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  • GRUNGECAKE’s Discover 100 playlist: Fresh sounds you need to hear

    Discover 100: This Week’s New Releases:

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    DISCOVER 100: New Sounds You Should Hear This Week

    This week’s Discover Weekly roundup is a sonic map of where music’s pulse is right now — diverse, daring, and deeply human. From moody reflections to dancefloor bursts, each track brings its own story and sonic fingerprint.

    The Planes – “Cliff Diver”
    The Planes deliver an indie-rock anthem that feels like freefall. “Cliff Diver” moves between nostalgia and release, a guitar-driven meditation on risk and renewal. It’s that perfect balance of grit and grace — an open-window song for anyone standing on the edge of change.

    Uriah Gold – “No Good”
    Uriah Gold’s “No Good” is a confessional pop gem wrapped in shimmering synths. It thrives on tension — between love and distance, between wanting to be better and knowing you won’t be. It’s dark, catchy, and uncomfortably honest.

    Lior Izhaki Drums – “B2 Bomber”
    “B2 Bomber” is all rhythm and precision — Lior Izhaki’s drumming takes centre stage in a cinematic instrumental that fuses jazz agility with rock’s velocity. It’s propulsive, polished, and impossible to ignore.

    Shazam Conner – “Back It Up For Love”
    An R&B veteran with unmistakable swagger, Shazam Conner turns up the heat on “Back It Up For Love.” Equal parts smooth groove and club energy, it’s a confident reminder of what charisma sounds like in motion.

    F.A.V. x Tino Amor x Lorenzo Soria – “Culo”
    “Culo” brings the party to life with Latin flair and global rhythm. It’s playful and unapologetic, powered by irresistible percussion and hooks built to make the body move.

    YungParadise – “Room 5”
    Dreamy and melancholic, “Room 5” feels like a late-night confession in neon. YungParadise threads emotional honesty through modern R&B textures — intimate yet cinematic.

    Hockitay – “old dog”
    Raw and reflective, “old dog” sits somewhere between folk storytelling and alternative grit. Hockitay turns simple phrases into emotional depth, proving subtlety can hit hardest.

    Şener Seymenoğlu – “Another Ordinary Miracle Day”
    Şener Seymenoğlu finds wonder in the everyday. His composition blends classical grace with modern melody — gentle, mindful, and deeply human.

    The Lost Arts ft. Jimmy Valentime & Urban Miracle – “We Tried to Warn You!”
    Urgent and defiant, this collaboration is a protest anthem dressed in hip-hop and alt-rock armour. The Lost Arts and guests channel social commentary into something anthemic and alive.

    Giuseppe Cucè – “El mundo Es Verdadero”
    Warm, rhythmic, and poetic — Giuseppe Cucè delivers a world-fusion track that feels both spiritual and celebratory. “El mundo Es Verdadero” translates as “The world is real,” and he makes you believe it.

    REY DANTE – “El reloj en la pared”
    A cinematic Latin ballad built around time, longing, and memory. REY DANTE’s vocal delivery has gravitas, pulling listeners into his world of romantic drama and timeless melodies.

    Show Dem Camp x taves – “Pressure”
    The Nigerian rap duo returns in sharp form. “Pressure” is slick, conscious, and effortlessly cool — a study in modern Afro-fusion with lyrical depth and rhythmic heat.

    Chris James – “Long Time Coming”
    Earnest and full of momentum, “Long Time Coming” is a statement of persistence. Chris James blends pop-rock and soul in a track that feels like a sunrise after a struggle.

    Drew Who – “lamentable”
    Minimal yet emotional, “lamentable” drifts through moody production and introspective lyricism. It’s the kind of song that lingers after silence.

    Jynine James – “Pain Of Love”
    A heartfelt ballad that nods to classic pop craftsmanship. Jynine James delivers emotional clarity and timeless vocal power — heartbreak as healing art.

    SlimYungMan x Coberzz – “HAMMERHEAD”
    A high-energy collision of trap and grit. “HAMMERHEAD” hits with underground confidence and sharp-edged production, made for those who like their sound heavy and relentless.

