Browsing Tag

US Rap

DC’s most conceptual hip hop artist, Chekmayte brings the resistance in his dark rap track, Midnight

Posted on 10 June 2022

In his first release of 2022, Midnight, the artfully conceptional alternative rapper, Checkmayte has unveiled a chillingly dark feat of experimentalism, which can only be described as Lynchian.

The creeping bass and Chekmayte’s commitment to ominously alluding to how unjust the world is for the oppressed that will know little more than the pressure of the boot on their neck make for a disturbingly immersive aural experience.  Resisting repressive regimes should never feel comfortable, which is important to remember in our era where revolutions have their own merch. There’s little room to wonder why the DC born and raised artist has become one of the hottest names in his hip hop scene since making his debut in 2020. We can’t wait to hear what follows Midnight.

Midnight is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Spotlight Feature: Baltimore’s Brightest Rising Rap Icon, Ron A.P Has Released His Game-Changer of a Single, The Ex-Files

Posted on 13 April 2022

The Baltimore-based hip hop artist Ron A.P. has been steadily gaining traction in his career since making his debut in 2018. Since his exceptionally promising debut, he has been in heavy rotation on US radio stations and has seen his music placed on a major TV network channel.

His latest release, The Ex-Files, stands as a testament to how his songwriting has matured in the short time of the inception of his career. Despite the conflating emotions that bleed into The Ex-Files from Ron A.P. getting 100% candid about his post-breakup psyche, the sentiment is all too resonant and relatable.

Ron A.P. lyrically moves from wanting something new to those gut-punch feelings that hit when you realise that you’re no longer feeding each other your news, no matter how much you miss the headlines, but in the next breath, there’s nothing but hate. With clever touches, such as lyrically retracting previous lines in the verses, few tracks encompass the true instability of conflicted passion.

With the instrumentals a smooth mix of atmospheric new wave and East Coast old school, it is easy to see how Ron A.P. is about to become the flavour of choice amongst old school and new school fans alike.

Here’s what Ron A.P. had to say on his latest The Ex-Files:

“This release is a part of an upcoming EP that tells a story about a bad relationship. Each song goes through the stages of the relationship. The Ex-Files is the song that depicts the mixed feelings people get they are through with a relationship.

I created the track after I decided to break up with my ex-girlfriend because she was too high-strung and dramatic.”

The Ex-Files is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Ty Bru commemorates the Eastside March with his latest single ‘Can’t Sir’

Posted on 16 June 2021
Ty Bru

With his latest single, Can’t Sir, the luminary hip hop artist Ty Bru proves that forceful, convictive compassion is the most efficacious. The release of the single commemorates the first anniversary of the Eastside March in Asheboro, NC. It was just one of the singles released by Ty Bru on June 6th to keep the reason for taking to the streets fresh in minds.

Can’t Sir runs through the glaring issues within our society that infuriate you every time they come to mind due to the unfathomable injustice behind them. Yet, through the passion in Ty Bru’s bars, you’ll find the inspiration to find the same resilience and refusal to accept that systematic oppression has had the power to ruin dreams and lives for generations.

Can’t Sir is a flawless work of Jazzy Eastcoast hip hop, sentimentally and sonically. Around his activism, Ty Bru has found time to share stages with Method Man, Andre 3000, Ludacris Nappy, Snoop Dogg, Linkin Park, Yelawolf and plenty more legendary big names.

Can’t Stir is now available to stream via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

QL waxes lyrical in their latest Hip Hop call to arms “Chasing Stars”

Posted on 19 September 2020

‘Chasing Stars’ is the newest release from Hip Hop artist QL, a new name coming out of the Vancouver music scene, featuring vocals from Marietta Prod and produced by Anno Domini. From their debut album ‘HearAfter’, ‘Chasing Stars’ is both a call to arms and statement of intent, the rolling piano part and Prod’s vocal carrying the melody behind QL’s self-deprecating rap and beats.

Sure, there’s an obvious Eminem comparison to QL’s lyrics and delivery, and overall there’s a subtle Black Eyed Peas vibe to the track, but neither of those observations is intended as a criticism, more an indication of the strength of the track; this is great, lyrical hip hop that really does deserve a listen. And then several more.

Check out QL on Facebook and YouTube.

Review by Alex Holmes

Quincy Valentine drops new track and music video for “Like You Do”

Posted on 28 August 2020

A native of the Bronx, New York, Quincy Valentine grew up with music influences left, right and centre, from his pianist mother to local rappers and the church.

He’s produced and played keyboard for local and major artists such as Mr Complex, and Scarface. Now, Valentine is here, unleashing his soulful take on RnB, a flashy, summery upbeat number with Valentine’s cool rapped vocal a mix of old school boom bap with a more flowing, lyrical style. All hooked up with duetted chorus vocals from Bronx stable-mate singer/songwriter/producer Winston Ward. ‘Like You Do’ is slick, sexy, and it grooves with some proper old-school sass.

You can check out Like You Do via YouTube.

Review by Alex Holmes

D.Carr The Fly Guy has dropped the slickest Hip Hop track of the year with their single “Puddle”

Posted on 29 July 2020

Hip Hop doesn’t come much slicker than breaking Rap artist D.Carr The Fly Guy’s recently released, flawlessly produced single “Puddle”.

Puddle was created with equal parts attitude, grit and instrumental ingenuity. The contrast between the light and delicate notes and D.Carr The Fly Guy’s salaciously convictive Rap bars ensured that you’ve never hit play on a Hip Hop track quite like this before.

D.Carr The Fly Guy is definitely one to watch. It’s not every day you come across a Hip Hop artist offering striking authenticity in their sound, and it’s even rarer to find an artist with such a magnetic vibe. Get him on your radar.

You can check out the official music video to D.Carr The Fly Guy’s standout single for yourselves by heading over to YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Get high with US Hip Hop artist Viizion’s latest drop “Elevate”

Posted on 6 June 2020
https://soundcloud.com/viizionisborn/elevate

US Hip Hop artist Viizion has dropped their first 2020 single Elevate, if you’re looking for an urban aural pick up prepare to get elevated.

Viizion’s approach to West Coast Hip Hop may be immediately accessible, but tangibly, they’ve poured plenty of authenticity into the mix. The hazy stoner vibes instantly let you know that Elevate is a track which is safe to sink into. Viizion’s Rap bars may remain energetic, but the smooth inventive beats ooze a sublime catharsis which you’d be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.

Fans of Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole and Drake are definitely going to want to make the up and coming artist a firm fixture on their playlists.

You can check out Viizion’s track Elevate for yourselves via SoundCloud.

Review by Amelia Vandergast