The weekly Top Submissions aims to showcase a selected crop of acts that cross our paths. From the best tracks/videos from far and wide, we gather the upper echelon of artists you can find and give them a platform to be further recognized for their works. So, sit back and tune in, and don’t forget to show them some love by following them on all social media platforms
If you like this article check out our previous entries HERE
Listen to the playlist on Spotify 2 here:
Talk to Your Neighbor – “Pyro” (feat. Will Kobus)
Washington DC-based musical collective Talk to Your Neighbor shared their new single “Pyro” which caught our attention. The experimental pop/soul tune features Will Kobus and together they deliver this heartwarming piece comprising rich moody textures, and sublime keys underpinned by alluring melodic runs and engaging rapping. The artists take time to reflect on the ups and downs of life and the never-ending merry-go-round that keeps us moving.
Talk to Your Neighbor is a collective of ex-Dope Francis members Jeremy Padow (guitar, bass guitar) and Andrew Carlson (percussion, backing vocals); Austin, TX transplants Ana Ruess (lead vocals) and Lukas Keel (guitar, bass guitar, production) of Help Yourself to the Citrus; and Kevin Huang (keys) of Be Steadwell and other DC-based artists.
Brenton – “Don’t Change”.
Brenton delivers his newly self-produced single “Don’t Change”. The heartfelt soul-infused rap is a smooth love ballad that shows his vulnerable side as he pours adulations on that special someone in his life.
Danny Miles – “Die Like Gold” (feat. Kevin Drew)
Danny Miles returns with his new single “Die Like Gold” featuring Kevin Drew, a reflective tune that talks about existential feelings, mortality and the never-ending human struggle. Overall, the track is brooding and solemn while the lyrics are reflective.
TVN – “Patience”.
Toronto, Ontario, Canada-based singer/songwriter TVN make his entry on our site with “Patience”, a sublime and dreamy tune that shows him celebrating a relationship with solid foundations. Over the dreamy atmospheric textures, TVN delivers a laidback performance with a touch of emotional grit and relatable songwriting to match.
Q.G. The BlacKnight – “End of Summer”
Q.G. The BlacKnight and Justice O’cean lead us into “End of Summer” in this new single. The track uses a sombre and brooding string sample with no drums and it sees both emcees breaking down their life’s journey from a bird’s eye view.
J. Anomaly – “Notes App”.
J. Anomaly takes some hints from “Notes App” and puts them on wax. The sombre tune is a heartfelt cut that explores the matters of the heart and the dynamics of love and its effects on one’s life in its entirety.
Arz x Laicositna – “Lickback”
UK artists Arz and Laicositna team up for “Lickback”, a smooth blend of R&B and hip-hop. The artists show great chemistry as they interweave engaging rhymes with soulful melodic runs effortlessly. “Lickback” is from Arz’s upcoming album Honey, I’m Home (to be released in Q4 2024).
Yellow Trash Can x Donte Thomas – “2 Piece w/ biscuits”
Yellow Trash Can (YTC) and Donte Thomas serve us the classic “2 Piece w/ biscuits”. Over a punchy drum groove and atmospheric keys with sublime pads, the emcee details the ups and downs of life and his experiences as a young an trying to find his footing in an unforgiving world. The track is taken from YTC’s Soggy album.
Yellow Trash Can (YTC), made up of multi-instrumentalist Jason Navarrete and Sony songwriter Jitta On The Track, debuted into the music scene with their single “Populated” in June 2020. The Portland-based duo band’s debut song featured drum and guitar work from Tripilz and Wyatt Servis and Tony Hawk, on the tambourine.
Thutmose – “Champagne On Ice”.
Thutmose sets the tone with “Champagne On Ice”, a smooth afro-fusion track comprising soulful chords, pulsating bass synths and an infectious drum groove underpinned by his soothing melodic runs. He effortlessly flows over the soundscape with rich sultry harmonies and engaging lyrics that detail a rendezvous with that special someone.
Angel of Discord, Worm Womb – “IZZA GOOD DAY”.