    Naomi Jane – “I Cry”
    Soft, soulful, and confessional — Naomi Jane’s “I Cry” feels like a diary turned into a melody. Vulnerability has rarely sounded this controlled and beautiful.

    Verra Cruz – “Lion”
    “Lion” roars with purpose. Verra Cruz merges blues-rock fire with spiritual urgency, delivering a sound that’s as raw as it is uplifting. It’s a closer that doesn’t fade — it ascends.

    This week’s Discover Weekly is about emotion in motion — songs that challenge, comfort, and move with purpose. From Lagos to London, Tel Aviv to Los Angeles, these artists are shaping a global conversation one track at a time.

    GRUNGECAKE’s Discover 100 continues to champion originality, authenticity, and the spirit of discovery. Each track this week stands as proof that the independent scene isn’t just alive—it’s thriving.

  • America’s rising star Connie Diiamond talks to GRUNGECAKE ONLINE about ‘Jodeci’ and New York City scene (Interview)

    Big Bronx: Connie Diiamond talks elevation, collaboration, and staying true to her sound

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    Hailing from the Bronx, Connie Diiamond has been steadily rising through the ranks of New York City’s Rap scene with her undeniable talent, sharp lyricism, and commanding presence. Over the past few years, she has proven herself to be one of the city’s most exciting voices, capturing the attention of both fans and industry heavyweights alike. Since 2021, Connie has made major moves, solidifying her place in the game with a standout freestyle on ‘On the Radar’, viral success with her ‘Ghetto & Ratchet’ track, and a major-label deal with Def Jam Recordings. Her versatility, blending Drill, classic East Coast grit, and modern flows, has helped her carve out a lane of her own.

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    In this exclusive conversation, Connie Diiamond opens up about her journey, the realities of being signed to a label, and the camaraderie within New York’s new wave of artists. She also shares her experiences working with Vontee the Singer and Cash Cobain, her earliest memories of Jodeci, and her openness to experimenting beyond Drill music. Most importantly, she reflects on the biggest lessons she’s learned along the way.

    Dive into our interview below to get a closer look at Connie Diiamond’s world.

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    Richardine: Is your current lifestyle everything you thought it would be? Is there anything you would change if you could? 
     
    Connie Diiamond: My current lifestyle isn’t anything close to what I expected it to be. It appears that the real work starts once you are officially locked in with a label. You must continue to work as if you are not signed.  There isn’t anything I would change. 
     
    Richardine: It appears that most of the new artists on the New York City scene have come together and are working together more; I love that! What was it like working with Vontee the Singer and Cash Cobain on the record? Was it recorded in one session, all of you together?
     
    Connie Diiamond: New York definitely became one big boiling pot. I’ll blame that on Sexy Drill.  It made everyone come together. Working with Vontee and Cash went really smooth. I’m closer with Vontee than I am with Cash but both are really cool individuals. We knocked the session out in about an hour and we were all in the studio together.

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    Richardine: What is your earliest memory of Jodeci and their music? Were you a fan of Jodeci’s music coming up as a young girl from The Bronx? 
     
    Connie Diiamond: My earliest memories of Jodeci was my aunts, uncles and parents always having them in rotation — Anytime they cooked up their playlist for a function. Listening to them as a youth made me a fan. 
     
    Richardine: As I shared with you many years ago, I think you sound great over the Drill beats! Do you think you’re going to stick with this style for a while? Have you connected with RCA/Winners Circle’s Sheff G or Sleepy Hallow yet?
     
    Connie Diiamond: Thank you. I like Drill music but it’s not my favorite genre. I’m always interested in trying new styles of music. As far as Sheff and Sleepy, I got the opportunity to open up for them a while back for their show in NYC. It was fire. 
     
    Richardine: Seeing your imminent growth over the years has been incredible to witness. What would you say is the most valuable or meaningful lesson you’ve learned on your journey thus far?
     
    Connie Diiamond: Thank you. I’ve learned to just take every day one step at a time and what’s meant for me will be. 

  • Introducing GRUNGECAKE AFRICA, celebrating Gen-Z Fuji with Nigeria’s rising star FirstKlaz

    Last week, GRUNGECAKE CEO Richardine Bartee launched her first digital magazine, “GRUNGECAKE AFRICA”, an imprint designed to showcase Africa’s richness in culture and diversity, music, fashion, traditional delicacies, and most of all to bridge the gap between the continent of Africa and the rest of the world. On its first cover, Nigeria’s rising artist, FirstKlaz, stands in his hometown, Abuja, Nigeria, near a clay ground and nature. Featuring placements from Lionsgate, Nigeria’s most successful record label — Mavin Records, Red Bull Records, and more, the BETA issue features an in-depth interview with FirstKlaz, Ghanaian star singer Efya, formerly an artist signed to Wizkid’s record label, an article about the music industry in Ghana with identical musical twins Lali X Lola, and two mouthwatering food review articles written by Manny King John.

    GRUNGECAKE AFRICA cover
    [/media-credit] GRUNGECAKE AFRICA cover

    The original promotional post now has 542,000 views on X, and the collaboration post on Instagram has received over 800 likes.

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    GRUNGECAKE AFRICA will release its next issue at the end of October 2024. Download our first GRUNGECAKE AFRICA digital issue via this link.

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  • Interview: Kokota Afrika discusses South Africa’s thriving culture, promoting Amapiano, and who’s up next from the scene

    Editor’s Note (July 2, 2024, 9:31 AM EST): An earlier version of this article referred to Modupi Ntisa as Module Ntisa, copied from an email from the company.

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    Three months ago, South Africa’s digital culture hub Kokota Afrika—run by two young South African men Modupi Ntisa (left) and Lesedi Mashilane (right)—and GRUNGECAKE connected to discuss South Africa from the lens of a native or tourist, building a brand from scratch, the nightlife in Johannesburg, the culture, Zone 6 and who we should be on our radar.

    GRUNGECAKE: Many Americans travel to South Africa before venturing out to other African countries. I’ve even suggested it to fellow Americans because of our similarities in culinary options, luxury living, and brand recognition. If I hadn’t been to Johannesburg, South Africa, how would you describe it to me as a foreigner or tourist? What makes the country and the people great?

    Kokota Afrika: Johannesburg is a city that was once describe[d] to be the City of Gold but today, it’s a social hub filled with talent. From musicians to painters Johannesburg has it all. Some describe it to be a jungle with everyone fighting their way to the top of the food chain. I think that’s the beauty of all. It create[s] a sense of culture within the city with everyone striving to bring something new and unique to the table. This is a city that never sleeps.

    GRUNGECAKE: I met you guys during my first trip to South Africa. Since then, we’ve witnessed growth in your business in six months. From the parties to the follower count (nearly 400,000), you’re running a popular platform, Kokota Afrika. How long has Kokota Afrika been in business? What would you say has been the most rewarding thing (or things) you’ve accomplished as a brand so far?

    Kokota Afrika: Kokota Afrika was established in 2021 in hopes of presenting the world the true African gem that was embedded in the core of the South African musical scene, Amapiano. Since then, we have become a major factor in the development of the genre, working so hard to discover the undiscovered. Artists like Uncle Waffles, Pcee, Justin99 and Toss, to name a few, are artists we worked so hard to place center stage of the industry and we do not plan to stop any time soon. Kokota Afrika is a reward on its own. We look at it as a community and not a social media page and leading the people in this community is the greatest reward we could ever ask for.

    GRUNGECAKE: How would you describe the music scene in Johannesburg? Which part of Johannesburg would you say has the best nightlife and why?

    Kokota Afrika: As I stated before, Johannesburg is a jungle. Every one that lives here is hungry for their top spot in the musical scene. This kind of environment is necessary in the development of music in South Africa because it forces everyone to bring their own uniqueness to the table allowing for the music here to become more and more diverse.

    GRUNGECAKE: How paramount is South African culture to you as individuals and as a brand?

    Kokota Afrika: South African culture is what built us, it’s what built Amapiano. Without the South African culture, we wouldn’t even be having this conversation as two individuals. So to answer your question, the South African culture is the most important thing to us and to our brand.

    GRUNGECAKE: You guys also contribute to programming in Soweto (a 45-minute drive from Rosebank) at a thriving club called Zone 6. Tell us about some of the shows you’ve produced and what you have coming up in June and July.

    *Kokota Afrika didn’t answer this question, unfortunately.*

    GRUNGECAKE: You’re around and support many talented local artists through the performance series you produce and through artist management. Who are some artists you believe should be on our radar, and why?

    Kokota Afrika: Kokota Afrika prides itself on discovering the undiscovered. There are artists all around this country who deserve to sit centre stage of the musical scene and they are Tycoon, Jaylooks, Sjavas Da Deejay, Stixx.

  • GRUNGECAKE to interview Oxlade on Instagram Live

    Next week, GRUNGECAKE will interview Oxlade about his new EP ‘Oxygen’, life in quarantine, and all of his accomplishments in such a short time, on Instagram. Join us at 11 o’clock Eastern/4 PM GMT+1.

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  • GRUNGECAKE team stops by SoundCloud’s New York HQ with GRAMMY U mentee

    In February, the GRUNGECAKE team stopped by SoundCloud’s with Recording Academy’s GRAMMY U mentee Aryana. There, she had the opportunity to speak with Albert, also known as AC. AC on this visit, shared with Aryana a little about himself, his previous work with Def Jam, and his role at SoundCloud.

    GRAMMY U mentee Aryana

    The conversation covered a range of topics, including artist development, playlisting, and ways to monetize music on SoundCloud. Aryana, a developing artist, had the opportunity to play some of her original music for those in the room.

    Aryana also had the opportunity to meet and take a picture with Phantogram, who happened to be in the building that day.

    Brandon Wint, contributor at GRUNGECAKE
    Frank Morales, photographer and contributor at GRUNGECAKE
    GRAMMY U mentee Aryana and Richardine Bartee, CEO of GRUNGECAKE/GRUNGECAKE Records

  • GRUNGECAKE team stops by 300 Entertainment with GRAMMY U mentee

    In February, the GRUNGECAKE team stopped by 300 Entertainment with Recording Academy’s GRAMMY U mentee Aryana. It was a very active scene, as excitement surrounded Lil Keed’s presence in the office. We proceeded to the artist lounge, where we sat down with Aryana as she had the opportunity to interview Shy the Marketing Manager at 300 Entertainment. With a peaking interest in the music business, as well as producing Indie-Pop music of her own, Aryana took the time to inquire more about the work Shy does in her position at 300 Entertainment. They talked about ways to increase engagement, the process of making business decisions and the many opportunities they provide for those looking into getting into music, or the business of it.

    GRAMMY U mentee Aryana
    GRAMMY U mentee Aryana with Shy, marketing manager at 300 Entertainment
    Bobby Rogers, Senior VP of GRUNGECAKE /GRUNGECAKE Records and Richardine Bartee, CEO of GRUNGECAKE/GRUNGECAKE Records
    Bobby Rogers, Senior VP of GRUNGECAKE /GRUNGECAKE Records
    GRAMMY U mentee Aryana

  • GRUNGECAKE team stops by Warner Music Group with GRAMMY U mentee

    Last month, the GRUNGECAKE team stopped by Asylum Records at Warner Music Group with Recording Academy’s GRAMMY U mentee Aryana. As we entered the office, we walked through the room as some notable members of their team were meeting. We entered the room where Aryana would conduct her interview with Michael, who handles the public relations for Asylum Records. The room filled with plaques from some of Hip-Hop’s notable acts such as Jay-Z, 2 Chainz, and DJ Drama, added to a more exciting feel as we prepared for the interview. The interview began.

    Aryana began the interview, with questions surrounding the process, that Asylum follows when looking for artists, and their artist development work. Also, GRUNGECAKE intern Brooke inquired about the importance of talent through songwriting, production, and how that influences their choices in picking artist. Michael, generally shared, the ins and outs of running a record label.

    GRAMMY U mentee Aryana with Michael, publicist at Asylum Records
    GRAMMY U mentee Aryana
    GRAMMY U mentee Aryana

    Michael and GRUNGECAKE marketing intern Brooke
    GRAMMY U mentee Aryana
    Photos: Jeffrey Chambers for GRUNGECAKE