Browsing Tag

Alt Hip Hop

King Apollo juxtaposed grit with glamour in his alt-hip-hop hit, Holliwould

Posted on 18 January 2024

King Apollo, hailing from Columbus, Ohio, is not just another name in the rap game; he’s a whirlwind of creativity reshaping the hip-hop domain. His latest single, ‘Holliwould‘, stands as a testament to this bold assertion. This track is a journey through a soundscape where jazz’s sophistication meets the raw energy of rap, creating an experience that’s as enigmatic as it is enthralling.

From the first note, ‘Holliwould’ envelops you in a world where the past and future collide. The instrumental arrangement is a masterclass in melody, weaving a tapestry that’s both spacy and wavy, with a jazzy undertone that feels like a nod to the classics. Yet, it’s undeniably forward-thinking, a fusion that feels both nostalgic and novel.

King Apollo’s bars are the centrepiece of this musical odyssey. His wordplay is not just clever; it’s a sly wink to the listener, as intricate and layered as the title suggests. The lyrics dance through the beats with a devilish charm, offering a glimpse into a mind that’s as sharp as it is creative. It’s this blend of wit and wisdom that sets King Apollo apart, ensuring that every line resonates long after the song ends.

By blending the glamour of film noir with the unvarnished truth of street life, contrasting elements coalesced with effortless grace and established this sense of duality as a mark of King Apollo’s artistry.

Stream Holliwould as part of the 2023 LP, OuterSpace, on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Reality bites, but Sizway’s bars hit harder in his originated rap track, Paint

Posted on 14 January 2024

For his latest single and music video, Paint, which has now racked up almost 350k streams on YouTube, one of the biggest names to break through the rap scene, Sizway, collaborated with producer Josh Osbourne and director Dre Paiid and unleashed a gritty portrayal of life’s raw edges.

Born Zuri Ntlabati, Sizway’s Detroit roots and South African heritage have culminated in a sound that is as diverse as his background. Paint, set against a backdrop of hypnotic melodies and the sharp bite of 808s, is a testament to this.

The track opens with a mesmerising play of keys, setting a tone that is both introspective and assertive. As the trappy rattle of the 808s kicks in, Sizway takes the reins, delivering rap bars that pull you into his world. His lyrics are a vivid vignette of reality, unvarnished and unapologetic. There’s no room for hedonistic gloss here; Sizway’s narrative reflects the sharp teeth of reality that he has navigated.

As he continues to rise in the hip-hop dominion, Sizway stands as a trailblazer of originality, and Paint is a key to understanding a world he navigates with grace, edge, and grit.

Stream the official music video for Paint on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tha Blaqsmith crafted a monastery-esque mindscape with the lo-fi beats in his latest release, What is Meditation

Posted on 13 January 2024
The Last Day EP by Tha Blaqsmith

In the bustling sphere of modern music, Tha Blaqsmith, a California-Las Vegas based producer, crafted a unique auditory experience for their latest release, What Is Meditation, and invited his listeners on a voyage into the realms of inner peace and heightened consciousness, led by the guiding light of Edwin “Tha Blaqsmith” McCain’s innovative spirit.

From the outset, the mindfulness bells resonate, echoing the sacred sounds of a Tibetan singing bowl. This introduction is not just an opening but a ticket into a sanctuary of serenity. The bells set the stage, transporting the listener to the tranquil corridors of a Buddhist monastery, a setting where the mind finds solace and the soul, harmony.

As the journey unfolds, a crackling spoken word recording emerges, reminiscent of an old sage imparting wisdom on the essence of meditation. This element adds a layer of authenticity and warmth, bridging the gap between the ancient practice and the contemporary listener. The lo-fi beats then make their entrance, maintaining the tape recording crackles, a subtle nod to Tha Blaqsmith’s affinity for vinyl records and drum breaks. This fusion of the old and the new creates a soundscape that is both nostalgic and refreshingly novel.

The ambient elements that flow into the track further enhance this meditative experience. Tha Blaqsmith’s skill in blending these sounds demonstrates his unorthodox approach to music. With no formal background in composing, his natural inclination towards music shines through, offering a raw, yet refined essence to the hip-hop genre.

What is Meditation was officially released on December 31 in The Last Day EP; stream the EP in full on Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lose yourself in the videogame-esque aesthetic in Mew Kardo’s latest trap single, VODOLADY

Posted on 12 January 2024

On Christmas Day, the trap trailblazer, Mew Kardo, put his debut LP, GAMK VOL2:ALLNIGHTLONG, under everyone’s tree and allowed the genre to transcend its archetypes. The pop-hooked 8-bit adjacent standout single, VODOLADY, portrays Mew Kardo as an antihero you can’t help but warm to as the melodies meander beneath his distinctively infectious bars that flow with a killer cadence.

His work, a vibrant blend of trap’s raw energy and a digital, almost videogame-like aesthetic, marks an immersive evolution in the genre. Kardo, drawing inspiration from titans like Kanye West and Kendrick Lamar, infuses his music with a sense of boundless creativity, yet remains grounded in the gritty realism that trap music embodies.

Kardo’s skill in storytelling shines through as he navigates this complex landscape with a deft lyrical prowess reminiscent of Lil Wayne’s intricate wordplay and André 3000’s vivid narratives. The track is a journey through a world where the beats are as pulsating as the pixels on a screen, creating an immersive experience that is both familiar and refreshingly novel.

VODOLADY speaks of a future where genres are fluid, and artists like him are the architects of this new musical landscape. His ability to filter reality through a digital lens while staying true to the roots of trap is nothing short of remarkable. This release is a testament to his potential, hinting at a career that will be as impactful as it is innovative.

Stream VODOLADY on Spotify now.

Follow Mew Kardo on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tahj McQueen broke boundaries with the bass-swathed beats and breaks in his trailblazing alt-hip-hop track, BMMY

Posted on 8 January 2024

Tahj McQueen’s seminal track, BMMY, from his eagerly awaited debut album, Bumm3P, is a striking showcase of his experimental flair and a cutting testament to his avant-garde edge which is set to carve out his legacy in the landscape of alt-hip-hop.

Between the Eastern-inspired rhythms, the 8-Bit Adjacent beats and the glitchy matrixes within the melodies, there’s an artfully pioneering propensity to BMMY, one that any fans of hip-hop which breaks boundaries will appreciate. In the midst of the instrumental chaos, McQueen keeps his flow mesmerisingly steady, allowing his bars to become the eye of a distorted storm.

Exotic yet familiar, nostalgic in the digital textures yet innovative enough to push revolutionary tides through the airwaves, McQueen’s dynamic and high-energy production is a paradox that will leave you at the edge of your proverbial seat as the exhilaration grips you.

McQueen, a young talent from Greensboro, NC, draws inspiration from experimental hip-hop and electronic music and his drumline experience. This diverse background is evident in BMMY, where the bass-heavy and flashy production reflects his bold and energetic style. Currently a student at UNCG and working alongside the 506 creative team, McQueen is not just a musician but a visionary.

Stream BMMY as part of Tahj MacQueen’s debut album, Bumm3P, via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Bedfordshire’s Jeron Ross started a riot of rap innovation in his sophomore release, Possession

Posted on 3 January 2024

After making his debut with his East Coast-flavoured inaugural release, Write of Passage, featuring A Alchemy, the Bedfordshire rapper, Jeron Ross turned experimentalism into exhilaration by exploring the depths of alt-rap and showcasing his ability to blend storytelling with the unpredictability of freestyle in his sophomore release, Possession.

Hit play and find yourself in the uninhibited corridors of Ross’ mind, where each verse and switch in tempo leads you deeper down the rabbit hole and confronted by a mosaic of musical ideas, where each distinct part is part of a larger, mesmerising portrait of possession.

Ross’ versatility shines as he transitions from harmonised choruses to zany bars, each switch in style and tone adding layers to the track’s rich texture. His vocal performances are a rollercoaster of emotions, exuding a sense of impassioned and cagey urgency that grips the listener from start to finish.

The track’s structure, with more curveballs than cohesion, might seem unconventional at first. However, this apparent disarray is Ross’ genius at play. It reflects the chaos of a mind in constant motion, thoughts and emotions colliding and coalescing into something profoundly expressive.

Ross’ background in freestyle rapping, honed since his teenage years, is evident in the fluidity and spontaneity of Possession. His wicked punchlines and vivid imagery are a sure sign of even bigger things to come.

Possession was officially released on December 26; stream it on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

my•escy has made his Avant-Garde horrorcore debut with ‘Milk Teeth’

Posted on 15 December 2023

my•escy’s debut avant-garde hip-hop single, Milk Teeth, emerges as a hauntingly innovative masterpiece, setting a new precedent in the genre. Hailing from Venice, California, my•escy infuses his music with a unique blend of post-punk and industrial influences. This track is a bold introduction to his dark, visceral style, showcasing his ability to craft a nightmarish auditory experience.

Milk Teeth begins with a deceptively playful intro, a jaunty address that lures the listener into a false sense of security. This quickly gives way to a darker, trappy aesthetic, a stark contrast that is both jarring and intriguing. The track is imbued with horrorcore energy, its production, lyrics, and bars exuding a zany yet menacing vibe. my•escy’s skill in switching between the wild insanity of Insane Clown Posse and his own snarled, charismatic bars creates a captivating dichotomy that ensnares the listener.

The track’s production is a gritty synthesis of macabre imagery and sonic synthetics, transcending mere sound to offer a full-fledged experience. my•escy’s use of ominous synth-soaked beats creates an atmosphere that is both oppressive and exhilarating. The lyrics weave a narrative that is as compelling as it is unsettling, ensuring that Milk Teeth lingers in the mind long after the last note has faded.

Stream Milk Teeth on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Genaddy took motivational hip-hop to a cinematically fiery new plateau with his debut, 1,000 Mile.

Posted on 14 December 2023

After dropping his debut single, 1,000 Mile, the veraciously fresh rapper, Genaddy, has already shed his up-and-coming underdog status, amassing over 56k monthly listeners on Spotify with his astronomically high-octane energy.

By taking motivational hip-hop to a cinematically fiery new plateau with orchestral elements sweeping across the big beats, there’s no overstating the epic scale, dramatic intensity, or the way the production enhances the storytelling.

With a flow as fervent as Busta Rhymes and Twista paired with the sharp and ingenious wordplay of Nas and Lil Wayne and the production pumping out the innovative and emotional resonance of a Hans Zimmer score, we may as well hand the keys to the hip-hop dominion over to Genaddy in 2024. With a debut LP locked, loaded and ready to drop nuclear bombs on the airwaves next year, Genaddy isn’t an artist you want to sleep on.

Check out the 1,000 Mile single, featuring the B-side, Circles, on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mizzery Jones ensnares via culturally cultivated distinction in his seminal rap track, Yes

Posted on 2 December 2023

Mizzery Jones established himself as a master of rhythmic magnetism while battling his introspective demons in his seminal rap track, Yes, which pulls listeners into a space where old-school hip-hop meets a new era of sound.

The track is a testament to Mizzery Jones’s ability to honour the genre’s roots while allowing his bars to flow into uncharted territories with his distinctive style. Vocally, there are touches of Eminem as Jones blends the foundational beats of hip-hop with fresh cinematic production stylings. If you can imagine being sonically guided through a vibrant bazaar of sounds, where each beat and note is infused with a sense of exoticism, you’ll get an idea of the colourfully layered complexity within Yes, which is prised from Jones’ EP, I’ll Be Back Before Too Long.

This sharp and esoteric indicator of Jones’ ability to intellectually stimulate through his wordplay and deliver verses with a hypnotically assertive cadence won’t fail to capture your attention and keep hold of it with a vice-like grip until the very last note. It’s impossible not to be ensnared by Mizzery Jones’s culturally cultivated distinction as he allows his lyrics to unravel as a panoramic picture of determinism, candour and emotional intelligence.

Mizzery Jones’s biography adds another layer of depth to his artistry. Hailing from Cleveland, Ohio, this producer and artist spent a significant portion of his life in the vibrant cultural landscapes of Chapala and Guadalajara, Mexico; experiences that have clearly seeped into the textured layers of his music.

Stream the I’ll Be Back Before Too Long EP on Spotify or purchase the EP on Apple Music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Solomane advocates authenticity in his meditative rap track, Higher Self

Posted on 29 November 2023

The climactic track, Higher Self, from Solomane’s latest LP, The S.O.L.O. Tape, Vol. 1, is a profound meditation set to music; a contemplative dive into the essence of self-actualisation and the pursuit of authenticity.

The Franco-Moroccan artist, who is a self-made man in the world of music, brings a rich tapestry of cultural experiences to his work, and it shines through in this latest offering. Having honed his craft in various cities from Brussels to Barcelona, Solomane’s worldly perspective is embedded in his lyrics, which he delivers in a mellow tempo that’s as reflective as the message itself.

The track speaks to those striving for something more meaningful than mere imitation, advocating for autonomy and originality. In a time when it is all too easy to see an image on social media and lament the disparity between you and who you think you see, the message is as necessary as it is powerful.

Solomane’s eclectic influence—from the golden era of New York rap to the rhythms of reggaeton and the soulfulness of R&B—is masterfully blended into a backdrop for his sound which effortlessly transcends genre constraints. The production of Higher Self is undeniably contemporary, echoing the thoughtfulness of artists like Oddisee. His flow is seamless across the succinct instrumental layers as he demonstrates his versatility as a rapper and his reverence for the craft.

Higher Self is a testament to his journey, an anthem for the genuine, and a celebration of the inner self in a world where external facades are all too common. This track will resonate with anyone on the path to finding their true self amidst the noise of societal expectations.

Stream Higher Self with the rest of Solomane’s latest LP, The S.O.L.O. Tape, Vol. 1 on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast