Soundclouds of the Underground: Best of the Month Edition

ABOVE: KITTY CASH. PHOTO COURTESY OF ZAC SEBASTIAN

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.

Summer is the season for mixtapes, and the past couple weeks have proven fruitful for a number of artists releasing a string of tracks to heat things up. Below are three of the strongest efforts, each by an act with something completely special to offer.

Cakes Da Killa: “Get 2 Werk”

Who: In the past couple years, New Jersey-born Cakes Da Killa has established himself as a lyrical powerhouse and international sensation. He’s a rare artist who combines biting wit with a New York battle rap delivery—fast, furious, and always in pocket.

The Song: Cakes’ newest, a mixtape called Hunger Pangs, continues to bring the rhymes in full force, as can be heard on the LSDXOXO-produced “Get 2 Werk.” It’s safe to say no one owns these fast-paced bpm tracks like Cakes, and in the Vogue-ready “Get 2 Werk” he fires off a flurry of quotable lines like, “I would break my fast just to eat this bitch.”  Dinner has been served.

Current Project: Get the new tape and find out about all things Cakes Da Killa on his website.

Kit: “L.W.O”

Who: The Chicago talent who first described his sound as “new wavey,” is elusive and engaging, walking the line between rapper and singer with the hazy, hard-hitting tracks off his newest mixtape Lownt God Rising.

The Song: Producers Supreme Cuts provide a nasty beat for “L.W.O,” the tape’s opening track. “I’m goin’ numb in my body I can feel it,” Kit raps over the obscured sax sample and neck-breaking drums, a perfectly trippy backdrop for the artist’s psychedelic subject matters.

Current Project: Lownt God Rising is now on iTunes—get it here.

Kitty Cash: “The Only Way Is Up”

Who: A Jane of all trades who’s revered for her selector skills and killer fashion, you may recognize Kitty Cash as the DJ to rapper Kilo Kish. But there’s no doubt Cash has stepped out in her own right, especially with her Love The Free mixtape, which features exclusive tracks from artists like Kelela and Vic Mensa.

The Song: Cash’s newest tape is in collaboration with artist Awol Erizku, a prelude to his show that features a number of soulful, dance-ready tracks, including an awesomely lively remix of Sampha and Drake’s “Too Much,” Mykki Blanco’s banger “Wavvy” and Que’s street hit “OG Bobby Johnson.”

Current Project: Erizku’s show opens today from 6 to 8pm at Hasted Kraeutler, 537 W. 24th St. For more info on Cash, check out her website.

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