The 42 Dugg Interview: The Quarantine, Detroit Rap Legends, and Being an XXL Freshman Nominee

“I feel like everything I do is from the heart, I don’t do no clout chasin’,  none of that fake shit. You gon’ get the real with me every time, you know what I’m sayin’?”

By Courtney Fields

Dion Hayes, popularly known as 42 Dugg was essentially “born in conflict.” Being from the Eastside of Detroit, one of the city’s roughest areas, Dugg landed himself into some legal trouble. 

At age 15 he was arrested for carjacking and felony firearms possession, this arrest earned Dugg 4 years in prison but he ended up doing 6 after his sentence was extended for a physical altercation with another inmate.

The rapper was placed into solitary confinement after the altercation, which ended up being the start of his rap career. Writing raps while in solitary confinement is what honed Dugg’s rap skills. In the one hour per day allotted for Dugg to leave confinement, he rapped to his fellow inmates and seemingly gained his first fans. 

Although in Dugg’s eyes, the raps weren’t very good. In an interview on the Stewe Show, Dugg admitted that initially when he “had got to writing music, but it was a bunch of bullshit.” In 2018, Dugg began to acknowledge rap as more of a serious career path. In 2018 at the studio with fellow Detroit rapper 42 Twin, 42 Dugg wrote his first breakout single, “Mama I’m Sorry”. 

The song is an ode to his mother, who was disappointed to find out his jail sentence had been extended for 2 more years. The rapper went on to release more popular singles like: “The Streets” featuring Babyface Ray and “Stfu” featuring Peezy, EWM Kdoe, Bagboy Mel, Cash Kidd, and EWM Buck. 

 “11241 Wayburn” and “11241 Wayburn Pt. 2” were two projects that led to Dugg becoming a roster member of both Yo Gotti’s CMG record label, as well as Lil Baby’s 4PF record company in 2019. The signing then prepared Dugg’s Young And Turnt mixtape release.

 The rapper earned a feature on “Grace” , the fourth track on Lil Baby’s album My Turn. The track was arguably the best track on the album and this feature caused a great buzz for Dugg’s budding name in the industry. 

Despite the fact that 42 Dugg has been rapping for some time now, Young And Turnt seems like a proper introduction to the rapper’s career. I recently got a chance to catch up with Detroit's next star to discuss how he's been handling the quarantine, his hometown of Detroit, and why fans should vote for him as an XXL Freshman. Our conversation, lightly edited for clarity, follows below:

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Courtney Fields, StereoVision (CF): What are you up to during quarantine? You still going out or staying in?

42 Dugg: Shit, chillin’ for real. I just moved out just trying to get everything straight with my new house. 

CF: I feel like right now Detroit having a sort of resurgence in the rap world. You all have a lot of good artists coming up right now... if you had to make a starting five of some Detroit rappers, who would that include? 

42 Dugg: Let’s see… Me, Peezy, Baby Face Ray, Cash Kidd, Big Sean, Dej Loaf, 42 Twin. Haha, I can’t just do five though, Eminem you know? I can’t just do five.

CF: You mention Big Sean, I hear him talk a lot about making sure he reaches out to other Detroit artists, do him or any other artists reach out?

42 Dugg: Big Sean reaches out, I fuck with him. Peezy, Dej Loaf, Cash Kidd too.

CF: You and Yo Gotti are very close, I know he’s a great businessman, do you see yourself following that blueprint maybe in a few years? Or are you already working towards being bigger than just rap?

42 Dugg: Man hell yeah! I’m really trying to follow his model right now. I want to do some different things outside of rap, anything really. I’m really just trying to stay focused with rap right now though, just staying in the studio.

CF: Detroit Rap has a very distinctive sound, all the rappers are very lyrical and don’t really follow any trends that are hot among most rappers. I see that in your music as well, do you think that’s a result of being from Detroit, or are you just a guy who’s always gonna be himself despite the circumstances?

42 Dugg: Shit, both… you know I’m from Detroit but it’s like, I’m still gonna be me regardless at the end of the day.

CF: Any guilty pleasures? Any specific brand or item you can’t stop buying?

