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By Arturo Ramirez  I wrote an article on an up and coming musician from Rhode Island earlier this year by the name of Joe Bruce. I was given early access to listen to his newest project “Serpent”. It releases later this month on the 24th, it will be available on major streaming platforms and you can pre-save it on Spotify now. And honestly, I recommend that you do so. He has a few features on the project but in my opinion Joe’s own verses and beat selection are what really make the project come alive.While that isn’t a knock to the people that are featured on the project but rather a nod to Joe’s ability to really shine through others’ great verses and impeccable beats. While I can’t disclose the names of the songs, or even who collaborates on which songs, I am able to disclose the rest of the features today. Thefeatures include Troy Reign, Ren Thomas, Lijit, Mz. Marrowz, and Brodie Reveir. With production credits going to ClarkWork, ProdByIshan, Jimmy Bars, Mikey Ocean, TylurOcean. The 8 song project is a little over 20 minutes long. With the soundsranging from reggae inspired to something I’d describe as reminiscent of having a J Balvin esque sound and something that has a certain darker distinction to it, Joe describes himself as a citizen of the world and I can kind of understand why as his beat selection certainly shows inspiration from a lot of different genres and different regions. My favorite song off the project is “Shine”, it is his lead single and it is also the single that we discussed back in July. Besides all major streaming platforms you can find Joe Bruce active on Instagram, Twitter, Youtube, and TikTok.
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Amirror is Atlanta's next female superstar. The Georgia peach is moving in the right circles and is ripe to shoot to the top of the charts. Currently signed to Akon's, Konvict Kulture, label she looks to put herself on his list of successful signees which include superstars such as T-Pain, Lady Gaga, Colby O'Donnis and Wizkid. She has been doing nothing but make the right moves and decisions for her career. Her future is looking extremely bright so you might as well do yourself a favor and go all in on her coming up. By sampling Ludacris hit 2001 single "Move B****", Amirror creates her own equally club-friendly single titled "Move". She raps with an aggressive yet seductive tone with lyrics like "I ain't make the laws, but I break the rules, ass dumb like a student who ain't stay in school". The beat plays in perfectly with the song matching her gritty rough tone, and it’s such an iconic sample that everyone knows where it comes from when they hear it which also helps set the tone. Amazing job by everyone who worked on the track. The Moonman directed visual displays Amirror driving into her palatial estate, but not before getting into an altercation with another woman over road rage. Amirror walks through her palace with several different outfits flaunting her assets, figure, and her amenities until the woman who she asked to move in the opening scene returns looking for revenge. The angry woman shows up to Amirror's doorstep with a handgun and is met with a bullet from Amirror as she failed to move in time. This really matches the song and sets the tone all at once. This shows off Amirror seductiveness and aggressiveness as she continues to tell everyone that she does not play around.  Vince staples is a constant. He consistently releases music that appeals to critics and fans alike. You can constantly count on him to paint a vivid picture with his albums. He released a self-titled Album and it like the rest of his catalogue, doesn’t disappoint. It’s a ten-song album running at about 20 minutes. It opens up with what was my favorite song on the album on my first playthrough “Are You With That”,a song that touches on his childhood and how he just wanted to move weight and get money so he doesn’t remain poor. While “Law of Averages” is more about almost everyone he knows asking him for a handout and how he’d much rather just be left alone. Both songs have videos out, and both of which are shot incredibly well. The last two songs I want to talk about off the album are personally my favorite two songs off the album. The first being “Sundown Town”, it talks about a harsh reality in which his family was evicted, and they had to stay with his relatives. Soon after that they were forced out of there as well. The last being “Take Me Home”, it features Fousheé. Again touching on going back to the hood after he’s made it out. My favorite line from the song is “You know these trips come with baggage, been all cross this atlas but keep coming back to this place cause it trapped us. I preach what I practice, these streets is all that I’ve known. And it’s no place like home.” This album is one of my favorites of the year by far. It is available now on Spotify, apple music, and other major streaming services. It was released on July 9th, 2021.
 One of the most versatile rappers I’ve heard, in terms of flow, that I’ve heard in a long time, is Joe Bruce. He is a relatively underground rapper with a cult following, he’s amassed almost 10k followers on Instagram already. He is still working a full time job, rapping and doing shows, and maintaining a healthy relationship with his wife and children.We touched on various different topics over the short interview I conducted; from his flows, to his off time. Joe Bruce is a rapper from Providence Rhode Island, he has tons of work out on all streaming platforms. He curates a rap playlist “like Rap Cavier on spotify, but exclusively for rappers from Rhode Island. It’s called “Rhody Rap” He doesn’t have too many mixtapes out, but the one he does have out is filled with amazing flows that he switches on the frequent. The reason for the abundance of flows is because it can get kind of boring if everything is the same to him. “I switch up my flows so frequently because it gets stale and repetitive to me otherwise.” To me and others you can hear the J Cole similarities, his cadence on each song is different. Something that all artists need to practice is to have a different style to their videos, and this man has that. His videos are shot mainly by his brother Roman, and another videographer Good Looks Media Group. He says that both of them are selective of whom they work with, as the craft is more important to them than a check. Which is something that I can respect as it shows true dedication to the craft. His comparisons are reflective of his influences, as he cites musicians such as Cole, Kanye, and André3000. Saying that he really loves the freedom that three stacks writes with. And to not venture too far off from his influences, he says he’d love to collaborate with all the biggest artists in music and not just the ones he cites as his influences. Some can compare him to Chance the rapper ( I did) not in terms of music, but in terms of his ability to remain label free in a way. While chance had no label he did have a relationship with labels, and that helped his ability to reach a wider audience. Meanwhile, Joe started his own label Waterbearer Music Group”. He has no relations with labels and is solely pushing his brand by reaching audiences with his social media accounts. Even without having relations with labels and big name artists he is getting recognized locally and it is starting to show. His recognition is coming from his social media presence and shows that he is doing. Pre-covid he was getting some shows in his city and around a few other areas, but after it hit obviously he slowed down. But he said it didn’t hurt him because it gave him the ability to get better at certain aspects of his music. And now that restrictions are lifting he is getting some shows scheduled, with one coming up next month. Joe is a regular guy at the end of the day, he still has a full time job in marketing, he has a wife and children, and at the end of it all when he wants to take some time to relax he likes to just hang out with his wife and watch a movie or even practices yoga in his very limited off time. Be sure to look for his new single “Shine” produced by Lil Mikey and featuring Mz. Marrowz. Written by Arturo Ramirez  Big $wift releases the music video for his first official single “Mind Right” from his latest project “Still Addicted” produced entirely by West-Coast hitmaker Paupa. The video portrays a day in the life of $wift as he attempts to get a photo shoot done in the presence of beautiful women, however their affinity for the rising Los Angeles rap-star makes it difficult for them to focus on the task at hand. “Still Addicted” which features newcomers Griff Tyler and 4LJavi will be released July 16th on all major streaming platforms. Big $wift has been steady making noise in the LA scene, but he doesn’t plan on stopping there as he continues to hustle and is on his way to the top.  Zayce Hundo is a highly sought after Los Angeles producer who's been consistently bridging the gap from different California markets through his music. Whether it be producing for Larry June or LA artist Self Provoked, Zayce's diverse production continues to set him apart from his peers. He truly is a jack of all trades.
In June 2021, Zayce decided to bet on himself and push all his chips to the center of the table and take matters into his own hand with a new project executive produced entirely by him. He shows off his connections all around the world and his versatility as this tape features artists ranging from Los Angeles to North Carolina, and songs in both English and Spanish "All In" has something for everyone. The project begins with "Elvn Intro" which features frequent collaborators Joey $ynth$ and DJ Turf. Track 2, the focus single "Like Me" is the equivalent of a royal flush in poker, it is an uncontested winner due to its smoother than silk hook by WestCovDru and strong contributions by D.Other, and D3V. Nhale also known Young Nate Dogg follows up by providing the new G-Funk vibes with "Sip N Smoke" on track 3. 6Villa, Kick Doe SVG Preme and Mike Dinero proceed to make their own strong contributions to the project on the following tracks. Zayce and MasFortuna collaborate for an incredible Reggaeton track that switches up the entire mood of the project. On track 4, “All Bets On Me”, Zayce talks about everyone he hustle and grinds for and this isn’t a game to him. Track 5, “Stolen Car”, has a grittier sound compared to his usual melodic style. This really showcases his versatility. Track 6, “She’s On Fire” showcases that west coast sound that we’ve all come to love and is the standout track of the tape. Track 7, “Light”, is a Spanish teach featuring Masfortuna. This track really shows bystanders that Zayce can really do it all. Track 8 “Like The Way I Move” has a very intoxicatingly addicting sound there’s no way you only listen to this track just once. All In, by Zayce Hundo is an 8 track tape with music for everyone to enjoy. In this current era of hip-hop artists don’t need to be from New York, LA or even ATL to garner attention. People can be from the middle of the country and still gain recognition. Such is the case for Ksean and Double00, the pair are making a joint mixtape and what appears to be their single for said tape is “Sick”. Boasting a simple hook, a simple yet attention catching beat, lyrics that stick in your head, and a music video directed by WoodyMedia. The song released on June 28th of this year. Ksean has released three tapes to date “Don’t die for free 2”(2020), “Eat good when you can”(2020”, and “Don’t die for free(2019)” while Double00 has released two projects; “ ’99”(2020) & “King”(2019). The pair have each amassed several thousand view across each of their own songs and videos on YouTube and they are still pushing for their break. Double00 has collaborated with one major artist to date, Foolio (Uncle Geroge). My favorite line from Ksean is hands down “I don’t know shit about guns, fuck it take the stock off. All I know is when I shoot is its posed to take your top off.” And Double00’s best line is easily “Whoever think money can’t buy happiness don’t got enough”. I’m excited for the tape to be released. I haven’t seen an expected date for it, but will be looking out for it. Until then everyone can find their current mixtapes on Apple Music & Spotify, as well as on YouTube. Pitt tha Kid Releases Visuals For Debut Track, “Run”, Featuring Lil Wayne and Talaban Dooda4/15/2021  Pitt tha Kid has released visuals for his debut single, “Run”, featuring Lil Wayne and Talaban Dooda. The visuals for this track are insane. The entire video is an animated video game-esque video. Full of crazy animations and explosions. In the video Pitt, Wayne, and Talaban are running away from a monster until they drink a drink that turns them huge that then gives them the spirit to fight back against the monster. The song is full of melodic verses from both Pitt and Talaban, and includes an amazingly catchy hook from Wayne. For a debut track this is top tier and leaves the fans on the edge of their seat for what’s next. Toronto-International DJ & Multi Platinum Producer Pitt Tha Kid has gone the road less traveled when building a name for himself. Starting off the year 2019 strong with Creed 2 Soundtrack on his belt (“Kill Em With Success” Featuring Mike Will Made It, 2 Chainz and Schoolboy Q) the Barbados-raised producer went on to produce Jaden Smith Pass on his “ERYS” EP and work with the YNW Melly camp on both of their recent albums with Melly's album Melly Vs Melvin which debuted at number 7 on billboard, marking PittThaKid’s second Billboard-charting album in 2020. The first number one album PittThaKid received this year was on Young Thug’s album So Much Fun, where Pitt produced the song Boy Back featuring Nav. Most recently Pitt landed his first major international placement with Latin Superstars Ozuna and Anuel AA catchy hit single ‘La Maria’ from the album album ‘Los Dioses’ which debuted #1 on the Latin Billboard Charts. Pitt’s high-scale production sets him apart from his contemporaries, and his tight-knit artist relationships ensure that Pitt tha Kid is here for the long run. Upcoming rapper/indie pop singer Heath 240 has just dropped visuals for his popular track, “Live”. The song is extremely catchy and can really bring in an audience. The video was full of aesthetic shots with perfect sunlight beaming down on each scene. Heath wasted no time showing off his comedic side in the video as it had some funny moments. The video starts with him riding a bike and a couple seconds later he’s being chased down by a limping man who he had stolen the bike from. He later goes back to his motel room to freshen up and as he steps outside to get some air he’s confronted by the man who he stole the bike from. The video went into a western standoff as Heath proceeds to get beat unconscious and thrown in the back of the man’s car. He’s later driven back to the man’s home and is thrown into his pool. Although this might seem like all jokes, the entire exchange matches the lyrics and meaning of the song perfectly. With the catchy hook going “You can make me, or break me, or take me down”. He’s saying you can do whatever you want or can to take him down or try and ruin his fun, but he’ll always bounce back and he doesn’t care because none of that will stop him from living the life he wants to live and doing the things he loves to do. Heath240 is from the working city of Boston, Massachusetts. He combines Hip Hop/R&B with Indie-Pop, in a light-hearted delivery with darker lyrics. His distinct sound, unwavering energy, and versatile flow poise him as one of the most promising up-and-comers in the music industry. Heath spent most of his time growing up in Jamaica Plain, MA. He got his name from his address, 240 Heath St., where he spent most of his time. Heath was first introduced to Hip Hop through his dad playing the "Carter III" between basketball practices. Despite his young career as an artist, Heath has already garnered positive reviews and a nomination from the Boston Music Awards, Ones To Watch, EarMilk, Lady Gunn, Beforthedata, and a variety of local publications. His latest single, "Chirp" showcased the potential he has to craft original expressions of self-identity and musical appreciation. The single has been featured on numerous playlists and has currently streamed almost 250,000 plays in three months. Now with an established fan base, Heath can only go up from here.
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