Tune in Tuesdays: Lianne La Havas, Joey Bada$$, Others Drop New Music

As the bird with the quickest heart rate, the Hummingbirds never skip a beat or some heat. Tune in weekly on Tuesdays for the Mag’s weekly roundup of what’s popping in music. Looking for other weeks? Click here. Lianne La Havas — Self-Titled July 17, 2020 Where has Lianne La Havas been for the past five years? Apparently expanding her vocal range, seeking out incredibly talented instrumentalists, … Continue reading Tune in Tuesdays: Lianne La Havas, Joey Bada$$, Others Drop New Music

Tune In Tuesdays: Fresh Projects from Genre Icons and Tracks from Budding Talents

As the bird with the quickest heart rate, the Hummingbirds never skip a beat or some heat. Tune in weekly on Tuesdays for the Mag’s weekly roundup of what’s popping in music.  PROJECTS Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, Kamasi Washington & 9th Wonder // Dinner Party  July 10, 2020 It’s not every day that four of the most distinguished and well-respected instrumentalists in music come together … Continue reading Tune In Tuesdays: Fresh Projects from Genre Icons and Tracks from Budding Talents

Album Review: Dayon Greene Flexes, Develops on “Me”

The DMV might not yet be in the conversation as far as hip-hop relevance nationwide, but with albums like Dayon Greene’s Me, which showcases some of the area’s best talent, it certainly will be soon. Me is a story of self-empowerment and growth. Greene, born and raised in the DMV, experiences heartbreak, sadness, questioning, and growth through confidence and self-assuredness on the album, which debuted … Continue reading Album Review: Dayon Greene Flexes, Develops on “Me”

Khruangbin’s Golden Mordechai: End-of-June Frontrunner for Album of the Year

It’s been two and a half years since Khruangbin’s Con Todo El Mundo record projected the Houston trio towards widespread success, and while the band has continuously released powerful work, fans have been patiently waiting for Khruangbin’s third career studio album ever since. There’s no doubt that their 2019 Hasta El Cielo record, a dub version of Con Todo El Mundo, as well as the … Continue reading Khruangbin’s Golden Mordechai: End-of-June Frontrunner for Album of the Year

Juneteenth Releases: New Heat from Teyana, John Legend, .Paak, & More

In commemoration of the widespread mobilization around the Black Lives Matter movement following the murder of George Floyd & Breonna Taylor, as well as countless others, several black artists dropped records and tracks to capture the state of racial injustice on Juneteenth, 2020. Providing spiritual and rhythmic motivation for these protests and uprisings are Teyana Taylor, John Legend, SAULT, Anderson .Paak, Public Enemy, H.E.R., and … Continue reading Juneteenth Releases: New Heat from Teyana, John Legend, .Paak, & More

Run the Jewels Remain Adaptable and Progressive on RTJ4

On the heels of Killer Mike’s powerful speech to the citizens of Atlanta, pleading for community organization and an end to American oppression, “RTJ4” was released — a billionaire-destroying, corruption-uncovering, rallying cry for justice in a country desperately seeking a moral compass. With that speech, you know this album was going to be unflinching in its criticism of the country’s legacy of racism. And given … Continue reading Run the Jewels Remain Adaptable and Progressive on RTJ4

A Pleasant Regression Into Musical Boomertude During COVID-19

While much of this 20-something’s life feels like it’s slipping into habits of old during these COVID times — you know, living with my parents again, sleeping in the same bed I got my first period in, passing my high school chemistry classroom on every stroll around the block, and so on — my musical taste has slipped further beyond the nostalgic tones of high … Continue reading A Pleasant Regression Into Musical Boomertude During COVID-19

Slowthai Surfaces With Energetic, Odd Flurry of Singles

Perhaps in preparation for his sophomore album, Slowthai dropped three singles in the past week, with “BB (Bodybag),” “MAGIC,” and “Enemy.” Fans looking for the aggression and wackiness they found abundantly on “Nothing Great About Britain” will find themselves satisfied here. Slowthai’s trademark enthusiasm for jagged ridiculousness is in full effect on each song. My favorite of the three is “MAGIC,” a collaboration between the … Continue reading Slowthai Surfaces With Energetic, Odd Flurry of Singles

You Need to Watch Easy Life’s “Sunday” Music Video

I mean it. The bubblegum-pink, ice cream shop aesthetic cropping up all over 2019’s music video scene has struck once again in Easy Life’s newest video release from May 23. In this pink-hued ode to easy, young love, Murray Matravers, the five-piece band’s lead rapper/singer, invites us into his floofy, warmly lit bedroom to pass time with his female love interest. They eat out of pink Chinese … Continue reading You Need to Watch Easy Life’s “Sunday” Music Video

Gonzo & Beez Flex Rising Star Status on “None the Wiser”

With clever lyrics, creative and fresh instrumentation, and a flair for showing off, Gonzo & Beez are the newest hot duo in the hip-hop/R&B sphere. With their first album together, “None the Wiser,” they more concretely proved that their skills could extend to a full-length effort. After dropping “Minute Steak,” which debuted several months ago, their work has gained traction amongst the Elon University community, … Continue reading Gonzo & Beez Flex Rising Star Status on “None the Wiser”