Browsing Tag

Rap

Vashaun set the alt-rap scene ablaze with ‘Lit Matches’, ft VHC

Posted on 4 June 2024

Few artists defy genre constraints with as much fire and fervour as Vashaun. At this stage in his career, his unflinchingly expressive discography, which focuses on visualising emotion, exploring phenomena, and welcoming listeners into his worldview and the streets that raised him, almost spans the entirety of the sonic spectrum.

From rock to emo to rap to Afrobeat to acoustic pop, it’s anyone’s guess where he will take his fans next. With his latest single, Lit Matches, the Chicago-born-and-raised artist collaborated with VHC to deliver one of his most expansively affecting singles to date.

Lit matches ignites with the grungy discordance of alt-90s indie before the first verse drifts into an organically melodic acoustic pop verse. But Vashaun doesn’t settle there; in the next progression, fans of Lil Peep and Juice Wrld will be able to get their emo rap fix, but Vashaun makes the style his own with the overdriven guitars, melodic Latin infusions and dualling rap verses that could rival ICP.

It’s a rarity to find a hit that gets better with every listen, but discernibly, we’ve stumbled on sonic gold with Lit Matches. Vashaun is a firebrand that will leave the alt-rap scene ablaze.

Lit Matches was officially released on May 24; stream the single on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

 

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

YTN Tee lit up the UK rap scene with his vibe-heavy hit,  Lightsaber

Posted on 1 June 2024

YTN Tee used ‘the force’ to be a force to be reckoned with in the UK rap scene with his latest track, Lightsaber. With bars that flow with seamless rhythm and cheeky vibe-intense energy, YTN Tee carved a fresh edge into the industry through his roguishly razor-sharp wit. The only thing bigger than the expansively styled beats which paint across the hip-hop spectrum, produced by AyP, is YTN Tee’s presence in the mix as he waxes lyrical and never wanes.

Instead of joining the hip-hop flock and delivering hard and heavy lyrics, Lightsaber hits hard with the mischievously infectious buzz that reverberates throughout the single that will undoubtedly become the sunny-side-up hip-hop anthem of the summer. The track and music video flawlessly capture the spontaneous creativity that allowed the serotonin-soaked hit to pull together in a few days; it’s an explosion of uninhibited energy that sticks in the memory and strips away negativity. With an underpinned message life is what you make it, you’ll want to join YTN Tee at the vanguard of unabashed positivity as soon as you surrender to the groove.

Lightsaber is a culmination of YTN Tee’s experience in the industry. He started to cut his teeth at age 15 as a freestyler; since honing his talents, he’s racked up over 500k streams on his seminal release, Wazzup, and featured on BBC Introducing Northampton and 1Xtra. As only the start of what’s to come in 2024, YTN Tee isn’t an artist you will want to sleep on.

Lightsaber was officially released on May 29; stream the single on all major platforms via this link or watch the official music video, shot by SA, on YouTube.

Follow YTN Tee on Instagram.

 

Review by Amelia Vandergast

7ELIX found a new depth in intimacy with his emo rap vignette,  ‘CALLMEWHENYOUGETBACK’

Posted on 30 May 2024

CALLMEWHENYOUGETBACK taken from 7ELIX’s seminal LP, emergency exit, pt.3: death of a memory, is the perfect introduction to the Asheville, NC-born artist’s music which is offered as a salve for the outcasted soul.

The songwriter, producer and audio engineer created the ultimate testament to his motivation to advocate for mental health and suicide awareness by orchestrating this confessionally evocative emo-rap vignette of vulnerability. By illustrating the power of candid expression and giving an outlet for jagged emotions that become scars if they’re harboured for too long, he gave a lesson in catharsis in CALLMEWHENYOUGETBACK.

The light production work on the intricately melodic track ensures that none of the visceral sincerity from the recording was stripped away. Painted in nocturnal light that depicts the intimacy of late-night thoughts cascading into vocalisation, CALLMEWHENYOUGETBACK captures 7ELIX at his most uninhibited as he attempts to hold onto a relationship that is precariously hanging in the balance despite his tight grip on the affections that bring warmth to the bittersweet release.

It’s a heart-wrenchingly authentic release which is a clear sign of even bigger things to come from 7ELIX. We can’t wait to hear what’s lingering in the prodigy’s timeline.

CALLMEWHENYOUGETBACK is available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

So Royal The Music Producer Earned his Crown in ‘Royal 24’

Posted on 26 May 2024

So Royal The Music Producer’s standout production, Royal 24, is a hard-hitting homage to old-school hip-hop, infused with a fresh, scintillating edge that sets the independent artist and producer leagues apart from the assimilators masquerading as originators.

The track captures the soul and grit of the genre’s roots while showcasing So Royal’s exceptional talent as a beatmaker. His use of cinematic aesthetics heightens the evocative atmosphere, with playful rhythms that prove charisma isn’t just for rap bars.

So Royal crafted the perfect platform for his dynamic verses, which constantly switch in cadence, vibe, and tone, creating immense anticipation over what will follow, and there’s no room for disappointment; each progression is a testament to his versatile and chameleonic skill.

There’s an undeniable sense that Royal 24 comes from a place of pure creativity and emotion, making it easy to get lost in the innovative production. The single is a flawless exhibition of So Royal’s ability to blend the traditional with the contemporary, creating a soundscape that thinks forward leaving fans tripping over the authenticity while respecting the genre’s roots.

Royal 24 is available via Apple Music and YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

A&R Factory Interview with SirC.A.P: Exploring the Evolution of an Artist

Posted on 25 May 2024
https://spotify.link/jkyxZyYfJJb

In this exclusive interview with A&R Factory, SirC.A.P delves into the creative journey behind his sophomore album, What We Became, which explores themes of love and heartbreak while showcasing his versatility as an artist. He discusses the collaborative process with producer 22cali, the intentional and free-flowing nature of the album’s diverse genres, and the meticulous selection of tracks from an impressive list of 72 songs. SirC.A.P also reflects on how What We Became marks a significant departure from his debut album, Divergent, and hints at even greater things to come.

SirC.A.P, welcome to A&R Factory! Thanks for the opportunity to connect with you following the release of your sophomore album, What We Became, which dropped on May 10th. What’s the concept of the LP and what does it say about you as an artist?

The album is about love and heartbreak showing the pros and cons of love and lust. This project shows my versatility and ability as a young artist.

What was it like working with producer 22cali on the LP?

Cali is my brother and we’ve been working since the beginning, I’m looking forward to the future projects we’ll be making.

Was it hard deciding which songs would make the tracklist? 

No, as we kept making songs we knew which ones were gonna fit and not. We chose from a list of 72 songs to create this tight-knit and concise album.

Was including such a diverse array of genres and vibes on the album intentional or a free flow of your creativity? 

With Cali producing the vibes intentionally, me recording what I did was a free flow of my creativity. We both really pushed each other creatively to make something that stands out from our peers.

Can you talk us through the sampling and production choices which allowed What We Became to hit as a dynamic and soul-rich release?

Some samples spoke to us and some didn’t but the ones chosen truly set the vibes and create the atmosphere that “What We Became” brings.

In your opinion, is What We Became a continuation or a departure from your 2022 debut album, Divergent? 

A vast departure definitely but there may be a continuation of What We Became stay tuned.

What’s next for SirC.A.P?

Improved everything! The next will be 10x better than the last. We never stop evolving.

Stream What We Became on Spotify now.

Follow SirC.A.P on Instagram.

Interview by Amelia Vandergast

The rhythms rolled hot and heavy in PRES3T’s latest pop hit, Love Me Like That

Posted on 16 May 2024

Love Me Like That is the latest hot and heavy pop hit from the up-and-coming visionary, PRES3T, who has been working his way through the industry ranks from a young age and now has a safe foothold to serve as a platform for his stylistically rich rap-adjacent hits.

The solid backbeat kicks intently through the moody atmosphere of the modernised wavy-with-reverb production that throws back to 90s pop aesthetics while simultaneously envisioning the future of the pop genre. If you couldn’t get enough of the taste of Ed Sheeran’s Are You Entertained or Lil Nas X’s DON’T WANT IT, you’ll be obsessed with the flavour in Love Me Like That.

Thailand-born singer, songwriter, recording artist and producer PRES3T delivered his debut LP from his home studio at the age of 16 before receiving national radio airplay and attending the Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.

Before working on his new material, which is steadily waterfalling onto the airwaves, PRES3T cut his teeth working on projects with tens of millions of streams on Spotify alone. We have no doubt he has exactly what it takes to achieve the same in his solo career.

Stream Love Me Like That on SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Be Bigger Not Bitter with Tago’s Feel-Good Hip-Hop Juggernaut, Let Me Talk About Mine

Posted on 16 May 2024
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hsXyEZ7iyJU

Tago stepped back into the spotlight with his latest single Let Me Talk About Mine, which is set to be a significant moment in his career. The Dallas-based rapper and producer, who has spent the better part of a decade behind the scenes, enriching other artists’ careers, now takes centre stage, showcasing his own story with soul-infused conviction that demands attention.

With Let Me Talk About Mine, Tago crafted lyrics that are both sharp and introspective, set against a backdrop of electrifying beats and cutting-edge electronica aesthetics that shake the dust off old school while tapping into the grit of it.

This single is an unreckonable assertion of self-worth and an invitation to witness his ascension in hip-hop. His narrative is potent, steeped in personal growth and the gritty realities of forging one’s path against the odds. Tago captivates through this monolithic hit, employing kinetic rhythms that propel the listener through his journey of self-realisation and unflinching ambition.

It’s a track that will stand the test of time as a testament to Tago’s ability to weave traditional influences into a modern sonic landscape that pulsates with energy. If you’ve ever felt overshadowed, step into the limelight with his emboldening instant classic.

Stream the official music video for Let Me Talk About Mine from May 16th.

Follow Tago on Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Majesty defined her hip-hop legacy in ‘What Goes Around Comes Around’

Posted on 15 May 2024

Karma may be a bitch, but there are few fiercer figures in the hip-hop industry than Majesty, who will be reigning supreme after the drop of her legacy-defining single, What Goes Around Comes Around.

The solid beats, sharp flows and even more cutting wordplay establish Majesty as a triple threat in the genre filled with pretenders that would kill for her ability to deliver conviction with soul. As the luxe jazzy instrumentals that are filtered through a filmic lens take you back to the ‘90s East Coast hip-hop sound, Majesty’s cadence attests to her determination to perfect her craft and inspire through her independently released hits.

Anyone who hits play on What Goes Around Comes Around will find themselves vindicated by the rhythmically explosive exposition on the sweetness of karmic justice. Along with everyone else who can’t get enough of this hit, we can’t wait to hear what Majesty has locked, loaded and ready to drop.

Stream What Goes Around Comes Around, which has already racked up over 3k views on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Baby T Reclaimed Hip-Hop’s Roots in His Soulful Renaissance LP, Prodigal Son

Posted on 9 May 2024

Baby T’s sixth hip-hop LP, Prodigal Son, blends deep-rooted soul influences with a hard-hitting lyrical flow that will leave you instantly attuned to his ability to live up to hip-hop heavyweights and alongside them, matching the stride of the giants that many attempt to emulate, but few succeed as well as Baby T. Instead of painting by numbers to replicate an urban portrait, with every brushstroke on the canvas of this LP Baby T embodies their authenticity while revisiting the foundational elements of hip-hop and channelling the raw, emotional energy that has defined his career.

The Flint-born artist ensures that each of the album’s 17 tracks reverberates with a sense of purpose and passion, reviving the luxurious aura of classic hip-hop through modern expressions and candid narratives. The LP is a vivid exploration of Baby T’s personal journey, marked by his philosophical reflections, life’s vexations, and his confrontations with fear. His dual role as both creator and curator allows him to finely tune every element, ensuring that his tracks not only resonate on a sonic level but also connect on a deeply human one.

The single MISUNDERSTOOD, a fresh take on Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, stands out as a powerful testament to Baby T’s ability to connect with listeners through relatable and potent storytelling. Meanwhile, ICON hits with the force of a seasoned lyricist, packed with dynamic energy and undeniable swagger.

As Baby T gears up for a summer tour and rolls out music videos to bring his tracks to visual life, Prodigal Son is already shaping up to be a pivotal release.

Stream the Prodigal Son LP on all major platforms, including Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast