2016 on Da Hip Hop Place

Stop Requested

Fri, 30 Dec 2016 00:00:00 +0000

My name is Preston Boyd, a 26 year old Baltimore ,MD native who goes by the alias of Priest Mussolini. In response to our recent national plights of racial and political tension, I released my first solo single “Stop Requested” on my website PriestMussolini.com, VEVO, and Youtube. The goal was to spread conviction with truth and love while identifying with our present realities . My small internet attentive fan base of about 150+ ppl sent much praise and support before and after the release. The goal to reach as many as I can as continue my campaign for my solo project “Believe” which has a tentative release date.

Kelly McGrath - You and Me Today

Thu, 01 Dec 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Kelly McGrath - You and Me Today

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Kellymcgrathmusic

Kelly McGrath is a Nashville based songwriter whose talents defy easy categorization. Many listeners and merchants will label her as a member of the Americana genre, but her latest single demonstrates a singer, lyricist, and songwriter whose range is much wider than a narrow genre classification. There are similarities. There is no doubt of that. However, McGrath’s material has a much more personal slant than the genre’s usual assortment of pastoral invocations to worlds long gone or paeans to the simpler life. Her first three albums show a songwriter concerned with the same troubles plaguing us all, but able to express them in an unique, highly individual fashion. Those efforts reach their zenith so far with her latest single “You and Me Today”, an impassioned and quite musical confrontation with grief. Kelly McGrath does not flinch. She faces presumably the biggest loss of her life with wisdom beyond her years and talent that transcends any tragedy.

Christine Saadé - Get Together (Ft. Twisted Dee)

Tue, 29 Nov 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Christine Saadé - Get Together (Ft. Twisted Dee)

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/Christine.Saade.FB

Canadian born musician, vocalist and songwriter Christine Saadé has recorded and released a series of well-received singles illustrating her audaciousness and vitality in the electronic dance music scene. Her newest single “Get Together”, a cut from the forthcoming EP release HYSC? EP 1, ups the stylistic ante quite a bit. She delivers a dance pop anthem for the masses that doesn’t cut corners but, instead, gives listeners a pyrotechnic and fully-rounded musical experience. The song features the talents of DJ Twisted Dee, but even one hearing will convince anyone that Saadé maintains the largest presence in this song thanks to a showstopper vocal. The song runs a little under four minutes in length. This shouldn’t be confused for a bare bones approach to songwriting in this style. She packs the experience of three songs into this compact package and the result is explosive.

Souleye drops new single - Follow Your Heart

Tue, 22 Nov 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Souleye - Follow Your Heart

INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/souleyephotos/

Southern California based hip-hop songwriter and performer Souleye has established himself as one of the brightest stars in his genre in a way few other artists ever dare approach. His newest single “Follow Your Heart” carries on the work he’s done with eight studio albums and numerous other works in promoting a different version of rap and hip hop that places an approachable sound and intelligent, positive lyrical content above the genre’s usual assortment of poses and clichés. This mode of working has proven an excellent fit for him and has ensured that his place in the history of the form is quite secure, but this isn’t an artist content to rest on his legacy or laurels. Instead, “Follow Your Heart” is infused with the same poetic and insightful lyrical energy that has defined all of his work and shows clear signs that he continues to grow and evolve.

Bunny Sigler - White Christmas

Thu, 10 Nov 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Bunny Sigler - White Christmas

URL: https://www.bunnysigler.net/bio

Since his 1960’s debut, Bunny Sigler’s voice has been featured on an assortment of recordings, solo and otherwise, that stand today as classics of the R&B/soul genre. The Philadelphia native, nicknamed “Mr. Emotion” by admiring fans, exerts an influence that has extended deep into the 21st century long after many of his contemporaries have either died or disappeared into obscurity. His songwriting has been included on recent releases from Jay-Z while he’s continued to write new original solo material and record. His upcoming album When You’re In Love At Christmas Time is Sigler’s entry into a traditional sub-genre that he’s never turned his attention to until this point. “White Christmas” is the first single from this new release and, while Sigler pays due tribute to the song’s long history, he also takes the song for unique turns that many past interpreters have never felt compelled to pursue. This is a musical production fully realized – arrangement and vocalist alike are working in perfect accord towards an ultimate goal.

Project TO - The White Side, The Black Side

Thu, 10 Nov 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Project TO - The White Side, The Black Side

MI2N: https://mi2n.com/press.php3?press_nb=193642

As conceptual efforts go, the debut release from Project-TO surely rates as one of the more all-encompassing examples of the form released in the last quarter century. The White Side, The Black Side is a twelve song opus with a grad over-arching design. The first six songs are intended to reflect the album’s “white” side and rely on the big beats and airy flair common to most techno and electronica while the “black” side are meant to be photographic negatives of those same songs, but cast in a distinctly different manner while sharing the same running time. Some might wonder if the second set of six songs are little more than remixes – nothing could be further from the truth. Instead, it is better to hear the second set of six songs as re-interpretations of the same material from a completely different mood. The “black” side, unsurprisingly, is darker and leaner than its white counterpart. The production is simply superb thanks to Project-TO member Riccardo Mazza’s judicious hand manning the boards.

Sterling Witt – Satyagraha

Tue, 25 Oct 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Sterling Witt – Satyagraha

URL: https://www.sterlingwitt.com/

Sterling Witt’s already strong reputation as one of the most engaging guitar playing songwriters working today will likely only be further burnished by his latest full length release Satyagraha. This thirteen song opus, recorded and mixed by famed producer Steve Albini, bristles with an intelligent, questioning spirit that never simply accepts reality as it is given to him, but it also rampages and struts with undeniable rock and roll grit. Witt takes the album title from a word Indian spiritual and political leader Mahatma Gandhi used to describe the transformative power of objective truth in a world that rarely places any sort of premium on honesty. As before, however, this overarching thematic conceit never bogs the album down in wordiness – much like his guitar playing and arranging, Witt never uses two words when simply one will do and the result is an intense and highly focused affair that also spills over the rim with melody upon melody.

Angie and the Deserters – You

Thu, 20 Oct 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Angie and the Deserters – You

URL: https://www.angieandthedeserters.com/

Angie and the Deserters’ third recording, a six song EP titled You, is a slight shift in gears from her previous release Blood Like Wine. There are no real barnburners in this release comparable to Blood Like Wine’s bruiser “Country Radio” and, instead, Angie Bruyere and her fellow musicians sound like an artistic unit intent on exploring a wider emotional array than before. The same clarity defining the production on her earlier releases continues with this new studio confection and it results in a group of songs that sound cut live on the floor mere minutes after they finalized their composition. This fresh quality captures the band seemingly in a state of constant inspiration and there’s no question Bruyere is there with every word of her vocals. This is bracing and physical music delivered from a place deep within and geared for broad-based audience appeal.

Kathy Muir - Second Life

Thu, 20 Oct 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Kathy Muir - Second Life

URL: https://www.kathymuir.com/

It is refreshing to hear an album so committed to presenting fully rounded material. Kathy Muir’s third album Second Life doesn’t just succeed on a musical level, but it scores big on a lyrical level as well. Muir’s lyrics are full of plain-spoken poetry and exquisite imagery in equal measure and never aspire to any sort of pseudo-poetic incomprehensibility. The musical qualities are abundant. Melodies abound and the instrumentation is beautifully tasteful without ever missing opportunities. The production gives the music a great sonic forum to reach the listener and the urgency of its sound keeps the songwriting sounding intimate from first song to the final track. This is an improvement over her two preceding albums, but the observation is no slight on those earlier efforts. Second Life is just that damn good.

Juliet Huns - Behind the Scenes

Mon, 17 Oct 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Juliet Huns - Behind the Scenes

URL: https://www.juliethuns.com/

The EP Behind the Scenes, the first release from Kenyan born and now Los Angeles based singer Juliet Huns, is an impressive introduction to a artistic figure poised to garner considerable attention. The three songs included are definitely pop tracks, but they aren’t your typical offerings. There’s an evolved sensibility here that’s certainly a cut or more above what the mainstream gatekeepers prefer. Huns simply isn’t pigeonholed easily. Describing her songs and performances as pop is scarcely even half the story. Much of the time, Huns eyes song construction the way rock bands approach it – orchestrated to induce tension – and her voice carries off those moments without a hitch. She is a powerful, fluid singer who can move through a range of emotions without overexerting herself or turning the vocal in a heavy handed direction.

Jokatech - Standing Still Symphony

Fri, 14 Oct 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Jokatech - Standing Still Symphony

URL: https://jokatech.webs.com/

The latest two songs from indie composer and New York City native Jokatech are further entries in a successful artistic career. While Jokatech may not enjoy the same marquee notoriety experienced by more commercial performers, there’s little question after listening to his music that this is a songwriter and performer of rare distinction. His lyrical constructions are full of fire, intelligence, sarcastic humor, and the preening self-confidence while he shows the phrasing of a three decade or more veteran when delivering his songs. He is, essentially, an one man band responsible for the lyrics, melodies, and backing track and the responsibilities do not seem to have negatively affected his creativity. Instead, he sounds positively inspired. This is an artist unafraid of entertaining his listeners, but moreover, he’s unafraid to plumb into the depths of his life and return to the surface with something that might resonate or otherwise enlighten you.

Downie - "Unavailable" Single

Fri, 30 Sep 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Downie - “Unavailable” Single

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Downie/121552454596379

Downie has been singing in front of audiences since she was a very small girl. She began her formal vocal training as a young teenager performing classical , pop and jazz music. Whether in a recording studio or live, Downie is a seasoned vocalist with a wide range, able to execute all genre’s of music with emontial depth and creativity.

Downie revieved rave reviews in Japan where for four years she performed to sell out crowds in the clubs and hotels. She also performed with on the Dennis Bono show Live In Las Vegas with Grammy winning singer, Crystal Gayle. Her latest single is called “Unavailable.” If you’ve ever been in the position Downie is singing about, you can pick right up on this single and enjoy it time and again. If you haven’t that’s okay because you don’t have to in order to like it. This isn’t the type of thing you turn off when it’s playing. There is really nothing bad you can say about it. It might be a little too short but it’s undeniably good. It will sit at the top of my playlist for weeks, I can already say that. If you like pop, country, jazz and Americana, then this is right up your alley. It will do the business and then some. But if the feather light sound that you hear doesn’t turn your ears on, I can only wonder what will. Put it altogether and to each their own, but I was glad to hear Downie like a new wind through the trees. More was the first thing that sprung to mind when I heard “Unbelievable,” so it’s only an entry level review concerning the artist. But as for the song I’m on board the train.

Stevie Pre Greatest Hits

Fri, 23 Sep 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Stevie Pre Greatest Hits

URL: https://steviepre.com/

These past few years over in the UK and across Europe the music scene has seen this humongous surge of djing. With bands producing some the wickedest sounds falling under labels such as Dark ambient, Drone music, Breakbeat, Acid breaks, Baltimore club, Berlin School, Dubtronica, Ethnic electronica, French house, Funky house, Dubstep, Brostep, Chillstep, Acousmatic music, Musique concrète, Tribal house to only name a few, there seems to be an endless market of creativity to choose from. Djing has opened doors to many who never felt like they quite belonged in the structure of the triangle: lead, bass, drum in their raw forms. And now that this genre of wide open ability has filtered its way across the globe and is spinning the 21st Century of globalization to unify the masses music has certainly set her course of change. The age of electronics in multiple forms is here and it is here to stay. Integrated or on its own, this is the new millennium’s birth.

Jokatech – Standing Still Symphony

Wed, 21 Sep 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Jokatech – Standing Still Symphony

URL: https://jokatech.webs.com/

The latest two songs from indie hip hop songwriter and New York City native Jokatech are further entries in a successful artistic career. While Jokatech may not enjoy the same marquee notoriety experienced by more commercial performers, there’s little question after listening to his music that this is a songwriter and performer of rare distinction. His lyrical constructions are full of fire, intelligence, sarcastic humor, and the preening self-confidence while he shows the phrasing of a three decade or more veteran when delivering his songs. He is, essentially, an one man band responsible for the lyrics, melodies, and backing track and the responsibilities do not seem to have negatively affected his creativity. Instead, he sounds positively inspired. This is an artist unafraid of entertaining his listeners, but moreover, he’s unafraid to plumb into the depths of his life and return to the surface with something that might resonate or otherwise enlighten you.

The Retakes – Trash (EP)

Wed, 14 Sep 2016 00:00:00 +0000

The Retakes – Trash (EP)

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/TheRetakes

Imagine if you will. A time. A place. A moment. A transcending space where The Pixies and Lou Reed along with Nico had a cataclysmic orgy and in the final spent climatic escapade a dying star that ejected itself from that climax soared across the milk way. It was along its projection that it spawned before its light extinguished. In that sanctimonious point in time a genesis of rebirth screamed in pain and a band called, The Retakes, oozed and crawled up from the primordial slime to deliver a second take.

Thomas Charlie Pedersen - Second Hand War

Tue, 13 Sep 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Thomas Charlie Pedersen - Second Hand War

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/thomas.c.pedersen

Thomas Charlie Pedersen, on his first solo album Second Hand War, cannot be accused of attempting to remake the wheel. Instead, he relies on traditional folk music forms and a solid approach in the singer/songwriter vein to convey his deeply reflective, witheringly honest, and unflinching lyrical narratives. Much of his lyrical point of view is first person, but don’t let that suggest this is solely some exercise in self-pity or self-punishment. Pedersen writes just as convincingly about other characters in his song as he does about himself or his fictional narrators. The music is lean, cut down to the bone, and the stripped back setting allows a chance for Pedersen’s voice and words to shine as never before. The result is a fourteen song collection where no two songs sound exactly alike and everything beats with a massive, all-encompassing heart. Second Hand War is real music made by real people for real people.

Kim Vogels - Native

Tue, 06 Sep 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Kim Vogels - Native

URL: https://www.kimvogels.com/

Being brought up surrounded by so many different cultures, Kim Vogels was drawn to the power and energy of the original sound of those worlds i.e. Flamenco, Klezmer, Celtic, early Persian, Gypsy, Native American, Folk & Blues etc. Even though these musical styles are all quite different from each other, they hold a similarity in their powerful connection to their culture. “Native” is the EP which also includes a promo video for the track “Call Of The Wild.”

Porcelain People – Streetlights

Tue, 06 Sep 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Porcelain People – Streetlights

FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/PorcelainPeopleMusic/

First releases, in any genre, are seldom this good. Porcelain People are a duo compromised of Josh Thornhill and Fred Kalil. They hail from southern Louisiana and are serving up a particular brand of electro pop quite a bit unlike anything offered by their peers. Thornhill’s profoundly melodic and flexible voice matches up well with Kalil’s expansive and varied electronic textures. Piano, synthesizer, and keyboards are recorded with equal clarity and blended in quite an impressive way. No one component takes precedence in the mix and, instead, the duo have mixed the individual parts into a seamless and forceful whole. There are many highpoints scattered among the album’s thirteen songs, but there’s also no filler dragging things down. These are fully realized songs with imagination and technique working together in concert to produce the desired results.

Angie and the Deserters - Blood Like Wine

Fri, 02 Sep 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Angie and the Deserters - Blood Like Wine

URL: https://www.angieandthedeserters.com/

This is rough and ready music for passionate people. Angie and the Deserters won’t let you set on the fence – they win listeners over with a rare combination of intelligence, torrid emotion, and outright musical virtuosity. The songwriting on their latest release, Blood Like Wine, is smart without ever flying over the head of its intended audience, but it also does an excellent job of capturing the intensity of the lives lived out in vocalist Angie Bruyere’s lyrical content. The band is obviously top shelf in every way, but much like the lyrical content, their obviously extensive skill set never gets in the way of their central mandate – communicating and moving their audiences in some small, but significant, way. Bruyere’s vocals are key to this and the production does an excellent job without ever losing the important musical adventure going on around her. It’s an EP and, naturally, a relatively brief collection, but it accomplishes much in a condensed amount of space.

Bob Lien - Color of Sky

Fri, 02 Sep 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Bob Lien - Color of Sky

URL: https://www.boblien.com/

Color of Sky is very much in the Americana tradition, but it reaches ambitiously beyond that for a synthesis of dreamy folk music coupled with vibrant string arrangements. The collision of styles creates truly imaginative musical fireworks but there isn’t a single component in any track keyed to overwhelm listeners. This tastefulness extending over the course of Color of Sky’s ten songs never wavers and is part and parcel of high level artistry reaching far beyond the purview of typical recordings in the folk song idiom. The production job courtesy of Cyrus Rhodes does a remarkable job of bringing all of these parts into seamless interplay with each other – nothing sounds disjointed or out of place and, instead, there is a consistency of sound and approach that complements the material and Lien’s bell-clear vocals.

Cody Webb - Self-Titled

Fri, 02 Sep 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Cody Webb - Self-Titled

URL: https://codywebbcountry.com/music/

There’s a major push behind one of Nashville’s latest bright talents, Cody Webb, and every bit of the hype is deserved. His self-titled six song debut EP is a vibrant and style-spanning collection with instrumental prowess to spare and an inspired attitude that cuts across genre with confidence and skill. Webb’s country leanings are peppered a great deal by rock and pop influences, but melody remains the critical element driving these songs. His capacity for invention is considerable and his instincts for weaving melody through his instrumental attack and presenting accessible, uncluttered musical landscapes. This is thoughtful music that, in turns, brings a smile to the face. Webb’s vocal tenor is that of a steady friend, someone listeners can count on to deliver the goods time after time. His growing experience as a live performer informs these songs with a practical aesthetic resisting even the faintest hint of self indulgence.

