SEARCH FOR: KG VISUALS

Los Angeles-native Broke BOii has been an artist who has been making some very impressive moves ever since he started to gain some traction in the game. The amazing work that he has been putting in has lead him to get other major platforms such as HotNewHipHop to do a feature article on him, as well as him performing during our Lyrical Lemonade Summer Smash back in August. All of this momentum he’s been building up over the last year has definitely added more drive, ’cause he’s been going crazy and hasn’t even reached his full potential yet. Today, he is dropping off his visual for his latest single “Sticks”. It’s crazy to think that sometimes the best songs come about by accident. What would once be a night of just kicking it and messing around, could end up being one of the most lit songs. The visuals for “Sticks” take place at the house with Broke BOii and his homies just having a good time. Everything about the song is super catchy, from the 8-bit melody in the background to the hook giving of a crowd-worthy chant that’s hard to ignore. Sometimes it’s better to not overthink the music, …

Writing about music, I’ve received countless pitches over the years for songs that mix genres, or sound like if X artist met Y artist. Some of these songs are impressive, but I’ve come to realize that cool songs only go so far. They might land in playlists, or get sent in group chats as neat things to listen to, but music that finds an engaged, lasting audience, is music rooted in lore and belief. Because it’s about more than some neat songs. The ethos behind music that lasts is an extension of the artist who created it, and it’s the source code that characterizes a fanbase as more than a group of people who listen to the same thing, but rather, a group of people who choose to believe in something greater than cool songs. This is where gabby start comes in. gabby start is the artist project of a 20-year old NYU student formerly known as Knapsack. And while gabby’s songs are neat as they come, pairing the energy and anthemic qualities of rock music with EDM drum kits and pop song structures, they’re also rooted in a value system that defines what the artist project is all about. …

Considering Chicago is my home, I always have to show love to some of the acts that don’t necessarily get all the glory and recognition of the massive mainstream blogs. Although Dre R is a name I’m not overly familiar with, when I saw that he teamed up with Warhol.SS for a brand-new song entitled “Show Off” and a KG Visuals-directed music video, I had to listen up and put some people on. I haven’t been in tune with Warhol.SS as of late, but he has been making some massive moves out in LA with some notable West Coast acts, and that’s something I’m always keeping my eye on as I cheer him on from afar. In this record, they recruited Metro Krazy for the production, and he does his thing with a bright yet intense synth melody that’s accented by piercing percussion and thumping drums that create a somewhat drill-inspired foundation that these two rappers tear apart. As Dre comes in right off the bat for the hook, he showcases a very intentional aggression that works unbelievably well over this style of instrumental. Warhol.SS comes in for the first verse, utilizing a somewhat raspy, mischievous, and careful delivery that …

Not sure how the weather is where you’re reading this from but here in the Pacific North West we have just endured some of the wildest temperatures in recorded history. With people overheating and looking to cool down in any way they can, one thing that brought down my overall body temperature was this iced cold track from bbno$ and Yung Gravy. Now, this is a duo that should need no introduction to our readers but their latest collaboration may just be one of their best yet. Last Friday, “wussup” dropped to appease both of their cult-like fanbases that can never get enough Baby Gravy but what makes this single really stand out is how laidback it feels. From its verses to the beat produced by Y2K, this is a perfect song to lay out by the beach or drive slow down a busy street in a convertible. This just feels like one of those songs that’s best enjoyed while wearing something luxurious like silk. To accompany the single, the pair released some hilarious visuals that fit the vibe of this track immaculately. Both bbno$ and Gravy play some fly delivery guys causing havoc while running around delivering pizza amongst …

“Get Refreshed” is a weekly column by Billy Bugara covering all things digital in the music world. Refresh yourself here.  Cover by Parent Company Fresh Reflection: A Year Later, and How I’m Feeling Now Is Better Than Ever I never thought I’d say this, but let’s ignore “hyperpop discourse” for a moment. You know, the discourse that began in the summer of 2020 and still fervently lingers to this very day. It has made up the majority of this column’s content, the content of my closest working contemporaries, and has cast a cloud of influence over all music discourse and its respective content. It has dominated my life, and it has probably dominated yours, too. And I’d like to forget about it… at least for like 5 minutes or so. Because I want to take us all back to the album that arrived just before all of this discourse truly started to kick off and become as inescapable as it did and still is. Just before all eyes were placed on Charli XCX’s role in making the hyperpop playlist as forcefully influential as it is today, she put out an album that, in the context of everything discussed here, acted …

Ever since hearing “Body” via 6ixBuzz (a platform that I highly recommend checking out if you’re looking for an entry point into Toronto’s rap scene), I’ve been hooked on Toronto artist Smiley. In music and on social media, Smiley is a massively compelling personality, offering a brand of individualistic, Toronto-bred style that can’t be imitated. He’s one of a kind in every way, which is highlighted in the rising talent’s latest song and video, “In My Zone.” Structured around a bed of ominous melodies and trunk-rattling drums, “In My Zone” is the kind of in-your-face release that perfectly captures the two-sided appeal of Smiley. On one hand, he matches the aggressive tone of the production with paced flows and memorable songwriting, hard-nosed in an effortless way. On the other hand, he balances this out with typical Smiley style, almost sing-songy in his deliveries and driven by the oddball sense of charisma that made me a fan in the first place. Finding the sweet spot between the two sides, Smiley separates himself from the rest, and brings unapologetic Toronto energy to the table in a massively exciting way, almost reminiscent of what Peewee Longway has been able to do as such …

“I’m just doing me and that’s the only thing I know how to do. I know one day that I want to be bigger than the legends that came before me. I want to be the biggest from the city of Memphis, which I will be very soon.” -Duke Deuce Photo Credit: Cam Kirk One of the best things about the feeling of nostalgia, is that it never seems to fade away. A previous time of happiness and joy that you felt in your life will remain in your mind for years and years to come, and whenever you’re reminded of it, you can’t help but smile. This is that exact feeling that I felt when I stumbled across Duke Deuce — the energetic, enthusiastic and entertaining artist out of Memphis Tennessee. Since emerging, Duke came in the game with a demeanor that can’t be duplicated or imitated, and it made it extremely hard not to be a fan of his. Most notably known for his hit single “Crunk Ain’t Dead”, its clear by watching the visual treatment for the record that Duke Deuce is having fun, enjoying what he does, and is here with the sole mission of resurrecting …

Propelled by the chilling single “Who Want Smoke,” Jacksonville artist Nardo Wick has exploded into the spotlight over the past few weeks. First, it was a G Herbo cosign via Instagram Live that circulated the song last month, which parlayed into an immediate splash upon release. In the weeks following, “Who Want Smoke” has amassed over 2 million YouTube views, garnered cosigns from Lil Durk and Future, among others, and even landed Nardo a spot on the Judas and the Black Messiah movie soundtrack. All in just over 30 days. Needless to say, this meteoric rise has been for good reason, propelled by the dense, unforgettable nature of “Who Want Smoke” and Nardo’s knack for creating moments with his lyrics. From lines like “call me Nardo Yes Man, cuz’ I don’t no n****s,” to the infamous stomping which occurs at 1:16 in the video, the entire song is packed with ingenious one-liners, structured around high-octane production and chilling visuals to match. As such, “Who Want Smoke” has quickly outgrown the sum of its viral moments, introducing the world to a massively exciting newcomer with a sound entirely unique to his native Jacksonville. We had the chance to conduct the rising star’s first interview, …

For almost a year at this point, I have been completely enthralled with the music scene in Michigan. I don’t think it’s a stretch to say that the Detroit and Flint rap scenes have made the biggest waves in music over possibly the past half-decade or more, and not a day goes by that I don’t hear about some new spitter from the Midwestern hub. Obviously, Tee Grizzley, Sada Baby, and 42 Dugg have seemed to break out of the underground while continuing to receive nationwide support. Although I’m still a big fan of these artists, I think that the underground scene has even more to contribute to the world of music that the rest of the country is going to catch onto sooner or later. I know I’m a huge supporter of the movement coming out of the rising state, but Lil Yachty has also shown his admiration for the crusade coming out of the north, even constantly teasing an entire collaborative project entitled Michigan Boy Boat. While there’s no sort of timeframe of when this is supposed to be released, he has gifted us a few songs featuring some of the most promising underground legends from Michigan, and …

There’s an artist up in Vancouver who exudes opulence in everything from his luxurious name to his velvety-smooth delivery.  He goes by the name ILLYMINIACHI and has been covered on our pages several times due to the fact that he’s just different. On his latest single “THA GREAT”, ILLYMINIACHI bodies a drill beat like a soft-spoken Pop Smoke. The chaotic production provided by Muddy Troubles and NateGotSmoke allows ILLY to wild out like he hasn’t previously in a way we haven’t seen before. Since the explosion of UK Drill beats in NY, I have been waiting for ILLYMINIACHI to drop a track like this. He most certainly did not disappoint dropping a track like this, updating his style while remaining true to his sound. To accompany the single, ILLY dropped some energetic visuals to match the tempo of this banger amongst a dreary grey Vancouver background. ILLYMINIACHI is and always has been one of the leaders at the forefront of his city’s ever-evolving music scene. This is the third single off of his upcoming project CAMPAIGN due later this year! Stream “THA GREAT” on all platforms here and watch the video below!