Album Review: Audiocity – Rayne Storm

Harlem NYC’s own RAYNE STORM is back with his latest eclectic rap album ‘Audiocity’. Within a month of its release the album has gained over 60,000 Spotify streams, over 100,000 across all platforms with the momentum rising. AudioCity also reached #4 in Hip-Hop/Rap and #21 in All Genres on iTunes in the country of Bahrain off the strength of the single “Revenge” ft. Jarren Benton & Kony Brooks, a major milestone for the indie artist.

As with each of his albums, Rayne has released each song as a single with stand outs including the solo track “On My Own”, the party banger “Doin’ A Lot”, “La La La”, “Dogecoin” and myriad of other songs. Each track transitions smoothly into the next and takes you on a ride through the “Audiocity” soundscape Rayne has created. The album touches a multitude of corners in hip-hop with everything from the drill inspired song “Chill”, to lyrical story telling with songs like “Hip Hop Love”, “Dive Bar” and “Dirty 30”.

This project has something for everyone. The range of the music has a multi-generational, multi-stylistic approach and appeal. Its safe to say this is Rayne Storm’s best project to date, a well produced independent Rap/Hip-Hop album that could be a game changer for an artist who has been determined to change the game. Check it out below…

Must Listens:, Revenge, Dogecoin (Run it Up), Hip-Hop Love, La La La, Alone, Dirty 30

Album Review: Pinky’s Boy – DeShaunJay

Coming all the way from San Antonio, rapper DESHAUNJAY delivers his highly anticipated album, ‘Pinky’s Boy.’ Weighing in at a solid 16 tracks, the project saw no previous single releases as DeShaunJay gives fans the entire album in one drop.

Jay delivers solid rhymes and clever lyrics throughout the entire album over trap-esque arrangements that are often sinisterly dark coupled with chant-like overtones. The 29 year old artist shows that he could hold his own, as he takes on each beat with confidence and ease, flourishing from the first track to the one with different flows and topics, keeping the prospective listener engaged at all times.

All in all, DeShaunJay offers up dope rhymes mixed with dope beats creating the perfect feast for those who well and truly appreciate hip-hop. Have a Listen to ‘Pinky’s Boy below…

Must Listens: Reunion, Calvin Ellis, Acrobatics, Pray For Me, On The Line, Schemin

OUT TODAY: Benny Bizzie Drops 10th EP Chrysalis & Shares Single, ‘On The Double’

London-born singer, rapper and songwriter BENNY BIZZIE returns with a new EP titled ‘Chrysalis’, OUT TODAY!

Supported by Help Musicians/MOBO Awards, The seven-track mini album features producers Cee Figz (Wretch 32, Fredo, Popcaan), Simon Brown (Solar Unit), Benny Bizzie himself, along with Bass guitarist Darren Franklin (Lola Young), and heavy Metal guitarist Less than Hollow.

Alongside the release of the EP, Benny shares his single ‘On The Double’, which shows a different side to him… Benny showcases his signature soulful falsetto over a perfectly balanced fusion of Dancehall and R&B.

Chrysalis is the breaking free from the caterpillar stage to chrysalis to the adult Butterfly where we spread our wings and fly. The EP represents Benny’s growth over the years as a musician as well as a person. The subject matter and maturity of Benny Bizzie is evident and a sure sign of evolution. Chrysalis was created to let others see that they are not alone in the early stages of self discovery. We all have to start somewhere as it’s the nature of life.

He says about the creation of the EP: “I did not imagine any of this when I started making music back in Tottenham, writing bars in my Science and Maths exercise books. I had no clue what I was doing and where it would lead. All I knew was I had to keep moving forward, I had to do the one thing I knew how to do, which was to create music and help people where I could. Chrysalis is my 10th EP and saying that is mind-blowing. It literally has been a journey of self and artistic discovery and the best part about it all, is there is still more to discover and become.”

The EP also features singles, ‘Drunk N Naked’, ‘Forever’ and ‘Window Frame’ already released with over 500k TikTok views, support from CMU, FAC, Sentric, and Trickstar Radios DJ KXVU.

Have a listen to Benny’s new EP below…

Album Review: I, The Collector – 5tash

When it comes to dropping albums, rapper 5TASH doesn’t do half measures and delivers 15 fresh tracks through his latest full-length album, ‘I, The Collector’.

Unlike to his previous set, ‘I, 5tash Banks’, which has a braggadocious presence throughout, ‘I, The Collector’ is a little more laid back in comparison, starting off with a smooth 80s soulful funk bounce with tracks like ‘Real P’ + and ‘Get Up’. This album sees the rapper experiments with laid-back trap sounds through tracks such as ‘Waisted’, ‘Steve Banks (I, The Collector)’ and ‘Movie’, where he works in his askew, gravelly flow which set him apart from his rap contemporaries.

Not what I expected from 5tash, but nevertheless it’s great to see a different side to this great rap contender. Check out ‘I, The Collector’ below…

Must listen: Real P +; Get Up!; Wvlk, P’ing! (Big Puddle); 6+6

Album Review: Breaking All Th Rules – ThBenj

THBENJ‘s latest project, ‘Breaking All Th Rules’, which follows up from his 2019 debut album ‘T.H.B – the blog’s number one album of 2019 – and takes on a more sinister and darker route than its predecessor.

A downtempo bass runs along the airy (almost electronic backdrop), often accompanied by chant-like overtones are the main ingredients in the first half of the 19-track set, which somewhat has an air of melancholy. Further along the line, the downtempo grit is incorporated with smooth guitar plucks (in tracks ‘Y’ and ‘Thank You All’) which gives a fresher feel to the combo. The rich soulful undertones in ‘Just A Little More’ gives the album’s sparse theme a full dimensional urban feel, before leading out on a high with a tingling sensation from a melodic outro (Fkn Chill).

I’ve listened to tracks, ‘Y’, ‘Reasons’ and ‘Champagne’ prior to the release of this album, and nothing prepared me for what was coming. If you couldn’t tell from this review, I’m really digging this album and my hat comes off (once again) for this credible artist on-a-serious-rise. Check him out below

Must Listens: Different Sounds, Thank You All, Y Th F Do You Care, Flip IT, Nobody’s Gonna Give It, Rest Of My Life