Y’all keep coming with the heat and we’ll amplify.
*Jont: Washingtonian slang to generically describe something or someone. In this case, songs.
UUV c/o Lordy | Photograph by Maxwell Young
1. REZT - WORTH IT
A representative of Prince George’s County Maryland aka “the Whop,” Rezt’s latest project, Murrlin was featured in this summer’s Sounds of D.C. vol. II playlist. “Worth It” has this ‘close your eyes and nod your head’ type knock to it, which makes sense as its tagged as ‘crank-soul’ on SoundCloud. Much of Rezt’s music follows this 8-bit video game bop that is prevalent in today’s hip hop sound, but the difference is his rapping skills are more apparent than some “mumble rappers” would like to show.
2. ledroit ft. SIR E.U - fuck off
Ledroit is the mastermind behind the omnipresent Tech Yes—an array of electronic genres and original sounds with Sir E.U as the backing emcee. Watching the duo in person is like watching Shaolin Fantastic and The Wordsmith command crowds in the Netflix original series, The Get Down. To have a streamable tune from them is epic. It’s one thing to watch artists cross pollinate and perform in other bands (Ledroit and E.U both moonlight in Rob Stokes Band and have conceived a new punk/hip hop/electronic group called Michaelangelo) but it’s a whole other dynamic when the project is executed for online consumption. As fans, we can appreciate the moment. Speaking of moments, you might have caught Sir E.U in the remix of this instant classic internet video.
3. DEN-MATE - XOSO
Released just several days ago, Loceke follows up Den-Mate’s self-titled 2016 project. Lead vocalist Jules Hale compliments spacey guitar riffs and wobbly bass notes with her unique monotone voice that evokes alternative/punk feels.
4. CISCERO ft. BLACK FORTUNE - BITE DOWN
Ciscero dropped new music for the first time in five months last week. “Bite Down” was teased to a sold out crowd at Union Stage on the Wharf during April + Vista’s first-ever headlining show.
5. TASHAZE - INTERMISSION BY MARTIN J BALLOU ft. MUDI (CHOPPED AND SCREWED)
Tashaze recognized the need to prolong the vibe set by Martin J Ballou and Mudi in the original track off Ballou’s You& The Space Between - EP because at two minutes, “Intermission” leaves listeners wanting more. From D.C. by way of Seattle, Tashaze has found a home with mxdhouse—an art and music collective that has supported the consistent programming of GIRLAAA, which you could have attended several times at John Geiger and Davin Gentry’s boutique hangout, Diet Starts Monday.
6. JENNA CAMILLE - 3000 ROSES
Jenna Camille released “3000 Roses” last night, but she’s been playing it during her performances for awhile. Mellow synths carry over Camille’s vocals that slowly build throughout the track. We’re looking forward to her Luce Unplugged show at the Smithsonian American Art Museum on November 1st. She’s been quietly fine-tuning her album Free while also collaborating with rapper Odd Mojo.
7. INNANET JAMES - THE COOL
“I should cool it/‘cause these potholes real live stupid/Why they keep ‘em in the hood?/Not where white folks movin’,” ponders James, the Maryland-based rapper. “The Cool” comes from Innanet James’ recent Keep it Clean project, which includes a feature from Pusha T.
8. MUDI - SIREN
Mudi and Martin J Ballou have found a magical connection and they share the fruits of their creations mutually. Sometimes MUDI features on Ballou’s tracks and other times, like in this instance, Ballou will produce, mix, and master tracks for the R&B singer’s catalog. “Siren” has been in heavy rotation since it dropped last month.
9. MATT MCGHEE ft. ALEX VAUGHN - UNCOMFORTABLE
The catchy tune on the back half of McGhee’s newest EP, Since You’re Watching, features Alex Vaughn, who stepped out for a cameo at Odd Mojo’s curated Urban Outfitters Live in Chinatown several weeks ago. It’s reminiscent of early 2000s garage production from the UK, like “Has It Come to This?” by The Streets.
10. FILET MIGNON - I LOVE YOU TOO…
Her name is Filet Mignon and she has pink hair. Unsure how her persona as a DJ gets more cohesive than that. To be determined. This mix sounds similar to the set she spun last Friday at Open Studio D.C.’s closing event featuring UUV & Nomu Nomu. She flexed a rendition of Immature’s “I Don’t Mind” as well as a captivating mashup of Drake’s “Free Smoke” and his crush Sade’s “Lover’s Rock.” Let Mac Miller’s “What’s the Use” fill your room at 21 minutes.