Watch Sh8kes’ video for track ‘Regrets’ ft. The Musalini

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

Check out the video for ‘Regrets’ below…

Experimental Rapper OG Spliff Drops Tracks, ‘son of toga’ & ‘building’.

North Carolina’s old-school hip-hop revivalist OG SPLIFF has recently released a two-pack single offering, consisting of self-reflective tirade ‘son of toga’ and its restorative, complement, ‘building.’

The poet-turned-rapper’s introspective delivery has a nonchalant swing to it, as his syrupy bars effortlessly marry the soulful, sample driven instrumentals produced by Argov. Largely inspired by the black experience and the dialogue between himself and the man in the mirror, ‘son of toga’ sees the rising artist acknowledge his toxic traits, wanting to change but not ready to commit, while ‘building’ sees him come to terms with the reality that he will have to live with his scars, searching for a way to move forward.

OG Spliff’s life has always been steeped in a variety of musical influences. He explains, “My pops was a DJ growing up, which fostered my love for music, especially house music. He opened my world to all sorts of sounds. Some of my earliest music memories with him are from our trips to the local hood gas station, where we’d go buy rap CDs from the bootleg man, ranging from East Coast rappers Fat Joe and Wu-Tang Clan, to West Coast staples, like N.W.A. and Snoop Dogg.”

“son of toga” and “building” are a testament to OG Spliff’s ability to curate a sound uniquely his own, one that is sure to have listeners captivated from the first listen. The rising artist has built his artistry from the ground up; he has opened for MAVI, Lil Durk and Yella Beezy in the past, was featured on Spotify’s Fresh Finds Hip-Hop, and has accumulated an impressive 2M+ streams on the platform along the way. There is no denying that OG Spliff has solidified himself as one to watch as he continues his run of self-reflective, experimental hip-hop. Have a listen to both singles below…

Watch DEVN’s New Video For Smooth Track, ‘Wild’

Almost a year since his guest feature on Dreamville rapper Lute’s record “Myself”, North Carolina’s R&B newcomer DEVN shares the official Cinecerly-directed music video for his new single, ‘Wild’. Produced by Arnold Obonyo, the song is about being wildly in love, and romantically obsessed with someone. The video plays out over the track’s subdued instrumentals, complimented by tinted lighting, and capped by an unexpected twist.

Speaking of the seductive production, DEVN says: “I wanted to capture that feeling on this record. I was inspired by patterns that I observed in relationships, whether that be my own or someone else’s. We all experience that moment of obsession and I wanted to play with that idea. We must acknowledge the fact that relationships have highs and lows, and realize that the romantically obsessive parts are passing moments, and grow with our partners past that. The video depicts what happens when we don’t get past those unhealthy feelings.”

‘Wild’ will serve as one of three new songs on the deluxe version of DEVN’s St. Luke St. EP, set to release 9th September via Soulspazm. For now, check out the video for the single below…

Song of the Day: Silver Lining – The Mystery Plan (ft. Big Supreme)

When dreampop blends with hip hop, how does it sound? North Carolina’s indie pop outfit THE MYSTERY PLAN and rapper BIG SUPREME show us just how beautiful and deep it can be. ‘Silver Lining’ is the lead track from their latest album ‘You Also Have Eyes’, co-produced by the legendary John Fryer. The new chill video sees these two artists joins forces amidst high cocktail hour.

Big Supreme says “I was truly in a period of stagnation musically… When I heard the music The Mystery Plan had put together, I just let it play and let the spirit speak through me. What came out of it was a message of hope for 2021 and beyond… at the end of every struggle in life, there’s a silver lining.”

Check out the official video for the banging single below…

Song of the Day: Foreva – DEVN

Contrasted with DEVN‘s care-free, upbeat introduction on his anti-love summer anthem ‘Freak Freak’, the multi-talented artist slows the pace and flexes his vocal chops on the sentimental latest single ‘Foreva’. The song finds the Charlotte, North Carolina newcomer embracing love with ethereal vocals that float over smooth production.

“‘Foreva’ is about being afraid to lose the feeling of love, and having the desire to hold on to a special romantic relationship that lasts forever.” – DEVN

Check out the official video for the single below…