Tag: indie rapper

Asha Imuno pays homage to West Coast hip-hop in new single, ‘Phonics’

LA-based genre-bender ASHA IMUNO deciphers mixed signals and hits the mute button on relationship drama with the release of his new whip-appeal single ‘PHONICS’, featuring Long Beach, CA natives WESTSIDE BOOGIE and Tempest. This sharp, bouncy co-production by Asha and Zach Ezzy (Jordan Ward, Smino, Alex Isley) captures a reimagined, West Coast hip-hop feel, as the interplay between the rich overtones of world-renowned harpist Sara Kawai’s harp and the punchy 808s strike a harmonious balance. Asha’s sonic world straddles the edge between nostalgia and innovation, drawing inspiration from California legends like Vince Staples, ScHoolboy Q, Suga Free, Bino Rideaux, Blxst and Anderson Paak.

“‘PHONICS’ is a song about relationships that end up getting more complicated than what was originally intended, but it’s not a heady, sappy type of song,” explains Asha. “I used to obsess over BOOGIE’s storytelling in highschool and Tempest is all around one of my favorite artists coming up out of California. We made this song for the whip and the house parties. It’s got this feeling and bounce in it that you could only get from the West Coast.”

In addition to the new single, Asha shares the delivery date of his debut album PINS & NEEDLES, out March 1st, 2024. This news follows acclaim from media tastemakers at Pigeons and Planes, The Line of Best Fit and more, all who have shared their respective excitement for the full-length project.

“I’m hoping the listener can feel more of me peeking through the music with every song I share. ‘PUSHING BUTTONS’ is about shame and redemption, ‘DID I CALL AT A BAT TIME?’ is cheeky and confident, ‘FLORIDA WATER’ is about love-nostalgia and ‘PHONICS’ is more of my imperfect, irritated, reactive side. It’s all about showing that I’m a real person with strengths, weaknesses, habits and contradictions,” says Asha on the steady progression of the introspective world he’s shared thus far.

Asha’s cult following was ignited with his breakout single ‘ZIG ZAGGING,’ which has accumulated over 11 million streams on Spotify. His innovative spirit has led to recent career milestone moments, including performing at A Toast To Black Hollywood during this year’s BET Awards. He is a member of the POC-led artist community KOGO (home to CONNIE, Alé Araya, Curtis Waters, KOAD & more), and has earned co-signs from the likes of Jordan Ward and Hit-Boy, alongside collaborating with buzzing upcomers like Aaron May and AG Club. 2024 is sure to be the year Asha makes the jump from fan favorite to commanding superstar with his bold debut. Have a listen to ‘Phonics’ below…

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K-Riz brings optimism into 2024 with video for latest track, ‘Come & Go’

K-RIZ returns with a new video for ‘Come & Go’ that illuminates the artist’s infectious optimism. The hip-hop and R&B-infused single, which appears on the Birthday Cake Records-released album, ‘One Way Ticket’, is an affirmation to overcome negative thoughts, move through hard times with ease, and embrace the lessons that can be learned from adversity.

On the track, the multi-talented Alberta artist expresses the liberating power of having grace and letting go of the past, while using forward movement as an encouragement to listeners. “Tough times are temporary; they’re teaching lessons,” says K-Riz. “Problems come and go as long as you’re always working towards moving forward. When you look at the storms from that perspective, you can see them for what they are – here today, gone tomorrow – and weather them with more resilience.”

Featuring many of K-Riz’s past collaborators (horns from Octavio N. Santos, violin from Tina Sol, and Deppisch on the flute), swirling arrangements complement producer Theo’s spacious beats. Emerging Calgary filmmaker Gbohunmi lends his directorial talents, taking viewers on a tour through elevated spaces and mindsets, moving from one transitory place to the next, from train stations to rooftops, culminating in K The Chosen rapping contemplative verses as he walks through Calgary at night. The video also features cameos from rappers Tea Fannie and La Tytan.

The release of ‘Come & Go’ follows praise for K-Riz’s latest album, One Way Ticket, from various outlets. RANGE Magazine included the album on its list of the Top 50 Canadian Albums of 2023, and Bandcamp featured the LP as a New & Notable album upon its release, while Complex Canada included singles ‘Middle Finger U’ and ‘Inside Your Love’ among its Best New Canadian Tracks. Look for more visuals from the album soon, and listen to One Way Ticket on all streaming platforms now.

Check out the video for ‘Come & Go’ below…

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OUT TODAY: check out Kalada’s track Feasting ft. UK rap royalty Ashley Walters

Taken from his debut project ‘Thinking Out Loud’, KALADA joins forces with UK rap, TV and film royalty ASHLEY WALTERS on new single, ‘Feasting’. With its catchy instrumental and contagious energy, ‘Feasting’ is guaranteed to get you popping bottles with your friends. This track combines elements of UK rap/hip-hop to create a unique sound that will have you hooked from the chorus.

Released alongside the single, ‘Thinking Out Loud’ is Kalada’s first full body of work, and boasts productions from Fumez the Engineer, Victizzle and Ro, as well as collaborations with Namesbliss, Bookez and a second record with Ashley Walters.

Kalada is a British rapper, songwriter, lyricist & performer from North West London born to Nigerian parents. With music from rap legends such as 2Pac ,DMX, The Notorious B.I.G., JAY-Z & Nas shaping his early years, Kalada officially kicked off his career in 2014 with a song titled ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’. Since then, he has remained active in the UK rap scene with singles such as ‘Summertime Fine’, ‘Jasmine’ (which got added to Rap UK official playlist). Kalada has shown his versatility by exploring genres such as Rap, Trap, Afroswing and Rndrill, and has collaborated with artists and producers such as G Maffiah, namesbliss, Lexi Banks, Beats By Mantra, JRD’N. and more. Some major highlights of his career include performing at ILUVELIVE; getting featured on radio stations such as KISS FM & BBC 1Xtra; an article feature in the Voice Newspaper, and getting verified on Instagram. Despite all his achievements, Kalada intends to continue challenging himself and showing off his intentionality and talent. It is evident he will remain prominent in the scene for a long time.   Have a listen to ‘Feasting’ below…

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Daemon tackles sobriety in single, ‘Three Years Sober’ + video

DAEMON‘s new single, ‘3 Years Sober’ details his bouts with addiction from more than just one perspective, with his video acting out the stages of his emotional odyssey. The result is a powerful piece of art, dynamically representing a deep life experience.

The conscious wordsmith represents St. Louis with tremendous life bars & world class lyricism and has rocked stages along with the likes of Killer Mike, DJ Shadow, & Trackstar The DJ (Run The Jewels). His music has been featured in an array of shows on Netflix, FOX, TBS, & Starz, including Power, The Last O.G., Inventing Anna, & Ghosted, and in XBox’s racing game Forza Horizon 5. Check out the video for ‘Three Years Sober below…

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Song of the Day: NDA – Persius

Rapper PERSIUS shares his single hip hop/rap track ‘NDA’. Please check it out below and drop a like or comment to let us know what you think about it.

Persius, formerly known as Jay Smoove, is a talented rapper hailing from the vibrant city of Chicago. Born and raised in the Windy City, Persius has carved out a distinctive place for himself in the music industry.

His journey in the world of music has been marked by dedication and a relentless pursuit of his artistic vision. With a unique blend of lyrical prowess and a captivating stage presence, Persius quickly gained recognition in the music scene.

One of his significant accomplishments lies in the digital realm, where he has achieved remarkable success. Persius boasts an impressive track record, having garnered over 500,000 streams on Spotify and a strong presence on various other top streaming platforms. This achievement is a testament to his ability to connect with a diverse and widespread audience.

Persius‘s music is a reflection of his experiences growing up in Chicago, a city known for its rich musical history and vibrant culture. He uses his lyrics to tell stories, share insights, and provide a glimpse into the complexities of urban life, making him a relatable and resonant artist for many.

As he continues to evolve as an artist, Persius remains committed to pushing the boundaries of his craft. His dedication to his artistry and his connection with his listeners promise a bright future for this Chicago-born rapper, as he continues to make his mark on the world of music. Have a listen to ‘NDA’ below…

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