Song of the Day: Right Here – Solitair

JUNO Award-nominated artist SOLITAIR‘s single ‘Right Here’, featuring world renowned DJ Grouch, is the perfect tribute to the 50th Anniversary of hip-hop – it boasts his unique production style combined with gritty urban soundscapes. The high energy track also features a music video directed by London Rich.

“When was the last time you felt REFRESHED and INSPIRED by some new Hip Hop energy? That’s the FEELING I intend to inject back into the music culture of the city, country, and worldwide, beginning with the release of Right Here,” says the prolific producer and songwriter whose first taste of commercial notoriety came as a result of producing four tracks on JUNO-winning rapper Choclair’s gold-selling Ice Cold debut album, while being featured on a few other tracks. “Just as Batman reacts to the bat signal, my new single is a nod to all my hardcore fans to remind them that not only do I have a lot left in the creative tank, but I am ready to showcase new music to an even broader audience with this new project.” He adds: “I also wanted to highlight more of my producer and songwriter side, along with my obvious hip hop lyrical prowess!”

In the early aughts, Solitair toured the world with Choclair and Kardinal Offishall and spent five years moving between New York and Toronto while working with notable American and international artists including Nina Sky, Lil Wayne, Trey Songz, Busta Rhymes, Estelle, Rick Ross, Elephant Man, and Jim Jones. Back home in Toronto, Solitair had also established an impressive track record of producing and co-producing songs for a laundry list of iconic award-winning Canadian rap and R&B icons including Jully Black, Melanie Fiona, Glenn Lewis, k-os, and The Rascalz. Likewise, in 2010, Solitair had already carved out his musical unicorn status by crafting the pop-influenced, alternative smash ‘Come True’ featuring Kardinal Offishall, that was nominated for a Juno Award for Best R&B/Soul recording of the year, an accomplishment that placed him in the rare company of artists who’ve been nominated for Juno Awards in more than one music genre.

‘Right Here’ is taken from his highly anticipated forthcoming album Dangerous Art. Check out the video for the single below…

Listen to Oloff’s latest EP, ‘Free’

To enter the mind of Bristolian alt-rapper OLOFF, you definitely have to withstand the most hellraising rollercoaster ride you can imagine.

His latest EP, ‘Free’ is, at large, a full-on mish-mash concoction of chaotic dnb-esque bass, aggressive guitar riffs, which collides with Oloff’s infamous wayward delivery. Further down the line, the eight-piece set goes go into a place of some serenity. To create some familiarity of peace and security, Oloff samples from well-loved hits – Roxy Music’s 80’s single Avalon (Listen to ‘Photons’) and The Righteous Brothers’ classic ‘Unchained Melody’ (listen to ‘Slowly’). Both samples were accompanied by heavily echoic guitar plucks piercing through the glitchy presence of feathery soundscapes.

It could be argued that ‘Free’ is a soundtrack to the ebbs and flows of life; the chaos sets in when we lose control of a situation before it soothes out, returning back to a place of security. Have a listen to ‘Free’ EP below…

Must Listens: What Does It Matter, Photons, Slowly

Rapper Jel’low pushes the boundaries with new single, ‘AYE’.

Hip-hop artist and director JEL’LOW new single, ‘Aye’, showcases his unique lyrical prowess, infectious beats, and innovative production. The single also proves why he is in high demand in an industry needing new and exciting talent. The accompanying self-directed video is a step in the right direction.

Emerging from Washington’s vibrant hip-hop scene, Jel’low has benefited from his time spent in the epicenter of the modern music scene in Atlanta. This has given him the chops and confidence to build an impressive catalog of work, including his new single.

Influenced by a range of artists, including Michael Jackson, Goo Goo Dolls, Stevie Nicks, Adam Lambert, and many more, Jel’low fuses these competing textures to create a sound that is his own.

“Aye” is a permanent marker and beacon that talent will always shine. The single is a glimpse into the future of hip-hop, reclaiming the birthright that has stepped away from the scene…check out the video to the banging joint below…

Song of the Day: When I Get Free – Dale Dvn

After appearing on the blog with track, ‘A Rotterdam Trip’ back in 2018, It seems that Dutch rapper/singer Adilson Evora slipped away from the radar.

Five years later, he now returns, stronger than ever, under a new name DALE DVN, speaking on mental freedom and reaching a higher state of consciousness on his latest single ‘When I Get Free.’

The track, produced by Robin da Landlord, has a rich 90’s golden era feel, which sits perfectly as the theme song for Hip Hop’s 50th anniversary.

Dale Dvn also drops the B-side ‘Large on the Streets’, a freestyle where he showcases his rap skills over the classic Vado track.

Check out ‘When I Get Free’ below…

Watch Statik Selektah’s Video For Track, ‘The New Joe’ Ft. NEMS

STATIK SELEKTAH continues his red-hot momentum with a new visual for ‘The New Joe’ featuring NEMS off of his latest album, Round Trip. Directed by Frankie Fire, the video finds Statik and NEMS posted on the block while the ‘Bing Bong’ rapper affirms his status as the new Joey Crack (Fat Joe) of rap.

With hip hop turning 50 this year, Statik’s tenth studio album proves that the genre is alive and well. Round Trip, released in June via Mass Appeal, is a 20-song collab project with legendary acts, promising prospects, and up-and-coming artists who are pushing the culture forward on their own terms. Upon its release, the album racked up press praise from the likes of XXL, HipHopDX, The FADER, AllHipHop, Okayplayer, BET, and more.

Round Trip is a continuation of the boom-bap production style that made the mixtape maverick-turned-media-personality into a cultural mainstay. It’s the follow up to his collaborative project with Kota the Friend, To See a Sunset (Deluxe), and the relevance of the album is all too clear. When you begin to draw parallels between his popular releases of the early 2000s and the current state of his catalog in today’s market, you’ll see that Statik is very selektive about who he works with – and rightfully so.

Check out the video for ‘The New Joe’ below…