“If you think the West Coast is all sunshine and palm trees you just might be ‘Out Of Bounds.’
In a throwback to the Old School days when the West Coast Rap scene was wild, Pawz One drops a track that is defiant, and if not outright angry, at least outright hostile in the way it challenges perceptions and those trying to front over things they have no clue about. ”
“GB Savant has done what I though was nigh on impossible at this point ... given me a Covid inspired song that held my interest.
Dark and twisty and moody, ‘Coronavirus Soup for the Soul’ rises above the glut of the theme not only with a talented bit of writing, and a brooding build to the vocal flow, but also with strong imagery in the accompanying video. The entire piece comes with a vibe that matches the oddly structured make up of our days during this pandemic.”
“Malcolm Eppz drops a nice vocal flow over a beat that manages to both get out of the way, and give the track a bit of gritty edge. The writing is sharp and such that it takes a few listens to truly digest everything that is being put down. There is a bit of a throwback to the sound, but the overall vibe feels contemporary and fresh.”
“This track brings that raw passion that makes the flow pop and come alive. Solo XL delivers a strong tone to back his flow and that is brought home all the more with the contrast of the chorus delivered in soulful fashion by K I T.
The vibe has a dark grit to it, and the lyrics flow well carrying the listener forward along with the beat. There is a strong hint of Old School here, but still a contemporary sound as well, and the mix blends quite well.”
“CHAII is a New Zealander of Persian heritage and that bit of personal history fuses with an energetic Hip-Hop style to bring ‘Lightswitch’ alive in a way perhaps no other artist could. The talent and energy of her flow and performance bring this track to life.
This track is part of a visual trilogy that was inspired by Iran’s Islamic Revolution of 1979, which resulted in countless creative talents, including musicians, actors and artists, relocating to California after their work was banned in their homeland. California remains the biggest Persian music community outside of Iran over forty years later and that community inspired and sparked CHAII’s efforts on this project.”
“This project is far more than a song or even a short film, though it is certainly both of those things. The vocal flow is earnest and emotional and the video well done, but is is the honest truth of the complete storytelling that truly makes this project engaging and immersive.
Take the nearly 9 minutes it takes to watch and listen, and let the impact of the emotions hit you between the eyes. ”
“That melody comes at you soft and golden, just like the ‘Magic Hour’ of light around dusk, when you feel like everything is perfect and the coming night is going to be legit.
Flow’etic captures that times with a solid groove and vocal flow that matches that time of the day to perfection. This track is a mood, a ride, a groove that you need to take. ”
“In world where Tik-Tok is on the rise and everyone is getting their own money Joe P, The MC new single ‘PayPal’ is a perfect song to play. When someone wants your service they need to hit your ‘Paypal’. Nothing in life is free and paypal has been proven to be better for handling business than other service. The beat is illmatic and the song is a vibe.”
“Remember Right Said Fred and the ‘I’m Too Sexy’ bluster? Well BBXO has just given us the very antithesis of that long ago single.
’Sabotage’ does rely on an infectious rhythm and delivery, but the truth behind the lyrics hits with a blunt force, and while you can move and sing along to this single, you also get a smack upside the head from it for behaviors we all tend to do.”
“Thrills come out with it in such a straight forward fashion here on this single, that it is impossible to look away. Call it verve or boldness or flat out confidence, but the strength of the writing is all the more powerful for the unflinching delivery.
This is a set of lyrics that demands you listen over and over again to pick up all of the thoughts and nuance behind them. ”
“E-Los drops this soulful blend of Hip-Hop and R&B. that just grabs hold of you. The groove is smooth and steady, and the emotion shines through in the performance making the well-written lyrics fell alive. The pace is slow, but that works here because it give you time to feel every word being laid down. ”
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
“Imagination! As an idea people might call imagination a flight of fancy best utilized by little kids. But as a principle, imagination is at the heart of everything from innovation to who we are as people.
’Believe In Me’ is a track that is as nuanced and deliberate as you imagine it to be. And the masked duo comprising The Image fall in the same category. The video here is spectacular and I encourage you to listen and watch and decide for yourself what your imagination is telling you to believe in. ”
“I love music that brings a different prospective or angle, and Marques Martin does exactly that here in this track.
Pursuing a life as a creative artist of any kind comes with naysayers and doubters, and ‘Dance Songs’ address that in a smart emotional way rather than the usual angry defiance so prevalent when dealing with so-called haters.
Truth is most don’t hate you for expressing yourself, they simply dismiss the chance you might be good or have a genuine shot to actually carve out your place in the business.
The smooth easy flow of this track is real and intelligent and true to the mindset. ”
“This track just hits different. With a swagger and a bit of fold school vibe laid over the top of a subtle funk that pulls you along.
Much like every album Shiva has released, K.A.L.A. delivers a story. This particular song, ‘Views,’ is the beginning stages of the story where the main characters observes the lack of soul within the world around him. His veil is lifted and he can see people for who they are and he just goes with it. Coasting among the injustice as a part of his process.”
“The beat backing this track is deceptively funky and really drives this flow without overpowering it. Rapta also infuses a bit of funk into this flow in select spots which really drives that hook home and adds an energy that breathes life into the otherwise smooth steady delivery.
’Invitation’ is a single that builds and pulls at you until you have no choice to wrap it all the way around your body and move.”
“The life of an artist is a struggle that the general world doesn’t fully understand or appreciate. The passion of pursuing your dreams and passion, while trying to make a living comes with some tough decision about dreams for practical logic and this flow captures the spirit of that struggle.
A good energy makes the track also fun and entertaining with a lively beat to carry you along. This track was written pre-Covid but the life of musician and other performing artists has only gotten tougher, so please take the passion behind this track and remember to treat the people that provide the soundtracks of our lives right.”
“The ‘INTERNET’ is that proverbial double edge sword offering good and bad. Connecting the world and making it a smaller place but distracting us from the face to face social interactions that make humanity ... well human.
This track bangs with Lauren Sanderson delivering snappy and edgy vocals over a winding beat and production that feels energetic and alive. ”
“This track offers up a take on current events by splicing in sound clips with a smooth groove and a Hip-hop flow that feels genuine emotionally.
DJ Zenas stays with a mellow chill vibe for what is certainly rambunctious and tumultuous times and this juxtaposition makes for an interesting listen and allows for reflection and thought.”
“Powerful! Both in the immediacy of the video, and in the vocal flow that comes straight at you.
Lyrically, the track is strong truth delivered with passion and verve. An old school beat backs the vocal flow and I especially like that retro 70’s flair added into the musical layer. The words and lyrics and overall vibe is contemporary, but the layers add a depth to the history of the systemic racism, generations in the building. The writing and performance is an intelligent thought provoking response and counter statement.”
“This is the very song we all need right now. As a stand alone single, ‘Someday’ would be a fun uplifting listen from a talented artist, but Da$Htone did not stop there. In a video that incorporates all of his community of greater Chicago, Da$Htone enlists the help of everyday folks and that took the spirit of this track to new heights.
The takeaway is a feel-good vibe and an engaging fun track that simply strikes the perfect tone right about now.”