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Getting Into New Age Rap: A Primer

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The barrier to rap fandom is open to all. The constantly changing genre continues to open up new avenues, today’s most prominent being what we call new age rap – a blanket term covering “mumble” and “melodic” rap that is seemingly becoming the genre’s most important, and marketable, subtype. Juice WRLD signed a $3 million deal with Interscope off of the strength of his melodies. Playboi Carti is also a stalwart in the next generation and listeners can barely understand what he’s saying. It’s a different rap world than what existed in the 90s. The key to staying on top of the changing game is to be able to understand it and be open to anything.

We’ve created a quick primer with three main ways to get into rap’s new age. Whether you’re an artist or fan of trap looking to understand today’s game, we’ve got you covered.

Understand that rap isn’t all about bars anymore

Remember the 1990s where everyone was in constant competition with each other to out rap the next emcee? That day has long gone – now rappers skate on tracks and look to showcase their talents through other sonic avenues. Rap now is about moods, not lyricism. That’s why rappers like J. Cole and Kendrick Lamar are rare – nearly no one is checking for substance (their album sales say otherwise). Artists now utilize ad libs and other creative sonic choices to build their music.

Listen to the Top 50 on SoundCloud

The Top 50 on SoundCloud’s chart is comprised of new age rap’s best. You’ll find XXXTentacion’s early hits, some of Trippie Redd’s new project, and a ton of other types of rap that paint a different picture than what you’ve probably heard before. It’ll be jarring, but you’ll grow to understand the subgenre and figure out exactly what you like within it.

Understand what makes Playboi Carti so popular

I always hear that Playboi Carti is what’s wrong with hip-hop. People over 25 often think he’s not talented while people under 25 (rough age estimate) think that he’s a true ray of light in the dark. They often refuse to listen to him because he epitomizes the mumble rapper that many despise. But listening to him with an open ear with change the perception; he creates brilliant music that relies on atmosphere instead of lyricism. If you can understand that, you’ll have a chance at getting into the new age rap.

 

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Editorials

Artist To Watch: Meet Rising West Coast Star Vary

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Vary, is a rising star on the West Coast music scene. Growing up, Vary was deeply involved in sports, dedicating his time and passion to basketball, ultimately playing at the University of Oregon and the University of Idaho. However, his love for music, influenced by his late father’s musical background, eventually led him to pursue a career in the industry.

Vary’s stage name, Vary, holds deep personal significance. It stems from his childhood nickname, ‘Vary’, given to him by friends and family. For Vary, music became a platform to articulate his truth and share uplifting messages, especially about his roots in North Portland.

His debut EP, “Richmond Ave”, pays homage to the neighborhood that shaped him. Vary’s collaborative ventures with fellow artists, including notable figures like Westside Boogie, Nipsey Hussle, and Goodbyecalev, have garnered attention and accolades. His track “AMG” featuring Westside Boogie has accumulated over 100k streams across various platforms.

Vary has performed at esteemed venues such as Edgefield Manor, Roseland Theater, and Star Theater, carving his place within the heart of the West Coast music culture.

His music, characterized by its soulful and timeless West Coast sound, resonates deeply with his audience. Embodying his aspirations and principles, Vary’s most recent project, “Championship Flow”, exemplifies his passion and vision for his community, expressing his optimistic outlook on life.

Outside of music, Vary aspires to give back to his community and put North Portland on the map. Embracing his humble beginnings, he aims to be a beacon of positivity and inspiration for those around him.

In the years ahead, Vary plans to release high-quality music that reflects his authentic self while remaining open to experimenting with diverse genres. He dreams of performing at major festivals and collaborating with artists such as Domani, LaRussell, Charlie Wilson, and Dom Kennedy, all while remaining true to his roots and principles.

Check out Vary’s latest music below.

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Editorials

DJ Fresh, The Show Before The Show Has Been Captivating Audiences On Chris Brown Latest Tour

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We have covered DJ Fresh before and we must say while he was already accomplished at that point that puts him in the one percentile of disk jockeys worldwide, his latest venture being the tour DJ of Chris Brown’s highly grossing tour this year put him in a position to be labeled as a superstar.

From his mixes to vibrant personality being shown on the mic, Fresh has received critical acclaim and co-signs from artist nationwide for his talents.

He has some major announcements coming soon but we wanted to really show this star some love for all he has accomplished and given to the culture throughout the years. While he might be Fresh in youth physically, he is Fresh in youth mentally and his energy has translated into unforgettable sets which he has received his flowers for.

Follow him on Instagram here.

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Editorials

These Are The Secrets To Getting Your Music Posted On Your Favorite Websites

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Are you an artist that wants to get your music posted on your favorite websites like 4Shomag, Complex, Pitchfork, MTV, and more? The secrets for how to do so have been revealed.

A writer named Trey Alston, who writes for everyone from Complex to Vulture, has written an e-book with a ton of strategies and tips for how you can get posted on your favorite platforms. He’s taken his experiences from more than 8 years writing about music and put them into a book to help anyone secure the posts that they’ve been looking for for so long.

Check it out at the link if you want to learn more.

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