Category: Music

[Electronic/Reggae:] Major Lazer – Run Up (feat. PARTYNEXTDOOR & Nicki Minaj)

Check out this reggae-electronic mash-up featuring PARTYNEXTDOOR & Nicki Minaj from Major Lazer.


[Electronic, Reggae & Dance]
Run Up (feat. PARTYNEXTDOOR & Nicki Minaj)

It’s 2017, and continuing from the previous year there is no shortage of mainstream artists collaborating with EDM DJ’s and producers changing the face of the electronic genre altogether. Artists that one would’ve never thought would be on electronic tracks are now commonplace, and that’s the case with Major Lazer’s new song “Run Up” featuring PARTYNEXTDOOR and Nicki Minaj.

Combining Major Lazer’s signature “reggae” sound, electronic/bass rhythms and a catchy beat, the tune is a lighthearted track for the winter season. While there are no big drops or shift-changing elements that take the song to the all-the-way-turnt level, it’s still an enjoyable listen. Nicki Minaj sounds best having the last verse to herself, keeping her more as “an addition” to the song as opposed to the focus, smart move on Major Lazer’s part. What do you think about this song and about Minaj’s feature?

[Update:] Apparently a music video shot in Trinidad & Tobago is expected to drop for this song relatively soon (as of Feb. 2, 2017).

[Video Games] [J-Electropop] Utada Hikaru – Simple & Clean (Ray of Hope Remix)


[Video Games] Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8

Electronic/Pop
Simple & Clean (Ray of Hope Remix) – Utada Hikaru
Theme from Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Remake for Playstation 4.

Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Opening Movie:

Simple & Clean “Ray of Hope Mix”

When you walk away, you don’t hear me say
Please, oh baby – don’t go!
Simple and clean is the way that you’re making me feel,
tonight, it’s hard to let it go

We’re almost through our first month of 2017 so congrats to everyone for that! In other news, fans of role-playing games, Disney, Square Enix and Utada Hikaru are rejoicing around the world at the release of Kingdom Hearts HD 2.8 Final Prologue for Playstation 4. Released January 24, 2017 (my birthday week!) the game has been a long time coming for many fans after several side spin-off games were released in the past few years and little updates for Kingdom Hearts 3 have surfaced.

Nevertheless the game will likely prove to be extremely popular and wildly successful like most of the offerings in the award-winning franchise that pits Square Enix characters (including popular heroes, and villains, from Final Fantasy) with Disney characters and often in Disney “worlds.”

Since the beginning of the series, Japanese-American singer, Utada Hikaru, has been seen as a sort of frontrunner for the series as the titular games in the series (KH1 & 2) both featured some breath-taking opening movies featuring music from Hikaru. For 2.8, the iconic “Simple & Clean” from the original Kingdom Hearts gets the remix treatment turning from a dance-techno pop song to a more electro-pop/dance offering.

The “Ray of Hope” remix is quite interesting, though short, and 2.8’s opening movie makes it feel all the more epic. You can check out the video and the song itself above. Here’s hoping to a remix of Kingdom Hearts 2‘s “Passion” showing up somewhere eventually as well.

[Dub-Trap] HYTYD – Like That

HYTYD brings us “Like That.” An interesting fusion of Dubstep and Trap sounds, worth checking out for fans of EDM.


[Dub-Trap]
HYTYD – Like That

HYTYD brings the noise in his dubstep/trap hybrid “Like That.” Beginning sounding like one of your more typical dubstep songs the first drop melds trap snares with Middle Eastern sounding horns and synths and steadily comes back to its original dubstep sound. While the dubstep portions of the track seem predictable, it’s what HYTYD does in between them that is the most interesting. A catchy repeating synth chord, a nice steady, semi-fast BPM and generous amounts of bass make for an interesting sound that EDM fans should check out.

You can hear more from HYTYD on his Soundcloud.

[Heavy Bass/Trap:] Heckler – Ultimate

The bass gets incredibly heavy in Hekler’s “Ultimate,” a refreshing take on the bass/trap genre.


[Trap/Bass]
Heckler – Ultimate

Check out this super-heavy bass filled trap banger from Hekler. Starting with a hazy atmospheric vibe the song quickly amps up the energy dropping bass bombs, heavy snares and trappy sampled vocals. The first drop of the song comes as a welcome surprise evolving into very interesting and unique basslines and bass rolls. All fans of trap and heavy bass music should not miss this track.

Find more from Hekler on his Soundcloud

[Indie/Locals] [Hip-Hop/Rap:] Rack Jenkins – Dead Frenemies // B.L.A.C.K. Baron – Mayretta (feat. Scotty ATL)

Check out these two indie hip-hop/rap tracks fresh for 2017 from rapper Rack Jenkins, and ATL’s B.L.A.C.K. Baron & Scotty ATL


Local & Indie Raps

[Hip-Hop/Rap:]
Rack Jenkins – Dead Frenemies (provided courtesy of Cut x Sewn)

https://soundcloud.com/cutxsewn/rack-jenkins-dead-frenemies-prod-by-bealio

That’s why I never trust niggas man, motherfuck a friend!

Popping up on my Soundcloud feed today, a very nice chill rap track coming to us from Rack Jenkins. “Dead Frenemies” tells the story of a rapper’s journey to fame, coming up in the city and the cautionary tales of dealing with frenemies (friends who are actually f*ckbois in disguise).

From the laidback vocals, to the Asian sounding chords plucked in the background the song sets a very calm, relaxing tone. The beat itself, greatly reminds me of something Nujabes (the mastermind behind Samurai Champloo‘s soundtrack) or Dilla would produce.

In other words, some real hip-hop for ya listenin’ ears.

Follow Rack Jenkins on Twitter

Find similar music from Cut x Sewn Mag

[Hip-Hop/Rap] [Atlanta Rap]
B.L.A.C.K. Baron – Mayretta (feat. Scotty ATL) // [BONUS] Scotty ATL – Marry Me

See I’m straight out the North,
Yeah, I come from the ‘May
A.K.A. Amsterdam, everybody got grams
All our trunks be on wham, pretty bitches goddamn!
Yeah they know who I am, I’m the one with the plan

Two Atlanta rappers come together to rep the North and East sides in “Mayretta” (one local pronunciation of Marietta, Georgia). With a steady, trap beat, catchy hooks and lyrics the song does not only Atlanta, but Marietta proud. B.L.A.C.K. Baron & Scotty ATL have an interesting synergy in this track produced by Larkinbeats. Good to see some quality ATL rap that sounds nothing like Young Thug, Lil’ Yachty, or even 21 Savage. Like they say, you eat the same thing everyday you’ll get tired of it real quick.

Check out more from B.L.A.C.K. Baron here.
Check out more from Scotty ATL here.

Scotty ATL – Marry Me

[Electronic/House] Two Friends – Overdose (TRU Concept Remix) // Snakehips – Don’t Leave (feat. MØ)

Check out these two new house tracks, fresh for 2017, from artists, Two Friends remixed by TRU Concept & Snakehips.


[Electronic/House]
Two Friends – Overdose (TRU Concept Remix)

I want you til’ I overdose…

Today we’re bringing you some fresh house music for your listening ears. Two Friends  bring futuristic house blended with melodic chords and vocals resulting in the calming, yet uplifting “Overdose.” This remix by TRU Concept adds layers of chill, future house to the song, in place of the more dubstep-y, pop-dance fusion that is the original. Start your 2017 on the good foot with this track, hosted by selected. music, and check out others from their music group below.

Selected Music Youtube (House, Chill & Ambient EDM)

Two Friends Facebook Music Page

TRU Concept Soundcloud

[Electronic/Pop]
Snakehips – Don’t Leave (feat. MØ)

Don’t leave
Shut your mind off and let your heart breathe
You don’t need to be worried
I may not ever get my shit together
But ain’t nobody gonna love you better

Next up, Snakehips dance-house affair, “Don’t Leave” featuring MØ brings high-energy and atmospheric vocals; ones that only the voice behind Major Lazer’s “Lean On” could bring. Layers of synth sounds and calming effects mix well on this track, and though it’s initial feel is a bit like “dance-pop” there is still a very awe-inspiring deepness inherent in “Don’t Leave.” Check out the song above and check out other songs I’ve reviewed by Snakehips here and here.

Snakehips Facebook
MØ Facebook

[Hip-Hop/Rap] Gucci Mane – Both (feat. Drake) // [Hip-Hop/Rap] Migos – T-Shirt

Just in time for the new year comes new fuego from Gucci Mane, Drake and the Migos!!


Hello all, and Happy New Year. I hope everyone has had a wonderful 2017 thus far and wish you all a wonderful year ahead.

[Hip-Hop/Rap] Gucci Mane – Both (feat. Drake) from Gucci Mane’s Return of the East Atlanta Santa

I don’t usually do this, ‘less I’m drunk or I’m high
But I’m both right now, got me talkin’ bout my life
[…] I don’t usually do this, ‘less I’m drunk or I’m high
but I’m both right now and I need you in my life

With GuWop out of prison it seems he is simply everywhere these days. Gucci Mane has been dropping music like crazy and making appearances everywhere from VICE to NY’s Power 105.1 FM. Straight from his latest mixtape East Atlanta Santa Gucci Mane is bringing straight heat with his single “Both” featuring Drake.

Starting off the track with some signature Gucci grammar-ful lyrics “I got so many felonies/I might can’t never go to Canada” you can feel the makings of a top Gucci track with lasting appeal, even before you hear “If Young Metro don’t trust you, I’m gon’ shoot yo.”

The song largely speaks for itself so I will let it do just that, rather than describe it. Young Metro’s ice-cold beat is perfect for 2017 and Drake absolutely destroys the hook making the song irresistibly catchy. The only downside is at 3 minutes and 10 seconds, the song is far too short.

[Hip-Hop/Rap] Migos – T-Shirt

Last year proved to be quite an unstoppable year for the Migos. Contrary to the general consensus that 2016 wasn’t the best of years, the Migos only rose in popularity, dropped a plethora of new music as they prepare to drop a new album. Perhaps one of the most iconic rap songs of 2016 “Bad & Boujee” has been off the charts across America and the world.

“T-Shirt” continues the traditional Migos flow with an interesting video that pits the group in the middle of the arctic wilderness with several eye-catchingly beautiful women.