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By Jamal K • 9/1/2026
When Kiro's Stigma first appeared on Cry808 with his two-track EP “VEIL.”, his music felt like pages pulled directly from a private journal. The production was dreamy, nostalgic, and emotionally heavy...

By Jamal K • 8/20/2026
Sickofsluts has officially dropped his new project TFGØ: THE FUN GØES ØN, a 15-track release that wears its Young Thug inspiration proudly while bringing a growing circle of underground artists into t...

By Jamal K • 7/31/2026
Toronto has become one of hip-hop's most exciting breeding grounds for melodic talent, and Obang continues to prove why he's an artist worth watching. Born on June 9, 2001, the Toronto native has been...
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Jamal K · 9/4/2026
DBANDZ KC takes a familiar phrase and gives it a completely different meaning on “Hit The Road.” Opening with the recognizable “Hit The Road” sample before quickly switching into an energetic trap beat, the song wastes almost no time getting moving. DBANDZ KC comes in immediately, matching the fast pace of the production and turning the idea of “hitting the road” into something centered around ambition, motion, and chasing money outside of your comfort zone. The idea behind the track came from a real drive DBANDZ KC made to Chicago earlier in the year, which makes the song’s message feel even more connected to his own experience. Instead of using “Hit The Road” as a dismissal like the original, he flips it into encouragement to get outside, take chances, and go wherever the opportunities are. Interview The “Hit The Road” sample is instantly recognizable, but then the song flips straight into a trap beat. What made you want to take something so classic and completely change the energy around it? It just felt like it made sense for the message I was trying to convey. The beat starts upbeat and instant so I feel like the “Hit The Road” sample at the beginning gave the song some pace before we got into the fast life of hitting the road. You start rapping almost immediately after the beat drops, with barely any time for the listener to settle in. Was that aggressive entrance intentional, and what kind of feeling were you trying to create right from the jump? As I said in the last answer, it was definitely intentional. I had already started rapping and did the song before I added the sample, so the energy of the track was already lively from the jump. Sometimes you can’t let the beat breathe, it’s just go time. If the original “Hit The Road” is basically about telling somebody to leave, what does that phrase mean in your version? Is there an actual person, situation, or chapter of your life you’re leaving behind on this song? The original “Hit The Road” is relevant to a difference in a relationship of sorts and the lady tells the man to hit the road. In this version, my “Hit The Road” is encouragement for my audience to hit the road in search of making more money than you would at home. This song was derived from a drive I made to Chicago earlier in that year. Closing Thoughts With “Hit The Road,” DBANDZ KC manages to use a recognizable sample without letting it become the entire identity of the song. The sample sets the pace, but once the trap beat comes in, the record shifts into something much more direct and energetic. What makes the concept interesting is how DBANDZ KC completely flips the meaning behind the phrase. Instead of “hit the road” being about rejection or telling somebody to leave, it becomes a message about movement, ambition, and going wherever the money and opportunity might be. That urgency is felt throughout the track, especially with DBANDZ KC jumping into his verse almost immediately. There is no long buildup and no hesitation. Like he says himself, sometimes you cannot let the beat breathe. It is just go time.

Jamal K · 8/30/2026
!Luck is treating his self-titled debut like a starting point instead of a finished statement. At just nine tracks and roughly 18 minutes, !Luck is built to introduce listeners to where he is right now without dragging anything out. Songs like “She Goin’,” “Five Stars,” “Mag Dump,” “Money Fein,” “Block Her” and “I Gotta” move quickly, with most of the project staying around the two-minute mark. For !Luck, that shorter runtime was intentional. Working closely with his producer, he wanted the project to be something new listeners could realistically run through from beginning to end while still getting a clear picture of his sound. With appearances from Sexspecs on “What You See” and 2x AEB on “Call Her,” the project also keeps its features close to home, bringing in artists who have already played a role in helping him develop creatively. Interview You decided to make this project self-titled, !Luck. What made this feel like the album that should carry your name? Do you feel like these 9 songs are the best introduction to who you are as an artist right now? This is my first project, and it felt right to be self-titled as it is the best introduction to the long journey ahead of me. Something for people to look back on as the true beginning. It is a great introduction to me as an artist currently, but as I evolve it is a good point of reference for the change that is to come. The album is only around 18 minutes long and most of the songs sit right around the 2-minute mark. Was keeping everything short and straight to the point intentional, or is that just naturally how you like making music? My producer and I worked together to make an album that new listeners would realistically sit through and enjoy. Keeping everything short and sweet promotes engagement and keeps listeners listening, which is the end goal. Longer projects will be coming, but for now the goal is to make all of my work fun and easy to digest. What song on !Luck do you personally think represents your sound the best? And which song do you think might surprise people who already know your music? The intro, "She Goin'," was the most unique song on the project and surprised many people who had heard my music before. It's something new from me and introduced a very unique sound into my catalogue. On the other hand, "Five Stars" represents my sound the best and really captures the feelings and emotions behind every track. You only have a few features on here, with Sexspecs appearing on “What You See” and 2x AEB on “Call Her.” How did you choose who you wanted on the album, and what made those specific songs right for features? Both Sexspecs and 2x are my friends, and we all make music together. They've both helped me out tremendously with honing my sound, and it just felt right to have them on the project. I knew they'd deliver, and they did. Now that !Luck is officially out, what do you want somebody who’s never heard of !Luck before to understand about you after listening to all 9 tracks? I just want people to know that I want it. I used to just make music because it was fun but now I’ve grown to love it and I can’t take any steps back. For a first project, !Luck is less about trying to prove everything at once and more about establishing a foundation. !Luck already sees the album as something listeners will eventually be able to revisit and compare against whatever comes next. That makes the self-titled name fit even more — this is the introduction, and if his final answer says anything about where his head is at, he plans on making sure it is only the beginning.

Jamal K · 8/23/2026
Superkick is back on Cry808 with a new single, “everybody should be nice to me,” following his previous appearance where we spoke about “skin2skin” and his approach to producing house music. This time around, he takes things in a more minimal direction, letting the track develop naturally across its 4 minute and 48 second runtime. One of the first things that stood out about the song was how much it felt like something that could exist inside of a video game. The production has this strange digital quality where it feels like you're moving through some kind of game world while listening. Funny enough, that wasn't intentional at all. For Superkick, the best tracks aren't necessarily built around a specific atmosphere, but they should be able to take the listener somewhere. The song itself came during a rough couple of weeks for Superkick, with the title starting as a joke more than anything serious. “everybody should be nice to me” also continues his love for song titles that feel like they're directly speaking to whoever is listening. Musically, though, the track might be a bigger indication of where he's headed next, especially with a new EP already being worked on. Interview You’re back with a new single, “everybody should be nice to me.” What’s the story behind that title? Was there a specific situation or feeling that made you call it that? Ummmmm yea sorta i was having a rough ass couple weeks so i made it as a joke. I've always liked the song titles that feel like the artist is talking to the listener or long ass song names like that. Like Squarepusher's "i wish u could talk" or Bogdan Raczynski's "thinking of u thinking of me" or "all i want is to be bby your side but you dont care." The song has this really video game-like atmosphere to it, almost like I could hear it playing during a level or in the background of some game world. Was that something you were intentionally going for when you made it? Nah i dont rlly make tracks with atmospheres in mind like that, but i know its good if u can listen to it and it takes u somewhere. lol ts reminded me of when i started making beats and people would say it sounded like a video game. With 4 min and 48 seconds, this one has a lot more room to develop and change as it goes. When you were producing it, did you already know you wanted a longer track, or did it naturally keep growing while you worked on it? It just grew like that i always make long ass songs for no reason but it gives room to experiment and stuff. Last time we talked, you mentioned how you like exploring different sides of house music instead of sticking to one specific sound. Where does “everybody should be nice to me” fit into that? Do you feel like this is another new direction for you? It's definitely a lot more minimal than what i usually make, so i think it's a new direction for me, but i plan on taking it further so i can get as weird as possible. Since “skin2skin,” what do you think has changed the most about you as a producer? And does “everybody should be nice to me” give us any idea of what your next releases are gonna sound like? I dont think much has changed honestly i got a little better and im a little less focused cause of my job and life but we'll progress nonetheless. I think it gives an idea i got an ep coming out soon with sounds like that i just have to clean it all up and find a cover and then figure out song names. Song names r always the hardest part for me lowk. What's Next for Superkick While Superkick doesn't feel like he's drastically changed as a producer since “skin2skin,” there are still signs of progression throughout “everybody should be nice to me.” The more minimal production gives him additional space to experiment, and that's something he already plans on pushing even further. Balancing music with work and everything else going on in life might mean progress happens a little slower, but it hasn't stopped him from creating. More importantly, this single isn't just a standalone experiment. Superkick already has an EP coming together that will explore similar sounds once he finishes cleaning everything up. If “everybody should be nice to me” is an early indication of that project, Superkick seems to be moving toward an even stranger and less predictable version of his sound. The music is getting weird on purpose. Now he just needs the cover art and, apparently the hardest part, some song names.

Jamal K · 8/13/2026
Big K.40 delivers an emotional but uplifting record with “BE HAPPY,” a track from his album INNER THOUGHTS: CHAPTER XXII. Built around a simple message that hits harder the more you listen, the song is about finding a way to be happy even when you have a lot of shit going on in your life. Instead of overcomplicating the idea, Big K.40 lets the emotion in his voice and the catchiness of the hook carry the message. The hook is easily one of the strongest parts of “BE HAPPY.” The phrase becomes more than just something catchy to repeat. It feels like a reminder to keep your head up even when everything around you might give you a reason not to. There is something relatable about how straightforward the message is, especially for anyone dealing with their own problems behind the scenes. Vocally, Big K.40 shows a lot of versatility throughout the track. He flows naturally over the beat while switching between different pitches and melodic pockets, giving the song more personality than a standard rap performance. There are moments where he pushes his voice higher and hits melodic notes without losing the rhythm of his delivery. Those switches keep the record moving and make the hook hit even harder when it comes back around. The production gives his vocals plenty of room to shine as well. The mixing is especially clean, with Big K.40's voice sitting comfortably over the instrumental rather than fighting against it. That polish matters on a melodic record like this, where the emotion and different vocal tones are a big part of what makes the song work. As part of INNER THOUGHTS: CHAPTER XXII, “BE HAPPY” shows Big K.40 turning what could be a heavy subject into something positive and replayable. It's catchy enough to stick in your head, but there is still a genuine message underneath it. Life can have a lot going wrong at once, and Big K.40 finds a way to put that feeling into words while reminding listeners that sometimes you still have to find your own reason to be happy.

Jamal K and KD · 8/5/2026
There are artists who wait for attention, and then there are artists who refuse to let themselves be ignored. Nashville's Nervacious falls into that second category. Every release, every upload, and every new song feels like another step in a much larger mission. He's the kind of underground artist who keeps creating regardless of who's watching, driven by a mindset that's becoming harder to find in today's music scene. One track that captures that mentality is "All Black Paint." The production leans into dark, trap-inspired textures with an emo edge, creating an atmosphere that feels heavy without overwhelming the vocals. What immediately stands out is Nervacious' flow. Rather than fighting the beat, he glides across it with confidence, delivering each line naturally while keeping the energy consistent from beginning to end. It's the type of performance that doesn't rely on gimmicks. The focus stays on the delivery, cadence, and the feeling behind every verse. Trying to place Nervacious into a single subgenre isn't easy. His music pulls from underground hip-hop, trap, and emo rap, but it doesn't fully commit to the rage sound that many newer artists chase. Instead, there's a relentless quality to his music. Every verse sounds like someone trying to prove they belong, and every release feels like another attempt to push his name further into the conversation. That determination becomes part of his identity as an artist just as much as the music itself. What separates Nervacious from many independent artists isn't just his sound, but his work ethic. In a scene where consistency is everything, he continues to put in the work, building his catalog and staying active instead of waiting for a lucky break. You get the sense that he's approaching music with a long-term mindset, understanding that momentum is earned one release at a time. That hunger comes through naturally in both his music and his overall approach. The underground has always been built on artists who outwork everyone else, and Nervacious embodies that mentality. Whether you're drawn in by the dark production, the smooth flows, or simply the determination behind the music, he's an artist worth keeping an eye on. If he continues creating with the same relentless drive that's fueled him so far, don't be surprised if more people start recognizing the name Nervacious in the near future.

