OUT TODAY: Listen to McMillin’s Single, ‘What It Was’

A dynamic Nashville based guitarist, vocalist, songwriter, and producer, McMILLIN is a jack of all trades and an artist in every sense of the word. Gaining inspiration from pop, rock, and funk genres, McMillin cannot be put into a box, but rather mends genres seamlessly, becoming what he calls a “fusion artist.”

His new single ‘What It Was’ off starts strong, with four ear-piercing distorted guitar notes quickly followed by a much more mellow beat under a groovy bass riff. McMillins’ smooth voice comes in with “Maybe it’s just better off this way / Some say you begin to die when you refuse to change.” The guitar music stays mellow throughout the chorus with lots of variation in the drum set, a steady beat along with the occasional closed hi-hat and loud crash of a ride cymbal. The song builds throughout each verse adding more and more riffs from the lead guitar and bass guitar giving it that rock-pop sound. McMillin sings “And then it hits you all at once / It never will be what it was.” McMillin accepts that with time comes change but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t miss what used to be.

Hailing from the music capital of the world, Nashville TN, McMillin has been playing in clubs and bars in the heart of music city and beyond. Combining the elements of poetic dark pop with funk and rock components, McMillin creates a truly immersive, revolutionary musical adventure.

Currently, McMillin is representing Rolling Stone as the frontman for the Rolling Stone Rock Room featured on Holland America Cruise Lines. McMillin describes the guitar as “his one true love” and this is clear as his talents of lead guitar playing, as well as his impressive rock vocals, are on full display in this electrifying show. Their itineraries include the Mediterranean and Scandinavia, as well as most of the Caribbean.

‘What It Was’ is out today (1st September). Have a listen below…

Chicago Producer Jason Griff Join Forces With MC Zilla For Latest Project, ‘Stacking Chips’.

“Yo, hacky sack liberal college rap, we don’t f*ck with that,” Zilla Rocca emphatically proclaims in his opening line of ‘Don’t Panic,’ which should be bold text on a welcome mat with this album cover on it.

‘Stacking Chips’ is the long-overdue collaboration between Philadelphia MC ZILLA and Chicago producer JASON GRIFF. The two are long-time friends, having met on MySpace in the mid-2000s, yet had not collaborated on a full album until now. This project, however, was definitely worth the wait. Featuring hardheaded, bass-heavy car music that salutes the influence of 90’s Queens and Southern bounce, with juicy hooks and incredible guest verses from artists such as SolarFive, Defcee, ShrapKnel, Milc, and even the great SKECH185.

Zilla and Griff set out to make an album full of end-of-summer bangers, and did just that. From the banned-from-streaming ‘Frank Castle,’ which questions American police officer’s love of The Punisher logo to the vibrant and bouncy, Andrew-assisted ‘Barkeep.’ The album consistently toes the line of aggressive and lighthearted at the same time as Zilla can flip between tales of canceling a date to watch a DOOM interview to dreaming of catching up with potential car thieves.

The album title is an homage to longtime friend, collaborator, and co-founder of Insubordinate Records, Lorde Jones Scorcese, whose voice can be heard throughout the album including his trademark acronym “Stacking Chips on Record Crushing Every Single Enemy,” among other resurfaced dialogue. The album concludes with a heartfelt tribute song ‘No Question’ featuring Alex Ludovico.

Stacking Chips also features guest appearances from Ace Cannons, Jesse the Tree, Alaska and ZeroStar. The album was mastered by C. Money Burns. Check it out below…

Must Listens: Nine Fifteen, A Note To Potential Car Thieves, Scott Summers

Song of the Day: Anticipate – Xenia Manasseh

Introducing the Kenyan-born, Los Angeles-based XENA MANASSEH and her new single ‘Anticipate’ featuring fellow Kenyan artist Karun. The ethereal new single is imbued with 90s R&B sensibilities as the two artists unite, their hypnotic voices sizzling over a glittering, cinematic production. The single marks the latest taste from Xenia’s forthcoming much-anticipated 11-track debut LP Love/Hate Pt.1 slated for release on 1st September.

‘Anticipate’ appears alongside recent release ‘Temporary Love’ on Love/Hate Pt.1, the two singles marking an exciting taste of what’s to come from this ineffable debut. The beautifully curated album sees Xenia blend complex, intricate productions with appearances from the likes of Tay Iwar and Shalom Dubas.

Xenia Manasseh is a breathtaking global rising talent. Blending an eclectic offering of R&B shot-through with flavours of afro-soul, the emerging artist has already worked with the likes of Teyana Taylor, Burna Boy, GoldLink and more. With two EPs under her belt, 2019’s Falling Apart and 2022’s Maybe which includes the single ‘Love Me or Leave Me’ (1M+ Spotify streams) and support from Spotify (Xenia has been an ‘EQUAL’ and ‘RADAR’ ambassador), Xenia is making waves as an artist who blends stunning lyrical relatability with lush vocals and intricate songwriting. Have a listen to ‘Anticipate’ below…

Bullet Brak Drops Summer-Charged Track, ‘Fan Blades’ + Video

Known his dynamic delivery and witty wordplay, veteran rapper BULLET BRAK returns with an old-school inspired joint, ‘Fan Blades’, out now across various music streaming sites.

The spellbinding Maryland-born entertainer is now living in SouthWest, Florida and has worked with heavyweights such as Papoose, Grafh, OT The Real, The Beatnuts, Noreaga, Curren$y, The LOX, Gunplay, Torch, Ty Dolla $ign, Torae, Chevy Woods, Termanology, Chris Rivers and more.

‘Fan BLades’ follows his track, ‘Done With It’, featuring OT The Real. Check out the video below…

Rapper Reg Mason unveils debut album, ‘TESTDRIVE’

New Jersey’s self-proclaimed misfit REG MASON, invites us in for a worshipful exploration centered around themes of slow growth and opposition to instant gratification with his debut album, ‘TESTDRIVE’.

Throughout the ten-track journey, we will gain a deep understanding of the 24-year-old rapper’s battles and what life’s test drive has looked like thus far. Drawing strength from not only within, but the roots of his family tree, Mason triumphantly diminishes the intrusive thoughts that try to lead him astray from fully stepping into his calling as an artist. The innovative hip-hop production by fellow New Jersey native CURT captures an essence of nostalgia, inspired by the soundtrack of Mason’s early teenage years which consisted of countless hours spent submerging himself into the underground east coast/Midwest hip hop scene, from EL-P, Das Racist, Danny Brown and Freddie Gibbs.

“TESTDRIVE’ is a spiritual callback to my early years, while also focusing on how much I’ve changed,” Mason explains. “It’s about learning to appreciate the slower road because heaven knows this is not for the charts. TESTDRIVE’ is a Delorean with a V12 engine under the hood. She might look old and dusty but, once you sit inside, it’s a weighted experience.”

‘TESTDRIVE’ is made of two parts, Side-A (CHECKERBOARD!) and Side-B (CHESSBOARD’), reflective of the idea that checkers and chess share the same board, yet require different strategies and approaches.

Side-A opens with ‘marah’,’ a spitfire offering that was the catalyst to the album’s creation. The charismatic “CHECKERBOARD!” follows, leaning into the coming-of-age theme as it feeds into Mason’s desire to continuously evolve. “pa’ (interlude)” is an old-school hip-hop inspired track featuring Mason’s father, who urges him to “let his confidence ooze off his spirit,” a motif throughout the album. Following is ‘VAUXHALL’, a call out to the neighborhood in Union, NJ where he grew up, a place that historically was home to black residents prior to integration. Fan-favorite ‘STÉ’ feat. JTT concludes Side-A, which sees the proud New Jerseyans’ unbridled flow answer his own question, “am I willing to sacrifice my artist dream for a lover who doesn’t support my vision?”

Side-B shows the complexity of the album with more personal subject matter and sample-blending, introducing a more nuanced view of Mason. Kicking off with ‘CHESSBOARD’, over soulful instrumentation, Mason croons, “Remember underground apartments with my Mom, dog, that’s low living.” “fearful’ / MA’,” the album’s focus track, sees him battle his intrusive thoughts, with questions like “Will my dad be around when I finally make it?” His highly praised single “HANDSHAKES’,” featuring fellow New Jersey native GINI, serves as a nostalgic walk down memory lane. Following is the title track ‘TESTDRIVE!,’ which proves Reg’s prowess as an innovator, as he effortlessly raps over a psychedelic beat. The album concludes with ‘SEQUEL’, encapsulating the overall coming-of-age theme, and ultimately accepting the unknown.

A proven visceral storyteller by nature, ‘TESTDRIVE’ is a testament to Mason’s ability to craft a sonic world uniquely his own, solidifying himself as one to watch with his debut full-length offering of self-reflective, experimental hip-hop. Check out his epic offering below…

Must Listens: CHECKERBOARD!, VAUXHALL, TESTDRIVE