42 Dugg: Ha, Amiri’s and white Air Force Ones lows, yeah, I’m obsessed with those two. Moncler, Off-White, I’m obsessed with all that, I gotta have all that. 

CF: Who are some rappers you wish to work with?

42 Dugg: I’ll work with anybody, anybody who fuck with me. I’m not really just trying to be picky you know, anyone who rock with my music. 

CF: When you signed with both Yo Gotti and Lil Baby, was it more a shocking feeling, or were you ready to get to work?

42 Dugg: Both, it doesn’t really shock me now cause they’re my guys now. It’s just like being around all the guys. 

CF: Lastly, I know you’re currently in the running to be an XXL Freshman… congrats by the way. Why should fans vote for you?

42 Dugg: Appreciate you... I think fans should vote for me cause I'm turnt... you know what I’m sayin’, I make good music. I feel like everything I do is from the heart, I don’t do no clout chasin’,  none of that fake shit. You gon’ get the real with me every time you know what I’m sayin’?

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Giveon Proves He’s R&B's Next Superstar on Debut Project, TAKE TIME

By Spencer Lobdell

It’s only the first week of April, and 2020 has already been an insane ride for music fans. From the release of some of the most highly anticipated projects in recent memory (Eternal Atake, A Written Testimony, etc.), to polished records from industry heavyweights (After Hours, The Slow Rush), 2020 has given us absolutely everything—well, that is almost everything. 2020 has yet to present us with an unknown voice who explodes onto the scene. A young artist who has a different way of doing things and sounds like none of their predecessors. A rare talent that has the ability to force an entire genre to pivot directions to follow this exciting new star. A future superstar who’s innate ability is indisputable and longevity undeniable. 2020 has yet to give us a true break out moment—that is until March 27th when R&B newcomer Giveon dropped his debut project, TAKE TIME.

Originally from Long Beach, Giveon fell in love with songwriting long before he ever thought about singing seriously. In an interview with DJ Booth, he explains how he used to start by writing short stories, then once complete, turn them into songs. Take one listen to the vivid imagery and introspective narrative in any Giveon song and it’s obvious that exercises like this paid off tenfold.

At the end of February, Giveon received his first major industry cosign. Making an appearance on Drake’s one-off freebie “Chicago Freestyle” was equi-part surprising and magical as the young vocalist delivered a chilling hook that brings the song together. The video alone generated 24 million views in one month—talk about a cosign.

Three weeks ago I had the pleasure of meeting the 25-year-old artist when he came into my office space to play the then unreleased TAKE TIME for a group of us. “I had known I could sing, I just didn’t like my voice,” he told us. “I listened to Frank Ocean and Miguel, I thought that that’s how people were supposed to sound, and if you didn’t sound like them, you probably sounded weird.” Giveon carried this misconception until he had an epiphany listening to a Frank Sinatre record. “It was the very first time I heard a baritone singer,” he told us. “That was when I realized there might be an audience for my voice.” This influence is what makes Giveon so unique. The way that he effortlessly combines classic melodies, his breath-taking baritone voice, timeless song writing, and modern R&B production allows Giveon to create an entire world in his music that somehow feels familiar while simultaneously sounding like no one you’ve ever heard before.

Prior to the meeting I had heard his angelic single “HEARTBREAK ANNIVERSARY” so while I was already ecstatic to meet the young creative, I was in no way prepared for what I was about to hear.

On March 27th Giveon released his debut project, TAKE TIME. The eight song EP runs for 25-minutes and contains no features.

The project starts with a recorded voicemail from the artist’s mother, “Giveon, I don’t know if it was fireworks or gunshots but the birds is in the air.” Referring to helicopters as birds, the single sentence perfectly captures the constant essence of danger that exists in his hometown and is a perfect intro for the first track “THE BEACH.” On the track, Giveon sings about how it feels to bring a girl he likes back to Long Beach for the first time (“See, your mom told you about this side/It can get ugly/I'm just a boy from the east side/Do you love me?”). While he is clearly hesitant to expose this girl to the dangers of LBC, she tells him she’s not scared and is ready for whatever may unfold. Sonically, the track is wavy, anchored by a groovy baseline and a beautiful rhythm guitar.

