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Maryland rapper Q Da Fool shares official homecoming mixtape ‘Art of Ambition’
Q Da Fool, the prolific Maryland rapper has just shared his new mixtape Art of Ambition. Led by the lead single “Rich Droppaz” (feat. OT7 Quanny), which in the words of Billboard, is “a slinking street anthem that coasts on both the duo’s chemistry and their individual charisma”, Art of Ambition is out now in partnership with music distribution company ONErpm.
Effectively serving as Q Da Fool‘s official comeback tape after he served an initial 18-month sentence and then got locked up again after a brief stint of freedom this summer, dropping Home Detention to continue feeding the streets. In light of the recent legal trouble and adversity, Q Da Fool is ready as ever to reclaim his spot in the fiery DMV Hip-Hop scene, and continue showcasing why he’s their premier talent – putting on for the city through his gritty lyricism and infectious energy. On his new mixtape Art of Ambition, Q Da Fool is elevating his dynamic street-heavy sound by delivering creative flexes while also candidly reflecting on the ups and down of his decorated career. Rapping with an energized purpose and asserting his dominance through his trademark energetic flows across Art of Ambition, Q Da Fool is officially back like nothing has changed, breathing new life into an underserved DMV hip-hop scene that has been blossoming over the past decade thanks to Q Da Fool’s monstrous output.
Hailing from the small town of Largo, Q Da Fool has been a clear-cut DMV standout for the better part of a decade. After earing his spot through a constant display of rapid-fire flows and matter-of-fact lyricism displayed on a number of hit singles including the RIAA Gold-Certified “Win” (9.4M Streams) and a momentous collaboration with Shoreline Mafia, Q Da Fool has steadily been carving out his own distinct lane in which he consistently shares detailed stories of his lived experiences and the street life in Maryland. Having released an impressive string of countless dynamic street anthems and projects with producers like Kenny Beats and the Grammy award-winning Zaytoven, Q has distinctly chosen not to follow directly in the footsteps of his area’s popular go-go wave, which is an artistic decision that has allowed him to fully flex his gritty lyricism and energetic flows. A consistently gritty rapper spitting candid street sermons through energetic flows, Q Da Fool is continuing to represent his state to the fullest on his new homecoming mixtape Art of Ambition – out now, in partnership with ONErpm.
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Introducing “SEX” by Soundsbysdl: A Fusion of Abuja and Accra Underground Scenes
This groundbreaking album transcends borders, seamlessly merging the vibrant sounds of the underground music scenes in Abuja and Accra.
“SEX” Features Two Distinct Sides:
Side A: With an electrifying and upbeat rage, Side A pulsates with energy, showcasing the raw intensity of the underground scene. Featuring a lineup of talented artists including L1trendsetter, Ya ROE, Kwelit, Jaleel Thomas, Usan-JT, Danny Montanna, Javan Santana, Trap KYD, and Siient Parker, Side A immerses listeners in a whirlwind of captivating beats and impassioned lyrics.
Side B: As the journey unfolds, Side B offers a tranquil and mellow atmosphere, serving as the perfect counterpart to the high-octane energy of Side A. Artists MASK MO, Kwelit, Micky wrecks, L1trendsetter, KOMÉ, Tyler-Leigh, Rezzyvfm, and Ruch Sensei contribute to this soothing sonic landscape, inviting listeners to unwind and reflect.
Adding to the album’s allure is a bonus track from the esteemed Ghanaian group AD20. Their contribution enriches the album with authentic Ghanaian flair
“SEX” was executively produced by the talented Kwelit and curated by Jodye SDL, ensuring a seamless fusion of musical styles and influences from both cities.
“SEX” marks a historic moment in music, as it becomes the first album to merge the underground scenes of both Abuja and Accra. Soundsbysdl invites music enthusiasts worldwide to join in the celebration of this unprecedented fusion of cultures and sounds.
Experience the electrifying fusion of Abuja and Accra underground scenes with “SEX” by Soundsbysdl. Available on all major streaming platforms, this album is a testament to the power of music to transcend boundaries and unite cultures.
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Introducing oShamo’s New Single, “Life of the Party”
Nigerian-born, UK-based rising star oShamo presents his first official single of 2024, setting the stage for what promises to be a standout year. Aptly titled “Life of the Party”, the song was produced by SkeellzGotbeat and showcases oShamo’s distinct bass voice and charismatic personality. Throughout the track, listeners get a glimpse of oShamo’s charismatic personality, which shines through every lyric and note.
“Life of the Party” has rapidly gained popularity and is currently trending on TikTok. The song has inspired over 7,000 organic videos, accumulating more than 4 million views. Its popularity continues to increase day by day.
Signed to Mr Eazi’s emPawa Africa, oShamo steps into the spotlight with this vibrant, energetic track, destined to become a staple in every party playlist, just as its name suggests.
“Life of the Party” is now available on all major music streaming platforms.
Connect with oSHAMO @Official_oshamo
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Tems Tells Apple Music About What Fans Can Expect From Her Upcoming Album, And More…
Tems joins Eddie Francis on Apple Music 1 to talk about her new song “Love Me JeJe” out now. Tems talks about how she came up with the new single, how it was a collaborative effort amongst her friends. She reveals that her mother loves the song and that it’s inspired by a Nigerian classic.
Also, Tems gives fans a glimpse into what they can expect from her upcoming album, “Born in the Wild”.
Key quotes below please feel free to credit Eddie Francis on Apple Music 1. Video to follow shortly.
Tems tells Apple Music about the love she gets from people…
Eddie Francis: There’s this certain reaction you get from people where like people love you. It’s not even just a like. Does that get weird? Because we feel like we know you and we don’t know you and you don’t know us.
Tems: I think I’m used to it. I don’t know why though. Always I’m like, “Do you really feel this way? Why? Why do you like me?” I don’t know, but I think I’m used to it now.
Eddie Francis: Like when they see you, it’s like, “Oh my God, it’s Tems.” And I’ve talked to you before and I know you’re really on energy and spirituality and I know you got to feel it. When did you realize you have a different kind of relationship with people that are fans of your music?
Tems: I think it’s just the reaction and in real life, the amount of emotion, there’s just this energy that feels pure that I get all the time. And I was like, “Yo, this is not normal. This is not normal.” It is different if it’s like, “Oh yeah. I think you’re just so cool.” And that might be the case, but I don’t know. It’s so much love sometimes, I just, I don’t, it’s just wild.
Tems on the creation of her new song, “Love Me JeJe”…
So basically, I went out to dinner with my girls, with my friends, two of my friends. We’re just like, “Oh, let’s just do a cute dinner. It’s going to be cute.” And afterwards, my friends are always telling me, you never show us your Tems side. Everybody else, yeah, you’re Tems, but my friends don’t feel like I am when I’m there. It’s just like, I’m this girl. So they’re like, “Oh, you never take us to the studio. We don’t even know if you are like… Are you a doppelganger? Are you like, what is that?” So I said, “Okay, tonight we’re going to the studio and you people, you are going to sing?” So they were like, “Oh my god, crazy. What?” So we went to the studio and two of my producers, they made this beat, Spax and Guilty and they sent it to me as a challenge like, “Oh. Yeah, I’m sure you can’t do Nigerian. I am sure you can’t do this jam.”
So I was like, I just had it in the back. So I played it and I told my friends, “Yeah, lets all freestyle, take turns. Oh yeah, you do freestyle, you…” So one of my friends did “Love Me Jeje, Love Me Tender.” And then my other friend was just screaming as well. And I was like, “Actually this is a mad vibe. I love this vibe. I’m going to keep this in the song.” And I did my own freestyle and it just was such a cute vibe and I wanted to pay tribute to the actual song ’cause I love that song. My mom loves that song. “Love Me Jeje.” The original song is from Seyi Sodimu. The original song is called “Love Me Jeje” as well and it’s a Nigerian classic and it just felt right.
Tems on the term “JeJe” and what it means…
Jeje is African and Jeje also just means the concept of the song Love Me Jeje, Love Me Tender, it just means love me softly, take your time with, love me unconditionally and show me good love. That’s what it means. So that’s the idea of “Love Me JeJe”.
Tems on “NEPA” and what that means when she uses it in the song…
NEPA is, so basically NEPA is the electricity company in Nigeria. And basically, we don’t always have 24 hours electricity. So when there’s lights or when the electricity comes back on, there’s this like, everybody, you just hear your neighbours shouting, “Hey, there’s electricity now.” So you turn me on like the electricity, I’m back on, you electrify me, basically.
