Soon As I by Summrs

Houston artist Summrs gifted his fans an early Christmas present and released “Soon As I”, co-produced by Fifty Grand and Angelus. The short track uses all of its time to entrance you, with ghostly vocals sewn into the instrumental. Summrs gives a solid performance that’s sure to make you want to flex your success from the year on the ones who doubted you.

Click here to listen to “Soon As I” on SoundCloud.

Virtual World by TyFontaine

The future is digital, or virtual, in TyFontaine’s world. The DMV rapper is back with a fresh, genre-bending hit. He joins forces with Nick Mira, the number one producer on Billboard’s ‘Hot 100 Producers’ list and multi-talented producer Rio Leyva for this high-frequency banger. This is a catchy tune to kick off your new year. In only one listen, you’re guaranteed to sing the hook all day long.

“It might sound crazyyy”

Click here to listen to “Virtual World” on SoundCloud.

FH’s Fresh Out Da Week Playlist

FH has an all-new and updated playlist for this week featuring the hottest tracks from the underground. This week features songs like “Yup Yup” by Lil Xelly (@lilxelly), “Inspector Gadget” by Caal Vo, produced by Tali (@3adTali), and “HEARTBREAKER” by Rei (@Reisen9k). The producers are the stars too in this Fresh Out Da Week playlist, with production by Rush (@ProdByRush), 4 AM (@ProdBy4AM), and W1erdo. There are some familiar faces in the mix, including artists Sebii, Summrs, and Xelly. Tap into the playlist and find all the stars before they blow up!

Click here to listen to Fresh Out Da Week playlist on SoundCloud.

EverybodyHatesChris by ChrisClay

The universe has its own way of throwing everything at you and expecting you to bounce back. Rapper ChrisClay bounces back by putting together a ten-song album all about the pressures and struggles that come with being Chris. The project begins with a rainy day, a somber track titled ‘Truthbetold’ featuring Matty Wood$, owning the theme of “Everybody Hates Chris”. The album is packed with features that raise the energy of each track and compliment Chris’ style. The young artist made details a priority during the album’s production. It hosts two interludes and the transitions between songs are clean, with very little pause between beats so you can listen continuously.

The project reaches its midpoint with ‘#FreeKrime’ featuring Young Jasper. The title is a possible shoutout to New York rapper Krime Life Ca$$. The tempo steadily slows from this point, but Chris still has some surprises up his sleeve. ‘Godzilla’ featuring Anwar has one of the more experimental flows, or whispers, from the album. It will be a hit or miss for some, but it brings personality to the project; it’s not all work and no fun. ChrisClay teams up with EyeKeem for the cool, soft-trap track ‘Forfeit’, he truly shows his versatility by switching effortlessly to this sub genre. The album comes to a close via his ‘Toshas Outro’ featuring Bad Day Dre and CrashJordy, an admission of love, or at least interest, in a girl. To tie it all together, ChrisClay ends the project with the iconic lyrics from the show the project is inspired by, “everybody hates Chris”.

Click here to listen to Everybody Hates Chris anywhere.

Baby Girl by DJ Omi.D & Jet Plane

Jet Plane takes on an all new sound in his latest single with DJ Omi.D. The track is bouncy with a dance hall and Caribbean influence. It’s a fun shift in direction from Jet Plane’s regular hip hop style and the collaboration couldn’t have been better. He blends in with the essence of the song effortlessly.  “Baby Girl” is the perfect song to add to an upbeat playlist that’s meant to really turn up your energy, just listening to it may brighten your mood.

Click here to listen to Baby Girl on SoundCloud.

Testimony EP by Noutxxhang

Honesty helps wounds heal. Testimony, the six track EP by Noutxxhang, is a raw revelation of the artist’s aspirations and daily struggles. The EP only holds one feature, Maryland rapper Lil Xelly on the EP’s fourth song “Choir”. Noutxxhang experiments vocally and reveals he’s sometimes emotional, but he can’t show that side of himself, whether to guard his heart or himself from the persecution of being expressive. The EP has several producers, Bridgxs begins the project with his efforts in “Prove It” and the EP ends with a collaborative beat produced by Dani Kiyoko and Niko East. This project is surely meant for seamlessly integrating each track into your favorite playlist.

Click here to listen to Testimony on SoundCloud.

On My Mind by Dreamkite featuring Gallows

When the girl of your dreams is slipping away and all you want her to do is listen. Dreamkite and Gallows fuse together hip hop and punk in Dreamkite’s latest single “On My Mind”. This one tugs at the heartstrings and acts as a melancholy love letter. The emotional delivery creates a tone of pleading to the one you love to give you a chance, at least to explain yourself. We’ve all been there before, mistake mixed with miscommunication.

Click here to listen to “On My Mind” on SoundCloud.

