Presenting 10 fresh gems of the recent hip-hop/ conscious hip-hop, rap, cloud hop, contemporary R&B, trap crop. In other words, today’s “underground” urban culture.
handpicked by: Christos Doukakis
Ellie Byers – ‘Role Play’
British artist Ellie Byers’ ‘Role Play’ is a silky contemporary r&b treat, with a silky, vulnerable vocal performance, touching melodies and stylish noir production, and in her words this treasure is “about pretending to be what you think your partner needs and wants, in an effort to keep a sinking relationship afloat. Even if that means sacrificing who you really are”…
Primitive– ‘Summer Down Under’ (Feat. Claire Ertansel)
‘Summer Down Under’ is the best taster and 1st single off Aussie rapper Primitive’s highly anticipated debut album ‘Return to Emerald City’ (out June 2022) and features the alluring vocals of Claire Ertansel. Ready for a lo-fi party anthem? Press play!
Synik – ‘Too Fly’
‘Too Fly’ is the lead single off Zimbabwean emcee/rapper Synik’s new album, ‘A Travel Guide For The Broken’, a powerful, alternative hip-hop treasure with soulful rapping, and above all an anthem of self empowerment & self worth! And yes, it’s a super catchy one too!
Juvenal Maze– ‘Make Sense’
East London-based producer, singer-songwriter Juvenal Maze recently released his 2nd single, a hallucinatory, hip-hop, trap & soul hybrid with confident rapping and stylish production and vibes.
Dust Raps the Blues – ‘I’m Alive’ (feat. Mac Lethal)
Portland, Oregon rapper/producer Dust Raps the Blues’ ‘I’m Alive’ is a pure underground hip-hop banger with a dusty sample, some stunning scratching work and also featuring Midwest’s favorite underground rapper, Mac Lethal… Praise the underground!
Ty Robinson– ‘Sneaky Link’ (feat. Foxx)
New York singer/Songwriter/Model Ty Robinson’s collaborative track with Foxx, is a playful, sexy, contemporary r&b gem, with beautiful double vocals and according to Robinson “the perfect song to play in the bedroom to set the mood”. Indeed!
JUWEEL– ‘Je m’appelle Karma’
German/French, Berlin-based rapper & singer JUWEEL’s ‘Je m’appelle Karma’ ideally combines dark trap, and pop with her excellent rapping, and lyrics about “a fight between two people and setting boundaries after that”. The b&w video directed & produced by Andreas Walny is stylish and more than an ideal companion for this edgy single! On our radar for her next moves!
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Cam Be – ‘Cookin”
Blaxploitation flicks, 70s funk, old-school hip-hop are the main ingredients of the Chicago-based filmmaker and musician Cam Be’s ‘Cookin” (assisted by Peter Jericho), a shameless celebration of plant-based eating, whichfeatures multi-disciplinary artist Starlotta “Star” Milan
Custodian– ‘Rise’
Dedicated to his late father and features issues surrounding today’s society, North London based Custodian’s latest single ‘Rise’ is an absolute grime winner with some of the most authoritative rhymes we’ve experienced in 2022 so far! Rise….and shine!
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Carasel– ‘Flashback’
Bristol Emcee Carasel’s debut single from his sophomore album ‘Dreams Of Paradise’, is an explosive old-school hip-hop number genuinely produced by long time friend and collaborator Crissy Criss… Bomb!