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Music is more accessible than ever before. Sometimes, you don’t want to search for something new, especially when what you love is just enough–and though I agree, there is nothing like discovering a new artist to fall in love with. Helping you find that feeling is where I come in at FOCUS Magazine.
As an avid listener and lover of Hip-Hop, my goal is to create a community where music connoisseurs and creators alike can indulge in the rich musical culture in New York City, and beyond.
Now, let's get into this list.
NEW TO THE BLOCK: This category is reserved for the newcomers, the fearless, wide-eyed creatives who are new to the scene with intentions of staying for good. To withstand the current, these artists must display an unyielding passion and indisputable drive for their craft that even the most esteemed artists in the game reminisce about.
CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT by BANNI
New to the Block is the Brooklyn creative BANNI and his album, CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT.
BANNI’s debut album, CALL IT WHAT YOU WANT was one I got to see grow from its early stages of development into its final form, becoming more and more intrigued by the art and artist alike as it came together. BANNI’s creative expression and vocal tenacity combine to unleash a wave of emphatic energy unlike anything I’ve heard before. This Brooklyn creator is pushing the boundaries of hip-hop through his unique recording and production styles. This 12-track, 32-minute album is an alluring body of work, and one of many great projects to come from the mind of the Brooklyn artist.
Some great tracks to listen to are SCREAM (feat. Cardo and Vachi) and WYA—both produced by Vachimade—where BANNI’s emotions can be felt in their rawest form. Another track, which is both empowering and deeply reflective, is I DID, produced by spacerace444.
CALORIE BURNER: This is created for those songs that can have you looking crazy when listening to them. To put it in layman's terms, if you can’t sit still while listening to the track, it may just belong here.
Luv 4 Rent by Smino
I literally Can’t Sit Still whenever I listen to Smino–really any of his music, but more recently, his latest album, Luv 4 Rent, is a certified vibe.
Smino’s project was initially my selection for the On Repeat section because, like SOS, Smino’s Luv 4 Rent is one of my favorite albums from the past year. The St. Louis rapper/singer/fashion icon is known for his unique flows, unmatched wordplay, and southern drawl that create the perfect musical cocktail. Luv 4 Rent is groovy; perfect for rainy days, long drives home, and Sunday cleaning sessions. I’d be surprised if you could listen to the entire project without nodding your head, tapping your foot, or humming along even though you don’t really know the melodies just yet–give it a few more listens, and you’ll find yourself talking the language of the great Smino.
Some of my favorites are the melodic No L’s (prod. by Kal Banx), the mystically enticing Garden Lady (prod. by Smino, Suzuki, monte booker, and Phoelix), and the soothing Modennaminute feat. Lucky Daye & Phoelix (prod. by Phoelix and monte booker).
QUALITY OVER QUANTITY: This category is for conceptual bodies of work–EP’s, mixtapes, videos, and albums–that exude a level of exceptionalism seldom seen in today's market. Thought-provoking music that focuses as much on the spoken word aspect of their art as on production is essential for a well-rounded music diet and the sharpening of the mind.
No Thank You by Little Simz
This month's Quality Over Quantity selection is No Thank You, by UK artist Little Simz.
I chose Little Simz's project for this category because her album does something that many people lack the courage to do: proudly standing against the very system which capitalizes off artists like herself and many other young creators. Her album, which hits the sweet spot in time (49 minutes) and length (just 10 tracks), carries forward a valuable message about maintaining one's integrity–and, more importantly, one’s ownership–while navigating the treacherous music industry.
Simz’s production is as rich as her theme, which can be seen on soulful tracks like Silhouette (prod. by Inflo) and Angel (prod. by Inflo) and a head knocker like No Mercy (prod. by Inflo).
ON REPEAT: This category is for artists whose body of work is truly addicting. These artists always seem to hit the mark and frequent our playlists.
SOS by SZA
The project that I’ve had on repeat as of late, and no doubt for the foreseeable future, is SOS by the beloved songstress from the legendary Top Dawg Entertainment, SZA. Since its release in early December 2022, SZA’s long-awaited album, SOS, has seized the hearts and ears of many music lovers. Each track on this album was crafted to perfection. SZA’s rangeas an artist is made evident by the diverse tracks on this album. There is a song on this project for every playlist, and as a body of work, SOS is one of the best projects to drop in 2022 and will undoubtedly be on replay all of 2023.
Some notable tracks off the project are warm and exhilarating songs like Shirt (prod. by Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins and Freaky Rob) and Seek & Destroy (prod. by ThankGod4Cody, Rob Bisel, Scum and Carter Lang), and the heartfelt Gone Girl (prod. by Emile Haynie, Jeff Bhasker, ThankGod4Cody, Carter Lang and Rob Bisel.)
SONG OF THE MONTH: This category is for songs that exceeded my expectation.
pg baby by redveil
This song has had a hold on me for I don’t even know how long. I’m not sure when I first stumbled upon it, but I knew I loved it from the very first listen. One of many aspects that stood out to me is redveil’s use of the slow-paced and soulful R&B/Soul track, Love Me or Leave Me (1967) by Band of Thieves.
This song, which is sampled on Lil Wayne Harden (2020) as well, is paired with a repetitive, drum-heavy beat, which together invoke a sense of soulful grittiness which matches the tone of the PG County artist’s slightly off-beat, lyrically rich verse. My favorite line is from the hook and is my motivational track when I’ve procrastinated to the point where I can’t procrastinate anymore: “I can tell you ain’t about to win cause you stallin’.” What am I stalling for? The song starts with some kicks, resembling the sounds of a stove, followed by the first of many uses of the sample as “you can go your own way, or leave me” is sung in the background, serving as a constant reminder to there’s no space for dead weight on this train to success.
Thanks for reading, and if you like articles like these, you can look forward to an updated list every month. Make sure you share your favorites with us by signing up for our newsletter and following us on our social media pages. ‘Till next time.
Also, your suggestions are welcomed! Whether you’re a student of the game, a casual listener, or somewhere in between, this shouldn’t be a one-way street. Let’s have some fun with this. If you think my list is solid, let me know; if you think my list is weak, then tell me where I messed up in the comments below.