Charlie Funk Proves How He Got His Name with New EP, 'Give Me A Groove'

I'm going to tell you this right now: if you're not into funk and/or jazz, you are NOT going to like Charlie Funk's latest project. He has 'Funk' in his name for God's sake; you should already know what it is. On the flip side being that you are into said genres, get ready for a funkadelic ride with the new EP Give Me A Groove. Overall, the whole musical composition is an easy listen. Sit back and chill with some friends to maximize on the piece and gain some kickback feels. At the same time, I can say I'm not a fan of "Lunch In Babylon." Not sure if fails at all attempts to draw symbolism or if it's meant to be too literal in creative description, but it sticks out like a sore thumb on the EP, theme-wise.

Listen to Charlie Funk's new EP, Give Me A Groove after the jump!

Jrob Gets, "Gone" with New Single

An R&B song with enough edge and honesty without having to degrade women that still holds its soulful roots? ::Gasps:: Yes, they still exist. Up-and-coming artist Jrob is giving us high quality, "girl you know you wrong" feels with his latest video, "Gone." In the self-directed video, the artist rides around in his luxury car, while showing off his dance moves, as well. But seriously, when's the last time you could listen to a song from a male R&B singer that you could vibe with and still feel good about yourself, as a female, afterwards? I'll wait.

Check out Jrob's new video for "Gone" after the jump!

The West Ghost Keeps Things Low-Key on Latest Project, 'Son Of Sorrow'

Mix a little bit of vigilance with a whole lot a bit of ambiguity and you've got the makeup of upcoming artist The West Ghost. Cloaking himself in a mask, the mysterious image accompanies the rapper's choice to claim zero roots in order to appeal to the masses regardless of personal details. In his own words, The West Ghost has chosen to, "...Represent no history, no race, and no background because such things are only flimsy excuses to let pride cloud justice and understanding." While we don't know much, what we do know of this mysterious artist is that he hails from the west coast, he's looking to marry substance with flow on his new EP Son of Sorrow, and he is definitely an artist to watch for.

Listen to The West Ghost's latest project Son of Sorrow after the jump!

The LOUD Review: Jelani Lateef - 'Cold Days and Dark Nights'

Lyricist Jelani Lateef wants you to take some time out and listen to his introspections on his latest mixtape, Cold Days and Dark Nights. Hailing from Chicago, Jelani is an artist that has transcended to the title of producer and even CEO by starting his own label, Manhood Entertainment. On the 13-track project, Jelani exhibits the various components of life by touching on infidelity, anxiety, fears, and more. Really diving in and sharing what seems to be personal experiences, this artist candidly lets you into his world. Opening up a bit more than the usual rapper, Jelani refreshingly feels more like a friend sharing his story as a lesson than an emcee with a new project out.

Listen to Jelani Lateef's mixtape, Cold Days and Dark Nights after the jump!

The LOUD Review: Angela Burns - 'So That You Can Feel Better'

Multitalented artist Angela Burns is making her presence known with her recent release of her mixtape So That You Can Feel Better. A dark, full piece of work influenced by R&B elements, this is the type of mixtape you could easily hear in Hot Topic or that could have been placed in Clueless. Sounds like a stretch, right? Well, that's just a nod to Burns' diversity and range. Written, produced, and performed by the Los Angeles transplant, this project is a powerful, cohesive piece of work holding original content that many females can relate to. Touching on themes of love lost, power struggles, & independence, So That You Can Feel Better will definitely do just that while empowering you, as well. At only 21-years-old, there is room for growth and improvement, but this project is a strong start for Burns to hit the ground running.

Listen to Angela Burns' new mixtape So That You Can Feel Better after the jump!

Take a "Breather" with Rapper Sheik

Hailing from Sierra Leone by way of VA, rapper Sheik aka SK delivers chill but cocky vibes to call out the consciously impaired with his song, "The Breather." Still slinging bravado, SK's flow simultaneously satisfies the ear with an upbeat track and infectious bars while utilizing a categorization of music he calls New School Poetry. In a raw quote, SK gives us a better idea of what that genre is about: "Music is better with no makeup on, people always relate to raw shit whether it's a love song or a conscious song."

Listen to Sheik aka SK's song, "The Breather" after the jump!

Producer Chuck Olsen Loses Focus on, 'Blurred Ambitions'

Hailing from Nyack, NY producer Chuck Olsen recently released his album Blurred Ambitions. Exhibiting his beats, the project features multiple artists from vocalists to lyricists in an attempt to give depth to and complement Olsen's work. Being that the sound crafter is a student of the University of Delaware, I can definitely picture this project being created in the dorms; Olsen asking friends to jump on and just having fun with it. Admitting to the obvious flaws portrayed on the album, Olsen's college-centric work is rough, but shows some promise. 

While listening to Blurred Ambitions, I noticed a couple of noteworthy points: Olsen is great at combining the right beat with the right hook and vocalist, all the contributing artists on the album could benefit from utilizing some breathing techniques, and Olsen may want to be more protective over his work by being more selective about who he chooses to feature on his beats.

Overall, even though it holds some ok tracks, this particular piece isn't strong enough for me to listen to again.

Listen to Chuck Olsen's album Blurred Ambitions after the jump! 

Rebecca Jade Stays Strong on "Weather The Storm"

Giving a classic 1950s feel in her latest visual, singer Rebecca Jade is serving in "Weather the Storm." Detailing a heavy break-up, Jade soulfully depicts how she attempts to move forward on her own sans her former partner. Taking place at an airport, the artist belts her heart out on the tarmac before taking flight. When it comes to dealing with personal problems, some people choose to go out and take a drive to clear their minds. Jade on the other hand opts for piloting a plane solo dolo. With optimism and courage, it looks like Jade is taking healthy steps to move forward and start a new chapter in her life.

Watch Rebecca Jade's video for "Weather the Storm" after the jump!

Rapper Apollo Guides Listeners Through His Art Exhibit with, 'The Otherside'

Have you ever entered a sonically curated art show? An exhibit where you supply the visuals in accordance to the sounds you're supplied? Sounds amazing, right? Luckily for you, rapper Apollo has created that experience on his latest album The Otherside: An Art Exhibit.

Listen to Apollo's album, The Otherside: An Art Exhibit after the jump!

SO Get "Stoopid" "Freaky" "Supercharged" on 'Echo Park'

If Bootsy Collins, George Clinton, Rick James, and Outkast had a lovechild, SO would be it. Short for Standing Ovation, duo SO delivers a modern day punk-funk (p-funk?) mash up with hip hop elements on their latest project, Echo Park. 

Listen to SO's EP Echo Park after the jump!

Vibe Session Material: Producer Seneca B Delivers Sunday Morning Feels on 'Friends'

In a world that seems to only gets crazier and harder to deal with as  we get older, it's important to protect our inner peace; not to mention, our sanity. For those vibe out sessions meant to help you decompress, producer Seneca B has the perfect material to chill out to with Friends. Mashing up jazz, hip hop, and overall, old school elements, Seneca delivers an extremely relaxing, but vibrant piece that will speak to your spirit. Ethereally woozy, this is the perfect album to throw on while you drink some tea, light some incense and/or candles, and get lost in a book.

Listen to Seneca B's album Friends after the jump! 

Lyricist Frank Peters Comes Up a Couple of Hues Short on 'Fifty Shades of Frank'

Imagine if Christian Grey decided to leave his financially cozy corporate life to become a rapper. Would he utilize his words to deliver his kink? Would he lean more towards a smoothly alluring aesthetic or would he take more of a dominating aggressive approach? Would he be too stiff? Welp, keep dreaming because this musical composition is not going to give you any voyeuristic view into that fantasy.

In his latest project, South Carolina lyricist Frank Peters takes a stab at his own creative rendition inspired by the cinematic hit. Fifty Shades of Frank offers an ambitious effort to exhibit multiple sides to Peters as an artist, but underwhelmingly falls short. Connected by smokey and sensual interludes, Peters' flow delivers stamina in a lackluster manner; the kind that will leave you laying there wondering, "Is he done yet?"

Listen to Frank Peters' project Fifty Shades of Frank after the jump!

Singer Nick de la Hoyde Carves out His Own Corner of Music with 'Passion'

Maybe he's come across your popular page on Instagram. Maybe you've seen a song cover of his on YouTube. Maybe you simply saw his video playing during your last visit to Foot Locker. If you still have yet to cross paths with this talented artist' music, you're in for a pleasant surprise. Mashing up pop tunes with overlapping layers of rap lyrics, singer Nick de la Hoyde is serving up an addicting flavor of music all of his own.

Listen to Nick de la Hoyde's debut EP Passion after the jump!

Tomás Doncker Combats Politics and Racism With "Church Is Burning Down"

Inspired by the tragic and senseless events occurring all around the country, musician Tomás Doncker penned a protest record in response entitled, "Church Is Burning Down." Calling out the Charleston Church shooting massacre, Doncker expresses his disdain and anger for "unholy fire in the house of God" and being "sick and tired of being sick and tired." Emotionally charged up after being brought to his breaking point by all the frequent racially prejudice killings, Doncker utilized his overflow of feelings to go on to create the tracks for his new album The Mess We Made. While the song is not A1 and probably sounds better live, I applaud anyone making an effort to defeat the vicious cycle of injustice and racial ignorance in this country.

Listen to Tomás Doncker's emotionally charged "Church Is Burning Down" after the jump!

Nave Faces Reality of Ruined Childhood(s) With "Cosby Kids"

In a post-Cosby-allegations-confirmed world, it is now hard to hear the famous surname without cringing. With most of our feel-good childhood memories associated with the cult television show now tainted, rapper Nave found a way to turn ugly sweaters into lemonade with his song, "Cosby Kids."

Check out Nave's depressingly more-bitter-than-sweet nostalgic track after the jump!

The LOUD Review: We R The Lost Are 'Still Lost' on Latest Project

Milwaukee collective We R The Lost speak to the confused and internally complicated side of human nature with their latest project, Still Lost. Fronted by an emcee by the name of John Briggz, We R The Lost are more of a lifestyle movement than a rap group. Appealing to a topic that we've all experienced at one point of out lives, the collective connects with their listening audience by supplying motivating and raw music as an aid to help those stuck in a rut get out of it.

See what I had to say about We R The Lost' project, Still Lost after the jump!