Tems on what fans can expect from her next album, Born in the Wild…
“Born in the Wild” is actually about my journey. It’s about my experience as me and about the experiences I’ve had so far. And it really felt like the life I lived before, the life I was accustomed to felt like a wilderness. And it’s not really more so, yes, I was raised in Lagos and that’s a part of me, but it’s not really about the place, it’s more about the state of being. It was a wilderness in the environment I lived in and there’s so many things that happened and so many lessons I learned to come and be this person now. It is basically coming out of the wilderness. So that’s basically what Born In the Wild is about.
I’ve had to step back a bit to make sure or to check in with myself that I’m being true and also just find healing from all the trauma. Everything I experienced before Tems, I think I had to unlearn a lot of things. And this album is just, it is just a new way of me expressing myself while still centering who I am in it.
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Larry Vibez transports us into his universe in “Diary of Vibez” EP
Afropop Newcomer Larry Vibez is set to make his mark in the burgeoning Afrobeat music space as he unveils his highly anticipated EP “Diary of Vibez.” The project was released via Big Larry’s Record. (more…)
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CAKES DA KILLA releases ‘Black Sheep +’ album
Last month, New York rapper Cakes da Killa released “his most refined work to date” (DJ Mag), Black Sheep, and today, Cakes shares Black Sheep + out now via Young Art Records. With five new tracks and fresh album art, the deluxe version of Black Sheepexpands on his “most danceable album yet” (The FADER) and showcases more of Cakes’ “rapid-fire flows, clever punchlines and old-school ‘rapper’s rapper’ mentality” (RANGE).
Black Sheep is inspired by seeing the world, by embracing the nightlife and building community. Cakes’ critical and communal acclaim precede him: in the past two years, he’s played Glastonbury, Governors Ball, Sonar, and Whole Festival. He’s worked with everyone from Honey Dijon to Injury Reserve to RyeRye. Whether holding court, going through customs, or crushing competition, Cakes stands firm as a seasoned vet who knows his role and knows the game.
Reuniting with long-time collaborator Sam Katz, the producer behind 2022’s Svengali, Black Sheep finds the duo at their most comfortable and confident: Cakes wrote every bar, Katz did every beat. Over the course of the album, Cakes guides us through a spiritual trip from the clubs of Manhattan to the back blocks of Brooklyn. Black Sheep is a work of survival and sees the decorated emcee fully aware of his power, his place, and no longer settling for less than he deserves.
Featuring his sharpest writing and most electrifying performances to date, Black Sheep is a coronation of his graduation to foremother: a figure who spent his 20s hustling alongside his peers, focusing on the work, and paving the way for the generation we see today. He’s a rapper’s rapper, a girl’s girl, and he’s ready to be a superstar.
Watch Video for “Mind Reader” (ft. Stout)
Listen to “Do Dat Baby” (ft. Dawn Richard)
Listen to “Cakewalk” by Cakes da Killa
Watch Cakes da Killa perform “Cakewalk” on COLORS
Black Sheep + Tracklist
1. It’s A Luv Thang (ft. Wuhryn Dumas)
2. Mind Reader (ft. Stout)
3. Make Me Ovah
4. FourPlay
5. Do Dat Baby (ft. Dawn Richard)
6. Global Entry
7. Downtown J
8. Cakewalk
9. Crushin In Da Club
10. Problem 4 Problems
11. Ain’t Sh*t Sweet
12. Black Sheep
13. Chain Gang Pimpin
14. Fly Trap
15. Not Da One
16. Standing Ovation
Cakes da Killa Tour Dates:
Sat. June 29 – Brooklyn, NY @ Ladyland Festival
Sat. July 6 – Roskilde, DK @ Roskilde Festival
Sun. July 21 – Ghent, BE @ Boomtown Gent Festival
Sun. July 28 – Amsterdam, NL @ Milkshake Festival
Fri. Aug. 2 – Amsterdam, NL @ Dekmantel Festival
Praise for Cakes da Killa and Black Sheep
“Cakes Da Killa is a rap icon…” – Mixmag
“Black Sheep stands as one of the emcee’s best works to date, continuing his genre-defying style with renewed panache — jazz, house, R&B and rap all meld into one sound throughout the project — while his writing game reaches yet another career-high.” — Billboard
“[Black Sheep] is a confident compendium of breathless performances, bombastic personality, and thrilling genre collages.” — Pitchfork
“[Black Sheep is] an impressive display of pure rapping ability and irresistible grown and sexy grooves” — Bandcamp
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