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Rap Music Promotion Blog

Aco Draco fires off in his stormer of a rap track, Ray Gun

Departing from sonic mundanity, Aco Draco’s latest single, Ray Gun, burst onto the scene with artillery that’s anything but ordinary. Opening with a faux news report, the track cleverly sets the stage for Draco’s irreverent entry, blending tongue-in-cheek humour with a punchy introduction that hooks listeners from the get-go.

Ray Gun”marries cinematic orchestral strings with classic boom-bap beats, creating a soundscape as expansive as it is epic. Draco’s raspy, convicting rap bars slice through the backdrop, proving that his command of the mic is as formidable as his creative vision.

This up-and-coming Colorado native, who carries influences from Lil Wayne to Metallica, showcases a dynamic fusion of sharp lyricism and high-energy beats that will rattle the hip-hop scene to its core.

From his humble beginnings recording in a closet with an Xbox headset to charting his own course in the rap industry, Draco’s journey is one of relentless pursuit and undeniable growth. His unique style, marked by raw authenticity and emotional depth, is capable of turning heads, bending ears and making waves with its charismatic wordplay and bold execution.

Ray Gun was officially released on the 29th of August; stream the single on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Beats, Rhymes, and Faith: KAotik’s Quest for Integrity in Hip-Hop

KAotik

KAotik, a dynamic figure in the hip-hop arena, recently shared insights into his creative process and the cultural influences that shape his music. In an exclusive interview, he explores the significance of his Nigerian heritage, his spiritual beliefs, and how his varied life experiences across different cities and continents feed into his lyrical themes. Through it all, KAotik maintains a commitment to originality, ensuring his music remains true to his vision while resonating with a diverse audience. His independent label, Vintage Note, stands as a testament to his dedication to forge a unique path in the industry.

KAotik, thanks for taking the time to sit down with us to discuss the innovative paths you’re forging through the hip-hop landscape. First things first, what’s your sonic origin story?

Well, when I was younger I’m guessing at around the age of 8 years old in the mid to late 80s, I listened to a lot of R&B. I was infatuated by artists my parents played such as Bobby Brown, Michael Jackson, and Lionel Richie. Also, I admired other artists I picked up on from the radio on my own such as Anita Baker, Whitney Houston and Al B. Sure. I didn’t gain any interest in Hip Hop till I was around the age of 14 in the early 90’s. I can recall my first time experimenting with Hip Hop. A friend and a couple of my brothers recorded a Hip Hop song we made up on a stereo system with a tape recorder. I remember as I grew older my mom bought me a boombox and me buying my first tape. A Hip Hop artist out of Texas named Mr. Mike.

How integral are your Nigerian roots to your artistic identity?

I would say there is a bit of influence from my Nigerian roots to how I create music. Some of it may come from how I create some of my beats, which sound a little like Nigerian music. Also, I may have a track talking about my culture in Nigeria or have a track saying a word or two in the Igbo language of Nigeria. Growing up as a catholic, my parents played a significant part in my upbringing for the love of my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. God is very influential in my creativity and how I put together my music. The Lord’s influence in my music is very evident especially now that I’m older.

After being born in Washington DC, attending boarding school in Nigeria and uprooting your life to Laurel MD, you’ve experienced a multitude of geographical and cultural shifts; how have these transitions influenced your lyrical themes and the stories you tell through your music?

My concepts and ideas on what I write about haven’t changed much since my transitions internationally and nationally. When I lived in D.C. I was very young so my memories over there were very vague. When I was in boarding school in Nigeria I pretty much wrote about life and what was happening around me. Now that I’m in Laurel, MD I also do a bit of the same thing. But now I’m more experienced along with more clever wordplay and more sharpened skills.

From being part of a duo to joining a larger group, and finally shining as a solo artist—how has each phase contributed differently to your development as an artist?

When I first started to pursue Hip Hop more seriously, I was living in my old stomping grounds of Silver Spring, MD years back. When my partner in rhyme and I formed a group, we entered a lot of open mics and Hip-hop contests. This developed my confidence as an artist and helped me gain stage presence. As I went through my phase of joining a larger group, I began to grow with my writing process, learned how to work with other artists and my ability to perform was enhanced. Finally, as a solo artist, I took all those skills I learned being in groups and utilized them to my advantage. I also developed in other fields such as knowing how to navigate through the music business more fluently.

How do you keep your sound relatable and distinctive?

I do my best to be relevant in Hip Hop with the music I put out now. But that is not my main objective when doing music. I prefer to just be my own original self and put out material that’s not going to be trendy or what everybody is doing. At the end of the day when I evaluate it all, I gotta ask myself the question, is the material I’m putting out being true to myself or not?

You pull inspiration from a range of diverse rappers, which artist has had the most profound impact on your motivation and determination to build your own legacy?

Honestly, KRS One, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, Black Thought, Last Emperor, Inspectah Deck and Keith Murray all had a profound impact on my motivation and determination to build my own legacy. But if I had the difficult decision to choose one artist, I would go with Black Thought. The reason being is he is the only artist I really was emulating while I was finding my way as an artist. Also, he has one of the nicest pen games in Hip Hop, he kept his integrity and never changed throughout the years for relevancy.

Can you tell us about your independent label, Vintage Note?

Yeah, It’s a label I started years ago when I became a solo artist. So far, I’m the only artist on the roster but that could change in the near future. At the moment my label is being distributed by CD Baby. Eventually, my goal is to be able to receive distribution from a larger independent distributor such as The Orchard or Empire.

Your latest project, They Said It Couldn’t Be Done, is quite the statement of resilience, what inspired the release?

I’ve been doing this music thing for several years now and through it all I haven’t budged from keeping my distinct perspective in Hip Hop. There are a lot of different influences in this genre of music that you can easily pick up. But I kept my integrity, and continued to stay true to me and put out material that I’m known for. Regardless of what an abundance of people say, such as my perspective on Hip Hip can’t be done or can continue to flourish. I’m proving them wrong because I’ve been active as an artist these past number of years and that’s how the title They Said It Couldn’t Be Done came about.

What’s next for KAotik?

Well Lord willing, I hope to be putting out several new projects in the following year. Look out for them! Also, I will be doing my best to be booking more shows because I’ve been on a drought for that. Plus I’m gonna continue to build and develop my label. I also have some business ventures I’m looking into. Other than that whatever the Lord blesses me with creatively or inspires me to do, no question I will pursue. Peace.

Stream They Said It Can’t Be Done on Bandcamp now.

Follow KAotik on Facebook and Twitter.

Interview by Amelia Vandergast

Regal Club’s rap track, Electro, is a livewire to the senses

Dark ominous electronic beats meet the transcendence of enlightenment in the latest drop from Regal Club. With their new single and music video, the St Louis duo comprising Alvo and J. Cruz wrote a new chapter in their legacy which any hip-hop fan should revere as gospel. 

Electro, which features on the duo’s ambitious sophomore LP synthesises lyrical conviction with kinetic rhythm to break away from conventional hip-hop beats and breaks and to embrace a fusion where contrasts of light and dark play over a bass-heavy production. The instrumentals buzz with energy, sharpening the rap verses that effortlessly sync with the dynamic beats, creating a charged atmosphere which oscillates with intensity.

The duo’s authentic style possesses a visceral grip on the psyche, as Alvo and J. Cruz hold their own against Run the Jewels’ dualism. If you couldn’t get enough of the raw edge in Oddisee’s earlier records, Electro will resonate on a whole new level.

The official music video for Electro is available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

UK rapper, Tom Penny extracted spoken word poetry from idiosyncrasy in his standout single, Spiral of Fumes

 If Tom Penny’s third LP, Both Sides of the Coin doesn’t feature on every rap publication’s album of the year list, we riot. The album pulls back the façade to narrate the UK rapper’s struggles and subsequent growth, drawing from his early freestyling days and his evolving passion for hip-hop influenced by lyrical legends such as Kendrick Lamar, Loyle Carner, and J Cole.

One of the standout tracks, Spiral of Fumes, kicks off with an extended, wavy prelude imbued with etherealism, setting a reflective mood before the beat drops, establishing a magnetic rhythm beneath Penny’s melodiously smooth spoken-word cadence.

You won’t just hang off every word in his bars, you’ll be engrossed in every syllable as Penny establishes himself as one of the most eloquent wordsmiths in the UK hip-hop scene, with emotionally bruising bars reminiscent of Kae Tempest and George the Poet.

