culturally cultivated distinction in his seminal rap track, Yes

Posted on 2 December 2023

Mizzery Jones established himself as a master of rhythmic magnetism while battling his introspective demons in his seminal rap track, Yes, which pulls listeners into a space where old-school hip-hop meets a new era of sound.

The track is a testament to Mizzery Jones’s ability to honour the genre’s roots while allowing his bars to flow into uncharted territories with his distinctive style. Vocally, there are touches of Eminem as Jones blends the foundational beats of hip-hop with fresh cinematic production stylings. If you can imagine being sonically guided through a vibrant bazaar of sounds, where each beat and note is infused with a sense of exoticism, you’ll get an idea of the colourfully layered complexity within Yes, which is prised from Jones’ EP, I’ll Be Back Before Too Long.

This sharp and esoteric indicator of Jones’ ability to intellectually stimulate through his wordplay and deliver verses with a hypnotically assertive cadence won’t fail to capture your attention and keep hold of it with a vice-like grip until the very last note. It’s impossible not to be ensnared by Mizzery Jones’s culturally cultivated distinction as he allows his lyrics to unravel as a panoramic picture of determinism, candour and emotional intelligence.

Mizzery Jones’s biography adds another layer of depth to his artistry. Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, this producer and artist spent a significant portion of his life in the vibrant cultural landscapes of Chapala and Guadalajara, Mexico; experiences that have clearly seeped into the textured layers of his music.

Stream the I’ll Be Back Before Too Long EP on Spotify or purchase the EP on Apple Music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Solomane advocates authenticity in his meditative rap track, Higher Self

Posted on 29 November 2023

The climactic track, Higher Self, from Solomane’s latest LP, The S.O.L.O. Tape, Vol. 1, is a profound meditation set to music; a contemplative dive into the essence of self-actualisation and the pursuit of authenticity.

The Franco-Moroccan artist, who is a self-made man in the world of music, brings a rich tapestry of cultural experiences to his work, and it shines through in this latest offering. Having honed his craft in various cities from Brussels to Barcelona, Solomane’s worldly perspective is embedded in his lyrics, which he delivers in a mellow tempo that’s as reflective as the message itself.

The track speaks to those striving for something more meaningful than mere imitation, advocating for autonomy and originality. In a time when it is all too easy to see an image on social media and lament the disparity between you and who you think you see, the message is as necessary as it is powerful.

Solomane’s eclectic influence—from the golden era of New York rap to the rhythms of reggaeton and the soulfulness of R&B—is masterfully blended into a backdrop for his sound which effortlessly transcends genre constraints. The production of Higher Self is undeniably contemporary, echoing the thoughtfulness of artists like Oddisee. His flow is seamless across the succinct instrumental layers as he demonstrates his versatility as a rapper and his reverence for the craft.

Higher Self is a testament to his journey, an anthem for the genuine, and a celebration of the inner self in a world where external facades are all too common. This track will resonate with anyone on the path to finding their true self amidst the noise of societal expectations.

Stream Higher Self with the rest of Solomane’s latest LP, The S.O.L.O. Tape, Vol. 1 on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lil Zino tore the stigma out of ‘PTSD’ with the drill debut of the year

Posted on 28 November 2023

After racking up over 206k streams on the official music video for his debut single, PTSD, and becoming a viral sensation on TikTok in the process, East London’s Lil Zino stormed into the rap scene with one of the strongest debuts of 2023.

With melodic minor key pseudo-trap instrumentals setting the cinematically melancholic tone, the atmosphere was set for Lil Zino to pour vulnerable candour into the track with his stonily steadfast vocal delivery which runs through in a magnetically paced cadence. While some rappers wear their trauma like a badge of honour, Lil Zino is adding nuance to the narrative by exhibiting the weight of scars, becoming one of the most authentic drill voices in the process.

There’s no understating the evocative pull of the track that projects an intimate vignette of the violent event, which led him to finding a necessary means of expression. By keeping his composure while painting a stark picture of the harsh realities of East London’s streets with his blunt bars, Lil Zino delivered a hauntingly affecting release, which will stay with you long after the outro.

Stream PTSD on SoundCloud or watch the official music video on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

The Scottish communist wordsmith Jamão Dos Santos hit a home run with his genre-bending debut rap track, Tarzan

Posted on 28 November 2023

Jamão Dos Santos made a bold entrance into the music scene with his debut single Tarzan, an audacious piece that mirrors his self-proclaimed identity as a “Scottish communist wordsmith.” Right from the start, the single is a captivating blend of cultural sounds, with Dos Santos’ Scottish lyrical diction providing a gripping contrast to the rhythmic foundation of the track. It’s a fascinating juxtaposition that’s as striking as it is unexpected.

Musically, ‘Tarzan’ is a robust tapestry woven with exotic Eastern rhythms, giving it an almost mystical allure. Yet, it’s grounded by a decidedly garagey edge—a gritty, dub-heavy backbeat that anchors the song’s more ethereal elements. The single wouldn’t be out of place in a smoky underground club or a festival stage, appealing to a wide range of listeners with its genre-blending bravado.

There’s a clear stylistic flair shared with Lyran Dasz, hinting at a musical kinship that thrives on innovation and eclecticism. Dos Santos’ approach is fiery and distinctive, ensuring that Tarzan is not just a song but a statement. In an unexpected twist, ‘Tarzan’ also serves as an homage to the world of footballer worship. The lyrical narrative becomes a powerful metaphor for survival and triumph, resonating with the song’s primal energy and raw passion.

It’s an assertive first step for an artist unafraid to show his roots while simultaneously branching out into the rich soil of global musical influences. This track is not just heard; it’s felt as a resonating declaration of Dos Santos’ arrival on the music scene.

Stream Tarzan on Spotify and follow the artist on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast