Word Around the Sound is… Nacho Picasso is rising from the ashes of his former self and reclaiming his reign in the rap game in his evolved form. For his new album, Nacho linked up with previous collaborator Televangel– of Blue Sky, Black Death notoriety, to produce his first full body of work in five years titled Jesse’s Revenge.
The revenge is sweet with each track completely beheading its victims by the end of its runtime. The larger-than-life production from Televangel allows Nacho to showcase just how sharp his skills have gotten. He wastes no moment with every song filled to the brim with heavyweight bars that knock each other out the way.
He takes a trip down “Memory Lane” as he reflects on “The Old Nacho,” his past, how he’s grown, and shows appreciation for how his life is today. It’s no question that he never lost his sauce, he just let it simmer for a few years to let the flavors really meld together. Jesse’s Revenge is so quintessential Nacho, just a little more refined.
Nacho Picasso & Televangel – Jesse’s Revenge
Yonny – “Bad Credit”
Yonny switched up the vibe to give us an uptempo dance track that almost celebrates having “Bad Credit.” His lighthearted approach to having no money and “Bad Credit” creates a relatable song that showcases Yonny’s ability to deliver a catchy hook, spit some nasty bars and elevate the mood even in the worst situations.
MOZAIA – “Homebody”
Rising R&B pop artist MOZAIA released her latest single “Homebody” and it’s a super cozy lil’ bop. Between the production and the way her vocals are layered throughout, the track takes me back to the prime of Y2K pop and R&B. Even though the lyrics are describing being lonely at home, the tone is hopeful and uplifting.
Y2K – “Hell Yeah”
I heard Y2K dropped a new single, and I said, “Hell Yeah.” With production that harkens back to the Trigger Man bounce sounds from New Orleans, the song makes you want to get up and groove. Y2K rides the beat like the latest coupe, skillfully swerving back and forth with every bar. Without a doubt, this is easily on the list of the hottest club bangers to drop for the summer of 2024.
Wynne – “Dog In Me”
Wynne recently hopped in her deep, emotional bag, slowing things down to showcase her more heartfelt lyrics. Her latest track “Dog In Me” sees Wynne singing on the hook and throwing autotune on her vocals for a fresh sound that we haven’t heard from her as of late. On top of that, her bold lyrics continue to reinforce exactly why she’s seeing the spotlight shine her way.
Lil Bazzy – BAZZY’Z WRLD
Lil Bazzy recently dropped his latest album BAZZY’Z WRLD. Honestly, I wasn’t sure if I was going to rock with it, off top. At times, it felt chaotic, like he was just pouring words out of his mouth with no feel for the pocket. However, as I continued to run back the project, the occasional haste in his flow became more apparent as a way to translate his passion, his heartache, and his angst.
I do believe there is still room for Lil Bazzy to develop in his lyrics and deliveries, but I feel like he already has a solid foundation to build upon. That being said, there are some absolutely banging songs on the album that stand out like “Leap of Faith” with K.Williams, “Out in Turkey,” “Tay Wilder” with Zayside and “ROCK OUT”. Overall, the project has plenty of heart mixed with catchy moments, great production, and solid compositions throughout that keep me coming back to the album.
Sam Lachow – “Cadillac Bandit”
Sam Lachow is back with another self-produced banger titled “Cadillac Bandit.” It randomly came on while listening to my release radar and as the beat came on my initial reaction was “what the fuck is this?!” The drums hit you to your core and the brass embellishments mix with the chunky bass lines and funky guitar licks to create a dynamic listening experience that is only emphasized further by Sam’s unique lyrical approach.
Terror/Cactus – Agua Mágica
Seattle-based Terror/Cactus linked up with the dynamic duo Cuervo Cuervo to make Agua Mágica. The man behind the mask in Terror/Cactus is Buenos Aires born Martín Selasco. Meanwhile, Cuervo Cuervo consists of an American producer Benjamin Hill and Argentinian musician Agustin Ganem. Together they fuse classic Latin sounds with modern electronic production to make for a unique, yet familiar experience that takes you on a journey as you listen. Their collaborative EP features four stand out tracks that all evoke the beautiful mysticism that water possesses.
SUS – “Thank You For Everything”
A breathy intro backed by a frolicking bass line opens up SUS’s latest single “Thank You For Everything.” Right from the beginning the pace of the song sets the tone, which I can only describe as being the fleeting sense within a situation or relationship where you can feel the end coming. The song reinforces the notion of knowing your worth and not letting others take advantage of you or the things you have to offer.
Zayside – “Ken Griffey”
It’s been a while since I’ve checked in on Zayside, and I’m happy to report that he’s still actively putting out music. His latest release is an ode to “Ken Griffey” a Seattle baseball legend. He linked with rising producer Angel Cotto for a larger than life beat that knocks the song out of the park.
