“HoodRich Pablo Juan’s ‘Hottest In The Hood Series’ features Maison’s new single ‘More’ Maison gives us what I would call a poetic rap. He goes hard lyrically but in a smooth way. No matter what is going on from pill popping or being out hustling everyone still wants more than what they are getting.”
Featured on the hottest in the hood mixtape series @maisononly
“When the musical sounds of the 70s meet 90s music you get the duo Yes Please’s new single ‘Turn It Round’. The song is filled with smooth energy and lyrical directness. They inform the girl that there are no playing games when it comes to her heart. ”
“Sweet, smooth Soul. Musically, vocally, and lyrically this track simply is salve for a chapped and scraped world.
I believe in this message, and I believe in the talent unfurling it here. Grab the one you love and slow dance, or hug your neighbor (Metaphorically since maintaining social distance is key right now) and sing along. ‘As Far As We Know’ offers the best of humanity in sound and message. ”
“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.”
“I dug the fusion of sounds within this track. The progression and build flawlessly shifted at just the right time to keep the track from growing stale or predictable. The Latin mix and Jazz blend kept a good energy and transported me across the ocean to the cobbled streets of Europe where I could feel the cool condensation of a glass in my mind.”
“Jokaa Deleon drops a bit of the Dirty South sound on you with ‘99 & 2000s Flow.’
There is a hint of that New Orleans bounce to the beat, and the flow comes gritty and hard. Step away from Bourbon Street and capture a bit of the New Orleans beyond the tourists scene with these hard-hitting words of truth. ”
“The build, both musically and vocally, is almost cinematic here, though the track remains its Rock/Pop vibe thanks to a magnificent performance from Sarah Kinsley.
’I Can Feel It’ has the kind of emotion that sweeps you up and carries you along. A big piano ballad that Elton John and Freddy mercury would be proud of. KInsley puts her stamp on the emotion of making it in the music world.”
“LU KALA is coming with some fire on this track, so when she tells you — you don’t want ‘No Smoke,’ you better believe it. Because the attitude she brings, is as persuasive as the talent.
This single has energy and passion and delivers punch lyrically while also coming with an undeniable groove musically. It’s not easy to draw an apt comparison, because the vocal chops feel unique 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.”
“Oh hell yeah! They say a thing that just keeps coming back around is like a dirty penny, well here The Dirty Pennies bring back that hard edged infectious rock sound that is timeless so maybe that is how the band got its name.
’Love Ain’t Free’ is a gritty jam that wraps around you an refuses to let you walk away. There is a decided White Stripes vibe to this track.”
“Every summer needs that pure pop sound to deliver a bit of bubblegum sweetness and energy to the warm sunny days. Em Rose has a true contender with ‘Lame Boys,’ a girl in the throes of infatuation. The track has an early Taylor Swift feel with a bit more Electro Pop flair on the back end. ”
“RUNN delivers honest and vulnerable lyrics in this track about admitting your own weaknesses and sensitivities. The vocal performance is tender and open, which invites the listener in, almost like a first date kind of situation.
’Handle With Care’ is a warning, but not an aggressive one that this i what you will get if you choose to be part of my world. ”
“Stringz EMB celebrates the powerful, the bold, the demure, the expanse of women in this uplifting and infectious track. With an engaging soulful voice that carries a unique timbre and a fun groove this track is positivity at its best.
StringZ EMB doesn’t hold back from hyping up all the women in his music video, “Beautiful Girl,” and beyond. All women are exquisite no matter their age, race, or body type. The clip highlights all of that majesty in a natural form; the background is a solid color while the focus is on a lucky lady in the middle. They’re smiling and dancing; some are even holding posters with positive self-descriptions, but most importantly, they’re themselves. No frills, no flaws, all beauty.”
“Bringing a vintage sound to her vocals, Eddy Lee Ryder breathes new life into the fem-dom of Rock and Roll with a sound that hints at Stevie Nicks and Joan Jett. But the influence of Springsteen and Petty is lurking there as well, making this a pure return to the glory days of the big bold emotional rock ballad. ”
“This mid tempo Track from Very Very brings a stream-of-conscious type of emotion with a vocal flow that is alluring and bare in its honesty. The beat backing the track is a subtle and simple addition that really adds depth while also pushing the track forward enough that it does not feel too languid. ”
“Sometimes what you need is that Retro soul sound coupled with a bit of good time Funk. You can call it a throwback if you want, but this kind of soul is pretty much timeless as is the euphoric and infectious energy such a track instills. I dare you not to fall in this groove and sing along as you move to that beat. ”
“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.”
“Like any kind of high we find in this world, be they artificial, chemical, or purely natural ... like falling in love, what goes up must eventually come down.
’Clean Slate’ explores the emotions of that arc. The euphoria of getting swept up and feeling like the world is sunshine and rainbows and the realization that once that bliss wears off a bit you are still much the same, but that is not to say you can’t acknowledge and do your best to erase the things you want to let go of in order to embrace the possibilities ahead.”
“How about a little Latin infused Reggae to get you up and moving?
SM Familia offers this multilingual track that also feature Reggae icon Ranking Joe. The beat and groove are infectious enough that if like me, you do not speak Spanish, you can still feel the passion and energy within the beat and performance.”
“Silk Tonic delivers this emotive ode to the stunning power of love. The vibe is one of nostalgia, sunshine, and acute emotions that strike without warning. ‘Summertime’ takes you for that ride though the track feels entirely contemporary and in that combination comes a timeless sound that is gripping and easy to lose yourself into.”