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.
rxlph
Hailing from Rockland County, New York, rxlph has had an impressive run over the past few years since bursting on the scene in 2018. An independent, self-made artist, he’s already accumulated millions of streams on Spotify alone thanks to popular tracks such as “resentment.”, which was released earlier this year, and “night before last.” looks set to be another success and keep his momentum rolling. “night before last.” is a dark and atmospheric track that stands out immediately with its strong melodies and moody ambience. The track is elevated further with an equally compelling music video directed by SageWolf that captures the mood and vibe of the song perfectly.
Jay’s Soulfood
Jay’s Soulfood (AKA Funktional J) is a hip-hop/electronic producer based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands, with Surinam roots (South America). He has been building a name for himself on the music scene for several years now with his funk and soul-inspired beats and is ready to continue his rise with “Taste The Sun & The Sky”. The track sounds like a hit and showcases Jay’s advanced production skills and shows that the rising producer is surely one to watch out for. With its smooth and vibey groove and recurring lyrics about tasting the sun and the sky, it’s a perfect track for a chilled summer’s day and will no doubt be a go-to track for his growing fanbase over the summer.
Tireek
Brooklyn, New York rapper Tireek flaunts a dynamic flow with vulnerable and honest lyrics, examining relationships, personal struggles and inspiring those going through hard times. The rising rapper has been making noise on the underground hip-hop scene over the last few years and has already accumulated hundreds of thousands of streams on Spotify alone as an independent artist, and this will only grow further after the release of “BALBOA”, a laidback track that perfectly captures Tireek’s smooth cadence and notable lyrical abilities.
Chris Siders
Eminent amongst the Los Angeles and Monterey County spoken word scenes, LA-born artist Chris Siders has set out to deliver exciting, innovative and brutally honest storytelling in the world of hip-hop/rap. The rising LA rapper only dropped his debut single, “Lately” (feat. Nana Razaia), in February 2022, but it’s already clear what a special talent he is, and this is no more evident than on “The Invisible Man”. The track highlights Chris’ impressive lyrical abilities, as well as his elite flow and delivery. Possessing all the right elements needed for a quality hip-hop track, “The Invisible Man” proves Chris Siders has a lot to offer and will be one to watch over the coming years.
Maverick Christ
Emerging Atlanta rapper Maverick Christ has had an impressive start to 2022, with his previous release, “Moving Light Speed”, on the verge of becoming his first track to surpass 100,000 streams on Spotify. And follow-up single “Ocean Current” is another quality release and highlights several assets of Maverick Christ that make him stand out, such as the uniqueness of his voice and ability to vary his flow while sitting right in the pocket of each beat. When combining his dynamic and versatile cadence with his insightful and introspective lyrics and a hard-hitting trappy hip-hop beat, “Ocean Current” makes for a great listen.
Ashlee Keyton
Rising Atlanta artist Ashlee Keyton has been dazzling us for a few years now with a series of impressive releases, and “I Won’t Ever Call You” is no different. Arriving alongside a cinematic self-directed music video, the track will surely help propel Ashlee’s rise in the music scene as it becomes increasingly clear with each release that he is someone with the potential to have an amazing career in music. “I Won’t Ever Call You” stands out immediately thanks to Ashlee’s powerful and soulful vocal performance. The track is enhanced further by its subject matter and Ashlee’s meaningful lyrics about letting go and overcoming. It’s a song that will no doubt inspire and motivate listeners.
Mood Supachild
Born Anthony Musoni in Bordeaux, France, Mood Supachild is a rising musician of Rwandan origin. He stands out for his unique voice and versatile sound, which can be described as hip-hop soul music. His brand-new single, “Hate on You”, is out now and is a must-hear track that ticks all the right boxes. His vocals are effortless, the production is smooth and the accompanying music video is simple yet highly captivating. Although it’s early days in his career, it’s clear he has an exciting future ahead.
1sun
Rising Luton rapper 1sun has teamed up with south London rapper Vic Prince for summer anthem “2A.M”. The afroswing-infused rap track impresses with its fusion of different styles. Vic Prince, who is originally from Marbella, Spain, sets off the track by tapping into his heritage and rapping in Spanish while 1sun raps in English, with his dynamic cadence and impeccable delivery on full display. The two styles merge perfectly and are complemented by the track’s infectious hook and strong melodic presence that resonates throughout.
Dezz Davon
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Dezz Davon is a rising singer, songwriter and dancer now based in Vero Beach, Florida. His debut single, “So-So”, arrived in 2019, which was followed by debut EP Choice is Yours, and he’s continued to go from strength to strength ever since, with a series of notable releases that have spanned various genres, such as R&B, neo-soul, pop and bluegrass. His brand-new single, “On Ya”, is out now. Showcasing Dezz’s smooth and soulful vocals, which are complemented by a slew of lush melodies and memorable lyrics, the track looks set to be a success.
Taylor McClaine
Born in Harlem, with family roots in Long Island and Georgia, Taylor McClaine began his musical journey in 2020. On his new single, “Baddie”, he gives us pounding bass, rhythmic R&B melodies, sharp lyricism and a silky-smooth production made up of ethereal classical guitar and vocal samples. An infectious hook and masterful trap beats give the track a gritty, modern edge, cementing Taylor as an artist with a bright future. His new EP, According to Planz, is expected on September 9th.
