Browsing Tag

Hip-Hop

So Royal The Music Producer Earned his Crown in ‘Royal 24’

Posted on 26 May 2024

So Royal The Music Producer’s standout production, Royal 24, is a hard-hitting homage to old-school hip-hop, infused with a fresh, scintillating edge that sets the independent artist and producer leagues apart from the assimilators masquerading as originators.

The track captures the soul and grit of the genre’s roots while showcasing So Royal’s exceptional talent as a beatmaker. His use of cinematic aesthetics heightens the evocative atmosphere, with playful rhythms that prove charisma isn’t just for rap bars.

So Royal crafted the perfect platform for his dynamic verses, which constantly switch in cadence, vibe, and tone, creating immense anticipation over what will follow, and there’s no room for disappointment; each progression is a testament to his versatile and chameleonic skill.

There’s an undeniable sense that Royal 24 comes from a place of pure creativity and emotion, making it easy to get lost in the innovative production. The single is a flawless exhibition of So Royal’s ability to blend the traditional with the contemporary, creating a soundscape that thinks forward leaving fans tripping over the authenticity while respecting the genre’s roots.

Royal 24 is available via Apple Music and YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

A&R Factory Interview with SirC.A.P: Exploring the Evolution of an Artist

Posted on 25 May 2024
https://spotify.link/jkyxZyYfJJb

In this exclusive interview with A&R Factory, SirC.A.P delves into the creative journey behind his sophomore album, What We Became, which explores themes of love and heartbreak while showcasing his versatility as an artist. He discusses the collaborative process with producer 22cali, the intentional and free-flowing nature of the album’s diverse genres, and the meticulous selection of tracks from an impressive list of 72 songs. SirC.A.P also reflects on how What We Became marks a significant departure from his debut album, Divergent, and hints at even greater things to come.

SirC.A.P, welcome to A&R Factory! Thanks for the opportunity to connect with you following the release of your sophomore album, What We Became, which dropped on May 10th. What’s the concept of the LP and what does it say about you as an artist?

The album is about love and heartbreak showing the pros and cons of love and lust. This project shows my versatility and ability as a young artist.

What was it like working with producer 22cali on the LP?

Cali is my brother and we’ve been working since the beginning, I’m looking forward to the future projects we’ll be making.

Was it hard deciding which songs would make the tracklist? 

No, as we kept making songs we knew which ones were gonna fit and not. We chose from a list of 72 songs to create this tight-knit and concise album.

Was including such a diverse array of genres and vibes on the album intentional or a free flow of your creativity? 

With Cali producing the vibes intentionally, me recording what I did was a free flow of my creativity. We both really pushed each other creatively to make something that stands out from our peers.

Can you talk us through the sampling and production choices which allowed What We Became to hit as a dynamic and soul-rich release?

Some samples spoke to us and some didn’t but the ones chosen truly set the vibes and create the atmosphere that “What We Became” brings.

In your opinion, is What We Became a continuation or a departure from your 2022 debut album, Divergent? 

A vast departure definitely but there may be a continuation of What We Became stay tuned.

What’s next for SirC.A.P?

Improved everything! The next will be 10x better than the last. We never stop evolving.

Stream What We Became on Spotify now.

Follow SirC.A.P on Instagram.

Interview by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Be Bigger Not Bitter with Tago’s Feel-Good Hip-Hop Juggernaut, Let Me Talk About Mine

Posted on 16 May 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsXyEZ7iyJU

Tago stepped back into the spotlight with his latest single Let Me Talk About Mine, which is set to be a significant moment in his career. The Dallas-based rapper and producer, who has spent the better part of a decade behind the scenes, enriching other artists’ careers, now takes centre stage, showcasing his own story with soul-infused conviction that demands attention.

With Let Me Talk About Mine, Tago crafted lyrics that are both sharp and introspective, set against a backdrop of electrifying beats and cutting-edge electronica aesthetics that shake the dust off old school while tapping into the grit of it.

This single is an unreckonable assertion of self-worth and an invitation to witness his ascension in hip-hop. His narrative is potent, steeped in personal growth and the gritty realities of forging one’s path against the odds. Tago captivates through this monolithic hit, employing kinetic rhythms that propel the listener through his journey of self-realisation and unflinching ambition.

It’s a track that will stand the test of time as a testament to Tago’s ability to weave traditional influences into a modern sonic landscape that pulsates with energy. If you’ve ever felt overshadowed, step into the limelight with his emboldening instant classic.

Stream the official music video for Let Me Talk About Mine from May 16th.

Follow Tago on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Majesty defined her hip-hop legacy in ‘What Goes Around Comes Around’

Posted on 15 May 2024

Karma may be a bitch, but there are few fiercer figures in the hip-hop industry than Majesty, who will be reigning supreme after the drop of her legacy-defining single, What Goes Around Comes Around.

