The lead singer of hard rock group Mountain died in December, and whilst many mightn’t remember the Woodstock alumni, his fingerprints can be found on hundreds of tracks, from Eric. B & Rakim to Lana Del Rey. “You out … Dive In about Getting Louder with Leslie West
Main Content
Fresh Out the Kitchen
In Conversation with Dende: “In Case You Forgot I’m BLACK”
Featured Sauce
Brittney Carter’s ‘As I Am’: The Evolving Introspection of an Artist
Cover photo and album art by Lauren Washington In this CentralSauce featured interview, Brittney Carter breaks down her evolution as an artist from fifth-grade poetry to opening shows for Jay Rock and her debut album release, 'As I Am.' … Dive In about Brittney Carter’s ‘As I Am’: The Evolving Introspection of an Artist
MUSIC DISCOVERY
Why We Like It: Bairi’s “Free”
Bairi aka Bairi The Siren emerges with a buttery new ballad about romantic centering. “Free” is wistful and sprawling with an instrumental that settles over a space like a weighted blanket.
Why We Like It: Kabwasa’s “Dreamer”
“Dreamer” by Kabwasa is an upbeat ode to chasing dreams and pushing them to evolve even as we approach them. Featuring elegant vocals from Ayoni, the track is both reflective and inspirational.
Why We Like It: Noha Saré’s “LOST”
On her second single, “LOST,” eerie R&B architect Noha Saré builds on her unique blend of exhilaration and confrontation. It’s an enchanting melody for Saré to weave spellbinding vocals.
Why We Like It: Haiku’s “Peace of Mind”
With her heart in her hand, Haiku embraces “Peace of Mind” as she trust falls back into music and reminds us it’s okay to take a step away when we need to find clarity. Her raps are gentle and comforting with a sing-songy musicality in the revelry.
Why We Like It: Your Old Droog & Tha God Fahim’s “WNBA”
These laid-back rhymes find as much ease slipping from coast to coast and beyond as Your Old Droog does circumnavigating the globe himself. An effortlessly chill loop, cooked up by Tha God Fahim, underpins the bars with production that rolls out the extravagance of a red carpet entrance with the subtley of slipping through a side door.
Why We Like It: Donnie Durag’s “Winter In NY” Prod. Birthday
An undeniable flute sample and drum kick from Birthday, pocket perfect self-motivating raps by Donnie Durag, and a sauced up-visual from Llama make “Winter in NY” a blustery borough banger. Leave the bubble at the door for Spring, but bring the energy no matter the weather.
Why We Like It: NanaBcool’s “10 & 2”
On “10 & 2,” NanaBcool uses his vivid rendering of a traffic stop to probe America’s deep racial ills with support from Chicago’s Elton Aura. Their raps move deftly between revolutionary confidence and concern for the lives of family and friends.
Why We Like It: O2worldwide’s “ONLY ONE”
“ONLY ONE” is a song about growing up, but also not growing up. O2worldwide is a 16 person collective of long-time friends rapping their own coming of age franchise out of Oklahoma.
Why We Like It: NOLAN’s “CC”
Detroit rapper Nolan and his creative team blend satire, homage, a throwback, and the new wave seamlessly on their new visual and single “CC.”
Why We Like It: fika’s “Don’t Say I Don’t”
fika returns with another lesson in love on “Don’t Say I Don’t.” The stripped back goodness is fika doing what they do they do best. Jazzy lo-fi instrumentation and songwriting that cuts straight to the heart. Find your yourself longing for love you didn’t know you were missing.
Why We Like It: Blu Hyku’s “Carry On”
On “Carry On,” NYC emcee Blu Hyku channels a stirring message of solidarity for Asian American communities facing violence and discrimination.
Why We Like It: Sly Wes’ “I Wish”
Sly Wes blends sound from funk, reggaeton and electronic to produce rhythmic bliss. “I Wish” is an instrumental escape into yearning.
Featured Interviews
In Conversation with Dende: “In Case You Forgot I’m BLACK”
Cover art captured from “In Case You Forgot I’m BLACK” (Shot/edited by Jordan “JTek” Cardona) Trigger Warning: The short film that is the subject of this interview contains graphic footage and symbolism of police brutality. This March 8 interview with Dende covers the musical short film "In Case You Forgot I'm BLACK." Dende talks … Continue Reading... about In Conversation with Dende: “In Case You Forgot I’m BLACK”
Brwnsounds Quests for the Absence of Fear
In the wake of his new record, WITH LOVE., Brwnsounds talks to CentralSauce's Ryan Gaur about the stories, sounds and SAROS crew behind the project. In any instance, a mind can be a sponge or a shell. At times open to absorbing all, but can just as easily be repellant and fearful of outside influence. Ohio-based artist Brwnsounds … Continue Reading... about Brwnsounds Quests for the Absence of Fear
Party On Dudes: An Interview with HAM’s Adam Weiss
Ham on Everything has been a staple of Los Angeles' events scene since 2011, but a decade on, co-founder Adam Weiss is facing the new challenges of a COVID world. Even as he reminisces on humble beginnings and hard-earned successes, Adam's looking to the future – and, as he tells David McCloud, it's looking bright, sweaty and … Continue Reading... about Party On Dudes: An Interview with HAM’s Adam Weiss
Brittney Carter’s ‘As I Am’: The Evolving Introspection of an Artist
Cover photo and album art by Lauren Washington In this CentralSauce featured interview, Brittney Carter breaks down her evolution as an artist from fifth-grade poetry to opening shows for Jay Rock and her debut album release, 'As I Am.' While you read, stream the playlist below, created by Carter, for a sense of the music that soundtracked … Continue Reading... about Brittney Carter’s ‘As I Am’: The Evolving Introspection of an Artist
'