Album Review: Audiocity – Rayne Storm

Harlem NYC’s own RAYNE STORM is back with his latest eclectic rap album ‘Audiocity’. Within a month of its release the album has gained over 60,000 Spotify streams, over 100,000 across all platforms with the momentum rising. AudioCity also reached #4 in Hip-Hop/Rap and #21 in All Genres on iTunes in the country of Bahrain off the strength of the single “Revenge” ft. Jarren Benton & Kony Brooks, a major milestone for the indie artist.

As with each of his albums, Rayne has released each song as a single with stand outs including the solo track “On My Own”, the party banger “Doin’ A Lot”, “La La La”, “Dogecoin” and myriad of other songs. Each track transitions smoothly into the next and takes you on a ride through the “Audiocity” soundscape Rayne has created. The album touches a multitude of corners in hip-hop with everything from the drill inspired song “Chill”, to lyrical story telling with songs like “Hip Hop Love”, “Dive Bar” and “Dirty 30”.

This project has something for everyone. The range of the music has a multi-generational, multi-stylistic approach and appeal. Its safe to say this is Rayne Storm’s best project to date, a well produced independent Rap/Hip-Hop album that could be a game changer for an artist who has been determined to change the game. Check it out below…

Must Listens:, Revenge, Dogecoin (Run it Up), Hip-Hop Love, La La La, Alone, Dirty 30

Album Review: Pinky’s Boy – DeShaunJay

Coming all the way from San Antonio, rapper DESHAUNJAY delivers his highly anticipated album, ‘Pinky’s Boy.’ Weighing in at a solid 16 tracks, the project saw no previous single releases as DeShaunJay gives fans the entire album in one drop.

Jay delivers solid rhymes and clever lyrics throughout the entire album over trap-esque arrangements that are often sinisterly dark coupled with chant-like overtones. The 29 year old artist shows that he could hold his own, as he takes on each beat with confidence and ease, flourishing from the first track to the one with different flows and topics, keeping the prospective listener engaged at all times.

All in all, DeShaunJay offers up dope rhymes mixed with dope beats creating the perfect feast for those who well and truly appreciate hip-hop. Have a Listen to ‘Pinky’s Boy below…

Must Listens: Reunion, Calvin Ellis, Acrobatics, Pray For Me, On The Line, Schemin

EP Review: Lost Talent 3 – IamDJStaxx

New York’s emcee IamDJSTAXX continues to capitalise on the momentum he has built as he is primed to release the third and final chapter of the Lost Talent Series, ‘Lost Talent 3’.

After releasing the first chapter in 2018 and the second one in 2019, he is now all set to offer the new fully-loaded EP. Released via UpNexx Digital LLC, This six-track project sees IamDJStaxx joining forces with new talents, Rah Dior and WaveGodTj.

A perfect combo of smooth after-hours tones along with a heavy bass introduces the EP with the track, ‘Ina Minute,’ which is topped off by the fiery bounce of IamDJStaxx’s and WaveGodTj’s delivery.

Some slick guitar plucks lead the way in the second effort, ‘It Is What It Is’ blossoming into a mid-tempo, cursing-in-the-summer noughties-inspired R&B (which is kind of reminiscent of a Ja Rule/Ashanti collaboration), where IamDJStaxx and WaveGodTj continues to light up the feel-good joint with some fiery bars.

In the second half of ‘Lost Talent 3’, IamDJStaxx calls on fellow NY rapper Rah Dior to inject a heavy dose of trip-hop that runs deep in tracks ‘Like Me,’ ‘Bandz,’ and ‘Flingz,’ where the two take turns in dropping some melodic bars that melt right into the arrangements.

IamDJStaxx’s final installment, ‘Lost Talent 3, ’ encompasses the past and the present, which can potentially be a worthy collection of generations who enjoyed the 90s/00s R&B and trap and even drill music. Check out the EP below and the blog’s song recommendations:

Must Listens: InA Minute, It Is What It Is, Flingz

EP Review: Fuk Being Famous Vol.1 – Ethanpil

Right from the beginning, ETHANPIL‘s EP, ‘FUK Being Famous Vol.1’ bursts with trap-like beats combined with heavy-rolling bass, that just pops and hits between the eyes… and trust me on this one, this mini collection is more than ready to BLOW OFF the roof of any house party.

‘UK Being Famous Vol.1’ slows down (just a little) with tracks, ‘You Doing 2 Much’, ‘Slow’ and ‘Disrepectful Shiit’ all still retaining the trap/heavy bass combo (which is obviously a neat trademark of this slick spitter) but with a slight laid-back feel in the air. The EP bounces right back to speed with ‘Active’, bringing back that much-needed, head-bopping energy from the beginning.

All I have to say about this EP is, if you wanna start your summer right, well this is the best place to start. Check out ‘UK Being Famous Vol.1’ below and songs recommendations…

Must listens: Fuk Being Famous, 100K, Slow, Disrespectful Shiit

Album Review: L.I.F.E: The Cause – J.A.S.

I was sooo elated when South African rapper/producer J.A.S slipped me his latest album, ‘L.I.F.E: The Cause’ – it seemed ages since he grace his presence on this blog with previous project, ‘#Don’tSleepOnJAS’, which possesses electronic/downtempo soundscapes with infectious Trip-hop beats/bass.

With this latest album, J.A.S retains the same theme from the previous project, but delving further into the downtempo route with long-term collaborators, South African singers Palesa Blossom and Nevita, who both provide a pleasingly trippy experience with their alluringly soulful vocals with tracks such as ‘L.I.FE’, ‘Controlled’ ‘Moth to A Flame’ and ‘Scattered.’

J.A.S also adds another long-collaborator, South African acclaimed rapper, Sy’Defect to the impressive album’s lineup. Among the chilled vibes of the seven-track project, Sy’Defect injects such vibrancy with his semi-rapid flow to the delicate backdrop of tracks, ‘Controlled’ and ‘Scattered.’

Overall, ‘L.I.F.E: The Cause’ is a great escapism album to kick back with some friends and to forget about the great maze called life. Have a listen below…

Must Listen: Controlled, Words, Scattered.