“Henny Nights” by Lo-Ke is a song about escapism. Get lost in the upbeat rhythm and sing about drinking the blues away, but when the bottles run out you’ll still have to face your problems. Or you could just ignore them and keep dancing to this great single.
hip hop
Why We Like It: Cantrell’s “Birds Eye View”
Back again, Cantrell sores above the competition on “Birds Eye View.” With his newfound heights, the rapper looks at the game from above, an angle that affords him a wider perspective. The hunger bleeds through in his rhythm and controlled delivery.
Why We Like It: Samad Savage’s “GOODNIGHT”
“GOODNIGHT” is an onslaught of bars. Samad Savage is off at that gun, dancing over the beat quickly and confidently. As his raps pick up the pace he never slips, his confidence and clean delivery only grow stronger.
Why We Like It: Jay Wood’s “HEADHUNTER”
On “HEADHUNTER,” Jay Wood coldly crawls through the bars with a chip on his shoulder. He finds the perfect pocket for the production’s climbing scales and ominous tone as he looks back on the failures of a relationship with rose colored glasses.
Why We Like It: Otis Mensah’s “No Record Store Day”
Otis Mensah returns with another eviscerating poem, this time spit over the guitar laden “No Record Store Day.” He directs the anxieties of his larger isolation at the cancelation Record Store Day, a day that usually holds a lot of happiness and excitement for Mensah.
Why We Like It: Dayon Green’s “Free”
On his new single, “Free,” Dayon Greene raps about the internal freedom of expression that he feels within, while recognizing all of the ways that he sees freedom around him that he wants to gain. The upbeat instrumentation is inspiring and energetic.
Why We Like It: Animist, Jedos & Horus Ra Mindset’s “Reasons”
The combined power of the soul sample and gently unraveling poetic yarn of “Reasons” makes it a stand out single. Animist, Jedos and Horus Ra Mindset meld their energies beautifully to drop clever and dynamic verses that float over the production. Poetry in motion.
Why We Like It: Dirtsa’s “UNDERDOG”
The underdog story is a relatable one, but stories are often too easily romanticized. In glorifying the struggle for justice we can overlook the battle scars of the soldier. On “UNDERDOG” Dirtsa raps about the inner turmoil of fighting black oppression around the word.
Why We Like It: Rokeaux’s “To: Rep”
There’s an art to autotuned balladry, and Rokeaux is clearly well-versed in the form. Looking for a deep song about the prison of clout chasing or a high-speed flashy banger? “To: Rep” is both.
Why We Like It: Jaywop’s “Big Bad”
Success is more than just a destination for Jaywop. On his new single “Big Bad,” Jaywop is putting in the hours. His cadence flips between rapping and singing and thrives in moments where you can’t tell the difference.
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