by Matt Moretti | Dec 2, 2016 | New Music
Connecticut’s FC is a boom bap understudy with a sound in the wave of contemporary NYC rap. His single “This Way” is a pledge to imperfection, evident with the opening line “Most my life lessons I regret cause I’m quite reckless.”...
by Matt Moretti | Nov 30, 2016 | Ithaca
Ithaca’s Sammus hits a nerve with her single “Songs About Sex.” The fiery track speaks to sexual experiences (both good and bad) from a women’s perspective. The femcee talks about great sex with shitty people, poignantly expressed in the line...
by Matt Moretti | Oct 11, 2016 | New Music
Calgary’s finest is on display on “Money Can Change Everything” from the city’s Jay Fletch. Canada’s rap scene has been on fire, and Jay flexes his abilities on the carefully dreary, heavy beat for “Money.” He’s composed...
by Matt Moretti | Aug 25, 2016 | New Music
Demonstrated by the strength of the ironically powerful lead single “The Powerless,” rapper Decide’s Struggle Inside EP is a motivating, empowering hip hop project. The five-track prepper focuses on day-to-day struggles we face, from struggles with...
by Matt Moretti | Aug 17, 2016 | New Music
Virginia transplant TruthCity has a story to tell. In his single “Changes” the rapper lays out the path he continues to trek to accomplish what he wants to in the industry. The struggles of a musician aren’t necessarily mysterious, but TruthCity...
by Matt Moretti | Jul 27, 2016 | New Music
Brooklyn’s Napoleon Da Legend has a captivating sense of power in his voice. With a profound flow, Napoleon takes on the timeless beat from J. Dilla’s “Last Donut of the Night” on his single “Sacrifice.” Napoleon’s subject...
by Matt Moretti | Jul 20, 2016 | New Music
One listen to “Playin Catch-Up” by rapper Relself makes two things very clear: 1. He likes Adult Swim, and 2. He’s a fan of tongue-twisters. “Catch-Up’s” beat is an Adult Swim bump, one of the quick musical pieces that plays between...
by Matt Moretti | Jun 1, 2016 | New Music
Pop-rap, or rap produced with commercial intent is a relatively polarizing genre. Everybody has heard a joke about Pitbull or Flo Rida sucking (even though “My House” bangs). In that same vein though, it’s hard to ignore the catchiness and charisma...
by Vanessa Lynne | Apr 16, 2015 | Preview
What began as an annual Baltimore tradition has made its way to Buffalo, where three local acts meet three touring acts for a nonstop rap action in an innovative presentation of music. The Gypsy Parlor hosts tonight’s event, which begins at 9pm. The aim of the...
by Steven Knapp | Apr 14, 2015 | Rochester
Two former Rochester-based artists, DJ Mario Bee and rapper Mike Gerbino, are set to release their debut collaborative EP, Point of No Concern on April 20th. Featuring an assortment of hip-hop, electronic, and grime beats, the five-track record abrasively touches on...
by Matt Moretti | Mar 18, 2015 | Buffalo
Buffalo producer EdWang has a knack for remixing songs, giving them vibrant, weird beats. Mad Dukez is one of Buffalo’s premier MCs, and has a CMJ chart topping album to his name. 2013’s Gettin’ Gatsby was a critically acclaimed collaboration between...
by Steven Knapp | Feb 25, 2015 | Buffalo
Gowanda producer Chauncey Tails has become known for his typically brief tracks that feature pitch-shifted vocals and hip hop samples alongside whimsical, lush sounds that create a smooth feel that often ranges from melancholy and introspective to soulful,...
by Matt Moretti | Oct 10, 2014 | Buffalo
Buffalo producer Edwang is back with another dope collaborative effort with rapper Duce. A few months back, we covered The Duce Bootlegs, a wonderfully enjoyable project of happy hip hop. Their latest release together, Fifty Shades of Gold, switches things up a bit on...
by Matt Moretti | Oct 8, 2014 | Album Review
One thing that can be said about Los Angeles rapper, Vince Staples, for certain is that he does not have a bad verse to his name. Although he is a friend to the Odd Future crew, musically he couldn’t be more different. The 21-year-old has the soul of one of his...
by Matt Moretti | Sep 17, 2014 | Buffalo
On the Buffalo Brave LP, ChaunSAY Mackin’ and Chisom Ozosike’s second take on a hip hop duo, the Buffalo rapper and Maryland producer (who previously released The Buffalo Bill EP together) are a fantastic combination of modern bar-rap and smooth soul...