Browsing Tag

NY Hip Hop

Loud Monsta wrote a bold testament in the legacy of hip-hop with ‘THE SHHH’, ft $lims Casino

Posted on 4 June 2024

For their latest single, THE SHHH, the hip-hop kings of Queens, Loud Monsta, collaborated with $lims Casino to carve out their own monument in the future of hip-hop.

If it weren’t for the synergy between the polished-with-cinematic-finesse beats and the killer cadence of the bars that shoot to kill with mind-bending wordplay which unravels with superlative metric precision, the rough-with-grit vox and the evocatively affecting luxe production would be a complete juxtaposition. Yet, everything meticulously pulls together to exhibit PlatNum and Mick Manis as unreckonable juggernauts in the contemporary hip-hop scene; instead of leaving the enduring appeal of the old-school by the wayside, Loud Monsta infuses it into their edgy cuts.

It wouldn’t be surprising to see Loud Monsta in the rap duo hall of fame alongside Blackalicious, Run the Jewels, and Methodman & Red Man if they don’t let the momentum in their career slip.

After the official music video dropped in April, it has already racked up over 43k streams; be part of the THE SHHH hype by heading to YouTube and catching the rhythmic fever.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

FLIPPIN’ GOTHIC FABP unleashed urban surrealism with ‘JUST HOW OPEN MIC’

Posted on 25 February 2024

FLIPPIN’ GOTHIC FABP’s latest single, ‘JUST HOW OPEN MIC‘, is a feat of unorthodox brilliance. Hailing from, New York, this artist, formerly known as Fabp aka Fabpz the Freelancer, makes a habit of defying convention by merging the gritty essence of urban life with surreal, almost otherworldly dimensions.

The track is an audacious leap into the avant-garde, where spacey, experimental beats collide with a hypnotic rap cadence. FLIPPIN’ GOTHIC FABP’s lyrical prowess is akin to a cosmic navigator, guiding listeners through a sci-fi cinematic universe, yet firmly rooted in the raw, undiluted essence that has been his hallmark. His voice, a blend of rhythmic precision and melodic undertones, weaves through the beats with an almost ethereal quality.

This is not your typical hip-hop fare. ‘JUST HOW OPEN MIC’ challenges the listener, demanding attention and contemplation. It’s a bold statement from an artist who has worked over 2,000 tracks into his discography; a testament to his relentless creativity and dedication to his craft.

Watch the official music video for JUST HOW OPEN MIC by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ceaser Live Soul – Never Enough: A Hip-Hop Symphony of Tenacity and Soul

Posted on 23 January 2024
Pivot by Ceaser Live Soul

Ceaser Live Soul, hailing from Brooklyn, NY, didn’t stop at loading his latest single, Never Enough, with a series of mic drops. With the hit from his eagerly anticipated Pivot EP, he detonated lyrical dynamite while affirming that just because the next goalpost always seems greener, that doesn’t mean you will be any happier when you reach it.

The urban cautionary tale, versed through superlative lyrical dexterity, is a pathway through the labyrinth of contemporary hip-hop with 70s soul acting as a guide and unflinching intersections of 90s hip-hop bringing the momentum. Each syllable in Ceaser’s flow is felt as it dances over the soulful beat, bringing his poignant wordplay to life.

The refrain, “You can have it all but it’s never enough”, is more than a catchy hook; it’s the heartbeat of the song. It encapsulates Ceaser’s relentless pursuit of greatness, his unwavering tenacity, and the paradox of success – the constant yearning for more, even when you’ve seemingly reached the pinnacle. This theme resonates deeply, especially for those familiar with the relentless hustle of urban life.

Adding to the track’s allure is the soulfully strident backing vocals by Caribbean Pop sensation Hovlaine. Her voice adds a layer of depth and emotion, elevating the song to new heights. The collaboration is seamless, a testament to Ceaser’s skill as a producer and artist.

Stream and purchase the radio edit of Never Enough via Bandcamp.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Navy the General is off the melodic hook in his old-school hip-hop track, If I Had a Lifeline

Posted on 27 August 2023

Mixing the attitude of old-school hip-hop with the experimentalism of new wave trip-hop, the latest single, If I Had a Lifeline, from Navy the General is enough to get anyone off the ennui hook.

