Producer Kidd Called Quest’s new single “Night Lights” is out now. The track features rapper Mooch, and is based around a beautiful Soul sample. Kidd Called Quest is a New York based producer, which makes sense as to why he can so effortlessly construct a flawless boom bap beat. Mooch’s hunger and determination is similar to somebody like Meek Mill, and the crisp boom bap production feels like a modernized DJ Premier beat.
Kidd Called Quest uses an MPC 2000, which is a sampling and drum pad machine that is foundational to the Hip-Hop world. The simple kick and snare pattern is key to leaving the perfect amount of room for the rapper to shine through like Mooch does on “Night Lights.” His use of drum fills and vinyl static brings a natural feel to the song, while the overlying trap hi-hats incorporate a contemporary element. When fused together, with Mooch’s heavy raps laid on top, we get this unique blend of modern Rap and classic Hip-Hop.
Hear “Night Lights” on our Hip Hop 2025 Playlist.
“Stay Down,” the new song from Tyreless, is officially out. The track’s quaint hook is easy to get stuck in your head despite its unusual harmonic tendencies. Tyreless offers a phenomenal verse full of internal rhymes and clever wordplay. After the chorus sedates us again, rapper Mickey Factz comes through with a feature verse that reminds me of Conway the Machine on “Spurs 3.”
The track’s sinister and dark vibe is reminiscent of songs off of Ab-Soul’s classic album Do What Thou Wilt. The menacing bell strums are backed by an ominous guitar, which I feel is placed perfectly in the mix and gives the track the illusion of depth, and heavy hitting boom bap drums. Tyreless and Mickey Factz’s nonchalant approach to the track produces a composed demeanor.
“Stay Down” is now on our Hip Hop 2025 Playlist.
Devantier Rain’s new song “MONSTER” featuring Tamaerebi has been released. The track’s introduction features hazy guitars and distant splatters of percussion, and soon evolves into a groovy masterpiece where Devantier Rain calmly explains that “there’s a monster in [his] bed.” The mysterious introduction is later doubled down on when distant screams weave throughout the background during the chorus.
Rain’s stylistic approach makes me think he would’ve been a perfect fit for Dreamville’s supergroup Spillage Village, which features rappers like JID and EarthGang. Tamaerebi’s feature is a melding of rapping and singing, the latter of which reminds me of Soul icon Sade. On top of the amazing music this track provides, the black and white music video which accompanies it is a cinematic wonder, which at all times features three vertical frames operating simultaneously and each showcasing Rain’s standout fashion sense.
Check out “MONSTER” on our Hip Hop 2025 Playlist, and watch the video now on YouTube.
Scienze and NappyHigh are back again with their new track “Capt. Kirk,” and this one is something special. The track features Elaquent and Benny the Butcher; Benny being one third of legendary Buffalo, New York Rap group Griselda. The grimey drum production is a powerful force that emphasizes their presiding raps, but it’s smoothed out by the soothing Jazz sample that lies beneath it. The saxophones in the background provide melodic progression that compliments the underlying strings perfectly.
With a production style that’s reminiscent of Mavi’s Laughing so Hard, it Hurts, Scienze once again is able to craft his own lane. Benny the Butcher’s opening verse is a perfect way to gear up listeners for Scienze’s spirited rhymes. Scienze once again does a fantastic job at creating his own lane with his energy and vocal layering. With less than a minute remaining in the track, we’re introduced to an entirely new instrumental which Scienze does great justice to. It’s bubbly, it’s sharp, and it further adds to Scienze’s plethora of styles. Scienze and NappyHigh are a standout duo amongst the rest of the ever growing boom bap scene, and they’re definitely ascending the ranks.
You can find “Capt. Kirk” on our Hip Hop 2025 Playlist, and check out their new project PRAISES out now.
The Wild Is Calling 