The solid beats, sharp flows and even more cutting wordplay establish Majesty as a triple threat in the genre filled with pretenders that would kill for her ability to deliver conviction with soul. As the luxe jazzy instrumentals that are filtered through a filmic lens take you back to the ‘90s East Coast hip-hop sound, Majesty’s cadence attests to her determination to perfect her craft and inspire through her independently released hits.

Anyone who hits play on What Goes Around Comes Around will find themselves vindicated by the rhythmically explosive exposition on the sweetness of karmic justice. Along with everyone else who can’t get enough of this hit, we can’t wait to hear what Majesty has locked, loaded and ready to drop.

Stream What Goes Around Comes Around, which has already racked up over 3k views on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Baby T Reclaimed Hip-Hop’s Roots in His Soulful Renaissance LP, Prodigal Son

Posted on 9 May 2024

Baby T’s sixth hip-hop LP, Prodigal Son, blends deep-rooted soul influences with a hard-hitting lyrical flow that will leave you instantly attuned to his ability to live up to hip-hop heavyweights and alongside them, matching the stride of the giants that many attempt to emulate, but few succeed as well as Baby T. Instead of painting by numbers to replicate an urban portrait, with every brushstroke on the canvas of this LP Baby T embodies their authenticity while revisiting the foundational elements of hip-hop and channelling the raw, emotional energy that has defined his career.

The Flint-born artist ensures that each of the album’s 17 tracks reverberates with a sense of purpose and passion, reviving the luxurious aura of classic hip-hop through modern expressions and candid narratives. The LP is a vivid exploration of Baby T’s personal journey, marked by his philosophical reflections, life’s vexations, and his confrontations with fear. His dual role as both creator and curator allows him to finely tune every element, ensuring that his tracks not only resonate on a sonic level but also connect on a deeply human one.

The single MISUNDERSTOOD, a fresh take on Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, stands out as a powerful testament to Baby T’s ability to connect with listeners through relatable and potent storytelling. Meanwhile, ICON hits with the force of a seasoned lyricist, packed with dynamic energy and undeniable swagger.

As Baby T gears up for a summer tour and rolls out music videos to bring his tracks to visual life, Prodigal Son is already shaping up to be a pivotal release.

Stream the Prodigal Son LP on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

I AM Cricchi unveiled his soul in his genre-defying journey of an LP, The Road Back

Posted on 9 May 2024

In his fourth album, The Road Back, the chart-topping urban evocateur I AM Cricchi locked and loaded enough heavy emotional artillery to wage war on the airwaves. The release is a continuation of his commitment to drawing out poison through self-expression, resulting in a visceral anthology that fervently spans the entire emotional spectrum. Stylistically, Cricchi organically matches the psychological dynamism by seamlessly shifting between and melding elements of hip-hop, country, trap, RnB and pop; never assimilating his influences, Will Smith, Nelly, Kid Rock, John Mayer, Alan Jackson, Jelly Roll and Colt Ford, but emulating their ability to melodically envelop you within their emotional projections.

Even after the opening single, Deep Thoughts, the weight of the album that strips the Maryland-born, Texas-based artist’s soul bare, rests heavy. Yet, none of the vulnerable confessionalism within the lyrics or aching sonic motifs feels overbearing or oppressive. Instead, you fall into his world, living vicariously through the palpably cathartic dialectics, torn between intense empathy and revelling in the resonance in his authentic performance as he relives the raw feelings that became precipices to lyrically jump off.

I Gotta Grow is one of the testaments to the resilience required to overcome addiction, envision a better life and fulfil it; after losing himself to substance abuse, Cricchi practices what he preaches; it may not be your average gospel, but it can lead anyone walking to that path to salvation. Fortitude is a theme that echoes throughout the release which expertly uses euphonic acoustic elements and spatial effects to open up enough room for the emotional core for each of the singles to break through to the surface and stick with you for long after the final track fades.

Featuring a stellar line-up of collaborators, including Gringo the MC in Current Situation, Bubbly Galloway in Some Days, Jordan Meyer in Emotions, and Pirscription in Sorry I’m Late, The Road Back is a rare record where you won’t dare to skip a track.

The Road Back LP dropped on May 3rd; stream the emotionally expansive release on Spotify.

Read our interview with I AM Cricchi here.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Manchester’s LIVO Navigated the Duality of Pride and Pain with her Debut Spoken Word Single, Queer Joy

Posted on 6 May 2024

Having already proven her mettle in the Manchester spoken word scene and received plaudits from Guy Garvey and Tony Walsh, LIVO has spread ‘Queer Joy’ in her debut single, which puts a serene backdrop of 90s hip-hop nostalgia behind her wordplay that permeates the soul.

Tenderly vulnerable yet assertively euphoric candour lies at the core of Queer Joy, which celebrates the experience of living authentically and unapologetically hedonistically outside of the heteronormative hegemony and living vicariously.

Eloquently hitting a few raw nerves through the lyrical vignette which also touches on the most painful aspects of navigating a society which may have progressed in recent decades but still makes it difficult for queer people to find pride, in spite of the vibrant pageantry of Pride flags and events, Queer Joy leaves you sinking into LIVO’s presence, hanging off every syllable so articulately delivered.

Together with producer and composer Stanley Penrose, LIVO made an affecting debut with Queer Joy, which dropped ahead of her debut LP, The Age of Joy.

Queer Joy was officially released on April 12; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rice redefined hip-hop with the big beats in his latest hit, Blog It

Posted on 5 May 2024

After a suspenseful two-year hiatus, Rice stormed back onto the hip-hop scene with Blog It, a track that pulses with cinematic grandeur and a defiant declaration of his undimmed presence. This single is not just a return; it’s a bold reaffirmation of Rice’s command over the genre.

Rice, known for his role as an entrepreneur and philanthropist as much as his music, melded monolithic auto-tuned bars with EDM-adjacent beats to create a soundscape that’s as luxurious as it is massive. The production quality, more designer than Prada, amplifies Rice’s charisma, proving that none of his magnetic allure has faded beneath the technological sheen.

Blog It is laden with lyrical potency and rhythmic complexity that showcases Rice’s matured artistry. His background as a visionary artist who transitioned from management to centre stage is evident in every beat.

This single is a narrative of persistence and a sonic explosion that heralds Rice’s readiness for a Grammy. It’s ironic yet fitting that a track titled Blog It is the one I find myself blogging about—what could be more meta? Yet, if I’m a pawn in anyone’s game, I’m glad it’s Rice’s; the major player is ripping up the hip-hop rulebook and setting fire to the confetti.

Blog It is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Yvng Marvae walked among hip-hop giants with ‘Born 2 Shine’

Posted on 4 May 2024
https://youtu.be/qsIKnaOHl40?si=e8DDt9TZylgT0Ru9

Hip-hop productions don’t often come much bigger than the package Yvng Marvae signed, sealed and delivered with help from his producer, Ixxander. His latest single “Born 2 Shine” is a massive hit that glistens with East Coast immensity; the Wu-Tang lyrical name check makes it clear where Yvng Marvae gets his flow inspiration from, yet, the sonics of the track are undeniably heavily influenced by Jay Z.

With a larger-than-life persona and beats that don’t get dwarfed under his charisma, “Born 2 Shine” is a manifesto on how to unapologetically and defiantly stand tall, which ensures every lyric serves to pull you into the expansive energy of the cinematic hit that you’ll want to surge through your speakers at max volume.

This track not only spotlights Yvng Marvae’s adept skill at crafting flow and rhythm but also underscores his ability to create an anthem that resonates with the grandeur of hip-hop’s golden era while projecting his own unique modern flair.

The collaboration with Ixxander brings a level of production that elevates the song beyond typical chart-toppers, making it a resonant piece for both new listeners and long-time hip-hop fans. “Born 2 Shine” proves that Yvng Marvae is not just following in the footsteps of giants; he is striding alongside them, ready to cast his own giant shadow on the industry.

Born 2 Shine was officially released on April 5; stream the single on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Blonde Poulain rocketed through cosmic boundaries in ‘Objectivo la Tierra’

Posted on 26 April 2024

Blonde Poulain’s latest single, “Objectivo la Tierra,” catapults listeners straight into a celestial escapade, melding pop sensibilities with sci-fi synthetics. From the outset, spacey effects set an interstellar backdrop while the pop hooks orbit around hip-hop-adjacent beats.

The rhythmic foundation is robust, complemented by twinkling synths and a nod to 90s trance aesthetics that instil euphoria in the same vein as Faithless. Blonde Poulain embraces full creative freedom in this track, infusing his style, soul, and charisma to craft a universe that promises more than just a musical escape. By giving pop new life through the pulse of electronica, the innovative artist created a sound that’s both futuristic and deeply grounded in rhythmic tradition.

In essence, “Objectivo la Tierra” is an invitation to imagine and inhabit Blonde Poulain’s vibrant and upbeat cosmos—if Earth were to falter, his universe, as painted in this track, would be infinitely more accommodating.

This single marks the first release from his upcoming EP, setting a high bar for what’s to come as it skilfully combines real-world facts with the fantasy of science fiction.

Objectivo la Tierra will reach the airwaves on April 26th; stream the official music video on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast