Tag: unsigned rapper

Lyrique Shares New Video For Single ‘Smoke Break’

Philippines-born, Calgary-based hip hop act LYRIQUE‘s video for single, ‘Smoke Break’ is a narcotic-infused reflection on love and cannabis that swirls to a chill rap beat.

“When creating lyrics, I sometimes like to use objects as metaphors to dig into other topics,” says Lyrique. “In this case, I’m comparing the sensation of a drug-induced daze to the feelings of being in love.”

Shot in the Forest Lawn and Bridgeland neighbourhoods of Calgary, the hypnotic video features various area landmarks that serve as a shout out to the rapper’s adopted city. The video follows the release of a series of singles and mixtapes from the artist since 2016, which have drawn attention from COMPLEX, CBC’s Q, MTV Philippines, and more.

Arriving in Canada in 2014 to work as a live-in nanny, Lyrique’s rhymes often draw from his personal struggles as a temporary migrant worker. Now a permanent resident striving to fulfill his dreams, Lyrique’s story is one of many within Canada’s Filipino diaspora.

Lyrique’s debut full-length album will be announced later this summer…but for now, check out the video for ‘Smoke Break’ below…

 

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EP Review: Away From The City – Melanie Crew & Ross Palmer

MELANIE CREW and ROSS PALMER have been performing together for several years but EP, ‘Away from the City’ is their first release as a duo. The EP features six songs, three by each writer, and was produced at their home in south London, including two songs that were written and recorded during lockdown (‘Nobody’s Watching’ and A ‘Different Place’).

Melanie leads the way on the EP with the purest of vocals, later supported by a male light baritone performance in guitar-led piece, ‘Seven Mountains’, setting the intimate theme of the collection. BBC Essex/Kent-backed artist went on to add a real mystical glow to spellbinding ‘Holborn Hill’ and ‘A different Place’, which boasts warm glow of country/indie folk.

Also beginning with a stripped-back performance with guitar-led, ‘Restless Heart’, Ross then takes the EP on a slight soulful route, giving the acoustic theme a full-body sound in ‘Nobody’s Watching’, where his soothing vocals eases into the arrangements, that somehow has a revival, Dr. Hook twang. Ross – also a BBC Essex and BBC Kent-approved artist – concludes the set with ‘Darkest England’ which carries on that full-bodied sound to the almost stripped performance, which allows his rich storytelling to take centre stage.

Even if you’re not the greatest fan of the folkore, singer/songwriter approach, you will find the ‘Away from the City’ appeasing as the moment you hit play the set, there’s a comforting warmth that immediately releases any weighty troubles away. Hear for yourself; have a listen below…

Must Listen: Holborn Hill, Nobody’s Watching, Darkest England

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Check Out Jeru The Damaja’s Video For Compelling Single, ‘Power’

After a year long hiatus, Brooklyn’s rapper JERU THE DAMAJA jumps right back to it with brand new track entitled ‘Power’. The accompanied video features the conscious contender addressing the unjust social system that plagues society and suggests that unity is the answer to overcome the difficulties we face as humanity enters into another inevitable phase of unavoidable change.

Jeru first performed the track live on NPR Tiny Desk home concert back in April way before all of the civil unrest and worldwide protest.

Check it out below…

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Song of the Day: Trapstar II – Kwazi Cort

KWAZI CORT, a rising star in the UK Grime scene, serves a notice to all the non-believers who’ve been too quick to dub the genre as a thing of the past.

Using his single, ‘Trapstar II’ as a means of showcasing his multi-faceted artistry, he quite literally navigates the space between Rap and Grime to craft his own original sound, knotting together the kerrangs of Rock with the soulful harmonies of RnB.

Written as a diary of experiences, ‘Trapstar II’ serves as an ode and love letter to the South London streets which made him. Diving deeper into the complex feelings of negatively affecting your neighbourhood to make a living and fund studio-time, his aspirations are set way beyond any street cred. Kwazi Cort refreshingly vocalizes the challenges he faced as a recovered conscious gangster – sentiments which are not expressed enough in today’s music! Supplying listeners with the highs and lows of being a Trapstar, along with the burdens placed on his relationships, as a consequence of prioritizing the roads; finally giving real meaning to the phrase “married to the streets”.

“It’s kinda mad, I thought everybody went through similar things like me… I was wrong. My South London story morphed friends to foes, cats to catwalks, macs to models” Kwazi continues,“Trapstar II is an autobiography, recording my journey from hustling in the streets to barring in the booth. Grinding in order to better my position due to the lack of opportunities, meanwhile at war with my conscience, aware of the damage it’s causing my loved ones as a result.”

Check out the video for ‘Trapstar II’ below…

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Fly Von ‘Ride Thru The Whole Damn City’ With Latest Banger

FLY VON may have held onto the blog’s Album of the Week title with mixtape, ‘FlyMix Vol.1’ for THREE weeks last month, but he ain’t done yet…

The Virginia rapper comes through with his latest bass-rampant track, ‘Ride Thru The Whole Damn City’, giving you guys a real taste of his forthcoming album, ‘The Rawest 2’. Check out the banger below…

 

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