DeliBass, the producer hailing from Australia, has gifted us a delightful auditory escape with his instrumental track, “Hikaru (Lofi Mix).” At the heart of it lies a smooth guitar line that engages in a soulful conversation with dreamy atmospheric keys. The songwriting carries a jazzy vibe, enriched by sweet twists that add a layer of sophistication to the composition. This lo-fi mix is the perfect companion for a laidback afternoon, an ideal soundtrack for moments of quiet contemplation or creative endeavors. Listen below!
Conrad Jon’s “Suburban Disturbance” brings a vibe to the hip hop scene. Featuring a distinct string riff in the instrumental that persists throughout the entire track, what truly sets the song apart is its original melodic flow in the hook, that has an early Young Thug flavour. The simplicity of the beat, enriched with classic trap elements, adds an effective layer to the project, making it easy to hit that replay button. The flow is delivered effortlessly, a testament to the artist’s ability to create catchy hooks. Listen below!
Odd Holiday, consisting of Alt-Hip-Hop MC Mattic and producer duo Daylight Robbery!, straddles the line between underground nostalgia and a progressive future. In “Adam West High School,” the mysterious piano loops reminiscent of Griselda’s style, evolve into smooth jazz stabs and psychedelic nuances curtesy of Ghost in the Machine. The MC delivers a seamless, one-take verse that spans the entire track—no hooks, just pure lyrical wizardry that captivates attention until the very end.
‘Boarded Up Portals’ encapsulates the group’s overarching hip-hop approach, blending abstract cinematic soul with eloquent, vivid lyricism. Odd Holiday diverges from the mainstream, choosing an unconventional path and ensuring to seal off the portal behind them. This track possesses a dual nature—simultaneously beautiful and haunting. Extended, angelic vocal samples, immersed in darkness, create an ideal setting for intricate lyrical mind games.
“Omen Key” ventures into the realm of Brazilian Psych, introducing an additional layer to the duo’s diverse alternative-hip hop collection. The introduction captivates with an immersive wall of synth that transforms into a velvety Rhodes-driven groove, featuring Mattic’s characteristic verse. In a surprising twist, the B-section unfolds into a psychedelic guitar breakdown, effortlessly complemented by Mattic’s flow. Odd Holiday, once more, explores a fresh sonic identity, remaining unmistakably true to their distinctive style.
Nate Rose takes his game to the next level with the deeply personal new song titled “LEVEL UP (Survivor’s Guilt),” delving into themes of family trauma, ethical and moral questions, and a stark juxtaposition of the circumstances facing him and his old friends. This powerful track is marked by some fire, minimal 808s in the beat and showcases a skilled, heavilly eq flow with remarkable variety, presenting an honest and raw work of art.
Irish singer, songwriter, rapper, and visual artist Max Zanga, aka as Filmore! collaborates with Uppbeat showcasing his signature delivery with “MENACE,” a track featured on his self-titled mixtape. This aggressive hip hop tune seamlessly incorporates Nu Metal influences, adding an edgy and dynamic dimension to the music. Beyond its intense sound, “MENACE” delves into themes of introspection and self-doubt, delivered with a fiery vocal performance that demands attention. The ingenious fusion of an intriguing synth riff with the solid guitars, creating a powerful project that pushes boundaries.
John Sarastro (visuals and beats) teams up with Dell Wells (vocals and words) for Vigilante, a hip-hop production that blends traditional techniques with new ideas pushing the boundaries of the genre. The instrumental stands out with its intriguing funky line mixed beautifully with a classic, saturated drum beat, while the added scratches carry an oldschool essence. The flow exhibits pleasing variety, with each rapper effortlessly delivering their bars. Unconventional hip hop straight from da underground. Listen below!
Follow our Spotify Playlist “Hip Hop Paranoia” feat. Bolt Seminar
Hailing from Canada, Aminata showcases her irresistibly chill work delivering some serious laid back vibes. The artist’s delivery has a straight, to the point, spoken word touch. The warm detuned synth chords in the instrumental create a distinctive presence, harmoniously mingling with the lofi beat and the pleasantly subdued bass line. What’s Magic? Aminata has the answer for you. Click play below!
Onesapa, the Singer and songwriter from the Netherlands with Moluccan and Dutch Indian roots teams up with Laura Picar, coming with the attitude for On my Way, an uplifting hip hop tune with playful old school vibes. Delivery is really wavey enriched with clean vocals in the chorus. The instrumental features a distinctive synth riff that dances between two semitone chords. Lyrically the song revolves around themes of self-confidence, artistic identity, and a determination to stand out. The project is accompanied by a video clip that captures the classic atmosphere of the track. It’s time to play. Listen below!
Born in the United States with Nigerian roots, singer, songwriter and producer Michael O. (Michael Odokara-Okigbo) is releasing his newest single “Japa,” which means “to flee” in Yoruba (a language in Nigeria) slang, in reference to the many Africans being forced to seek a better life in the western world. The track serves as a unifying anthem, encouraging people of all backgrounds to return and tap into their ancestral lineage.
Co-Produced by Harvey Mason Jr., the CEO of the Academy (Grammy Awards), JAPA is the story of survival and a story of the foundation and creation of America.
“Japa” is the lead single on Michael O.’s EP, released in 2023. With this same mission of solidarity in mind, Michael O. also recently created, and is the founder of the first African language learning app, NKENNE. Winner of the 2022 Gorham Savings Bank’s Emerging Business Awards, and with over 7000 users and growing, NKENNE was developed to create an avenues for her he Global African Diaspora to connect to their roots through language. www.nkenne.com
“Japa” and NKENNE were made possible by the Recording Academy’s MusiCares foundation. Michael O. received a grant from MusiCares in 2020 as part of their COVID-19 relief program, which allowed Michael O. to use his passion for connecting people through music and technology to jumpstart this app and his upcoming EP.
Along with Harvey Mason Jr. and The Recording Academy’s most recent initiative to create more visibility for the Afrobeats movement in the United States, we believe Michael’s story can inspire people to think outside the box in order to create avenues of connection and elevation, via music and tech.
Amidst the scorching global heatwave, rain-kissed UK finds solace in Cherise’s Summer Love.
Hailing from UK Cherise is back with Summer Love, part of her debut album titled ‘Calling’. The recipe in “Summer Love” is straightforward yet impactful. The rhythm has a choppy jdilla vibe. Cherise’s expressive vocal delivery takes center stage in the verses, beautifully complemented by dreamy lo-fi guitars. The chorus introduces some cool, harmony rich back vocals, a groovy synth bass line and some sweet retro infused detuned synth chords which add a touch of nostalgic retro vibes to the mix.
Cherise comments on the track, “I am who I am!’ That’s what I wanted to say with ‘Summer Love’. It’s about me dancing with joy while being honest and shameless about my quirks, personality and desires. For me, 2023 is the Summer of Love because we’re unrestricted and free to dance.”
HipHop Paranoia 