Category: Reviews

Sorg & Napoleon Maddox – If You [Review]

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Describe your sound in 3 words

Soulful, grooves, authentic

How did you meet and form Sorg & Napoleon Maddox?

Connecting through social medias in 2013 to compose the duo’s first track « Wild West ».

Tell us a few things about “If You”. What is the main idea behind it?

The main idea behind “IF YOU” is that we will all at some point find ourselves in need of a hand to lift us up from a difficult place in life. As much as we need to be lifted, we also need to be there for other people who need lifting, and understanding this is life greatest treasure.

How do you navigate the intersection of music and social commentary in your work?

We look for the personal connections. We look for our own vulnerabilities and unanswered questions when we approach subjects. This is power of art, so that social commentary can move us emotional and is more that words, critique and judgement.

Are there specific messages or narratives that you feel are particularly important to convey through your art?

As we aren’t working on a singular platform as a politician or sells person might do, we don’t have fixed narratives to convey, but in general we are talking about liberation and redistribution of powerful from the oppressor, back to the oppressed.

For which lyric you are most proud of?

At the moment, they are “IF YOU” “UJFP” and “SHARK MEN”

Favourite rapper, lyricist and producer?

No best, no favourite.. but iconics !
Rappers : Nas, Common, Anderson Paak., … Producers : DJ Premier, RJD2, Hit Boy, …

What does hip hop symbolize in your opinion?

Unity, original, and resistance

What isn’t a crime but should be?

Environmental disrespect

Thank you!

Main Text

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Born I – Koan [Review]

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Born I, also known as Ofosu Jones-Quartey, is a rapper and meditation teacher from the Washington DC area. His mantra, “You Are Enough,” reflects his positive outlook and serves as a guiding principle. As a versatile lyricist, Born I effortlessly navigates through various genres while consistently showcasing his powerful lyrical skills.

In the track “Koan,” Born I delivers an authentic piece characterized by his sincere flow. The track is distinguished by a consistent melodic theme in the instrumental, featuring nostalgic high-pitched manipulated vocal samples. The organic incorporation of the piano contributes to the overall texture, and a deep bass line serves as a cohesive element. Born I poses thought-provoking questions once again. Who is the student, who is the master? Click play. The answer lies within.

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Nate Rose – LEVEL UP (Survivor’s Guilt) [Review]

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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.

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Filmore! – MENACE [Review]

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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.

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Aminata – What’s Magic? [Review]

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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!

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Onesapa x Laura Picar – On my Way [Review]

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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!

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Michael O. – Japa [News]

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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.

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Cherise – Summer Love [Review]

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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.”

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YUPHORIC – Almighty Goyde [Review]

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YUPHORIC, a genre-blending act, has just unveiled their latest single “Almighty Goyde” alongside their debut album, “The New Normal.” The Berlin based group consists of individuals hailing from different continents, united by their shared passion for music. “Almighty Goyde” is a skilled composition, defined by its broken beat and complemented by a seamless bass line. The horn lines intertwine harmoniously with the crystal clear, warm keys, constructing a mesmerising soundscape enriched with jazzy undertones and an intriguingly atmospheric ambiance. This instrumental track possesses the dynamic energy reminiscent of a live performance. Make sure to listen to the full album!

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Tonio Sagan – DOPE! [Review]

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Tonio Sagan’s new rap song titled DOPE! impresses with its trappy vibes and notable variety in the flow, featuring classic triplets in the delivery in numerous creative variations. The instrumental is a standout, incorporating acoustic elements such as a mysterious piano loop at its epicentre, accompanied by an acoustic drum beat and a melodic bass line in the rhythm section. The addition of guitars adds energy to the song while the finale employs the slowdown technique. The overall production is a very interesting concept that masterfully blends techniques from various genres, resulting in a fresh and modern approach to hip hop.

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https://soundcloud.com/toniosagan/dope?si=19658ad8b462495896b695213aeb2bae&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing