Tag Archives: hip hop

[Music Video] Negash Ali – Tantra

Posted by Geoff Hong - February 2, 2018

Today we’ve got a hot new video from international hip-hop artist Negash Ali. Coming to us from Eritrea by way of Denmark, Ali has had early success and acclaim from the likes of Complex and Huffington Post, and is hoping to reach new heights with his upcoming EP, The Ascension.

Negash Ali’s story is one of passion and resilience through hardship. Born in a refugee camp, Ali soon emigrated to Denmark with his mother to avoid the violence in his home country. Negash’s perseverance and emotion certainly come through in his tracks.

Check out the music video below for lead single “Tantra”. It’s a tune that’s all about shooting your shot: “’Tantra’ tells a story of me spotting a chick quite to my liking, and my efforts to seduce her after the fact. It speaks of all the sensations on this journey, the moments on earth where we feel timeless”, says Ali.

The sensual “Tantra” features vocal accompaniment from Danish singer Fjer. It was produced by fellow Dane Matias Saabye Kjødt, also known as TMN favorite Galimatias. If you like what you heard, definitely keep an eye out for Negash Ali’s upcoming EP The Ascension, due out on February 16th.

Hip/Hop
R&B

[Indie/Neo-Soul] Markus Mann – On The Inside

Posted by Anthony Smith - December 30, 2017

Markus Mann
On The Inside

Soundcloud

Markus Mann has recently released his sure-to-be-hit “On The Inside”. With elements of neo-soul, reggae, and hip hop, the eclectic sound of this track is reflective of the myriad of cultural influences Markus has absorbed over the years.

Currently located in Amsterdam and having been raised in both Trinidad and the United States, Markus’s sound is as unique as his journey has been thus far.

“On The Inside” is the first of a series of singles that Markus is set to release in the new year.

Check it out below and keep up with his progress on Instagram and Twitter

Indie

Galimatias – Blowback [TMN Interview/Single Release]

Posted by Geoff Hong - August 21, 2017

Galimatias
Blowback

Buy

LA-based Danish artist Galimatias has been featured many times here on The Music Ninja. Known for his decadent piano chords and swirling melodies, Galimatias makes some of the most soulful tunes out there today. Transcending genres, he effortlessly blends together aspects of soul, jazz, hip-hop, and R&B. Galimatias has always hit us with sultry, emotional tunes that can instantly set the mood.

To help kick off your week, I’m excited to share Galimatias’ new sinful single, “Blowback”. Paying homage to one of his main musical muses, Matias samples Barbara Lewis’ 1963 soul classic “Hello Stranger”. Subdued electronic elements overlaid on pulsating rhythms and tight R&B beats create some characteristically sensual vibes on this track. Galimatias throws in his own ad-libs and vocal riffs; part of his effort to incorporate voice as part of his musical arsenal. Lewis’ sensual crooning is not overpowered whatsoever– showing Matias’ mastery of blending together such different musical elements.

As a TMN favorite, Galimatias has been interviewed by us before. I was lucky enough to catch up with him again, as he enters the newest phase of his solo career. Listen to the track above and read up on the interview after the jump: Continue reading →

VOLAC Talks New Track and Japanese Drift Cars [TMN Interview]

Posted by Alisha Wieckmann - August 10, 2017

Volac
Wait A Minute ft. Peazy 616

Buy

This Russian producer and DJ power duo has been making waves with releases on Tchami’s label Confession, AC Slater’s Night Bass and have joined forces with LA-based DJ/producer DESTRUCTO to create a G-house infused anthem “What I Got” which received over 1 millions streams on Soundcloud. Now VOLAC brings us a brand new track released on Night Bass and a tour announcement.

“Wait a Minute,” the duo’s recent track, continues to incorporate their G-house and hip-hop infusion to bring us another dark clubby hit that features the vocals of Peazy 616 and keeps us falling more in love with their over all production style. We got the chance to ask them about their No Love tour which kicked off in the US August 3rd in Santa Barbara, the new track, their thoughts on the Holy Ship debacle and more. Make sure to check out the track and click here for a list of tour stops and tickets.

TMN: How did VOLAC come to fruition?
VOLAC: We’ve been friends since childhood and both started listening to and loving electronic music early, so we tried making tracks together. When we were very young, we were creating a very different kind of dance music from what we produce now. After two years, we started to prefer deep house. Then, we continued on to do some G-house and bass house music. Volac was born very simply! One day we were making a track with a lot of vocals, and when we were saving it, we used the wrong two letters—“L” and “C.” We saved a track with the title “Volac” and loved the name!

TMN: Any previous background in music?
V: Volac is our first project as a duo. In the beginning we tried to making more EDM type music… but this wasn’t for us. We’ve been growing step by step though 😉 Started from the bottom hahaha

TMN: You have had some releases on same amazing labels such as Confessions, Destructo’s Hits Hard, and Night Bass – How does it feel to be recognized buy such strong producers?
V: To get respect from great labels and high profile producers is always really cool. We definitely feel a responsibility to create really solid tracks for each release on these taste making labels, and love putting together our best tracks for these releases.

TMN: You have a tour kicking off this weekend – what are some of the stops you’re most excited for? What are the feelings you like to induce on the crowd with your music during shows?
V: We are super excited for each show, but we’re probably the most excited for HARD fest, and Elements festival coming up this weekend. When we play we love moving the crowd with bass heavy tracks – we mostly enjoy playing our own music.

TMN: Any opinion on the news of Live Nation trying to push out Destructo
from Holy Ship?
V: We know that Holy Ship is one of the best boat parties in the world and that Destructo is great promoter and we don’t know exactly why this is happening. We hope that everything with his career will be cool and look forward to playing some of his parties in the future and continuing to collaborate with him!

TMN: I really dig the new track, the incorporation of the hip-hop vibe really stands out compared to other tracks- how’d this track come about?
V: We always try to combine house and hip-hop styled music. This is something we’ve been doing for some time now, and we love combining these two elements. “Wait A Minute” started with an awesome vocal from Peazy 616 and we built a super heavy beat around it – we’re really happy with how it came out.

TMN: In such a now saturated market what’s your advice to producers on making music that stands out in general?
V: Everyone should focus on crafting their own unique style. Copying anyone else just leads to more of the same music; you really need to work on creating something special and new. Spend as much time in the studio as you can!

TMN: Anything special on the horizon other than the tour and new track releases?
V: We have a bunch of awesome VOLACAST guest coming up and the videos are getting even crazier & funnier. Other than music, we’re thinking about buying an old Japanese drift car lol – we’ve wanted to
get one of those for so long haha.

[Hip Hop] Kane Grocerys – Columbine Suicide (Prod. D33J & Shlohmo)

Posted by Jordan Coburn - February 3, 2016

Kane Grocerys
Columbine Homicide (Prod. D33J & Shlohmo)

Download

LA-based beat collective WEDIDIT, hands down, has some of the most talented DJs and producers around right now. One of their most successful members in terms of mainstream gigs, Shlohmo, has risen to the top of the electronic game through his displays of sheer talent with what seems like anything he touches. From his beautiful EP “Bad Vibes” to his works with Jeremih, Shlohmo has a knack for producing that is unparalleled, and bringing in fellow collective member Djavan Santos, better known as D33J (who has his own impressive repertoire of quality electronic), resulted in this new hip-hop gem by Kane Grocerys, “Columbine Homicide.”

Belonging to the independent, DC-based label Goth Money Records, Kane Grocerys lays a commentary on the nature of street violence—imposed by peers and reinforced by authorities. Grocerys demonstrates himself as a critically wise and skilled rapper in this work, and that combination with the talent-ridden production of WEDIDIT makes for another leap in the direction of conscious electronic meeting conscious hip hop. This release has us wondering what else those WDI boys have up their sleeves… they’re always up to all good.

[G House] Destructo, Ty Dolla $ign, iLoveMakonnen – 4 Real

Posted by Jordan Coburn - January 25, 2016

Destructo
4 Real (Featuring Ty Dolla $ign & iLoveMakonnen)

Buy

Destructo just keeps taking the scene by storm. Seriously, this dude throws some of the sickest parties with anything HARD touches, and rosters that are always super on point. His lineups always do a great job of meshing a number of different genres, and that’s exactly what he’s done in his latest track release, “4 Real.”

When the song first started we weren’t sure what to expect—it didn’t show any signs of being an electronic track per se, but it’s 2016 y’all. Ty Dolla $ign blesses us with his dreamy vocals and iLoveMakonnen provides the hype, and a few seconds later Destructo starts to tease us with his melodic tones, which lets us know that this will most definitely be an electronic track. This all builds into what might be one of the more unexpected drops we’ve heard in a while—a tech house wonderland filled with a sped up take on the quintessential hip hop sample (aka G House 2.0). The end product is an impressive and well-done fusion of two entirely different genres, something that we’ve seen Destructo do before and hope he continues to do as long as he’s making music.

[NEW] Kendrick Lamar – King Kunta

Posted by Ash El Gamal - March 13, 2015

Kendrick Lamar
King Kunta

Buy

With Kendrick Lamar‘s sophomore album release around the corner, the anticipation, speculation and hype is at an all time high. Today, we get another glimpse into the project with “King Kunta,” an ode to the P-Funk era. Over a groovy bassline, King Kendrick delivers a gritty empowering message with a James Brown-esque cadence. In the closing chapter of George Clinton‘s memoir, he talks about working with Kendrick Lamar. “King Kunta” likely emerged from those sessions with its distinct Parliament/Funkadelic sound. Give this one a listen above–To Pimp A Butterfly drops on March 23rd. Check out what Clinton had to say about Lamar below:

George Clinton: The other day I did a session with the rapper Kendrick Lamar. Even before I met him I was laughing at “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe,” which had the same silly-serious tone we tried for in Funkadelic. He came down to Tallahassee to record with me, and it was beautiful…He acts like he’s about fifty with all his theories. When I met Sly Stone, he knew of P-Funk because he heard those records himself, as they came out. When I met Rakim, he knew of P-Funk because he listened to his brother’s records. With Kendrick, it was his parents’ records. He didn’t just know the hits. He knew the deepest of the deep cuts. When you talk about your old work with a young man with an old mind, the work feels less old. We talked about my old songs and they were renewed. When the past comes rushing into the present that way, I can see clearly that artwork is a living thing. Younger artists teach me that I taught them. That’s why I’m grateful to Kendrick Lamar, and to anyone who is carrying on the P-Funk tradition.

Hip/Hop