This week's Underground Sound features: Night Lovell, Kevin Abstract, Injury Reserve, Mozzy and Ta'East
NIGHT LOVELL
Canada might be known for Drake, Biebs and Tory Lanez, but their underground pool of talent is nothing to sneeze at. Nick Lovell is a 19-year-old rapper out of Ottawa already making a name for himself. Don’t let his youth fool you, though—he sounds like a hardened adult thanks to his deep voice and chilling content. Sounding like Travis Scott pre-auto tune, Lovell finds comfort spiting over dark trap beats, but that doesn’t mean he’s pigeonholed to one lane.
On his newest album, Red Teenage Melody, Nick gravitates towards monotoned rhymes flowing over snare dominated production, but varies his aesthetic on songs like, “PP 15 Interlude.” At only 19, it’s all clear skies for Nick Lovell. We might have another budding Canadian star on our hands.
KEVIN ABSTRACT
His artistic surname, Abstract, suits Kevin perfectly. Combining Hip Hop elements with alternative rock and a hint of electronic, Kevin Abstract doesn’t concretely embody one genre. He exudes Hip Hop undertones, but shuffling his library is like blindly scanning the radio. The 20-year-old Texan refuses to be musically limited.
With two studio albums under his belt, Kevin is consistently refining his sound—a sound that is the antithesis of singular. His November 2016 release, American Boyfriend: A Suburban Love Story, strongly represents his varied flavors and speaks to his multi-layered artistry. A mix of progressive Hip Hop, Blind Melon vibes and experimental music formulate the project. If you’re in the mood for a refreshing artist, look no further.
INJURY RESERVE
Black Hippy isn’t the only dominating Rap group. Injury Reserve is the Arizona rapping and producing trio, with a palpable chemistry that drives their imaginative sound. The Alternative Jazzy collective is like Cool Kids meets Flatbush Zombies. Fittingly, Chuck Inglish is featured on their 2015 album, Live from the Dentist Office.
Composed of Steppa J. Groggs, Ritchie With a T and Parker Corey, Injury Reserve is delivering a chill sound with a gritty bite.
MOZZY
Sacramento’s Mozzy is the dopest rapper you’ve probably never heard of. Despite his career’s 2004 genesis, Mozzy has flown under the radar commercially but has amassed a cult following. His Gucci-like abyss of projects have potentially cannibalized his better work, but one project stands out from the rest.
Formerly known as “Lil’ Tim,” Mozzy began gaining attraction thanks to Rolling Stone magazine ranking his album, Bladadah, 2015’s 22nd best Rap album. He has a strong lyrical prowess, reminiscent of Wale, that makes for entertaining and thought-provoking music. His keen realism carries his impassioned lyrics over a bed of prototypical Hip Hop production. Are you sick of all these mumble rappers? Well then you better check out Mozzy.
TA'EAST
Wake up! Ta’East is a criminally underrated fiery spitter out of San Diego, now living in LA, poised to rub elbows with today’s emerging artists. He raps with a passion that shouts, “And you’re still sleeping on me?!” Ta’East’s small musical sample size is indicative of his efficient output. He confidently flows over varied instrumentals, making him a producer's ideal emcee; he's as malleable as he is dexterous.
His most recent release, “N Word” featuring Malik Yusef and Young Lyxx, is a politically charged track attacking cultural appropriation’s root problem: people wanting all of the glory and none of the pain associated with being Black. Imitators think adopting certain style trends will make them look “cool,” but they don’t actually experience the suffocating limitations placed on the Black community. I’m excited to see where this kid’s going to go, and if he’ll get the recognition that he deserves.