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.

A QUICK CONVERSATION WITH WXLDBXI

WxldBxi isn't very flashy when it comes to everything outside of music. His online presence differs from “get-rich-quick” artists that constantly demand your attention with stunts and gimmicks. Instead, WxldBxi allows his audience to come to him. His Instagram has fewer than a dozen posts, but each is filled with love from fans. His music can excitable, melodic and expressive. He's illusive, but a fresh face in the same beat. This was a great opportunity to learn more about such a versatile and enigmatic artist.

How did you start creating your own music? Was there a key person that supported you?

WXLD: I started creating my own music through an android phone first. And I used an app called 'bandlab' On it. My uncle who passed away was a big fan of music and I lived with him along with grandma,mother,and 4 brothers. Little house but we made it work. But anyways, I was like 6-7 and I was always listening to him play the guitar. I loved how it sounded so I use to always sing to it. So as I got older I fell in love with music even more. Then I started creating music and my big brother Gino believed I had potential so he supports me through my journey.


What pushed you to make your music public?

WXLD: What pushed me to make my music public is the love I had for it. Growing up was tough but I never was the person to talk about my depression & feelings verbally. So growing up I was hearing & seeing people that was going through it also. So I made music for the ones that feel like they’re are alone. But I’m letting them know that they’re aren’t because I’m explaining some of my songs that I have those problems too. So that's why I’ve decided to make it public. I want everybody to hear my come up and pain.


Do you categorize your own music into a genre? Do you think genres still matter?

WXLD: Honestly I don’t Categorize my music in a specific genre. But if I did it’ll probably be 'Emo Rap'. But that’s funny because all of my music isn’t emo rap. I try to make music for everyone so you’ll see me making (pop,rock,hiphop,and r&b) So personally I don’t categorize my music. But yes I do think genres matter. Simply because our listeners want to know what type of style of music they’re listening to. And also, our listeners have some genres they don’t like. So yes i think genres are relevant today.


You have two tracks on SoundCloud, were you surprised by the great reception?

WXLD: Yeah honestly I was surprised by the great reception despite of me having only two songs as of right now. See for me, I’ve kindve started my whole music career over. So I’m in the process of gaining an loyal audience. Honestly I feel like this the hardest part of it all simply because people have to see what they like in you. And I don’t really know what people want yet. I just be myself and they’ll either love that or hate you for it.


Can you tell us anything about Teenage Nightmares?

WXLD: When i describe 'Teenage Nightmares' it’s pretty much what we go through as Teens. Like Depression,Anxiety,Mental Illness,pregnancy,drug addiction,etc being so young. And added on what we see & hear about around us. Like murder, politics,etc. But as a teen we thinking like 'this is supposed to be the best time in our life' simply because we might can get out the house more often, go to parties, doing lit things and have fun'. But nowadays it’s vice versa for a lot of people like myself. So it’s simply a nightmare I describe it as.


Are there plans for music videos in the near future?

WXLD: Of course they’re plans for visuals. I’m thinking to have my music videos like a movie though. Not extended so long but like the feeling and eagerness. I want people to see my visions on my song.


What does “wxldbxi” symbolize for you? What do you want it to mean for your fans?

WXLD: WXLDBXI is pronounced (Wild Boy) But 'WXLDBXI' looks cooler to me and stand out. The reason i got that name is because I did and do wild things like a 'Dare Devil'. I was influenced by Steve O growing up. I seen how he really lived his life and Tried to have fun. But there’s also another meaning of 'wild boy'...I been through a lot of wild scenes in life like I seen ppl get stabbed etc when I was younger. So I describe my whole life as 'Wild'. I want the Name Wxldbxi to mean to my fans ‘expect anything from me' like don’t be surprised if I do this or that.

Click here to listen to WxldBxi on SoundCloud.

NewDecadeNewSeason By Hefna380

Hefna380 is walking on stars. His newest single “NewDecadeNewSeason” produced by RichBoyDior is a rejuvenating party song with melodious timbre. The intro catches the ear then the chorus comes to lock you in. Hefna380 is cocky and cool on this track. One can assume from its title that this song is his mantra for 2020. He’s making his best moves from here on out.

Click here to listen “NewDecadeNewSeason” on SoundCloud.

Dope/Hoes By DroGotDoe

“Slow to the money.” That’s how rapper DroGotDoe sees all of his competition. “Dope/Hoes” is a dark, menacing track produced by KushhNewton, filled with wiry high hats and complemented by sounds from the wind section and soft guitar chords. DroGotDoe delivers in a cocky tone, keeping a mellow vibe throughout the track. It’s the perfect blend of trap and chill.

Click here to listen to “Dope/Hoes” on SoundCloud.

BIGBABYGUCCI Gives Us Hints For A Girl Is A Gun

Monday night, streaming superstar BIGBABYGUCCI took to his Twitter in order to give his fans a little teaser for his upcoming album. He disclosed that he would be sending out tweets with new lyrics throughout the night. The rapper stayed true to his word and post a handful of tweets only a few hours later.

Fans can speculate what the true themes of this project will be now. The “Droptop Lexus” artist has a great way of vocalizing himself without saying much. At this time, we don’t know the gravity of these lines, but they could be a part of your next favorite BIGBABYGUCCI track.

A Girl Is A Gun debuts Thursday, January 16th.

A Call For Love Towards Lil Skies

Over the few weeks of 2019, fans have noticed a shift in the mood and presence of rapper Lil Skies on social media. His posts became shorter, less about music and “outfits of the day”. These lighthearted posts were instead replaced with melancholy thoughts or declarations. “At the end... time to go” and “I love my son 5ever” with his signature butterfly emoji are the Pennsylvania artist’s most recent and alarming messages to his supporters.

The new year has brought forth new promises to look after our entertainers. Cole Bennett, videographer, CEO of the ever-fresh hip hop outlet Lyrical Lemonade, and frequent collaborator with his fellow creator informed the public on social media Sunday evening and asked everyone to “love and appreciate Skies more”. Although it may not be clear what he's going through, it's evident that he requires love and support at this time. If 2020 can be the year known for anything, it should be know for we as consumers learning how to create a boundary between an artist and their humanity.

Foot On The Gas by 909Memphis & Tommy Ice

909Memphis and Tommy Ice tag-team verses on their brand new, hypnotic hit “Foot On The Gas”. Produced by Moses Got Water, the beat is sultry and rhythmic, stepping into rhythm and blues. Both of the artists’ cadences compliment their beat selection effortlessly. This has the potential to be in your daily playlist within only a few plays. With such a great entry at the top of the year, we’re expecting to hear much more from these young talents throughout 2020!

Click here to listen to “Foot On The Gas” on SoundCloud.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.