Published author, motivational speaker, business owner, and spoken word poet from North Carolina Robin “SH8KES” Williamson released his debut EP Chance 2 Change exclusively on Bandcamp back in March. Narrated by one of Southern rap’s most coveted voices Big Rube (of the Dungeon Family), the seven track project served as a personal testimony of healing and growth through love, life lessons, connection with family, and much more.
Sh8kes shared more of his personal testimony with his loose, Truss One-produced single ‘Regrets’, featuring a guest verse from New York emcee The Musalini. (of 9th Wonder’s Jamala Records).
“This poem came from a place of failure, pain and self awareness. I went through so many things during 2022, I began to question if what I was doing was the right thing. I never wanted to give up, but questioned if I needed to switch my focus to something else. I found myself reevaluating the people around me that have been in my life for 20 plus years. It seemed like I gave so much of me, but never got the same in return.” – Sh8kes
Sacramento’s SHOWTIME RAMON, is back with a fresh new release for his listeners titled ‘Venom Dripp’.
The 6 track project continues to showcase the artist’s lyrical flow that keeps his fans coming back for more. “I wanted to put on an array of cool bars for my listeners, I look at rap as a sport so the more you can score lyrically the doper you are” says Ramon when speaking on his latest release.
The project opens with the previously released single ‘Spin Cycle’ which the artist also delivered a visual for. Ramon is backed by killer production that makes it even easier for him to deliver his flow that is influenced by the world around him, from sports to pop culture & his love for professional wrestling. Showtime isn’t one to shy away from telling it how it is either, delivering poison-like bars throughout Venom Dripp as he aims to shoot down those who he feels aren’t in his circle. He states “I’m comparing myself to other rappers or competitors, vocalizing the differences between myself and the rapper next to me”.
With over 18,000 listeners on Spotify and a new EP out, Showtime Ramon keeps the pressure on & continues to build his fan base with the talent he provides behind the mic. Inflicting his raps with doses of dopeness that keeps the streams on an upward trend, and the artist doesn’t plan to stop soon…check out Ramon’s project below…
Back from nearly a year-long hiatus full of self-reflection, therapy and partial sobriety, ALEX LUDOVICO gives a scorching single entitled ‘One of the Good Ones,’ featuring Curly Castro. In this triumphant return to releasing new music, Alex laces this Jason Griff/Illmind-produced bouncy cut with socially conscious lyrics reflecting on the constant challenges of his being a black man in America and not conforming to media-driven stereotypes.
“’You’re one of the good ones’ is a phrase I heard all my life without ever really taking stock of what it meant,” explains Ludovico, “It’s a phrase used to separate people from their Blackness. When you grow up being told your interests are ‘white,’ there’s two paths you can take. You can let it make you sad or you can take a road of intellectual superiority. But both of those paths are wrong,” he continues. “Black is NWA and Black is Living Colour. Black is being loud and proud and Black is being quiet and reserved. White supremacy forces people into boxes in order for them to be defined. We will not be defined by our interests. This is a reminder to watch out for it.”
To further emphasize the point, Ludovico enlists the lyrical swords of the incomparable Curly Castro, whose rebellious wordplay has been well-documented throughout the years, most notably on his revolutionary 2021 LP, Little Robert Hutton on Backwoodz Studioz.
‘One of the Good Ones’ is the first in a series of singles Ludovico will be releasing over the next few months, leading up to his upcoming LP this Summer. This new single is available to download for free at insubordinaterecords.com and on all streaming platforms. Check it out below…
On the heels of his critically-acclaimed F65 album release, Maryland rapper IDK returns with the nostalgia-tinged music video for ‘Pinot Noir’ [feat. SAUCY SANTANA & JUCEE FROOT]. Directed by Khari Johnson & Jason ‘IDK’ Mills, the visual flaunts nineties appeal and emanates warm throwback energy.
Behind the track, IDK shares, “And also, I don’t have to be a gay rapper to put an openly gay rapper on my song… I heard the beat, and I heard a very talented artist by the name of Saucy Santana on that beat. I love him forever for taking that risk with me. Now we have a banger for the summer.”
Shot in black and white, the Golden Age of Hip-hop vibes are heavy throughout, offering fans a full view of IDK’s artistic versatility and storytelling. An uptempo, jazz-driven sample of Khia’s 2001 hit single ‘My Neck, My Back,’ it strikes a balance between carefree and confident, creating a unique kind of high art within the rap world. IDK delivers dynamic bars and instantly makes his presence known, assuring, “You know me, I don’t need no introduction in this.” From quick-hitting lyrical flexes to the unapologetic raunchiness of Saucy and Jucee Froot, ‘Pinot Noir’ makes for another standout ballad from the naturally gifted multihyphenate.
Elsewhere, IDK continues to make his claim as one of today’s most sought after collaborators in music, fashion, and beyond. Recently, he collaborated with Nike to unveil his limited-edition Nike Air Max Pro 97 “Free Coast” F&F sneaker. This fashion-forward feat follows IDK’s stellar performances at Coachella last month, where he donned a custom Lanvin race suit and helmet. But his commitment to style didn’t end there. Just last week, he created original content with the Jordan Brand for their new “Mini Hoops” series – a true testament to someone who’s in complete control of their creative output.
In addition to releasing his provocative new album, IDK is gearing up for his headlining “65 Tour” kicking off June 23rd in Paris, France. The 22-stop tour will make landfall in New York, Atlanta, Houston, Los Angeles, and more before wrapping up in Toronto, ON October 29th. The full list of dates can be found below — for more information please visit http://www.Thr33Dot.com.
It’s also important to note that IDK is using his influence to make a positive impact. With the fall return of his tuition-free music business seminar at Harvard University, No Label Academy, he’s merging industry with academia to help BIPOC students jumpstart their career in the music industry.
Rapper, songwriter and record label owner of Manchester Music Group, MR. JONES seizes every single moment in his latest track titled ‘Brand New’ released Saturday (6th May) across all music platforms.
With melodic chants introducing the smooth joint, leading to a glitchy bassline, the Mancunion spitter drops fiery bars of pure preservative of treating each day full of brand new opportunities.
Mr Jones hit the ground running with his debut album, ‘Long Running’ and follow-up project, ‘No Time To Waste’, which collectively received way over a million streams. Arguably his best work to date, ‘Brand New’ serves as a teaser to his third album, coming out later this later. Check it out below…
New Lease Music 