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Rap Music Promotion Blog

Kelvo’s Laidback Cuts Got Sharper with His Latest Alt-Hip-Hop Release, Got2Change

Posted on 27 March 2024

North London’s Kelvo is riding an exotically mellow new wave of hip-hop while harking back to 70s soul & funk and 90s hip-hop with his latest single, Got2Change, which showcases his ability to weave introspective lyrics with vibrant beats and transcendent swathes of soul.

From the outset, ‘Got2Change’ sinks you into a tropical-infused groove; the soundscape lays the perfect foundation for Kelvo’s smooth rap bars, which glide effortlessly over the beat. His flow is as smooth as velvet, creating a striking contrast with the colourful vibrancy of the instrumental arrangement.

Instrumentally, Got2Change is a holiday from the gritty streets of London, but the big smoke is infused in the razor-sharp flow of Kelvo as he delves into themes of self-growth and introspection, challenging listeners to awaken from the slumber of unrealised potential. In essence, Got2Change is a call to action, an invitation to strip away tension and embrace a more reflective state of mind.

Got2Change will hit all major platforms on March 27th, stream it via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Baby T echoed the soul of the ‘MISUNDERSTOOD’ in his hauntingly hard-hitting hip-hop hit.

Posted on 25 March 2024

After a four-year break from the airwaves, the Emmy award-winning hip-hop artist, producer and emissary of innovation, Baby T is back, and his sound isn’t just bigger than ever; MISUNDERSTOOD stirs emotions from the depth of the soul to evoke a viscerally profound response.

Waxing lyrical around the nostalgically arcane air and cinematic flair of the 1960s classic, Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, may have been a sure-fire way of Baby T playing havoc with heartstrings, but his fiery original verses – modernised for maximum resonance – and the percussive passion which brings bass-drenched depth allowed MISUNDERSTOOD to hit hard enough that you’ll feel the emotional bruises.

As we exist as ideas in the minds of everyone we meet, there’s plenty of our identity that can be lost in translation when we’re poured through everyone’s perception filters, but even the knowledge of this irrefutable fact isn’t enough to take away the sting of feeling unseen, disrespected or underestimated. Baby T’s candid introspection, laid out through instantly ensnaring vocal hooks, is all the consolation and motivation you’ll need to stay on your authentic path.

MISUNDERSTOOD is a flawless testament to his prestige. Haunting and hard-hitting in equal measure, it’s a serious contender for our favourite hip-hop track of the year.

Stream MISUNDERSTOOD on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

KAotik waxed lyrical on the tragedy of wasted potential in his old-school hip-hop track, Fascinate

Posted on 23 March 2024

KAotik (AKA Bruce Reign) kept old-school hip-hop fresh with his latest track, Fascinate, which strips the instrumentals right back to their fundamentals, allowing his killer canter to take the spotlight in the mid-tempo release.

Following a mellow, almost transcendentally toned intro, the spoken-word verses wax lyrical on everything from the tragedy of wasted potential to accepting fate without consigning yourself to it. By finding plenty of room to assert wordplay, clever cultural references and his ethos on putting lyrics to the forefront of his productions, the Washington-born, Laurel MD-residing artist of Nigerian descent used Fascinate to not only do what the single says on the titular tin, but to inspire, and he hit a home run in doing so.

If KRS One, Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, and Black Thought feature heavily on your playlists, make room for this profound hit.

Stream Fascinate on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

AR Jiggy followed a vibe into unchartered new wave hip-hop waters with ‘4U’

Posted on 21 March 2024

No one rides the new wave of hip-hop smoother than AR Jiggy, as exhibited through the hypersonically hot standout single, 4U, from his new LP, Ratchet Melodic 2, which strangely enough, delivers everything it says on the tin. The scintillating synths mimic the twilight as they glisten in the melodiously wavy production that will instantly get you in the genre-fluid groove of the synthesis of hip-hop, pop, and RnB.

Instead of ticking all the right hip-hop boxes with this seminal release and pandering to antiquated parameters, the East London rapper and singer followed a vibe into unchartered waters and ensured any urban innovation seekers would want to take the plunge time after time. From the precision in his sharp lyrically rhythmic hooks to the instrumental odyssey AR Jiggy puts before you in his tracks, there’s no refuting that he has exactly what it takes to hold dominion over the hip-hop domain in London and beyond.

Ratchet Melodic 2 was officially released on February 15th; stream it in full on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Zel? darkened the corridors of trap with his indomitably infectious release, Swag Musik

Posted on 11 March 2024

Knowing exactly how to make his flows infectious, his hooks sharp, and his beats pop, Zel? staked his claim as one of the most seminal up-and-coming artists of his generation with his 2024 LP, Mode de vie.

The standout single, Swag Musik, is an urban autograph of sheer innovation; by darkening the corridors of trap, injecting the indomitable conviction of old-school hip-hop and working in RnB aesthetics around the heavy basslines, the Maryland-hailing recording artist delivered a hit that doesn’t just live up to the hype, it leaves you hyped through exposure to Zel?’s cunningly meticulous alchemic presence on the airwaves.

After studying beats and music and consistently staying on his grind, Zel?’s music became a cultivated and twisted take on the familiar; menacing and jarringly magnetic in equal measure, Swag Musik is everything it says on the tin; the shadowy noir-esque hit is a harbingering sign of even bigger things to come for Zel?

Stream Swag Musik on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Benzluene reached the top of the trap-metal game with ‘Away’

Posted on 11 March 2024

Benzluene’s latest single ‘Away‘ is an intoxicating synthesis of emo, trap, industrial metal and post-grunge which allows agony to oscillate through the rhythmically seductive atmosphere that descends to the same murky depths as Deftones while bringing in the future of trap metal.

The production, a collaborative effort by flower and @fluffysome, is a masterclass in genre-fluid experimentation; dark, intrepid, visceral, and cutting – ‘Away’ is an auditory exploration of emotional extremes. The sludgy hooks and the constant shifts in vocal style and tone amplify the impact of the lyrics, making each word hit with the force of a bruise.

Benzluene’s vox cruise between softly relayed harmonies and visceral screams, dampened by layers of effects, maintaining a euphonic quality even at their most strident, ensuring the intensity is always delivered in swathes of catharsis.

Even the most eloquent people struggle to relay the pain of a disintegrating relationship, but through the sonic visualisations, that almost primal pain becomes universally understood. ‘Away’ stands as an allegory of agony, expressed through a piercingly unique sonic signature, which cuts to the core of the emotion.

If you cut Away open, you would reveal the anatomy of an alt-rock earworm. It’s a Tour De Force that will resonate with fans of trap metal and beyond.

Stream Away on SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sydney’s hip-hop heavyweight, T.C.W, will force heads out of the sand with his juggernautical alt-rap track, DAMN I AM U

Posted on 9 March 2024

T.C.W’s latest alt-rap juggernaut, DAMN I AM U, hits so hard you will be torn between shedding tears over the atrocities elucidated and responding to the call to arms by following suit, standing up, and fighting back against the relayed injustices rather than leaving tyrants’ blood pooling in our hands.

DAMN I AM U is a formidable force that proves our sanctity may be more comfortable with our heads in the sand, but we’re sleeping through history that is doomed to repeat if we see resistance is futile. The track begins with a harbingering outro of war horns, reminiscent of the epic scores in Game of Thrones, yet infused with a tribal edge which echoes the annals of Viking folklore. The intro sets a high bar, and TCW surpasses it with his dynamic and raw rap bars that reach the pinnacle of tensile conviction.

The instrumentals go beyond the usual rhythmic hip-hop tropes with their possession of a dark indie post-punk and progressive rock quality, creating a backdrop that amplifies TCW’s fervent lyrical delivery; it’s the ultimate anthem for seeking vindication for their contemporary angst and nihilism.

T.C.W’s lyrical prowess reflects his intricately intellectual depth, reminiscent of artists like Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole, while also nodding to his New York influences like ILL Bill and Vinnie Paz. His self-taught production skills shine through, marking ‘DAMN I AM U’ as a foundational piece in his journey towards creative greatness.

The track’s vocal performance is a rollercoaster of emotion, starting with a low, anticipatory tone before exploding into a passionate outcry, mirroring the passions of a modern revolution.

Stream DAMN I AM U on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Frank Blunt redefined hip-hop’s intellectual edge with ‘Bored Games 2’

Posted on 8 March 2024

Frank Blunt’s latest single, ‘Bored Games 2′, is a testament to his stripes as a rap luminary. Blunt stayed true to his name by delivering an intellectually resonant and intellectually stimulating hit of wisdom; it’s a journey into the depths of Blunt’s psyche, a reflection of his soul laid bare through masterful lyricism

While the jazz-infused rhythms pay homage to old-school hip-hop, Blunt weaves his sonic signature through the production like gritty urban calligraphy to carve out his own unique identity, mostly noted through the cadence of his introspective gold. Blunt’s flow is a marvel of rhythmic precision and melodic inventiveness, ensuring that listeners hang on to every syllable. His ability to weave complex narratives which go plateaus beyond the ordinary tropes of the genre allows the tract to challenge perceptions while remaining grounded in realism.

Frank Blunt’s influences, ranging from Michael Jackson to UGK, from Jay Z to Outkast, are evident in his music, yet he’s far from a by-product of assimilation. After a decade of cutting his teeth in the industry, his unparalleled talent is as razor-sharp as his lyrical wit. If any up-and-coming rapper has earned their place in the pantheon of hip-hop greats, it is Blunt.

Bored Games 2 was released on February 7th; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

bleed moxie is the antithesis of Andrew Tate in his cinematically luxe alt-hip-hop track, women’s society

Posted on 8 March 2024

In a genre often marred by stereotypical portrayals, bleed moxie’s latest alt-hip-hop single, ‘women’s society’ is a refreshingly progressive deviation. Mitchel Paulson, under his latest persona, weaved a narrative that not only celebrates femininity but also challenges the listener to re-evaluate their perceptions and discriminations.

After an intro of 50s doo-wop and a touch of retro Hollywood glamour, the beat ushers into the dreamy-with-hazy-hues jazz-infused soundscape, which lays the perfect foundation for the emotionally charged rap bars. His verses are a poignant tribute to women, far removed from the objectifying rhetoric prevalent in much of contemporary hip-hop.

The track’s artfully nostalgic production juxtaposes sharply with its message, reminding us of a time when women were upheld with respect in society. This contrast is a sonically visualised commentary on the current socio-cultural climate, especially in the wake of incel movements led by figures like Andrew Tate. This track is not just vital; it’s a necessary step forward in the evolution of hip-hop.

bleed moxie, a chameleon in the music world, has evolved from the party-hard, emo-tinged innovator to the introspective, mature artist we hear today. His journey through various personas – from the Mox & J. Project to MJ FLAWS – has been a testament to his adaptability and depth as an artist.

women’s society was officially released on March 1st; stream the single on Spotify and SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

London’s HBEEE played by his own rules in his viral rap track, Game Over

Posted on 7 March 2024

After teaming up with director Mani J for the official music video for his latest hit, Game Over, one of the hottest UK rappers, HBEEE racked up over 312k streams in the space of a month; the grime track is more than worth the viral hype.

If you can’t stand the superficiality of fake beauty, know how it feels to always have your walls up and live knowing that no one will ever understand the complexities that lie beneath your persona, Game Over will leave you vindicated by the volition.

With a lyrical intellect that rivals George the Poet’s, the hook-rife release will leave you ensnared from the first hit; the contrast between the warm, intricate and melodic instrumentals and female backing vox with HBEEE’s razor-sharp-with-grit cadence, it’s impossible not to be affected by the authentically stylised ingenuity in Game Over.

Stream the official music video on the GRM Daily YouTube channel now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast