Soundclouds of the Undergound: Halloween Party Edition

These days, music truly lives online, with an infinite number of websites dedicated to hosting tunes for the laptop-wielding masses. However, the web’s bottomless pit of blogs isn’t the only place to troll for mp3 treasures—some of the newest and most exciting (Internet-friendly) artists can be sought out via Soundcloud, the online stage that allows musicians to promote and distribute their music to fans and friends across the globe. In this weekly column, expert Internet sleuth Alex Chapman goes into the depths of the music-sharing site, in hopes of shedding light on emerging acts, as well as sharing some digital diamonds in the rough.

It’s Halloween again, which means costumes, candy, and/or craziness. It also means you’re probably headed to some sort of party and, whether it’s in a fancy club or a funky-smelling basement, there’s a chance you might be called upon to whip out your phone and plug it into the speakers. This may sound daunting, but have no fear, we are here to help you prep your playlist. Check out the tracks below and add them to the evening’s spooky soundtrack if you feel so inclined. And remember, be sure to sugar-binge responsibly.

Black Dave: “Neva Gonna Be Right” Feat. D Stunna

Who: Harlem’s Black Dave is a modern-day Renaissance man, taking on the role of party-ready rapper and professional skateboarder and getting a great deal of acclaim for both vocations. Dave is undoubtedly a new star with a sound of his own (his tracks are socially conscious and rebellious while keeping catchy) as evidenced by his recently released mixtape Black Bart, which features Riff Raff, Smoke DZA, and Bodega Bamz, to name a few.

The Song: Produced by the extremely gifted Shy Guy (responsible for a bulk of Black Bart in addition to tracks with Le1f and Junglepussy), “Neva Gonna Be Right” finds Dave impressively flowing over boisterous trumpets and big bass that could belong to a Ludacris single. “Like my style, black and proud, can’t filter this, no black and mild” is a standout line, and perfectly encapsulates BD’s natural ability to flaunt a witty and fun energy while still having something to say.

Current Project: BD just released a great video for his track “Million Man March”—catch the clip here.

Gangsta Boo & Sinjin Hawke: “Yea Hoe”

Who: Memphis legend Gangsta Boo (of Three 6 Mafia) and Montreal producer Sinjin Hawke were brought together by the always ahead of the curve Red Bull Music Academy. Music-wise, Gangsta Boo is probably best known for her late ’90s hit “Where Dem Dollas At,” whereas Hawke has gained a reputation with songs like 2011’s “Love is on Your Side.”

The Song: Red Bull was right to put these together, as “Yea Hoe” (named after Boo’s signature ad-lib) is a return to form for the rap queen, with Hawke’s epic production melding together old school elements with a more recent dark and sexy sound.

Current Project: Keep up with Boo via her Facebook page and keep an eye out for Three 6 Mafia’s 6 Commandments tape, coming soon.

Azealia Banks: “ATM Jam” Feat. Pharrell (Kaytranada Edition)

Who: Kaytranada is a rare bird—the Canada-raised producer seems to find the perfect medium between the intimacy of a bedroom beat and the weight of a club anthem. Turn to tracks like the fat and funky “Hilarity Duff” or the ultra-smooth remix of JSMN’s “Love & Pain” as prime examples of Kaytranada’s distinct sound.

The Song: A rather drab original, Kaytranada takes the Banks-Pharrell duet to a downtown after-hours disco that is much more reminiscent of the rapper’s other material. Each of Kaytranada’s production elements—slinky synth, soul claps and dainty drums—create a new, arguably better beat altogether.

Current Project: Kaytranada is on tour with Groundislava and Jerome LOL until November 15—peep the dates here.

Soundclouds of the Underground runs every Thursday. For more, click here.