Browsing Tag

Southern Hip Hop

Rampage Wood scorched the airwaves with luxe hip-hop hit, All Summer

Posted on 9 July 2024

Rampage Wood didn’t come to play in his latest single, All Summer, he came to conquer. Since his 2018 debut, the Arkansas underground has failed to conceal his luminary sound which has amassed a loyal international audience.

All Summer glows with the aesthetics of 00s East Coast hip-hop to belie his Southern roots which pulled through stronger in his earlier material, influenced by the likes of Lil Wayne. With gospel-esque cinematic transcendence enveloping the beats, the hit is sublime on the senses and pushes a unique dynamic behind Wood’s provoking lyricism.

As one of the most cerebral rappers in the game, his flows are finessed with witty intellect; his ability to catch you off-guard with the lyrical gold in every bar is unmatched. With flawless metric precision and swathes of charisma to energise his delivery, you can’t help but get hyped by All Summer, which carries the luxe appeal of Jay-Z’s hits while blazing through the heat in Rampage Wood’s authenticity.

All Summer was officially released on June 3rd, it is now available to stream on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

River Bandit exhibited his electrifying versatility in his high-octane rap track, Work Night

Posted on 26 February 2024

River Bandit’s latest single, ‘Work Night’, is a high-voltage journey through the avenues of alt-hip-hop, showcasing an artist unafraid to push boundaries and force constraints to erupt. River Bandit’s tumultuous journey from a challenging childhood to a firebrand of musical innovation is palpable in every beat of this energised to-the-nines track, which is relentlessly fuelled by retro synths and a rhythm that pulsates with life.

‘Work Night’ is a masterclass in stylistic versatility, blending elements of boom bap and trap into a seamless, electrifying experience. The track refuses to let the listener settle into complacency; instead, it demands attention with its rapid-fire bars and unexpected twists. River Bandit’s rhyme scheme is anything but typical, delivering each mic drop with refreshing intensity, candour and introspective gold.

River Bandit’s lyrical prowess is on full display, offering not just entertainment but also wisdom and insights, a reflection of his own life experiences and struggles. It’s this authenticity that elevates ‘Work Night’ from a mere song to a narrative of resilience and determination.

For fans of alt-hip-hop, ‘Work Night’ is a revelation that showcases River Bandit’s unique ability to blend his Southern and West Coast hip-hop influences into a sound that’s distinctly his own.

Stream Work Night and River Bandit’s other blazingly innovative rap tracks via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Decoy Duns sharpened his razor-sharp flow in his latest rap track, WINDCHIMES

Posted on 26 May 2022

Decoy Duns first hit the Houston hip hop scene in 1998; after a series of successful releases between 2001 and 2010, he took a 10-year hiatus before making a triumphant return in 2020. His latest single, WINDCHIMES, stands as a testament to just how refined his choppy fast bars have become and how much he has sharpened his lyrical wit to complement the flair in his canter.

Yet, it’s the honesty within WINDCHIMES that sets Decoy Duns apart from the rest. It’s rare to get a sense that every bar came straight from the soul, but evidently, he made no bones about exposing impassioned emotion through WINDCHIMES. Production-wise, WINDCHIMES throws ambient elements into the vivacity of the alt-hip-hop instrumentals that are sure to get the dopamine flowing.

Hear the Radio Edit of WINDCHIMES on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Droopy M explains why time isn’t relative in his latest hip hop video, Lost in Time

Posted on 21 May 2022

‘Lost in Time’ is the latest expression-focused Latin-infused rap track from the Texas-based gangster hip hop hustler, Droopy M. Atop the minimalist kicks and 808s, the raw and relatable lyricist finds plenty of room to flex his flair with the written word. In a subtly genius way, Droopy M alludes to the fact that time isn’t universal; it’s individualised by our experiences and senses of entrapment.

It’s safe to say it would take a serious concussion for me to forget the lyric “If your life is on the line then you’re lost in time, hearing voices in your head saying commit the crime”.

The official music video for Lost in Time officially premiered on May 15th. You can check it out via YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

C15 pays ode to authenticity with ‘Real Ones’ featuring AJ Berning

Posted on 24 April 2021

Indiana-hailing breaking hip hop artist C15’s latest EP, ‘I Don’t Care’, kicks off with the massive track, Real Ones’, featuring AJ Berning; it’s an ode to authenticity and the ultimate diss track to the superficial.

With relentless rap flows in the verses, which could easily parallel the momentum in Eminem’s bars, infectiously memorable choruses and the perfect balance between the new wave and old school with southern vibes in between, the commercial potential pours from Real Ones. He’s got the flow, he’s got the flex, and he undeniably has what it takes to break into the mainstream. C15 definitely isn’t one to underestimate. Get him on your radar.

C15’s EP, I Don’t Care, is now available to stream via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast