Hype Highlights: Starring DBangz, Morray, Nicki Nicole, David Sabastian & more
Morray - “Kingdom”
Produced by ForeignGotEm & Dzimi, "Kingdom" mixes the best of Zaytoven-style trap, contemporary gospel, and early ‘00s R&B. Singing and rapping with a palpable passion, Morray switches between emphatic single-syllables and sliding rhythmic runs, showcasing the natural grit in his voice as he excitedly discusses his rise: "Can't believe it's time/I'm finally getting mine”. In the video, directed by Morray's frequent collaborator JaxOfNorth, Morray stresses the importance of remembering where you came from, as he interacts with neighbors outside a Luck 7, plays board games with his fam, and shows off his muscle car.
FOLLOW: @morrayda1
Freddie Gibbs - “Gang Signs” ft. ScHoolboy Q
Freddie Gibbs and ScHoolboy Q link for the slick and jazzy single “Gang Signs.” Accompanied by a surreal Aaron Hymes video that combines film and animation based on the work of world-renowned illustrator, Gabriel Alcala, “Gang Signs finds GibbsandScHoolboyscored by warm horns, breezy keys, and a laid-back bassline. The two acclaimed L.A.-based rappers reflect on their respective street pasts and the impact that time has had on their recent successes. Though they live in a more aligned way with the song’s relaxed instrumental, Gibbs and ScHoolboy remind all opposition to tread lightly.
FOLLOW: @FreddieGibbs
David Sabastian - “Revolutionary”
Rapper, producer, director, designer, activist, and all-around visionary David Sabastian introduces his bold brand of maximalist disruption on “Revolutionary”. Igniting this sonic barrage, the faint acoustic guitar melts into hard claps, soulful harmonies, and a militant beat. He tears through the production with pensive bars about God, the devil, the earth, and everything in between. It concludes with the hard-hitting proclamation, “I could never sell my soul/I came here to let you know/this our revolutionary shit!” The music video is equally as disruptive. Directed by Sabastian, the video is divided into two acts, each bleeding into the next with images of blue oceans and skies, white doves, and black angels. In the visual, David has a re-birth when he realizes that he’s the revolution.
FOLLOW: @davidsabastiananti
DBangz - “”The Source” ft. Jae Zole
19 year old Phoenix-born, L.A.-based Hip Hop artist, DBangz comes through with "The Source”, featuring Jae Zole. The song is sure to build momentum with DBangz' existing fans who listen for his raw and vivid lyricism, intricate rhyme schemes, and tongue-twisting, rapid-fire wordplay. Despite gaining popularity and building a massive fanbase by age 16, ultimately leading to an 8-week run atop Spotify’s Global Viral 50 chart, it’s clear that DBangz has matured as an artist. Thankfully, his fans have remained loyal while also allowing him the space to grow. Even after his initial success and virality, covering the front page of Reddit, amassing hundreds of millions of streams, and securing the bag as an independent artist, DBangz remains humble, staying true to himself and to his craft.
FOLLOW: @dborgus
Rochy RD x Myke Towers x Nicki Nicole - “Ella No Es Tuya” (Remix)
Directed by Creador and Manuel DH, “Ella No Es Tuya Remix” features scenes of Rochy RD and Myke Towers riding through the streets of the Dominican Republic and playing video games with the Romania-born, Dominican-based model Alexandra Hatcu, with Nicki Nicole’s scenes filmed separately in Argentina. The remix was penned by all 3 artists and produced by Nata Record and Nicael. Myke Towers’ rapping adds street flow, while Nicki Nicole contributes a new perspective as the woman who defends her independence and refuses to let anyone control who she spends time with.
The original release of “Ella No Es Tuya” in July 2020, quickly became a huge hit in the Dominican Republic, surpassing over 38 million views on YouTube and featuring one of the catchiest choruses of the year: “Ella no es tuya, te vendió sueño, dice que no tiene dueño, cuando está contigo eso es lo más bello, lo mismo que hace con ellos” (She isn’t yours, she sold you a dream. She says she belongs to no one. When she’s with you everything is beautiful, she does the same thing with others.)
FOLLOW: @nicki.nicole // @rochyrd // @myketowers
Pressa - "Attachments" ft. Taliban Glizzy
As an upcoming rapper from the D.C. area, Taliban Glizzy proves he may be following his brother Shy Glizzy’s footsteps, but stands on his own, rounding out “Attachments” with his verse. The track juxtaposes eerie, moody chords with street lyrics and a trap drum beat, which inspired the director, Michael Vincent, to take a cinematic approach to the video.
Vincent is an American photographer, filmmaker, and director who has photographed over 10,000 magazine covers featured throughout various publications such as Maxim, Esquire, GQ, and more. Shot in L.A., the video for “Attachments” chronicles a fictional tale of an informant’s demise. Pressa and Taliban Glizzy flex their acting muscles, taking us on a journey and bringing viewers along for the ride.
FOLLOW: @pressa.armani // @talibanglizzy
QRunitup - “DFA”
Rounding out this week’s roundup, comes Brooklyn’s next up - QRunitup. “DFA” is a hard hitting track, with an even harder hitting visual featuring a killer storyline and some of the Hypest videography we’ve seen all week. In late-2018, fast-rising rapper QRunitup took the city by storm upon the release of his debut single “Trappin On Trap.” Released while he was 17 years old, the song amassed a whopping quarter-million streams on streaming platforms alike and serves as a predecessor to his formidable catalog. Citing Tupac and Polo G as his inspirations, the multifaceted 19-year-old rapper is gaining a cult following that transcends age and socioeconomic status.
FOLLOW: @qrunitupp
