Artist To Watch
BurnaMaleik Is Here To Stay With New Visual Project ‘U Evol I’
St. Louis rapper Burna Maleik takes pride in his versatility and the diversity of his sound, be on the lookout for his new project, U Evol I, out everywhere now!
Brandon Maleik Hawkins, known by his artist name, BurnaMaleik, is a St. Louis artist making a name for himself with his versatile sound and lyrical wordplay. With his ability to adapt to any beat, whether that be R&B, traditional hip-hop, or trap, BurnaMaleik can acclimate to any sound and make it his own. He’s a unique artist to be on the lookout for because his diverse sound is what makes him different than his peers.
Starting his journey in music at the very young age of 10 but not seriously starting pursuing it until he was in his 20s, BurnaMaleik claims his upbringing has influenced his music and sound growing up. He says his parents are responsible for his versatility and diverse sound because they exposed him to different artists and genres. “From Luther Vandross to the Bone Thugs-N-Harmony,” the variation of melody is what BurnaMaleik says influenced him and his relationship with music.
“I pride myself on the variety of sounds I make as an artist,” he said in a recent interview. “When the record comes on, you know it’s BurnaMaleik, and no matter what style of rap you prefer, BurnaMaleik will have at least one record you enjoy.”
His love for music and his fans keeps him motivated and gives him the tenacity to keep doing better. Burna wants his fans to take away that his music has both the fun-trap beat and the conscious flow on the same track, and that you do not need to limit yourself and with one or the other because the two can exist simultaneously.
Burna feels there is no “need to take away substance to make hit records” and that you can have the hard beat with a conscious flow at the same time. He hopes his audience understands that they too can make songs with lyrical content and a message over a fun-beat.
His newest project, U Evol I, has an overall Trap-Soul album feel, with the versatility and lyrical malice that audiences have come to expect from BurnaMaleik. U Evol I is Burna’s first official EP in his discography. The project is a visual and conceptual album and gives you a visual representation of light to darkness, from the albums’ start to finish.
The visual project is an extension of his music, as each song takes you deeper and deeper into this sensual world and the dangers of love and trust created by BurnaMaleik. The visual takes place in a hotel room, where the scene goes from light to dark, or happy and sexual to mysterious and sinister. The energy changes as time passes in the hotel room, making for an incredible narrative and idea for a video. BurnaMaliek’s visual highlights a different aspect of the song. BurnaMaliek expands and illustrates each lyric of his song onto the screen up until the ultimate climax of his story, the demise of love and his partner being collateral damage.
The project is creatively impressive and is available on all streaming platforms. In the meantime, also stay in touch with BurnaMaleik via his IG @burnamaleik.
Check out his latest visual album, U EVOLI, below.
Artist To Watch
Star2 x Sprite Drops “One Of A Kind”
Step into the cinematic world of “One Of A Kind”, a gripping secret agent story brought to life by pop-rap innovator Star2 and Thai superstar SPRITE.The music video follows SPRITE and Star2 as they take on the roles of stealthy operatives hired by a rich businessman to free his kidnapped daughter from shadowy captors. Dressed in tactical ninja attire that fuses street style with spycraft, they engage in a high stakes mission to track down their targets and bring the daughter to safety. Their daring escape unfolds on a longboat gliding through Bangkok’s iconic Chao Phraya River. SPRITE displays his rap talent and rapid-fire lyrics. Star2 complements him with his emotional delivery and trademark melodic style. Beyond the action packed visuals, their collaboration weaves a poignant narrative that reflects on shared struggles with poverty, early age responsibilities, and the challenges of rising to fame.
Star2, a fan of SPRITE, reached out to collaborate after releasing a single with Luh Kel called “I Wanna Get F’d Up” – coincidentally, SPRITE’s favorite artist since Luh Kel’s hit song “Wrong” – leading to an introduction and, as fate would have it, a collaboration in Thailand where the trio filmed “Where Would You Go?” (out on January 17, 2025), while Star2 and SPRITE also created “One of a Kind”.
Artist To Watch
Lil MC Lets Loose As A Lyrical Powerhouse Of Bilingual Flow On New Album ‘Flex Máquina’
Lil MC, the Latina powerhouse popping out of the Bay Area is back with Flex Máquina, a 15-track album that redefines genre boundaries. Known for her fierce lyrical dexterity and smooth bilingual flow, Lil MC’s latest project solidifies her place as a cultural force in the industry. Seamlessly transitioning between English and Spanish, she brings a vibrant energy to her art that few can match.
With standout singles like “CumBack” featuring Hd of Beardface, “They Don’t Need Me,” and “Tormenta” with ZZay and Zenaloa, Flex Máquina is a musical journey through beats, stories, and emotions that resonate with hip-hop heads and new listeners alike. Opening up October strong, Lil MC’s highly anticipated album arrives as a statement, an expression of resilience, and a testament to her indelible impact on hip-hop.
Emerging from Oakland’s dynamic rap battle circuit, Lil MC quickly carved out her space as one of the underground scene’s most prominent voices. Her commanding stage presence and quick-witted verses have set her apart, earning her spots alongside icons like Jacquees, Too Short, and E-40. Fans who have witnessed her ceiling-shattering career, have experienced an artist who is both authentic and unapologetic.
Lil MC is not only a top-tier lyricist but also a trailblazer in production, standing among the 3% of female music producers globally. Since 2018, her beats have enhanced her artistic reach, adding a self-produced edge that amplifies her impact. Her commitment to hip-hop goes beyond the studio; she’s a passionate advocate for education and empowerment. Through her Women’s Empowerment Hip Hop curriculum at the Oakland-based nonprofit Hip Hop For Change, Lil MC is inspiring the next generation, teaching kids to create beats with block coding, sparking creativity and confidence in young artists.
As an internationally recognized Cultural Ambassador of Hip Hop for the U.S. Embassy, Lil MC promotes Bay Area artists while advocating for women’s empowerment in music. In 2020, she founded Queens of the Underground, a platform uplifting women’s voices in the industry, and her role as a voting member of the Bay Area Recording Academy chapter highlights her deep commitment to the art.
From video game features to Billboard placements, Lil MC’s influence reaches far and wide. Now’s the time to dive into her latest lyrical offering, Flex Máquina. In doing so, immerse yourself into her world. With every beat and bar, Lil MC inspires, uplifts, and pushes the culture forward. Press play, and let Lil MC take you on a bicultural sonic journey that’s as powerful as it is personal.
CONNECT WITH LIL MC ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
Instagram | Facebook | Apple Music | Spotify | YouTube | Website
Artist To Watch
Will Power 912 And Slim Jxmmi Join Forces For A Heartfelt Tribute To Hardworking Women With “Love That For You”
Will Power 912 and Slim Jxmmi (one half of the hip-hop duo Rae Sremmurd) are making waves with their latest single, “Love That For You”. This powerful record, produced by Icin On Da Kake, is a celebration of women’s resilience, strength, and relentless drive, especially honoring Black women who work tirelessly for the recognition they deserve. Coming on the heels of their recent release “Fine Sh*t Ratchet,” the duo wanted to create a track that acknowledges the countless women who hustle every day to achieve their dreams and provide for their loved ones, often without support or acknowledgment.
The inspiration behind “Love That For You” is simple yet profound: it’s a love letter to women everywhere, a reminder that their hard work isn’t going unnoticed. Will Power 912 shares, “Like I said at the end of the verse, ‘I love that for you, just hadda remind her.’ A lot of women are doing all the work—holding down the household, taking care of kids by themselves, becoming first-time homeowners, funding their lifestyle, closing deals—and they don’t get acknowledged. We just wanted to take the time to acknowledge them with this song and let them know we love that for them, we love what you’re doing, and we love watching youget results!”
Will Power 912, hailing from Statesboro, Georgia, carries a unique perspective into his music. Motivated by his former coach, Sherman White, he found a sense of purpose in channeling his personal willpower into his craft, which led to his artist name, Will Power 912. As both a songwriter and emerging artist, Will Power 912 is dedicated to giving a voice to those who feel overlooked, offering inspiration to those who may not have role models who look like them or represent their struggles.
Beyond this tribute, Will Power 912 and Slim Jxmmi have ambitious plans in store! In fact, they’re working on a collaborative album set to feature some of today’s most celebrated artists and producers, promising a fusion of talent and fresh sounds that will resonate with fans around the globe. Nonetheless, “Love That For You” is now available for streaming on your preferred streaming platform—don’t miss this genuine tributeto the incredible women shaping our world.
CONNECT WITH WILL POWER 912 ON SOCIAL MEDIA:
INSTAGRAM | X | TIKTOK | APPLE MUSIC | SPOTIFY | YOUTUBE
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