Emerging Rap Rock artist Rex Arcum teams up with Syano for genre bending EP ‘COMPOUND’

After setting Ireland’s underground alight with their eclectic fusion of hip-hop and rock, Cork’s REX ARCUM and SYANO release their joint effort EP ‘COMPOUND’ on June 2nd. Having been featured on Spotify’s Misfits 2.0, RTÉ and Nialler 9 with the EP’s lead single ‘LOTTO BOY’, the pair of rising artists are certainly ones to watch from the Emerald Isle.

The EP mirrors Rex Arcum and Syano’s live shows, driven by creative hip-hop samples and monstrous 808’s which are seamlessly blended with distorted guitar, gritty drums and powerful vocals. With tracks
featuring Nashville’s MNERVA, Brampton’s Spitty, Cork’s LG4 Ness and mixed/mastered by Brody (Nothing, Nowhere., Wicca Phase Springs Eternal, Freddie Dredd), this genre defiant EP expels unfiltered frustration and emotion as it tackles a host of negative aspects seen in society in Ireland.

Having kicked off 2023 with a sold-out headline gig in Fred Zeppelin’s Cork, as well as performing at a packed out Cork Rising in Cyprus Avenue and Absent Hip-Hop Night in Galway, Rex Arcum is touring Ireland in September with major support acts to be announced, it will be an explosive tour that’s not to be missed.

‘COMPOUND’ was released on 2nd June…have a listen to the explosive EP below…

Must Listens: CLIQUE, TOO BAD

Album Review: 2020 DIvision – JYellowL

Irish rapper JYELLOWL jumps right down to it with his highly-anticipated debut album, ‘2020 DIvison’ and addresses the issue of having self-worth through the introductory track ‘2020’, which possesses an intimate, stripped-back setting later joined by drums, idyllic runs of piano keys and a gusty thump of the b-line.

Melodic tones (which becomes patently clear that this is JYellowL’s trademark) against a seamlessly smooth hip-hop/R&B dropback and boisterous bass, continues through the first half of the album, putting a thought-provoking spin on serious topics such as systemic and institutional racism.

‘2020 DIvision’ then ventures into the realms tropical dancehall/Afrobeats (in ‘Hypocrite’ and ‘Change’), moving onto an air of tranquil trap-hop, 90-inspired afterhours in an acoustic setting and even elements of New Jack-ish era in ‘Tunnel Vision’. Along the breadth of genres, JyellowL continues to cover a breadth of tropics, including his experience in the music industry and taking proactive steps to elevating the youth in today’s society.

From the moment I hit play on ‘2020 DIvision’, it became very clear that JYellowL is more than just a musician who is instantly recognisable through his distinctive sound and catchy flow – he’s a strong activist that isn’t afraid to tackle political and social issues that intrigues as well as disturbs him, urging his audiences to find that inner flame to do the same.

Even through his singles ‘Ozone’, ‘Jewels’, ‘Doesn’t Feel Like’, ‘Mademoiselle’
and ‘Tunnel Vision’ were all well received ahead of the album’s release, JYellowL (personally) will be now further placed as one of the most intriguing and promising artists from the Irish rap scene and perhaps beyond – and may well be look upon as a Juggernaut-like political figure among his peers with ‘2020 DIvision’.

Check out 2020 DIvision check below plus the blog’s songs recommendation:

Must Listen: 2020, Call It What You Want, Doesn’t Feel Like, Change, Tunnel Vision 

Song of the Day: Rubber Bands – Rasstokyo

South-East London artist and producer, RASSTOKYO‘s latest, ‘Rubber Bands is no doubt catchy yet consciously charged, combined with an eye grabbing visual which shows Tokyo running for Prime Minister while spitting truths about the reality of life in the UK. Adding smooth transitions, rich tones and vivid colour into the mix – this is another example of why Rasstokyo is one of the most unique artists in the scene right now.

The artist first flooded the scene as a producer under the alias of Tokyo The Producer, before fixing his attention in front of the mic – singing and rapping. Soon he would be flowing through our playlists, on to our timelines and more, with a fluid and genre-less sonic that he brands ‘water music.’ Now, he’s looking to make a splash with ‘Rubber Bands’ and an upcoming project, so be careful or you might drown…

Check out the video for ‘Rubber Bands’ below…

Song of the Day: Problem, Reaction, Solution – Fliptrix

2020 is a year that will go down in the history books… but unfortunately for all the wrong reasons.

Throughout his new single ‘Problem, Reaction, Solution’ FLIPTRIX touches on this and tackles the world’s current situation head-on. With a no holds barred viewpoint, he spits his thoughts on what we’ve been going through, the way it’s been handled and expresses his concerns for the future.

Produced by one of the scenes most respected producers, Illinformed lays down a contrasting buoyant baseline against an uptempo beat.

‘Problem, Reaction, Solution’ is taken from album, ‘Light Work’, out now on Fliptrix’s label, High Focus Records. The 16-track project – which is a representation of him as both an artist as well as reflecting the person behind the artistry – pays homage to his fallen friend and legendary London graffiti artist ‘POW’ through track ‘Powerizm’. ‘Light Work’ also features Fliptrix’s recently released single, ‘Holy Kush’ which clocked over 100k views on Youtube in a week and conveys a message about overcoming the fear of death and persevering with the work he has put into the scene.

Check out the official video for Problem, Reaction, Solution below…

Premiere: 034 How Far (Single) – Oloye Coldman (Ft. Factoria, King Harrashy & El Breeze)

2020 has been full of ups and downs because of the Covid-19 pandemic, but this didn’t stop Nigerian artist/producer OLOYE COLDMAN from pushing out new music.

His new single, ‘034 Howfar’ – out today on all download and streaming sites – is a special shout out to all indigenes and residents of the 18 local governments areas in his hometown, Ondo State in  Nigeria.

Also aimed to encouraging unity among the indigenes with a classic production by the man himself, ‘034 Howfar’ is taken of his EP, ‘034’ slated to drop worldwide before the end of this year.

Have a listen to the politically-fueled ‘034 Howfar’ below, mixed and mastered by Deacon Beats.