Rise Like The Sun is a new single from London-based singer/songwriter, Dar.Ra. One of the most prolific artists of 2020, Dar.Ra is back with yet another epic entry before ringing in the new year. The rock track has a bit of a Latin flavor to it,blending horns, guitars and various misc instruments to create an exotic sound. As usual, Dar.Ra’s vocal performance is lush with enthusiasm and charisma. He belts out the lyrics with such passionate intensity that you know he means every word.

The song serves as both a personal aspiration in inspirational anthem, as the life-sustaining power of the sun represents an ideal for those who seek to overcome their darkest struggles and thrive in a spectacular fashion. Ascend from the ashes into something bigger, bolder and brighter in 2021. Of course, Dar.Ra subtly weaves in religious and spiritual references, which enhance the song’s mystique and move things beyond the realm of the strictly material. He’s not talking about finally getting an expensive, shiny new car or something, but rather, conquering his personal demons and rising up as a human being.

Musically, the song is complex and orchestrated to perfection. It’s really a major label caliber release, both in terms of production quality and instrumental precision. Dar.Ra has the most difficult task in that his singing must live up to such incredible backing music. Somehow, he manages to rise to the occasion and deliver a stellar performance, which is kind of amazing. He could have chosen to play it safe by including just a few sparse vocal phrases, and let the music carry the song. That would have been a betrayal of the song’s theme though. I’m glad he took the more courageous artistic route. It ultimately makes the song that much more powerful and real.

For more info:

https://facebook.com/Dar.Ra7
https://youtube.com/kushadeep7
https://twitter.com/kushadeepmusic

2020 is a new single from hip hop artists, Santa Sallet and Nemizzo. Featuring a retro-futuristic, video game-like beat, this collaborative effort captures the wild spirit of what has been a truly epic year. The chorus is super catchy, and any hip hop song that incorporates UFOs into the lyrics can’t possibly go wrong.

Nemizzo’s lively and action packed delivery juxtaposes synergistically with Santa Sallet’s usual cool and businesslike deliberation. Musically, the melodic synths electrify the senses, and the mix is chaotically good. 2020 is lush with hot party vibes from start to finish. This jam is being released just in time to be a dance floor sensation at the New Year’s Eve ball.

For more info:

https://www.santasallet.com/
https://www.instagram.com/nemizzo/

Hard Times is a new single from hip hop artist, Geo Sandino. He was born in Atlanta but apparently raised in Knoxville, TN. His delivery style on this track is confident, competent and charismatic. He really does have a “take charge” flow that drives the action. Geo Sandino also maintains exquisite timing at an impressive pace. He doesn’t miss even a fraction of a beat or ever seem to need to come up for air.

The song blends in melodic and soulful music, giving the track a sentimental backdrop that elevates the emotional power level. While Geo Sandino’s rhyming skills are enough to stand on their own, what makes the song interesting is that it’s put together artistically and with genuine style. The man has good taste, and you can tell he really does put his heart into his music. There’s a coherent aesthetic vision here, and it works.

For more info:

https://instagram.com/geosandino

https://soundcloud.com/geo-ready

https://youtube.com/channel/UCt55drTjxhLlZz60ClYlcIw

Falling From the Top of a Building is a new single from Homicide Doll, an artist based in Oxnard, California. Featuring a relatively minimalist sound which blends elements of acoustic, spoken word, and hip hop, the track is thick with emotional depth, sensitivity and brutal honesty. It deals with very personal issues like suicidal thoughts, love, yearning and mental anguish in a way that’s genuine and will resonate with people who have every experienced these feelings. The song really conveys an accurate depiction of the struggle of living through various setbacks and depressive situations, especially in the way we really do just have to “fake” like we’re okay sometimes and just go through the motions.

Musically, the mellow acoustic backing is pleasantly melodic. Despite the heavy subject matter, Homicide Doll’s voice is quite enjoyable to listen to. His naturally deep tone seems ideally suited for this style of confessional delivery. I also recommend checking out his other recent track, Feed on the Innocent, which has a similar vibe but is more hip hop oriented and contains a comparatively rugged, higher intensity beat.

For more info:

https://music.apple.com/us/album/falling-from-the-top-of-the-building-single/1538040790

https://music.apple.com/us/album/feed-on-the-innocent-single/1536695724

Steady is a new single from San Diego-based artist, Ric. This collaborative effort also features the talents of another artist with a 3-letter moniker, “Los.” The backing music is surreal and downright theatrical, much more advanced musically than what one expects with indie hip hop jams. It also features a crisp beat, that really gives the sound a robust and healthy crunch. The delivery style is engaging and against the musical backdrop. It does indeed “pack a punch,” but there are also some chill and laid back moments. The two artists have different voices, which makes for great synergy and enhances the conversational dynamic of the lyrical exchanges.

The title is actually appropriate, as the pacing is methodical and deliberate. There’s plenty of balance and discipline in the song’s progression Steady works as a club or party track, yet it has a reflective and meditative quality as well. It’s very hypnotic. I expect we’ll be hearing more from these artists in the future. Definitely some potential here.

For more info:

Georgia on My Mind is a “Spanglish” cover version of the classic Ray Charles song. Performed by LA band, Las Cafeteras, it’s intended to be an anthem for the upcoming Georgia runoffs and promote voter participation. Having already amassed 70,000 views on youtube, the video for this jam is pretty impressive. It features some excellent photography and a vintage Ford Mustang convertible (which is in pristine condition).

The song is a creative and interpretation, putting a truly original spin on a familiar track. In a performance that’s joyous and lush with enthusiasm, somehow these guys seem to make the genre-blended sound work. The music is very professional, and the vocals measure up to the legacy of the song. The overall vibe is upbeat and positive, as the artists are hoping to “get voters dancing all the way to the polls in Georgia.”

For more info:

Mississippi Runner is a new single from Mississippi-born hip hop artist, Boss Lady T. The backing beat is slick and jazzy, featuring a catchy piano melody that reminds me a bit of the classic Dragnet theme song. Boss Lady T’s delivery style is quick-witted, and she holds nothing back in her performance. She blends charisma, attitude and genuine rapping skills. The lyrics are rough and real. This is a lively jam that’s packed with thrills. Musically, it’s pretty hot, and Boss Lady T’s strong personality gives the song its commanding vibe. She recently won the Queen of The South Showcase in Picayune, Mississippi, and based on this recent track, I would expect more victories for this artist in the future.

For more info:

https://www.instagram.com/boss_ladyt_/

https://open.spotify.com/artist/1Qf5CHpl1gcPWdzSaew9lv?si=upOUcgQ3TDKPiMDr58Rung

https://m.facebook.com/bossladyt2021/

Watch the Crown Vol. II is a new EP from hip hop artist, Ace Drucci. This album is crisp and professional, It features impressive lyrical choreography and a fresh, punchy mix. Ace Drucci’s deep voice and commanding presence resonates throughout. He has a quick-witted, no-nonsense and snappy style that always keeps the action moving. The songs contain appearances from numerous guest artists, including lamme, Blue Da_artist, and London Blu. Their presence spices things up with some variety and adds a conversational dynamic into the mix.

It’s worth noting that Ace Drucci also makes effective use of various vocal effects, creating crafty echoes that themselves become components of the beat. The songs all have surreal and attention grabbing, synth driven intros that set the stage for when Ace Drucci lowers the boom with his entry. Ultimately, Watch the Crown Vol. II is a compact and straightforward hip hop release, packed with solid jams.

For more info:

https://www.instagram.com/acedrucci

The Dance Song is a new single from Chicago-based artist, FLOJOBENZ. Blending elements of hip hop, R&B and EDM, the track is upbeat and energizing. The pace ranges from invigoratingly peppy to chill and reflective. FLOJOBENZ’s delivery is impressive in its rhythmic complexity. Demonstrating meticulous levels of precision, he definitely has some skills in the timing department. I can’t stress enough just how cohesive everything is.

As the title obviously implies, this is a dance song. The beat is classy and casually mellow but still fresh enough to put a spring in your step. The mix is smooth and dynamic, rather than overbearing. This is a great example of how “less can be more” when it comes to pop music. Brimming with a subtle sensuality, The Dance Song is an atmospheric and stylish jam, with a surprisingly mature and elaborate songwriting structure. Keep your eyes peeled for FLOJOBENZ’s upcoming project, METAMORPHOSIS, which is slated to be completed sometime in the near future.

For more info:

http://www.instagram.com/flojobenz

https://soundcloud.com/flojobenz

Stewie is a new single from Southwest Michigan-based hip hop artists, JKurd and 2140. Organic and real, this is what indie hip hop is supposed to be all about. Reflective rapping about everyday struggles like paying rent and the daily grind of life, the vibe hits close to home. Against a jazzy and melodic piano-driven beat, the vocal delivery is natural and magnetic, with voices that seem intrinsically wired for spoken-word and stream of consciousness style hip hop.

The ambiance is mellow yet engaging, with the intensity amping up about halfway through the song as things kick into high gear. Overall, the sound has a classic feel, embodying all the characteristics of the low-key, artful hip hop you remember and love. JKurd and 2140 put the focus on strong fundamentals rather than flashy hype, resulting in a song that’s both impressive and accessible. I’d also recommend checking out some of JKurd’s visual artwork on Instagram, which is aesthetically distinctive and thought provoking.

For more info:

https://soundcloud.com/jkurd
https://soundcloud.com/2140music
https://www.instagram.com/jkurd08/