SEARCH FOR: KALI UCHIS

Although I typically lean more towards straight-up rap or hip-hop, I am a big fan of R&B, and Omar Apollo is one of my favorite artists out right now. While he is typically much slower and more melodic than what I typically listen to, it is so easy to enjoy his music because he doesn’t hide any of his natural skills behind vocal effects or instrumentals, even when his production is always top-notch. Instead, he relies solely on his talent, and this is one of the things you realize most when listening, because he literally knocks every song out of the park no matter if it’s a soft, soothing ballad or if it’s an upbeat, energetic hit. All in all, Omar Apollo is one of the strongest forces in music right now, but his humble approach to songwriting and creation makes him seem like just another guy, even if he’s anything but normal. Along with Omar, Kali Uchis is one of my favorite female vocalists and her diversity is never something to overlook, so when I saw these two team up for their latest song “Bad Life”, I was so excited to tune in. In this track, which was produced …

It’s been about three years since Don Toliver emerged onto the scene, and in so little time, he has worked himself to a position that many new artists still struggle to reach. In fact, it would be very difficult to imagine the game without him here blessing all our musical needs. His artistry has been unmatched, his flows are unique, and he is able to craft melodies like no other. After his debut album Heaven or Hell which was released in early 2020, his trajectory has skyrocketed and he easily marked himself as a high-profile artist that everyone had their eyes on. Making his way onto huge anthems such as Internet Money’s “Lemonade”, and “His & Hers”, as well as landing placements with major artists like Nas, Eminem, and Big Sean, Don is on his way to the top, and there ain’t a thing standing in his way of getting there. Last weekend, Don Toliver released his sophomore album titled Life of a Don, and this is the body of work that many fans were anticipating for so long. Safe to say, Don Toliver delivered on all fronts, and this album will play a significant role in his career thus …

The Houston-hit maker known as Don Toliver is absolutely killing his album rollout and having the time of his life doing so. Since announcing the title of his upcoming album, Currently titled Life of a Don, it’s been all gas and no breaks when it comes to just how strategic he is with rolling this out. Recently celebrating his birthday, and spending more time with his lady and amazing songstress Kali Uchis, there is no way that Don can miss right now, and we are gearing up to witness one of the best albums to drop this year. Today, Don has released single number two from his album, titled “Drugs N Hella Melodies” featuring Kali Uchis.  Leaving fans at the edge of their seats from Don’s last video “What You Need”, it ended with a “To be continued…”. What we are witnessing here today, is the continuation of the story told in the last visuals. For a quick recap, Don Toliver is maneuvering around the town in Colombia, following a mysterious red aura. That aura led him into a forest in which he discovered Kali Uchis and he became captured by her essence. On “Drugs N Hella Melodies”, he then …

When speaking about one of the most impressive breakthrough artists that the game has seen in recent years, it’s almost impossible to go down that list without mentioning Don Toliver. The Houston-native and Cactus Jack signee has been making a killing in the game ever since he stepped foot in it. With the success of his debut album Heaven or Hell, many viral singles such as “No Idea” and “After Party”, as well as the smash Internet Money hit “Lemonade”, it would appear that Don Toliver simply can’t lose. While many may be confused as to where his rise to fame came from, there is no doubt that he has put in the groundwork and is continuing to thrive as one of the best to ever do it. With 2021 being the year that we will begin to see some of the heavy-hitters come out swinging with their new albums and tour announcements, Don Toliver came right in time for the summer with his latest single and visual, “What You Need”. Taking place in Colombia, Don Toliver dives deeper into his acting bag as he ventures throughout the city in what appears to be a crazy trip. Following this mysterious red …

Riela is a Latin artist that I’ve been playing for the past week. Her new single move has been in heavy rotation for me the past couple of days and it should be in yours as well. This Miami raised in Los Angeles-based vocalist dropped an impressive six-track EP last October entitled “Tranquila y Tropical.” Riela’s Music palette is broad as her sounds span from reggaeton to upbeat traditional pop and r&b. Although most of her lyrics incorporate Spanish she throws in a little bit of Spanglish every now and then. In an interview she stated growing up she was inspired by the disco sounds in Miami and artists such as Ja Rule, Christina Aguilera, Britney Spears, Selena, and Sade. I believe she will be one of the next Latinx and R&B artists to take the American mainstream by storm similar to what Rosalia and Kali Uchis have, she has that much potential. Stream Riela’s new single “Move” for yourself after the break.

