Hip-hop music continues to be a leading genre throughout the world and together with a renaissance in R&B music in recent years, these two genres continue to impress. But behind the Drakes, Kendricks, Summers and SZAs, there is a whole crop of DIY independent artists on the rise and popping up daily with quality music that rivals their major-label counterparts. During this series, we’ll be bringing you 10 new releases to check out from the stars of tomorrow.
JVSMINE
British/Singaporean BBC Introducing-supported R&B singer JVSMINE has returned with her stunning new two-track project, Floating. The project is led by its main single “No Regrets”, a smooth R&B cut that arrives with accompanying visuals directed by Sam Kinsella. Based in south London and raised partly in Fiji, JVSMINE incorporates her diverse background while sharing stories about her life and experiences through honest, soul-baring lyrics and silky vocals, as is the case on the emotional and dreamy “No Regrets”.
DA REAL3ST
Rising UK rapper DA REAL3ST has returned with his brand-new single, “BET”, alongside Sona. The track was produced by TRTheProducer (AJ Tracey, IAMDDB, Abra Cadabra, M Huncho) and arrives with accompanying visuals directed by Jack Whitfield. Stirring elements of hip-hop, drill and afrobeats (through tapping into his and Sona’s Nigerian roots), DA REAL3ST showcases his full repertoire of talents on “BET”, with the track highlighting both his smooth cadence and impressive lyricism. And with his knack for melodies and toplines also on full display, as heard noticeably during the track’s catchy hook, which will be etched into everyone’s head after just one listen, it has all the makings of a bona fide hit with undeniable replay value.
IMONI
With a captivating sound that combines pulsing basslines, brooding sensibilities and her ethereal vocals, IMONI has formed her own distinct style of dark R&B that is captured perfectly on “Cheap Dreams”, which arrives with accompanying visuals that IMONI co-directed and co-edited. Despite a three-year hiatus since arriving on the scene in 2017 with debut single “Money”, she garnered huge acclaim when she returned last year with singles “Energy” and “Hide & Seek”, and she looks set to accelerate her career to new heights with “Cheap Dreams”. Taken from a string of upcoming releases, “Cheap Dreams” is a dark and dreamy piece of music that garners full attention from start to finish. Hypnotic and wholly immersive, it highlights IMONI’s gorgeous and sultry vocals as she discusses the toxicity of unrealistic expectations.
Kaz Oliver
Rising US rapper Kaz Oliver has returned with his new single, “So G u c c i”, alongside producer Tha Audio Unit. The two musicians, who both hail from Columbus, Ohio, are in the middle of an impressive run together that includes 2020’s joint album, Aerial Vision, and their previous single, “Photo Finish”. Writing and producing their own music and releasing independently, the pair look set to continue their exciting rise in the hip-hop scene with “So G u c c i”, which arrives with accompanying visuals directed by Art Life Six and is taken from their new album, B.O.T.R. (Business On Tha Regular). “So G u c c i” was clearly written to uplift people and make them feel good about themselves in the midst of what has been a challenging two years for everyone globally. Not only does the track expertly highlight Kaz Oliver’s impressive penmanship but his dynamic cadence and flow too, while also shining a light on Tha Audio Unit’s unique and recognisable production style.
Chandra Rhyme
US recording artist Chandra Rhyme has unveiled her latest single, “Bullet”, and its accompanying visuals. “Bullet” is an undeniable winner, highlighting Chandra’s impressive songwriting along with her gorgeous and silky vocals. Inspired to write the song by a Tyler Perry TV show, it talks about being in a toxic relationship and is infused with addictive melodies and a huge singalong anthemic hook that will no doubt be stuck in everyone’s head after just one listen. With its enormous replay value, it’s clear this is a track from an artist with a bright future ahead, who will surely be making huge waves over the next year, and “Bullet” decisively makes it known that Chandra Rhyme is one to watch.
Lánre
Atlanta artist Lánre has been going from strength to strength since dropping his debut EP, In My Dreams, last year. “LA” arrives fresh on the heels of previous release “Somebody New (graymattr Remix)”, which was supported by BBC Radio, and with his audience continuing to grow with each release, “LA” looks set to be Lánre’s biggest single to date. With its vibrant, catchy melodies and Lánre’s powerful vocals, the single proves just why he has been such a hit with listeners so early on in his career and why he’s an artist to watch out for. Using clever metaphors and colourful imagery to explore what it’s like to miss a loved one, it’s a track that many will be able to relate to.
Cliassy Fp
Rising rapper Cliassy Fp – from Austin, Texas and based in Houston – has returned with his must-hear new album, DinnerTime 4, a ten-track collection of authentic and diverse hip-hop in all its glory. The independent rapper has been going from strength to strength over the past year – the album’s lead single “Outside” made waves organically and new single “Ferragamo Freestyle” looks set to be another success. Inspired by the likes of Static Major, Ryan Leslie and 50 Cent, Cliassy Fp showcases his huge range of talents on the new single – from his natural rap flow and diverse cadence to his impressive lyricism and storytelling abilities.
Club Noir
After impressing with previous release “Reload”, which received high praise, Club Noir have returned with captivating track “Freak”. Club Noir are based in Phoenix and formed of rappers Elijah NX, Alex G and Elijah’s brother, Isus. And, as always with their music, their talent and versatility shine through on “Freak”. Opting for a dark and eerie soundscape, the track commands attention from the opening seconds and maintains it through its addictive melodies and insanely catchy hook. Lyrically, “Freak” is an ode to individuality and not fitting in, which many will be able to relate to.
Abril Spring
Rising alternative rap artist Abril Spring, who hails from Barcelona, Spain, has returned with her brand-new single, “Cure”. With Abril’s transparent and conversational music style shining through, “Cure” immediately commands attention. With the subject matter discussing drug addiction in a toxic relationship, Abril begins the song with the inquiring rhetorical question: “Isn’t it funny? Most of our problems and discussions are caused by the same exact thing that ends up solving them.” Aside from the impressive lyricism and storytelling, Abril’s flow and energy on the track is equally impressive, resulting in a song that offers endless replay value and definitively marks Abril out as one to watch.
Kuda
Hailing from Raleigh, North Carolina, Kuda has been going from strength to strength since bursting on the scene a few years ago. His last single, “Low Low”, racked up an impressive 1 million+ streams on Spotify alone as an independent release, and he looks set to reach even greater heights with new single “Down There”. With catchy melodies, flavourful punchlines and spacey synth-driven production, the track showcases just why Kuda has been such a hit with listeners online and why he’s an artist to watch out for. Taking the psychedelic and introspective style pioneered by the likes of Kanye West and Kid Cudi in a direction that is uniquely his own, Kuda invites listeners to get to know more about him through the song as he gives a sneak peek into his life.
