Hip-Hop, Rap | The (W)rap Up Vol. 3
Posted by admin on April 9, 2015
Masego – Girls That Dance
Does this count as rap? Perhaps. Perhaps not. Am I going to post it anyway? Yes.
Masego hails from Virginia and adds another name to the extensive list of talent in the region. His newest single is a reggae, soulful, futuristic ballad to all of the lovely girls in this world who dance. With the production assist from Medasin, and live saxophone from himself, Masego flaunts a sound unknown to many that could easily catch on.
Job Jetson – Shameless
Job Jetson hails from Milwaukee and continues with his streak of smooth, melodic rap that sounds perfectly suited for late night in a club. With only four songs on his SoundCloud to date, it will be interesting to see what Jetson has in store for us next.
Flash Giordani – Xaniel Webster (Video)
I posted Flash Giordani’s song “Xaniel Webster” a few weeks back and now the self-proclaimed Asian Savior has returned with an equally trippy and intoxicating video to accompany it. Flash is the perfect balance of talented rapper-meets-artist who doesn’t take themselves too seriously. It’s a deadly combination.
Jay IDK – The Plug
Jay IDK has been sending me his music for a while now, and although I thought he was a talented rapper, I told him that it just wasn’t all the way there yet. With his newest release “The Plug” and the unveiling of his alter-ego, King Trappy III, I was thoroughly impressed. I saw his music breaking out of the shell it was previously in and really hitting a sound that I saw as much more exciting and accessible in the current music soundscape.
Ciscero – Who I Am (ft. King Rosé)
Ciscero and King Rosé premiered their song “Who I Am” via DJ Booth the other day and showcased a real talent to be watched. The energy and near-anger showcased in the chorus is reason enough to take a listen to this song, but if you need more convincing Ciscero and Rosé both deliver equally lyrical verses.
Hip-Hop, Rap | Aziz – Snakes On A Plane
Posted by Matt Keene on March 11, 2015
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Never before in the history of mankind have the words hip hop, single, fire, Nas, New Hampshire and Samuel L. Jackson been used in the same sentence; until now. New Hampshire hip hop MC/Producer Aziz unleashed a new single with some production you’d figure Nas would have hopped on back in the early 2000’s; oh, it’s straight fire and how am I going to neglect mentioning Samuel L. Jackson with a name like ‘Snakes On A Plane’? Aziz first came on my radar way back in 2010 when he and a couple of his college buddies dropped a track called ‘Tic Tac Toe‘. The song was crazy catchy and the music video was shot next to my house at the University of New Hampshire. I have been keeping tabs ever since and while Aziz may not be ‘popping’ quite like others that have been at it for that long but his content is always quality and on point.
Hip-Hop, Rap | The (W)rap Up Vol. 2
Posted by admin on March 6, 2015
Demo Taped – I Luv U
17 year-old Demo Taped is the newest DIY excitement in the music world. His Heart EP is a collection of three self-produced songs where the Atlanta native sings, raps, and bounces all over the infectious instrumentals. Listen to the stand out “I Luv U” above, and expect to hear plenty more from rising talent.
IshDARR – Old Soul, Young Spirit
After his J-Gramm produced single “Too Bad” exploded on Hype Machine and across the internet, IshDARR has unveiled his first full length project. It’s cohesive, and a true statement to the ability of the 18 year old. He discusses turning down a deal from Atlantic, and with the work displayed across this body of work, Atlantic won’t be the last major label knocking on his door.
Daye Jack – Mona Lisa
Writing about yet another teenager in this week’s Wrap Up feels surprising, but all too familiar in the current landscape of up and coming artists. Daye Jack is back with his crossover rap sound in “Mona Lisa”. He questions himself and his future all while sounding appealing to a wide range of listeners.
Flash Giordani – Xaniel Webster
One of the most important parts in a young artist’s career is his or her ability to not take themselves too seriously. Drake embraces his memes, and Lil B and Riff Raff have created full blown careers off their eccentric personalities. Next up is Baltimore’s own “Asian Savior,” Flash Giordani. Listen to his xanax-ed out music and be ready for plenty more where it came from.
Billy Chambers – Got Me
Billy Chambers is not one for labels. He uses his rapping as a tool to compliment his singing voice while experimenting with the futuristic production that has become so popular in today’s SoundCloud world. While still raw, Chambers show far more potential for a widespread audience that many up and comers.
Hip-Hop, Rap | IshDARR – Too Bad
Posted by admin on February 24, 2015
It’s always exciting to watch a rapper grow from being a very strong rapper, in to a full-fledged artist. With IshDARR’s latest two releases, it’s clear he is fully in transition mode. Ish’s forthcoming Old Soul, Young Spirit album is set to drop early March, right in time to get people buzzing for his South By Southwest performances.
“Too Bad” was produced by J Gramm and offers an up-tempo track to get your Tuesday morning started off right. Follow Ish on Twitter to stay up to date.
Hip-Hop, Rap | The (W)rap Up Vol. 1
Posted by admin on February 18, 2015
Jimi Tents – Elmer Fudd
There is an interesting collective emerging in Brookyln, NY. While the rest of New York City wallows in their sorrows of a lost Bobby Shmurda and still-very-present Troy Ave, Jimi Tents and his collective are plotting their takeover. Jay-Bel seized the blog world a few weeks back with “Kate”, and now Jimi follows up with an equally impressive “Elmer Fudd”. I’m a sucker for introspective rap, so when Tents opened up the song with “if a body drops in the and no one around , does it make noise?” I was instantly hooked.
His rapping seems meditative. It carries healing powers. I’m excited for what comes next, this is clearly just the beginning.
Smino – Red Velvet
After forgoing a recent name change, Smino re-emerged with a special Valentines Day track for all his lady-fans and emotional males. His voice is as silky smooth as ever while Monte Booker’s production continues to get stronger and stronger. Smino floats back and forth between falsetto R&B, and melodic rapping making “Red Velvet” an exciting listen from front to back.
Hip-Hop, Rap, RnB | Chase – All For You (ft Jen Kirby)
Posted by Matt Keene on February 17, 2015
After over a year of silence FNT newcomer Chase is making a comeback with the first single off of his forthcoming project Blessed. The new project, which has been carefully crafted over the last eighteen months is finally ready to be rolled out and has many excited after today’s initial release. Grabbing elements from R&B and Hip Hop, All For You puts Chase’s versatility on display and Jen Kirby’s soulful voice on the hook really brings the track home.
Electro, Hip-Hop, Rap | Mulherin – Royalty (ft. Jon Waltz)
Posted by admin on February 12, 2015
Jon Waltz is an interesting character. His music floats back and forth between amazingly self-aware, and uncontrollably catchy. In this particular tune with producer duo Mulherin we find Waltz gliding in an out of pockets in the production. He’s is not overpowered by the entrancing instrumental, rather the intrinsic rhymes are a perfect complement.
While Jon still works to find his exact niche in the overarching and massively expanding genre of “rap”, it is nice to hear a rapper who can add value to the increasingly complex production of this day and age.