Song of the Day: Effortless – JSkillz

Today’s song comes from Davenport soothing spitter by the name of JSKILLZ.

Whilst in high school, JSKILLZ pursued his music career in 2005 by starting a rap and R&B group called Midtown Underground. The group became well-known in the local rap scene and were signed to Ensemble Records that same year. They enjoyed some success with single, “This Is Midtown”, before parting ways in 2006. This when JSKILLZ embarked on a solo career.

By 2011, he launched his own independent label, M.T.U. REC. (Must Think Unique Records) and released debut LP, ‘Nothing to Lose’ and music video for the single ‘A Million Ways To Love You’, in which both received recognition in the U.S. and internationally. The hype continued when he received a bronze award by Datpiff  for downloads of EP, ‘Great Minds Think Alike’, a collaborative project with fellow Davenport rapper JC. His latest EP ‘Positive Vibes’ cranked up nearly 1.3 million video views and streams since its release in late 2015.

‘Effortless’ was chosen as today’s dish as from the start, the three-and-a-half minute slammer hooks you right in with this young hip-hopper’s flow grooving into the infectious, lazy-in-the-sunshine R&B beat.

Go ahead and check this bad boy tune out!

Music Video: To You – Kastilano

kastilano-to-you-video-clip

Very glad to have one of NEW LEASE MUSIC’s  all-time spitter KASTILANO back with single, ‘To You’.

This on-point offering is the first release from his latest mixtape, ‘D.L.B (Dope Lyrics & Beats)’, available now FREE via DatPiff.

New Track: New Drug – Chaser Tre’Lb

Tre'Lb New Drug

It’s been a loooong time since Tre’shawn Antonio Belfield – AKA CHASER TRE’LB  showed his face on NEW LEASE MUSIC with his super smooth banger Teach Me.

Almost three years later, the Virginia-based RnB/Hip-Hop singer/rapper, brings a completely different uptempo soundscape through his single, New Drug, the second release from his mixtape, Fireworks available free on DatPiff.

Check it out!

Mixtape Review: I Just Wanna Be Heard Vol.2 – Kwame Katana

Kwane Katana

Now I’m going to be real honest here…when I first clapped my eyes on the album cover, I did a massive internal eye roll, thinking it’s just another rapper wanting some sweet booty and all the cars and gold in the world. But it was my duty, as an independent music writer, to give it a trial…

…So I pressed play and I had to shut my month. As I listen to the mixtape, I quickly realise KWAME KATANA is just a young guy who is going through some personal struggles as well as finding his way to be a successful rapper.

The lyrics of hurt, love and sheer determination, is perfectly complemented by out-of-this world bassline that make you sit up and take note (I mean REALLY take note). The 20-track production gets better with on-point samples from mainly 90s R&B class acts such as SWV, JOHNNY GILL, LAURYN HILL and JADE.

Well after listening to I Just Wanna Be Heard, I (re)learned a valuable lesson…never judge a book (or in this case a mixtape) by its cover.

Listen to I Just Wanna Be Hard Vol.2 mixtape right here.

#TheMustListens: 5th Gear, from track 7 (The World is Waiting for You)

 

 

EP Review: Nobody Listens – Chris Patrick

Chris Patrick Nobody Listens

At beginning of this year CHRI DOLLASIGN released mixtape, S**t Real. Now almost eight months later, he extended the six-track production to a full-length EP, Nobody Listens under the new name, CHRIS PATRICK.

The added tracks (Live from The Living Room, Do Me Wrong and HighLife) boasts a more uptempo bassline where the South Carolina’s artist tighter-than-tight raps pours out pure emotion and passion – he has come a very long way in eight months!

To check out Nobody Listens EP, head right here.

The #MustListens: Live from The Living Room, Do Me Wrong, Forgive Me, I Don’t Mind (S**t Real)