The second track “WORLD WE CREATED” is graceful cut that accurately depicts the bliss that comes at the beginning of a relationship when everything seems to be perfect (“I just wanna stay in the world we created/I just wanna sink in the plans that we makin'/When I leave I'm not lookin' for a replacement for what I got”). The horns section in the back of the mix really compliments Giveon’s voice and the chorus on this thing feels so damn good.

Giveon’s euphoric relationship begins to turn sour on my personal favorite, “FAVORITE MISTAKE.” Clearly not in the same headspace as he was on “WORLD WE CREATED,” Giveon is now entertaining a women on the side and loving the lustrous affair (“Is my secret safe?/Safe with just you and me/We can't leave a trace/This is my favorite mistake”). Giveon’s staccato melody on the hook is backed by heavenly background vocals and creates an addicting effect that’ll have you constantly coming back to this track. 

On the fifth track “THIS AIN’T LOVE” Giveon is clearly fed up with his “favorite mistake” although he’s still indulging the affair. He spoils her to get what he wants but is more frequently realizing that she is far inferior to his girl at home (“Know you ain't the same/in that Saint Laurent/Help you take it off/can't get too involved”). “THIS AIN’T LOVE '' is also the first time we are exposed to Giveon’s beautiful falsetto which he flexes on both verses.

The inevitable break-up happens somewhere between the end of track five and start of track six and “HEARTBREAK ANNIVERSARY” is the verbalization of the melancholy mood that plagues Giveon for months after (“Just like the day that I met you, the day I thought forever/Said that you love me, but that'll last for never/It's cold outside like when you walked out my life/Why you walk out my life?”). The slow and simple piano chords are one of few tracks in the wide open mix shining a bright spotlight on Giveon’s gorgeous vocals really showcasing his ability to carry an entire song on the strength of his voice alone.

The album’s first single, “LIKE I WANT YOU” appears next on the tracklist. Plenty of time has elapsed since the break-up and Giveon and his ex are now on speaking terms. More than anything he wants her to come back to him, but he hides these feelings because he fears she’s already moved on (“Sometimes I wish you knew/But I disguise the truth/I say I'm happy but I'm still stuck on us”). Giveon pours his soul into this slow jam and while the message is one of pain, it’s hard not to love this song.

The project concludes with “VANISH” a reflective track where Giveon relives the time leading up to the break-up. An outwardly distraught Giveon experiences first-hand that nothing stings like regret as he stews over things that were said in the final days of the relationship (“Sayin' things I don't mean/To someone that means the world to me/You see what I mean?”). The song ends with a heartbreaking voicemail from Giveon where he tells his now ex that he’s sorry, they are going to make it work, and that he loves her.

While only seven songs (eight if you count the 45 second interlude), Giveon’s debut project TAKE TIME is phenomenal and leaves you desperate for more. He seamlessly introduces himself and showcases the versatility of his voice while simultaneously taking us on a journey that was his last relationship. Giveon’s combination of genius songwriting, technical singing ability, and an eminently unique voice make him an extremely rare talent that truly is the whole package. Thank you Giveon for creating a world that listeners can escape to in a time where that’s exactly what people need.

favorite songs

THE BEACH

FAVORITE MISTAKE

HEARTBREAK ANNIVERSARY

Rating: 9

Listen to TAKE TIME here:

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The Sada Baby Interview: Detroit Rap, His Upcoming Debut Album, & Running His Own Basketball League

“A lot of us [in detroit] don’t like each other and we don’t have to like each other for our music to stand out as a whole. Everywhere else besides Chicago and Detroit likes to paint a picture that their whole city fucks with each other and that’s just not true, and here, we know it’s not true.”

