Magi Merlin Shares New Single, ‘Free Grillz’ + Video

After courting a cult following with her underground EPs Drug Music, On My Way to the Listening Party, and subsequent singles, the ever-mysterious Canadian artist, MAGI MERLIN (pronounced MADGE-eye) is stepping into her moment with new single, ‘Free Grillz.’ The new track follows off earlier tips from CRACK Magazine and spots opening for the likes of Lido Pimienta and playing at Osheaga alongside ODIE, Jessie Reyez, etc. She will support the new single with SXSW dates and a debut headline show in Brooklyn at Purgatory on March 9.

Produced by longtime collaborator and beatsmith Funkywhat, ‘Free Grillz’ finds Magi’s vocals gliding over frostbitten hi-hats, tectonic snares, and a shattering bassline showing off the extent of her talents, marrying a sensuous and self-assured rapping style with a wistful hook. Changing tact from earlier releases, Merlin switches out some of those syrupy R&B flavors for the sounds of 90’s house, drum and bass and acid-flecked hip-hop. ‘Free Grillz’ is a track that playfully aspires to the tropes of rap fame while also frankly reflecting on the realities of day-to-day life (like having your name mispronounced, or having to kick out the clingy man who won’t leave your apartment).

Directed by Walid Jabri, the music video for ‘Free Grillz’ shows Magi in an intimidating, cold and yet utterly captivating light. Proudly flaunting her grillz, she embodies the daring attitude of the song and mesmerizes viewers in an array of red hues and fast-moving shots. From motorcycle rides to blowing off a boring guy and mosh pitting, Magi keeps us on our toes as she references the lifestyle in the lyrics.

Check out the fierce video to the equally fierce track below…

Song of the Day: La La La – Rayne Storm (ft. Sticky Fingaz)

RAYNE STORM is back with a trail of singles (‘La La La’, ‘Old School, New School’ and ‘All Along’) coming off his upcoming album ‘AudioCity’. The project is described as a triple threat of collabs with Sticky Fingaz of Onyx, Swifty Mcvay of D12 & DMC of the iconic Hip-Hop group Run DMC.

Making it to today’s top spot, ‘La La La’ speaks on the effects of growing up around guns and gun violence with Sticky Fingaz doing double duty with a featured verse and chorus. With straight forward and honest lyrics, the track doesn’t glorify nor run from its truths and descriptive nature.

‘La La La’ makes a great introduction into Rayne’s album slated for release 21st February…but for now, get tuck in on the track below…

Song of the Day: She Back – Osay

Interweaving intricate rhyme schemes with introspective lyricism, OSAY reintroduces her rap capabilities in her freestyle, ‘She Back’. In this short display, Osay details her desires for more out of life and music while also reminding rappers that she’s not to be messed with as her take-no-prisoners demeanour is on full view to witness.

This Chicago fierce artist made her entrance on the scene with debut EP, ‘Chapter One’ in 2021 which has gained over 10,000 streams to date.

Have a listen to this fiery joint below…

Song of the Day: Jumpin – NLE Choppa (ft. Polo G)

Memphis rap star NLE CHOPPA‘s energetic single ‘Jumpin’, featuring Chicago rapper Polo G serves as the first release from Choppa’s EP ‘Me vs. Me’, released last Friday (3rd December). The fiery track finds the duo in search of cash and come ups. An accompanying cinematic video explores similar themes, featuring the pair in a multi-act heist story fit for the big screen.

‘Jumpin’ puts Choppa’s precise flows at centre stage. Flipping through flexes and delirious threats, the track lets him show off what he does best. “Play with my cash and I’m on your ass,” he raps. “Like the pockets on the back of your pants.” His ability to blend clever one-liners with a sense of menace is on full display, an approach that Polo also adopts on his melodic verse.

The accompanying visual plays like a classic heist film, with Choppa and Polo serving as the stars. Armed with guns, masks, an armored truck, and dazzling grills, the duo embark on an epic bank robbery, only to get into a shootout with the cops. Like Robin Hood, though, the crew escapes, and the pair end the video chuckling with one another, thumbing through their spoils.

Last year marked his first Top 100 single and 1Xtra playlist in the UK with ‘Walk Em Down’ featuring Roddy Rich and this along with his release with Lil Baby ‘Narrow Road’, another UK success was supported by Tiffany Calver, Tim Westwood, Kenny Allstar

This new collaboration is the latest track in a wildly successful year for NLE Choppa. In August he released the hard-hitting ‘Mmm Hmm,’ which followed June’s poignant, introspective ‘Letter to My Daughter.’ On April 1, he dropped his beloved ‘First Day Out,’ a freestyle over SpotemGottem’s ‘Beat Box.’ The video has since achieved 65 million views on Youtube and the track was eventually reissued as an official remix called “Beat Box 4.” Back in January, Choppa dropped ‘Picture Me Grapin,’’ with a video paying homage to Tupac Shakur. The visual was released at 11:11 AM on January 22, playing up Choppa’s fascination with numerology and spiritual enlightenment.

Choppa continues to push himself and the culture forward. He crashed the Top 10 of the Billboard 200 with his 2020 debut album, Top Shotta. He achieved a record run of 24 weeks atop Billboard’s Emerging Artists Chart. To date, he has gathered 5 billion-plus global streams, six RIAA-certified plaques, a spot on the 2020 XXL Freshman list, and a nomination for the 2020 BET Hip-Hop Awards’ Best New Artist and was recently featured on Billboard’s “21 Under 21” list.

With ‘Jumpin,’ Choppa continues his run as one of the most exciting MCs out, in addition to proving his mettle as a worthy collaborator. With Polo G joining on the ride, NLE Choppa has converted his momentum into another hit.

Why not check out the video for ‘Jumpin’ (released on NLE Entertainment/Warner Records)

Dutch ReBelle Comes Through With Track, ‘Earthwormz’

Following the release of the visuals for “Q.O.Q” with fellow MA artist King Fiya, DUTCH REBELLE is back with a new track called ‘Earthwormz’ – a bar-heavy banger riddled with growth and witty reflection over the cruise-friendly mafioso melodies produced by frequent collaborator Humbeats. ReBelle sets the tone with a bossy declaration of her position in music.

The veteran rapper seamlessly weaves in and out of multiple flows with a calm demeanor paired with a subtle aggression that peeks out behind the slick-mouthed sass.

Why not check out her single below…