Let It Go by Makai Keyes ft. Moses B

Makai Keyes’ music video for “Let It Go” doesn’t cut corners. Instead, it completely removes them and gives you a closeup and blunt perspective of Makai’s thoughts and views. It’s minimalistic, to say the least. Whether those views are being held upside down from outside of a window by two masked (white) thugs or sitting on a bench atop of a grassy valley. Visually, “Let It Go” is as warm and inviting as Makai’s vocal performance. His rapping is well-paced and versed with soft vocals from Moses B that slide the track from catchy to award-worthy. The two have managed to capture the essence of moving on, the frustration- and freedom.

Click here to watch “Let It Go” on YouTube.

Apply That Pressure EP by G.Soulow

Over the last few years, R&B has been pushed out of the musical spotlight by trap and drill music. North Alabama artist G. Soulow has made it his mission to rejuvenate R&B’s presence in pop music, and marry it with trap elements. His EP Apply That Pressure has a healthy and organic mix of rhythmic vocals and trap lyrics and instrumentals. “Gotta get a bag. Can’t go nowhere. Gotta stay focused. My music my biggest effect.” z

This project doesn’t have a single song that isn’t worth playing all of the way through. As a young artist, his talent lies in his vision and storytelling. G. Soulow is capable of depicting exactly how he feels or the message he wants to convey through his writing and musical arrangement. “Bestfriend” has a classic rhythm and blues tone while still creating that new school energy with its hook. G. Soulow has certainly spent ample time perfecting this project to not only be a solid and enjoyable body of work, but to also make it a valuable artifact in his discography. Apply That Pressure will remain timeless because of his attention to detail and believing that it’s quality not quantity.

Click here to listen to Apply That Pressure on SoundCloud.

A QUICK CONVERSATION WITH LIL SAD BOI

Lil Sad Boi lets his emotions flow, and puts all of that energy into his music. He takes situations and circumstances that leave many numb and allows them to channel into his art. His latest single “Naruto” mellows the storm of anxiety that many across globe feel each day. His goals seem set and his focus on simply creating music for those similar to himself have already carried him far. In this interview, I sought to understand what brings him the confidence to be emotional, vulnerable and honest while still maintaining balance and privacy.

Has music always been your passion?

SAD: No, basketball was my passion for the longest time from like 5/6th grade even thru high school. But everything changed my sophomore year when my cousins asked me if I wanted to make a song. I was like what you mean and they had a little studio setup in their room. We made a freestyle and after that day I wanted to keep making music. It was like my calling. So my cousin was friends with an artists named teammate markus from my hometown and I met him. I recorded my first tape at his house a couple months after making that freestyle.

As you’ve grown up, how have you and your style changed?

SAD: I’ve changed a lot. When I was first making music I was just rapping. I was listening too a lot of g Eazy at the time and I wanted to be just like him. Then as my music taste started to branch out, my style changed. I was always a big drake fan and I noticed how he’s like the best and why is that. Well he doesn’t just rap he sings too. Once I could see that that’s when my style changed. 


Is there a story behind “Lil Sad Boi” and why you chose it?

SAD: Well my first name was cole train and my cousins gave that too me. Then when I was starting to get more serious I changed it to 9 9wl (nine owl). I just wanted to be different and my name was inspired by 6 dogs. The music I was making wasn’t really fitting my name and I started to get inspired by peep a lot. And i want to make a big impact just like him. I was also very sad at the time and I was thinking of changing my name to lil anyways so I was like why not just change it to lil sad boi. 


How important is it, to you, to have support from your hometown?

SAD: It’s very important. It’s where I’m from. It means a lot. They’ve known and seen my grown since day one.


What do you want people to take away from your music?

SAD: What I want people to take away is that there not alone. I want to help them thru my music. Depression and anxiety or whatever problems you are dealing with, I want my music to help them thru those rough times. Although my music can be sad and dark sometimes I still want to spread good energy and love to my fans and the Haters. 

Can you share any details about your upcoming projects?

SAD: Right now I’m working on something. I’m making a lot of music with my bro gvrci. We’ve got a lot of music together so we might drop a collab tape. But I’m Working on a project tbh I’m just creating and creating tons of songs at the moment. 


What sub-genre of hip hop do you believe will be the next big thing and why?

SAD: Emo rap. It kind of already is the next big thing but what peep did was so impactful. Then juice came along and had a huge impactful as well. And I think the next big artist to do the same will be iann dior. I feel like I’m apart of the emo rap genre and it’s just so impactful to the people who listen. I love making music for myself because it’s my passion but I love making it for others.

Click here to listen to Lil Sad Boi on SoundCloud.