By Spencer Lobdell

Photo By Sam Leviton

Listen to our favorite Sada Baby songs while you read this article with our complementary playlist available on Apple Music and Spotify:

Putting on for Detroit is a responsibility that 26-year-old rapper Sada Baby doesn't take lightly, wisely choosing to stay true to both his unfaltering individuality and the city that made him. 

Born Casada Sorrell, the Michigan native first discovered a penchant for experimenting with wordplay and switching up his flow by perfecting the art of freestyling; an aspect of his craft he now reserves for rare occasions. As a teenager growing up in the mid-2000s, Sada Baby gravitated towards the taste-making output from the Cash Money roster, as well as other acts dominating the burgeoning Atlanta scene, such as Lil Jon, the Yin-Yang Twins, Pastor Troy and Gucci Mane, among others. From expanding his palate to include iconic West Coast influences such as E-40 to taking notes from the versatile, unorthodox ways of expressive artists such as Future and Kodak Black, Sada Baby was quick to realize his strength lies in his authentic eccentricities and aptitude for fearless risk-tasking. 

In 2016, he began cutting his teeth as a featured artist with his first noteworthy collaboration—a guest appearance on Danny Mellz's "Megaman X"—laying the groundwork for what would swiftly evolve into an expansive resume. The following year, he hit the pavement hard, dropping an onslaught of loose singles and working with a variety of other artists from Detroit, such as Tee Grizzley, FMB DZ, Tooda Man, Motown Ty and Oba Rowland, to name a few. In 2017, he released two mixtapes, Skuba Steve and D.O.N.: Dat One Nigga, both of which showcase his eclectic style and increasingly renowned charisma. In the fall of 2017, Sada joined Tee Grizzley on his Ain't It A Blessing tour, an opportunity that allowed him to showcase his natural capacity for high-energy, dance-laden performances.

With a combination of elements starting to bend in his favor, such as his consistent work ethic and willingness to experiment vocally on funky, bass-heavy instrumentals, his presence as a regional leader in the Midwest began to translate to a wider audience with his music videos radiating across WorldStarHipHop and racking up millions of streams. In 2018, his Drego-assisted "Bloxk Party" emerged as a definitive breakout single with the accompanying visual garnering 24M+ views and counting since its release. Soon thereafter, Sada Baby became the first signee to ink a deal in partnership with Tee Grizzley's Grizzley Gang imprint and Asylum Records. He went on to receive a monumental co-sign from E-40, who later featured him on the 2018 Gift of Gab cut "The Pack Attack,” with the collaboration doubling as a motivational full- circle moment to work with someone who influenced his artistry directly. 

In early 2019, Sada Baby released his critically acclaimed mixtape Bartier Bounty, which landed on Billboards “Best Albums of 2019” list for obvious reasons. The high-energy project features Sada at his absolute best, displaying his unmatched charisma through a sharp pen. Bartier Bounty cuts like “Bonnie & Blyde” (which features his cousin Ashley Sorrell) showcases Sads’s promising crossover potential. Skuba Steve starts the only verse with an addicting melodic flow that gradually gets more intense until, before you know it, Sada is locked into his patented yell-flow that could make my docile grandma want to get activated. Sada Baby continued to build momentum through 2019 dropping two more mixtapes for fans on SoundCloud (The Whoop Tape and Brolik), both of which were met with positive reviews.

While you could certainly call 2019 a breakout year for the rising rapper, Sada Baby has no plans on slowing down in 2020. On March 20th, he dropped Skuba Sada 2, a compilation of all his biggest YouTube hits over the past year. Although fans of Sada were already familiar with the tracklist, it’s beyond nice to have menacing cuts like “Aktivated” & “Bully Ball,” as well as hits like “Slide” & “Pressin (Feat. King Von)” on streaming services. With his highly anticipated debut album expected to hit streaming services sometime this year, everything seems to be lining up for 2020 to be the year Sada Baby becomes a household name.

