Music Videos
Dream Chasers’ Tafia Honors Young Dolph in “Paper Route” Video
A natural born hustler with charisma to spare, Tafia tells relatable street stories through his appealingly raspy drawl. Paying tribute to one of his heroes, the Miami native and Dream Chasers signee proudly declares #LLD, releasing the video for “Paper Route,” his collaboration with Young Dolph. Released earlier this year as part of Tafia’s Mention My Name album, “Paper Route” has become a breakthrough hit, the song’s hustle-hard mentality and Tafia’s out-the-mud origin story combining with Dolph’s commanding verse to create a radio-ready fan-favorite: the song generated over 15 million streams to date across platforms and placed at #35 on Mediabase’s Urban Radio chart and #43 on Billboard’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart. The Donn Suave & DummyBeatz-produced track is a lyrical showcase for both rappers, each artist saluting the trenches they emerged from and detailing the path they took to chase their dreams.
The brand new music video draws connections between Dolph’s towering legacy and Tafia’s burgeoning street hero status. Directed by GwalaonTV from NTRO4K and with animation by Roland Athouris III, the video starts as Tafia pedals through the streets of his hometown with a stack of newspapers to distribute, before the script flips to a flex-heavy montage. Intercut with archival clips of Dolph, Tafia shows how he’s elevated from a two-speed bike to a souped-up foreign in no time at all. Halfway through, the video transforms into computer animation, lovingly animating the late PRE CEO as he delivers his verse.
“Much respect to Dolph and his family,” says Tafia. “He kept it solid with me so it’s only right I showed my respects the right way in this video.”
Born to parents of Haitian descent, Tafia taught himself to rap during a long bid in juvenile detention, using his artform as a way to cope with his trauma and isolation. After his release, Tafia flooded the streets with his music, drawing attention with his searing intensity and unique vocal timbre. He made waves with his signature mixtape series Street Fanci, which caught the attention of Meek Mill, who eventually signed Tafia to be the first signee to his Dream Chasers Records label, a joint venture with Roc Nation. Since his signing to Dream Chasers, Tafia has been on an unstoppable upward trajectory, releasing the conclusion to his Street Fanci series, Street Fanci 3, and teaming up with DJ Drama for his Street Clarity: Gangsta Grillz tape, which featured appearances from Meek Mill and Rick Ross. In March, Tafia shared Mention My Name, a 16-track opus with appearances from Jeremih, Vory, DaVido, and Rob49, along with the breakout hit “Paper Route” ft. Young Dolph.
Intent on building his legacy and creating an empire of his own, Tafia has positioned himself to be the next Miami rapper to hit it big. Considering all he’s already been through, it would be unwise to bet against him.
Watch “Paper Route” ft. Young Dolph!
Artist To Watch
Fat Trel Releases New Single “Anything”
Following a well received headlining performance at DMV Summer Jam over the weekend, Washington D.C. wordsmith Fat Trel continues his Boosa’s Keeper campaign by dropping the music video for “Anything.” The HD clip for the Hollywood Bangers‘ produced track finds the green-eyed entrepreneur and his posse enjoying the warm weather as Summer comes to an end. Trel’s latest body of work serves as an homage to slain childhood friend Darrell “Boosa Da Shoota” Marshal and includes guest appearances from IDK, EST Gee, Skilla Baby, Millyz, NSC Kai, and Almighty.
“This album is dedicated to my lil brother Boosa, who passed away when I was locked up. I put a lot of time into this album and was going through a lot while making it. I got sober and went to therapy as well. So you will hear a lot of pain and just a better version of me throughout each song. I’m introducing the world to an older, better, and evolved version of FAT TREL,” the MGE recording artist reveals in a press statement to Medium Creative Agency about the project.
Martrel Reeves PKA Fat Trel was a child far more ambitious and cognizant of his surroundings than the norm. At age seven, he professed ambitions to be a rapper, while peers delivered the proverbial “I have a Dream” Speech about aspirations to be nurses, doctors, lawyers, and fire fighters. As peers sat excited by the endless possibilities of the future, Fat Trel sat perplexed by the harsh realities of DC; the place he called home. Fat Trel exited high school at age 15, caught up in the lure and necessity of street life; a road more traveled when the have-nots impose an immediate call to action. Unconvinced high school education would support his family or cultivate his ambitions, Fat Trel hit the ground running in pursuit of being an emcee and has not stopped running since.
Fat Trel has nurtured and grown his organic storytelling ability with creative word play and pulverizing flow. Taking a raw approach to music, some would say as graphic and grimy as the streets of DC, but equally memorable and captivating nonetheless. He holds no punches and tells each story with such relativity they appear verbatim, in a matter of fact nature, that illustrates he is genuinely home grown and not caught up in the idea of being from the streets.
Watch the BeDifferent Media directed visual for “Anything” and stream Boosa’s Keeper in its entirety below via ONErpm.
Artist To Watch
Drea Dominique Releases New Single “Let’s Go”
Drea Dominique returns with a captivating new single, “Let’s Go,” showcasing her signature blend of East Coast grit and West Coast flair.
“Let’s Go,” directed by Cobian Studios, captures the essence of 90s nostalgia with its fun, sexy, and sultry vibe. Drea’s infectious lyrics, “I know you like it, so don’t even front, don’t want no smoke, know I’m too blunt,” are sure to resonate with fans, blending confidence with undeniable allure.
She has already proven her ability to captivate listeners, with her previous hit “Switch” currently in rotation on MTV’s Spankin’ New. As “Let’s Go” hits streaming platforms, fans can look forward to turning up the volume and riding out to the latest anthem from an artist who continues to make waves in the music scene.
Her resume includes Snoop Dogg, 50 Cent, and Robin Thicke. “Let’s Go” continues to demonstrate the undeniable charisma that has already earned her over a million views on YouTube and a growing base of more than 14,000 subscribers. Her newfound popularity matches the buzzworthy music, making the forthcoming album patiently awaited by fans.
Watch “Let’s Go” below. And afterward, feel free to follow Drea on social media for daily updates and more.
Music Videos
Eastside Tonk Drops Explosive Lead Single ‘Made For It’ Ahead of New Album Featuring Rob49, Lil Double 0 & Coldheartedsavage
Eastside Tonk, the rising star from Opelousas, Louisiana, is taking the hip-hop world by storm with the release of his powerful lead single, “Made For It,” which hit the airwaves on August 13th. This hard-hitting track sets the tone for his upcoming album, scheduled to drop on August 23rd, promising to showcase his unique style and undeniable talent.
“Made For It” delivers a raw and unfiltered look at Eastside Tonk’s journey, blending gritty beats with introspective lyrics that speak to his resilience and ambition. The single has quickly gained traction, capturing the attention of fans and critics alike with its authentic storytelling and electrifying energy. Eastside Tonk’s knack for weaving his life experiences into his music makes “Made For It” a standout track that leaves listeners wanting more.
Building on the momentum of the lead single, the album features a star-studded lineup of collaborations. Eastside Tonk joins forces with New Orleans powerhouse Rob49 on the track “In The Making,” accompanied by a must-watch official music video that highlights the dynamic synergy between the two artists. The visual arrives this Friday alongside the new LP.
Adding to the album’s appeal are guest appearances from Lil Double 0 and Coldheartedsavage, whose verses bring additional depth and diversity to the project. Their features showcase Eastside Tonk’s ability to collaborate with top-tier talent while maintaining his distinct voice and style.
Eastside Tonk’s journey from Opelousas to the forefront of the hip-hop scene is a testament to his relentless drive and undeniable talent. His authentic voice and relatable lyrics have resonated with fans nationwide, and this new album is set to expand his reach even further. With each track, Eastside Tonk delivers the unfiltered energy and raw emotion that have become his trademarks.
The album will be available on all major streaming platforms starting August 23rd. For now, be sure to check out the official video for “Made For It,” and stay tuned for more from Eastside Tonk as he continues to rise and make his mark in the hip-hop world.