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Canada has grown as a destination for hip-hop music, but there are definitely certain provinces that seem to gain a lot more attention than other areas, but there are some emcees that mean business and want to change this narrative. If we’re looking at the country overall, it isn’t a surprise or shock to say that Toronto has taken the crown as our northern neighbor’s top music city when considering artists like Drake, The Weeknd, NAV, and plenty of others, but this doesn’t mean that people from other regions aren’t deserving of nationwide recognition. Winnipeg, Manitoba is certainly on the rise, and it’s thanks to emcees like YSN Fab, a rapper, singer, and songwriter who has been in the industry since 2018 and making bigger and bigger waves ever since. After gaining additional international attention with his album Made 4 More, he has been on the cover of playlists and was even featured on the official “Beats By Dre” playlist. This led to recognition as one of the top Canadian musicians by Sidedoor Magazine and even one of the top up-and-coming black Canadian artists by Complex. I thoroughly enjoy tapping in with his music as he drops more, and his …

If you’re familiar with the name Bari, but you’re not entirely sure why, it’s because he has been lurking in the shadows for the last couple of years carefully and meticulously planning his next big move. While it’s never easy to be a fan of someone who seems quite elusive at times because all you want from them is more music, as long as the records and projects they have released have longevity, then you have more than enough content to keep you occupied while waiting. Luckily, Bari has strung together quite a few hits throughout the years, so while I have been content during his hiatus, I am certainly looking forward to some big moves in the. Near future. After working with the Chicago & St. Louis collective Zero Gravity, Bari has not only learned from his group’s counterparts but also contributed wonderful additions to every song that they have released, whether it’s as a crew or in separate endeavors. Well, his brand-new track “Regardless” is long overdue after not releasing anything since dropping F*@k It… Burn It All Down, but with just this one song, he proves that he hasn’t lost a single ounce of his talent or …

I have to credit so many people for broadening my horizons and helping me realize the fact that music doesn’t have to be “normal” in order for it to be enjoyable or good. In fact, as the years have gone on and more and more imitators have given a crack at making music, I tend to even prefer more obscure, forward-thinking music over the stereotypical rap song that has a boom-bap beat and a standard flow. Although there are plenty of artists who have proven that atypical is best, I think the one person who has shown me this more than anyone is ITSOKTOCRY. CRY not only pretty much helped pioneer a subgenre that is now classified as hyperpop, but he is also someone who seems to get more creative and artistic as his career continues and he keeps on thriving. I mean, he is probably the one person I can think of, other than Young Thug, who makes you feel like an entire group of emcees are spitting on a song with the various voices he is able to naturally incorporate into a singular track, and his latest song “Thriller” with demxntia is no different, while being completely different, …

As I’ve grown up I’ve come to realize that sometimes the best music leaves the listener at a loss for words – and while I love the spirit of this sentiment, this also creates an unfortunate reality for those whose job revolves around writing about good new music. Thankfully somebody managed to take the words right out of my mouth around midnight last night when the YouTube user “Cyber Giggle” left the following comment on the visualizer for Neggy Gemmy’s new single: ‘Ohhh…what a smooth yummy tune…Neggy Gemmy tickles me again with her musical talent‘. They’re not wrong – “Daydream” is nothing if not a “smooth yummy tune” sure to “tickle” you after just one listen. Neggy Gemmy returns to us ahead of her upcoming LP with a hypnotic and dreamlike electropop banger that synthesizes lofty electronic instrumentation with sleek house basslines and percussion. Her vocals are light and ethereal, detailing a colorful journey through outer space while indifferent to the monotony of quotidian life. On the inspiration for “Daydream” Neggy Gemmy reveals “People have made fun of me my whole life for being “spacey” and for zoning out and not paying attention. But I think it’s okay and even …

This week I have given myself the impossible task of describing the cultural significance of “Bag”, the long-awaited yet unexpected collaboration between Miami-via-Jamaica rapper BEAM and plugg pioneer 645AR. For the uninitiated this collaboration might not raise any eyebrows, but for those with their ear to the ground, “Bag” is the second coming, a cause to celebrate, and perhaps even worthwhile of a national holiday. Released late last month (sorry for the wait), “Bag” sees the dulcet and dreamlike raps of 645AR going bar-for-bar with the effortlessly sharp and versatile BEAM – and as a longtime fan of both artists, “Bag” feels like a dream come true. At this point, both artists are fairly prolific and wildly successful, and hearing the two work in sacred harmony is something I never thought I would be blessed with. Whether it’s 645AR instilling his own laid-back and futuristic energy into the track, or hearing BEAM reference older tracks like his Cardo-assisted “Lost” with masterful precision and dexterity, “Bag” is easily one of my favorite hip-hop releases in recent memory. Before you start drafting that tweet roasting me for taking three weeks to write about this song – I’ll be the first to admit …

A few months ago I stumbled across TheLoveofPpl – the Chicago trio comprised of Anai, Blake Davis, and Blank Face Villain. To my surprise, they had very few monthly listeners, and the only mutual that we had was a fellow blog-fiend who seems to be always on things a month before me. I wanted to know everything – and while I dove through their back catalog and let tracks like “Rat Race” colonize my springtime playlists, I waited patiently for new music from the young creatives. This month TheLoveofPpl finally return with their newest EP Flux Bleus – a collection of three perfectly-polished tracks that synthesize elements of soul, R&B, and hip-hop to create something beautiful and brand new. The opening track “Intentions” is heavily infused with futuristic and seductive dancehall/R&B energy, sporting a carefully-crafted mix straight from the mind of Blank Face Villain (who handles most of the production for the trio). Despite it being an intense moment of cinematic hypnotism, the percussion is infectiously upbeat and dance-y. “Blu Skies” featuring G. King and JSTRO (who also assists with production), on the other hand, is a bright yet downtempo meditative track. Together the five artists blend elements of electronic, …

Throughout my time being involved in music, I have come across some absolutely insane talents, but I have admittedly witnessed some of them rise into the spotlight and fall off just as quickly as they blew up. When I hear something that I am so fully captivated by from my very first listen, I feel like it can be difficult to continuously remain excited for the simple fact that music is a constantly evolving thing, and these artists aren’t always going to put out the same style or sounds that I first fell in love with. This isn’t a bad thing by any means, but it does mean that there are plenty of emcees that come to mind as people who have evolved, and their newer music simply isn’t as enjoyable for me personally as it was when I first listened. The one exception to this is Dro Kenji, Internet Money’s hottest sensation because he has not only put out a mind-boggling amount of music, but he has been able to constantly mature and expand his sound without straying too far away from the original style that first garnered so much attention. It’s beyond clear that he is not the …

Supergroups in music are rare to come by, but their legacies are always special. 13-member hip-hop collective, mp3dotcom has arrived to add on to a scarce, yet uniquely special era of supergroups in today’s hip-hop scene. Reigning in Chicago, mp3dotcom is comprised of witty rappers, talented singers, crafty multi-instrumentalists and quality DJs “spending hours together to create a sound that can’t be defined by a title.” All thirteen members possess their own impressive individual achievements and/or merits, but collectively they’re able to extend beyond their potential. Inspired by the likes of Odd Future, A$ap Mob and AG Club, their influence goes as far from alternative hip-hop to Afrobeats. “Igotsomeshit” is their debut single release, which features 6/13 mp3dotcom members – Cldwaterr on the hook, WhoIsAubry on verse 1, mohit on verse 2, Graves on verse 3, Don0rphan on verse 4, Micahsucks on the boards and WhoIsAubry once more on the outro. It’s far from a stretch to suggest that each and every single member successfully delivers; this track is an excellent introduction to a group that plans to be around for a long time. If you’re a fan of Pivot Gang, you’ll surely appreciate this release considering the ease of transition from verse …

Preface Yes, this article is super long and tedious, my bad…. Forewarning, if you’ve already read my other recaps for each individual day, skip to the end for a few words of admiration to the LL family, from me! Every year, the Summer Smash seems to get bigger, better, and more insane than ever before, and 2022 is definitely no exception. Unfortunately, I missed the first year or two because of one reason or another, so 2021 was actually my first time experiencing this event live and in person. At the same time, though, I had been to various other concerts hosted by LL dating all the way back to Lil Uzi Vert’s first-ever Chicago performance way back in April of 2016, so I know how we throw down at live events, and I also know just how loyal, supportive, and turnt up our fans get every chance they get. 2022 had some curveballs thrown at the team including a detrimental storm that almost paused the entire festival, but thanks to the consistently hard-working and ride-or-die group of individuals who put this fest together, the show went on without a hitch! I just want to clarify that this article is …

Preface Every year, the Summer Smash seems to get bigger, better, and more insane than ever before, and 2022 is definitely no exception. Unfortunately, I missed the first year or two because of one reason or another, so 2021 was actually my first time experiencing this event live and in person. At the same time, though, I had been to various other concerts hosted by LL dating all the way back to Lil Uzi Vert’s first-ever Chicago performance way back in April of 2016, so I know how we throw down at live events, and I also know just how loyal, supportive, and turnt up our fans get every chance they get. 2022 had some curveballs thrown at the team including a detrimental storm that almost paused the entire festival, but thanks to the consistently hard-working and ride-or-die group of individuals who put this fest together, the show went on without a hitch! I just want to clarify that this article is solely based on my own experience and not from the point of view of anybody else. I know this isn’t the typical article I may normally write, but I figured it would be a good stroll down memory …