Artist Highlight: chï

I reached out to chï through Twitter & email:

Chï (Soundcloud & Twitter) frequently blesses hot tracks that are bred in Richmond, however, her very own project(s) are dropping soon:

"These two EP's have been my brain child the past few months. I'm really excited for them because I feel like it shows a more mature side to my production skills, as well as writing skills."

You can follow chï on Twitter: @musicbychi and on Instagram: @neck_uhh, respectively.

(Beach Haus ii) 

(memories)

Beach Haus ii is available for streaming as well as download through Soundcloud. Memories is available for streaming through Soundcloud.

Q & A With chï

Musically speaking, who or what inspires you?

[...] I listen to everything from folk to Korean pop music, so I have a wide pool of genre's that [I take inspiration from]. In terms of who inspires me, I would definitely say my friends. [...They] make me want to do better, to produce better, to sound better because I don't feel like I'm on their level yet. Of course everyone has artists that they draw inspiration from, but I honestly do love the music that my friends make more, [...] I can see the hard work and emotion they put into to producing their work.

How and when did you get into music?

I started making music last year around July. I wrote and produced the most basic song ever called LVEGME which has now been removed from my Soundcloud (lol). [...] I started making legit music around [5-6 months ago]. [At that point I started,] to take production a bit more seriously.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time with your music?

In 5 years, I want to still be making music, for a bigger audience. I'm pretty lowkey right now, but I kinda like [being lowkey] because when I drop my stuff I want people to be like "WHO IS THISS!?" you know lolol.

Where are you from- and do you draw insertion from your surroundings?

My parents are from Nigeria but I was born and raised in Chesterfield VA. It's pretty much suburbia around here so there isn't much inspiration. I think when I go to Richmond I'm always around super artistic people so I gather inspiration there and bring those positive thoughts and feels back with me to suburbia. My favorite place to "become inspired" I guess would be the river. Texas Beach has really fantastic areas where it's just rocks and some running water. I would just sit in nature for hours and usually will come up with some kind of new idea while I'm out there.

What are you currently working on?

I'm trying to drop two EP's this year, or [an EP at the end of 2015 and another in the beginning of 2016; both titles I. Dreamz and II. Nightmarez, respectively]. [...]I also love how [I. Dreamz and II. Nightmarez] are completely different from one another. Dreamz is more ambient/chill, with some trappy beats; Nightmarez is super trappy and electronic, I'm so excited to let people hear it! [...] I will be dropping a single soon just to give people a lil something to listen to. It's a cover of a MNLV song, but it's a more slowed down sultry version lol.

Quite The Treat Pt. 5

Alf

Alfred, AKA DarkLordShawty has released his highly anticipated tape: Alf. The project is 8 songs deep and gives the listener an authentic peek into the mind of the Woodbridge/RVA based artist. Features, from the likes of AfroCat, Jake Barkley as well as Chï, are sprinkled throughout the tape that sits around 30 min.

You can follow Alfred for more music and cool things on:

Soundcloud

Twitter

Instagram

Twitter Insanity Pt. 2

Trending Headlines: Free (BASED FREESTYLE MIXTAPE)

@ChanceTheRapper and @LILBTHEBASEDGOD come together to create a 6 song mixtape! FOR THE FREE.

Check out the free mixtape and download it! The tracks have plenty of positivity and fun verses to bump to. Shout out to some young legends in the game; this tape is coming after Lil B has toured extensively on college lectures and Chance dropped a joint album with his friends/bandmates The Social Experiment.

2 Cents: moreandmoreamore prod. Rasneek

This sneak peek single from @minilov___ is pretty rad 

https://soundcloud.com/mnl_v/moremoreamore-prod-rasneek

Flow

MNLV's vocals are textured and emotional. You get the feeling she is singing her lyrics with her eyes closed. I appreciate the passion no doubt. Her range is beyond adequate for the flow of the song.

Production

Shout out to Rasneek (@Russ1594) and his production prowess. The song has southwestern vibes as well as a jazzy-southern touch. The hip-hop percussion undertones wrap the entire song together well. MNLV's vocals sit on the beat just right and sound very warm. Being that the sound is so enclitic, it would be beneficial for the track to be longer, if only for listeners to catch some of the cool loops that only happen a couple times.

Content

Traditional love-stricken words in a ballad format- no surprises there. Also, being that this is a teaser/snippet of sorts- The track does not include any repeated verses or words.

Overall

Overall, this track has done its job well- listeners will be teased and anxious to hear more. The mastery and comfortably MNLV has with her own voice is clear to the ear.

Artist Highlight: Afrocat

I reached out to Afrocat through Twitter & email:

Afrocat (Soundcloud & Twitter), has recently been hard at work collaborating with other artists. His sonic and creative visions can be attributed to his early start in music:

"I think my greatest weakness would have to be my sense of perfection, sadly. My perfectionist style can cause me to not finish music at all, and then i come back and realize it was really good!"

You can follow Afrocat on Twitter @afrooocat and on Instagram @Afroocat, respectively.

(neverland EP)  

(Aquatics EP)

Aquatics EP is available for streaming from Soundcloud. neverland EP is available for streaming from Soundcloud, as well.

Q & A With Afrocat

Musically speaking, who or what inspires you?

I'm inspired by nature, its an amazing thing to witness, specifically space. I love it. Musically im a big fan of Kanye West, Sam Gellaitry, ESTA, Mr. Carmack, and Lido.

How and when did you get into music?

I started making music when i was around ten, but i have always been fascinated with keyboards and drums. I had a drum machine when i was six years old according to my mom.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time with your music?

In 5 years, hopefully I can be at a higher platform, whether its doing shows and performances among other things!

Where are you from- and do you draw insertion from your surroundings?

I'm from California, so some of that is a big inspiration on my west coast, wavy sound. [...] I live in Virginia, [...], which also shapes the framework of my style.

Quite The Treat Pt. 4

New Music To Peep

Look out for the emcee @flyanakin and his EP elsewhere ave.

Fly Anakin released elsewhere ave. on July 31st and despite being based in RVA- this artist is very No. Eastern sounding. The EP features some flame production from several dope producers such as foisey, ewonee, and nikobeats. Fly Anakin's flow is east coast sounding through and through. Influences from artist like Smoke DZA, Joey, and Danny B can be heard. However, the sound and themes present in elsewhere ave. are more than revived older flows- rather its a soulful mix of a well-learned hip hop listener with anakin's original experience. Kudos dude- looking forward to more music.

foisey

Nikobeats

ewonee.

Quite The Treat Pt. 3

Peep SUMO via Alfred's Soundcloud

This single, SUMO, demonstrates some dope lyricism as well as some dark-spacey production. Look out for more from the artist Alfred.