Browsing Tag

Ohio Hip Hop

3G Internet – KRASH: An Anti-Pop Alt-Hip-Hop Debut to Lose Your Head To

Posted on 7 February 2024

3G Internet, the Experimental Hip Hop/Anti-Pop duo from Northeast Ohio, literally crashed into the music scene with ‘KRASH’, a track from their debut EP that defies convention with maximum conviction.

KRASH is a 7-minute audacious trip that rips up the rules and scatters the ashes of mundanity through the harsh tonal hues that pay an ode to the legacy of Death Grips and JPEGMAFIA. It’s a chaotic blend of gritty, glitchy electronic distortions and 8-bit landscapes, that makes no apology for launching an assault on the senses.

It’s a whirlwind of ideas, each vying for attention, yet somehow harmoniously coexisting. The duo’s disregard for industry norms is evident in every beat, every synth, and every lyric. In short, KRASH is a  ballad of the bizarre.

The duo’s approach to music is refreshingly honest. They pursue every idea, no matter how outlandish, and the result is a track that’s as authentic as it is avant-garde. In a world where music often feels manufactured and soulless, KRASH is a breath of caustically fresh air.

The debut EP is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

King Apollo juxtaposed grit with glamour in his alt-hip-hop hit, Holliwould

Posted on 18 January 2024

King Apollo, hailing from Columbus, Ohio, is not just another name in the rap game; he’s a whirlwind of creativity reshaping the hip-hop domain. His latest single, ‘Holliwould‘, stands as a testament to this bold assertion. This track is a journey through a soundscape where jazz’s sophistication meets the raw energy of rap, creating an experience that’s as enigmatic as it is enthralling.

From the first note, ‘Holliwould’ envelops you in a world where the past and future collide. The instrumental arrangement is a masterclass in melody, weaving a tapestry that’s both spacy and wavy, with a jazzy undertone that feels like a nod to the classics. Yet, it’s undeniably forward-thinking, a fusion that feels both nostalgic and novel.

King Apollo’s bars are the centrepiece of this musical odyssey. His wordplay is not just clever; it’s a sly wink to the listener, as intricate and layered as the title suggests. The lyrics dance through the beats with a devilish charm, offering a glimpse into a mind that’s as sharp as it is creative. It’s this blend of wit and wisdom that sets King Apollo apart, ensuring that every line resonates long after the song ends.

By blending the glamour of film noir with the unvarnished truth of street life, contrasting elements coalesced with effortless grace and established this sense of duality as a mark of King Apollo’s artistry.

Stream Holliwould as part of the 2023 LP, OuterSpace, on Spotify now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Iamyungtip – Locked Out: Future-Ready RnB Hip Hop

Posted on 11 December 2022

Looking back on a scar-littered relationship, Iamyungtip’s latest single, Locked Out, is a remorseful retrospective account of a chapter of history where the lows pitted out the highs, but the affection is unwaning.

The mature slice of future-ready RnB hip hop is a testament to the Youngstown, Ohio-based artist’s songwriting skills that he has been working on since he was eight years old when he wrote poetry for his crushes. In adulthood, he’s lost none of the diehard romanticism and picked up plenty of sonic skills to evolve his expression from the page to the airwaves.

The melodic hooks, the way his cleverly effect-laden harmonised vocals lock in with the sweepingly arrestive melodies and the way he always brings you into the heart of his music makes him a triple threat and a playlist staple worthy artist for anyone who appreciates a hip hop icon unafraid to show his emotion.

Locked Out is now available to stream on Spotify,

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rex Mundii transcends typical rap tropes with his lyrical flex in his debut single, Majintai.

Posted on 4 November 2021

Cleveland, Ohio newcomer Rex Mundii introduced the hip hop world to his ensnaring lyrical flex through his debut single, Majintai, on October 9th, 2021.

His prophetic rap style and dark atmospheric beats make for a volatile pairing in Majintai that transcends the usual rap tropes to deliver mindful introspection you’ll want to hear on repeat. With every listen, you pull new fragments of self-actualised wisdom from the debut track that has already allowed Rex Mundii to amass over 11k monthly streamers on Spotify alone. We’d put money on Mundii blowing up in 2022 and beyond; he’s billboard multi-platinum material.

Majintai is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

BQpid throws away disingenuous pretence in his latest emo trap track, ‘Ceilings’

Posted on 13 August 2021

If there’s one thing that sets Ohio-residing artist BQpid’s sound apart from the rest, it is the depth of his lyrics that throw away any sense of disingenuous pretence. In his latest self-produced single, Ceilings, the atmospherically sallow indie trap melodies carry reminiscence to the likes of Post Malone and Mac Miller but with the dark undertone to Ceilings, he well and truly put himself in a league of his own.

For maximum evocative impact, the 18-year-old artist and producer worked elements of pop and RnB into the vocals in the emo-rap track that brings a brand new level of meaning to the word ‘candid’.

Ceilings is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

CSC Papi is set to release his ethereal RnB track, Chauffer.

Posted on 2 August 2021
CSC Papi

Cleveland, Ohio Pop, RnB and hip hop fusionist CSC Papi is set to drop his most evocative track to date with his latest single, Chauffer. The reverb-drenched atmospheric track puts emotion at the forefront, but the dak moody RnB track is all about the ensnaring hooks that pull you right into the soul of the mix.

His masterful vocal canter and commitment to creating synergy between instrumentals, vocals and lyrics, ensured that Chauffer hit hard and hit like no other. The radio-ready single deserves to go viral.

You can check out Chauffer on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast