While Black artists make up a significant portion of the charts, holding around 37.7% of spots on the Billboard Hot 100 over the last nine years, they hold only 4.2% of top executive positions across major and independent music companies. This gap is the system. This gap is the machine. When the power brokers who curate the culture do not reflect the people who create it, artists are forced to create their own blueprints.
1. Kweener – “Even that potion”
Info about artist: Released by Tripolar Waves, Kweener delivers a fun, confident freestyle that prioritizes groove over commercial constraint. It’s an exercise in creative freedom, demonstrating that a true vibe is the only currency that matters.
Track details: A freestyle rap over a fusion beat built on electric bass, an analog synthesizer, and the rhythmic pulse of djembe-infused drums.
| Niche | Review (Passionate & Urgent) | Score (1-10) |
| Afrofuturist Hip-Hop | This track is a crucial reminder that the core of hip-hop is innovation, not imitation. The djembe drums aren’t a novelty—they are a declaration, connecting the music to a deeper, unapologetic root that the mainstream would rather sanitize. Kweener’s delivery is loose, fun, and urgent, a perfect example of what happens when artists prioritize inventive percussion over predictable 808s. | 6.9 |
2. John Ramon – “LOML”
Info about artist: John Ramon is a Las Vegas native from “Tha Bl40ck,” whose music is deeply rooted in his environment and his candid reactions to it. He is a student of the game, citing influences like Drake, J. Cole, and Kendrick Lamar—a clear signal of his commitment to lyrical, detail-oriented rap.
Track details: A direct and detailed love letter to Hip Hop culture, presented as the artist’s “Love of My Life” (LOML).
| Niche | Review (Passionate & Urgent) | Score (1-10) |
| Golden Era Revivalism | Ramon understands that surviving the current landscape means defending the foundations that built it. “LOML” is an uncompromising call for appreciation of the culture’s depth. By forcing listeners to “know your history,” he is pushing back against the erasure of Hip Hop’s lineage—a necessary act of cultural defense. The lyrics are smart, meticulous, and delivered with the conviction of a historian, even if the overall mix feels a bit too polished for the depth of the subject matter. | 6.5 |
3. BIGG BAGGZ – “Real Story”
Info about artist: Hailing from Brickyard, North Carolina, and making his way to South Central LA, BIGG BAGGZ’s background is a literal map of the struggle to thrive despite systemic obstacles. His music is a motivational blueprint, built on his life experience and featuring collaborations with major artists, proving his survival in the competitive scene.
Track details: An energetic, hard-hitting record designed for motivation and head-nodding
| Niche | Review (Passionate & Urgent) | Score (1-10) |
| Street Blueprint Rap | This is the sound of making it happen, fueled by adversity. BAGGZ doesn’t just rap about his journey; he provides the blueprint. The beat goes hard, and the flow has undeniable energy—it’s the audible proof that the streets of Brickyard and South Central could not break him. It’s a raw, powerful statement that demands attention, which is the exact urgency required to cut through the industry noise. | 7.1 |
4. lildrakex – “Race Against the Machine”
Info about artist: Lildrakex is a new artist who has jumped directly into the conversation with a politically charged title, demonstrating an immediate willingness to challenge the establishment.
Track details: A piece with a title that evokes the spirit of anti-establishment struggle.
| Niche | Review (Passionate & Urgent) | Score (1-10) |
| Anti-Establishment Hip-Hop | The title is a statement in itself, aligning the work with the necessary critique of oppressive structures. The fact that the artist is “new to music making” only heightens the track’s urgent message: the time to speak up is always now. Even in its nascent form, the music serves as an active, critical tool. The choice to name this track is the biggest win, making it clear where the artist stands against institutional power. | 6.0 |
5. Kier Ramar – “CrunchTime”
Info about artist: Kier Ramar is a highly productive artist, having recently released the album New Ceilings 2: The Balcony View. His music is characterized by a focused, serious approach to Hip Hop.
Track details: A high-stakes track from Ramar’s latest album, which serves as a promise to deliver on a high-pressure moment.
| Niche | Review (Passionate & Urgent) | Score (1-10) |
| High-Stakes Storytelling | “CrunchTime” is a perfect distillation of what it takes to thrive despite systemic obstacles. For independent artists facing a rigged system, every submission, every release, is crunch time. This track captures the intensity and focus of that moment. Ramar’s conviction is palpable, demanding three minutes of your time to prove he is a must-listen. This is not a request; it’s a non-negotiable demand for recognition, delivered with precision. | 6.7 |
Ou bat tanbou epi ou danse ankò.
This week’s selection is a passionate and necessary look at artists finding ways to thrive despite systemic obstacles and pushing back against the chilling effect of Black and Brown erasure in mainstream trends.
