After wowing us all a while back with their Woah Vada release, “Ghosts In The Machine [Remix]”, Texas’s The Band of the Hawk have returned with another stellar contribution. Gearing up for the unleash of their April 20th album, “Kangol”, the Southern collective offer “Flux Capacitor”: three minutes of abstract, boom-bap bars. The Band’s Noah Archangel and Yeaux Majesty trade a slew of idiosyncratic rhymes over a sampled beat produced by Noah himself. Their flawless handling of the microphone gives “Flux Capacitor” a very East Coast, Golden Era sensation; bolting both artists outside the realm of conventional, Southern Hip-Hop. With such a sparkling, soul-stirring instrumental and broth of eccentric, narrative lyrics, one can not help but feel the influence of MF DOOM, and other ancient, underground legends. Only, The Band of the Hawk prove with “Flux Capacitor” that they have the ability to take their art beyond their predecessors. They are creative; unafraid to challenge the modern sphere of The Lonestar sound, and pave a lane uniquely their own. This fearlessness makes The Band of the Hawk a token we should be vying to protect; and “Kangol” a masterpiece we must anticipate. 


“Flux Capacitor” 



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“I got the glow!” Despite the vibrant subject of Tef Kaluminoti’s March offering, it may be the most diabolical single of the Spring. His four-and-a-half minute “The Glow” is aggressive and abysmal; pumping with the unstoppable energy of North Carolina. As the first single to his upcoming EP, “AMEN”, this record makes a jaw-dropping declaration. It maneuvers jolting 808s, a rushing melody, and earth-shattering drums and world-splitting rhymes, all to warn that this Rocky Mount rapper should not be ignored. The only thing subtle about “The Glow” is the eerie buzz of an electric guitar that’ll tantalize your headphones about each verse. Otherwise, this track is insanely audacious; with Tef Kaluminoti, and his Juicy J-esque flow and persona, bringing it dangerously full-circle. Keep your ears open for “AMEN” when it drops. If “The Glow” is any indication, we are in for a sinister surprise.



“The Glow” on Youtube




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Vibrant, piano strikes are the first things to shine through the mix of “Circle Too Small”. That is before the audacious flows of Heatray and Fargo introduce something even brighter to the track: their duo, 2 LIT. Amid the bounce of 808s, and syncopation of trap drums, this Washington, DC-Atlanta, Georgia team give stellar, sprightly performances; resulting in one of the most radio-ready records of the month. Everything about “Circle Too Small” perfectly coincides. The deathly lyricism of 2 LIT blends smoothly with the devious production of Trackdealer, whilst both elements uniquely match a ghostly, jet-black cover art. “My circle too small, gang members only / I walk around with the M and M’s on me!” Styles of the DMV and ATL both bite viciously through this hardbody single. Its subjects and atmosphere are teeming with the darkness of DC; while its rhythm, delivery and flow are something no true ATLien can ignore. Through fusing those two styles, 2 LIT has cultivated an invincible sound. One that will rocket them, and “Circle Too Small” straight to the club-rocking top.





“Circle Too Small” 
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For many, crafting an eighteen track project is a grueling challenge. One that demands more energy, time, and creativity than a lot of our world’s artists can muster. California’s own, $mash, tha Homie, however, manages to make such look like a walk in the park. His latest album, “Sink or Swim: Chapter I” is nearly twenty tracks strong, equipped with an eclectic take on West Coast Hip-Hop. By all accounts, $mash is a triple threat. He is a lyricist, producer, and clothing-line (FAOL) owner all in one; and that wide palette of creativity is flawlessly reflected through “Sink or Swim: Chapter I”. The beats on this album are awkward and unconventional; yet complimented by a poise, flow and rhymes that rival some of our greats. Through its organic bounce, basslines, and percussion-driven grooves, “Sink or Swim: Chapter I” is true to California’s craft. However, $mash, tha Homie is an extraordinary artist who completely redefines the sound; making the album, as well as its creator, the culture’s breath of fresh air.


“Sink or Swim: Chapter I”
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“I know my name is on the map!” After dropping such a climatic single, Owen Mc Grory could not be more correct. His heavy, danceable track “Army” is capable of making insane waves across the United Kingdom, and European continent. That is because this nearly three minute single blends two of the most indomitable genres known to the world: Hip-Hop and EDM. Its instrumental is a grand adventure of dance music, pushing a four-to-the-floor rhythm whilst whipping a club-grooving bassline. Mc Grory’s performance, however, is all bars. He accelerates through verses that harken towards his determination and shining ambition to thrive with his music. “Army” is a flavorful embodiment of the Irish artist’s potential. Not only does it highlight the emcee as a promising powerhouse in his home country, but it likewise opens him up to being an impactful, international star.

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Obviously, the anticipation for K3’s latest project, “LoveTape” has been at an all time high. That much can be gathered from the mixtape’s opener, “#LoveTapeOTW”, wherein a plethora of locals and fans of the Cleveland rapper alike share praises of his talent and yearning to hear his upcoming work. Once the opus gets rolling, we know exactly why. Both lyrically and productively “LoveTape” is astronomical. For fifteen tracks, spanning approximately fifty minutes, K3 gives a sensual, yet Hip-Hop take on Midwest love. With an instrumental style that blends R&B with fragments of Trap and old-school Hip-Hop, plus a flow that flirts along the border between conversation and rap, this Ohio artist cranks out a list of bangers that both Drake and Bryson Tiller would have to admire. “Midnight Thoughts”, “In Too Deep”, “Ashanti”, “Let Me Know” (feat. TYuS) and “LoveTape” (feat. Ye Ali) are just a few examples of that astonishment. Truly, K3 has crafted a perpetual mood with “LoveTape”; and that type of artistry is precisely what separates the rookies from the greats. As far as this LP goes, greatness is definitely within this man’s reach.


“LoveTape” on Soundcloud 




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Philly Blocks is as slick as can be on his fresh, Kentucky anthem, “Days Of Our Lives”. Packed with an accompanying music video, which features the rapper fancying a typical, Louisville night, this new-age trap smash is beyond impressive. The Bluegrass State emcee brings his best wordplay, delivery and metaphors to this nearly three-minute opus. Stark 808s boom across a malevolent melody, with scattering hihats and trap drums, as Philly Blocks raps about his upbringing in those Southern streets. What juts out about “Days Of Our Lives” is how lyrical the record is, and how vivid its visual grows to be. Both elements of this hardbody effort get better and better as the runtime lunges on. Between scenes of the talented spitter frequenting corner stores, blocks, and his fellow Team 563 members, Philly Blocks delivers a lyrical performance synonymous to the greats of the Golden Era. He is precise with every bar he lays in the booth; and that precision not only enhances “Days Of Our Lives”, but likewise makes the Kentucky rapper a treasure in the current era of Hip-Hop.


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It is said that growing up in chaotic environments has a way of molding people. When constantly surrounded by death, turmoil, tragedy and poverty, many suffer a trauma to their humanity. In order to survive, they must revert back to their most animalistic nature—their “Basic Instincts”—and use them to weather the test of their chaotic lives. Matt Movin’ is an epitome of this reality, and his recent mixtape of that exact name is all you’ll need to agree. “Basic Instincts” is fifty one minutes of a man’s life growing up in the streets of Chattanooga, Tennessee. From losing friends to both prison, as well as gun violence; to surviving his own incarceration, Matt Movin’ details it all. He does so over a batch of beats as arctic as his cover art; frosted by icy melodies and paced, trap drums. Throughout this fourteen track foray, the rapper volleys between his natural, Tennessee twang and a melodic, autotune delivery. Where the former perfectly conveys the aggression he’s gained from his tumultuous life, the latter reflects a coldness he was also forced to develop. These are his two “Basic Instincts”, and with them, he has learned to survive. Despite the ups-and-downs of his life, however, what this mixtape also tells us about Matt Movin’, is that he is determined to overcome his predicaments. His ambition courses potently through the veins of this project; and he is using his “Basic Instincts” to fuel it. Soon, no radio or club anywhere will be able to ignore.



“Basic Instincts” on Spotify 
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Real Gutta Music is Texas’s “Park Side Villain” on his latest LP. Hosted by DJ Precyse, “Park Side Villain Homecoming” is a fifteen track embodiment of The Lonestar State. Top to bottom, minute to minute, this album is bustling with Dirty South sounds; aggrandized by Real Gutta Music’s unyielding, Texan delivery. The opener, “Sic Em” forwards an archaic, Southern bounce, complete with sinister melodies and trunk-rattling drums. The same can be said for “Death Before Dishonor”, “Just Do It”, and “Pedal To The Metal”; all tracks powerful enough to blast you back to the glory days of Southern Hip-Hop. That is not as far as “Park Side Villain Homecoming” goes, however. The Waco rapper makes certain to tap into all dimensions of the Texas sound. “Keep It Player” is a double cup-ready, smoldering cut, empowered by 808s, a soulful chorus, and milky instrumental. Speaking of soulful, the penultimate record, “Soulful” is a golden, sample-heavy boom-bap smash; whilst the last track, “Cross Roads” brings a similar, soul-sampled energy to a modern-trap beat. While nodding towards various aspects of Texas music with these records, Real Gutta Music does each and everyone of them justice through his performance. He never misses a beat on “Park Side Villain Homecoming”; proving with every second of the forty-six minute opus, that so long as he is rapping, the Texas sound will thrive.


“Park Side Villian Homecoming”
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If you were unaware of the city of Opelousas’s existence before, P.A.T. will be damned if you are not enlightened by the end of this record. He, alongside iconic emcee, KXNG Crooked, land on “Soul 4 Real” with the intention of leaving a mark. One that puts this phenomenal lyricist, as well as his Louisiana city, undoubtedly on the map. At least, that is the impression you’ll receive listening to P.A.T. rip through verses on the new-age boom-bap track. He is lyrically relentless on “Soul 4 Real”; spitting bars that hold both introspective and conscious weight. KXNG Crooked takes this angle a step further with his own 16, ridiculing emcees who spend more time rapping about their riches than speaking a heartfelt, beneficial message to their fans. When placed over such a futuristic, electronic melody, pulsating 808s, and dusty Golden Era drums, these verses purely convey that Hip-Hop has indeed been resurrected; and it is taking an evolved, sonic form. “Soul 4 Real” is that illuminating. It shows how easily conscious rap and new-age Hip-Hop can fuse to create an anthemic hit any lover of the culture can stand behind. All thanks to the artistic capacity of P.A.T. With little over three minutes, he proves that he is one of Louisiana’s most gilded upcomers; and Opelousas is clearly a goldmine. 



“Soul 4 Real”on iTunes 



Fresh off his “First Class Tour” in India, New Jersey native Akash released a surprise track “Tip Toe” in the wake of fan’s anticipation of his upcoming album “I Wanted to Tell You” set to release, March 29th. With multiple released studio albums and over 1.6 million streams on a remix of Taki Taki, Akash is a veteran of music. The track immediately captures listeners with it’s methodic beat leading into the vocals of Akash. Akash is no stranger to representing his emotion in music and this song is no different as it depicts the inner desires of Akash as a travelling artist. The rhythmic beat was crafted by Anthony “DaVincii” Phillips and the song was engineered by Anthony Scott DePerto. The initial release of “Tip Toe” is available exclusively on YouTube, but the album can be streamed on all platforms on March 29th.