Amy Winehouse may be deceased, but her musical influence is eternal throughout contemporary music. Such a claim is startlingly evident through the artistry of Hannah Rodgriguez; a British songwriter originating from the Lake District in northern England. Rodríguez began writing songs during her school years, which prompted her to self-learn how to produce music when she moved to London at the age of eighteen. Along with Winehouse, Hannah likens her sound to Kali Uchis’s, with Rodríguez’s musical influences spanning from Billie Holiday to Alton Ellis and King Krule. Rodríguez has a wittiness with her words; her records are intimate, personal, and relatable, yet simultaneously humorous in a self-mocking manner. Moreover, Rodríguez is able to craft poetic and sophisticated lyrics beyond her years that reflect a thoughtful, intellectual, and sincere old soul. Despite only being in her early twenties, Rodríguez already has impressive performances at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club and the Roundhouse in London under her resume. Last year, she joined Project FILO, an independent creative talent agency that delivers experiences ranging from music across the globe, films, compelling photography, fashion, visual art, honest writing, and storytelling. Rodríguez’s latest offering, “Medicine (2020)” is a harmonizing, hum-filled tune with passionate love lyrics. Stating …

Babyxsosa – being the infectious, oddball personality that she is – has developed one of the weirdest, most exciting come-up stories over the past year that I’ve heard in some time. Arising from her local Virginia scene with the anthemic “EVERYWHEREIGO”  at the start of 2019, Sosa quickly became a hot topic of conversation outside of her home city via SoundCloud last year, and stapled her presence with early cosigns from names including Kali Uchis, Steve Lacy, and Clairo along the way. In the months following, even as she began to receive attention from several weighted names in music, Sosa decided to lean further into her underground presence, building a thrilling foundation of support specifically in New York, where she grew to work with one of the leading crews in the community, Surf Gang. Fast-forward to the present, and Sosa is at a striking balance-point of big-name attention and a sacred spot in music’s underground. Choosing to bypass overnight-success-via-cosign, she’s added a strong leg of foundation to a story executed entirely on her own terms, and now, seems ready to reach new heights by pairing up with an artist of similar balance between underground ubiquity and mainstream attention: Queens native …

Kaytranada has been one of my absolute favorite producers in recent years. I got put onto him after hearing some extremely groovy beats that he created for some of my favorite rappers before realizing he makes his own music in the form of pure instrumentals as well as recruiting the perfect artists to level up his already insane production abilities. He has an impeccable ear when it comes to singers and rappers who will sound great on specific songs he creates with them in mind, and this is just another layer of talent that he has under his belt. Even his strict instrumental tracks are fantastic, not needing lyrics or other artists to tell the story but rather doing it himself through the instruments and sounds he masterfully utilizes. Last year’s Bubba was another example of his abundant skills in the studio, and one of the standout songs on the project was “Need It”, which now has a music video to bring it even more to life than ever before. High-pitched, echoing synths, heart beating drums, and fast-paced percussion create a sound that brings a sort of intensity to the project, diverting it away from some of the lighter, easygoing …

The different stories that KAYTRANADA is able to tell through his production alone isn’t an easy thing to do in the slightest. Although some of his songs have singers and rappers to help get his points further across, a lot of his music is purely instrumental based and shares different narratives and emotions in so many various ways. Last year’s incredible project BUBBA is a prime example because although he included a star-studded lineup of features on half of the album, the other half was his time to isolate himself and share his own feelings the way he knows best. One of, if not the very best, songs on the album has to be “10%”. This single features Kali Uchis who brings a vibe to the song that is spellbinding but also kind of nonchalant. Throughout her hooks and verses, she talks about how she’s not being treated fairly and deserves her cut or her 10%. She continues on to say how she doesn’t care about anyone else and is keeping her thoughts and opinions to herself. The groovy production that KAYTRANADA brought to life for this track paired so very well with the music video that he just released …

Some producers use tags to make their presence known. Others have their signature woven into their distinct sound. For instance, I can always tell when it’s a KAYTRANADA beat because of that unmistakable and irresistible bounce; it’s is so distinct yet so diverse. One of my favorite producers, his sound not only goes with any artist he works with but brings out the best in them. A testament to his diversity the tracklist for his newly announced album, BUBBA is as diverse as it is exciting, with Masego, Mick Jenkins, GoldLink, Pharell, and Tinashe (just to name a few) all making appearances. For a first taste of the album–set to drop on Friday– Kaytranada unleashed “10%” a simmering yet infectious offering featuring the vocals of Kali Uchis. Even with a vibrant vibrant, electronic-twinged feel, the beat fits Kali to a T; her smooth, understated vocals draped over top to create a smoother, almost smoky ambiance. Check out the tracklist while you let “10%” spin and be sure to circle back on Friday when BUBBA drops. You won’t regret it; Kaytra always delivers. BUBBA. TRACKLIST: 1.) DO IT 2.) The Music [ft. Iman Omari] 3.) Go DJ [ft. SiR] 4.) Gray Area [ft. Mick Jenkins] 5.) …