SLU!¢£n $zn by Gady

As popular culture is shifting into a more retro era, so is Hip Hop. Gady has achieved an inspiring combination of Y2K style and rap music. His latest EP SLU!¢£n $zn possesses a vibrant and fast essence, within the music and Gady’s gracious delivery. The project is entirely produced by Kasai, a obviously perfect pairing for Gady’s music, known to be on the higher side of BPMs. It’s difficult to listen to without matching his energy along the way. This 10 minute, five-song EP is exactly what people are looking for. It’s completed with its uplifting energy and optimism. As the world is quickly beginning to reopen, safely, Gady’s music is a great way to encourage you to, as well.

Click here to listen to SLU!¢£n $zn on SoundCloud.

Letter To You by NOAHH

NOAHH remembers his late friend and fellow artist in this song and video for “Letter To You”. This comes off of his latest album Noahh’s ARK and acts as an introduction to the project. NOAHH often speaks about Cloudy Nueve and his promise to keep his name, and musical legacy, alive. Cloudy is also featured on the album. For the video, NOAHH shares clips of loving moments that the friends shared on stage as he walks the haze of not having him here today. He speaks from his heart, making “Letter To You” a powerful song for anyone who’s lost, someone.

Click here to watch the “Letter To You” video

Mach II by Keko

Keko can’t be of this world. His latest EP Mach II feels as if he has traveled in and out of this galaxy searching for the perfect sound. The first song of the EP “Pull Up” has that futuristic, yet minimal sound. It’s the best balance of upbeat but methodical. Production isn’t just slapped together on this project. Keko stacks styles to keep in his arsenal throughout the EP. There isn’t just one style of Hip Hop that Keko ventures in, his music can appeal to the masses.

The EP features the single “Bon”, a melodic and relatable track about Keko’s step up as a young man and artist. His sound is constantly growing. Keko has never been shy about putting out something different. This experimenting helped bring this project into existence. The final song on the EP “Smooth Words” is a bold and refreshing Pop sound that most Hip Hop artists wouldn’t touch, but it seems like anything Keko touches turns to gold.

Click here to listen to Mach II on SoundCloud.

BIGBABYGUCCI’s Assume The Worst

BIGBABYGUCCI had fans on their toes as his sixth studio project neared its official release. Assume The Worst is coming with only a few weeks' notice since the Atlanta rapper has now fortified on the West Coast. This move to California could only add variety and vibrance to his music. This project was recorded in Hollywood, mixed and mastered entirely by Better Temperatures’ engineer and producer, Joe Dirt. Producer Fish is also returning alongside longtime creative partner BIGBABYGUCCI. 

BIGBABYGUCCI could write the playbook on how to keep fans engaged and interested. His social media is filled with teasers and updates. And release dates are never too far apart. In fact, on the eve of Assume The Worst release, he released the single “Unhealthy”, accompanied by a music video directed by Keaton Jones. The ominous and eye-catching video is an excellent appetizer as fans anticipated the main course.

BIGBABYGUCCI keeps everything open and on the table, but manages to keep all the big surprises behind closed doors. Whether it’s a new single to hold fans over until his next project or using his platform to create his label, there’s always something for fans to enjoy. His ventures into physical CD sales and merchandise as an independent artist is a feat only few can do for themselves. BIGBABYGUCCI has triumphed since his separation from his label years ago. Now, he’s living any independent artists’ dreams.

Click here to listen to Assume The Worst.

A QUICK CONVERSATION WITH QEW LLC

Everyone wants to rocket to the top, but it’s the continuous practice that makes you the greatest. QEW LLC is a rapper from Atlantic City who embodies determination. With one project and quite a few singles on his discography, he’s focused on always elevating his talent. His Let’s Feast album features a more boom-bap style of hip hop while his newer music takes on an all new sound. I had the opportunity to talk to him and better understand his love for the craft and how he’s so open to change.

What’s the story behind your name and the start of you creating music?

QEW: QEW is my initials. I want to be recognized as a musical business and thats where the LLC comes from. I’ve been creating music since the late 90s. I was a young child recording myself on a karaoke machine using cassette tapes. I was born into music honestly.

You’ve evolved since your Let’s Feast EP, what’s the biggest change you’ve noticed in yourself?

QEW: Nothing really changed. It is more about timing. Let’s Feast is more of a time stamp and introduction for the people to reference. I am just turning up my content as time goes on.

A lot of your music has galactic and extraterrestrial influences, how did your love for space start?

QEW: Books. I just read, read, read.

What authors or books particularly inspire you?

QEW: I get my inspiration from Occult, Esoteric, and Spiritual books.

Have you ever battled with sticking to your old school, lyrical style and making music that fits mass appeal?

QEW: No. I just fuse the two. I found a way to balance it out.

Your music never fails to elevate the energy in a room. What is it about high tempo tracks that captures your interest?

QEW: It allows me to push more lyrics out in a shorter time.

Are you open to making slower, more melodic music?

QEW: I have made and I am currently making slower more melodic music. I am really calculated with my music so I’m just waiting for the right time to release them.

You have a few collaborations under your belt now, do you have any plans for more in the near future? Anything new with someone we’ve heard before?

QEW: Yes! I want to work with everyone as long as it makes sense to my brand and musically. Not that I know of but I am open and available.

What can listeners expect to here next from you? Any projects for summertime?

QEW: I am about to shift into a more club, house party, vibe out type of zone for the summertime. I will be releasing them in single form. Stay Tuned!!

Click here to listen to QEW LLC anywhere.

Qwick Quake Yr 2100 by QEW LLC

Music has the unique ability to change your mood instantly, “Qwick Quake Yr 2100” is fun and experimental example of just that. For this single QEW LLC spares no moment,he  explodes onto the mic- and that energy never dissipates. Produced by bbazul, the track uses heavy drums and electric guitar to elevate the beat, futuristic tones throughout the song give it a mystical element. QEW LLC raps about a higher, intergalactic energy, giving listeners a bit of his knowledge and a total shift in mood. Much like his lyrical ability, he’s simply from another planet.

Click here to listen to “Qwick Quake Yr 2100” anywhere.

this is the last time by pulp

pulp has put their fantastic spin on The National’s  “this is the last time”. pulp gives the song more longing and a feeling of grief, bringing down the tempo. They speak not-so fondly of, but mesmerized by, “Jenny”. pulp generates a sorrowful tone with slow, dark piano chords. The National’s thoughtful, woeful lyrics are paired with their dreary tone. “I wish everybody knew what’s so great about you. But your love is such a swamp. You don’t think before you jump.” “this is the last time” is similar to a mantra, or a promise to yourself. pulp shows off their creative directing skills and pays homage to the band with this cover of a classic.

Click here to listen “this is the last time” on SoundCloud.

A QUICK CONVERSATION WITH JTVION

      

JTVION is a young, influential rapper from Sandusky, Ohio. His music melds together different musical influences, from metal to punk rock, into his unique Hip Hop style. Although JTVION is still on his sprint up the mountain, his music is close to any professional caliber. Recently, he’s been strolling through Twitter and collecting believers. His music and his message are so good, they’re hard to ignore. After seeing his work as an outsider, I wanted to know what’s behind his discography and enthusiasm. He’s one of those artists that make everything seem a bit too easy.


Where did your musical career begin, what materials were at your disposal and what kind of person were you?

JTVION: When I first started making music I had got really into pursuing it as a hobby after X passed away. It hurt losing an artist that helped me through so much so I wanted to step up to the plate and be somebody others could look up to. At the beginning I didn’t have any equipment except GarageBand on my iPhone, some Apple headphones and a scrap car that I recorded in. So because of only being able to record with low quality equipment I made loud aggressive screamo style music


Did you ever dabble in music before XXXTentacion’s passing? How did it change after he passed?

JTVION: Yeah I would rap in freestyle everyday when I would walk around when i was little up until I wanted to start taking it serious


How do you think you’ve evolved or improved since then?

JTVION: Since then I think I’ve improved drastically. To the point where if I showed you an old song you wouldn’t even believe it was me lmao


How has you faith helped you as a person and an artist?

JTVION: My faith in god carries my career and my ability to prevail. If it wasn’t for the strength god gave me I would’ve stopped pursuing music a long time ago! As a person I’ve completely changed my life around. My whole life used to revolve around drugs and getting High off pills, weed, coke basically whatever except the crazy stuff, if it wasn’t for god and music idk who or where I’d be


How do you approach song concepts and the message you convey now? Is it hard to stick to a style or overall image?

JTVION: I don’t really have a certain way I approach song concepts I just create what I’m feeling at the time. I think sticking to a style is easy once you’ve landed how you you want to sound I guess, I wouldn’t say I have a singular style but you could hear anyone of my songs and go “oh, that’s JTVION”


It’s hard being an independent artist. Who or what motivates you the most?

JTVION: Some things that motivate me the most are having an impact on those I come across. Allowing people to see my journey in music and my faith as an example that anything is possible through hard work and faith. I’m also motivated by how far I can go with my music and the life I can create for myself! I really just want to prove to myself that I can change my life. Oh and I want to prove people who thought little of me that I’m more than what they thought o ever could be.


If you could pick 2 of your own songs and 1-2 of your favorites to direct to people that went through a similar situation as you, what would they be?

JTVION: LoveUAlways and Midnight off my album Young Lost Soul. Bounce Back by 17dreams, Fire by Seji, Change the Climate by Lil Xavy and Runaway by 6VIB3Z.


Although COVID is still a factor, do you have plans for more immersive audience experiences?

JTVION: Yeah totally, I wanna do some sort of “virtual” concert this year and put on a show for my fans through a livestream of some sort! I think that’d be pretty cool


What are your plans for this year? Are more collaborations in the future?

JTVION: Some of my plans for this year are to drop another album/project toward the summer! Along with getting the Seji x JTVION tape out. I also wanna work with some more artists I’ve connected with here on twitter. Like Yung Gosse and Babyface, etc. there’s really so much I want to get done!

Click here to listen to JTVION anywhere!

Who Are You by JTVION

 

JTVION’s newest single “Who Are You” is an electric and melodic soon-to-be hit. His melancholy cadence and taunting lyrics give it an angsty vibe, along with stunning production by prodbybmw. His vocals are raw, even as he harmonizes with himself. It’s just over two minutes long, making it perfect to add to a playlist and keep the sound fresh. It has the honest energy that many young listeners are searching for, topped off with his catchy style. “Who Are You” has all the elements of taking off. Considering it was released less than a week ago, this is a track to lookout for.

Click here to listen to “Who Your Are” anywhere.

Age of the Beat Stars

Hip Hop has morphed dramatically since its origin in the 70s. Each generation adds its flavor and layer of creativity to the art. As we’ve fully stepped into the new decade, it has become increasingly obvious that producers have come for the crown. Rap has always been about the rhythm and poetry created by the DJs and emcees. But the years have brought a new audience, and a new sound. Melodic, drill, and trap rap are now international. Hip Hop is global and connecting personally with the lyrics isn’t necessary. Countries as vast as Russia, Korea, and Italy have adopted rap music. Where verbal communication falters, the rhythm does all the talking.

Now, simply what’s heard sonically is enough to connect one to a song. The impression of the bass, the emotion and tone of the vocals is key to evoke a response. Entire cultures are infused into Hip Hop, then shared even further through streaming and social media. At the core of these experiences are the producers and engineers. They’re able to create instrumentals so timeless and organic that it doesn’t take a certain listener to appreciate it. Producers search for fresh and enticing sounds to add texture and brand the beat into listeners’ brains. This all comes together in the studio as engineers take the best qualities of the beat and the artist’s vocals and create the hits of today. 

It’s hard to say you haven’t liked a song just from the beat, especially the drop. That energy is hard to ignore. Production in itself has always been a prominent skill in creating music. Now, thanks to social media, young listeners and artists can follow their favorite producers, learn from them, and listen to all of their songs. Producer collectives have launched their recording careers. In this era, the artists are the instruments. Internet Money, the multi-faceted music collective, has earned themselves over twenty weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. Stars can be discovered at any stage when it comes to production. A young and driven collective is more than capable of leaving their mark. The collective Neilaworld acquired credits on multiple platinum projects in 2020, including Pop Smoke’s Shoot For The Stars, Aim for the Moon. In this new decade, everyone gets their credit. Anyone can be a star.

Ill by avakten

Artist avakten has taken his discography to an all new height with his single “Ill”, co-produced by Ginseng and his producer alias- Simulacra. The fusion hyper pop and his airy vocals make the song a hit for any occasion. Lyrically, the song is revealing, but uplifting. “You were fake before we started...My past been painful, I’ve been beaten down”, avakten has gifted his heart and had it broken before him. He’s turned this heartbreak into sweet melodies and a remedy for those feeling just as sick. 

Click here to listen to “Ill” on SoundCloud 

The Fall Selection by Ty Sorrell

The Fall Selection is tranquil and revitalizing listening experience. Ty Sorrell begins the project with a classic approach to rap; a sample, some boom bap, a polished flow and something weighing on his chest. This style continues into the second track “Society” but features sporadic sounds of cash registers and a faster pace. Much like the race for riches. Ty teams up with Rob Gibsun and Prof. Ant for “House of Wax”.  The beat is more sinister and their flows are heavier, more serious. Their energy mimics old school villains, monologging about their evil plans. The project shifts in tone from here, “A Gateway” sounds much like the better path for the characters we met before. Ty speaks as a more enlightened self, schooling maybe the audience or his younger himself. The project comes to a close with “Autumn’s Work” featuring clwdwlkr.  They talk about setting a seed and leave you with a mesmerizing message to help it grow this fall.

Click here to listen to The Fall Selection anywhere.

YBN Cordaé’s Lost Boy Tour

YBN Cordaé’s music is reaching a larger audience than he’s ever dreamed, and this summer, so will he. The South Carolina native rapper is bringing his sound across North America. The tour begins in Montreal, Quebec on the 23rd of this month and is currently scheduled to end a month later in Anaheim, California. Cordaé has kept his new music under lock and key. So far, he and his camp haven’t experienced any leaks, but fans are getting antsy. On his most recent Instagram post, at the time of writing, a fan tried out his luck, pressing the young rapper to release the album. Although there is no official release date known to the public, Cordaé promises he won’t go on tour without dropping the album first. Considering his explosive rapping skills, I think his fans could use a few extra days to learn all the lyrics before tour kicks off.