Browsing Tag

Lyrical Hip Hop

NBH Rucci searches for gravity in his latest single, Hold Me Down

Posted on 15 January 2022

In his latest single, “Hold Me Down”, the up and coming alt hip hop artist NBH Rucci explores the disparities between fears of being held down and lonely realities where connections feel transitional and leave us feeling short-changed.

The atmospheric dark indie hip hop single is an extension of the Michigan-hailing hip hop artist’s mission to share his triggering life events as a means of connecting with his fans and shining a light on the commonality of our pain. With trap and RnB nuances weaved into the short and sweet track that runs through in under 2-minutes, there is no denying that it hits the evocative spot and does it in a spectacularly succinct fashion.

Hold Me Down dropped on January 14th; you can check it out for yourselves via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

JODDY has made his debut with the ultimate grounded feel-good hip hop track, TRISHA

Posted on 3 January 2022

Californian rapper and singer-songwriter JODDY has dropped his hook-filled alt hip hop debut single, TRISHA, featuring Hoe Hunna and Maggie Kiing. While some rap artists release music as a means to fame and notoriety, the striking sincerity in JODDY’s debut proves just how invested he is in the life-saving culture of hip hop. After experiencing poverty, gang violence and losses of love, JODDY found solace in music and became inspired to extend that solace to his fans.

The sun-soaked beats, mellifluous cadence and nuances of RnB and Afrobeat in the gorgeously layered vocals ensure that TRISHA runs through as the ultimate grounded feel-good hip hop track.

TRISHA was the first single released from his debut EP, Punch Drunk Music, which promises to deliver relatable substance. Punch Drunk Music will be available to stream and purchase on all major platforms from January 21st, 2022. If you appreciate fresh hip hop talent and dopamine, get him on your radar.

JODDYs debut single, TRISHA, is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

West Philly rap artist Jus NBL hits all the right notes in his album ‘Fine Wine’

Posted on 2 January 2022

West Philly rap artist, Jus NBL, dropped one of the freshest hip hop albums of 2021 with the release of his lyrically driven LP, Fine Wine. In the title track, the minimalist beats create the perfect platform for his high-energy rap bars as they grind through the gritty lyrics and the resilience that allowed him to find the light regardless.

Right from the first verse, Jus NBL proves how grounded he is in his lyricism. There’s none of the usual ego-fuelled grandeur, just an honest and direct lyrical delivery that is more than easy to connect with. The Jay Z reminiscences are strong, but they do little to dampen the intoxicating hit of Jus NBL’s authenticity in Fine Wine. Every rap fan should have room for him on his radar.

Jus NBL’s 2021 album, Fine Wine, is now available to purchase on apple music.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

C.h.a.m.p brought the high vibes in his dynamic rap bars with ‘Baby Dedo’, featuring Eta Phi Nupes.

Posted on 25 December 2021

This summer, the up and coming American rap artist, C.h.a.m.p, went viral shortly after the release of his single, Baby Dedo, featuring Eta Phi Nupes. The jazzy, trappy, high-vibe track melds the old school with the new wave of hip hop and comes alive through the passion that the dynamically talented artist poured into the mix.

After a near-death experience when a bullet pierced his skull in 2019, C.h.a.m.p (Change Happens at My Pace) found purpose in music. It might sound corny to call it his calling but given his ability to mould clever wordplay into unique rhyme schemes and that he’s only just getting started, his rap career holds plenty of promise and commercial potential. If you could imagine what it would sound like if Busta Rhymes took on Snoop Dogg’s attitude, you’ll get an idea of the magnetism in Baby Dedo.

The official music video for Baby Dedo is available to stream on YouTube. Or the high fire single can find its way onto your playlists via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

L-SLY reached the pinnacle of lyrical dynamism with his seminal track, ‘The Way It Goes’.

Posted on 12 December 2021

Regina, Canada born, world-raised rap artist, L-SLY has made a name for himself in Canada since making his debut for being one of the most diverse lyricists and well-rounded artists. Based on his seminal sun-soaked high vibe track, The Way It Goes, it is easy to see how L-SLY became the pinnacle of hustler hip hop in so many eyes and ears.

Familiarities to contemporaries and OGs are more than scarce in the elevated feat of bass-riding hip hop that instantly reels you in and locks you into the frankly genius rap bars. Out of all the rappers we’ve heard this year, no one’s lyrical form comes close to L-SLY’s. He goes beyond the usual tropes to deliver motivation and dopamine in a way like no other.

The official music video for The Way it Goes is now available to stream on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

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

WDE chanzy bring the bass in their latest alt hip hop track, Getting You Bad

Posted on 5 December 2021

The two-man hip hop collective, WDE chanzy, dropped their hardest flows to date with the release of their fiery pop-tinged EDM rap track, Getting You Bad. The Serbian-born Stockholm-based brother duo has made a name for themselves in the last four years by opening up about hardship and connecting with people in the same unsteady boats.

Getting You Bad unravels as the ultimate hard hustle high vibe hip hop track with as many catchy hooks in the vocals as in the exotically Eastern instrumentals. They have exactly what it takes to define the future of European hip hop. We are stoked that WDE chanzy fell onto our radar with their humble working-class roots and filthy basslines; it’s an intoxicating mix that easily leads to a dopamine hit.

Getting You Bad is now available to stream on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Tony Newbury speaks up for the voiceless in his latest single, Westwood

Posted on 24 November 2021

Tony Newbury’s mission as a rap artist is to prove that no one is as alone in their depression and anxiety as they think they are. For anyone who has experienced a loss that has alienated them from the rest of the world, the artist’s latest single, Westwood, which explores the raw emotion left in the wake of his brother, has what it takes to resonate on a deep level.

The old school jazzy grooves and gospel nuances bring cathartic ease to the otherwise fiery and volatile rap track which perfectly depicts the disquiet storm that our minds have to navigate in grief. After listening to Westwood, you’re left with the sense that Newbury truly respects the relationship with his fans and never gives less than 100% when putting a new track on the airwaves.

Westwood was officially released on October 15th. It is available to stream on Spotify and SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast.

Stevie B brings it back to ‘Old School’ in his latest elevated rap hit.

Posted on 22 November 2021

Up and coming hip hop artist, Stevie B, put his own spin on the old school style with his latest rhythmically captivating rap single that unfolds as an ode to old school like no other.

Instead of trying to brand old school styles as his own, the New Delhi-based rapper championed the records he was raised on and used enough passion to leave anyone enthused and gratified for the movement that the OGs created. It’s impossible not to be hooked in by his lyrical wit that is just as sharp as the hooks in the Eastern-inspired melodies.

The official video for Old School premiered on November 6th. You can check it out for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

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