Manchester’s hip-hop collective ADS THE BARBARIAN have joined forces with London’s veteran producer REDD TUNES for the first EP of the year, ‘The Lone Ranger’.
Featuring members Fya Da Flame, DJ Hook Raida, DJ Cut and Slice, the three-track project features the smooth, retro vibes of hip-hop/boom bap, where the featured spitters take the spotlight to drop some serious bars on current affairs (namely the pandemic) and the hard knocks that life presents.
As well as teaming up with the Northern fierce crew, Redd Tunes have collaborated with various artists across the globe for the past 30 + years as a Britcore producer. If you’re not familiar with his work, here’s your chance to check it out here.
Before you head off to check out his catalogue, have a sample of Redd Tunes’ collab EP with Ads The Barbarian below…
Canadian rapper TRIPLE DOWN DON arrives for the first time on today’s hotspot with track, ‘COA’, featuring his flawless storytelling and a head-rolling bass that’s hard to pass up.
Coming from a musical family, where his father was a reggae and dancehall DJ and his mother displayed love for soul, funk and disco, Triple Crown Don started his musical journey in 2012, experimenting with a blend of genres, influenced by his early childhood. His first full-length demo EP, ‘SINGLE’ was released in 2018 under the alias ‘As.I.Am’. His debut offering caught the attention from various music tastemakers.
Known for his fascinating sound, rhythms, and freestyling over different types of beats, Triple Crown Don bounces right back with the first release of the year with ‘COA’, to appease major music tastemakers and fans.
‘COA’ is now available across various streaming platforms. Get the taste of the single below…
Upon releasing her brand new album, ‘Trust Takes Time’- where she collaborated with a medley of producers, THAIBEATS, Yonas-K Beatz, Syndrome, DJ Pain 1, Rob Kelly, Mantra, SPECDRXM, SHRN – Montreal-born alternative hip-hop artist SHADES LAWRENCE drops brand new single titled, ‘I Do’.
In the piano-led single, Shades expresses her gratitude to those who helped her during the challenging times. Watch ‘I Do’ music video below…
After courting a cult following with her underground EPs Drug Music, On My Way to the Listening Party, and subsequent singles, the ever-mysterious Canadian artist, MAGI MERLIN (pronounced MADGE-eye) is stepping into her moment with new single, ‘Free Grillz.’ The new track follows off earlier tips from CRACK Magazine and spots opening for the likes of Lido Pimienta and playing at Osheaga alongside ODIE, Jessie Reyez, etc. She will support the new single with SXSW dates and a debut headline show in Brooklyn at Purgatory on March 9.
Produced by longtime collaborator and beatsmith Funkywhat, ‘Free Grillz’ finds Magi’s vocals gliding over frostbitten hi-hats, tectonic snares, and a shattering bassline showing off the extent of her talents, marrying a sensuous and self-assured rapping style with a wistful hook. Changing tact from earlier releases, Merlin switches out some of those syrupy R&B flavors for the sounds of 90’s house, drum and bass and acid-flecked hip-hop. ‘Free Grillz’ is a track that playfully aspires to the tropes of rap fame while also frankly reflecting on the realities of day-to-day life (like having your name mispronounced, or having to kick out the clingy man who won’t leave your apartment).
Directed by Walid Jabri, the music video for ‘Free Grillz’ shows Magi in an intimidating, cold and yet utterly captivating light. Proudly flaunting her grillz, she embodies the daring attitude of the song and mesmerizes viewers in an array of red hues and fast-moving shots. From motorcycle rides to blowing off a boring guy and mosh pitting, Magi keeps us on our toes as she references the lifestyle in the lyrics.
Check out the fierce video to the equally fierce track below…
In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, Dallas-based rapper J French’s drops his hypnotic lyric video for latest single ‘Exotic Flowers’.
J French says of his new single: “I wanted to acknowledge how strong and dope women can be with this song. I do that by giving flowers to a few women I know personally. The first verse is dedicated to a longtime friend, and the second verse is dedicated to a love interest. Every woman is their own unique flower, and this song presents the whole bouquet.”
‘Exotic Flowers’ is the second single from French’s new album Good Karma. As his first album without profanity, the album is the result of deep introspection and therapy, and serves as French’s fourth full-length project, which topped digital streaming platforms and stores upon its release in late January.
New Lease Music 