To coincide with the release of their debut LP Breakfast in Phantasia, the esoteric hip hop collective Clouds in a Headlock presents their flagship focus cut “Phantasia”. Mellow jazzed out rhodes and a raw drum break collide to provide the buoyant soundscape of production duo Runway 45 with added sonic sprinkles provided by the Ghost in the Machine. MCs Doctor Outer, Lovecraft, and Èph weave effortlessly through the beat to deliver their rich colorful rhymes and illuminate Clouds in a Headlock’s psychedelic playground. “Phantasia” hits DSPs on 18.11 courtesy of CMR in partnership with Fat Beats.
Hailing from the UK, Lori Asha delivers her latest track Compensate, a dreamy production that is raising the standard for the next releases really high. Compared to her first track titled Never which had a classic, elegant RnB vibe, Compensate is characterised by the addition of drill elements in the backing track. On top of that, cheeky guitar lines, chill key licks and ethereal warm pads are mixed with Lori’s dreamy vocal delivery, resulting in a very satisfying release. Listen below and make sure to follow our Spotify Playlist feat. Lori Asha.
Richmond-based R&B/Soul artist Moneá is back with Check In, a well crafted production that invites the listener to the deepest side of the RnB universe. Driven by the delicate, mellow bass line the instrumental is enriched by organic keys and warm guitars, complementing the smooth vocal delivery by Monea. The soulful melodies blend nicely with the beautifully tight groove, helping you to relax while adding that atmospheric hint to your late night walk. Ease your mind. Check in.
Tell us a few things about your new song Feed My Mind. What is the story behind it?
Feed My Mind is a song I wrote after a break-up, when I realised that the whole reason I kept ending up in messy relationships was that they were not feeding my mind! And luckily I think I learnt that lesson now looking back.
Why are some people so focused on looks?
Our whole society is very focused on appearance so it comes as no surprise that many people are chasing the perfect looks whether it comes to themselves or their partners, since beauty ideals are fed to us constantly.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
Oh thats a tricky one, I always try to be honest in my lyrics, but of course some songs will hit home more than others. I have a song on my EP called “ Freedom Is A Place In My Mind” where I’m singing “Slowly I’m tearing down the walls I’ve built round me, All the things that kept me from being free, I don’t wanna hide, I don’t wanna lie, It’s morning, A brand new day a brand new life I have in my hands, now I choose to see, I found right back to me” that is a very personal reflection on finding back to my own wisdom and stop asking for validation from the outside.
Born in Finland, currently based in Berlin. What do you love/hate in each place?
What I love about Finland is the nature and the calm, there are not a lot of people and lots of forests that everyone has access to. What I love about Berlin is the art-scene. In Berlin you find interesting people from all around the world and it has inspired me a lot in my own artistry.
Hate is a strong word, but what I dislike about Finland is that people are kind of anti-social and if you look different people will stare at you like you are an alien haha. In Berlin I dislike the German bureaucracy that I am trying to avoid as much as possible.
When not writing music, how do you spend your time?
I paint a lot and make clothes from recycled material. Recycling in general is one of my favourite hobbies. I recycle most of the food I eat because so much are being thrown away! Oh and I also practise Kung-Fu.
My sound in three words is melodic, versatile, raw.
Tell us a few things about your new song Shining. What is the story behind it?
The story behind Shining was to make a record that was really catchy and about coming up from the grind. But the meaning is to shine from within just like ice etc. Ironically when I made this Shining I was in a dark place at the time. but I had to use the inner shine from within to keep pushing through and inevitably bring this song to existence.
Which is your most personal and honest lyric?
My most honest lyrics is “I’m soul finding right now I’m just soul searching my soul be burning”. Its lyrics from a song that I made called No Write-Offs I was expressing the pains that I felt through my life.
Favourite album of the past year?
There are a lot of great artists, but I’ve been listening to my own mixtape to this day. Just to really see the differences and growth through my craft.
What would you change in the music industry?
Easily the contracts and the music business as a whole. I feel labels rarely give artists their rights to own their own music catalogs. I feel that needs to change, but artist also need to be more business savvy if they really want longevity and wealth.
How do you relate to the vibrant music scene of Toronto?
Me being from Toronto automatically relates me in that sense. But depending on where you grew up in Toronto you may be on your grind and I feel my up bringing for sure reflects that in my music.
What is the most useless talent you have?
I feel all my talents are useful, but on a non serious point I would say I can drink a lot of water fast.
My sound in three words is melodic, mainstream ready, and versatile.
Tell us a few things about your EP Dice. What is the story behind it?
The story behind Dice is that I went through a lot of struggles in my personal life just to finish this project. I had to make decisions that the average person most likely wouldn’t of took or dared to try. It really was a risk and a choice to follow my vision at any cost to make it actually happen. I feel people can choice what they please, but their decisions will affect their life’s. I did not really have a choice I knew I had to do something to better my life. It really was a risk that I took, but it was worth it because it come to fruition.
You are doing music for 8 years. How has your sound developed over these years?
I started off as a back pack rapper going on old school beats and I transitioned to a mainstream sound. I do different genres now as well and I sing too. I can say versatility has been the major change over the years in comparison to my older songs from years ago.
Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?
My favourite rapper and lyricist is Tupac, but an honourable mention is DMX. Tupac is a true artist in every aspect. He could talk about anything and he painted a clear, but relatable image and message in his music. As for a producer I do not have an exact favourite I just respect good production from producers who take their craft serious.
What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?
Hip Hop symbolizes self expression of your consciousness. It also represents who you are as a person, your upbringing and your story. I feel Hip Hop is the voice of the unheard or unseen if it’s authentic.
What is the best advice you’ve been given?
The best advice I’ve been given is to be careful on who I do business with.
What is the one habit/thing you cannot live without?
One habit that I can not go without is constantly sharping my craft in some time of way. I am always advancing myself in anyway that is possible.
Signed on Hidrophonik Records since 2020, Montreal-based jazz-rap singer and songwriter L.Teez is a one-of-a-kind artist with a unique style. He is the product of different cultures, his father being from Quebec of Kabyle descent and his mother Chinese and Jamaican. He mixes sharp rap styles to create a universe of his own, between avant-garde jazz and old school hip hop, between Tyler The Creator, Flying Lotus and Pusha T.
“Waves is a song that shows my growth as an artist, both production & song writing wise. There was a lot of work that went into making it sound the way it does, big live drums triggered with heavy hip hop sounds around them.”
L.Teez crafted “I Need You” in a jam session fashion, with drums, keys and bass. Impossible to resist.
“Never Thought” is part of his new album “Studio Blue”, a real calling card of the young artist, where we can feel all his jazz, soul, funk influences, coupled with a devastating flow reminding the American pioneers of the genre…
Everyday, we’re constantly met with different personalities that we find ourselves adjusting to. Our bosses/ coworkers, our family members, our friends, etc. Once you’ve stepped away from your surroundings and finally settled into your humble abode at 2 AM, what does your conversations with yourself sound like?
Emjaiye Royale’s track “2 A.M. (What That Backstage Do) discusses her everyday reality and how she decompresses by using late nights to escape.
Your sound has an oldschool touch. Tell us a few things about I’m Not Crazy. What is the main idea behind it?
You already know I gotta stay with that old school touch ya feel me. Well I’m Not Crazy was inspired by some events that was going on at my job at Wash N Roll car wash. You know those events where you dealing with some rude customers that take things to the next level. So instead of expressing myself with giving that person a right hook to the jaw, I just figured ay why not just put them frustrations on wax ya know. Rather spit some bars about it than spend some time behind bars about it. Plus a lot people worldwide can relate to these events. So it’s just something to bump to when you having a hard day at work ya know.
What’s the best way to deal with rude customers?
Just keep yo self in check, say what you gotta say in a calm matter, and just fall back cause most times they just setting you up. They just trying to trap you.
Can you share us something funny that happened in the car wash?
Someone parked in the vacuum lanes and started rushing to the office but pacing awkwardly. That foo went to the bathroom in the office and blew it up in there. The big boss and the regional manager both walked in the office as that dude was leaving and as soon as the big boss walked in the bathroom, he stumbled upon a massive doo doo bomb all over the toilet. Then the big bosses ole funny ass had my manager go clean it up.
What first got you into music?
The influence from my dad, uncle’s, and cousins forming a rap group and doing their thang. I was always listening to their CDs as a child and then like a year later I was writing some raps of my own and spitting at the cafeteria tables in elementary. Of course they weren’t that great looking back on it but back then I was feeling myself. And then I’ll doing it on and off throughout my teenage years but then finally at age 17 going on 18 that itch to finally start recording myself and do something with that talent started itching a lot if you catch my drift. Started experimenting with recording and putting music out on SoundCloud for like 2 years then I really started taking up a notch. Doing music videos, performing, and opening up for big artists. Ya know. All that.
Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?
My favorite rapper and lyricist has to be C-Bo. Favorite producer that one’s a tough one. I guess I gotta go with Dr. Dre. He really set the tone for G-Funk.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Just be patient in life. Stop thinking with a scarcity mind set. Remind yourself that you don’t need nobody to make you happy. You don’t need no one’s approval to make you happy.
One last thing we should know about you?
I gotta EP that has just been completed. To all my fans and supporters y’all help ya boy spread the word out. “I’m Not Crazy” is one of the songs on the EP so you already know it’s Gon be bumping and slapping. Be on the lookout for the “1Hunna Man” EP. And also ya boy has been getting in to boxing so stay tuned to see me on Shotime.
Hailing from Canada, Reiv is showcasing the latest single What you need, a blend of moody hip hop and alternative RnB. Reiv’s nicely melodic flow is heavily processed with audio manipulation effects in a very artistic way. There is always a limit on how much auto tune a producer should use and Reiv manages to find this perfect balance avoiding that robotic, unnatural sound you listen on numerous occasions nowadays. On top of that, Reiv delivers some electrifying melodic lines with a nostalgic vibe, making the track ideal for listening to while leaning on your open window thinking of him/her.
HipHop Paranoia 