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Rap Music Promotion Blog

SmokeFace Player – The Best Food In the World: Grab an Old School Hip-Hop Bite

Posted on 18 February 2024

SmokeFace Player’s latest single, ‘The Best Food in the World‘, is a gritty homage to old-school hip-hop, infused with a modern twist that is resonating with the new generation of rap fans.

The track, a standout from his LP ‘Whatever Happened to Making Demos’, showcases the artist’s deep-rooted connection to the genre’s golden era, while simultaneously sharpening his sound with a contemporary edge. With a voice that echoes the depth of Biggie, the rawness of DMX, and the uniqueness of Tyler, The Creator, SmokeFace Player’s conviction is only matched by the volition of his rhythmic precision.

The track is a lyrical journey through popular culture references and pains, delivered with a salacious wit that has compelled thousands of rap fans to continue turning to SmokeFace Player’s untraditional approach to lyricism. Eschewing the typical thematic constraints, he opts for a stream-of-consciousness style, weaving together disparate elements with an ingenious coherence. This lyrical tapestry is not just a display of his skill as a wordsmith, but also a nod to the improvisational roots of hip-hop. He’s clearly an artist on the rise; watch this space as he continues to make his indomitable mark on it.

Stream The Best Food in the World on SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

IzzyG spits fire with irresistible swagger in her RnB Hip-Hop hit, All My Heart

Posted on 17 February 2024

IzzyG, the 24-year-old firebrand from Gateshead, now dominating West London’s music scene, has dropped her latest single ‘All My Heart‘ – a track that doesn’t just push boundaries; it obliterates them. This isn’t your run-of-the-mill RnB track; it’s a gritty, raw, and unapologetic anthem that resonates with the pulse of the streets and anyone who has suffered through the fuckboy era of dating.

From busking the cold corners of Newcastle with sultry covers to crafting this audacious blend of RnB, hip-hop, and soul, IzzyG’s journey is etched into every beat of ‘All My Heart’. Her vocals which spit fire with irresistible swagger, are a fierce mix of rap verses and pop harmonies, are a testament to her versatility.

The track itself is a sonic powerhouse, a slick fusion of snappy trap beats and RnB melodies that hit hard enough to leave a mark. IzzyG’s lyrics are a no-holds-barred exploration of love’s battleground, where vulnerability and strength collide. She’s not playing the game; she’s rewriting the rules, with a voice that carries the echoes of jazz legends and the bite of Nicki Minaj and Cardi B.

Drawing inspiration from the likes of Amy Winehouse and Ella Fitzgerald, IzzyG adds a touch of vintage seduction to her sound. But make no mistake, ‘All My Heart’ is fiercely contemporary. It’s a track that doesn’t just get under your skin; it courses through your veins.

Stream the official music video for All My Heart via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ola Beto flowed right back to ‘Old School’ with his latest rhythmically rendered hip-hop release

Posted on 15 February 2024

Ola Beto has dropped a track that’s nothing short of a rhythmic revelation. ‘Old School’ is a melodious trip through the annals of hip-hop via a route never taken. This single firmly establishes Ola Beto as the undisputed king of retro luxe flows in the modern hip-hop scene.

From the get-go, ‘Old School’ commands attention. The cadence in Ola Beto’s bars makes it impossible to remain indifferent. His flow is a rhythmic force that demands your rhythmic pulses to stand to attention while the use of nostalgic samples adds a layer of authenticity. Yet, it’s in the beats and analogue synths where Ola Beto truly shines, offering a contemporary twist that you’ll want to relentlessly ride the waves of.

Ola Beto’s emotional lyrics, combined with his rhythmic production and catchy flows, create a sonic vision that’s beyond measure.  ‘Old School’ is a statement of Ola Beto’s trajectory that’s set to redefine the West Coast hip-hop domain. If he continues on his grind, it won’t be long before he’s revered as a major player in the genre. For fans of retro pop and hip-hop alike, ‘Old School’ is a track that resonates with the past, thrives in the present, and hints at a future where Ola Beto holds the keys to the kingdom.

Stream the official music video for Old School by heading over to YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

ArkAngel47 flowed into the heart of memory in his alt-hip-hop track, nostalgia

Posted on 13 February 2024

ArkAngel47’s latest single, nostalgia, crashed into the alt-rap scene like a rogue wave, unapologetically dismantling the boundaries of the genre on February 8th. The raw, unfiltered plunge into the depths of memory, wrapped in a soundscape that defies easy categorisation, is an unconventional fusion that grips you from the first beat.

Imagine grime’s gritty pulse, new wave’s introspective echo, and alt-hip-hop’s rebellious spirit colliding around lyricism that balances candour and volition. Hit play and feel the push and pull of time as North West London’s grittiest poet waxes lyrical with melancholic wisdom. Nostalgia is beyond reminiscence; it is the dissection of the essence of the psychological phenomenon; an exposition of its sweet allure and sharp bite.

Musically, the track is a beast of its own making. The beats morph and twist before flooding into a melodious flow and glitching like a dream half-remembered as the backing vocals resonate as ethereal whispers from bygone days, adding layers of haunting depth to the track.

Mixed and mastered with the sharp ear of Kult Eviction at Kabin Studios, nostalgia is a testament to ArkAngel47’s raw talent and vision. With plenty more genre-fluid releases locked, loaded, and ready to drop throughout 2024, ArkAngel47 is one to watch.

Watch the official music video for nostalgia on YouTube, or add the single to your Spotify playlists.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ride the waves in Caleb X’s latest flood of experimentalism, Kick Start ft Zay-OH

Posted on 12 February 2024

Since blasting off his career with his 2019 debut single, Space, the Atlanta-born, Virginia-based rapper Caleb X has honed his sonic signature to become one of the most authentic names in the hip-hop domain. His latest single, Kick Start, featuring Zay-OH takes motivational hip-hop to the next inspirational level while epitomising his ethos to ensure his music is as versatile as his own identity. Sonically spitting in the face of conventional constraints, Kick Start is a declaration of his ability to transplant humanism within catchy distinction.

By grounding the lyrics and bars in realism and the relatability of ennui with the era we’re all enduring and allowing the kaleidoscopically spacy instrumentals to ebb and flow in trippy trap-esque waves, Kick Start is a cohesively convictive juxtaposition that exhibits Caleb X as a promising luminary who has exactly what it takes to become one of the biggest new urban experimentalists.

Kick Start was officially released on January 26th; stream the single on Spotify and follow Caleb X on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Kweku Bandit cinematically reimagined London’s streets in his urban tale of triumph, Nowhere

Posted on 8 February 2024

You may think you know London’s streets but once you see them from a different point of view in Kweku Bandit’s official music video for his latest rap hit, Nowhere, your perception of the cityscape will take a seismic shift after you acknowledge how they can be the breeding ground to success stories rather than just battlegrounds for class wars.

The conceptually compelling music video, which has already racked up over 24k streams since its debut on January 19, depicts Kweku Bandit on a rags-to-riches character arc. The orchestrally laced instrumentals bring a touch of film noir glamour to the track that sees Kweku Bandit bringing as much rhythm in his Dancehall-inspired bars as the snappy beats that heighten the energy of the hit that will give you all the inspiration you need to stay on your grind. The track is as essential as it is phenomenal; as Kweku Bandit exposits, the road to success often moves people out of your corner and in the rearview mirror. If fake friends fall by the wayside, you can always lock into the inspiration that pours from this seminal hit.

Despite the flashy iconography in the music video to depict an ascent through the economic ranks, nothing about Nowhere feels like a flex; the sense of soul that radiates from Kweku’s persona translates into an affirmation that anywhere can be the land of opportunity if you’re willing to reach for it and refuse to be a victim to circumstance.

Stream the official music video for Nowhere on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

MOBI1 & Hardest Bars ignited the London grime scene with ‘Joey Clipstar Freestyle’

Posted on 7 February 2024

In the gritty heart of West London’s grime scene, MOBI1’s latest single, ‘Joey Clipstar Freestyle’, is a rhythmic inferno, signalling his indomitable presence and unyielding ascent.

Surviving a catastrophic explosion and emerging from literal ashes, MOBI1i is an emissary of resilience. Anyone who locks into his bars that run as hard as his beats can live it by proxy and feel the fire that blazes as MOBI1 razes the music industry with the head-spinning volition in his flow.

The production, a collaborative genius of Katmandu and Wadizdis, tears up the rulebook of drill beats. It’s a rhythmic firestorm, a relentless assault on the senses that perfectly complements MOBI1’s explosive delivery. Every hook is a masterstroke of lyrical agility, a testament to Mobi1’s skill as he weaves through the beat with a tongue-twisting fervour.

In short, ‘Joey Clipstar Freestyle’ is a declaration that MOBI1 is here to reign supreme in the grime domain. As he continues to make waves across the UK, from radio sets to fashion shows, one thing is crystal clear: he’s a force to be reckoned with.

Check out the official music video on YouTube or add MOBI1’s latest hit to your Spotify playlists.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Pop Stunna twisted trap with tropic heat and soul in his standout track, Good Talk

Posted on 4 February 2024

Pop Stunna’s standout single, Good Talk, from his fourth album, Youth, is a vibrant rebellion against the conventional trap narrative. The Austin, TX artist unleashed a spectrum of sonic vibrancy with Good Talk, turning the trap genre into a canvas of tropical hues and soulful rhythms.

Good Talk radiates with a warmth that’s as rare as it is captivating in the trap arena. His bars, fervent and full of life, impale the track with energy so tangible that listeners are instantly locked into its impassioned groove as Stunna runs through lyrics which pay ode to the complexities you find in the people you fall for and find connection within.

Distinct from his contemporaries, Pop Stunna’s persona is a blend of cool composure and aspirational verve. His American-Nigerian heritage, extensive global travels, and academic achievements lend a unique depth to his music. This track is not just a listening experience; it’s a journey through Pop Stunna’s richly textured worldview.

The single stands out for its masterful fusion of high-energy raps and catchy hooks, a signature style of Pop Stunna. Influences from Jay Z to Nina Simone echo through the beats, creating a sound that’s both a nod to the greats and a bold stride into new territories.

Stream Good Talk on Spotify and YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

dom ultra – DAYSINBOSTON: From the Streets to the Studio via the Boulevard of Soul

Posted on 1 February 2024

DAYSINBOSTON by the NYC luminary, dom ultra, is a masterful blend of soul and innovation, marking a significant moment in his musical journey, which is about to reach a major milestone with the drop of his upcoming debut project, PRESENTING: ROY HUNTER, which is due for release in March 2024.

The wavy, luxe production transports listeners from the gritty streets of Boston to the heart of his fervently hypnotic creativity. The use of ethereally distorted backing vocals adds an artful, gospel-esque layer to the track, creating a rich, multi-dimensional sound while dom ultra ensnares with the versatility in the lead vox, as he effortlessly shifts from a spoken word cadence to dancehall-ready vox.

The hypnotic distortion around the sample towards the outro amplifies the Bon Iver influence, a nod to dom ultra’s diverse musical inspirations. This element adds a textured, almost dreamlike quality to the track, blending seamlessly with the soulful undercurrents.

Since his early days with Oblivius Music, dom ultra has evolved into an artist who defies genre constraints. DAYSINBOSTON is proof that he’s still riding high on the fumes of his distinctively pioneering flare.

DAYSINBOSTON was officially released on January 19th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

reubencmg looked beyond the surface level of scars in his compassionately raw rap track, Insecure

Posted on 31 January 2024

In his latest single, Insecure, the UK rapper reubencmg opened a narrative on how we can walk through life buried under the weight of our trauma which bears down on everything we do, from how we navigate relationships to what we will passively accept from life’s protagonists who bank on people being bruised enough to tolerate exploitation and humiliation.

With the soul in the backing vocals harmonising behind the George the Poet-esque spoken-word cadence, which adds to the melodiously wavy vibe of Insecure, reubencmg keeps it raw and real while delivering a gritty urban soundscape that people can seek solace within every time they need a reminder that every person you walk past in the street has their own demons to defeat and burdens biting down on their psyche.

Stream Insecure on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast