Browsing Tag

Hip Hop Soul

Mike37 transcended with the soul in his alt-hip-hop debut  LP, HOT AIR BALLOON

Posted on 7 September 2024

On September 6th, Mike37 made titanic waves by dropping his debut album, HOT AIR BALLOON. At the tender age of 17, the independent Milan-residing DJ, producer, vocalist and hip-hop & soul fusionist already has the chops to slice through genres and moods with the cultivated command of a veteran, which is affectingly exhibited in the vibe-driven 12-track LP.

The LP is a bold blend of soul and sharp-edged rap, straddling a dozen tracks that venture from intimate soul outpourings to spitfire spoken word, all dipped in the hallucinogenic haze of dreamy trap. Using hip-hop’s sonic playground for the foundation of the album didn’t get in the way of Mike37 casting the genre net wider into the domain of pop to implant pop hooks into his wavy hits which resound with seraphic semi-lucid euphonic euphoria.

To juxtapose the soul in the former and subsequent singles, the standout track, PUT YOUR CAMERA DOWN, throbs with aggressive synths and heavy 808s, setting the stage for Mike37’s incisive lyrics that slice through the superficial sheen of social media facades. Mike37 may have been a beat maker first, but this track is evidence of his command over metrically kinetic bars and his ability to lay bare a narrative that’s both raw and refined.

The album’s diversity is kicked up a notch with contributions from a variety of artists like Skyler, Uno Hype, Tiffany Evans, and Amy Fitz Doyley, each adding a distinct flavour to the mix without overshadowing Mike37’s own stylistic imprint.

Crafted in Italy’s Fiery Water Recordings Studio and given the final polish at Abbey Road by Alex Gordon, the technical execution of this album is nothing short of stellar. Every beat and note was engineered and destined to resonate.

Stream HOT AIR BALLOON on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Keep up to date with Mike37’s latest releases and news via Instagram and Facebook.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ron A.P. made true love a tangible phenomenon in Real Love Pt. II

Posted on 26 August 2022

Making true love a tangible phenomenon is a feat beyond most artists, not Ron A.P. in his latest music video, Real Love Pt. II. With full awareness that love is the most explored emotion in music, Ron A.P. went all in with this smooth jazzy hip hop track. Shakespeare may not have referred to how much crackheads love to chase the rock, and that may just be where he went wrong in encompassing the visceralism of the emotion.

After hearing The Ex Files from the US rapper, which went hard on retrospective romantic dissonance, we are stoked to hear Ron A.P. back on soulful form. Any fans of Nas, Jay-Z, Kanye and B.B. King will find a playlist staple in Real Love Pt. II.

The official music video for Real Love Pt. II will premiere on August 19th. Check it out on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Mobbin101 takes us back to the roots of hip hop with Pumpfake, featuring Shill Macc,

Posted on 6 September 2021

Mobbin101 went right back to the roots of soulful hip hop with his latest single, Pumpfake, featuring Shill Macc. The track eclipses the New York urban sound while allowing the up and coming artist to stamp down his signature style in the rich and resonant tones.

Diss tracks are hardly few and far between in hip hop but the scathing, witty lyricism paired with Mobbin101’s convictive anger make you feel every ounce of emotion poured into this volatile and confrontational track that hits like no other.

Pumpfake was released on August 5th; you can check it out for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Texas hip hop luminary G Peoples radiates in his latest single, Shine.

Posted on 4 September 2021

Texas’ brightest hip hop luminary, G Peoples, has pushed the envelope even further with the release of his single, Shine, which brings new soul to old school. The short and sweet hit uses its 2:22-minute duration to lull you into a state of optimism as G Peoples shares his infectious attitude over warm, jazzy and almost ethereal tones.

The artist, rapper, songwriter and entrepreneur’s career quickly gained traction with his debut single in 2019. It is no surprise that so many people have found meaning in his motivating lyricism and contemporary indie take on the soundscapes that have been winning us over since Uptown Records changed the face of hip hop forever.

Shine is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Lisa Denae – Smoke featuring David Cadence

Posted on 4 December 2020

Right from the intro in her standout single ‘Smoke’ featuring David Cadence, you’re confronted by RnB Soul artist Lisa Denae’s talent when it comes to implanting her direct lyrics under your skin.

With trappy beats bringing even more conviction to the soulful yet unapologetically furious RnB single, the empowerment won’t fail to resonate. Instead of exhibiting scornfulness in Smoke which unravels as the perfect post-breakup diss track, Lisa Denae exudes that awe-inspiring energy of someone finally realising their power and worth, and it is safe to say that energy is infectious.

David Cadence brings an incredible dynamic to the track when he breezes in towards the outro to act as the Rap villain. It’s impossible not to become immersed in the conceptually narrative hit.

You can check out Smoke for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast.

Shilla has dropped their soulfully intellectual freestyle mix “834” prod Manny Manhattan

Posted on 11 August 2020
https://soundcloud.com/shillasound/834-freestyle-prod-by-manny-manhattan

Breaking Rap artist Shilla has dropped their latest track 843 Freestyle, and it may be one of the most compelling freestyle tracks I’ve ever heard.

Shilla’s intellectual, insightful and evocative lyrics almost allow the beats to disappear entirely as you lock into the emotion which is projected in the bars. Shilla served up a serious amount of soul in 834 Freestyle, and it’s not every day that you can say Freestyle Rap hits hard in that capacity.

There may have been a nostalgic element or two within the production, but there’s no disputing that Shilla is bringing fresh new tracks to the airwaves. He’s an incredibly unique artist who more than deserves a spot on your radar.

You can check out Shilla’s latest release 834 Freestyle produced by Manny Manhattan via SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

J Money drops one of the best reflective Hip Hop tracks of 2020 with ”Change”

Posted on 28 June 2020

You always gotta be looking forward and not back. The world is a complete enigma and we are still trying to figure it all out. You feel trapped inside and lust for the good times. Many regrets and worrying stuff about that already happening that you can’t change. This can clog the thoughts and cause unnecessary stress. How do you escape?

”Change’‘ is the new track from new artist J Money and it’s nosed in like a hungry mouse that has just smelt some of that good cheese. This 3 minute 12 second gem has just swirled in my ears like a slide at the water park. My mood is rejuvenated and there are only smiles. The beat is laid-back with plenty of soul. I reminisce about those good times with friends, cruising around doing nothing but together. People change or is it us escaping from the norm?

J Money is an artist with massive potential here after sending this mellow masterpiece to us with guitar vibes to think about. The world is crazy right now and this peaceful Hip Hop track is well-welcome due to it’s honest lyrics and soul-changing energy.

Stream this song via Soundcloud now and turn it up.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Kaedo – Survival of the Fittest: Candid, Hook-Filled Old School Hip Hop

Posted on 30 March 2020

Fans of smooth Old School Hip Hop will undoubtedly want to pay attention to the latest release “Survival of the Fittest” from up and coming artist Kaedo.

With a new studio album due to drop, there has never been a better time to jump on the hype around this trailblazer of an artist who perceptibly excelled in reviving old school sounds with brand-new contemporary appeal.

The atmospheric groove alone is enough to make you want to want to give Survival of the Fittest repeat attention. There are also the incredibly immersive melodic progressions which give the track an Indie vibe and the candid lyrics don’t just sting, they burn with sincerity.

You can check out Kaedo’s single for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Noiz Kelley – N. Y. L.: Soulfully Elevating Hip Hop

Posted on 28 February 2020
https://soundcloud.com/noizkelley/nyl

Up and coming Washington-based Hip Hop artist and producer Noiz Kelley’s latest single “N. Y. L.” drips pure vibrant soul. Each progression is as dynamic as the last and will leave you even more enamoured by the artist’s effervescently energetic approach to songwriting.

It’s got all transcendent soul which you’d expect from Gospel music. Yet, the lyrics have been kept light, uplifting, and universally resonant so that even the staunchest of atheists will be inspired by Noiz Kelley.

Noiz Kelley is to Hip Hop what Hozier is to Rock n Roll. Their eccentrically playful approach to their sound which keeps the instrumentals organic and the vocal passion striking will undoubtedly see them make plenty of waves in 2020 and beyond.

You can check out N. Y. L. for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia

Issa Bibbins – Hands Up (Please Don’t Shoot) featuring Sam Jones, Daniel Callahan, Mekell Cartel, SWADE

Posted on 17 January 2020

Childish Gambino’s track “This Is America” went viral, but there are plenty more eye-opening tracks which address the absurdity in our society which need the same amount of recognition, such as Hip Hop artist Issa Bibbins’ single “Hands Up (Please Don’t Shoot).

The track features the deft evocative talents of Sam Jones, Daniel Callahan, Mekell Cartel, SWADE. And together, they created one of the most grounding tracks on police violence and irrational fear of people possessing melanin I’ve ever heard.

While there’s plenty of lyrical conviction in Hands Up, the calm and open question of “why are you so terrified?” in the chorus is utterly ingenious. It’s a gentle but resounding way of pointing that the hate and fear are unjustifiable. Instead of creating an N.W.A.-style single born from aggression, Issa Bibbins opted for a far more effective approach. We certainly won’t be forgetting it in a hurry.

You can check out the official music video to Hands Up for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast