OUT TODAY: Rap duo Little Brother drops singles, ‘Wish Me Well’ & ‘Glory Glory’

The seminal Rap duo LITTLE BROTHER have dropped new singles, ‘Wish Me Well’ and “Glory Glory’ today (19th September) across various music platforms. Produced by Pumah and Grammy-winning producer Conductor Williams, respectively, the new two-piece serves as the duo’s first new music release since their 2019 surprise comeback May The Lord Watch.

“We wanted to bless our fans with new music to show them we’re not leaning on nostalgia. After 20 years in the game, we’re still hungry and actively working to improve our craft.” – Phonte

“We hear and see the requests for new music. We felt it was time. Time to show our minds are still sharp and we’re only getting sharper.” – Rapper Big Pooh

Credited as one of the first buzzing rap acts in the pre-streaming era of online message boards, Little Brother emerged during the new millennium renaissance of alternative rap in the early 2000s. The group helped pioneer “grown man” or “every man” rap, relating to the working-class and everyday person. The group’s members– rappers Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh –formed as college students at North Carolina Central University in 1998.

Over the course of their illustrious careers, Little Brother has worked with some of the biggest names in music: Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Lil’ Wayne, and many more. Pooh currently manages Dreamville artist Lute, and DJ’s under the moniker RPM. Outside of his work under Grammy-nominated soul outfit The Foreign Exchange, Phonte has written music for Sesame Street, AMC’s Sherman’s Showcase, and VH1’s The Breaks. He also co-hosts the Questlove Supreme podcast alongside Questlove of The Roots.

‘Wish Me Well’ ane ‘Glory Glory’ are available on all major digital streaming platforms and stores.

The Hoodies Remake Classic Rock Hit ‘Summer of 69’ With New Single And Video

Canadian singer Bryan Adams released his hit single ‘Summer of ’69’ on 17th June 1985. On the heels of the Rock anthem’s 38th anniversary, the viral rap sensations known as THE HOODIES share their take on the original song’s concept. Released to all major digital streaming platforms on this year’s summer solstice (21st June), the new single finds brothers E-Class and Young Poppa claiming dominance ahead of the season with braggadocious raps over producer A2’s chopped sample of the original melody and famous guitar riff.

Hailing from New York, The Hoodies are brothers Eben “E-Class” Nettles and Umar “Young Poppa” Abrams. The duo’s name serves as a tribute to the unjust government-sanctioned killings of young Black men, reclaiming the often demonized symbol of a Black man in a hoodie. Together, older brother E-Class (25) and younger brother Young Poppa (17) embody the fusion of two disparate generations and, consequently, imbue Hip-Hop’s throwback era as well as its promising future.

Best known for their viral social media freestyle series ‘In The Whip’, the two young emcees have been honing their craft since the ages of nine and four respectively. With impressive wordplay matched by sharp flows and an unrivalled ferocity in their delivery, The Hoodies first became internet sensations in 2016 when a video recording of the two trading bars over Jadakiss and Styles P’s “One More Step” in the front seats of their mother’s car racked up over three million views on Facebook within a month. The clip eventually caught the attention of famous fans like D.L. Hughley, and even landed the two brothers on The Ellen Show.

Since then The Hoodies have gone on to release a full-length album (Blood Thicker) in 2019 and an EP (Where Should We Land) in 2020. They’ve also gone on to deliver electrifying performances for just about every online freestyle platform, including Hot97’s Funk Flex, Sway’s OVERTIME, Bars On I-95, and many more. Rap legends such as Black Thought, Fat Joe, 50 Cent, Snoop Dogg, Redman, Jadakiss, and Styles P have all vehemently co-signed the duo. With rightful comparisons to The Notorious B.I.G, Young Poppa’s talents extend beyond Rap and onto the small screen with supporting acting roles in shows like NBC’s The Last OG and Law & Order, Hulu’s Wu-Tang: An American Saga, and more.

Check out the video below, directed by Corey Hallam and Tiffany Abrams…

Watch DJ Drama, Boosie Badazz, & OMB Peezy video for Track ‘Iron Right’ ft. Trouble 

Grammy Award-winning DJ and producer DJ DRAMA has paid tribute to the iconic Atlanta rapper Trouble with the release of the highly anticipated visual for ‘Iron Right’ featured on his new album, ‘I’m Really Like That’ released via Generation Now/MNRK Urban. The track features collaborations with Boosie Badazz and rising star OMB Peezy, with Trouble’s powerful presence resonating throughout the entire release.

The video for ‘Iron Right’ serves as an ode to Trouble’s distinctive style and unparalleled impact on the hip-hop scene. Known for his gritty lyricism and captivating storytelling, Trouble’s contributions to the rap game have left an indelible mark. DJ Drama, in collaboration with Boosie Badazz and OMB Peezy, delivers a track that encapsulates Trouble’s essence, paying homage to his influential presence in the industry. Check out the video below…

Listen to VerseBorn x JAE 1’s EP, ‘Freedom Is Expensive.’

From the moment you hit play on VERSEBORN x JAE 1‘s latest collaborative EP ‘Freedom Is Very Expensive,’ you’ll be transported into a world of introspection and raw emotion. Single ‘Authentic’ sets the tone with its smooth beats and powerful lyrics, while second effort ‘Veritas’ showcases VerseBorn’s impeccable flow and lyrical prowess. Each track on the EP brings something new to the table, with JAE 1’s soulful production adding an extra layer of depth and emotion to the mix.

As the EP progresses, you’ll find yourself becoming more and more immersed in the world that VerseBorn x JAE 1 have created. ‘Family Tides’ and ‘Rules To Live By’ are standout tracks that showcase the chemistry between these artists, while ‘Penthouse’ brings in heavy hitters Mickey Factz and Smooth Da Truth for an explosive finale that will leave you wanting more.

But it’s not just the music that makes ‘Freedom Is Very Expensive’ such an incredible project. It’s the way that VerseBorn x JAE 1 have seamlessly blended their styles together to create something truly unique and unforgettable. KonQuest Now has once again proven themselves to be at the forefront of the hip hop game, pushing boundaries and breaking down barriers with each and every release.

Don’t sleep on this EP – it’s destined to be a classic. Head over to Bandcamp now to stream and purchase ‘Freedom Is Very Expensive’ is now available exclusively via Bandcamp. Check it out below…

Must Listens: Family Tides, Rules To Live By, Penthouse

Check out Tito x Keet Kolbang New Video For ‘Love Tap’

Well, it’s been a while since Boston’s hip-hop collective Beanstock Records appeared on NEW LEASEMUSIC (fours years to be exact).

Now they come stream rolling back into 2023 with a new music video for track, ‘Love Tap’. Rapper TITO takes the lead on with his silky smooth flow on a nostalgic beat, following up by Keet Kolbang dropping his fiery bars.

The gang last featured on the blog back in 2019, claiming the #3 spot on NEW LEASE MUSIC’s Top Ten Albums of 2019.

Why not check them out below…