Renowned Boston emcee Poetic Killa is back at it dropping gritty punchline after punchline in his new single “Stand Up.” The anthem-style track is out now on all streaming platforms. Within the first minute of pressing play listeners will grip Killa’s school of hard knocks truths. “Stand Up” isn’t for everyone and Killa makes that more than clear through cut-throat bars. “Stand Up” is for real ones who are on another level just like Poetic Killa. “My names heavy it holds weight/ Murder murder my aim steady a cold case/ The fame’s deadly it ain’t get me like OJ/ Look at y’all still stuck in your own ways.”
Killa’s rawness is underlined by gully, yet dramatic melodies that also resonate throughout the track as does the catchy hook. So, if you’re a real one then stand up, put your hands up, and wear out that repeat button. Stream the single here on preferred platforms.
Priest Da Nomad returns after his last album release ‘The Manhood Project’ with a new single release titled “Confused.”
Some might feel they know the extent of Nomad’s music, however with his latest single release “Confused” it’s quite evident he’s one MC who can’t be boxed in. He clearly conveys that message through solid, flexed-out bars.
Dre King’s horns and Jon Laine’s production intensify Nomad’s lyrical proclamation…again, don’t get confused he’s far from slippin’.
Ev Jones releases his latest single “On God” featuring Merse, available everywhere music is sold.
Jones delivers convincingly smooth vocals over soulful, yet invigorating R&B tones. He’s setting the mood for love, enticing both the physical and mental…On God, Jones is nothing without his lady. Stream/download the single and connect with Ev Jones below.
RNL enlists Tim Hicks (The Cornel West Theory & The Dirty Church) for his latest self-produced single “Sun Shower.” The track is a doorway to the entry of unique loops and breaks with no definition to create a unique beauty of lyricism through theology and the daily grind of the people of today.
FAT Fly Freddie Lee is back with a “Side of Mac & Cheese Too.”
The zany single/video features Lori Rosell and is available on all major platforms.
“The theme behind the ‘Side of Mac & Cheese Too’
visual was inspired by the fact that love has no particular face. And that the
roller coaster of relationships sometimes has unexpected stops and turns.
Honestly, the choice of the rabbit and Teddy bear was simple. Everyone loves a
cute bunny rabbit and women love teddy bears. With that being said, being
‘cute’, it’s interesting how they both did some ugly things to each other.” –
FAT Fly Freddie Lee
Lee, who is famed for his uncanny, yet ingenious style and flow delivers yet another original piece. “Side of Mac & Cheese Too” depicts the continual roller coaster ride in relationships from the good times to hands-on-hips and protect your grill times. Watch the video to find out what happens when the main squeeze discovers she’s just a “side of mac & cheese too.”
25-year music vet
SINN debuts visuals for “Make It
Home.” The single/video is the first release of the forthcoming sophomore
album “Ryder Music” Volume 2.
“Make It Home” produced by Chill Beatz and featuring
songstress Rita, is a chilling record that depicts one’s fear of a loved one not
making it home after that gritty 24/7 hustle. The dramatic sounds of a car crash and slowing
heart rate sets the tone for what’s coming next. The video captures images of a
rider sticking by her mans’ side and although she’s playing for keeps, her mind
races with thoughts of him not ‘making it home.’ She begs for him to take a piece of her with
him just in case…
With Rita’s soulful harmonies, SINN’s eye-opening wordplay, and Chill’s arrangement of stirring tones mixed with oscillating base; listeners will need to strap in for a hair-raising experience. Watch “Make It Home” and connect with SINN below.
DC-based emcee Night Train
357 releases “Cosmic
Cruise” single featuring Wammie Award-Winning best DMV
soul artist Cecily.
357 transcends listeners back to an era of enriched funk and soul, allowing
no room for wallflowers to enter. “What y’all gonna do? We’ll cruise
among stars no matter what you do, get your back up off the
wall.” The eclectic artist has one request, to see
everyone rocking and leaving the bs behind.
I had the pleasure of linking up with Maine The Medicine
to chop it up about his forthcoming solo album titled “B.U.T.C.H” (Built Under
The Culture’s Hands). Fans can expect
the LP to drop August 6th on all major platforms.
MJ: Your new album
B.U.T.C.H. (Built Under The Culture’s Hands) debuts everywhere August 6th.
After listening to the album, I think it’s fair to state this is by far the
most superior of album releases. Can you go into detail about the correlation
between the title of the album and MAINE as an artist?
Maine: The title B.U.T.C.H is
in honor of my father who for the last two years has been through so much,
from dialysis to both legs being amputated, and not knowing what his day to day
would look like. I know there were times he wanted to give up, but he hung in
there and kept fighting. Witnessing that I wanted to show my father the
ultimate respect and name the album after him, plus he was the first one to
introduce me to Hip-Hop. My first two records he bought for me were Kurtis Blow
and New Edition. Between my father and cousins Sudan and Barkin from Queensbridge, and my
uncle Stevie, a Latin percussionist who played with Luther Vandross for 20
years… I was raised under music. That’s where ‘built under the culture’s hand’ derives
from. To a fault Hip-Hop consumes my entire life from the way I think, dress, and
talk. All I ever wanted to do was rap. Even now at the age of 42 all I want to
do is rap and let the world hear my music.
MJ: This 22-track LP epitomizes
the essence of Hip-Hop and upon release will potentially push the culture to
the forefront. Talk about everything that went into creating this album. It’s
evident this was a skilled mastery in the making.
Maine: I went into this album
with the mindset of curating something personal and special. I wanted to give
the fans that gritty Maine with the punches, but also give them a candid look
into my life and some of the things I have been going through. Music is truly
the best therapy whether your writing or listening to it. I want my album to
show great lyricism and storytelling, and to give the younger generation a
reason to appreciate our culture; learn from it instead of rebelling against
it. I carefully handpicked people who I knew were Hip-Hop fans to express their
love for the culture and who or what made them fall in love with it… Although
I hate to sound cliché, this album takes you on a journey.
MJ: The production embodies
the perfect blend of soulful undertones, gritty mixes, and of course that
classic boom bap heavy bass. That arrangement intensifies your clever wordplay
and rhyme schemes. Tell us about that emcee and production chemistry.
Maine: Going into the album I knew I wanted a certain
feel and vibe to the album. That boom bap and soulful feel has always been my
sound. I knew with this being my solo project I had to go back to that sound. I
must give a huge shout to my big homie U.G for pushing to do another solo
project, “Maine when you gonna work on that project, I’m waiting for you lil
bro, I got you.” He started crafting some heat for me and flawlessly fell
in line with the sound I wanted. Then he jumped on the “M.A.I.N.E” track and
the ball started rolling. Native Seals was also a major influence to push this solo
project. My second single “Let Me Love” featuring Ty Soul is one of the many
gems I got from Native. Of course, I needed to include production from my 20-year
crew I.M.F Catacombs with Willy Sully and Da Leadgeon. They know my style and right
off the bat they went in without me having to say anything and created 5 joints
on the album. I also was blessed to have
production from Father Focus Confusous, Jlstudios, Big City, and Know- it.
MJ: It was difficult to
pinpoint album favorites, as each track flawlessly transcends into the next
track. However, “MAINE” did stand out for a couple of reasons. In the industry there’s
a craze that after a certain age rhyming should be left for resumes so the
younger generation can shine. The issue with that is there’s a fair number of
young artists who are not ‘built under the culture’s hand’, not willing to learn
the history of Hip-Hop, and are not creating music for the purpose of
longevity. “MAINE” nails that from beginning to end with in your face, stay in
your lane lyrics. Share your insight on that track.
Maine: That track was produced
by U.G and features U.G of the legendary Cella Dwellas. He was so invested in
that track. I did a hook for it, but he wanted to take it up a notch. So now
that track is on steroids especially once he jumped on it. Honestly, I was becoming
frustrated with the lack of effort in the verses I here now a days, rapping
over the vocals, and following the hottest trend. Once I heard the beat, I just
unleashed that frustration. The hook defines me and what I’m about, which is a
product of my era who was ‘built under the culture’s hand’… Some of my personal
favorite tracks are “Never Fails”, “Dedication”, “I’m Trying”, and “let me love
you” just to name a few.
MJ: Take this time to share
with fans and listeners anything else they can expect from
“B.U.T.C.H”
Maine: Aw man I want the fans
to know I put so much thought, effort, and heart into this project. I want them
to see how much I have grown as an artist, and that I will continue to push
myself to be creative and not become stagnant. I’m also coming out with a solo
EP produced by my catacombs team, an I.M.F EP is also in the works, a Mercy Gang
album, Maine and Ty Soul EP, CBC 2, and a couple of other projects are in
the works… I’m 42 I need to keep making music while I can because tomorrow is
not promised. I want to give a special
s/o and respect to the artists featured on the album including U.G, Suspect, Elz Sinatra, Ren Thomas, my B.O.B
brothers Holla Da Scholar and Mercy, Will Sully, Paulie, Da Leadgeon, Lambo Lo,
Ty soul, Amanda Rogan, Jay Preston, Dan Schultz, James Ebron, Vision, Bomber The
Monsta, and DJ TMB. It was truly an
honor to work with all these amazing artists.
Here’s a sneak peek into what’s to come. Watch the official video for “Live From The Catacomb” off the forthcoming “B.U.T.C.H” album.
Young Brick
City artist, Victor DaZe
releases alluring new single “Moves”,
available now on major streaming platforms.
Over a soulful
and jazzy flow with urban undertones, DaZe describes the lengths he will go to
impress a woman. He encompasses nightly limo rides, front row symphony seats,
worldly delicacies, a golden fountain of chocolate wine, Egyptian cotton sheets,
and more enticing pleasures.
The thumping bass intensifies the sultry vibe and sets the tone for the ‘moves’ DaZe will use to seduce his perfect catch. Stream “Moves” and connect with Victor DaZe below.
Ohio native and seasoned emcee/producer Device Trax, releases new self-produced
heat titled “Pour
It Out.”
Trax, who is both recognized and respected for his gritty
lyrics and skilled production, delivers a track brimming with knocking bass and
classic boom bap mixed with innovative tones.
The ‘profit speaks’ about his moves in the industry as an
emcee. He mentions being inspired from the dopest and the wackest; taking it
all in. He’s below the ground mastering, filling his canvas, and pouring it out
on the beat.
The lyrical powerhouse delivers pure earmilk with quick-witted punchlines. His sinister laugh and abyss like voice leave other rappers scattered on the sideline. Stream “Pour It Out” below.
