Browsing Tag

2020 Hip Hop

Maryland’s Most Promising Breakthrough Hip Hop Artist MuhTeyOh Delivers on That Promise with Their Latest Single ‘4th Quarter Flows’

Posted on 11 January 2021

Maryland-based Rap artist MuhTeyOh has been on a steady ascension from the underground since the release of their breakthrough track ‘Summers Over’, with the release of their latest single, ‘4th Quarter Flows’, it’s clear that they’re on a mission to dominate the airwaves with their domineeringly indulgent flows.

4th Quarter Flows eclipses the East Coast Hip Hop sound, which will undoubtedly be of appeal to any fans of Jay Z, Kanye and Kendrick Lamar, but with hints of Drill ringing through the trappy hits of the 808s, there’s a dynamism to their accessible-from-the-first-hit-sound.

4th Quarter Flows is available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Datsnell inspires optimism with their dark Alt Rock track ‘Imperfections’

Posted on 11 January 2021
https://soundcloud.com/user-368565296/imperctions?ref=clipboard&p=i&c=1

When you look at the real impact which 2020 has had on music, you’ll have to look far past the absence of live music and look to how artists, such as Datsnell, have stripped back facades to deliver raw and honest intimate emotion, understanding that connection, unity and strength found through music can never be overvalued.

His latest Alt-Rock single, Imperfections, reminds the listener that our obsession with perfection is imperfect within itself and that a few cracks in the surface don’t have to make you feel worthless.

With his inventive sampling of Charlie Chaplin’s The Great Dictator speech falling around Datsnell’s haunted reverberant spoken word bars and piercingly light keys kicking up stunning interludes, the stunning track gently nudges towards optimism while validating the fear, uncertainty and nihilism which we’ve found throughout 2020. Even if you can’t find optimism straight away, you’re sure to find some solace within this deeply compassionate feat of Alt-Rock which melds elements from Hip Hop, Trap, Rock and Electronica.

You can check out Datsnell’s single Imperfections for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Test your capacity for compassion with Tae Gwapo’s single ‘Mill Ticket’

Posted on 11 January 2021

If you’re looking for a fresh Hip Hop album to see you through the cold, dark and lonely months, there’s no fresher and more consoling feat of Hip Hop than Tae Gwapo’s 2020 album, ‘Winter Baby’.

By using chillingly angular Indie guitars around solid 808s and putting plenty of atmospheric electronic effects in between, Tae Gwapodelivers authenticity and accessibility simultaneously with Track 1, Good Luck. From there on out, you’re in for an emotional rollercoaster through the dynamic release which features high-vibe hits such as the enamouring track ‘Ned Flanders’.

The standout track has to be Mill Ticket which will test your capacity for compassion as Tae Gwapo shares introspection on what it’s like to endure America as a Black American. The delicate piano notes give way to an evocative production which doesn’t sugar the pill when it comes to tearing into systemic racism, but the tone is tender and sweet all the same.

Winter Baby is available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

You’ll be in good company with Jones’ sardonically-sweet festive Hip Hop drop ‘Home Alone’

Posted on 9 January 2021
Jones

Breaking Texas-hailing Hip Hop artist, Jones, is set to drop their infectiously high-vibe track ‘Home Alone’; it may be the most sardonically ingenious Rona-inspired track we have heard this year.

Hit play and feel the negative emotions stemming from cabin fever and isolation slip away as Jones proves that you’ve got a choice in how you view the ‘unprecedented times’ as they unfold. The playful charisma never overshadows the talent on show in Home Alone, which, of course, pays lots of references to the cult hit Christmas film. If any Christmas track truly stands as a testament to the absurdity of 2020, it’s this one.

You’ll have to wait a little longer before you can check out Home Alone for yourselves. In the meantime, head over to Spotify and SoundCloud to check out the artist’s earlier releases.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Jaron Smalls – Aint’ Plan It featuring Jack Doyo: Passionately Gritty RnB Hip Hop

Posted on 9 January 2021
https://music.youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_n2WjlWM7B8fGpHBwfbcqjzaE1hUvgopIk

With his latest single, ‘Ain’t Plan It’, North Carolina independent artist, Jaron Smalls, proved that slamming cotemporary feats of RnB Hip Hop don’t need to compromise when it comes to offering lashings of soul.

The stylistically diverse track exhibits the best of the artist’s passionately gritty approach to production which knows no bounds when it comes to pulling from a plethora of genres, but in its essence, Ain’t Plan It is a served-straight-from-the-soul exposition of the complexities of modern romance. It’s a rollercoaster and rollercoasters don’t come much more salacious than Ain’t Plan It.

You can check out Jaron Smalls’ latest track Ain’t Plan It via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Showing your love for her: Troy drops fire Hip Hop rider ‘Bonnie and Clyde’

Posted on 31 December 2020

Young rapper Troy slides in the door with a tremendous track made for his girl crush, on the just-released Hip Hop flavored song named ‘Bonnie and Clyde‘.

Fall River, Massachusetts emcee Troy brings his fiery rap style and with production by Ross Gossage, this is a new school rap track that is all about being with someone that heats up your room each time you see her. You have an up and down relationship, but when then the lights go off, the sparks fly hot like a welder’s construction site. A new air conditioner is needed when you press play here.

His flow is vibrant and his busty bars knock down the competition with a freestyle type of rapping technique that reminds you of the old school days. This was when actual lyricism mattered and hopefully this spells a return to these days. Mumbling does nothing to add value to the genre and if fact, waters the whole culture down.

Troy is raw and uncompromising on ‘Bonnie and Clyde‘ and is totally forthright with his intentions. When you like someone, the best way to is to hold them close but also give them time to breath otherwise things can get claustrophobic, which leads to disagreements over small things.

With a fire rap style, this is a new Hip Hop artist that shows loads of potential and ushers in a new era to those tired of bad music. When you are looking for your ride or die, having a passionate moment or two together certainly helps when you want to make it big in the music game.

Heat up those speakers with a hot Hip Hop track on Soundcloud and check out his IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Māori Alt Hip-Hop artist FABLE serves evocative urban alchemy in their latest single ‘298’

Posted on 27 December 2020

After the release of their 2019 debut single, ‘Beware’, Alt Māori Hip-Hop artist, FABLE, has amassed acclaim amongst critics and fans alike, with their uniquely intimate approach to producing contemporary Hip Hop, all pretence is lost, and nothing but delicate affable soul is delivered.

Their latest release ‘298’ perfectly demonstrates that experimentation and authenticity don’t need to detract from commercial potential, with enough talent and vision, obscurity can be avoided, and new avenues for passion-driven expression can be found.

The New Zealand-hailing artist has topped charts and made plenty of waves in their local circuit but it’s only a matter of time before he starts to be internationally recognised as the pioneer of urban evocative alchemy that he discernibly is.

You can check out 298 along with FABLE’s earlier releases by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

BosMadeLD takes us to East Coast Hip Hop Heaven via the ‘GraveYard’

Posted on 26 December 2020

Kicking off with a nicely phased solo guitar part before the bass thumps in and the hi-hats and snare join us, BosMadeLD’s latest track is proper old-school hip hop – explicit, in your face, honest, raw, and truthful.

The Mississipi-hailing artist delivered touches of Nas, 2-Pac maybe, that New York East Coast, Mass Appeal Records, Fashawn, Run The Jewels, Boldy James kind of vibe – all nine millimetres and smooth, relaxed flow sitting atop chilled yet urgent beats and a grooving bassline. BosMadeLD’s vocal is nonchalant yet powerful, poetic lyrics mixed with some serious imagery and delivery, and yeah, it’s got thump. This is proper rap, make no mistake, chest-thrusting, strutting, enjoyable, chilled, and tense all at once. Dope.

Check out BosMadeLD’s track GraveYard on YouTube.

Review by Alex Holmes

Dan Nicholson demonstrates their inspiring resilience with ‘Lord Knows’

Posted on 24 December 2020

‘Lord Knows’ is the standout track from Arizona born and raised Rap artist, Dan Nicholson’s, second album ‘What Came Next’. Hip Hop doesn’t get much more visceral than the commanding hit which pays ode to the artist’s influences Nas, Slick Rick and the Notorious B.I.G., yet, there’s no room to question whether Lord Knows came directly from Dan Nicholson’s frustrated yet determined soul.

If you need some motivation to stay on track, you’ll find it in Lord Knows as Dan Nicholson demonstrates their inspiring resilience.

From the first verse, you’re assured that Dan Nicholson is an artist with invaluable introspection. The standout single becomes so much more than an aural experience as you become transfixed by the succinct rhythms in the Old School Hip Hop hit and left hanging off every perfectly metered word in this fiery yet meditatively intellectual single.

You can check out Dan Nicholson’s emotive album What Came Next by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mentoring youth and making beats: Atlanta based Hip Hop artist One Deuce urges us all to ‘Neva Leave Empty Handed’

Posted on 24 December 2020

Atlanta’s multi-skilled producer and Hip Hop artist One Deuce rips the door open with the truthful new single named ‘Neva Leave Empty Handed‘.

One Deuce is always looking to evolve, innovate, help the youth, and get his music out to as many ears as possible. With this kind of constant self-motivation, its easy to see why he is a well-respected creative, and a strong pillar of hope in his local community.

With the shaker start that reminds you of Christmas, to a rap delivery that is so unlike many of his contemplates these days. His style is old school and reminds us of the 80’s and 90’s era where arguably the genre was at its peak and loved the world over. The smooth rap technique is highly impressive, and the consistency adds a welcome distraction from the gloomy nature of 2020.

This is a musician who feels like he is at the top of the food chain and has so much confidence in his ability. He slings a rhythm that is full of gun shots in the sample and a thumping beat that busts through the speaker, to make a cup full of ear-ringing swag for our hearts.

His Mama told him to never leave without what you came for and this is quality advice. If you set your goals high enough you can certainly achieve them but it won’t be a piece of cake. In a reactionary and ‘want it quick’ world, this is a song that is simple and smart in execution.

‘Neva Leave Empty Handed‘ from Atlanta’s One Deuce is a street banger that is all about taking that one chance. You might not get too many opportunities in this Walking Dead kind of world so getting your cheese when you can, is the key to life’s refrigerator.

Support his music journey on Soundcloud and see more about his story on IG.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen