Browsing Tag

LA Hip Hop

Cush Wallace establishes himself as the new West Coast hip hop heavyweight with ‘AMMO’.

Posted on 6 December 2021

LA-based alt-rap artist instrumentalist and producer Cush Wallace is well on his way to securing a place in West Coast hip hop history. His latest EP, DRICO II: THE RISE OF FREDERICO DOWN BY PICO, stands as a testament to his trippy and atmospheric style and his cuttingly sharp wit.

His Afro-Latino roots pull through in the standout single, AMMO, which runs his tens of thousands of listeners through the weight put on him from his haters. Being the inspirational artist that he is, he lyrically fights his way through adversity and shines as before the track reaches its gritty outro.

Cush Wallace is so much more than your average I-downloaded-garage-band-3-months-ago kind of rapper; the classically trained multi-instrumentalist mastered the guitar and cello, those melodic skills notably lent themselves to AMMO.

AMMO is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Skyqru delivered the permission to ‘Let Go’ in their latest mellow trap hit.

Posted on 16 November 2021

The LA/Vegas alt-hip hop collective, Skyqru, formed during the most uncertain months of the pandemic in 2020 to uplift the world while locking horns with socio-political issues and breaking the stigma of personal issues.

After the success of their debut album, Pollution, they’ve dropped their single, Let Go, which is well on its way to going viral with over 33k streams on Spotify alone since the recent release. The mellow indie trap track takes a compassionate approach to unshackle you from things that no longer serve you. Skyqru truly is the Elliott Smith of hip hop with their soft melodies, ethereal atmosphere and raw lyricism.

It is always perceptible how much artists throw themselves into their music; you’d be hard-pressed to find other rap artists that personally and honestly invest so heavily in their craft. It is no surprise that their sound is garnering so much attention.

Let Go is available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

J. HUSTLES keeps it ‘For Real’ in his latest single, featuring Joey Supratta & WESTSIDE BOOGIE.

Posted on 5 November 2021

J. HUSTLES’ latest RnB hip hop single, For Real, featuring Joey Supratta & WESTSIDE BOOGIE, is everything it says on the tin. The collab looks behind facades and explores the narratives of three LA natives whose ground-breaking styles have been sending riptides through the local scene.

By touching on raw family issues and the sacrifices we make, For Real is enough to leave you questioning the real emotions of the artists that step to the mic to spit superficial bars while fighting internal wars silently. We didn’t need their press release to tell us that none of the artists held anything back from this viscerally evocative single. Despite the hard-hitting emotion, this ethereally chilling track runs smooth, allowing every ounce of emotion to resonate heavily in the luxe high-quality production.

For Real is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Trevour Amunga artfully attacks hip hop in his downtempo debut single, Drama.

Posted on 19 July 2021

Kenya-born, LA-based songwriter and rap artist Trevour Amunga has released his debut single, Drama; he describes his sound as a charming blend of poetry and authenticity, which articulately encapsulates the vibe of the sensual spoken-word lyricism  along with the seductively ambient slow grooves of the downtempo release.

It was a short and sweet introduction to Trevour Amunga, but we’re already stoked to hear more of his artful approach to hip hop. His experimental production style and the range of his mesmerising vocal timbre makes his debut single one of the most original hip hop debuts of 2021.

Drama is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Find Chemistry in Every Groove of Odillia and Snoop Dogg’s Single “Break it Down”

Posted on 30 October 2020

Netherlands-born, LA-based artist Odillia’s alluring crossover of Hip Hop and Pop has seen her scouted by the team behind Nelly, featuring on MTV, and now, she’s linked up with Snoop Dogg to create her latest single Break it Down.

As the track progresses, you’ll find yourself wondering who brings the most sensuality to the soundscape. You’ll find chemistry in each and every groove as Odillia and Snoop Dogg set up a sticky-sweet love story which bleeds sincerity through the realism in the narrative.

Break it Down ardently explores the frustration of trying to pull someone onto the same page. You’ll get caught up in the whirlwind as the non-linear lyrics run through, seismically shifting from frustration to lust and back again.

There is also plenty of tactile passion oozing from the visceral bass-riding beats, offering a dizzying amount of rhythmic transfixion. In other words, it’s a radio-ready earworm which won’t quickly be lost to Hip Hop history.

You can check out Break it Down which was released on October 2nd for yourselves by heading over to Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Dark Hip Hop with meaning on ‘Killthetrendy’ from LA rapper Trakcixs

Posted on 27 August 2020

‘Killthetrendy‘ from Trakcixs is the new dark indie Hip Hop track that aims to change the mindset and listeners out there in the world.

Trakcixs is a new Hip-Hop artist on the LA scene, breaking through cookie cutter and the mass-produced sounds of today. His alias is an abbreviation for ‘Truth Reformed As Konflict Composed Into X-treme Sounds’ and his motto KILLTHETRENDY – as referenced in this new song, aims to bring forth an idea he feels is lacking in today’s industry, that of fighting back the celebration of the superficial.

Influenced by Hip Hop, Punk and Funk, Trakcixs cites Rage Against The Machine, Black Death, Bad Brains and Suicidal Tendencies as some of the inspirational acts that led him to blend the original sound he creates right now. This is an emcee who likes to be different and make music that isn’t all corny and laced in cheesy sauce. While that is good for some food, when it comes to Hip Hop, the idea is the be original. This thought process has somehow gotten lost on the way which is a shame.

‘Killthetrendy‘ from Trakcixs is a call to avoid the trendy music out there and this message is to be celebrated. This is a talented wordsmith who is tired of the same rubbish on the radio. He wants to be different and inspire a new generation.

Stream here to hear this awesome track on Spotify.

Click here for the Facebook page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen