Music Videos

Don Q Plots a Years-Long Reign in His “True King” Video

Published

2 years ago

October 13, 2021

Weasel

Known for his bruising tough-talk and his sharp lyrical mind, Bronx rapper Don Q is highly-respected in the Five Boroughs and beyond. Laying all his cards on the table with his new statement of purpose, Don Q announces Double Or Nothing, his next project. Charting his progression from upstart to young OG, Don’s upcoming project is packed with hard-earned wisdom he picked up on the streets and in the music game. Influenced by mob movies and the cinematic rap epics of NYC’s past, the new project finds the Highbridge The Label artist locks into each instrumental, organizing his Bronx tales and assonant internal rhymes into lockstep cadences. Musically, Double Or Nothing mixes a grimy old school NY sound–with ominous pianos, scuzzy snares, and whirring woodwinds–with the occasional dip into the sliding 808s and triplet flows that define the city’s ascendant drill scene. His first new full-length since the release of 2018’s Don Season 2, Double Or Nothing arrives on October 22nd via Highbridge The Label/EMPIRE.

Along with the announcement of Double Or Nothing, Don shares the video for “True King,” the project’s opening track. The song opens with dramatic sweeps of strings, and without drums, as Don provides the percussion with his triplet cadences and expert sense of rhythm. In his lyrics, Don Q reveals a ruler’s mindset, lapping up his life of luxury even as he processes residual trauma from his past and constantly keeps his head on a swivel in search of the next threat to his reign: “I take my emotions and bottle them in/I never focus on following trends/When I was broke I thought soon as I made me some dollars I swear that my problems would end.” Directed by Starr Mazi, the video finds Don holding court in the outskirts of the Bronx, surrounded by tricked-out ATVs, dirtbikes popping wheelies, and a pack of bulldogs, a breed whose dogged determination provides an ideal analogy for Don Q’s refusal to back down from any challenge.

Born and raised in The Bronx, Don Q grew up idolizing brash NYC rappers like Jadakiss, Cassidy, Fabolous, and Jay-Z. After making waves in the streets with mixtapes that highlighted his lyrical acumen, Don Q signed to Highbridge in 2016. From there, Don and fellow Highbridge rapper A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie experienced a rapid rise through the NYC rap scene, sharing the popular Highbridge: The Takeover mixtape and gaining national recognition with a legendary Funk Flex freestyle. Don made his name as a vital solo artist in the NYC scene with mixtapes like Corner Stories, praised by Stereogum, and raised his profile even further with tapes like 2018’s Don Talk, featuring a guest spot from Pusha T, and the full-length Don Season 2, with features from Lil Durk, 50 Cent, Moneybagg Yo, and more.

Over the past couple of years, Don has been keeping busy with even more high-profile collaborations, recruiting Lil Uzi Vert and A Boogie for “Flood My Wrist” (over 42 million Spotify streams) and joining forces with Benny The Butcher for the Complex-praised single “Legends.” In 2021, Don has continued to feed his loyal fans, sampling a classic NY banger on his single “Law & Order” and reminding fans of his off-the-dome brilliance with his version of Drake’s “Lemon Pepper Freestyle” and recent appearance on Charlie Sloth’s Fire In The Booth session. Stay tuned for much more from Don Q in the build-up to Double Or Nothing.

Watch here!

Artist To Watch

Latrell De’Sean Releases “45” Music Video

Published

8 hours ago

September 30, 2023

Kalisha Perera

Latrell De’Sean is unique, catchy, and undeniable as an emerging artist with his raw lyrics over a sing-a-long flow and honest exterior in the fiery new visual of his breakout single “45.” In survival mode, the visual displays imagery of gunshots and chaos that portray the chaotic times society is living in right now. As De’Sean sits with his back to the madness, he raps about the destructive force he possesses as he endures life’s harsh reality on his path to luxury.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CxgYcUSPXfv/?img_index=1

He raps: “So I’m toting on this 4-5/Hoping it don’t go down/Hoping that the danger don’t come my way/Cause if it do, then I’m blow mine/Take a Ni**a soul/I’m sorry Father God if I put one away.”

“45” is the perfect origin point for newfound fans of the Dallas native as it showcases his signature southern sound that has already accumulated over 11,000 monthly listeners on Spotify based on his catalog’s biggest songs such as “Heartbreaker’s Diary,” “Love Is War,” and “M.I.A. in Miami.” The new single is a follow-up to De’Sean’s 2022 album, AntiHero.

The latest release promises more new music from Latrell De’Sean on the horizon as his popularity spreads contagiously from local to regional to nationwide. To date, “45” has generated over 153,634 streams on Spotify. Now is the perfect time to hop on the Latrell De’Sean bandwagon.

Watch “45” below, and afterward, hear more Latrell De’Sean music on Spotify.

Music Videos

BUZZING ST. LOUIS RAPPER BLAKEIANA RELEASES MUSIC VIDEO FOR “BING BONG” REMIX FEATURING SEXYY RED

Published

5 days ago

September 25, 2023

Weasel

Exploding out of “The Lou” as the city’s next artist to break, buzzing 23-year-old St. Louisan rapper BlakeIANA serves up a scorching Official Remix and music video of her viral banger “Bing Bong” featuring Sexyy Red today. By jumping on the track, fellow hometown hero Sexyy Red connects with BlakeIANA to represent for St. Louis in true form, fueling her momentum in the process.

Listen to “Bing Bong (Remix)” [feat. Sexyy Red] HERE and watch the music video HERE.

Sexyy Red injects the track with racy and raw bars as BlakeIANA’s irresistible hook remains unshakable and her standout bar memorable as she says, “pulled a him on him, now he swear he can’t stand Bi**hes.” In the accompanying visual, Sexyy Red calls BlakeIANA and invites her to Las Vegas. The two are seen tearing up the Strip together in a Pink Hummer limousine. It stands out as St. Loui’s answer to The Hangover! Meets “country grammar.”

In other big news, Moneybagg Yo recently welcomed BlakeIANA to the stage during his sold-out show at Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis. The audience roared as she delivered an unforgettable performance of “Bing Bong.” Watch HERE!

Last year, she initially dropped “Bing Bong,” and it ignited a flurry of activity online. It generated millions of views on TikTok and nearly half-a-million total streams on Spotify. Among many ardent fans, she garnered support from none other than JT of City Girls who proceeded to rap along to “Bing Bong” on Instagram. The track illuminates her airtight flow, deft wordplay, and undeniable knack for a hook.

Music Videos

DAMIAN LILLARD SHARES “PAID IN FULL” WITH CAMEO FROM CAM’RON

Published

5 days ago

September 25, 2023

Weasel

Acclaimed Rapper and NBA Star Damian Lillard, famously known as Dame D.O.L.L.A., has shared a brand new music video to “Paid In Full” featuring Tobe Nwigwe from his latest album Don D.O.L.L.A. The track boasts a cameo from Cam’ron who famously starred in the 2002 film to recreate the nostalgic scene. Don D.O.L.L.A. boasts impressive contributions from industry heavyweights and rising stars like Lil Wayne, Rick Ross, Ty Dolla $ign, Jordin Sparks, Rexx Life Raj, Sy Ari Da Kid, Christina Mackey, Brookfield Duece, and more. The album was featured on XXL, Vibe, Hypebeast, Uproxx, HotNewHipHop, and more.