US-based artists Angel of Discord and Worm Womb are the newest duo in town and on their new collaboration “IZZA GOOD DAY”. The experimental pop/hiphop infused track explores the unpredictable dynamics of life with an underlying message that the power comes from within and the best way is to channel those good things to manifest the proverbial good day.
Kowloon – “Coasting”.
LA-based singer/songwriter/producer/filmmaker Kowloon knows a few things about “Coasting”. The smooth summer-drenched tune blends soul, and experimental pop with funk undertones. His vocals have a smokey and breathy vine and the melodies are alluring and have a nostalgic vibe as well.
Zino Dope – “I’m OK”
Zino Dope‘s “I’m OK” is a heartfelt track that centers on the delicate and oft-overlooked topic of men’s mental health. From self-doubt, depression and the never-ending struggles men face as they try to get through each day. The title is a reference to the coping mechanism men use by lying to themselves that they are ok instead of leaning on each other’s shoulders.
Crock Taylor – “Envyus”
Crock Taylor and envy deliver something refreshing in the form of their new collaboration “Envyus”. Over an atmospheric soundscape comprising airy choral vocals with thumping bass-driven drums, Crock steps up to the podium with a no-holds-barred performance.
Jontee – “It’s been a while”.
Jontee adds some much-needed positivity into the world with this single “It’s been a while”. Over the surreal and soulful soundscape, the artist gets introspective and reflective about his life from a relatable perspective that audiences can follow.
Akilles – “What I Had to Give”.
Akilles enters our playlist with his new release “What I Had to Give”. The track has a sombre vibe with its melodic vocal sample, moody textures and punchy drums which forms the perfect canvas for the rappers to share their not-so-glorious past and all the sacrifices they made. Joining him are fellow artists Millyz and 2ruTh7.
Classik x Karmawin – “Mad”
Veteran Canadian rapper Classik and Montreal artist Karmawin team up for “Mad”, a smooth boombap jam ripe with engaging bars and aspirational undertones.
SIRE NOV – “Mosh Pit – Radio Edit”.
SIRE NOV makes his entry into our playlist with this hard-hitting jam “Mosh Pit – Radio Edit”. The track is an energetic jam that will get audiences on the move and I will add that it’s perfect for your high-intensity work out regimen so add this to your playlist now.
Kaleel Carpè – “Capital Bills”.
Kaleel Carpè andMarc Spano links up for “Capital Bills”, a hard-hitting jam that comprises scenic soundscape and a plethora of edgy bravado-driven bars from the emcees.
Lua Faye – “Jealous (Freestyle)”.
Emerging singer/songwriter Lua Faye shares her candid thoughts in “Jealous (Freestyle)”. Over a laidback, downtempo guitar-driven soundscape, Lua reflects on a past love and the emotional trauma she went through to make things work. The entire track is freestyle and not written and that is quite commendable.
Ace Fontaine – “stupid questions”.
Ace Fontaine returns to our playlist with his latest release titled “stupid questions”. Bolstered by a jazzy soul soundscape with punchy drums, Ace reminds us of his journey and how far he has come. He closes it up with a memorable hook as well.
The Black Buddhist – “Love & War”
The Black Buddhist‘s “Love & War” is an insightful look at the duality of life. Over a cinematic soundscape comprised of brass stabs, and rapid hi-hat-driven drums, the emcee proceeds to showcase his verbal skills on wax.
King Kaiju – “Weather Channel”.
Richmond, Virginia-based rapper King Kaiju gives us the forecast via his “Weather Channel”. The soundscape has a cinematic and nostalgic vibe reminiscent of old TV sitcoms and it’s underpinned by the rapper’s graphic rhyme schemes and expressive flow.
Tyler J Music x 1k Phew x BigBreeze – “God’s Hands”
Tyler J Music teams up with fellow Christian rappers 1k Phew and BigBreeze for “God’s Hands”, a heartfelt inspirational track that explores his dark past and how his religion helped them through tough times.