#26 - Dru Bex x Kay Sade, DJ Mykael V, 1K Phew, & More...
NRT's CHH contributor Joshua Galla collects what's new in Christian Hip-Hop and Urban Soul for the week of Friday, October 30, 2020 (Photo: Dru Bex x Kay Sade)
Each week, dozens of singles and a handful of projects are released in the Christian Hip-Hop (CHH) and Urban Soul spaces. Below, we listen to a few highlights and list the rest for your own discovery. As always, follow our New Christian Rap & Hip Hop playlist on Spotify to listen to all the latest.
UFO TOFO by Dru Bex & Kay Sade Canadian Dru Bex joins Jersey's Kay Sade for a project unlike most spinning on the airwaves today. These two prominent independent artists bless listeners with something unique, thought-provoking, and display a multitude of verbal skills throughout. Many fans were unaware of Sade's vocalist abilities which take center stage on this album. Not only does she enter beast mode when spitting 16's, but she can also crone out soulful melodies with the best of them. Bex also surprises his fan base with a few brief instances of soulful surprises.
Highlighted tracks include "Radar," "Pull Up," and "Top Spot." As Sade was quoted on social media today, "I'ma need our listeners to really sit with this album. It's not a quick bite." Even as I give it my once through for this mini-review, I realize each track is smothered in gems and content. Definitely look forward to sitting with each track for an extended time, as should you. It's definitely one of my favorites from 2020 to date.
DJ Mykael V feat. nobigdyl. & Starringo - "Lay Low"
Does DJ Mykael V ever miss? Regardless of which release from 2020 we focus on, Mykael V releases one banger after another. "Lay Low" is no exception. He teamed up with two elite emcees in Dyllie and Ringo. After a few listens, nobigdyl. may have dropped his feature of the year! The wordplay, content, and delivery are top-notch! Starringo is fresh off a collab EP with Aha Gazelle and rarely disappoints. As always, Mykael V's production slaps! Mid-tempo and it just rides something slick. This time around he just allows the featured artists to shine as his intro is lowkey and subtle.
1K Phew - "Already / Gas You Up"
Reach Records' 1K Phew returns with Phewtober and two new singles to bless his fan base. "Already" received the visual treatment (see below) and retains Phew's classic trap vibes from the south. It's a track you can just through on and chill while out on a Friday night. "Gas You Up" turns up the heat while winter-like weather approaches. Phew showcases his lyrical talents with smooth rhyme schemes and delivery. It's sometimes easy to miss some intricate bars from Phew while noddin' your head to party-like vibes.