Jupiter in Velvet - The One in the Many

Fri, 02 Sep 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Jupiter in Velvet - The One in the Many

URL: https://jupiterinvelvet.com/

Iconoclasts stand out. In our world of cookie cutter pop stars with the shelf life of vegetable, the performer/songwriter who writes vibrant material referencing influences while still blazing its own path is increasingly a rarity. American born and UK based Jupiter in Velvet culls from a handful of influences to fashion a distinctive and varied musical attack with an unwavering melodic base. His guitar pyrotechnics seem inexhaustible – they spark, crackle, soar, and growl, but they never fail to find room to sing. His vocals are, likewise, always on the money. Jupiter in Velvet isn’t any sort of Pavarotti, but his voice has remarkable elasticity and inhabits each of the album’s ten songs with tremendous verve and personality. The production highlights each song’s individual strengths in thrilling ways and has undeniable warmth.

Project Grand Slam - The Queen’s Carnival

Wed, 31 Aug 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Project Grand Slam - The Queen’s Carnival

URL: https://projectgrandslam.com/

Typically operating as five piece, Project Grand Slam, led by bassist and composer Robert Miller, plays like a much larger band. They have somehow managed to balance a muscular sound while maintaining a firm control over the material and never pushing anything to an overwrought level. The production on their fourth album The Queen’s Carnival is every bit as immaculate as their preceding releases and captures a remarkably live sound despite the occasionally spontaneity crushing atmosphere of a recording studio. Like previous releases, Project Grand Slam maintains a primarily instrumental focus and the album’s eleven tracks never have a moment of filler or run too long. This is a masterfully composed work, never uncertain of itself, and has an overarching sense of construction not typically heard on works from its musical area. In some senses, it is a throwback to the way albums were written and recorded during Miller’s formative years, but Project Grand Slam’s music and presentation are thoroughly modern sounding in every way.

The Ann Wilson Thing - Focus #2 (EP)

Wed, 31 Aug 2016 00:00:00 +0000

The Ann Wilson Thing - Focus #2 (EP)

URL: https://www.theannwilsonthing.com/

It’s bracing to hear artists from Ann Wilson’s generation who truly embody the phrase age is just a number. No talk here about Ann defying her age. The same passion and skill defining her career is in full effect on her latest solo release, an EP entitled Focus #2. Wilson is not bashful about acknowledging her influences and admiration for contemporaries. Focus #2 features a little of that with her covers of Jimi Hendrix and Peter Gabriel. Both are stellar, but the real attraction for long time Wilson fans likely lies in the two new original compositions featured on the release. The four tracks compromising Focus #2 are recorded with great care and the live songs, both of the covers, do fantastic jobs of capturing a wildly supportive live audience who Wilson and her band clearly feed off of. This is a release that doesn’t deserve to fly under your radar despite its relatively brief link – every song here is a home run.

Fly High with SireCharlieMacFly

Tue, 10 May 2016 00:00:00 +0000

SireCharlieMacFly is a hip hop emcee who dabbles heavily in the soul of R&B. Starting out is “Gas I’m On.” It’s not the most hype track to start out with. It’s got this very relaxed feel to it, like a sensual rhyme fest. We find the life in “Tetris.” No games here, only a great track that still is chill, but you can groove to it. What listeners will like about it is the R&B influence in the musical components. A skit opens up “The Smokers Only,” and we get more of that R&B with this one’s sensuality. Lyrically, you could hear this being the soundtrack to a big time gangster in a blockbuster made about the likes of Suge Knight’s life. You can imagine the slow motion scenes featuring cars, cash and canoodling women. Looking high and low for a track to break the laid back feel, it comes by way of “Serve This Royalty.” However, it’s not like you’re getting a Lil Wayne, hype track here. This is an emcee who never goes ham with it. He takes his time with his rhymes and sounds like he’s in the same class as Fetty Wap. So if you’re into that rising star of 2015, check out the upcoming hitmaker of 2016, and get in touch with SireCharlieMacFly today. (https://www.reverbnation.com/sirecharliemacfly)

Lexxica - “Hearts Collide”

Thu, 05 May 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Lexxica - “Hearts Collide”

URL: https://www.lexxicamusic.com/

Inspired by artists like Demi Lovato and Ellie Goulding, Lexxica is a Los Angeles based singing and songwriting talent with one acclaimed EP under her belt and readying for the highly anticipated release of her second effort. The first single from that release, “Hearts Collide”, is a golden example of EDM music at its finest from an artist capable of exploring the entire spectrum of sounds in that particular genre. Since the release of that debut EP, Lexxica has demonstrated her unwavering commitment to personal development by pursing renowned vocal coach Kim Wood Sandusky. Sandusky has worked with major talents like Beyonce and her introduction into Lexxica’s artistic world has resulted in a quantum leap of her already considerable vocal power. The key addition as a collaborator may prove to be Grammy nominated producer Rusty Varenkamp. Varenkamp has become Lexxica’s chief songwriting partner and enhances things tremendously.

