Deep in Life is a new single from artist Dj Ray. The song is featured on her self titled EP and available on all major streaming platforms. With this track, Dj Ray demonstrates a rather unique and unconventional style that combines elements of a variety of different musical genres. Ultimately it falls under the umbrella of hip hop, but the avant garde intro had me guessing. At times the music almost seems like it will go in an alternative, EDM or adult contemporary pop direction. The backing is piano/synth driven while the vocals have a metallic, futuristic quality. True to the title, the dreamlike ambiance give provides a cinematic ambiance. Dj Ray makes good use of vocal layering for effect and the overall mix is solid and cretive. Really a respectable entry. I recommend you check out the rest of the jams on this EP.
LIFE$TYLE ( No x Hook ) is a new single from hip hop artist, JBAN$VGE, hailing from the south east area of LA (562). Production is credited to Trillmatic. This pimp tight jam demonstrates a firm grasp of fundamentals in delivery and hip hop songwriting. JBAN$VGE doesn’t come off as flashy or tryhard. He sticks to the content and keeps the focus on the music. His laid back, stream of consciousness style of delivery flows nicely, while the lyrics are surprisingly motivational. He raps about struggle and perseverance but keeps the drama to a minimum. It’s all about pushing ahead. The beat is mellow and hypnotic, but not without a pulse. This is a decent and straightforward hip hop tune. It’s a promising entry for a young hip hop artist working his way into the game.
Be on the lookout for his new project with the lead single Exposing Da Fake.
Halasana Girl is a new single from Darshae Kiér. The style is pop-reggaeton, which is essentially a blend of contemporary pop music and reggae. I have to say, it’s rather smooth and pleasant to listen to as the Caribbean vibes are paired with crisp and flavorful pop synths. This jam is just overflowing with style and charm. The beat is bright and fun but has a firm kick to it. The production quality is top notch and really helps to distinguish the genre. These aren’t your grandpa’s old reggae records. Darshae is a charismatic performer and seems to genuinely be enjoying himself and living the life. I suspect we’ll be seeing more releases from this artist in the near future.
Under Control is a new EP from Kamryn Marie, a Maryland-based pop artist (originally hailing from Washington DC). These tracks feature some spacy, retro synth beats, combining 80s dance vibes with contemporary vocal aesthetics. This is what 21st century pop is supposed to be like. The songs are peppy and bright, with Kamryn Marie’s quirky and beautiful vocals serving as an emotional pick-me-up. Fun is blended with sentimentality and a touch of sensual romance. Somebody With a Broken Heart is catchy to the max and a real gem of a song. A good way to describe it is if you put some sweet lyrics to VHS aerobics workout music. Kamryn has a pretty voice, but I’m also impressed with her creativity in songwriting. She’s crafted a memorable little niche here as an artist.
We Are Who We Are is a new single from ITSTALENTNIGHT, a music duo based in Los Angeles. As the title suggests, the track is an anthem for self-expression. It combines elements of hip hop and EDM and quite honestly features one of the coolest futuristic beats I’ve ever heard (which is synth driven and has that slick, polished LA sound). This track is very clean, professional and minimalist. Everything about this jam is high octane, from the clear, charismatic delivery to the electric energy in the music itself. We Are Who We Are is a club-ready crowd pleaser. It’s exciting to listen to and will capture the listener’s respect immediately.
Child of the Night and Wasted Promises are two new singles from Netherlands based hip hop artist, III-SCAR (which I believe is pronouced like “triple scar”). His style falls into the realm of “alternative” hip hop and has a bit of a darker, avant garde flair to it. With Child of the Night you get the idea right away. It’s creepy but in a good way, like horror movie rap music basically. The backing synths pull you in and are especially memorable. His lyrical delivery is tight and hypnotically monotonous, giving the track an extra haunted vibe. The skills are definitely there, as I found myself nodding my head along with the beat and timing once I started getting into it. Wasted Promises is a little brighter and more upbeat, with the delivery taking on a more dynamic and melodic character. The song displays a surprisingly sentimental side while still retaining the artist’s shadowy imprint. Both of these jams are worthy of a listen, so go ahead and give them a whirl.
Dreams is a new single from India and Vancouver based singer, Avkash Mann. It’s a clear and high quality pop song, featuring light guitars, synths and a fresh, irregular beat. Avkash’s vocals ultimately drive the song, and he sings capably and passionately. Dreams is a sentimental and contemplative track but retains enough of a firm pulse to be danceworthy. The backing music is mellow and poppy, with a slightly minimalist feel to it. Production-wise, this is a very professional song, and everything in the mix is well placed. I was kind of surprised by the quality, given that I was unfamiliar with the artist beforehand. Avkash splits his time between Vancouver and India, and one can tell that he draws musical and cultural influence from both places.
Successful(Prod by: The Cratez) is a new single from hip hop artist FadetheBlackk. There’s a lot more to this musically than one expects from a typical indie hip hop song. As opposed to merely shouting or talking, FadetheBlackk actually makes an effort to sing his rhymes and does a pretty fine job at it, making this track feel like a smooth and melodic ride. The backbeat has a colorful dreamlike quality which complements FadetheBlackk’s lyrical sincerity and idealism nicely. Successful is ultimately a motivational track imploring people to overcome personal setbacks and continue to strive for their goals. The message emphasizes the value of love. Production on this track is very robust. The beat was well selected. It’s memorable and provides an excellent framework here. The overall mix has a very full sound and doesn’t lose any of the musicality to processing. I recommend you check out some of FadetheBlackk’s other jams as well. He’s on the right track
Based in Houston, Texas, MIKEY is a prolific indie hip hop artist with a plethora of releases and an assortment of obscure jams. His tracks often feature a low-key mellow vibe and organic sound. At times it’s almost like if you mixed acoustic rock with hip hop. Even the more traditional sounding hip hop songs utilize artistically distinct vocal effects. Mike Will*I*Am’s soft spoken delivery dives deep into emotion and sentimentality. This guy has certainly carved out a unique and impressive niche. His presentation may be less flashy and egocentric than most hip hop artists, but when it comes to the actual music, MIKEY does deliver. What he lacks in press releases and self promotion, he makes up for in talent. These songs are really quite good and have cross genre appeal. One could just as easily imagine this music being played in cozy little coffee houses as they could at backyard kickbacks with the crew. There’s a lot of potential here and some real passion fueling these tunes.
23 year old London based hip hop artist “Prime Sinister” has released a number of singles as a prelude to his new album, Patient Zero. For those not familiar with Prime Sinister, he’s crafted his own unique rhyme style that he refers to as “syllabism,” which involves lyrical intraconnection and symmetry. You only need to listen briefly to his songs to recognize the geometric-like design and framework of the words. Clearly there’s a lot more thought that goes into these jams than the average rapper. This isn’t just spoken word, stream of consciousness style rhyme games or freestyle.
In one of his newly released tracks, Midnight, Prime demonstrates tight and meticulous delivery against a hypnotic, metropolitan oriented, synth backbeat. His crisp enunciation blends effortlessly with the backing music, giving the song a razor sharp edge, tempered only by the tracks’s deep, late-nite ambiance. Production on this jam is credited to Harvey Gunn, who manages to do a superb job bringing out the ambient elements in the mix.
Prime Time is actually my favorite single of the three I listened to. It features a warm, analog record “crackle” sound and a eerily intense, piano driven beat. It’s almost like horror movie music in an old castle scene. I highly recommend the animated video that accompanies this song. There’s a retro quality to it that brings to mind animated vignettes and promos from 1980s era HBO and Nickelodeon. The aesthetic definitely activates the nostalgia, albeit in a dark way. Prime Sinister’s vocals on here are in top form and are presented with crystal clarity courtesy of producer “Muckaniks.”
Out For Me is another high quality release and more on the avant garde side. With retro 70’s synths and a psychedelic beat, this track could serve as an excellent meditation device. Just sit back, enjoy the kaleidoscopic show and delve into your deepest dreams. Once again, the production is professional (credited to Baileys Brown). I’d say it’s basically major label quality production but with more substance and artistic value than what major labels actually put out these days. Prime Sinister is clearly a serious artist and one of the few rappers who actually lives up to the hype surrounding his releases.