By the outro, Spiral of Fumes fully reveals the kind of artist Tom Penny is—one who extracts relatable poetry from idiosyncrasy, stripping bare while simultaneously reflecting the listener’s mental state.

With his surging streaming stats testifying to his growing renown, it’s only a matter of time before he rises through the ranks and holds dominion over the UK scene.

Spiral of Fumes is now available to stream with the LP Both Sides of the Coin on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: MIKE37 morphed pain into power in his soul-driven summer hip-hop anthem, PAGE OF THE DIARY

In contemporary hip hop, few releases capture the raw, dualistic essence of the emotional experience as viscerally as MIKE37’s latest single, PAGE OF THE DIARY. The narrative arc is powerfully constructed by an artist who simultaneously stands as a soul conduit and visionary beatmaker.

PAGE OF THE DIARY is an affecting aural reflection of the darkest hours before dawn, rendered into sound by MIKE37’s innovative spirit. The track ensues from a vivid vignette of melancholy before the beats morph—almost imperceptibly at first—into a high-energy, euphoric celebration of resilience.

MIKE37’s ability to straddle the emotional spectrum is on full display, encapsulating the listener in a journey from introspective sorrow to a triumphant, beat-driven high. The nostalgia-infused hip-hop beats lay a solid foundation, while MIKE37’s soul-enriched harmonies and sharp lyrical delivery cut through the mix, making each verse a testament to his creative charisma and his capacity to connect.

After the self-produced single was mastered by Alex Gordon at Abbey Road Studios, the quality of the sound engineering is palpable. Each sonic element is meticulously crafted, allowing MIKE37’s introspective yet bold lyrical thematics to shine against the sun-bleached melodies and dynamically shifting beats.

Fans of Tyler, The Creator, Kendrick Lamar, and BADBADNOTGOOD will find familiar comfort in MIKE37’s discography, yet there’s an undeniably unique twist to his music that sets it apart.

PAGE OF THE DIARY is as much of a visceral feel-good fix as it is a fundamental lesson in expression. MIKE37’s chameleonic creativity is on full display in the quintessential hip-hop anthem of the summer. Cancel the self-pity party for one and play it on repeat.

MIKE37 Said

“PAGE OF THE DIARY initiates as an introspective narrative of a dark chapter; it transplants the listener into the story to share the relatable emotions before the beat switches through a flux of energy and euphoria.”

PAGE OF THE DIARY will be available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify and SoundCloud, from August 9th.

Stay up to date with the latest releases from MIKE37 as he gears up for the launch of his debut LP on Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

David Rey Will Reign Over the Manchester Music Scene with His Grime Hit, Call Me King, ft Abnormal Sleepz

David Rey gave Manchester a place on the grime map with his latest single, Call Me King, featuring Abnormal Sleepz. Think of the Manchester music scene; The Smiths, Oasis and Stone Roses will immediately spring to mind, but if any artist can steal the psyche away from those luminaries, it’s Rey with this raw, cultivated track which pairs his hypnotically smooth flows with dark alt-electronic trip-hop-tinted beats which syncopate to the rhythm of the artist’s creative volition.

David Rey, originally hailing from Bermondsey and now a product of Manchester’s vibrant culture, has crafted his identity around the influences of UK grime legends like Ghetts and the resonant beats of American artists like Nipsey Hussle. His globe-spanning inspirations are evident in his music, which combines poignant introspection with visceral vitality.

Having graced the stages of over 35 venues domestically and abroad, Rey’s commanding presence is well-documented and celebrated, from performances that resonate with authenticity to airplay on platforms like BBC Radio 6 and Capital Xtra. His debut EP, Before I Begin, garnered notable praise for its lyrical depth and rhythmic sophistication, traits that continue to thrive in Call Me King.

The single itself is a study in contrasts: dark yet soulful, it delivers a mind-bending lush backdrop for Rey’s sharp, melodic flows. The track dives deep into the core of human connection and desire, rejecting the commonplace narratives of fleeting pleasures to focus on what truly resonates with the listener. George the Poet couldn’t have versed it better.

Call Me King will hit all major streaming platforms, including SoundCloud, on August 9th.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rourky initiated the cybernetic revolution of UK hip-hop with Cyborg ft Riley

Nathan O’ Rourke, known by his stage name Rourky, has been a sonic staple in the UK for over a decade. Hailing from Birmingham, the 31-year-old rapper has been honing his craft since his teenage years, releasing music globally since 2013. Aligning with TigerBloodMuzik Entertainment, Rourky has become bigger than his gargantuan beats.

