Bronx, NY native CNRD links with Grand Khai for “Emotionless.” Performing over a spectral sounding instrumental, the pair deliver a relatable heartbreak tune that taps themes of betrayal and bluffs. Filled with thoughtful bars and emotive melodies, listeners take a journey through the ironic inner workings of a man who’s in fact encapsulated with emotion.
“Get With Me” by ADRIAN JUNIOR is an energetic hip hop record with a throw back to the 90’s West coast feel. With its catchy rhythm, it reflects themes of attraction and confidence, where ADRIAN JUNIOR invites everyone to connect, vibe, and enjoy life together. His smooth flow, combined with a lively beat, creates a vibe that’s perfect for social settings or a feel-good playlist. What makes this song so unique is not only his talent for crafting engaging hooks but also instrumentation and ad libs are all authentic. “Get With Me” is out on all platforms. Be sure to join ADRIAN JUNIOR on his musical journey.
Fresh off her single “Make Noise” debuting on movie soundtrack Assassin. Female musical artist Jasmin Cadavid releases her new single “I Need Love” for movie soundtrack Gunner. She is coming back with a vengeance and not here to play games. Independent artist Jasmin Cadavid has a point to prove and is coming with heat. Jasmin Cadavid is multi-faceted, and a force to be reckoned with. I wouldn’t be surprised if “I Need Love” becomes a FM radio hit. Keep an eye on this up, and coming star. Checkout the movies Gunner starring Morgan Freeman and Luke Hemsworth in Gunner (2024). Follows Ray Miller as he tries to save his sons, Luke and Travis, from a dangerous drug gang, and Assassin is a 2023 American science fiction action film starring Nomzamo Mbatha, Dominic Purcell and Bruce Willis in his final film role (to date) before his retirement due to aphasia. Stream “I Need Love” now on all digital platforms.
The second single from the Star2 x ChinaTown Runner’s upcoming EP From the Jungle to the Streets, “Spoil U” captivates listeners with its fluid production, lush acoustic riffs, and an infectious hook that anchors the track. Rappers Star2, ChinaTown Runner, and LerMuDex light up the track and weave together a narrative of indulgent romance inspired by a getaway on the sea. Opulent accents of piano, sparkling harmonies, and crisp, assertive rhymes combine to create an unforgettable anthem that lingers long after the last note fades.
Star2 is a refugee artist from the Mae La refugee camp in Thailand. His new documentary, RETURN TO KAWTHOOLEI: A Refugee Rapper’s Journey to His Homeland in Burma, has received over 5 film festival awards, including “Best Short Documentary” at the Malaysian Film Festival, “Best Documentary” at the Busan New Wave Short Film Festival in S. Korea, “Best Web and Media” at the IndieX Film Fest in LA, and “Exceptional Merit in Docu-drama Short & Human Spirit” at the Documentaries Without Borders Film Festival to name a few.
Los Angeles based artist Darius Martin releases the new single and video for “Fill My Cup”. The single celebrates afrobeats with enticing percussion, euphoric riffs and vivid lyrics that transport you on a romantic sonic fantasy. Martin passionately sings, “Smuggle you ‘cross the country like kilos.” Paired with a vibrant visualizer that captures Darius Martin and a room full of friends letting loose and dancing to “Fill My Cup”, the visuals are equally as celebratory as the track itself. “Fill My Cup” is the song you’ve been waiting for to kickstart your summer with explorative energy and sensual sonics.
On the track Darius adds, “Wizkid, Tems, and Omah Lay are some of my favorite Afrobeat artists right now. This genre is so important, because it’s a part of something much bigger than just music – it’s an entire movement happening right in front of our eyes! I feel that music should represent positivity as much as possible and when I listen to Afr beats that’s what I see portrayed most. “Fill My Cup” isn’t about alcohol or anything that can harm you; it’s about love and filling your cup up with God, knowledge, understanding, peace, love, and everything positive! I wanted to make a feel good song you can spend summer nights driving around to.”
Darius Martin got his start in the American Southwest where he grew up in cities among the likes of El Paso, Texas and Alamogordo, New Mexico. He went on to move to Los Angeles where he got his degree from the acclaimed Los Angeles Film Institute. He has received acclaim from Earmilk, Lyrical Lemonade, Allhiphop, ThisisRNB and more.
After the successful release of “Here I Am”, JLyles keeps his momentum on a forward course as he gives us the interlude titled “Lyles Lullaby”. The track serves as the second single to his upcoming album that many are patiently waiting for, including us. The Baltimore resident takes us on an adventure through his brain as he revisits parts of his life, especially those during his transition to the home of the Chesapeake Bay.
Produced by Sypooda, Lyles says that “this instrumental was so melodic that I couldn’t stop writing to it after penning the first line of the record. That’s why the song has no hook, it forced me to be introspective”. The influence gained from just the production gave the artist even more of an incentive to snag the beat from Sypooda. Gaining some sort of inspiration from any form of production is always a plus for artists, its even better when it takes one back to a certain time that challenges them musically and emotionally, as Lyles says “the beat is therapeutic”. With the perfect backbone and theme set in stone, the New Jersey native went to work crafting what would eventually become an extension of the “Lullaby” series, only second to “Chizz Lullaby”.
The lyricist by the name of JLyles held nothing back but instead let everything go. Really tuning into his vulnerable side with rhymes like “bottling my shit in this bottle is diabolical” and “man on a misison/my vision built a commission/my father sittin in prison/love momma but she was dippin/so we lackin supervision/and I’m the man of the house/weight of the world on my shoulders/gave hope in a drought”. This record is yet another taste of what is in store for listeners and supporters of JLyles and is sure to put numbers on the board just as its predecessor is currently doing. The Execution has no release date set but from what the globe has heard off the album it is safe to say that no one should be worried about what to expect from it because expectations are high and they will be met.
“The honesty in my lyrics combined with the pain represents my will to persevere and win while I’m here.” – JLyles
Grammy and Juno Award-winning producer/engineer David Strickland has released his debut solo album Foundation via MNRK Music, a 20 track instrumental project that seamlessly blends his hip hop-fuelled musical inspirations over the years. Boasting production credits with a who’s who of rap superstars including Drake, EPMD, The Clipse, Def Squad, Method Man, Kardinal Offishall, Saukrates, Maestro Fresh Wes and many more, Foundation arrives as a follow up to his last critically-acclaimed 2022 release Spirit of Hip Hop: Elements album, and its prior accompanying series, that celebrated, showcased and highlighted a wide range of North American rap icons alongside emerging Indigenous rappers. “This album represents the first time I did something musically that was just strictly by myself. No MCs or singers. Just me alone. Producer and engineer,” explains the Scarborough-born producer/engineer who has quietly worked behind the scenes for decades, producing, mixing and/or engineering records from the likes of Canadian urban music legends including Glenn Lewis, Ghetto Concept, Jelleestone, Choclair and k-os. “I was in NYC going through beats in the studio and I was looking at the last two albums I released and the instrumental versions, and it made me think about how guys like DJ Muggs and The Alchemist have been doing instrumental albums for years. I spoke to my A&R and VP about the idea, and then locked myself in the studio and banged out and revamped a couple beats and it just all came together.”
Strickland pays homage to his neighborhood roots on “Scarboro Forever”, and references his career sustenance on “The Journey”, but what lies at the core of the highly rhythmic, breezy and boom bap-inspired production on Foundation, is that at its core, it reminds listeners of what it takes to make a hit record – the production, which is the foundation. But the album title carries deeper layers of meaning. “Music is the foundation of any song, and I am a part of the foundation of the ‘Toronto Sound’. Any good project needs a solid foundation. And say what you want about me, but I’m a finisher. I always deliver.” Foundation delivers on all fronts, and appeals to music lovers of many stripes, as its contemporary sonic edges are rounded out nicely by its timeless classic old school musical sensibilities.
After dropping his 2023 iTunes #1 EP ‘First Summer Without You’ and a string of single releases in 2024, the South Bronx, NY native Elijah The Boy readies us for summer with new heat. His newest offering “EGO” is a vibrant single that switches up the tone of his recent drops.
With a distinct blend of hip-hop, Jersey club drums, and Brazilian Phonk, the Puerto Rican lyricist flexes his powerful delivery over the alluring, rhythmic record that is intricate and aggressive all at once. Elijah explains that the production on “EGO” features heavy influence from the Bronx club scene, which undoubtedly showcases his outstanding level of sonic versatility and inventiveness.
“My new single is inspired by the hip-hop/Brazilian phonk music that I started hearing in the NY nightlife scene. I’ve always been a fan of music from different genres whether it was Latin, Afro beat, or Brazilian Phonk, and am attracted to the cadences they use and pockets they are able to find within the beat. I wanted to create a song that made people dance and feel good and forget about the problems with catchy bars and word play that was fun. One day I was in the studio with my producer Navi Beats and my Engineer Mixed By Auden, and we were brainstorming ideas. I thought of blending Brazilian Phonk with my usual sound. We ended up making this fun, catchy braggadocious record that in the end was only right to titles it ‘EGO’” – Elijah The Boy
Dj Smoke has unleashed a game-changing mixtape that’s shaking up the hip-hop scene. Titled “Make Rappers RAP Again,” this compilation is a testament to the raw talent and authentic lyricism that defines true rap music. Featuring 50 trending rap songs carefully curated by Dj Smoke, this mixtape is a must-listen for any true hip-hop aficionado.
From new releases to underground hip-hop gems, official freestyles, and even hard-hitting diss tracks, “Make Rappers RAP Again” covers all bases. Dj Smoke has handpicked tracks that capture the essence of hip-hop, taking listeners on a journey through the genre’s evolution and diversity.
One of the highlights of the mixtape is T.I.’s electrifying freestyle over classic Dr. Dre and Nipsey Hussle beats. The legendary rapper pays homage to the pioneers of West Coast hip-hop while infusing his signature southern style into the mix. It’s a track that’s guaranteed to get heads nodding and speakers thumping.
But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. With contributions from a diverse range of artists including Trae Tha Truth, Kash Doll, Megan Thee Stallion, and more, “Make Rappers RAP Again” is a testament to the vibrancy and creativity of the hip-hop community. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to the genre, this mixtape promises to deliver an unforgettable listening experience. So don’t miss out! Stream Dj Smoke’s “Make Rappers RAP Again” mixtape now on Livemixtapes and witness the future of hip-hop unfold before your ears.
You can stream the mixtape on Livemixtapes here as you read along.
Our Playlist
We’ve created a playlist to match the mixtape for those who prefer Spotify for streaming. Click here to listen or press play below. The playlist is slightly different than the mixtape due to certain tracks not being available on Spotify but the playlist is bangin too!
One of the highlights of the mixtape is T.I.’s electrifying freestyle over classic Dr. Dre and Nipsey Hussle beats. The legendary rapper pays homage to the pioneers of West Coast hip-hop while infusing his signature southern style into the mix. It’s a track that’s guaranteed to get heads nodding and speakers thumping. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg. With contributions from a diverse range of artists including Trae Tha Truth, Kash Doll, Megan Thee Stallion, and more, “Make Rappers RAP Again” is a testament to the vibrancy and creativity of the hip-hop community. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to the genre, this mixtape promises to deliver an unforgettable listening experience. So don’t miss out! Stream Dj Smoke’s “Make Rappers RAP Again” mixtape now on Livemixtapes and witness the future of hip-hop unfold before your ears.
J Lyles makes his return to the world of HipHop, and in a big way, with his new single titled “Here I am”. It’s been a while since we’ve heard anything new from the talented artist but we can officially say those days are over with this new single as Lyles continues to prep a new album that is slated to release this year. Being lyrically relatable has never been a problem for the New Jersey native, and that continues to be true with “Here I am”. Life sometimes takes a toll on us as humans, we all go through ups and downs mentally and physically but those who stay true to themselves while staying afloat through the rough times are the ones that seem to come out the smoke when those bad days disappear. In his own words Lyles describes the song by saying “I discuss various points of my life and the effects of incarceration, family trauma and struggles to get through college and life after college. This song is a testament of wins and losses, pain, and perseverance that led to this version of myself. “Here I Am”.” J Lyles is that exact person that comes out of the smoke battle scarred and tired but wiser and battle tested. He’s always ready to give it his all when those tough times roll back around with rhymes like “Made it to 27 I must be here for a reason/applying pressure smothering all you turkeys that’s under seasoned/they telling me to keep going/my music the voice of reason.” Staying ten toes down with the current version of himself is what the artist is striving for now a days, staying away from those who may not prove to be worthy of being within his circle. “I’m a legend to the game/but I never wanted fame/cause everybody knows your name and unfamiliar with your pain” spits Lyles at the beginning of the second verse, further cementing his true to self rhymes being provided by the man behind the mic. With his debut album titled The Execution still being perfected behind closed doors, J Lyles opens up one door to give new and older listeners a sample of what is to come until the timing is right for The Execution.
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