The Weekly Dip 12/22/23
Just a few days until Christmas, then the new year is here. 2024 is around the corner, and we know artists are gunning to start the year off right with new releases. We are ready for it, but until then, we have some new releases to share that touchdown in the fourth quarter, and it is recommended to be added to your playlist for daily consumption.
Deb Fan feat jev - 9AM In London (Single)
Earlier in the week, I came across a visual previewing a release from Los Angeles-based songstress Deb Fan titled “9AM In London,” where the sneak peek showed Deb in a bit of an inebriated state, going over an emotional heartbreak, dressed in designer garments where she roams around the room contemplating what could’ve been to what it is now. At the same time, she picks up the phone to discuss the matter with her ex while she’s in an angered state. She dwells on the past with a previous love interest that broke her heart, them wanting to see her at her lowest without her giving them the satisfaction they seek. The record brings along a canorous melody by Deb’s vocals, with pain and hurt feeding through her resonant tone. The single features a verse from jev, who sounds like the mystery love interest, giving his side of the argument, nonchalantly blaming her for the conversation to end on a two-worded swear where they both share the same sentiment towards each other. The ballad made me an instant fan of her music heading into 2024; I hope to see a follow-up single from Deb in the near future, especially since she will be close on our radar.
El Cousteau - Alrite Alrite (Video)
Looking through social media for new music, I came across our blog brethren, Daily Chiefers, on Twitter, which had posted about DC native El Cousteau with his latest visual titled “Alrite Alrite” in the tweet. The preview got me hyped with El Cousteau’s lyrical bravado branching over the suave production, including his creative direction for the visual showcased his poignant artistry, which is a sure way to be noticed on this end. Spitting pain prominently, El Cousteau raps deeply when describing his bleak outlook on the way he sees life, touching on the subjects of his struggles, his wins, and the company he keeps. I saw the single was initially released off his album, “Dirty Harry,” dropped back in April, which gives me content to check out from him. I’m already keeping him close on our radar for the new year, and we advise yall to do the same.
Naalah - Different Dimensions (Single)
Following the success of her “Oil & Water” EP, Naalah decided to show a preview of her upcoming sound for the new year in her last single titled “Different Dimensions,” which has channeled an otherworldly energy to explain her current situation in life. Doubters will have their opinions, but it no longer clouds her vibe; her positivity brightens with her presence, kicking back and relaxing, plotting on the next move. Naalah, with the spell-binding rhymes to ease her spirits, focuses on a new plato, whether it be vices she consumes or the love interests in her life. While y'all finally reached near her level, y'all are going to have to continue to try harder because she’s jumping into a new element with tranquility and prosperity.
Kenneth Durant feat Williedoit - Lit Christmas (Single)
As we get closer to Christmas Day, Kenneth Durant added a little festive feeling with a new record titled “Lit Christmas” featuring Williedoit. The two emcees get lyrical & joyous, surrounding the season with holiday cheer by rapping like a pair of Santa elves on Christmas Eve and creating a bop for the holiday ambiance to enjoy around presents with family and friends. Starting the record by using the famous reindeer's name in a rap scheme is impressive, as Kenneth Durant does it with ease and vigor to go down the list of what to have during the festive season to ensure you don’t end up with coal in your stockings. Christmas innuendos and a catchy chorus, and you have a track to add to your playlist during the evening activities & games or even to start the party, putting everyone in the holiday cheer.
Mibbs feat BeYoung - Amaru’s Call (Single)
Mibbs stated that once he got going, there wasn’t anything stopping him, and he’s continuing to stand on business with his latest release titled “Amaru’s Call,” which got him linking back with his Pac Div brethrens with BeYoung featured on the track & Like providing some VHS footage for the Donavan Johnson-directed visual. Mibbs is on 100 with this single, dishing out that wavy bravado over Hussle House-production by adding his known suaveness to the mix with BeYoung running rabid with the wordplays, soaring off in the west coast skies feeling better than the weather. It feels good to see the trio back on a drop, even though it’s not all three rapping. I’m good with what we can get, and this is already putting more anticipation to see that Mibbs tape finally surface. I’m calling it now; before SXSW, an announcement will be made with a date & a possible tracklist to have us more hype. It could be the fan in me geeking, but I’m hoping I’m on the money with the timeframe.
K Shiday - No Music (Single)
With her second single of the year, K Shiday created an infectious bop titled “No Music” that got the “Freaky” artist running up the flow for a scorcher in the winter. Paraded with her people in a black & white visual, she got the attendees dancing while she gets to rapping her ass off, in a momentum fuel record that will keep you dancing when it plays. Topping off the best features about her, K Shiday is crazy, sexy, spicy, tasty, riding on a wave she can’t be stopped. She’s piling on the bars while the chorus will get you singing for the positive and empowered energy she brings to the track, with the visual showcasing so much more of her lively personality in the cut. K Shiday has been living life to the fullest from the moments we see on her social media, and we wish her more happiness & success as we enter the new year to see what more is in store for her.
Damian Milo, lilbootycall & SLOWXDANCE - Comeover (Single)
A contagious single that flew under the radar happens to be one of my favorite releases for the month; Damian Milo, Lilbootycall, & SLOWXDANCE linked together for “Comeover,” where the three crooners get to swooning over in suave and cunning wordplay to let them know the apple of their eye is the one they want to be with for the night. Giving you the world and more; they confess their love for your presence and the small details about you that get them through the day. Directed by Cranch, who paves the stunning factor of the release by having all three artists showcase their sly personalities in such a prominent performance. I enjoy the essence of the track and the energy they bring out; no doubt this will have you grooving with joy when it gets to playing.
Izzy93 feat Lil A, Lil M3D & Chris Tonez - Activate (Video)
Continue to keep their word while Izzy93 is locked down, his team keeps on running up the views on his fourth visual release, with his most recent drop titled “Activate” featuring Lil A, Lil M3D & Chris Tonez that got the four rappers locked in with Retro Moy behind the lens. Coordinating their flows to pick up right after each other brings a versatile range to the release where Izzy93 floods the track with a lyrical spark that ignites heavy with the chorus he brings along, Lil M3D layers his combative wordplays that spill purple drips on the record. With Lil A adding a vigorous stance in rhyme scheme & Chris Tonez adding his signature somnolent vocals on wax, taking off like a jet in cruise control. Individually, they are monster when they get to spitting, but combined they become unstoppable. Even behind bars, Izzy93 is outdoing your favorite rapper; it’s still free him until it’s backward. Keep coming with the support, especially during these times when he needs it the most.