His latest single, ‘Cyborg,’ featuring Riley Zm, a drill rapper from Zambia, is a high-octane hip-hop anthem, effortlessly commanding attention with its fiery rap bars blazing across cinematically elevated beats. The track utilises synthesised electronic orchestral motifs, adding an air of grandiosity that is efficaciously juxtaposed by the grit in Rourky’s grimey bars.

The interplay between Rourky and Riley ensures that ‘Cyborg’ unfolds as a dynamic track, embedding itself in the listener’s psyche long after the electrifying hit has faded to a close. Rourky’s charisma bleeds through every progression, as he positions himself at the vanguard of hip-hop’s cybernetic future with his playfully convictive hit.

Cyborg stormed the airwaves on August 2 via TigerBloodMuzik Entertainment; stream the single on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Noremac became the king of the swagger-soaked high-vibe hip-hop banger with ‘Do It Again’

Cali hip-hop icon-in-the-making, Noremac dropped a swagger-soaked high-vibe banger with his latest release, Do It Again.

The rapper and producer doesn’t just roll with the punches in the 90s nostalgia-wrapped hit, he grooves with the wit-injected punchlines which mark him as one of the most charismatic artists on the underground.

As ludicrous as Ludacris, as magnetic as Mac Miller, Noremac, with his luxe stylistic approach to production that echoes the gloss and grit of Jay-Z while staying firmly in his own lane, sonically owns everything required to enter the pantheon of the hip-hop elite.

Crafted in his home studio, where he’s been spinning tracks since middle school, Do It Again, is a timeless hit that throbs with chest-punching boom-bap bass. Noremac’s bars bounce with a cadence that’s both sharp and infectious as his presence on the mic, allowing even the most reserved listeners to find the groove.

Do It Again was officially released on July 19; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Aaron Thip is fortified with fortitude in the prophetic beats of his latest rap track, I Ain’t Scared

Aaron Thip’s prophetic presence when he steps to the mic was exemplified in his latest fortified-with-fortitude single, I Aint Scared.

Aaron Thip, a seasoned lyricist rooted in the vibrantly gritty underground of NYC hip-hop, grips attention with vice-like intensity from the outset of his latest release which allows you to instantly register the Brooklyn-born, Harlem-raised artist, previously known as Tha Coach, as a conduit of enlightened introspective gold.

His commanding vocal presence over the beats testifies to how he belongs to a league of his own as he revisits the path he walked down to achieve mental clarity and sanctity. Yet, this track is far more than an introduction to Thip’s psyche. He fearlessly tackles the challenge of maintaining peace of mind and resilience as society’s global fabric crumbles into disarray.

In times when many struggle to find solace, optimism and faith amid endless tragedies, Thip emerges as the ultimate role model. His vibe-heavy hit marries mellow, old-school instrumentals with his potent lyrics, delivering sonic salvation for anyone in search of melodic consolation.

Stream I Ain’t Scared on Apple Music and YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Nsilo – Peterbilt: A Truck-Sized Tale of Unreckonable Grit

Nsilo’s latest single, Peterbilt, revved onto the hip-hop scene with a force as unstoppable as the eponymous truck it salutes. The narrative arc in the artist and producer’s hit may seem unconventional, yet the juggernaut of the road became a powerful parable as it becomes the centre of the track that positions Nsilo as a fearlessly untouchable contender in the annals of old-school hip-hop.

When Nsilo waxes lyrical, it’s impossible not to feel the force of his bars that have been honed by his love for 90s hip-hop greats and classic poetry alike. Yet, Peterbilt exhibits the up-and-coming artist as so much more than just an adept lyricist with a razor-sharp ability to find the perfect cadence to make every bar bounce with maximum impact.

The track’s production is a masterclass in balancing dark, layered textures with lighter elements. Waves of caustic reverb slice through the beat, resulting in an atmosphere which haunts as it uplifts and exhilarates. The meticulous synthesis attests that Nsilo knows exactly when to cast shadows and when to let the light in, mirroring the complexities of his storytelling which reflects on the values of blue-collar work, ensuring every hit is infused with authenticity and grit.

Stream Peterbilt on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast