Richardine Bartee
Antoine Bishop – When I Was Young (Submission)
Antoine Bishop, a Baltimore, Maryland-based rapper, has an old soul and a big voice. There are a few people who are capable of effortlessly banding lyrics together. He’s one of them. Rapping over an original that is well before his time and mine, the young artist updates the classic instrumental to tell a story about ungrateful men, misleading women, and potentially grow up to be like his father.
As far as what he/it sounds like, I’ve played the record for untrained ears. Based on their thoughts, he is a cross between UGK, Curren$y, 50 Cent and Dom Kennedy. I don’t agree—solely—with all of the comparisons, but I understand. Late last year, I had the pleasure of meeting him in Brooklyn, New York during one of our private listening events. Before that moment, I heard his voice; I knew I had to meet him. Hear “When I Was Young”, the smooth jazzy number, now below. Young P produced the single from the forthcoming project entitled, “PARK”.
Terrell Morris & Free n Losh – Oak featuring BASECAMP (Submission)
How often do you hear a young person talk about budgeting? It shocked me when I heard it for the first time, but it probably shouldn’t have. He starts off the record stating that he is one-of-a-kind. Furthermore, I’m all about the melody and the vibe of a song. Here, Terrell Morris & Free n Losh, a Toronto-based duo, bring both. Stream the track featuring OWSLA artist BASECAMP below.
Prince Wiser – So Good featuring Mada (Submission)
‘It’s a hood song written over gold horns.’ The level of accuracy here is satisfying and compelling. In an intriguing soundscape, Bronx-native rapper Prince Wiser created an anthemic record about how it feels to be a black person in today’s society. It isn’t easy, but we survive and do our best. Namely, its chorus/hook is memorable and satisfying to hear. Check out the groovy record from Prince Wiser’s first studio LP.
Zonni – Replay (Submission)
It is Valentine’s Day, so “Replay” made it to today’s list on purpose. Its lyrics are female-friendly. It compliments the woman of interest. The production is ethereal and sensual. That’s all I needed to press replay.
Pure Colors – A Deeper Love (Submission)
There’s a reason why the call it soul music. “A Deeper Love” features a sampled vocal by legendary singer Aretha Franklin, if I am not mistaken. Listen to the fantastic Nu-Disco track now.
My Favorite Color – Bad (Submission)
Southern Californian artist, My Favorite Color, makes a splash with “Bad”. The record speaks on feeling bad for an individual, missing his grandmother, his girlfriend’s possible pregnancy and travelling the world. It comes from his new album, “Go!”.
NEO NOIR – Made for You featuring Brooke Williams (Submission)
I am a sucker for enthralling EDM backdrops and a buttery voice. Therefore, NEO NOIR and Brooke Williams’ collaboration is great to me. Hear the hellishly good produced record below.
Tiger Darrow – Hands (Submission) (Bonus)
Life isn’t fair. I don’t why neither, but it isn’t. We get ‘lucky’ some days. Other times, it feels as if we have to find to get recognition. Speaking from experience, living through some of the worst things tends to lead you to the place of comfort, where you want to be. Based on what I’ve heard from the lyrics, the hands are also a large part of that experience. Normally, they aren’t something that we count as important—because they seem to just be there. But our hands get it through our tough times, too. We use them to hold each other, wipe our tears, etc.
Sonically, “Hands” is a well-mixed and produced track. There isn’t one thing I would change about it. Stream the infectious record below.