LUVMIX VOLUME 1 by LUVGRIP

It can be hard to find music that possesses that unique, certain sound you want. Producer LUVGRIP has put together a mixtape completely curated and produced with his signature, experimental style. Consisting of five songs, each with an explosive artist to pair with some of his best instrumentals to date. The tape kicks off with “Case Closed” featuring Yung A.I. If you thought the project would be just heartbroken songs, he quickly corrects you. “Case Closed” is an instant headbanger and is followed by “Dumb Boy” featuring melodic rapper, Sugarblood. The second song is a more somber track, but the high hats and the use of high pitched ringtones keep it fun. Not only that, but “Sugarblood” meshes seamlessly with the third track “Cardi” featuring 2Shay. LUVGRIP is great at keeping his listeners on their toes, adding in unexpected breaks and shifts in tempo. He selected an amazing group of artists to showcase his skills and their own. “Ice Cold” features G.O Soul who uses a more classic flow over a dynamic, busy beat. Closing out the mixtape is MiNUTE on “Keeping It 50”. He has the most boisterous flow and this track is probably my favorite out of the mixtape. LUVGRIP proves he can produce for any artist, or any flow, cadence and style.

Click here to listen to LUVMIX VOLUME 1 on SoundCloud.

Beats by 808Villain

808Villain is a nineteen year old producer from Canada that has utilized his ear for heavy, angst-filled sounds for his instrumentals. He’s worked with a number of artists ranging from SmokePurpp to EgoMackey. Heavy bass seems to be his speciality. Any artist looking for a beat that listeners will feel in their bones, he’s the guy for you. But, it’s not random 808 over a loop, he takes time to develop a concept or specific tone for each song. If you’re looking to find a producer that matches your darker style, this is the guy for you.

Click here to listen to 808Villain on SoundCloud.

FH's Fresh Out Da Week Playlist

FH (@FHONIT) updates the Fresh Out Da Week playlist to present a new set of underground hits you must be familiar with!

This weekly playlist throws together the perfect combination of tracks. FH curates high energy, trap songs and places them amongst futuristic and melodic tracks. FH keeps the playlist balanced; you never feel like you have to skip a song or the vibe has suddenly switched.

Beginning with a big banger "PLZ DON'T HATE ME" by Yurms produced by Tha Fireman, FH introduces you to underground artists while still adding songs that you may already know. The curator places tracks like “MCM” by 10CellPhones at the best spot to pick up the pace. With all the different artists and styles, you’re bound to find a song you’ll “like”. As well as "Peroxide" by ECCO2K and "SingingInTheRain" by Bones, who just dropped their new projects E and IFeelLikeDirt last week.

Just to name drop a few:

 ✰ “lovestory” by SEBii (@sebseb122_)

 ✰ “exporting” by Jinzau (@kudzuu3)

 ✰ “euphoria” by landonszn (@landonszn)

 ✰ “Pay to Play” by TyFontaine (@tyfontaine1800)

You'll also find out songs from Mixed matches,Yung mootla,  Mardaratbh,  Wubz, Trillbazz, BBY King, XANMANSHAWTY, Don Gady & DIZZIEDMT and few more names you might have already seen on your timeline.

Click here to FH's Fresh Out Da Week playlist on SoundCloud.

OMG by YungManny

Love can be tough when you’re only sixteen and on your way to becoming a superstar. Finding that “ride-or-die” girl can be just as hard with the world in your hands. “OMG” is YungManny’s take on finding love and balancing the spotlight.

Click here to stream OMG by YungManny anywhere.

Or Do You EP by NOUTXXHANG

Heartbreak never gets easier and betrayal always comes as a surprise. NOUTXXHANG conveys these emotions well via the two tracks in his Or Do You? EP. “One Time” produced by Jay2Loud has a beat that almost transports you to the bottom of a broken heart. The heavy effects on NOUTXXHANG’s voice strengthen that hopeless, sluggish feeling that the rapper may know too well. “Money Talks” produced by Ace Maceo, is an only slightly more uplifting song. The artist distances himself from any sort of self-pity and sets his eye on the future.

Click here to listen to Or Do You? on SoundCloud.

TikTok is Creating New Stars

TikTok is the next frontier in virtual music marketing. With over a billion users and its content consisting of less than a minute long videos, it’s the perfect platform to share your music or creativity in any form. The platform, built around lip-syncing to “sounds” hosted by the app, is used by mostly kids, teens, and young adults. Mending together these factors of having the attention of millions, being musically inclined, and falling amongst the key age range, and you could potentially have a million-dollar marketing team right in your pocket.

TikTok users have the option of using popular songs or any previously published “sounds” within the application’s catalog. This means, any starving artist can post a snippet of their song or video to TikTok and it’ll essentially be archived. “Sounds” on TikTok rise and fall in popularity, but when they’re at their peak, the view is great. Independent artists can pre-record a video of them listening to their song, jamming out or even as they’re creating it. The post itself may not get much attention, but now the “sound” is out there for anyone to stumble across and use.

TikTok has a few success stories already. Hip hop artist Ashnikko is one of the first and largest breakouts from TikTok. Her single Stupid, featuring Yung Baby Tate, found its way onto the social media site and quickly gained attention from teen girls, embracing the song’s message of womanly strength and straight-up not needing a man. Thousands of interpretations of the song’s leading line “stupid boy think that I need him” flooded the app’s “For You” our recommended page. This boost of support took the single to an entirely different level as the video was released on October 22nd and has gained over 11 million views in only a month.

She’s not the only underground artist to find an insane amount of unexpected support from TikTok. “Falling” an emotional, guitar filled track by upcoming artist Trevor Daniel was met its wave of popularity amongst the community. Songs that are somewhat relatable and capable of telling a story are what really stick to TikTok. Trevor’s transparency about heartbreak on “Falling”, a song that he released over a year ago, won him the hearts of millions of young fans dealing with similar issues. Thousands of TikToks use his song and the same line, “my last made me feel like I would never try again...”. If you’ve been on TikTok for even five minutes recently, you can finish the line. And it’s because of that, that underground artist Trevor Daniel has broken into the Hot 100.

If anything, TikTok is a place of opportunity and ever-changing trends. Creatives have the chance to present their art directly to the consumer. The short format of TikTok’s content can be daunting, but its brief video style is what gives each user the ability to be heard. If you’re a new or independent artist, this is certainly a platform that you should utilize. Growth is consistent, no matter how many followers you have, and whether you develop a fan base is all dependent on how much work you put in. If you’re willing to put in your all, or even figure out which of your works fits well into what TikTok is looking for, you can see unprecedented amounts of success and growth in no time.

No Call 4 Help EP by DroGotDoe’

Get it all off of your chest. That’s why rapper DroGotDoe’ did in his last eat EP No Call 4 Help. Often times we just need a way to vent in order to bounce back. The EP kicks off with a mid-tempo, grunge track “iPhone Gang”, then follows up with a higher energy track “Rollin”. The project crisscrosses between these two moods, ideally for those somber times when you’re stuck between feeling bad and feeling better.

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Click here to listen to No Call 4 Help on SoundCloud.

Hunger by Jaelin Westbrook

Sometimes time is all we need to come back better and stronger than ever. Jaelin Westbrook has returned to the scene for the first time this year with his single “Hunger”. From the message of the song, one can tell Jaelin is focused and more determined to make this music thing work. The song is inspiring and catchy, the perfect hook to reel in new listeners.

Click here to listen to “Hunger” on Apple Music.

Home Depot Anthem by EyeKeem

It’s exactly what you think it is. LA rapper EyeKeem tested himself and pulled off the ultimate flex- making a song about Home Depot that actually pretty good. This track may fall into the lines of “meme rap”, but it’s certainly worth the listen. He pulls out all of the stops, probably with pliers, keeping each verse packed with punchlines. Producer Geeohhs’ beat definitely had a hand in making this a masterpiece. If you’re a Home Depot fan, middle-aged dad or just a fan of fun music, add this to your playlist.

Click here to listen to “Home Depot Anthem” on SoundCloud.

Binsecure by AntFlow

Soul music is not dead, not at the hands of AntFlow. His recently released EP, Binsecure takes listeners all the way back to the good old days. His intro track, “Tough Love” instantly alerts one to exactly what this project is, and AntFlow takes full advantage of your time, stringing you in with smoky guitar chords and slow bass. The trance continues with “Stuck On Pause” a heartfelt ballad. The EP, consisting of five tracks hits all of those wholesome heartstrings that we tend to miss in between the hustle and bustle. This project is sure to put your mind at ease and add that perfect touch to your cozy evening this Fall.

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Click here to listen to Binsecure on Apple Music.

Entr’acte EP by Dutcho

As the weather turns cold, it seems our feelings go along with it. Dutcho embodies that shift through his grunge and forthcoming music, Entr’acte furthers that bond. He speaks to those young people not looking for songs about material things, but rather real and sometimes unpleasant emotions or situations. ”War With Myself” is a helping hand for his supporters that may be dealing with more internal struggles. If you’re looking for a more alternative style or simply a new sound, this is the project for you.

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Click here to listen to Entr’acte on SoundCloud.

Waiting on Ascension by TyFontaine

It's said that hard work pays off, and TyFontaine has been putting all of his efforts into this moment. Waiting on Ascension is TyFontaine on his A-Game. The album is meant for those looking for something to boost their mood. ”Big Sosa” produced by Jr. Hitmaker, emulates the essence of the Chicago great, Chief Keef. TyFontaine puts his skills at the forefront throughout the album. With only eight tracks and a little over fifteen minutes, the Maryland rapper is up against the rest of the internet and listeners’ short attention spans due to something new replacing the next each moment. TyFontaine is an entertaining artist, he adopts different voices and personas seamlessly throughout his music. TyFontaine often uses a somewhat old school flow, giving him a solid foundation and allowing his ear and musical selection to project a more futuristic and vibrant mood.

Click here to listen to Waiting on Ascension by TyFontaine on SoundCloud.

Deadly EP by Shao

Smooth and calculated. That’s the best way to describe rapper Shao’s newest body of work. Deadly is a honest telling of life today. Shao is an open book and his flow is as rhythmic as an old school record. Consisting of six tracks, each song is meant to fascinate the listener and show off all of Shao’s skills. Wordplay is nothing to the young MC and his explosive energy is on full display in ”Hunger” featuring GenoPride. Surely, all of the artists’ rage must have been released while recording the dark anthem ”Christ” featuring Surge. The EP, engineered and partially produced by platinum-engineer TylerGENIUS, distances itself from the Trap style of Hip Hop that the younger generation has coined for themselves, and pushes energy, inflection, grimy bars and a crazy beat to drive his point.

Click here to stream the Deadly EP.

A QUICK CONVERSATION WITH 3 MILES

3 Miles, AKA 3M is a vibrant artist with plenty of punchlines for anyone that might cross him. He's an artist on the rise, and any of his 1,600 SoundCloud followers can tell you he's not stopping. With over two dozen tracks in his discography, his progress and evolution are prominent. He's fearless, whether it's using a beat out of the left-field or adding effects to his vocals that many wouldn't touch. I asked him a few questions to understand what molded him into such an open-minded creative.

Where are you from? Where you into art growing up or did it develop later?

3M: I’m originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota but right now I’m living in Atl, I’ve been writing music since I was at least 10 but I started recording myself at 14, I  was always a big fan of artists like The Dream, The Weeknd, and Young Thug. People who manipulate their voices in interesting ways.

“lootdat” is your first song on SoundCloud and it’s much different than your latest song “onlything”, are you proud of your musical growth and what sparked the transition?

3M: Really all of fisheye was just an experiment I just wanted to see if I could expand what I felt I was capable of. I had felt boxed in my auto tune a little bit and I just wanted to show how versatile I really am.

What’s the message you want to convey or the mood you've created for Staricide?

3M: The message in STARICIDE honestly revolves around accepting your own feelings. It’s okay to not want to be in a relationship or to be on your own shit. It’s okay to not feel guilty about doing you. It’s okay to want to be alone.

Collaboration is huge in the underground, do you have the best memory of a studio session, video shoot, etc. with another artist?

3M: Honestly, 2 weekends ago I had one of the best studio experiences in my life the day after the IcedOutAngels show. It was actually like some sound cloud avengers shit. Everyone there was on there own wave but it worked so well. That night will definitely go down in history for me and when the music made there is released it’s gonna shake a lot of shit up

You have tens of thousands of plays under your belt, what’s the next goal on your vision board?

3M: The next goal is getting all my streaming numbers up. And moving everything up a level in terms of creating visuals. Music. Marketing. I’m just preparing to make the most out of 2020 and shock a lot of people in the process

What’s your favorite way to unwind or cure writers block?

3M: Smoke weed lol or honestly just experiencing life going out and doing shit being around people and interacting wit them really  inspires me. 

If there’s any call-to-action or advice that you could give to your listeners, what would it be?

3M: DO WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY

Click here to listen to 3M on SoundCloud.

Swag Skool 0.5 by Lil Turbo

Lil Turbo is a very spontaneous artist, his next project or muse are always a mystery and can come just as randomly. Swag Skool 0.5 is a 3-track EP, featuring grimy verses and production by 10Fiftyy, Slayer, MaseTheWorst and the track “Magic” produced by three Neilaworld members, FadedBlackKid, Lukrative, and Lifted. The MotorSportTeam rapper always manages to create the content he wants, no matter how niche it may be. He speaks to a group that’s focused on experimentation, fun and personality within art they consume. Although the project is short, each song instantly brings you into that mood and makes every second enjoyable.

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Click here to listen to Swag Skool 0.5 on SoundCloud. 

Tony Stark by BIGBABYGUCCI

BIGBABYGUCCI is on his way to becoming a household name; his latest single “Tony Stark” is the next piece to the puzzle. Teaming up with producers FadedBlackKid, Lukrative, and Glasear of Neilaworld was definitely a power move for the uptempo, sci-fi inspired track. BIGBABYGUCCI’s verses flow with ease on top of the beat’s high hats and piano chords. It's the miracle blend of Trap and Futuristic.

Click here to listen to ”Tony Stark” on SoundCloud.

DAYS B4 III by Lucki

Lucki is at a high point in his journey to becoming one of the hottest rappers in the country. Last Friday, Lucki released his most anticipated and critical project today. More eyes are on Lucki than ever before. His fans are familiar with his confidence and bravado on songs, DAYS B4 III takes them to a new level. Right out the gate, with ”Me Myself & I” Lucki creates the party vibe that his listeners love him for. Consisting of fifteen tracks, DAYS B4 III visits all aspects of the Hip Hop spectrum, cutting the high energy with a slow jam via ”Geeked”. It's obvious that Lucki knows this is a huge opportunity to turn a lot of skeptics into fans. With this momentum it's not long before he has the attention of the whole nation.

Click here to stream DAYS B4 III anywhere.

Do Not Disturb by HateSonny

Chicago has been at the forefront of Hip Hop for a while now. It’s no surprise that the “Windy City” native delivered that epic and confident energy the city breeds. HateSonny is back, following his GOOD LUCK LP with Do Not Disturb. This EP is HateSonny’s chance to do a bit of storytelling through the track “Way Back”. Despite only having five songs, Do Not Disturb is a hard-hitting project. HateSonny didn’t cut costs when it comes to the project’s production or time when it comes to his lyrics. Do Not Disturb is a well put together body of work that any listener that’s looking for something a bit more genuine can gravitate towards.

Click here to listen to Do Not Disturb on SoundCloud.

#On My Way! By Lil Xelly

Lil Xelly seems to never take a break, or even sleep. While some artists take breaks between projects or like to create months' worth of suspense, Lil Xelly keeps his fans constantly entertained with new music. #On My Way! or #OMW! is one of his most cleanly engineered projects to date, the artist is always looking for ways to improve his craft. Lil Xelly collaborates with several producers for the six-track EP, including LordFubu, DPBEATZ, and Visual9, to simply name a few. Each song is exciting and perfect for your ”hyped” playlist. ”. ”Calabasas”, produced by Jolow is a bouncy, guitar and bass driven track, and a new classic Pop song for Lil Xelly. Not to mention he probably has one of the best relationships with producers. His sound has become more adventurous over the years, partly due to his love for networking and always generating new music. This project is the best example of his growth as an artist.

Click here to listen to #On My Way! on SoundCloud.

Backwoods by TheWaterBoy

This weekend has been red hot with new music releases. TheWaterBoy hasn’t strayed from the trend, releasing a new single just about a week before his mixtape is set to drop. Backwoods is lighthearted and bouncy, produced by camgothits. It's the perfect track to start the day off right or add to your favorite playlist.

Click here to listen to Backwoods by TheWaterBoy. 

Real Rockstar by Hefna380

“Real Rockstar”, produced by BarelyBrandon, is the second official single from rapper Hefna380. In this track, he seems to be manifesting his future, already taking the title of a “rockstar”. One can’t argue much against it. Hefna380’s first single, “I Gotta Go” was a smash hit rendering over fifty thousand streams in only a month. For hopeful listeners, this is proof that he’s in it to win it.

Click here to listen to Real Rockstar by Hefna380.

My Life by EyeKeem

My Life, produced by Charlie Shuffler and John Luther, is an honest summary of the ideals inside the mind of rapper EyeKeem. The music video is used somewhat as an homage. Since the passing of Texas native producer and rapper Hella Sketchy, his family, friends and fans have dealt with his loss while keeping his memory alive. For fans of these talented artists, it’s clear that EyeKeem is taking the loss just as hard as they are. He pairs up with director Grant Decyk to create the starry, yet gloomy mood for the video, presumably matching the juxtaposition of longing for his friend, but remaining hopeful for a bright future in his honor. EyeKeem, knowingly or not, acts as a beacon of hope for his longtime friend’s listeners, and has created a mantra that any fan of theirs for that matter, can use to get through such a difficult time.

​​​“Messed up, but I know nothing gonna ruin my life.”

Click here to watch the “My Life” video.

Blue Lime Pie by LUVGRIP

Blue Lime Pie is the most recent creation by producer LUVGRIP. He utilizes emotion and experimental sounds to create the perfect instrumental. His catalog is meant for any artist searching for something outside of the box. No two beats of his are alike and they're bound to inspire a new way of approaching your next track. Blue Lime Pie is tranquil, even angelic. His use of echoing, melodic hums adds an almost eerie. LUVGRIP leave space for interpretation within his beats, allowing them to mold to the artist's needs.

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Click here to listen to more instrumentals by LUVGRIP. 

Bieber by skaiwater

Skaiwater is back with another unique track. His latest, titled “Bieber” is one of his most obscure, but catchy songs to date. Produced by Judge, Skaiwater raps over a drummed up beat and uses auto tune like no other to belt out his admission: he’s the next Justin Bieber.

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Click here to listen to skaiwater on SoundCloud. 

I’m Sorry Pt. 2 by Joony

Joony consistently performs at his best and always keeps his audience entertained or on the edge of their seats to see what's next from him. This time around, he paired up with film director Kody Grace for the ”I’m Sorry Pr. 2” music video. The video is somewhat minimalistic, using pops of special effects couple with more elaborate transitions. The video’s tone quite literally matches Joony’s tone throughout the song. It's mellow yet magnetic.

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Click here to watch Joony’s ”I’m Sorry Pt. 2” music video.

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I Gotta Go! by Hefna380

“I Gotta Go!” is the debut single of artist Hefna. The track, produced by JFlex, is bouncy and catchy from the very beginning. Hefna380’s cadence is like no other, it's entertaining and captivating to listen to. His confidence flows as he recounts the hustling he's done and the deception that often comes from relationships and living in the fast lane. With this being his only song available on SoundCloud, and already grossing over fifty thousand streams, I'm sure we'll be hearing a lot more of him.

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Click here to listen to Hefna380 on SoundCloud. 

Convolk Gets Candid With New Song

Convolk has never shied away from telling his supporters exactly what’s on his mind, it’s why they love him. Early Friday morning, Convolk made a confession to his fans: he relapsed. He posted a freestyle detailing his raw feelings, vulnerable emotions and sentiments that sometimes even fans share with the Californian artist. He opened up about a weaker point he recently experienced, to the extent of wishing he'll, ”find a bullet fast”. ”I Relapsed” is sonically beautiful. Without the name, it may even take a listen or two do understand the depth of emotions it stems from. Convolk never seems to fail to at least make you think.

Click here to listen to Convolk on SoundCloud.

Die 4 You Freestyle by DroGotDoe’

DroGotDoe’ sent his followers into a manic after releasing a visual snippet of his newest freestyle “Die 4 You” produced by Kush Newton. The video mimics a VHS tape, capturing the slow, old school elements of the track. DroGotDoe’ didn't make his fans wait long, he posted the freestyle on SoundCloud only two days later.

Click here to listen to DroGotDoe’ on SoundCloud. 

Trending Topic by Trend$etter CJ

Hard hitting bars never fail, even with the ever-changing sound of the new age. Trend$etter CJ captures this energy in his new album Trending Topic. The album includes hard-hitting bass, high hats and the punchlines listeners love to hear. This is his strongest project to date, stepping into the realm of a mature, developed artist and piece. Trending Topic has a song for every Hip Hop lover. The twelve-song project touches each of CJ’s strengths and eliminates any possible skepticism about his abilities.

Click here to listen to Trending Topic on Apple Music.

Dirty Fanta by BIGBABYGUCCI

BIGBABYGUCCI is never shy when it comes to his music. Dirty Fanta is a boisterous, high energy track. The video, created by Reel Bump, is just as explosive. The scenes skip from shots of BIGBABYGUCCI performing and stomping down the Hollywood Walk of Fame, perched on top of a Hollywood balcony. His enthusiasm is tangible while watching the video, something fans are sure to enjoy.

Click here to watch the Dirty Fanta video.

The Big Step for Tyler Fontaine

Tyler Fontaine is a gem and a testament to the whiplash-fast speeds of the underground scene. In today’s age of digital stars, it's difficult to weed out the organically grown artists and those that some believe are developed by labels to trick or influence listeners. Artists that went unheard suddenly bubble to the surface and are “instantly” stars. Taz Taylor, CEO of Internet Money, is continuously the suspected culprit, according to online detectives. When he somewhat covertly picked up another artist, Hip Hop & RnB artist Tyler Fontaine on Sunday, again suspicions grew. I wanted to get in front of the roomers and conspiracy theories that are sure to arise in the coming months as they begin business and musical ventures.

Tyler Fontaine is a multitalented artist from Maryland. His discography cross genres. He sounds bounces from Trap, Drill, RnB, even dipping into Reggae. He's diverse and not afraid to experiment with his vocals and musical abilities. A fearlessness such as this is what fits the criteria of each of Taz Taylor’s artists, or a long-standing musician. Every year the industry changes and collects sounds, genres, and new tools to further music, adaptation is to be expected.

Tyler isn't a stranger to hard work. So far on his own, Tyler Fontaine has released half a dozen singles and collaborations on all major streaming platforms. Do Not Disturb 2, the sequel to his mixtape of the same name is his first project on Apple Music. The original, released in 2018, has accumulated over a hundred thousand streams on SoundCloud. His music and following didn't begin with Hollywood recognition. Tyler’s music, like any other underground artist, has been gradually building a following as he’s built up his abilities, confidence, and catalog. Nothing happens overnight.

Click here to listen to Tyler Fontaine on SoundCloud.

U Only Live Once by hxlfhart

Artist hxlfhart is constantly churning out emotional hits. His newest song, U Only Live Once is expressive and a personal glimpse into hxlfhart’s mind and priorities. His entire discography seems to be a dip into that somber side of your heart, whenever you need to tap in.

Click here to listen to U Only Live Once on SoundCloud.

A QUICK CONVERSATION WITH SORRY X

Sorry X is a female artists exploding within the underground. Her music, based heavily on her angelic vocals and her transparency, has reached thousands of people. Though still young in age and her career, she has managed to release thoughtful projects and singles that connect herself and her audience. I wanted to capture the energy and mindset behind her art as she takes these next big steps in her career.

How did it feel to release your first song on SoundCloud? Did you tell anyone beforehand?

SORRY: I only told a few friends when I first started posting on SoundCloud. At first, I didn’t really want anyone I knew to find my profile because I didn’t want to put limitations on what I could write about. I received a lot of positive feedback on my first song which was really incredible for not having an established name yet and also for how bad it was lol. I think people were excited to have a new female artist in the underground!

Your music meshes angst and honesty together, how did you choose the type of music you want to make?

SORRY: With all of my musical projects in the past, I always found myself writing about darker subjects because it would make me feel better to write out my thoughts. I was once told by a member in one my previous bands that I couldn’t keep writing sad music all the time because they “didn’t want to be known for that” so I decided to start my own solo project on SoundCloud where I’d hoped that my honesty might be more accepted.

Your music references the pains and anxiety of growing up, you even dedicated an entire EP to growing up. What does losing your innocence and growing mean to you?

SORRY: Honestly, this is a topic that I still struggle with. It’s really hard to accept that I’ll never get to be a carefree kid again. I’m constantly in a battle with myself trying to find the balance between my inner child and my adult self. I’d hoped that by writing about such an apparent topic in my life right now that I’d eventually come to embrace it. I think I’m getting there!

How did your family react to you beginning a music career?

SORRY: Most of my family is actually extremely supportive. They believe in me and want me to follow my dreams. They trust that I’ll make the right choices for myself more than I do sometimes lol. 

How has your experience been in the underground, as a female artist?

SORRY: There are positives and negatives that come with it. It gives me an edge that allows me to stand out which I am grateful for, but it also seems like it’s harder to make friends in such a male-dominated genre. There’s less opportunity in the sense that a lot of established people in the scene forget that there are awesome female artists here too!

How do you loosen up to become so emotionally open when recording?

SORRY: My best writing comes when I am starting to feel really emotional about something. Naturally I begin to record because it makes me feel better to work through my feelings and turn them into art. Once I’ve finished a song, it’s therapeutic in the way that it feels like I can move on. I can only hope that when others listen to my music it’ll so the same for them.

Will there be a project from you before the end of the year?

SORRY: I’m always working on something! I haven’t made any announcements yet, but I’m currently working on my second music video and EP. That stays between us and everyone reading this though (;

Click here to listen to Sorry X on SoundCloud.

Lost by Sorry X

Lost is an explosive performance by Sorry X, continuing her reputation of letting go of all of her emotions when recording. Her vocals are polished, relaxing even with the booming bass through the mid-tempo beat. This single is the perfect selection for a nice car ride this fall. Though its topic may be a soft spot for Sorry X, Lost is sure to bring comfort from its already thousands of listeners.

Click here to listen to Lost on Soundcloud.

Broken by XanMan

It happened.

It finally happened.

Sunday morning, Xanman took to Twitter and announced that his long-awaited album Broken would be released to all streaming services “Tonight”. His Twitter followers were suddenly in a frenzy, myself included. I thought, “If this really drops, the months-long wait is finally over. Sure enough, Broken, the album consisting of fifteen tracks was published. And it took off.

Only twelve hours after Broken’s release, it has entered into iTunes Top 50 Albums chart. Surpassing artists such as Lizzo, Tyler, The Creator, and Megan Thee Stallion. It's in the works to possibly dethrone stars Lil Nas X and Trippie Redd. The suspense he's built up the last few months has surely paid off. The project is pieced together perfectly. From the beginning, Xanman bounces between an R&B style and his hardened trap flow with the songs Broken, Pt. 1 and Not. The pattern continues almost seamlessly.

Xanman shows off a skill that he's been practicing and perfecting for most of the year. Stepping into a melodic, blues-style sound isn't new to him. He's remixed a handful of R&B classics, his cover of Alicia Keys’ No One is one of his most popular renditions. A trend that may have started as a joke proved to be a strength for Xanman, and a favorite for his fans. The young rapper has managed to make a form of Emotional Trap like no other.

Click here to listen to Broken anywhere.

A QUICK CONVERSATION WITH ANT FLOW

Ant Flow is an up-and-coming artist with a talent that’s long in the making. His music captures that calming energy a lot of us are looking for when escaping life’s stresses. He works hard for his craft, but his listeners may not know much about the mind behind the magic. I asked him a couple question about how his beginning in music came about.

What was your first experience with creating music

ANT: My first experience with creating music was when that Drake and Josh movie came out. And I kept watching it over and over. And I remember asking my dad could he teach me how to write a song. And he did lmao. We used the same melody as the song in the movie “make me happy”. Shit was like crazy to me. It’s like my mind was exposed to another realm of creativity. I was just hungry for more.

How has your hometown affected your sound?

ANT: I think it’s the mysteriousness of how lowkey it is. Like Waldorf, Maryland is out the way. Not a whole lot going on but it’s definitely a vibe where we all hungry for something to happen. Like when we throw a show with little to no effort of promo people come out bc it aint shit to do. So when it comes to my sound, I get that chill vibey shit from the emotions that come from all the late night car rides and them moments where it’s just nothing but thirst for that chance to do something memorable for yuh city.

Does musical talent run in your family?

ANT: Yea music is definitely something that runs in the family. Shit my Dad played trumpet in high school, played congos for a gogo band and used to sing. My mom used to be in a church chior. She used to do competitions against Mary J Bladge’s choir back in the day. My lil brothers all play instruments too. And it’s a lot more people in my family that do music too.

Who was your first supporter?

ANT: I would say my first supporter would be my homie Kamal. Like when i first started taking my craft seriously he was the first one pushing me to be better. Like he was there when I dropped my first song and the shit was only playing in the left ear lol. I mean don’t get me wrong I had a lot of people in my corner but this nigga was a fan too. he was passionate bout my shit. so big s/o to Mally Mal.

Do you see yourself venturing into different genres?

ANT: 5. Yea as I continue to grow I tap into different genres bc I’m so open and inspired by different sounds. Like it’s crazy how comfortable I can be listening to something outta my comfort zone and instantly get inspired. And I feel as tho no great musician or artist sticks to one genre they whole career that’s boring lol.

Click here to catch up on Ant Flow’s music and journey.

A QUICK CONVERSATION WITH DON GADY

Don Gady is an artist in every sense of the word. He’s passionate about his form of expression and isn’t afraid to stand alone. His music is his release and a time capsule of his life and its lessons. His genre is energy and it’s ever-changing, Don’s catalogue is sure to resonate with you at some point, keeping his listeners on their toes. I asked him a few questions to learn about where he gets his honest, dedicated demeanor and what manages to keep his interest, all while being a rising artist.

Where are you from?

GADY:  Ok so to answer your first question I was born in Baltimore, Maryland & when my parents had split, I was like two or three, my mom got my dad sent to prison & she took me to live in New Jersey along with this other dude she began seeing & eventually married & had my stepsister a couple years later, it wasn’t until April 2008 (when my mom had gotten a job offer from APS for an administration job) that we moved to Atlanta. (She was working as a teacher for all that time but looking to get promoted but never received it, basically felt cheated on that so she was looking to move). So yaa after I graduated high school at 17 I got kicked out & I ended up meeting my dad & that side of the family like it was the first time forreal forreal in Charleston. & after running the streets for awhile I ended up getting a job stocking shelves & realized that wasn’t for me neither & then I decided to go to SCSU this HBCU in the next town over. It was cool, it was really partying & bullshiting, until I couldn’t pass the mandatory math courses they set out for me to do my sophomore/junior year there & on top of that, I went to quite a few of the parties & when I refused to go to this one, one of the homies had gotten shot dead & it really messed with my head. So I ended up dropping out & moved back to Atlanta with my girlfriend in 2016.

Have you been into creating music since you were a child?

GADY: I wrote my first rap in 2007 when I was like 11 or 12. I was going thru a lot at the time & I didn’t feel like I was being heard. I recorded myself rapping for the first time in high school of 2011 while I was on probation for the first time. My first mixtape “Da Balance” came out in 2012. Mostly because I believed the conspiracies that the world might end & I wanted to leave something beautiful behind lol but it was rushed af & should have never dropped lmao if I knew what I know now I would’ve worked on it way more but I was just into Raw lyricism back then & that’s all that project was.

Your music is vibrant, from the bells, buzzes and other noises in your beats to your cover art looking a bit like an acid trip. What do you think inspires that?

GADY: What inspires that feel I’d have to say that my grandpa John, he exposed me to a lot of older music that was really dope such as Metallica & Jimi Hendrix to name a few to put it in perspective & I never heard anything like that, he had a library of music that he would choose from every night when he’d get home from work & start painting as we smoked weed in the garage or back room or outside or in the car lol - we actually grew our own weed for awhile too lol -I remember the first trip on shrooms with my grandpa John lmao we had took shrooms when my grandma was away for awhile one time (because she didn’t approve of what we did nor did anyone on my moms side really) & he played my favorite Jimi Hendrix album: Are You Experienced? & I slick began to actually see sounds & feel colors!! I believe that really moved me to change up the music I was making to take people on a trip away from the ordinary, I noticeably began to make more conceptual art afterwards definitely.

You’re great at collaborating with other artists online, have you ever had a collaboration go wrong? 

GADY: Yes, I’ve had collaborative projects go wrong before only because people who I was working with wanted the shine on them more then the actual result of the project, if that makes any sense..? Like I’m all about making music & making something dope & original, but a lot of people don’t see it the same, some just want the clout and/or the money that MAY come from the result of making music & don’t actually put in the work on their part to make something great, they just expect it. Feel they are entitled to it or something, when that isn’t & shouldn’t be the case at all, forreal.

What mainstream artists would you want to collaborate with?

GADY: I would love to collaborate with Kendrick Lamar, Kanye West, Travis Scott and/or Playboi Carti - I have always been a fan of Curren$y & Wiz Khalifa since I began smoking in 2009 I heard that How Fly & knew I wanted to be up with them bwoys in the studio one day! I really would’ve loved to collab with Mac Miller & X before they passed, rip to them legendary young men. I have just now really gotten into Rico Nasty which to me is like Kari Faux & X had a baby & that combination to me is so fucking dope I love her music & her as a person she slick is like my spirit animal hahahaaa so yaa I would definitely love to make like a whole collab album with her or two lmao.

What keeps you inspired?

GADY: What keeps me inspired is everything in life, I am just so grateful to be alive, everyday life inspires me to just go harder than the last. I’m just at that point in my life where it’s like, this is what I want & let’s make it happen, right now, let’s go goddamn. Fuck all that talking about it nighas wanna be doing in groupchats & forums & allat, I’m out here on my own working on it every fucking day. Learning more & more. Leveling up. I won’t rest until I do. That hustle is just within me. Music is my outlet for that drive that I always had. Because I got my outlet thru music I feel alive. Creating new soundscapes / Coming up with new looks & concepts / Performing at shows / Recording in the studio is all such a rush to me!!! I wouldn’t want it any other way! & I have all my supporters to thank for pushing me along the way. Thankyou so much, one love.

Click here to listen to Don Gady on SoundCloud.