The poetically sharp flow of the smooth and steady rap bars and the succinct melodicism of the downtempo instrumentals invite the listener to dip their toe into a cathartic pool of originated hip-hop that works its way deep into the psyche.

The reprise of “if I had a lifeline, I’d call on you” gives the track a soulful touch, but there’s no obliterating the grit that spilt into the soundscape as a courtesy of the up-and-coming artist’s Queens, NY roots. If I Had a Lifeline is a sign of even bigger things to come from Navy the General, it won’t be long before he makes a perpetual mark on the NY hip-hop map.

If I Had a Lifeline is now available to stream on Spotify; for more ways to listen, follow this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Grab a Seat: Elevated Focusion embraced the future of fusionism with his alt-electro hit, Tabla Tea Party

Posted on 22 July 2023
https://on.soundcloud.com/KERbZ3gaPJ9vjupF8

The Queens, NY electronica pioneer Elevated Focusion, AKA Johnny Rhythms, caused a solid eight on the Richter scale by dropping his ground-breaking fusionist LP, featuring the standout single, Tabla Tea Party.

The rocksteady release became the ultimate celebration of the vibrant culture in NY by stitching a tapestry of contrasting facets of counterculture against each other to create a galvanic forcefield of friction your rhythmic pulses won’t want to resist.

With East Coast hip-hop and afrobeat bringing the danceable rhythm and the vocal lines breaking the monocultural mould while lavishing the soundscape with rock n roll attitude and soul, every new progression in Tabla Tea Party is a sonic revelation.

By putting mixing and mastering in the hands of Chris Conway, who worked on every LP that inspired the Elevated Focusion project, the East Coast flavour packs a mouth-watering punch; grab your seat at the Tabla Tea Party while the hype is hot.

Stream Tabla Tea Party with the rest of Elevated Focusion’s eponymous LP on SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

NY rapper and producer, Jon Harris is rich in lyrical gold after his latest hip hop release, Great

Posted on 1 November 2022

NY rapper, songwriter and producer Jon Harris tore up the rulebook in his latest old-school-meets-nu-skool single, Great. After a cinematic intro that will speak to the senses of any Tarantino fan, the single moves into more familiar hip hop territory through Harris’ down-to-earth versing style, inspired by the visionaries, Eminem, Kanye and Jay Z, while the instrumentals work melodic magic in the background.

With bells chiming in place of the usual 808s and plenty more ingenuity written into the rhythmic works, Great is an arresting feat of urban innovation. And that’s before we get to the cutting wit that puts all of the wannabe rappers in their place with solid lines that get stronger with every repeat hit of Great. Which is everything it says on the tin.

Every lyric is quote-worthy, but “I’m the bad guy for trying to speak up, constantly telling me to shut up and stick to music, well, guess what bitch, now you gotta listen to it”, may just cut slightly above the rest.

The lyric video for Great premiered on October 22nd. Catch it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

 

Superstar Freddy & Low Patcho are on their grind in the gritty hip hop track, Money.Flex.Hoes

Posted on 23 September 2022

Superstar Freddy & Low Patcho are fresh from the release of their collaborative EP, The Curse, featuring the gritty grinding track, Money.Flex.Hoes, which merges Low Patcho’s Floridian trap style and Freddy’s smooth NY rap charisma. Whether old school or new wave fills your playlists, the timeless flow of Money.Flex.Hoes is bound to appeal to your rhythmic senses.

The title gives away the lyrical content, but there’s plenty more to the track with its rocksteady vibes, snaking grooves and natural collaborative chemistry from the artists that are connected through their Haitian roots.

The EP was written in Maine during lockdown when studios were out of bounds but with the professionalism of the collaborators, Money.Flex.Hoes still runs through as a flawlessly infectious mix.

Money.Flex.Hoes is now available to stream on Spotify with Superstar Freddy & Low Patcho’s EP, The Curse.

Review by Amelia Vandergast