Deuces with G37boyz

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000

G37boyz has a double dose for you today. First up, “Look at Them Haters.” This one comes out of the gate with a quick bounce and then gets raw with it. It transforms into this abrupt, in your face track. Its partner in crime is one that keeps that vibe alive and well. Out of the two, it’s the second one “Monsta” that could lead the pair to the top of the game. If you like that Atlanta style hip hop, check out G37boyz now. (https://www.g37boyz.com/)

Get In Tune with Poppy P

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000

We got a new emcee to introduce you to, Poppy P. The first track we’d like you to get to know is “Sex is Better…” It’s hip hop with a R&B twist. He doesn’t bust out a vocal performance like Drake would, but the music does allow this one to flow with more soul. From an original to a tribute to the late, great BB King, Poppy P showcases his versatility. Even when he’s got his boy Jay Marq by his side and they’re looking for some love with “Tip Jar,” he shows that he’s not only a great emcee for a showman as well. He can control a crowd and pretty soon will be hitting stages left and right. Check out this rising star today! (https://www.youtube.com/user/poppypmusic)

Ridin' Low with El Cannon

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Coming to you you straight out of Blackwood is El Cannon. “Gold” starts things off shining as you can hear his smooth take on delivery. In “Everyday” we continue to have the chilled way with words. He’s like a laid back Ice Cube as he demands attention with his words with a bit of attitude in his voice. We pick things up just a bit with ‘Ridin’ Low." The beat has a bounce to it and here we get some energy from the emcee. Whether he’s taking it slow, or going hard - one thing’s for sure, El Cannon is a pure talent. Check him out today and hear for yourself. (https://soundcloud.com/elcannon)

Hip Hop on Ice with Clifton Dukes

Tue, 12 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Born in Pennsylvania, Clifton Dukes started spitting rhymes as a career later on in San Antonio, Texas. Today he resides a ways away from there in Austin. No matter the place though, the talent remains the same. You can hear what he’s made of with just one track. Take “Black Butterfly” for example. You can tell he takes his time to construct not only the lyrics at hand, but the beat to make for a well composed package. He takes his time to get into it with “The Way I Like It,” but when he comes in, he does so smooth and it was well worth the quick wait. While he’s not as mild tempered as Common, he is near that style. Only in the way that he doesn’t deliver a hearty punch, but more of a smooth sailing sort of way with his rhymes. Perhaps he’s more like Lupe Fiasco in that way. You could hear his rhymes taking over college campuses if that’s the case. If you’re a fan of Fiasco, kick and push your way towards Clifton Dukes today. (https://soundcloud.com/cliftondukes)

Throwback Ways with GoHard Nard

Tue, 12 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Right away we have a good time on our hands with GoHard Nard’s “Right Now.” It has a great amount of energy and is reminiscent of what Nelly and his crew would do back in the early 00’s. We slow down the pace with “Everything I Love.” This one has a unique sound that flows more like a conversation rather than a track. It’s the hook that really makes it stick though. We’re taken back with “Boyz In The Hood” and it’s a nice throwback with a new spin that fans of N.W.A will respect. If you’re a fan of emcees that have a chilled way - check out GoHard Nard’s joints now. (https://soundcloud.com/gohardnard)

Don't Forget Ozy Reigns

Mon, 11 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Ozy Reigns takes an alternative route to hip hop. More on the page of acts like Common, this LA rapper brings something new to the table with his latest, “Remember Me.” Sounding like something from the 70’s thanks to the music that accompanies the rhymes, it’s a great track to sit down and chill with. Before this track, we got a trio from him in February this year. From those three, “4U&I” comes in nice and slow from the start but then picks up to end on an energetic note. Out of those three though, “Out The Hole” showcases a more traditional take on hip hop, tossing it back to the beats that came up in the 80’s. If you’re a fan of throwback hip hop, check out LA’s own Ozy Reigns today. (https://ozyreigns.net/)

Get Caught with Trap City Records

Mon, 11 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Trap City Records has a cascade of talent ready to be discovered. Young Fresh is first out the gate with Big Beautiful by his side with “Let’s Make a Move.” It has a fresh sound that blends hip hop and an urban take on pop that you’d hear from the likes of Chris Brown and Ne-Yo. The two team up again, but this time with Young Swagg for “Go Getta.” This one has more of a sensual vibe as it starts off nice and slow, but has this slick bounce to it that makes you think of Ciara. Big Beautiful steps out with Ben Holland for “No Love” and we hear a more vocal performance here where the singing is center stage, and takes control of the situation. It’s clear Trap City Records has a lot of talent under their umbrella and it’s time the world took notice of this rising hip hop empire. (https://soundcloud.com/big-beautiful30)

Get Serious with Jordy McFly

Mon, 11 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Jordy McFly doesn’t play around. “It’s Easier to Smile” is a chill track that doesn’t pop off at any point. It’s all about showcasing the rhymes instead of the beat and you can hear Jordy is a true emcee in control of the lines that spill from his lips. In “Concrete Jungle” we hear more of a an aggressive side of the rapper. He isn’t coming at you hard, but the words he’s delivering pack a punch. Listening on, we get this slick feel when “Look What You Left” and it continues the whole way through. This one really felt east coast to me. It had this pristine Brooklyn sound, something more modern like a Nas track. If you’re a fan of hip hop that doesn’t rely on tricks but thrives on talent, check out Jordy McFly today. (https://tinyurl.com/hge3qd4)

Miami Gets Hotter with Fly

Mon, 11 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Coming to you from Miami we have Fly. First up we have “O.M.A,” a track that sets the tone for what’s to come. He’s stern and bringing you a hard take on hip hop. With “Make It Rain” you hear more of that attitude driven delivery but with a lighter feel thanks to the “stripper on the pole” element. When it comes to Miami, you have an array of sounds that can come through. It’s hot and heavy when it comes to the dance scene, but Fly is making sure hip hop also makes its presence known down in the Sunshine State. Check him and his sounds out now. (https://soundcloud.com/theofficialfly)

Racc Chassir's 2WIN

Mon, 11 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Racc Chassir is an independent company out in Minnesota that handles everything hip hop and R&B. Today we’re taking you inside what they’re working with and telling you why you should check out their artist 2WIN. First up, “The Struggle” comes through and tells a story most of us can attach ourselves to as it tells the reality of a struggle and not the first world problems people have today. Then we get into “Crazy” from 2WIN featuring P3. A laid back track that sits in reality as well. 2WIN is at it again with JayDon and Murcc on “My Nigs On.” Here we get a take on the current state of America and politics. It’s an interesting approach. If you’re a fan of hip hop that tells real stories and doesn’t paint pictures of materialistic things, check out all that’s coming from Racc Chassir now. (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOfIn9amzvBX0KSN3iYR68A)

