🚨 While mainstream algorithms keep shoving the same 10 names down our throats, the real movement simmers quietly in headphones, late-night studio sessions, and indie labels built from scratch. Folded Waffle stays tuned into those signals—the ones transmitting hunger, healing, and hood finesse from uncut corners of the culture. This week, we tap into three distinct frequencies that don’t compete—they complete. From the effortless coastline cruise of 4oe Styles, to Dylan Owen’s grassroots rally for a world worth saving, to Bilo Da Kid’s survival anthem laced with street gospel—these songs aren’t just tracks; they’re tethers to truth.
🎵 4oe Styles – “New Glizzy”
4oe Styles is a sonic architect of California cool, and “New Glizzy” is him laying blueprints in the sun. With polished precision and a laid-back flow, this track isn’t just something you throw on for the vibe—it is the vibe. Reminiscent of early Dom Kennedy but slick like Larry June’s recent catalog, it captures that specific feeling of fresh pavement, tinted windows, and not a single care clouding the sky. The drop at 0:09 sets the tone, and by 1:57, you’re not even checking the time—you’re floating.
What makes 4oe stand out isn’t just polish—it’s poise. There’s a subtle depth behind the bounce that nods to a West Coast lineage of cruising through chaos. With only a few tracks out but a growing wave of playlist presence, 4oe is proof that you don’t have to scream to command attention—you just need the right frequency.
🎵 Dylan Owen – “The National Parks”
You know an emcee is serious when he puts his royalties where his heart is. With “The National Parks,” Dylan Owen pens a sweeping love letter to America’s endangered wonders, all while pledging 200% of the streaming proceeds to preserving them amidst historic budget cuts. It’s activism with a beat, and Owen handles it masterfully—his cadence a mix of spoken word poetry and cinematic storytelling.
This isn’t backpack rap—it’s backpacker rap. Owen’s vivid imagery takes you from canyons to forests while reminding you that preservation isn’t just environmental, it’s emotional. If you like artists like Atmosphere or Brother Ali, this belongs in your rotation. But it’s more than the message—it’s the anthemic structure and lyrical construction that make this song punch above its indie status. The hook soars, the bars bite, and the mission is crystal. This is the kind of track that deserves a stage at every eco-conscious festival from Cali to Vermont.
🎵 Bilo Da Kid – “Hold On”
Coming in like a late-night confession whispered between cracked doors, Bilo Da Kid’s “Hold On” walks a tightrope between trauma and triumph. It’s part trap lullaby, part pain medley, and fully rooted in real-life tension. Without saying it outright, the track begs a deeper listen—it’s clear Bilo’s not just rapping, he’s exhaling.
Released by 7 Ave Records, “Hold On” mirrors the grit of artists like Quando Rondo or early G Herbo, but with a more restrained vulnerability. Bilo doesn’t overperform—he lets the wounds speak, and that honesty gives the song its staying power. What really hits is the way the beat leaves space for his words to breathe. Radio might miss it. The streets won’t.
At Folded Waffle, we believe it’s not about volume—it’s about value. These three voices couldn’t be more different on the surface, but they all refuse to play pretend. Whether it’s a coastal cruise, a call to environmental action, or a slow burn through trauma, they represent something we cherish: integrity in sound. If you’re tired of filters, gimmicks, and manufactured beef, these artists are your antidote. Real rap lives in corners like these—and we’re just here to help you find it.