From making obscure cultural references to pushing the boundaries of trap music to holding his own while teaming up with other artists, Sada Baby is here to entertain, inspire and encourage others to balance life's seriousness with moments of much-needed lightheartedness and humor. I had the pleasure of chatting with Skuba Steve earlier this week. Our conversation, lightly edited for content and clarity, follows below:

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Photo by CT FILMS

Spencer Lobdell , StereoVision (SL): What have you been doing to keep yourself busy during quarantine?

Sada Baby (SB): Playing video games and smoking weed. Three to Five grams of cookie in an original backwood.

SL: In 2018 you signed with Tee Grizzley’s imprint label, Grizzly gang. I understand you aren’t working with them anymore. What happened and what’s your relationship with Tee like now?

SB: Just bad business that’s all. We didn’t share a common interest. Basically, they were shelving me, without me knowing what being shelved felt like or what it meant. Me and Tee don’t have a relationship. We don't talk, I wish him the best though.

SL: Your newest release Skubba Sada 2 is a compilation tape made up of the best songs you’ve dropped on YouTube over the past year. What do you like about frequently dropping music on YouTube opposed to a more traditional DSP drop?

SB: I feel like I’m the only person that does it because I’m the only one who has the ability to do it without my music getting watered down. When talking about my music you don’t hear someone say shit like “I only liked one of the last ten songs he dropped,” like no, that’s not possible hahaha. I like to think you’ll never hear a Sada Baby song that sounds like the last one you heard.

SL: What can you tell me about your debut album rumored to be dropping this year?

SB: Not shit hahaha. The virus has obviously thrown our timeline off a little but it’s coming and it's got Yachty on it, Skilla Baby on it, and FMB DZ on it for sure. Chris Brown might be on it and G Herbo might be there as well.

SL: Who’s an artist you’ve always dreamed about collaborating?

SB: Probably Bad Bunny. I don’t recall a lot of rappers collaborating with him and I know a large portion of my fan base is hispanic and mexican. Also, he’s fucking bad bunny, even if you’ve never heard his music or know who he is, you've seen him somewhere important. Ya, a song with Bad Bunny would be fire.

SL: I read that before winning a rap contest you were planning on going to culinary school. Do you consider yourself a chef?

SB: For sure. I don’t have a signature dish cause I can make anything. Whatever I want to taste, I drop in the pot. I used to cook on Instagram a lot, steak, lobster, pasta all that. Ideally, I’d like to open my own restaurant while I’m still rapping. Get locations all over the US, one in LA, one in Atlanta, one in Detroit, and one in Chicago.

SL: From “2K20” & “Driple Double” to being featured on Damian Lillard’s latest release, it seems obvious that basketball has impacted you in some way? Do you play?

SB: Yup I used to play in high school. I had scholarships and all of that but went to jail my senior year. I still play frequently though, my game’s like Melo, no defense, all offense, deadly shooter. I’ve done some basketball camps over the past couple years, one with Kyle Kuzma. I played in the bleacher report all star game and a few of my family members play/played professionally. I actually have my own basketball league too, it’s called the P-League. Unfortunately the gym we use just got shut down because of the virus.

Check out some Sada Baby highlights here:

SL: What do you think your Pistons need to do to get back into the playoff  picture?

SB: Man, I’m a Pistons fan by heart and blood and I’ll tell you we need to fire the entire front office. That Andre Drummond move was terrible. I understand he’s going to be a free agent next year, but I know Andre personally and I know he wanted to stay here and would’ve stayed here. They even told him they weren’t gonna trade him then they went and gave him away for a bunch of nothing. It doesn’t help that we don’t know how to draft either. 

SL: What makes the Detroit rap scene different from anywhere else in the world?

SB: A lot of us don’t like each other and we don’t have to like each other for our music to stand out as a whole. Everywhere else besides Chicago and Detroit likes to paint a picture that their whole city fucks with each other and that’s just not true, and here, we know it’s not true. There’s for sure separate factions too. Like the motherfuckers that are with me like DZ [FMB DZ], Skilla [Skilla Baby], & John Boy, we fuck with Big Sean where as a lot of the other motherfucks lean towards fucking with Eminem even though Em don’t acknowledge no one from Detroit.

SL: Who are some low key Detroit rappers who could make a big splash in 2020?

SB: Obviously there’s the guys in my camp who go crazy. FMB DZ and Skilla Baby are poppin in the city but aren’t nation wide yet. As far as guys who aren’t under me, Nook is super cool, Baby Smoove could pop off this year, Veeze is fire, and this young cat Lil Buddy. He has a singing joint on his last tape that was scary good.

SL: Is there anything else you want StereoVision readers to know about Sada Baby?

SB: Man, just tell them I’m the best rapper they don’t know.

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Don Toliver: Houston’s Next Rap Superstar

By Spencer Lobdell

Houston MC Don Toliver was introduced to the world last year on August 3rd when his feature on Travis Scott’s “Can’t Say” went viral online as one of the best moments on Astroworld. Toliver’s bright vocals slice through the instrumental and steal the show from his very first line, abruptly making his presence known in the rap game. Don couldn’t have dropped his debut album at a better time; Donny Womack arrived just days before Astroworld was released and was promptly followed by an important cosign from Travis Scott himself. Shortly after, Toliver announced he would be signing with Scott’s label, “Cactus Jack Records.”

Toliver is originally from Alief, an area 30 minutes Southwest of downtown Houston. His style is different and his voice is unmistakable. Don’s treble-heavy, high-pitched tone seems built to deliver fascinating melodies that act as unescapable hooks. He brilliantly mixes hip-hop, soul, and R&B to create easy to listen to bangers. Toliver refers to his style of music as “Trap&B” and here at StereoVision we think that’s the perfect way to describe Don’s original sound. When asked about his musical inspirations, Don cites a motley crew of artists including Sade, Dom Kennedy, Travis Scott, Teddy Pendergrass. The variety of influencers should come as no surprise after one listen through the unique Donny Womack. While Toliver is influenced by variety of artists, his main inspiration for his debut album is soul icon Bobby Wamack who the record is named after. In an interview with HIGHSNOBIETY Toliver said this about the Cleveland legend:

“Of course Bobby Womack, I wanted to get deeper in the soul of what people don’t tend to sing or talk about. I feel like Bobby Womack always sung or spoke on his records. There was always a point to get across, always a message at the end of the day when Bobby Womack spoke. ”

— Don Toliver

Donny Womack, an album by Don Toliver on Spotify

Donny Womack is a high-energy showcase of Don’s plethora of sounds. The infectious “Issues” is an easy standout and sounds like it should be getting played on radio stations across the country. “Holdin’ Steel” with Dice Soho is one of the best cuts on the album. Toliver lays down a catchy hook over a heavy hitting beat that is always pushing the song forward. The guitar riff that anchors “2 Lil Shorty” is absolutely perfect for Don’s floating melodies that never miss a beat. That cut along with the rest of the album has massive mainstream appeal making it shocking that Toliver has yet to explode into the mainstream. Donny Womack was one of the most fun releases of 2018 and is a great listen the entire way through. Toliver is currently working on a new album that should grace our playlists sooner rather than later. After witnessing Toliver’s talent and creativity, it’s apparent that there is truly no cap on his potential. Listen to Donny Womack and get ready for a big 2019 from Houston MC Don Toliver.

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Why 2019 Will be the Year SoundCloud Legend Thouxanbanfauni Finally Gets the Mainstream Respect he Deserves

By Spencer Lobdell

If you listen to any music on SoundCloud you are well aware of Atlanta trapper Thouxanbanfauni. Fauni is a bonafide SoundCloud legend and many credit him and his good friend UnoTheActivist for the streaming services wild success. Fauni began releasing music in 2015 with the iconic banger “Rhianna’s wrist” and hasn’t looked back since. Over the past four years he has released four full-length mixtapes and numerous free singles, some of which have surpassed three million plays on SoundCloud. Fauni’s sound is deeply authentic and already has its own team of imitators. His layered voice sounds larger than life and uses it to emphasize a song’s most essential bars. His Atlanta roots shine through in his slightly auto tuned voice, unique dialect, and his hard hitting trap beats. Early standouts in his catalogue include the confrontational “WHO YOU TESTING” and the laid-back, codeine-filled, trap anthem “Gorgeous.” Potentially the most catchy song in his discography is his futuristic cut “Getit Clappin“ which showcases excellent production and Fauni’s most widely-appealing writing. Check out the music video to the should-be hit below.

