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Miami-based Latin singer Riela is back with a brand new single entitled “If You Let Me.” This record is the first single from her forthcoming sophomore EP entitled ‘lloar y perrear’. The Panamanian and Cuban songbird lays down English and Spanish lyrics over electric guitar, bass and trap 808s. The theme of this track is about her partner not meeting her halfway in their relationship. Riela shared via email that “Giving as much as you can, supporting them in any way that you can but getting absolutely nothing in return.” Riela continued to elaborate that no matter how much you want it to work out you must let it go when those efforts go unnoticed. This like many of the other records in Riela’s discography is very personable and relatable to the listener. This is one of the dynamics that make her a special artist and one of few artists I expect to make a big jump in 2022. Stream Riela’s newest single “If You Let Me” for yourself after the break.

Rarin isn’t your normal everyday college student. Or actually, he might be because it’s so many kids who are musicians out there today. Regardless you should press play on his newest single entitled “My City.” When I first played this it threw me off but for some odd reason, I liked it. It was mainly because Rarin was sing in the key of the famous “Hit The Road Jack” by Ray Charles and I’ve never really heard that in a rap song with 808s before. The beat which was produced by AyoWhit is also pretty interesting which the piano is used as the melody. I guess I say that because it’s not really a generic melody, the 808s are pretty standard but that’s so instrumental isn’t overproduced. This is the second time I’ve covered Rarin and although he could be more consistent from track to track he’s normally able to catch my attention with different records. I believe if he keeps honing his sound he’ll carve out a nice lane for himself in music. Stream Rarin’s new single “My City” after the break.

Tino Szn is one of the fastest-growing teenage artists out right now. With his recent mixtape “4 Seasons”, he solidified that he’s one to watch from the next generation of talent. At only 17 years old, Tino has seen success from his music in multiple genre spaces, but has crossed over into a rap-rock hybrid with his latest offering “Right Time”. The video starts off with a classic garage rock scene, with Tino and his band playing instruments and jamming to the upbeat track. The scene moves into a desert, reminiscent of a classic rock video where the band plays with a landscape as the background. It has nods to the Deftones “Minerva” video, Nirvana videos, and other staples of classic rock music videos. The genre-bending influence is clear in this video. Tino also steps into the role as frontman of the band, showing fans a new side of the artist, who most are used to seeing the artist in his signature style rap videos. Tino’s versatility and his fast-rising popularity among listeners is a reminder that in today’s music landscape, listeners are drawn to artists who show they can master more than one sound. Tino is definitely fulfilling this …

There are so many different traits that can be appreciated throughout the diverse landscape that is hip-hop music, and some artists grab my attention much more than others. As for SSGKobe, he has been making music for a handful of years, but his patience is a quality that I think so many young artists can learn from. Sure, he’s still young himself, but the fact that he’s been grinding for years and has only recently begun to see success in his career should show up-and-comers that as long as you have the drive and desire to succeed and mold your sound into something that will appeal to the masses, you can make it in this cutthroat industry. Although his catalog of hits grows more extensive by the day, it seems, he always maintains that workhorse mentality, and this is what separates him from the rest. I’m not sure what the rest of 2021 holds for the young star, but I do know that just the other day he decided to team up with Lil Yachty to release another banger entitled “FUK EM”, and you need to hear this song to truly appreciate it. In the instrumental, some lively, electronic synths …

The work ethic of Chicago’s very won Chief Keef is pretty much unmatched when comparing his discography to other artists’, and even though this year might seem relatively quiet for him, that doesn’t mean he hasn’t dropped off some incredible releases. In previous years, he has released numerous mixtapes and projects seemingly every few months, and even though we haven’t received a full-length project in 2021, he’s still working as hard as ever. It has been quite some time since he announced that he’d be teaming up with Mike WiLL Made-It for a collaborative album, and even though there is no word as to when that can be expected to drop, all of the singles that they have put out together have been absolute heaters, so I truly hope we get more information on this album as soon as possible. Nonetheless, Sosa is a Windy city legend, and it doesn’t matter if he drops full-length projects, mixtapes, EPs, or singles because I’m going to tune in regardless. Out of nowhere, Keef decided to bless fans with a brand-new track entitled “Tony Montana Flow”, and although I feel like its release went way more under the radar than it should have, …

Throwing all gimmicks aside, E The Profit made me a fan after “Pop My Shit,” his straight to the point attitude when rapping is impossible not to admire. His style feels unconscious as if the words just fall from his brain out his mouth with a hybrid midwestern-southern draw acting as the filter. These reasons alone would make me a fan, but the fact that he doubles down on all of these things by adding his no-nonsense attitude and lyricism – I’m sold. This brings me to his latest visual release for his acoustic version of his previously released single, “Bluegrass.” The original single featured heavy basslines and drums that would destroy any stock sound system, but his newly released “Bluegrass Acoustic” places a microscope around my favorite thing about E The Profit; his lyricism. Set on a ranch, in what we can only imagine is somewhere in his home state of Kentucky, E The Profit raps directly to the camera, acting as the focal point of the video with supporting characters in the form of a stable of horses, a luxury Mercedes and two lion statues made of stone. Who can resist a rapper talking his shit like this, …

Porsh Bet$ has made a resounding case for himself as one of my favorite new artists occupying the alt-pop space. The Harlem-native had me hooked from his debut single, “Apple Eyes,” and has since delivered nothing but top-tier songs that sway effortlessly between pop, rap, and R&B. His latest single, “2 The Weekend,” hits the mark again as another exceptional example of his genre combining-bliss that radiates with a warm glow through his voice and stellar lyricism that makes you feel like the main character in a coming-of-age blockbuster. Texturized by the subtleties of pop-punk instrumentation, Porsh Bet$ builds a world filled with angsty drums, defiant electric guitars, and his metallic voice that acts as the ringleader of this rebellious ballad. Not far from the release of his six-track I Used To Think Forever EP, Porsh Bet$ is making it look incredibly easy, delivering again and again. If his insane precision wasn’t impressive enough, let me remind you he is only a year and a few months removed from his debut single. If this is just the beginning for Porsh Bet$, I cannot even imagine what the next installments of this artist’s catalog will sound like, but if his previous releases …

The incredibly talented R&B savant that is Mei has added another dub to his win column with the release of his single, “Q.” There is no doubt the Los Angeles-based artist’s music is one of my all-time guilty pleasures. His artistry has proven a proficiency as a vocalist and song-creator, swooning listeners with ease and captivating them with heartbreaking lyrics that feel good. Mei’s latest release takes an evolutionary step towards a sound we have not heard from the singer-songwriter thus far, and in all honesty, truly exciting. It is an incredible thing to see an artist with an immense amount of talent not only please his listeners with music that they have grown to love, but also challenge listeners with something new. This flip of the switch is a message to his fanbase and new listeners alike; a metaphorical wink and whisper, “you ain’t seen nothin’ yet.” Mei digs deep, imploring psychedelic sonics, autotune, and an untapped ferocity that will leave you speechless and excited for what he has in store next.  Listen to “Q” by Mei below. 

Chicago’s own Gayun Cannon makes her Lyrical Lemonade debut with an excellent song titled “My Negro Baby.” The track is off her equally impressive EP titled Brown Sugar Baby, which contains five other fantastic songs. I chose this particular record as a standout because it has everything to offer musically. From the vocals to the production and instrumentation, the execution is beautifully met on all fronts. For starters, Gayun’s voice is delicate but also emphatic from a lyrical assessment. Each word is romantically sung with a touch of sultriness through a genuine Black woman’s perspective. “My Negro Baby” is like an emotional canvas that Cannon paints via her own unique  expression. Not to mention, the unmentioned identity of the ‘negro baby’ adds a layer of ambiguity only known personally by the beloved pair. Given that Gayun Cannon is a multi-instrumentalist, the assortment of sounds throughout the track serve as the painting’s colors to finalize the masterpiece. An epic electric guitar, shakers, an electronic keyboard, drum percussion and of course an appealing melody all seamlessly mesh with the artist’s affectionate voice to create one masterful offering. Listen to “My Negro Baby” off Gayun Cannon’s new EP Brown Sugar Baby below!

“To me, ‘Cloud 9’ means otherworldly. It is another realm and frequency where everything is possible. “Cloud 9” is my world, lifestyle and I want to take my listeners there. I want them to dream away with the help of sweet melodies and sounds. I want them to recharge whenever they experience the project. It’s truly an elevation of what I want to pursue musically, and I want to bring my listeners in on the journey I’m on. It’s a cohesive EP with different sides of me as an artist” – Nápoles  Stockholm, Sweden based artist Nápoles makes her Lyrical Lemonade debut with a stunning new EP titled Cloud 9. With six breathtaking songs each record provides its own heavenly listening experience. The production is predominantly ambient and/or dreamy with a few modern hip-hop and R&B elements, such as the incorporation of 808s on “Know My Place.” Nápoles’ vocals are luscious; the lyrics are organically refined to seamlessly blend with the background music. As a Ladieslovehiphop member, she does her collective proud by integrating her soulful qualities to create a versatile record. Cloud 9 provides tastes of R&B, hip-hop, soul and jazz, but no matter the association an atmospheric joy is …