Jamal K · 7/29/2026
The underground trap metal scene continues to evolve, and VAND3X is adding another explosive release to the conversation with his latest single, "3 PEICE," featuring KiD KAMi. Released on July 25, 2026, the track packs a relentless burst of energy into just 1 minute and 23 seconds, embracing raw emotion over polish and delivering exactly the kind of chaotic intensity fans of the genre have come to expect. The song wastes no time making an impact. A distorted instrumental crashes in before VAND3X launches into an aggressive scream-rap performance filled with adrenaline and hostility. Rather than focusing on intricate storytelling, the opening verse prioritizes atmosphere and momentum, using forceful vocal delivery to match the hard-hitting production. Lyrically, VAND3X leans into themes of defiance, confidence, and survival. Bars about staying armed, ignoring enemies, and overcoming obstacles contribute to the track's confrontational mood, while the relentless pacing keeps the energy from ever slowing down. KiD KAMi takes over for the second half with a more traditional rap cadence while maintaining the song's aggressive edge. His verse references everything from Call of Duty to keeping score year-round, delivering punchlines centered around loyalty, retaliation, and street mentality. The contrast between VAND3X's screamed vocals and KiD KAMi's clearer delivery gives "3 PEICE" enough variation to keep the short runtime engaging without losing its intensity. The production blends booming 808s, distorted textures, and a dark trap foundation, pulling influence from the modern trap metal and rage scenes. Fans of Scarlxrd, Ghostemane, City Morgue, Jasiah, and Nascar Aloe will likely recognize the sonic direction immediately, with its combination of metal-inspired aggression and trap percussion designed for high-energy playlists and mosh pit environments. Beyond the music itself, VAND3X says his creative process is driven by emotion rather than formulas. "My music is mainly focused about vibe, how I'm feeling on a certain day or how the instrumental flows. I've been doing music for almost four years now and I love music itself. I feel like sharing my art with others can help them express their inner feelings." That mindset is reflected throughout "3 PEICE." Instead of chasing mainstream accessibility, the track embraces the raw, unfiltered aesthetic that has become a defining characteristic of the underground rage and trap metal movement. For listeners looking for a quick shot of adrenaline with distorted production, aggressive performances, and uncompromising energy, "3 PEICE" delivers exactly what its audience is searching for. Follow VAND3X Instagram: @official.vandex.music
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By Jamal K • 8/29/2026
Seattle artist Ferny G doesn’t waste much time setting the tone on “IDOL CANDY.” Before the verse even begins, he comes in with “Let me tell you something real quick motherfucker,” making it sound like whatever comes next is being directed at somebody specific. From there, though, Ferny starts by talking more about himself, where he currently stands as an artist and where he wants to take things. “Tryna kill time while learning how to rhyme. A lot of people told me I need to work on my supply. I just started out, now I'm aiming for the clout. Tryna show what I'm about. I'm just a simple kid with a head full of dreams.” It’s an interesting way to begin a song that eventually becomes as wild and confident as “IDOL CANDY.” Ferny openly acknowledges that he's still early in his journey and still improving his craft. He isn't pretending that he's already reached the top. Instead, those first lines sound like somebody who knows where he's starting but already has a much bigger picture in his head. Once the track gets moving, that more reflective introduction quickly gives way to the personality of the record. The beat is fast-paced and bouncy, and Ferny starts treating it less like a serious statement and more like an opportunity to have fun. He invites people into his world with lines about drinking, smoking, linking up and keeping the night between whoever is there. The song gets even more playful when Ferny introduces Patty and Daphne, using the two women as characters in one of the track's most explicit sections. The writing isn't trying to hide what the song is about at that point. It leans completely into sex, partying and exaggerated rap confidence, with the “candy” reference eventually tying directly back into the song's title. That carefree energy eventually leads into one of the most memorable parts of the record, where Ferny repeatedly yells “LOOK BITCH, I'M AN IDOL.” He doesn't just say it once and move along. He keeps bringing it back until the phrase starts functioning more like a chant than a traditional lyric. Against such a quick and energetic beat, the repetition makes sense. It's simple enough to remember immediately and aggressive enough to become the moment people could yell along with. Ferny follows it with another repeated section built entirely around his confidence: “You cant fuck with me, I swear on the bible. You cant fuck with me, you'll be my rival. You cant fuck with me, sit at the table. You cant fuck with me, just be grateful.” Repeating the entire sequence only makes the attitude more obvious. By this point, the “simple kid with a head full of dreams” from the beginning of the song has basically transformed into the self-proclaimed idol of the record. Whether he's talking about women, partying or people who can't compete with him, Ferny performs the later sections like someone temporarily stepping completely into the version of himself he wants to become. That unpredictability also fits Ferny G outside of this particular track. The Seattle artist works across indie folk, alternative pop and rap rather than committing himself to a single genre. He's independently managing his career and describes his larger goal as creating a community where people who feel like they have nobody can come together, explore different sides of themselves and feel comfortable being authentic. “IDOL CANDY” definitely represents one of the more reckless sides of that freedom. It's loud, horny, cocky and intentionally repetitive, but underneath all of that is still an artist telling listeners that he's just getting started. Ferny G may introduce himself as a kid with a head full of dreams, but for the next few minutes, he's perfectly comfortable calling himself an idol.

By Jamal K • 8/29/2026
A Viral Breakthrough Rooted in Family Emme Rain’s latest single, “Red Zone,” has quickly become one of her biggest releases yet, surpassing 1 million YouTube views in just 28 hours. Beyond the numbers, the response surrounding the track has been just as noticeable. Listeners have been asking for an EP, looking for more content and showing strong interest in the direction Rain is taking with the record. That early reaction has helped “Red Zone” feel less like a standalone release and more like the introduction to a new chapter in her sound. Mother and Son in Sync “Red Zone” also carries a personal connection behind the scenes. The track was produced by Rain’s son, Montario Hampton, turning the song into a family collaboration built around two different creative perspectives. Hampton brought a fresh approach to the production while Rain contributed the instincts and experience she has developed through creating music. Together, they landed on a darker, hypnotic and hard-hitting sound that gives “Red Zone” its own identity. “There’s a unique magic in making music with your child,” Rain says. “He hears things I might overlook, and I contribute elements that come from my journey in music. Together, we found a vibe that’s all our own.” That chemistry can be heard throughout the track. Rather than feeling overly polished or designed around an existing trend, “Red Zone” has the energy of two artists experimenting until they found something that worked naturally. What Makes “Red Zone” Stand Out? “Red Zone” wastes little time establishing its energy. The production is immediate, punchy and dark, creating an atmosphere where Rain can deliver with confidence while still giving the record a sense of unpredictability. There is also a clear sports-inspired quality to the song. Its rhythm and intensity make it easy to imagine playing during football game nights, team entrances, highlight reels or short-form edits across social media. The track carries the feeling of an anthem made for a team preparing to step into a high-pressure moment. At the same time, “Red Zone” is not limited to that setting. The darker atmosphere gives the song its own personality and creates a space where listeners can tap into the record’s confidence and intensity however they choose. That combination of strong visual potential, an infectious rhythm and a recognizable sonic identity has helped the track connect quickly online. Creating Her Own Lane For Rain, the response to “Red Zone” also reinforces the value of developing a sound without constantly chasing what is already working for other artists. “I don’t worry about sounding like everyone else anymore,” she says. “I’m far more interested in exploring what’s possible when we focus on what makes us unique.” That mindset comes through clearly on “Red Zone.” Instead of following a familiar formula, Rain and Hampton have created something centered around their own chemistry and instincts. With more than 1 million views arriving within the first 28 hours, the early response suggests listeners are connecting with that direction. More importantly, the demand for additional music shows that “Red Zone” may be doing more than generating a viral moment. It could be laying the foundation for a sound audiences want to hear more of.

By Jamal K • 8/20/2026
With only a few hundred followers and just recently beginning to seriously promote his music, whiteboywaste is still at the very beginning of figuring out exactly where he fits in the underground. But instead of forcing himself into one sound or scene, he's letting that identity develop naturally. His music jumps between different styles and production choices, partly because he doesn't have a dedicated producer behind him. Most of the beats he uses are found through YouTube, giving him the freedom to experiment with whatever catches his ear instead of building every song around the same formula. Right now, that variety is a big part of what makes discovering his catalog interesting. Music didn't start as some serious career plan for whiteboywaste either. His introduction to actually recording came from hearing meme rap in middle school and realizing he could make something himself. That eventually led him to BandLab, where messing around with music slowly turned into something he wanted to take seriously. Years later, he's now beginning to put himself out there as an artist and figure out where he wants to take it. Interview If you had to put your music into a genre or subgenre, what would you call it? Do you feel like you fit into a specific scene right now or are you kinda doing your own thing? I feel like I'm doing my own thing. I don't have a producer so I just find beats on YouTube. There's definitely a lot of variety in my beats and I don't just stick to one scene because honestly I'm still trying to find my niche. Out of everything you've dropped so far, what are your favorite songs you've made? Not necessarily your biggest songs, but the ones you personally think represent you the best? I'm always improving as an artist so my favorite songs always change, but right now I'd say "33," "feng shui," "custody," "stand up," and "wreck my world." What made you start making music in the first place? Was there a specific artist, song, or moment that made you wanna actually start recording? In 7th or 8th grade I heard "erectile dysfunction" by Lil Float or a meme rap song like that and it was just so funny to me, so I looked for ways to start recording music and I found BandLab. For the first couple years it was strictly just messing around until sophomore year when I started seriously trying to make real songs. Ever since then I've been increasingly more serious about the music I make, but I definitely still mess around here and there. Where do you wanna take this long term? Are you trying to make music your full career, build a cult underground fanbase, eventually go mainstream, or just see where everything takes you? I'd like to build a cult underground fanbase. I want to be unsigned so I can have full artistic freedom and I just have some negative feelings towards record labels. They just have sort of an evil corporate energy to me and I want no part in it. I'd rather have a team that doesn't tell me what to make but gives me feedback as well. I haven't gone far at all, I just started promoting my music on Instagram so I'm very new to putting myself out there. What's Next for whiteboywaste There's something refreshing about an artist being willing to admit that they haven't completely figured everything out yet. whiteboywaste isn't trying to sell himself as the finished product. He's experimenting with beats, figuring out what fits him, improving from song to song and only recently started making an effort to get his music in front of people. What he does seem to already understand is the kind of career he wants. Rather than chasing a label or immediately trying to turn his music into something commercially safe, he wants a smaller but dedicated underground following and the freedom to create without somebody above him deciding what his music should sound like. For an artist this early into putting himself out there, there's plenty of room for that sound and audience to grow together. The next step is simply getting more people to hear what he's been making.

By Jamal K • 8/20/2026
YPC Breezy is back on Cry808 with another release, returning with his new single “Loot,” produced by birdbusinness. Breezy first appeared on Cry808 back on December 8, 2025, and his latest release gives us another look at the experimental direction he has continued to build around his sound. Blending elements of Plugg, Trap and Experimental rap, “Loot” stands out almost immediately because of how much personality is packed into the production. Even the cover art plays directly into the song's title. “Loot” is presented as a Fortnite PS5 game case, a simple but creative concept considering how important collecting loot is to the game. It gives the release that playful internet-era aesthetic that fits naturally with the music Breezy is making. The beat from birdbusinness is easily one of the strongest parts of the track. It's bouncy, weird in the right ways and constantly moving, with a sound that feels much more creative than a standard trap instrumental. There are little details throughout the production that keep it from ever feeling flat, while still leaving enough room for Breezy to take control of it. And that's exactly what he does. YPC Breezy flows right over the production, matching its bounce instead of fighting against it. His delivery feels loose and natural, almost like he's playing around with the beat as it changes underneath him. That chemistry between artist and producer is what really makes “Loot” work. There's also a clear Plugg influence running through the record, but “Loot” doesn't sit comfortably inside one box. The Trap elements give it some weight while the more Experimental side of the production pushes it into its own space. It's the kind of track where the beat itself becomes just as much a part of the identity as the vocals. Coming back to Breezy's music months after his first Cry808 appearance, “Loot” feels like another glimpse into an artist who isn't afraid to make something a little strange, colorful and different. With birdbusinness behind the production and YPC Breezy comfortably surfing across it, “Loot” is a creative, bouncy return from an artist we're happy to have back on Cry808.

By Jamal K • 8/20/2026
Toronto artist Swaine doesn't need much time to make his presence felt on "Hacks." Clocking in at only one minute and 36 seconds, the track is short, bouncy and ridiculously easy to run back once it's over. The melodies are probably the first thing that really catches your ear. Swaine moves across the production with a melodic delivery that gives the record plenty of personality, switching his vocals around while still keeping everything smooth. There's an effortless bounce to the way his voice sits over the beat, and the engineering makes every layer sound clean without taking away from the energy of the performance. For such a short track, "Hacks" never feels like it's missing anything. If anything, the 1:36 runtime works in its favor. Swaine gets in, establishes the sound immediately and gets out before the record has any chance of becoming repetitive. By the time it ends, the natural reaction is to just play it again. That confidence comes from an artist who has been working at his craft for over a decade. Based out of Toronto, Canada, Swaine works between rap and R&B, pulling inspiration from artists like Drake, Jack Harlow, Freddie Gibbs, Biggie and The Weeknd. It's a wide range of influences, but his connection to Toronto's darker sound is especially important to the music he wants to create. "Hacks" shows that darker Toronto influence doesn't always have to mean slow or moody either. There's still an atmospheric quality to the record, but Swaine gives it movement. The production bounces, his melodies keep changing shape and the polished mix lets those ideas hit exactly how they're supposed to. After more than ten years of making music, Swaine says he's hungry to take things to another level and get more eyes on what he's creating. "Hacks" makes a strong case for giving him those eyes, or more importantly, those ears. It's only 96 seconds, but there's enough melody, bounce and replay value here to make those 96 seconds count.

By Jamal K • 8/20/2026
Every once in a while, digging through underground submissions leads to a song that makes its lack of attention genuinely confusing. JACK 0's "Not Meant To Be" is one of those records. Released back in December, the track has seemingly gone almost completely unnoticed. JACK 0 currently has around 50 YouTube subscribers, while "Not Meant To Be" was sitting at just four views when it reached us. Those numbers make it easy for a record to disappear into the endless amount of music uploaded every day, but after hearing this one, four views simply does not tell the story. The first thing that grabbed our attention was the production. The intro has an unusual sound that immediately creates curiosity and makes you want to hear where the beat is going. Even before JACK 0 enters, there is something distinctive about the instrumental that separates it from the typical production you hear while going through underground submissions. The cover art almost sets you up for a completely different record. With its open blue sky, trees and simple "Not Meant To Be" lettering, we expected something closer to laid-back lo-fi rap with a repetitive, relaxed vocal approach. Instead, JACK 0 comes in with melody. That entrance completely changes the direction of the song. His vocals are processed extremely well, with presets that complement his voice rather than burying it underneath effects. There is a noticeable emotion behind his delivery, and the melodic approach gives the record a much more personal feeling than we initially expected. More importantly, it does not sound like an artist with four views. There is already an understanding of atmosphere here. The production, vocal effects, melodies and emotion all work together to create a record that feels far more developed than JACK 0's current audience would suggest. For an artist this deep in the underground, that makes "Not Meant To Be" an exciting find. Discovering artists before the numbers arrive is one of the best parts of covering underground music. Sometimes a song does not need to be reinvented or backed by thousands of listeners. It simply needs to reach the right people. We added "Not Meant To Be" to our playlist because we believe it deserves that opportunity. JACK 0 may only have a small audience right now, but "Not Meant To Be" gives listeners a reason to start paying attention.
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