Requiem, an album by Thouxanbanfauni on Spotify

Last August Fauni released Requiem, his best project to date. The 14 song mixtape plays more like a playlist than an album but that is far from an issue with Fauni. I am perfectly fine with sacrificing context and cohesion for new-wave trap bangers on every track. The second cut on the album, “Fully Automatic Stick,” is a heavy hitter that doesn’t resemble anything else released in 2018. It goes so hard that the threatening track sounds destructive at its climax. Fauni’s harmonized back up vocals on the fast-paced “Wide Awake” perfectly showcases how impactful his signature style can be when executed precisely. On the unforgettable futuristic cut “Xenon” Fauni seems to leave earth and record his floating vocals from a far away world that we can only visit through Requiem.

While it’s still an enigma why Thouxanbanfauni has failed to blow up two years in a row, there is reason to believe 2019 will finally be his year. The main reason is exposure through collaboration. Fauni’s discography is already impressive enough to the point where if a new listener were to stumble across him via Spotify, they would defiantly be hooked on his signature sound and lured back to his catalogue. Fauni’s issue is getting individuals to stumble across his profile. The best way to attract these new potential listeners is by collaborating with popular artists and inheriting their fans. Fauni ended 2019 with an absolute banger called “Heavy Metal” which features the talented Denzel Curry and is a step in the right direction for the Atlanta MC. He also has a collab album with UnoTheActivist coming out on February 22nd. If the two singles released so far (“CHOPPA DOWN” & “PAY ME”) are any indication of the how the album will sound then we are in store for some more classic Fauni tracks. In an interview with HotNewHipHop he also said he has new music with Lil Boat and Lucki on the way. All signs point towards 2019 being the year Thouxanbanfauni finally gets the mainstream respect and attention he’s deserved for years.

Heavy Metal (feat. Denzel Curry), a song by Thouxanbanfauni, Denzel Curry on Spotify

PAY ME, a song by Thouxanbanfauni, UnoTheActivist on Spotify

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Baby Keem: The Overtly Confident Vegas Rapper Oozing with Talent

By Spencer Lobdell

“Fuck you mean, bitch I’m Baby Keem!” Two Phone Baby Keem has been making waves in the rap scene ever since he took a shot in the dark and sent TDE a beat pack via email. The Vegas MC and producer was than called in to work on the Black Panther soundtrack and Jay Rock’s Redemption. Keem actually produced standout cut of redemption, “Knock It Off.” Mid-2018 Keem released an EP that he says contains personality that prior music he had recorded lacked. One listen through the quick 11-minute Hearts and Darts and you will hear personality galore. The intro, titled “Baby Keem,” introduces the world to Hykeem Carter with a tastefully braggadocios hook and a booming beat. Watch the music video to Keem’s hottest track here:

If you still aren’t convinced that Keem is the future after watching this video it’s time to talk about his debut project The Sound of  Bad Habit released at the end of October. While it may be twice as long as Hearts and Darts, it is still only 22 minutes long making it easily digestible and leaving the listener wanting more. Keem teams up with standout producer Cardo to boost production and it’s noticeable. Sonically, this thing sounds great from start to finish. Keem teases his hit-making potential with tracks like “Gang Activities” and “Miss Charlotte” which have both been in heavy rotation the last two months. On the intro, it’s easy to hear a heavy Kendrick influence, one that can only come from working with the legend himself. His tracks are short (more than half are under two minutes) and containa and infectious energy. Baby Keem is oozing with talent and potential, I suggest giving him a listen before everyone and their daughter knows his name. Stream The Sound of Bad Habit here:

The Sound of Bad Habit, an album by Baby Keem on Spotify

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