Browsing Tag

Jazz Trap

Shadowed Heights: Ikechi Onyenaka Unpacks the Solitude of Success in his Neo-Trap Single, ‘Eclipse’

Posted on 7 May 2024

Ikechi Onyenaka’s latest single, ‘Eclipse,’ delivers an avant-garde blend of saxophone-laden jazz and sharp trap rhythms, underpinned by the emotional richness of neo-soul. This intrinsically authentic release evolves with each soulful progression, compelling listeners to groove along with Onyenaka’s reflective journey. Through ‘Eclipse,’ he explores the seldom-discussed loneliness accompanying success, challenging the enviable facade often associated with prosperity.

In ‘Eclipse,’ Onyenaka’s artistic versatility shines as he oscillates between rap verses and neo-soul vocal spills, each dripping with unfiltered emotion. The heavy bass and ambient synths create a nostalgic backdrop reminiscent of 90’s neo-soul, while the alto saxophone commands attention, weaving through the composition with soul-stirring authority.

By portraying the stark reality of success through the upbeat, genre-melding soundscape of neo-trap, Onyenaka not only rips up the clichéd narrative of an effortless life at the top but also emphasises the fundamental human need for connection.

Eclipse hit the airwaves on May 3rd, stream the single here now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Steven Padilla – Battery: Buttery Smooth High-Fire Hip Hop

Posted on 24 December 2019

Whilst melodicism is the last thing on most Trap artist’s minds, Steven Padilla ensured their latest mix “Battery” was buttery smooth.

Their fiery energetic Rap bars create a unique contrast between the soft, lucid, hazy downtempo beats which almost makes Battery an aural juxtaposition.

Chilled Hip Hop and hyped high-fire Hip Hop often sit at opposite ends of the spectrum. But Steven Padilla’s dynamic skills found a way to intrinsically combine them in a feat of urban alchemy.

With their ingenuity combined with Shaigy’s production, Battery became a flawless radio-ready mix which any fans of contemporary Trap will want to check out.

You can check out Battery for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

ROLF – WTMW: Wavy Jazz-Laced Trap

Posted on 8 January 2019

“WTMW” is the latest mix dropped by up and coming Hip Hop artist ROLF whose sound is right on the contemporary wavy Trap curve. Mixing up the archetypal soundscape are the Jazz & R&B fusions which blend into the reverb-heavy, emotively wrought single.

While I can appreciate what ROLF tried to do with the continual use of spatial effect which stops the beat dead in regular intervals from the prelude to midway through the track, it was impossible to get immersed in the beat and really feel the melody which he had cooked up for WTMW. If anything, it almost sounded like you were streaming with a terrible internet connection. Yet, to conclude the track, Rolf allowed Jazz to dominate the mix and run independently to the Trap mix before abruptly coming to a close. Even though some of the aspects of the single were a little hit and miss, the prodigal vision possessed by ROLF is still perceptible through WTMW.

You can check out ROLF’s latest single WTMW for yourselves by heading over to SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast