The wait is over for Grand National Ink after the diverse group from Chicago rolled out “Big Wheels” Video. The video was released by UGTV on Comcast and the group’s website GrandNationalInk.com. The irresistible and catchy hook coupled by the melodic flow is bound to engage the listener. Grand National Ink, consisting of Hec Nation & FM, capitalizes on the strengths of its artists’ diversity to produce profound bangers. The appealing sonics and strong-armed lyricism showcased in this video is satisfying for listeners who appreciate enriched variety. This banger is digestible and precise, thus retaining the listener’s attention, as it offers crafted rhymes that are extremely rewind-worthy.
The group is set to perform at the Midwest Fest & SCM Awards in Memphis in May, be sure to check them out. This track is a fun ride, giving you a dose of that relatable rap.
Blanch music’s curating secret weapon has unveiled the awaited mixtapes “Infamous 1 & 2”. The projects are filled with rhyme scheme intricacies as Blanch unveils his talent as a quick-witted wordsmith and unmistakable sharp writer. The end product feels humble, natural and unforced, making both albums a successful effort that transcends beyond its string roots. Blanch appears to be bringing the diversity that’s rare in the hip hop scene, he’s not your everyday boom bap artist or the upbeat type but he’s somewhere in between.
The infamous 1 proves that Blanch can flip words as he delivers rhymes with a cadence that’s engaging. He’s good at giving you a recap of the good and bad with a sinister vibe. Some of the songs in the albums did not reach the 3 minute mark but the production is above average. This guy is as authentic as they come and although he spits some G shit, his versatility is sure to get his deeply loved or gruesomely despised by the public.
Taiyamo Denku Ft Conway The Machine - Be Who You Are @TaiyamoDenku @dcypha
Cypha Den Music and Griselda Records team together for the wake up record, "Be Who You Are", produced by Dcypha
In an industry designed on a smoke and mirrors approach, Taiyamo Denku and Conway The Machine fan out the air pollution and smash the looking glass with this riveting single from Denku's forthcoming album, "No Industry Standard". Dcypha constructs the instrumental with blues guitars, subtle organs and horn snippets. Denku and Conway hit the track with revealing lyrics that simply state, no matter what, "Be Who You Are". Complete with a clever audio clip from Barney Fife of "The Andy Griffith Show", the record is an ideal wake up call for listeners to stop being untrue to themselves. Listen to the song below.
Prince Newman may be the best kept secret coming of the Bay Area. After years of grinding without being noticed, Newman seems to have finally caught a hit with “Do It For Free” featuring E-40. Recently landing a record deal with TSE, the discovery of Newman can be credited to the legendary Tony Draper, founder of Suave House Records. Draper has a unique ear for talent and the skinny white dude out of San Francisco is a perfect fit for the music executives eclectic approach to the industry. As if being noticed by a legend like Tony Draper isn’t a big enough stamp of approval, Newman also gets the biggest cosign that a Bay Area emcee could ask for, an E-40 verse.
“Do It For Free” is the perfect single for these two emcee’s to collaborate on. This instrumental has a signature Bay Area bounce that is a great compliment to both rappers flow and energy. Newman delivers a catchy hook and his ability as a rapper is on full display with each 16-bar verse. The single is also backed by a quality visual directed by the award-winning Gabriel Heart who perfectly captures fun essence of this record by comedically placing Newman and E-40 in a room with a bunch of baddies doing yoga. Check out the video for yourself below and make sure you stay on the look out for more to come from Prince Newman.
This track grabbed my soul and made me want to roam the NYC streets during those wee hours. It starts with a breakbeat that sounds titanic, although it’s straightforward at close range. Polo Paul’s latest track “A Boogie” is the sort of track you’d play to an alien in 2115 if you were tasked with explaining a young man’s street hustle attempts in Harlem; as they cope with 1980s drug scene building an illegal empire only to have a crisis of conscience. The primary strength in the beat lies in the tightly coiled groove and heavy bass tone.
The content is very deep as it is inspired by Ace Boogie from the hit film, “Paid in Full”. There’s no doubt that this artist has advanced lyrical skills portrayed by his infectious flow and unparalleled rhyming. Polo Paul must be potent in his lyrical prowess in his attempts to address the temptations and rigors of the ghetto in a quest for a meaningful life. The heavy hitters in the game will have to seriously reflect on the condition of the minority in NY, as portrayed by Polo in this track. Listen to “A Boogie” on Soundcloud and follow. www.polopaulmusic.com
South Georgia based emcee, $in$eer releases the Loi Insane assisted “Stages”. They are able to create an creative soundscape that transcends genres with rich and soulful music! “Stages” is a story that is based around two people pursuing a relationship and the things that come with a building strong relationship. Produced by Will GATL, the track fuses R&B, Soul and Hip-Hop, for a unique rap/singing collaboration.
The 23 year old Army man, currently serving in Afghanistan, $in$eer is not a newbie to songwriting as he has been crafting music since the age 11. His mission as an artist is to keep the diversity in the culture. Other notable songs from $in$eer include “Velvet”, “Diary”, and Reflections. Check out “Stages” featuring Loi Insane and follow $in$eer's growing movement today.
In a game full of fabrications and flexing, Columbus made and Duuuvaaal (Jacksonville, FL) paid artist, Kush Kapone cant help but to talk it how he lives it. His new mixtape, “Truth Be Told” hosted by DJ Kryptonite gives insight on exactly what his life is about.
The tape opens with the heartfelt "Trenches and Ditches" which details his introduction into the streets. Kash displays his lyrical skills and various flows on "Type of Time Freestyle" before he takes you to the trap. Maintaining his slick lyrical style, Kapone spits more street wisdom on trapped out head bangers from "Out the Gate" to "Dope Man." "LV Bagg" is a straight slapper that proves Kash Kapone can make any club go up and still be himself.
Truth Be Told closes with the vivid outro "Back in the Day" where Kapone confesses "I kept it too real with the fake, Now I know they gone hate." As long as Kapone is dropping fire like this, the haters won't stand stand a chance.
Tut Moses is back at it with some new-age trap, and his latest hit single - Justified- is the epitome of such Hip Hop. Tut jumps out on the Bias produced beat with an intense, staccato cadence that is impressive to both naysayers and fans. His high-register delivery over Bias' canvas, reminds me of the minimalist production style we’ve seen with Drake’s resident engineer. The chorus has enough buoyancy to inspire a dab session with the crew and also the perfect amount of smoothness to garner heavy rotation on a Cali joy ride.
The artist has shown some rapid progress with his soul-grabbing ability to infuse the traditional lyrical flair on the vibrant track. It is very easy to resonate with this artist as he touches on everyday stuff that we can all relate to, while yet remaining sharp on the mic. Tut has done an amazing job as he searches for ways to engage emotions with his vocal tone on the beats. Tut’s music is compelling as he easily positions himself at the forefront of the next wave.
Charlotte, North Carolina emcee Banknote Mitch has been floating around the industry since around 2009 and it is clear that he has found his voice and established his sound. #WhoHot is an introspective journey into the mind of a 32-year-old hip-hop veteran and a man who has experienced the ups and downs in his personal life. From overcoming obstacles of doing time for attempted murder to signing a record deal with G-Unit's Bang'em Smurf. The trials and tribulations of Banknote Mitch are on full display with #WhoHot a project that doesn't simply glorify his gang-related narrative, but tells both sides of the story to provide an honest perspective on his experience. Mitch isn't sugar coating anything here and his scathing approach to the microphone is very in-your-face and elaborate, a style that is a testament to his confidence and self-awareness. Check out #WhoHot below exclusively on datpiff.com.
A-town looks like we have another one! Fresh out of the hot bed of Atlanta, GA comes a new trippy sound from an eccentric artist, Frylock Jacques. Frylock bring us his new 5-track banger, Outerspace EP. This ATLien's project is consistent with a spacey, hard hitting production to match his out of orbit melodic style.
Frylock makes reference to space often on the project, which he says is a metaphor for marijuana. Jacques says marijuana medication and staring at the stars played an intricate part in his creative process. The entire project was actually recording by a makeshift studio that he setup in his Saturn car, that allowed him to roll around, smoke, and record!
With the unique energy and sound that he carries, it wouldn't surprise us to hear Frylock making hits with the likes of Migos, Lil Uzi Vert, or Travis Scott any day now. He recently shared his story via audio bio with USA Blog Network. Listen to the EP and interview today!
Houston, Texas experienced a hip-hop renaissance in the early 2000's and they brought their local culture to the hip-hop forefront. Chopped and screwed records, sippin' lean, and keeping it trill became common themes amongst rappers from all over the country. Although music has been inspired by the Houston sound from rappers from other regions, nothing beats the authentic Houston emcee that is really from the culture. Real Smokesta is exactly that, cut from the same cloth as the pioneers that popularized the sound (Even collaborating with Paul Wall on "Here For Everything") Real Smokesta is bringing it back to the essence with "What Cha Doin" feating Deadend Redd and Guilla. Although this track has clear Houston traditionalist elements, it also has a modernized bop that is built to exist in 2018. Look for "What Cha Doin" to take over the clubs and look for Real Smokesta to put that real Houston sound back to the forefront.
Filthy Frank aka Charlie Fortune is a California-based emcee with a lot to prove. His latest work “I AINT TELLIN” is an introspective trip into the street life. "I AINT TELLIN” is backed by a cinematic visual directed by Filthy Frank himself as he gives us a detailed look into his day-to-day life and also a little peak at his gun collection. Filthy Frank is a triple-threat; videographer, rapper, and entrepreneur being that he is CEO of Thirdanglegroupllc. Look out for Flithy Frank to continue to be a driving force in the West-Coast rap scene and make sure you pick up his upcoming album Da Truth when it drops.
When a song connects with your soul, it becomes yours. It has the power to change your life, or even save it. It’s that powerful connection that Ignatius is making with the underprivileged youth of Pomona, California. As a kid, Ignatius was the second youngest of ten family members living under one roof and at one point a two bedroom apartment. Originally, it was him and his two older brothers in the Los Angeles area then they moved to San Diego where his mother and father took in his cousins from Uganda who’s parents had both died from aids. Ignatius had a very close bond with his father, a father that was extremely violent and Ignatius would often watch as he would beat up his older elementary school brother with very fatal blows as if he was a grown man, any time he got frustrated. Fast forward and his father left the family leaving a struggling single mother with ten children working all the jobs she could get, surviving off of welfare, food-stamps and a mountain sized faith, this forced Ignatius to do a lot of growing up himself.
As a young adult, he bounced around the LA area. He’d spent time sleeping on his brother’s couch in Compton when he got a minimum wage job offer in Pomona with youth. He started commuting to work from Compton to Pomona which meant 9 hours on a bus every day just to make ends meet. It was a very trying time in his life, a time where he was virtually homeless and often found himself crying aloud on the Compton streets of Long Beach Blvd and Greenleaf in late hours of the night. He would spend more time walking the streets and on the bus then at his actual destinations. Finally, he found an attic for rent in Pomona, where he moved to be closer to work. The job in Pomona and Pomona in itself was meant to be a pit stop but it became more..much more. Eventually, he and his wife saved enough money to get their own place. As soon as he physically could, Ignatius began helping others.
He and his wife opened Set Apart P-Town, a local youth group based in inner-city Pomona three years ago. After growing up the way that he did, it became Ignatius’ duty to help any kids going through similar hardships. Set Apart P-Town serves as a safe haven for those kids and has grown into a legitimate family. His new single, “All The Things” is his letter to the youth, spilling his heart onto the canvas for them to understand that they are not alone. With an eclectic list of influences ranging from classics like Boyz II Men, to modern hip hop, and even movie scores, Ignatius’ original sound articulates his deep message with incredible accessibility. The official video for “All The Things” serves as the perfect visual aid for the inspirational, well produced track. Not only is the footage straight out of Pomona’s inner city, but the Set Apart P-Town children are featured, tugging on the heart strings of any viewer and righteously hammering his timely message home. Just like Ignatius, these kids are impossible not to root for!
There’s no telling where life can take you. Born in Nigeria and raised in the French Province, Republic of Benin in West Africa, international pop visionary TYSU has been on a path of artistic enlightenment from a young age. At the age of 14, he began performing with his school, reciting tunes in both English and French. By the time he finished high school, he was firmly entrenched in the world of the performing arts and ready to take his career to the next level.
TYSU crossed the Atlantic and landed himself in New Jersey for 14 years. After taking advantage of every opportunity here on the east coast, he took the last evolutionary step to unlocking his true potential: moving to the City of Angels. For the last three years, TYSU has been applying all the hard-knock lessons he’s learned and turning them into undeniable, career-defining hits.
Inspired by the vast geographical landscape of the west coast, “Valley Girl” is a dance-hall smash that honors TYSU’s global influences. Featuring fusion rhythms often found in South America and even a lyric in Spanish, “Valley Girl” has the unassailable power to bring the world to its feet. In conjunction with “Valley Girl”, TYSU’s vociferous lust for creation has produced another banger on the other side of the musical spectrum, “1, 2, 3 Time.” This second single details a retrospective look at the beauty of a blossoming relationship. Unlike the contemporary nature of “Valley Girl”, “1, 2, 3 Time” takes influence from the early 20th century. The range of sounds found in just these two tracks certainly speaks volumes for his versatility, but no matter what style he’s working in, TYSU will always keep the dance-floor moving.
Not only did moving to Los Angeles inspire and enlighten the creative juices within TYSU, it also connected him with other talented artists looking to collaborate. One of those artists is film expert Nima Javadi. Javadi shot both music videos, which are visually as diverse as the songs themselves. While the bright hues of “Valley Girl” showcase dancing in the sun-kissed desert blanketed by a baby blue sky, “1, 2, 3 Time” is a black and white classic, reminiscent of New York City in the roaring 20s.
TYSU is a passionate and tenacious artist, bringing you two stunning, must see music videos.
Gran Larson is all about his squad on his new single "Winnin" which debuted via his Soundcloud on March 9th. Coming out of Dallas, Texas Larson is looking to put his city on the map. Up to this point Dallas has been an under-represented region of the country for hip-hop and has yet to have found its sound or identity, but Larson could be the catalyst. With a modernized bounce to go along with a strong delivery and tight cadence, Larson seems to have his approach to the microphone down to a science. It should be no surprise that Larson has been releasing music since 2012 when you hear "Winnin" it is easy to identify that he has a trained ear for beats and knows what fits in the pocket of his flow. Larson lists Biggie, Scarface, and Outkast as his influences and the combination makes complete sense when listening to him rap. Check out "Winnin" below and look out for more from Gran Larson coming soon
Out of this world, Cali R&B artist, Tee Cheri Babie releases her new 15-track album "Rhythmatic Melodies". Witness an amazing collection of jams, grooves, club anthems, and soothing ballads. Tee Cheri proves herself as a once in a lifetime recording artist who finds her strength in conquering multiple genres; hiphop, R&B, pop, and new age hiphop.
Description: Stop and Listen to the soothing rhythm of this new hip hop chick Tee Cheri Babie aka Tee Babie. This talented queen has been rocking the mic with her killer lyrics, r&b tones and hard hitting beats!!!. Check out her newly released Album "Rhythmatic Melodies", featuring hit singles "About That Time" and "Dope".
