I first discovered Hare Squead while listening to the Goldlink remix of “Herside Story” on “At What Cost?” where shortly after I decided to check out the Squead and see what they were about. Their debut EP, Supernormal, instantly caught my attention with “Got a Long Way to Go” which is reminiscent of a shining Pharrell record with a myriad of other Hip-Hop, Pop, and R&B influences. Describing themselves as “three black Irish kids making waves,” Hare Squead’s fun and energetic sound fit right in with the trend of young carefree eccentric Black acts in the Hip-Hop scene such as Chance the Rapper, Masego, Goldlink, D.R.A.M., and Aminé to name a few.
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Eearz Ft. Young Thug – Work Ya Muscle (Prod. Mike WiLL Made-It)
Eearz’s dropped a high energy Mike WiLL Made-It produced track that takes shape as “Work Ya Muscle.” It’s definitely the song of choice to turn up to at the party or literally work your muscles at the gym. After seeing D.R.A.M. post Eearz’s music on his Twitter, I had to check out his music myself.
From the very first listened I was hooked and I didn’t want to come down. Immediately I wanted to do a few push ups but I’m trying not to dirty up my favorite fit more than I already have for the day. With Thugger assisting on the hook, Eearz throws down a certified headknocker. It’s no doubt that this song has the ability to become a hit if given the chance and with the artists backing it, I’ll be surprised if it doesn’t.
91 Real ft. Rell – #TAKEAPICTURE
Coming out of Richmond, Virginia, 91 Real dropped some summer time heat in the fall time. Delivering an effortless fresh energy, 91 Real shows off a lot of potential both in his confidence and vocal presence. Keeping it glitzy, albeit with a touch of grit that’s common in the production of second wave trap, 91 Real commands you, literally, to take a picture and savour the moment.
Follow him on social media at,
Twitter – @91Real_
Soundcloud – https://soundcloud.com/91r-e-a-l
Fly Anakin and Koncept Jack$on – The Mandate EP (Side A)
The New Jersey based mastermind GRiMM Doza, laid the gritty, yet surreal production for Fly Anakin and Koncept Jack$on’s The Mandate EP (Side A). Anakin and Jack$on deliver crazy chemistry starting with the adequately named “Troublesome G’s” to “Jefferson’s Crib.” Delivering that nostalgic, yet marvelously modern sound, the EP is nothing short of great work, especially with the duo injecting their buttery flows with their lavish lyrics.
You can hear the major influence from both Koncept Jackson’s last project, Operation LIV LAV which was decidely laid back yet driven by vivid portraits, and elsewhere ave. where Fly Anakin offered up refurbished memories on lucid productions. Combining the most prominent parts of their personas and discography, they successfully delivered on a much desired collab and with this only being “side A,” there’s much more to be excited for on the horizon.
You can buy the album at their bandcamp, MutantAcademyRVA
Keep up with the #MutantWave and GRiMM Doza on Twitter!
@Mutant_Academy – Mutant Academy
@Flyanakin – Fly Anakin
@KonceptMYT – Koncept Jackson
@Grimmmob – GRiMM Doza
Fly Anakin – Elsewhere Ave
Fly Anakin drops his latest project, a more personal production from the rapper, Elsewhere Ave. Nothing short of superb rapping, Anakin delivers his best performance on all of the tracks. Much more matured than his last projects, there’s a less cocky tone yet there’s still a brilliant confidence even when talking about his more personal topics. Featuring the ensemble of fellow Mutant Academy members, Koncept Jack$on and Henny L.O., as well as the raw Cameron Butler proving himself to be worth watching and the immaculate Peter $un producing smooth vocals, Elswhere Ave is incredibly flexible.
Ewonee, Nikobeats, Foisey, and Fly Anakin himself produced the beats for the EP, laying down the ethereal soundscape, painting an album-wide picture of old assorted memories passing through the mind of a daydreamer, perhaps invoking the concept of Elsewhere Ave as a reminiscing of Anakin’s life.
Although the Elsewhere Ave is short, as it should be, it feels as complete as a full-length album, which is surprising since many instead make their EPs just a sampler of work to hold fans over. Now is definitely a good time to pick up on the #MutantWave (I’m claiming it!) as Anakin shows us with Elsewhere Ave, that they’re ready to reach new heights.
Video – Chaz French – The Sh!t
I’ve been following Chaz French for a while. I always tell people, my first time listening to him was back in high school, around 2009, on his Myspace band page along with his brother, Eddie Vanz, who I went to school with and even then, I knew he had the potential to be something great. It excites me that he could go from a local artist with a relatively unknown Myspace page to a rapper with a growing following off of a mixtape with many major cosigns. This process, this ambition is the inspiration behind RapDreams.
His second and last video from his Happy Belated mixtape, “The Sh!t” takes on arguably his most energetic, and boastful, track. One does not simply listen to “The Sh!t” without having the urge to mosh around in the club, jump out your seat, or turn up in your dorm room. Check out the video below produced by Jerome D, the producer who also made quite a few videos with rappers like Kendrick Lamar and ScHoolboy Q from TDE.
Shiwan – Message (Prod. by Chef Byer)
When a rapper find’s a balance between that aggressive wittiness that they love and an emotional presence, a beautiful thing happens. Not too many rappers seem to be capable of this, and even fewer being good. It doesn’t help that you could potentially be labeled an emo or as being too soft as many famous rappers do (think of Drake circa 2011, around the time Take Care was considered the epitome of emo-rap). Shiwan, however, finds this balance and boldly utilizes it to build himself up. Of course some may think he’s too personal or emotional, but there’s going to be naysayers no matter where you fit in, in the rap index. In 2015, we’ve come to the point where we have rappers who can get extremely personal and even emotional but still leave you with a track to throttle out too, as Shiwan’s Message makes a perfect example of.
I must admit I’ve been listening to him for a while and with every track and every project released, he seems to keep getting better. He has an extremely good ear for beats and producers, with past tracks grabbing the likes of Soulection members and affiliates as well as independent producers like Javis Faux. I expect great things from the Hamden, Conneticut rapper named Shiwan.
Soundcloud – https://soundcloud.com/shiwan12-1
Twitter – http://twitter.com/shiwan12
Return of Ole Virginny
Virginia has always had a major foot in the music since the 90’s, with Hip-Hop legends like Skillz, Lonnie B, D’angelo, Missy Elliot, Lady of Rage, Timbaland, Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, and The Clipse. More recently, Trey Songz, Chris Brown, and Lex Luger, who’ve undeniably changed their respective genres with their individual sound, have been grouped along with them. While when most people think of Hip-Hop or Rap, they don’t think of Virginia, the Old Dominion has played an extremely integral part in shaping the sound of the game as we know it. Local prospects are showing the same capacity for game changing moves with swift developing popularity and cosigns.
RapDreams 