The Smarts with Proper Einstein

Mon, 11 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Proper Einstein sits between two stand out genres. “HipNo” features Mikey Barslow and it comes through, you get a hip hop track that could fare well with a rave crowd. It blends both genres but doesn’t go overboard with either. The rhymes are the hip hop and the beat, pure electronica. Come “Musical Overdose” we get something completely different. Gone are the street ways, and in is a more sci-fi in the 80’s movie feel. We head back to the rap with “Hate Me Or Love Me” and it’s this slick vibe where Proper Einstein comes through like a true wordsmith. In “Late Nights” we travel back to the electronic and travel fast. The pace makes the heart race. If you’re a fan of both hip hop and electronic music - this is the place to be. Proper Einstein has found a way to do both and he makes them both work equally for him. (https://propereinstein.com/)

Kush Koma Entertainment Brings Variety

Thu, 07 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Kush Koma Entertainment has a lot of talented artists in their roster and they all get to work and do it up. “Hustle” is where we begin with Rick Porter, Project Boi and Shak Taylor. It has a southern feel to it as it has this laid back but hype feel to it with the lyrics coming across in a raspy but melodic way. With “Turn Up” we get a more lively yet aggressive track that you would hear alongside the likes of Lil Wayne on a mixtape. It seems like every time we turn a corner Kush Koma Entertainment is delivering something new. We started out raw, went to the club and are now focusing in on the more heartfelt side with “Hard.” It’s clear that Kush Koma Entertainment has their finger on the pulse of hip hop and come with every type of the genre in their back pocket. If you’re just love rap music, make sure to check in with what Kush Koma Entertainment are working with. (https://www.fukwitmerecords.com)

Preme Dibiasi Goes from the Inner City to the Top

Thu, 07 Apr 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Preme Dibiasi came from the inner city and rose up to be the man and artist he is today. “Flex Zone” is a great song to put on when reality is getting to you and you need to unwind. You can lose yourself in the words and the sick beat. When it comes to “Drippin,’” this one is more for when you want to get up and move about. Not like in a crazy way, but in a party vibe way. In “Real4eva” the tickling of the notes in the intro intrigue you and make you curious for what’s to come. It’s that suspense that makes this track a stand out. As the songs continue to play, “2NYTE” is a more playful track than the rest and balances out his style. If you’re a fan of artists like Drake and Tyga, check out Preme Dibiasi now. (https://www.premedibiasi.com)

Get In the Know with A.G

Thu, 31 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Many like to pretend they know about hardship to seem like they have an edge, and those people are quite annoying. You know the type, they almost always have a sob story about a divorce when you’re standing there never knowing your dad. Well A.G is an emcee who made me think about that when his “What The Know Bout” blasted through my speakers. It sang that notion loud and proud and it was picture perfect. In reality, that would be all he needed to make his presence known - but lucky for you he has more than that on his plate. The apparent thing about A.G is that his rhymes come out fierce. That was apparent in the first track and even more so in “Pouring The Syrup.” He does however have a soft side and that can be heard in the more romantic, “Can’t Leave You Alone.” If you’re a fan of rappers who keep it real, check out A.G now. (https://soundcloud.com/slum_boy_ag)

Moneys World: "Letter to My Savior"

Thu, 31 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Moneys World’s “Letter to My Savior” is a heartfelt song that combines the artist’s love of rap with his admiration for the man upstairs. It’s a great song that is well produced and really showcases his skill set when it comes to lyrical content. Those who find themselves loving the lord as well as rhymes will love what Moneys World’s is working with when it comes to “Letter to My Savior.” Check it out now and keep up with what’s what when it comes to this rising emcee. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-dGQNbGNqw&feature=youtu.be)

TTwyce Flips the Norm

Thu, 31 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

TTwyce is a pair of friends who fell for one another and now they’re taking their great teamwork and putting it to good use with a dynamic you don’t see every day. We’re so used to hearing a rap song with a female singing the hook. Ja Rule and Ashanti scored numerous number one hits with that format. That’s where TTwyce differs. Tameeka Wells actually takes on the rhymes while Terry Haskins gives us a pile of soul. Listeners can hear their unique take on the game with songs like “Equal Justice” as well as “When I’m With You.” They also shine with hits like “What’s The Next Move” and a shout out to the place they call home, “Brooklyn.” Those who love when hip hop meets R&B effortlessly, check out TTwyce today! (https://www.ttwyce.com)

Your Main Man Maine

Thu, 31 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Maine showcases that east coast sound with this cascade of tracks. “The Chase” has a really New York in the 90’s, listening to Nas on a mixtape vibe. It’s very chill and straightforward while “2 On” with Ray Reid and Zik has more of a club feel thanks to the beat it encompasses. In “Forbidden Fruit” we head back to where we started and you get that this is an artist with a style that’s really unlike what we’re hearing in today’s music. He’s more throwback. If you’re a fan of rap that is more laid back and chill, check out Maine today. (https://soundcloud.com/maineboo08)

Bigg Tiny Serves Up Big Rhymes

Tue, 29 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Coming out with “Fuc Da Patron” with Bigg Tiny and his confidant, Gwapdondollasign J Bonafied. This track has club written all over it. It’s not a hype track but it has a love of movement in a chilled way. In “Goin Ham” is the opposite in that it has more energy and the hook could make it perfect for getting turnt. Being from southern California, it’s no surprise Tiny has a joint about it. “California What It Do” has this beat to it that has a wild west feel. It’s subtle but catches your attention as Bigg Tiny lays it down. California natives are all about the state pride and may have a new anthem to stand behind. This is the best we’ve heard him sound and this is the track he could ride to the top. If you’re a fan of hip hop that doesn’t play but is all about a good time, check out Bigg Tiny today. (https://soundcloud.com/bigg-tiny)

Devin Roman: New Roman City

Tue, 29 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

We start out strong with Devin Roman and his “Bout Dat Action.” It’s a laid back track but it’s the track that keeps on giving in that the quick parts that come in spurts give it some pep and life. In “Da Money” we continue on the same path. It’s clear that this emcee likes to take it slow and doesn’t overdo it. He’s not about the flashy hip hop that’s more so for the jokes in sororities, but more so for the purists that like that true hip hop sound. That’s apparent in everything from “Bossed Up” to “Bandz Shawty” to “Trap House.” If you’re the kind of person who likes your rap served up raw, check out Devin Roman now. (https://www.devinromanmusic.net/)

Darkimdadon: "Ghetto Livin"

Mon, 28 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Darkimdadon’s “Ghetto Livin” isn’t what you’d expect. The hip hop of it is much lighter than one would think when it comes to how it starts out. While it starts out light, the imagery and the rhymes that follow are anything but. It really showcases the modern day life for people in America from the #BlackLivesMatter movement to sex workers in the inner city. It’s quite an interesting track with a great message going on. If you like social conscious rap, check out Darkimdadon’s “Ghetto Livin,” out now. (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tCKGIKNn9yA)

Get Down with J-Madic

Wed, 23 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

J-Madic is coming at you with a couple of mixtapes and a whole lot of talent. “Guap” is a simple song. It’s not hard to learn and the simplicity of it makes it get stuck at the core of your thoughts but it’s not all about the hook. It actually has some pretty interesting choruses that have meaning. That’s just the tip of the iceberg with this emcee though as he has a couple of mixtapes under his belt like 2014’s “Madication” that features the likes of the very energetic “No More Hold Ups,” the chill ways of “Encore” as well as the hype of “That Guy.” He also has last year’s “Sick” which has an appearance from Star Money on “Oh Me” as well as the freestylings of “Seen It All” and “Real is Back.” If you’re a fan of artists like Juvenile, check out J-Madic and get some. (https://jmadic2012.wix.com/sbentertainment)

Get Ready to Love Phenom

Tue, 22 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Phenom puts his heart and soul into everything he does, music included - and it shows. “A Little” opens with clean lines and a slick feel that makes you think, “Why isn’t this on the radio already?” It’s got this hip hop meets pop feel that makes it fit for the mainstream. In “Feels So Nice,” the intro has a throwback to a saloon in the west, but then it comes into modern times with the rhymes. Being a ’90s kid, I really thought this was going to be a cover of Usher’s “U Make Me Wanna.” Instead it was a song all his own. We started off on a high note and that’s where we’re ending with “Beautiful Symphony.” It’s fresh and has this great, light feel to it. It’s the perfect song to get into as the weather starts to warm up. If you’re a fan of hip hop with a mainstream twist, check out Phenom today! (https://www.phenomspe.com/)

Keeping it Chill with Screw City Hue

Tue, 22 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Screw City Hue is coming straight out of Texas today and bringing the realness. “Audio Dope” is a chill song. It doesn’t ever pop off in any way that’d make you get turnt. It’s just about kicking back and taking it in. The same can be said of “You Know” as well. We heighten things with “Nuclear Bomb” and the energy goes from relaxed to more dramatic as Screw City Hue delivers things in a whole new manner. We takes things back down and have a very serious tone as we head into “John Wick Flow.” What I like about emcees like this is that they don’t play with the trends and do things in a way that showcases who they really are as an artist, and are not just playing a part. If you’re a fan of artists who bring their true self to the table, check out Screw City Hue now. (https://soundcloud.com/dreadedhoustonian)

Mick Cømte: From Nest to Marrow

Fri, 18 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

We start today with “Gypaetus Barbatus” off Mick Cømte’s “From Nest to Marrow.” It’s the first track and takes us into a world that we can only imagine is in a futuristic landscape made of metal where science has completely taken over. It sets the tone as we move on to “Takeichi Nishi” and get introduced to his rhymes. Instead of settling in the street or club, we are more like on a galactic plain. The beats have a unique feel to them. Moving on, “Dreamz” comes in and brings more attitude to the delivery, but it’s still fresh in the vibe. That continues on with more of a hook in “Fvck Molly.” On top of unique beats and sounds, Mick Cømte has enlisted the help of stellar help from Lady A, Riski and more on this album - they’re all tracks to check out. Speaking on, make sure to get your hands and ears on “From Nest to Marrow,” by Mick Cømte - out now. (https://soundcloud.com/noiremvzeek)

ATraxz's "Young World"

Wed, 16 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Coming at you from Brooklyn, New York today is ATraxz. Right now he’s sitting on his latest “Young World” and it’s a good one. He comes at you with a slick beat that has you hooked from the start. It’s not one of those rap songs that come at you too hard, but eases into your life in just the right way. The hook is light and fun and you could hear it on the radio from time to time alongside Big Daddy Kane or on a mixtape featuring your favorites from today. Check out the hot joint, “Young World,” out now. (https://noisetrade.com/atraxz)

El Cannon: New Freedom

Wed, 16 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

El Cannon’s “New Freedom” is a masterful hip hop record worth your time. The record starts with “Lord Knows” and there’s a slow build up to it but once it starts, it’s great. It’s a very easygoing tone of voice. He’s got compassion intertwined with a realness. Come “Real Niggas” it’s clear that El Cannon doesn’t play around. He’s about keeping it straight with his rhymes. When it comes to “Outkast,” he has a winner on his hands. You don’t really hear a lot of songs like this in hip hop. It’s more a subject matter for pop punk and rock, but this idea of the outsider - it’s beautifully done here. It’s pretty chill when it comes to this record but we get a little pep in the step as we get into “Ridin Low.” What I appreciate about this record is that it sounds well done. Things are crisp and clear and you don’t ever feel like you’re listening to an underground artist. El Cannon has his bases loaded and this one is hitting it out of the park. Check out “New Freedom,” out now.

