NUMBER 1
JUST M - Big Bagz
Sydney, Australia
Kicking off this week's Top 10 is Just M x Daffi with their release "Big Bagz. This track is the definition of UK Underground but before I get into what this means I want to highlight the artists behind the track. Just M is an African-Australian artist coming out of western Sydney Australia - Big Bagz is his debut track with South Kilburn (London) based artist Daffi. Released under Kvng Music recording label, "Big Bagz" is a track that completely lifted my energy when I first heard it! The heavy drill beat brings a multitude of heavy sound from scale dropping 808s (Similar to beats by Keyz Kartel), the eerie urgency in the melodic keys in the background get your heart racing, and the scattered trap loops hold the rhythm together for the duo to do their thing. I could talk about this release forever but I'll let you hit that link below and hear it for yourselves! I predict a massive success for these two artists!
NUMBER 2
Q - Born 4 Dis
Kingston/United States
“Born 4 Dis” is another self recorded and produced track from "Q". The track mixes Hip-hop/Rap flows with Dancehall flows over a afrobeat inspired instrumental, creating an entirely new and unique sound. Anyone can listen to the track and get the motivation to keep going and striving towards their goals. The song is super catchy! Just as we exit Summer and into the colder months this piece promises to heat things up a little! Click the link below for some serious rythms!
NUMBER 3
ARIO - 2F
Calgary, Canada
Well well well, "2f" by Ario is a song that every Hip-Hop lover and well, every lover of urban music in general is destined to love. The instrumental is so slick, the rap flow is impeccable and the lyrics are not only carefully crafted to tell a coherent story but they're witty and catchy - "Life's a bitch, I kiss it gently" . The Spanish infused guitar loop rests above more sultry string plucks to offer something so deep you won't be able to escape the realm of the song. When combined with 808s and trap drums this piece is lifted into something unforgettable the second Ario spits his lyrics.
NUMBER 4
BRYNJA - My Oh My
Reykjavík, Iceland
Brynja's latest release "My Oh My" blew me away and continues to do so every time I listen to it. The artist comes from the folk and indie scene but offers a completely different sound through "My Oh My". The second you hit play you will be hit with the lo fi sound of boom bap mellow and melodic strings that will set you into a land of feeling before you even get given a single vocal note. The moment I heard Brynja's vocals I immediately felt like I was listening to Mahalia. The tone, the style and the whole feel of the piece is so similar it's difficult to distinguish the difference (although there are definitely some) I 100% recommend listening to this song!
NUMBER 5
ENOKA - Do It All 4 Me
Malmö, Sweden
Enoka is back with a her new single "Do It All 4 Me". The Swedish Superstar impressed us in the past with her 80s inspired dance tracks and party anthems. This time ENOKA is back with a new sound. "Do It All 4 Me" is smooth and organic, highlighting the incredible versatility that Enoka's artistry has to offer. This piece infuses modern Contemporary R&B into a pop track that you're guaranteed to get you moving! This is such a great song by Enoka that showcases her artistic growth! Click the link below and get dancing!
NUMBER 6
RANSKI GLEECHIE - BandCamp 2
Toronto, Canada
"BandCamp 2" marks the second single off of Ranski Gleechie's upcoming album. The track features OVO producer Jmak Beatz. When talking about the release, Gleechie stated that "BandCamp is the place where we all lose sleep to generate an income" The song is a super dark production that is full of autotune and trap beats. From the scattered trap drum loops to the bell synths and 808s this track offers a cool addition to this week's finds. Referencing the Lil Baby Hit “ My Dawg” In the verses, this is a track that is guaranteed to get stuck in your head! It's super catchy and I've listened to it about 4 times just whilst writing this!
NUMBER 7
SCAPEGOAT YES-MEN - SULTRY LUV.
Philadelphia, United States
Another great submission this week is "SULTRY LUV." by SCAPEGOAT YES-MEN. The track is the final piece on the "Our Inner Child Was Kidnapped, We're Trying To Get It Back" EP that was released on the 22nd July this year. "SULTEY LUV." is one of those pieces that welcomes listeners within its arms. There's a real old school hip-hop feel within the song that keeps to the classic soulful gospel elements through the use of vocal chops but it equally brings in some new experimental sounds in the form of computer game twee sounding samples. The lyrics are solid and so is the production.
NUMBER 8
JŌVIKY - Just U
Los Angeles, United States
Making it into this week's Top 10 Hip-Hop, Rap & R&B is Los Angeles R&B/ Rap Artist JŌVIKY with his amazing song "Just U". The piece opens with lo-fi keys and steady hip-hop loops to create a world of wonder. A very alternative creation that holds the world of creativity within its hands. A highly soulful production from JŌVIKY and Chicago-based producer King Virgil. When talking about the song, JŌVIKY let us know the context behind it. - "Just U" is the expression of letting your 'true love' know you will continue searching for them and finding them over and over again as you both change, grow and evolve as people." What a beautiful message this is! Click the link below and have a listen!
NUMBER 9
RANSKI GLEECHIE - PakMan
Toronto, Canada
"PakMan" marks the second addition to our Top 10 this week from the Toronto based rapper Ranski Gleechie. This time, he's hitting us with a more melodic sound that sticks to the heaviness that this artist brings but this time with a twist. The autotuned vocals are less gritty and more wave like offering a new insight into what Gleechie has to offer! The lyrics are about finding the neighbourhood drug dealer, known as the“PakMan”. Again, we hear cross artist references within the piece, this time from Gucci Mane where reference to “My Kitchen” is used in the verses. It's definitely worth a spin.
NUMBER 10
PIERRE KAKIZ - Venus Meets Virgo
London, United Kingdom
PIERRE KAKIZ adds a sprinkle of smoothness to our article this week in the form of his latest single "Venus meets Virgo". The song mergest the artists' passion for astrology into a dedication to anyone who has their "Venus in the sign of Virgo" and/or any Virgo placements in their astrological chart. As a virgo I related to the lyrics 100%. The production is typically old school classic R&B, something that executes the message with the lyrics perfectly. Click the link below to hear a story that is painted with the starts.
* POLL RESULTS*
NUMBER 1 - BRYNJA - My Oh My
NUMBER 2 - ENOKA - Do It All 4 Me
NUMBER 3 - JUST M - Big Bagz
NUMBER 4 - ARIO - 2F
NUMBER 5 - SCAPEGOAT YES-MEN - SULTRY LUV.
NUMBER 6 - JŌVIKY - Just U
NUMBER 7 - PIERRE KAKIZ - Venus Meets Virgo
NUMBER 8 - RANSKI GLEECHIE - BandCamp 2
NUMBER 9 - Q - Born 4 Dis
NUMBER 10 - RANSKI GLEECHIE - PakMan
*VOTE FOR THIS WEEK*