Browsing Tag

Afrobeat Hip Hop

Los Alva bares his introspective soul in the poetry and vibe-driven alt-hip hop single, SLDN

Posted on 27 July 2022

So far in his career, every release has been an emotionally complex blend of heavy lyrics and upbeat instrumentals to take some of the weight of the introspection away. Los Alva’s latest single, SLDN, which reached the airwaves in June 2022, is another blister of balanced resonance.

With his modernistic RnB vocals riding on the bass of the Afrobeat-inspired hip hop beats, SLDN stirs the soul as much as it speaks to it with the lyricism that does more than border on poetry. It climbs right into bed with it to tear away the boundary between rap and poetry.

While some lyricists let their ego and determination to write hits allow the pen to hit paper, Los Alva is evidently perpetually soulfully inspired.

SLDN is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

iluvmali, Philly? & Michael Liriano get luxe in their collab, Saks Fifth

Posted on 10 June 2022

Let your speakers feel the heat in the sun-soaked summer hip hop single from the collaboration between the rap luminaries iluvmali, Philly? & Michael Liriano.

Saks Fifth melds pockets of deep reggae groove with indie vibes and, for instant arrestive appeal, the snaking sonics of Eastern rhythms. The shimmering instrumentals almost pour as much dopamine into the mix as the optimism breathing rap bars, which deliver hook-y lines on a very 2022 brand of luxe romance.

If iluvmali, Philly? & Michael Liriano stay on the underground after this infectious hit; there is something decidedly wrong with the industry. The sheer satisfaction from the first hit of Saks Fith is beyond words.

Saks Fifth is now available to stream on all platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

MTV Mozey is blazing in his sun-soaked trap track, Designer

Posted on 27 February 2022

Instead of making you wait until summer for a sun-soaked trap drop, the luminary hip hop newcomer, MTV Mozey dropped his high-fire earworm, Designer, while the bitter months were still biting to deliver a much-needed potent dose of aural dopamine.

At 19-years-old, MTV Mozey is already proving to be a force to be reckoned with in the Connecticut hip hop circuit and far beyond. Designer is a riotously infectious track that uses xylophones to deliver the shimmering melodies that arrest the rhythmic pulses as they pop against the trap beats and create a vibrant platform for Mozey’s mellifluous mumble rap bars. He is more than worth the room on any hip hop fan’s radar.

Introduce yourselves to the luxe high vibes in Mozey’s latest single, Designer, by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Sun Kovu puts an Afro-futurist twist on RnB in his latest single, Myspace

Posted on 17 February 2022

Sun Kovu’s latest RnB single, Myspace, is an indulgently innovative mash of Y2K vibes, Afro-futurism and hip hop. Sometimes, it can feel like RnB artists are struggling to keep the pace in terms of stylish progression, but paradoxically, Myspace is a brand-new trajectory into futurist genius.

The seductive beats and mellifluous yet trippy all the same melodies, which were produced by Tamira Slade, were orchestrated to take the listener on a trip through time and space. That definitely resonates once you’ve delved into the sexually urgent track that uses the lyricism to yearn for physicality while the vocals bring the soul and the beats bring the trancey and off-kilter textures.

Myspace is now available to stream on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

South East London’s most promising hip hop enigma EmanFromDaA2 has released his latest high vibe hit, Stay Down, featuring Ricky Banks.

Posted on 22 October 2021
EmanFromDaA2

London-based rap artist, EmanFromDaA2, has brought a brand-new sound to the South-East hip-hop talent pool. His latest single, Stay Down, featuring Ricky Banks is the perfect introduction.

The funk-riding Afrobeat-inspired instrumentals give the up-tempo track a tropic touch while EmanFromDaA2 lays down his bars that he will quickly become renowned for under his new moniker. The first thing that grips you in the mix is the mindful and socially conscious wit in the lyrics. The lyric “It’s nothing new for us to stay down” hits you like a brick, but EmanFromDaA2 and Ricky Banks bring you right back up with their instantly magnetic presence.

Stay Down is due for official release on October 22nd. You can check it out for yourselves via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Deadrick Rydell lights up the high vibe hip hop genre with his latest single, Show Me Luv.

Posted on 9 October 2021

After making his 2018 debut, US hip hop artist Deadrick Rydell continues to pick up hype with his high vibes, sense of untamed soul and tendency to wear his heart on his sleeve to create honest connections with his fans.

His latest single, Show Me Luv, is the perfect introduction to the Texas-based artist’s instantly affable nature that makes the shimmering tones in the easy grooving single hit that little bit sweeter. With elements of Afrobeat in the evocatively light instrumentals, this tropic, sun-kissed hit hits the spot every time. We are already stoked to hear what follows.

Show Me Luv is now available to stream on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

Nate Dingo takes us to the movies in his latest cinematic single ft. Kmwurld & YDZ

Posted on 28 July 2021

Newark, NJ-based breaking artist Nate Dingo is starting to make major waves with his signature infusion of Afrobeat, RnB, pop and hip hop. If he is not already on your radar, his latest single, Movie, featuring Kmwurld & YDZ is the perfect introduction.

Movie is a sultry downtempo feat of tropic hip hop complete with jazzy grooves that throwback to old school, but with Nate Dingo’s boldly authentic approach, he has exactly what it takes to define the future of hip hop.

Tracks like Moves is what the phrase ‘it’s a vibe’ should have been invented for.

The official music video premiered on June 28th; it is available to stream via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast