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Rap Music Promotion Blog

0sb0rne – know me pt. 2: A Trap-Pop Production You Won’t Be Quick to Forget

Posted on 12 June 2023

You would be hard-pressed to find trap more trailblazing than what the Michigan-born, Berlin-based singer-songwriter, 0sb0rne, cooked up for his debut LP, Know me.

With moody electro-pop elements oscillating around the solid rattle of the 80s, the standout single, know me pt. 2, is two minutes of pure melancholic trap pop perfection. Stepping out from behind the shadow cast by the modernist hip-hop mould, 0sb0rne thrived in his candidly raw hit, which allows emotion to perpetuate the momentum.

His husky yet honeyed vocal lines swathe the instrumentals with soul, while the minor key melodies amplify the sting of the pensive introspection which made the release so intimately electrifying. His account of romantic digressions may be personal, but with his stellar songwriting, the experience resonates as universal.

know me pt. 2 is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

DOM – SDA ft Erica Banks: Female Empowerment Has Never Been Fiercer.

Posted on 8 June 2023
https://youtu.be/yYsjwlBrdCs

Collaborating with her fellow Texas flow queen, Erica Banks, the Houston hip-hop heavyweight, DOM, rolled with all the party-rocking punches in her latest single, SDA.

The Missy Elliot-esque energy as the collaborating artists rap their unfuckwithable-with-attitude and empowering bars ensured that the vox are just as big as the beats in this exemplification of the heights hip-hop acts should strive for in 2023.

Aggression may be the overarching emotion in SDA, but written within the infectious energy is an affirmation that no one will hand you the power and bodily autonomy; you’ve got to take it for yourselves and own it as well as DOM and Erica Banks did in SDA.

As a singer, producer, rapper, and co-owner of VgnBae Music Group and Studios, DOM has exactly what it takes to hold dominion over the Houston hip-hop scene.

Watch the official music video for SDA via YouTube or stream it on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Interview: Jay Activist puts Atlanta on his back with Point to Prove

Posted on 7 June 2023

Telling us all about the concept behind his new album and all the vibes in his hometown of Atlanta, Jay Activist delves deeper into his craft and shows us his hunger inside Point to Prove. Inspired by J. Cole and keeping things to the point, we find a confident creative who is ready for whatever is next in this fickle game.

We appreciate your time Jay. Where in the world are you based and who is your favourite artist of all time?

Jay: I’m based in Atlanta, Georgia and my favorite artist of all time is J. Cole.

Please tell us more about your latest release Point to Prove and the creative/production process behind it and do you feel like your sound has evolved?

Jay: I consider Point to Prove my stamp into the music industry. While this isn’t my first project, it checks off so many boxes of points I feel like I needed to prove as Jay Activist. I can do more then just rap on a song with my growing singing ability, but also produce and engineer a good sound.

What does this album mean to your brand?

Jay: This album defines my brand as the playa that put his words in a smooth way.

If you could play live on any stage in the world, where would it be and who would be on the lineup?

Jay: It would be Statefarm arena in Atlanta with acts such as Drake, J Cole, and Smino.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

Jay: “Don’t take advice from people who aren’t successful”.

Where are the hot spots to you catch live music with meaning in your local area?

Jay: Definitely Apache in Atlanta or college campuses such as Georgia State University or Kennesaw State University.

Last, if you have the keys to the music industry, how would you change it?

Jay: I would make things fairer to artists and change the ecosystem to where people don’t have to sell out to be successful.

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Hear this fine release on Spotify.

Check out the progress and gig news on IG.

Interview by Llewelyn Screen

Yeah Baby: Stic-N-Move stays cool during the mission the top on My Bag

Posted on 6 June 2023

Taking his heart out and pouring it all out on his writing pad, Stic-N-Move opens up the poised pen and shows his fans that he is back on the lyrically astute single to turn up for its magnetic magnificence, My Bag.

Eric Braxton aka Stic-N-Move is a Northern California, USA-based indie hip-hop artist who grew up listening to legends such as Ludacris, Ja-Rule, LL Cool J and Missy Elliott.

”I like the old school music that I grew up listening to but I also like new artists in the West Coast like O 3-Greddo.” ~ Stic-N-Move

Impressing all old-school rap fans who love a top beat and proper lyrics with actual meaning, Stic-N-Move rips through the underground carpets and comes out on top with dynamic energy to grab hold of. He flourishes here and shows us that big moves are on the way.

My Bag from Northern California, USA-based indie hip-hop artist Stic-N-Move is the kind of track which will open up the eyes and ears of those who appreciate honesty. Rapped with deep frankness and taking us for a ride of a lifetime, we are thrilled to the deepest part of our souls by a visionary who is back from the cold.

After getting his mind right and realizing what is most important, this is a fueled-up single to be inspired by.

Hear the vibes flow out of the speakers via YouTube.

Check out his movements and gig news on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Drink Proverbial Cool Aid’s Latest Alternative Single, Sick & Pool Hall

Posted on 4 June 2023

While we expected some degree of ingenuity from an outfit with the moniker Proverbial Cool Aid, we immersed ourselves in more innovation than what we bargained for with their latest single, Sick & Pool Hall, featuring Vince B and J Q Music.

Waiting until the four-minute mark in the track that spans just over six minutes to bring in the vocals was a bold move, especially when the build to them consisted of little more than crunchily distorted vintage tones spilling from the guitars and staccato rhythms, but the progressive track stood as a testament to the good things come to those who wait adage.

After some Kyuss-esque interludes and a  funky bassline laid down by Jack Law, the rock meets rap vocals start slathering the single with a fire that will leave smoke pouring through your speakers long after the fadeout. Sick & Pool Hall may just be the most original entry into the nu-metal genre after the turn of the century. The Houston-based sludge up luminaries are clearly ones to watch.