Get to Know Mr. Mobley

Wed, 16 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Mr. Mobley can both sing and compose instrumentals. With all that talent - we’re on board. “Get Up Again” is an instrumental that keeps things pretty steady the whole way through, but then we get into “No More Slaves” and it’s here we find the energy and really get going. He’s really passionate in this one but then we get into “Sunny Days” and the mood completely changing. You hear a song that would likely be heard at an arts and crafts festival. With Lil he gets back to the rhymes with “War With Love.” It’s a street wise song with heart that could be this artist’s breakout if he played his cards right. If you’re into artists that put their passion where their mouth is, check out Mr. Mobley today. (https://mrmobleyofficial.com/)

Let It Linger Album Review

Tue, 15 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

REVIEW - Casey Burns, Let it Linger

By Alessandra Ametrano

’Cuz you know last I heard, last I heard - you was on stage with a piano or somethin’, singin’ like a little b****!

The above line of dialogue was drawn verbatim from the intro to ‘Pay it Back’, the second title on Casey Burns’ second EP, Let it Linger. It appears as part of an opening mini-monologue, in which an unidentified voice criticizes asks Casey about his heavy use of instrumental beats and notable lack of a DJ, at times on entire songs. Besides serving as a comic moment, the inclusion of this line in particular shows a impressive level of self-awareness, and beyond that, a near-Kanye level of confidence in what is obviously a drastic artistic choice. However a drastic choice is not necessarily a negative one.

Phase Aka: Table'z Turne'd

Mon, 14 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Phase Aka’s latest “Table’z Turne’d” dropped this past January and if you haven’t got a chance to listen yet - where have you been? With a slick intro that then leads into “I Will Neva Change,” Phase Aka takes things in a chill manner and doesn’t overdo it when he laments that he’ll be the same, forever and always for he’s true to himself. Now that you know he’ll always stay who he is, he deals with some “Pressure” and tells more of a story here in an offbeat manner. Something learned in “Mean Girls,” we enter “Frenimes” with an interesting musical composition that takes this song to a new level throughout. In “How We Live” we get a more traditional, modern take on hip hop while we hit the club with “Thot Juice.” If you’re a fan of Brooklyn hip hop, check out Phase Aka’s “Table’z Turne’d,” out now. (https://phaseaka.bandcamp.com/album/tablez-turnd)

Make Room for Tyrese Trevor

Thu, 10 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Tyrese Trevor could be on the charts yesterday. “Fast Food” is something we’re all familiar with on a delicious treat level, but what about this track? It’s a little Drake-ish with the soft approach but that disappears as soon as he started to lay it down and bust out the rhymes. We go back to sensual Tyrese Trevor with “Gimmie Ya Body.” This one is definitely something you can imagine hearing on the Top 40 right now alongside Chris Brown and Jason Derulo. Then with Mula Boy Skee by his side, we get “Hot Shit.” This one has an interesting feel to it overall. The pace is slow but the lyrics are being spit out with a lot of passion. If you have a lot of Big Sean and Meek Mill on your iTunes already, then make sure to add Tyrese Trevor to the list. (https://soundcloud.com/tyrese-trevor)

Exploring the Man Behind Dnastone

Thu, 03 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Being an artist, whether it’s a painter, an emcee or a writer - it’s about the picture you paint with what you do. For Dnastone it’s the words he spits out in his rhymes and he tells stories that are real and have edge. A newscast starts “Choppa Games” and when Dnastone finally drops in, he only adds to the reality of the situations that constantly surround this man’s life. With “Everywhere” we don’t come as strong as the last, but it’s still a sick track. “Hoe Card” has a slow and almost R&B start with a really interesting musical backdrop. Last up, “Playa Shit” lets us end on a high note. The beats are slick and the rhymes are sicker as he comes through with a lot of ease. If you’re a fan of emcees who lay it out on the line and are real, check out this artist Dnastone, now. (https://soundcloud.com/dnastone)

Get Exxxcited for 2K's

Thu, 03 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

2K’s does not sleep and brings music to life. “Exxxciting” comes through with a lot of anticipation as the beat builds up and makes you think you’re in a video game in the 80’s. Then 2K’s comes in and slays it wit rhymes. With B-Money helping out, “All The Way Live” wasn’t going to be a let down. It has a very Atlanta spirit to it. The chaos that comes through with it makes you think you’re in a Cash Money joint from the late 90’s. We get a little sensual with “Yo Body,” while we get familiar once again with “Kool” as that’s where we became acquainted with 2K’s before. If you’re a fan of hip hop that’s turnt, check out 2K’s now. (https://www.youtube.com/user/certifiedportboyz/videos)

Get Rich with BEABOUTMONEY

Thu, 03 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

BEABOUTMONEY also known as BAM is on the rise and he’s about to catch your eyes - and ears. “Get Rich” is a great place to start with this emcee. It’s got appeal thanks to the hook and you can’t really touch that point of it. The thing I like is that the music doesn’t overpower his rhymes. He softens up with “Girl You a Star.” It shows the heart he has in his chest is full and it’s a nice balance between this and the first one we heard. With “Salute” he comes at you like a 90’s Jay Z, relying on a lot of talk at the start and a sick east coast like beat. When it came to “Glitter,” the title makes you think a light and airy track is coming through. Instead this one comes like a slap from reality. There’s no shine to it, just straight-laced, to the point rhymes. If you’re a fan of rappers like Jay and Nas, check out BEABOUTMONEY aka BAM. He has a whole lot of joints waiting to be discovered. (https://www.reverbnation.com/beaboutmoneybam)

Dirty Diamond: "Ion't Need 2 Lie"

Tue, 01 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Dirty Diamond’s latest single available is “Ion’t Need 2 Lie.” Live the emcee really relies heavily on his vocal ability and the fact that he can command the attention of those around him with his booming audacity. Sitting down and listening on record though, you can hear the stellar beat a lot clearer and that’s where the hook, line and sinker really is. The beat is lighter and adds a sense of playfulness to the song, while his rhymes balance those out and come across with more attitude. It’s a well-balanced joint worth checking out. So make sure to give Dirty Diamond some love and check his “Ion’t Need 2 Lie,” available now. (https://www.dirtydiamondmusic.com/)

Atlanta's Own Mumbz