Hope springs eternal as Boston enters the April thaw. With the visual pop of bright green shoots now gathering the city’s dusky flowerbeds, it’s hard to ignore the feeling that new life might be waiting for us around the corner. From victory celebration jams, to dark brooding battle rhymes, here’s our Listen Local Hip-Hop picks for the month to keep your soul in motion as we prepare to walk into an era of vaccination, immunity, and society reawakened.
“Apostrophes” by Connis ft. Benjy Ali
It’s not just the cabernet and grapefruit picnic lyrics that bring summer love vibes to “Apostrophes,” a collaboration by locals Connis and Benjy Al. Bright synth beats bounce off the low bass notes, constantly driving us forward as if we’re watching the warmer months speed past. “These days getting blurry,” raps Connis as the beat launches you into a percussive build. The duo sing in broken harmony, “too much wine I can’t get much sleep”—as if the wine finally got to them, too. Proceeds from the track will be donated to Boston UJIMA, so be sure to head to the Bandcamp page and purchase if you’re digging it.
-Knar Bedian
“PITCH PERF“ by WHYTRI
WHYTRI’s PITCHPERF immediately slaps in the colloquial sense, beginning with low pitch synths and deep vocals that mimic the Everett native’s bass tones. The vocals roll off of each other with a fluidity that can’t be matched, bouncing between verses while building up a momentum that explodes into sonic frustration. OG Maco contributes higher-pitched, more fluid verses that juxtapose WHYTRI’s deep bellows, acting as the voice of reason and balancing out the song’s ideas. Two contrasting lyrics from both rappers set the mood for the song as the WHYTRI finds his way through life’s struggles: “Confession: finding happiness is the biggest lesson / I been working hard as shit” but “I don’t give a fuck about any of this man.” The two artists showcase their versatility on this track, both shouting and harmonizing with each other to create a cohesive track. With Spotify streams in the tens of thousands, this single is one you won’t want to miss.
-Hannah Lemke
“BLUYELLO” by Miranda Rae ft Dutch Rebelle
Waning ambient tones may introduce BLUYELLO, but Miranda Rae’s melodious, progressive vocals soon come in to encapsulate everything that this song is about: moving on. Lyrically, the R&B songstress taunts her ex-lover, begging them to “pick their poison” as she suggests throwing them out on the curb. Mimicking a catchy, bouncy drum track, she raps her truth: “You know you’re grown / quit acting like you need me now / you’re on your own / don’t blame me.” The track continues, building in momentum as the lyrics turn from tribulation to triumph: “All the shit you put me through / it’s time to make moves.” Dutch Rebelle’s supporting verses only match these ideas: “Breaking my heart like a part time job / can’t even hold you a part time job / I’m moving onto a new heart throb.” Before moving back to the chorus, Rebelle declares that you’ll “get dumped like a truck if you acting like trash.” The track quiets and settles as it fades out, like the narrative of coming to terms with a breakup and feeling free. The single speaks to the heartbreaks that we’ve all come to know and endure, but it’s also the single that we need for a fresh start in 2021. Through this track, Rae shows her growth as an individual, but also her growth as a female artist in Boston.
-Hannah Lemke
“Aubrey Gramz” by J Gramz
J Gramz pays clever homage to Drake in both style and form with “Aubrey Gramz,” a track off the Brockton rapper’s latest album, Dual Diagnosis, that plays off of Drake’s real name: Aubrey Graham. With a simple, driving drum beat complemented by touches of ominous violins and gritty high-hats the song gives off serious Drake vibes. J Gramz holds his own in the verses with a confident and melodic vocal delivery that tops off the lyric’s unabashed take on flexing, which comes to a head when the chorus hits: “Don’t need a feature / I’m a one man band.” This is an energetic anthem that would make Drake proud.
-Julia Bernicker
“Never Lose” by HighKeyRandom ft. BLACKHEART
Boston-based rapper HighKeyRandom does positivity better than most. His new album, The Gentle Savage, is packed with bangers that are genuinely uplifting without being cheesy. “Never Lose” is right on theme as an optimistic jam to blast out car windows, cruising around on a warm spring afternoon. HighKey uses sing-songy, upbeat lyrics, as he raps melodically, “I’m gonna be fine / just takin’ my time.” The production offers a booming beat, deep 808s, and warm, celebratory keys for levity. BLACKHEART sings background with a breathy bravado and just the right amount of auto-tune. The final verse is the high point of the song, as the HighKey raps with such vocal confidence and electricity, that the listener could get a palpable burst of energy just by having the song on in the background. “See these haters at my shows / now they hype me!”
– Jared Steinberg
Graphic created by Madison Arrichiello
Photo Credits, left to right: High Key Random by Nico Hustle; WhyTri by Gabe Sherman; Miranda Rae by Rita Tinega