Stream the latest single from Proverbial Cool Aid by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Don’t Get Caught: Mykez 2Nation races towards the cash on Helpline (1-800)

Posted on 3 June 2023

On point throughout and sidestepping those slippery dominos which can burn hands like a fireplace, Mykez 2Nation gets that dough and drops a catchy track to veer deep inside the Helpline (1-800).

Mykez 2Nation is a Hayes, West London-born Southampton, UK-based indie rapper who has the rare ability to mix in elements of head-nodding afro beats, UK hip-hop and drill all at once.

Powered by B On Point Entertainment and thinking so logically and bringing the real crew along to sip on the success with him, Mykez 2Nation knocks over all competition and turns up the heat with a lyrically sizzling track which might get us bouncing like winning the lotto on Christmas.

Helpline (1-800) from the Southampton, UK-based indie hip-hop artist Mykez 2Nation is a thriving single which will put many into a much better mood than before. Flowing rather wonderfully and demonstrating his easy-to-hear skills, we are thrilled to the core by a song with real meaning in a strange world.

There is a fire in the belly here to heat up all frigid hearts, as we are taken swiftly into a lyrically cognizant single to spark up when the motivation levels dip lower than previously expected.

If you want something real, check out the YouTube link.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Blaccstar Honcho contributed to the future of trap with his latest single, skirt

Posted on 31 May 2023
Blaccstar Honcho

Blaccstar Honcho, AKA Thearean Johnson, made his contribution to the future of the trap genre with his seminally salacious single, skirt.

The wavy, red-hot release doesn’t allow the excessive use of autotune to filter out any of the flavour in the smooth vibed-out vocal lines; it solely serves as cohesion between the trappy beats, elements of old-school atmosphere and lyricism that finds a gritty way to write a contemporary love letter, signed and sealed with seduction. Any fans of the Weeknd will undoubtedly want to drink in the dark soul of skirt, which perfectly balances light and dark to create an evocatively well-rounded release.

Check out skirt on BandLab and follow Blaccstar Honcho via Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

O Banga put momentum behind the rhythm of the night in his culture clash of a rap track, POZÉ

Posted on 31 May 2023

With elements of Dancehall to pay an ode to his Dominica roots mixed with a slice of Bronx grit in the production, the latest single, POZÉ, from the songwriter, musician, producer and engineer O Banga, is the epitome of a high-fire urban summer anthem. There’s nothing but high vibes, big beats, intricately rhythmic instrumentals and pure soul spilling from his honeyed vocal lines.

POZÉ is just one of the singles that feature on the sun-bleached rocksteady LP, TONIO; it is the perfect introduction to the fire and flair of the one-man powerhouse of talent, who has also made a name for himself working as a producer for major So Cal artists and icons of the reggae scene and toured with Lil Kim. The monocultural mould breaker has been one to watch ever since he dropped his debut uptown Bronx anthem, Deadass. If he’s not on your radar at this point, fool on you.

POZÉ hit the airwaves on May 20; hear it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

TRELI waxed lyrical on the nature of perception in his trap track, LUX THOUGHTS

Posted on 30 May 2023

For his latest trap track, LUX THOUGHTS, the Washington DC up-and-coming luminary, TRELI went deep and dark with his introspection to illustrate how the inner workings of our mind can be our greatest enemy.

When we are at the mercy of our inner monologue, few prisoners are held; especially in the aftermath of a breakup that shakes you to your core and leaves you yearning for a brighter perspective. Written between the lines is a testament to the raw grief which manifests in the absence of someone who became a muse, confidant and the definition of the future.

LUX THOUGHTS is heavy on the melancholy with the production, which also fuses ethereal layers of old-school hip-hop, but with his deeply relatable distorted vocal lines and delicately ascending melodic motifs, TRELI ensured that the ennui doesn’t choke the atmosphere in the well-rounded hit that trap fans will want to jump on.

Stream LUX THOUGHTS on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Pinwheel Valley & Garrison Cade Created a Meditation in Ambient Old School Hip Hop with R.E.M. State

Posted on 30 May 2023

For his latest release, the singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and producer, Pinwheel Valley, added an old-school hip-hop top-line to the beat of the standout instrumental single, R.E.M. State, which featured on his 2023 EP, What If I.

Collaborating with the rapper Garrison Cade, who has proven to be at the top of his game in his alt/indie band, Sam the Astronaut, which has taken Canada’s West Coast by storm, the two collaborators answered the question, what does it sound like when two powerhouses collide?

While we loved the artful ambience of the instrumental iteration for the temperate atmosphere that oscillated through our speakers, the hip-hop revival of the single reached the serendipitous pinnacle of visionary synergy.

With the verses flowing with the same transcendent philosophy as the intricate progressions, the reworking of R.E.M. State unravels as a meditation in authentically old-school ambient old-school hip-hop. Pinwheel Valley & Cade couldn’t be derivative if they tried with their shared tenacity for versing and arranging melodies straight from the soul.

“R.E.M. State is the ‘Kaytranada – Bus Ride’ inspired track that started out as an instrumental on the ‘What If I’ EP released last February. A few ppl were asking for an old-school Hip-Hop top-line to the beat, and I thought Garrison Cade would make the perfect fit. Garrison is a talented rapper who also fronts ‘Sam the Astronaut’, a popular Canadian West Coast, Alternative/Indie band. I believe Garrison has the right pre-reqs for someone I could tour or perform a couple shows with at some point.”

Stream R.E.M State featuring Garrison Cade, which hit the airwaves on May 31st, via Spotify.

Follow Pinwheel Valley on Facebook, and Instagram


Review by Amelia Vandergast