Browsing Tag

Tyler The Creator

Spotlight Feature: MIKE37 morphed pain into power in his soul-driven summer hip-hop anthem, PAGE OF THE DIARY

Posted on 9 August 2024

In contemporary hip hop, few releases capture the raw, dualistic essence of the emotional experience as viscerally as MIKE37’s latest single, PAGE OF THE DIARY. The narrative arc is powerfully constructed by an artist who simultaneously stands as a soul conduit and visionary beatmaker.

PAGE OF THE DIARY is an affecting aural reflection of the darkest hours before dawn, rendered into sound by MIKE37’s innovative spirit. The track ensues from a vivid vignette of melancholy before the beats morph—almost imperceptibly at first—into a high-energy, euphoric celebration of resilience.

MIKE37’s ability to straddle the emotional spectrum is on full display, encapsulating the listener in a journey from introspective sorrow to a triumphant, beat-driven high. The nostalgia-infused hip-hop beats lay a solid foundation, while MIKE37’s soul-enriched harmonies and sharp lyrical delivery cut through the mix, making each verse a testament to his creative charisma and his capacity to connect.

After the self-produced single was mastered by Alex Gordon at Abbey Road Studios, the quality of the sound engineering is palpable. Each sonic element is meticulously crafted, allowing MIKE37’s introspective yet bold lyrical thematics to shine against the sun-bleached melodies and dynamically shifting beats.

Fans of Tyler, The Creator, Kendrick Lamar, and BADBADNOTGOOD will find familiar comfort in MIKE37’s discography, yet there’s an undeniably unique twist to his music that sets it apart.

PAGE OF THE DIARY is as much of a visceral feel-good fix as it is a fundamental lesson in expression. MIKE37’s chameleonic creativity is on full display in the quintessential hip-hop anthem of the summer. Cancel the self-pity party for one and play it on repeat.

MIKE37 Said

“PAGE OF THE DIARY initiates as an introspective narrative of a dark chapter; it transplants the listener into the story to share the relatable emotions before the beat switches through a flux of energy and euphoria.”

PAGE OF THE DIARY will be available to stream on all major platforms, including Spotify and SoundCloud, from August 9th.

Stay up to date with the latest releases from MIKE37 as he gears up for the launch of his debut LP on Facebook and Instagram.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Slim Piccins preached to the streets in his cinematic old-school hip-hop track, Legal Dope

Posted on 27 February 2024

Slim Piccins’ latest single, ‘Legal Dope‘, is a refreshing divergence from contemporary hip-hop which almost feels like a parody compared to the hits from the golden era. The Charlotte, NC native brings a unique blend of raw, husky vocals reminiscent of Tyler, The Creator and Rick Ross, yet Slim Piccins stands distinct in his lyrical prowess. The track is a luxe fusion of orchestral strings and traditional hip-hop beats, creating a soundscape that is grounded and filmic in equal measure.

The narrative of resilience is a gritty testament to overcoming adversity without resorting to the typical glorification of material wealth. Piccins’ bars resonate, echoing the struggles and triumphs of a life that most can relate to.

His voice, deep and textured, weaves through the melody, adding a layer of authenticity. The production deserves equal acclaim for the way the orchestral elements elevate the song into a cinematic domain.

In ‘Legal Dope’, Slim Piccins doesn’t just perform; he narrates, he educates, and he inspires. This track is a bold statement in the hip-hop genre, proving that true motivational music doesn’t need the crutches of luxury and excess. It’s a raw, unfiltered glimpse into the soul of an artist who is not afraid to bare his scars and share his story.

Stream Legal Dope on YouTube now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

SmokeFace Player – The Best Food In the World: Grab an Old School Hip-Hop Bite

Posted on 18 February 2024

SmokeFace Player’s latest single, ‘The Best Food in the World‘, is a gritty homage to old-school hip-hop, infused with a modern twist that is resonating with the new generation of rap fans.

The track, a standout from his LP ‘Whatever Happened to Making Demos’, showcases the artist’s deep-rooted connection to the genre’s golden era, while simultaneously sharpening his sound with a contemporary edge. With a voice that echoes the depth of Biggie, the rawness of DMX, and the uniqueness of Tyler, The Creator, SmokeFace Player’s conviction is only matched by the volition of his rhythmic precision.

The track is a lyrical journey through popular culture references and pains, delivered with a salacious wit that has compelled thousands of rap fans to continue turning to SmokeFace Player’s untraditional approach to lyricism. Eschewing the typical thematic constraints, he opts for a stream-of-consciousness style, weaving together disparate elements with an ingenious coherence. This lyrical tapestry is not just a display of his skill as a wordsmith, but also a nod to the improvisational roots of hip-hop. He’s clearly an artist on the rise; watch this space as he continues to make his indomitable mark on it.

Stream The Best Food in the World on SoundCloud now.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

BoogieLo has recently dropped a new release: HAHA

Posted on 5 November 2022

BoogieLo has just dropped a brand new studio work named HAHA. This release has a loud and energetic twist to it, and it has a presence in the mix that immediately makes it stand out! BoogieLo is very articulate, and his vocals are well-matched to the instrumental. The lyrics are also incredibly deep and easy to relate to, highlighting BoogieLo’s ability to express his feelings and commit them to music in a very special way.

BoogieLo makes music that fans of artists such as Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, Tyler The Creator and Lloyd Banks will definitely connect with. Yet, he cannot easily be lumped in with other artists, given the personal twist that makes releases such as HAHA so special and appealing.

Find out more about BoogieLo, and check out HAHA, which is currently available to stream here.

Veggie Freshingtin – EBT: Explicitly Sweet Hazy Hip Hop

Posted on 11 August 2021

Sink into the spacey reverb in up and coming hip hop artist Veggie Freshingtin’s latest single EBT, the hazy stoner-Esque track is sure to appease any fans of Tyler, the Creator, Eaze-E, Lil Kim and Lil Wayne.

The popular culture references, the playfully explicit lyrics and his soulfully wicked energy all pull together in EBT to create a track that you can’t help being absorbed by. You get the accessibility, roguish vibes and swathes of hip hop nostalgia around the contemporary elements that Freshingtin will use to make his mark on the hip hop landscape.

You can check out EBT for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

ZeNith releases Rap track Diamonds ft SADI

Posted on 14 April 2020

Boston-based rap duo ZeNith has dropped their recent track ‘Diamond’ ft SADI a Rap and R&B infused single.

Pulling inspirations from Kendrick Lamar, talking about important topics to do with mental health, upbringing, love through their talent of creating meaningful lyrics as they turn it into their own style through their way of Rap. It’s a fairly short track, but you do get a taste of what they have to offer in that time, the pulsing beat that comes through the vocals as the lyrics are repeated in the background in a more distorted deep tone.

Incorporating the sound effect of a record being mixed, and the flow of the variety of sounds that intertwine into the overall rhythm of the track, the vocals are very much keeping it at that low-pitch, keeping it honest and explicit and having that fast pace to it keeping it engaging and upbeat.

If R&B is your thing and you’re looking for new music to listen to be sure to check this one out by ZeNith.

Check out ZeNith ft SADI’s recent single by heading on over to Spotify for yourself now.

Review by Karley Myall