R&B Archives - FUXWITHIT

Soulection Celebrates 13 Years With Its First Soulection Radio Mixtape

Braden Green — Tue, 06 Feb 2024 22:06:49 +0000

For 13 years, Soulection has at been at the forefront of pushing musical boundaries online. From its humble beginnings as a SoundCloud radio show to its present-day residence on Apple Music, co-founder and CEO Joe Kay has done more than most in an effort to expose the world to melodies and harmonies that would’ve otherwise flown under the radar for many listeners. Soulection’s impact on the beatmaker scene cannot be understated; with a superstar roster comprising of such greats as Mr. Carmack, Sam Gellaitry, J-Louis, Mikos Da Gawd, Singularis, and Evil Needle, it’s likely that your favorite producer has in some way, shape, or form drawn inspiration from Soulection’s releases.

Future beats, eclectic soul, forgotten gems, and timeless sounds… All brought to you by Joe Kay. This is Soulection.

With over 600 radio shows aired to date, the Soulection catalog is as large as it is diverse. Future beats, R&B, jungle, trap, and garage all get a little love from Joe Kay. Each episode is a music connoisseur’s dream, brimming with fresh releases and artists that invariably deserve more recognition. Joe Kay goes above and beyond typical track curation. He is a true taste-maker, one who has taken over a decade to help solidify a space for these genres to inhabit.

Album and EP releases aren’t a new foray for Soulection. The first Soulection Compilation album was released in 2011. Other notable compilations such as 3 Years of Soulection, the Stussy Collaboration, and a slew of White Label releases followed in the coming years (all of which are available for free on their website here). Soulection Radio Mixtape 001 is the first mixtape of its kind in the discography, featuring a number of radio-show exclusive tracks and blends that haven’t been formally released prior (and which longtime fans are sure to recognize). The album consists of returning Soulection OGs such as Sango, Jared Jackson, and ESTA., alongside more recent newcomers to the label like love ave. and Flwr Chyld. From the sultry strings of Sango’s ‘Overnight Love’ live mix to the bustling drums of JAEL‘s ‘Think of You Jungle Edit,’ this compilation is chock-full of gems.

You can join in on the anniversary celebration with the SoundCloud tracks below, or check out the Bandcamp page here for the full versions of all tracks. We’re really looking forward to year 14, Joe, so keep up the stellar work.

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SOULECTION · Soulection Radio Mixtape 001: 13th Year Anniversary

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Kaelin Ellis Ensures, Triumphantly, That ‘THE FUNK WILL PREVAIL’

Gabriella Bavaro — Tue, 19 Apr 2022 22:03:07 +0000

Wisdom, soul, and unpredictability. Three words that describe the effervescent, vintage-inspired production of Kaelin Ellis. The notable producer/instrumentalist/DJ’s new album THE FUNK WILL PREVAIL speaks to all of this, with more theatrics (and little time) to spare. The album begins in a whimsical fashion, where a formant-shifted, alien-like voice directly addresses its audience. “Hello,” the voice says (presumably Kaelin himself). “Do not attempt to skip this song. Any other movement will disrupt the force that is about to enter your bloodstream. That force is known as ‘THE FUNK.’”

‘THE FUNK’ takes on full force as the album runs into its next track (‘BUCK’ with CARRTOONS and Kyla Moscovitch), with cascading synths and rising chords. The moment of anticipation is broken by proud hip-hop drums, jubilant trumpets, and an unmatched beat that only stops for a coo of satisfaction from the alien voice.

The opening ends, and the next track (‘CATS GROOVE,’ a collaboration with Tony Rosenberg) begins with the same repeated mantra of “don’t force the funk.” What follows is a funk-inspired instrumental, littered with interesting percussion. The track is subdued, precise, and decisive, as listeners are led down a winding, animated path by flute and piano. The next track (‘HOME.cookin’) is also transitioned in through vocal exclamation, and, over its minute and 16 seconds, creates an even more meditative path for listeners to enjoy.

The track fades into ‘LIL BIT,’ a standout on the album and a previously released single. A heavier piece with churning 808s and a deep vocal that repeats the phrase “just a lil’ bit not a lot.” Heavily distorted synths pepper themselves in and use the stereo field to his advantage with heavily panned instruments.

This is also the first track to feature a full verse from Ellis, and his words are tinged with pride, in his heritage, image, and sound. “I’m a funk-soul brotha with an attitude,” he raps. “Got an afro pick with the glasses too/ Making music since the day I came up out the womb/ So write about it now let me introduce you.” Indeed, the entire album feels like a deep glimpse into Ellis’ world, as we are introduced to soundscape after soundscape that is immeasurably intricate and beautiful, pride well-founded.

‘LIL BIT’ then blends seamlessly into ‘TRIPPIN,’ the next song off the album. Another unique piece, it begins with classical-inspired vocal chops and the delicate vocals from collaborators Max Oakley and Lulu V. The eclectic opening is soon replaced by more introspective, dream-like jazz, tinged by string samples that interplay with an electric keyboard, perhaps an homage to his days as a youth spent playing keys in the church choir.

This time, the foreman-shifted vocals at the end of this piece tell the listener to ‘SWING IT!’, and then give way to the next track of the same name, a collaboration with Sw8vy. The song is in fact, swung, and is once again peppered with the unique percussion Ellis is so renowned for. Ellis oscillates between calming jazz, soulful hip-hop, and electronic idiosyncrasies that create an almost meditative state for the listener, a state that is furthered by the next few tracks, ‘THE CALM’, ‘SLUMDOG’, and ‘DONT BE LATE’.

The state is interrupted with the following ‘GET RIGHT!’, a tight and spirited RnB track with impeccable, inventive percussion, and impressive vocals from collaborator C.S. Armstrong. The track is over in a minute and 42 seconds this time, followed by ‘BUSSIN’ and ‘SLANKY,’ more bite-sized morsels of a delectable world Ellis has created.

The album ends on the song ‘ACT ONE’, which is reminiscent of 90s hip hop with shuffle drums and a detuned piano, and a lead mallet instrument. The end of the song, by choice, doesn’t resolve the tension, as exemplified by the last melody, as if suggesting music to come. Its title (‘ACT ONE’) serves its purpose and will leave listeners on the edges of their seats, for a future act two.

In all senses, THE FUNK WILL PREVAIL is a self-referential and thematic piece of Ellis’ storied career, and a glimpse into the mind of an eclectic, self-motivated artist with few boundaries and many talents. With no song on the album being more than 2 minutes, each piece offers brief glimpses into a vibrant, funk-tinged world Ellis has cultivated for listeners, that feels every bit as careful as it is celebratory.

Listen to THE FUNK WILL PREVAIL now and find it on your preferred streaming service here.

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KAELIN ELLIS · THE FUNK WILL PREVAIL

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Coco & Breezy are ‘Liftin Me Up’ with Sublime New Single

Gabriella Bavaro — Mon, 07 Mar 2022 23:08:45 +0000

House duo Coco & Breezy return with soulful force on their shimmering new single, ‘Liftin Me Up.’ The twins are no strangers to filling a dance floor, as evidenced by their well-loved discography and fast-growing fan base. ‘Liftin Me Up,’ however, serves as a spiritual affirmation. It’s an ambrosial track that is a testament to female power, community, and family. The release is in conjunction with Femme House x Insomniac, an 11-track package built around some of the most prolific female-identifying producers in the current house music scene. The compilation is also the first-of-its-kind for Insomniac and house music at large. Indeed, the skill of these two DJs is steadfast. Grooving basslines flow into one another, accompanied by well-placed vocal chops and melodic moments. Eccentric ancillary percussion is peppered in between. The production covers a wide palette of sounds, melding R&B and house music into a work that uplifts the listener while simultaneously encouraging deep reflection. In the span of a few short years, the duo has developed an enthralling signature style that has enlivened the dance scene. Coco & Breezy also speak to a desire to foster community in their music. “Progress isn’t passive and it doesn’t happen alone.” They add, “We are constantly setting intentions, reflecting, and affirming one another to help our whole tribe grow & prosper. We need to lift each other up – through words, through actions, and through music. That’s why Femme House was a perfect partner for us with this song.” The track closes with an intimate recording of the twin sisters with their mother, in which they reflect on “something [that] might come your way that you think is negative.” At that moment, one of them reconsiders. “[I say] hold on. Let me think about this blessing I got…Everything is carved out in our lives for a reason… it’s divine order.” In this moment, the listener, who had been surrounded by chants of “you’re lifting me up so let me hold you down”, grasps the necessity of support and perspective in the face of adversity, and the necessity of providing that support for others. “No one has lifted us up more than our parents, so when our Mom needed some support recently, we had to make sure we held her down like she’s always done for us,” the duo later added. This bubbling track thus ends in a reflective repose. Work that is both a party and at peace. Listen to ‘Liftin Me Up’ now and find it on your preferred streaming service here. [soundcloud url=”https://api.soundcloud.com/tracks/1212530500″ params=”color=#644c4c&auto_play=true&hide_related=true&show_comments=true&show_user=false&show_reposts=false&show_teaser=true&visual=true” width=”100%” height=”300″ iframe=”true” /]

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esentrik Gives SZA’s ‘I Hate U’ A Sultry Makeover

Arielle Lana LeJarde — Mon, 03 Jan 2022 23:24:47 +0000

Finally stepping foot outside of my apartment after 10 days locked up since Omicron stormed through New York City and landed on me, the cold breeze that turned my whole body red was jarring. But after listening to the esentrik edit of SZA’s ‘I Hate U,’ one thing became clear. NYC’s temperatures may be decreasing, but the music coming out of it is just warming up. esentrik just so happens to be one of our city’s finest, so when he dropped this seductive edit on the first Monday of the year, we had no choice but to tell the world about it.

In true esentrik fashion, the producer gives the melancholic tune a funky flip that makes you nostalgic for summer days and Soundcloud’s golden era (that actually never really went away). The beatmaker adds organic elements by starting with strings that lead into the bootleg’s new bouncy bassline. Taking the songstress’ vocals up a few octaves to match the beat’s high energy, esentrik infuses a seductive punch that gives ‘I Hate U’ pure danceability. SZA may be pouring her soul out about heartbreak in the song, but it doesn’t mean you can’t have a great time grooving to it.

Listen to it now and support esentrik by copping it on Bandcamp.

esentrik · i hate u. (esentrik edit)

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Louis Futon Talks Health, Ranks Punny Artist Names, and Gets Nostalgic About ‘Couchsurfing’ [Interview]

Arielle Lana LeJarde — Fri, 17 Dec 2021 20:22:05 +0000

Last month, Louis Futon blessed us with the masterpiece that is Couchsurfing. The way the LA-based producer is able to find the perfect balance of modern and vintage sounds, there’s no doubt this album will stand the test of time. It’s the ideal medley of electro-soul, funk, and hip-hop and the artist managed to bring together artists from all over the music scene to collaborate. Whether he’s teaming up with incredible rappers like Armani White, iconic producers like Bad Snacks, or doing it all himself—as per standout track ‘Ms. Intentions’—Couchsurfing is a one-of-a-kind album that the musician holds close to his heart.

Noting that this project was personal to Louis Futon, we wanted to take some time to dive deeper into the album by speaking to the man himself. Re-listen to Couchsurfing while you check out the interview below.

Hey Louis Futon, thank you for taking the time to talk to us! You had a pretty big health scare that landed you in the ER recently. How have you been since then?

Been doing great! Turns out it was just stomach acid that was causing chest pains. It was crazy to see all these messages coming in from people who had similar health scares. Health is wealth.

And how have you been feeling since the long-awaited release of Couchsurfing?

Relief. I feel this physical release in my body and my mind whenever I release new music, it keeps me moving forward. It’s been great seeing the positive reception towards it as well.

Can you pinpoint the light-bulb moment where you realized everything was all coming together and this could be a complete album?

At a certain point in time, I was just sitting with 20 or so tracks that I felt like couldn’t go together at all. But I thought “What if I could actually tie these all together and make it flow like a journey”. So that’s when I started all the transitions between tracks and actualized the project itself.

Couchsurfing represents a time you moved to Los Angeles from Philly and were literally doing just that. I read that you actually met your girlfriend while couch surfing during this time. Do you have any other funny anecdotes you can share with us?

Yes. My friends didn’t make me pay rent, so in return, I would buy an ice cream cake for them every Sunday with a different funny message drizzled on it each time. Kinda became a tradition.

You’re sharing a really personal moment in time and a turning point in your life with this record. Is there anything you want listeners to learn from their listening experience?

You gotta trust your gut and go with the flow. There are going to be uncomfortable and confusing moments, but if you let yourself go through it your future self will thank you.

I caught one of the featured artists on the record, Armani White, performing as a secret special guest at a Good Society show in LA. And I know you’ve actually worked with both of those names before. I notice when you work with someone, you usually continue to find other capacities to continue a collaborative relationship with them. Is there any reason for that?

When I find someone who I love to work with in the studio AND hit it off on a personal level, we stay in each other’s lives and create a lasting relationship. This usually results in new musical collaborations, but it doesn’t have to. Armani and I really get each other because we know our relationship goes beyond music.

In your experience, how does the music scene differ in LA? Any plans of ever moving back to the east coast?

There’s nothing like LA. Access to the most amazing musicians/studios in the world, jams happening almost every night, and of course the weather. No plans to move back as of now, LA definitely feels like home.

So, not many people get that your name is a punny for Louis Vuitton, and while you say you were not taking it that seriously back then, the name almost acts as a time capsule for what was popular in that era. With that being said, can you rank these punny artist names? San Holo, Run DMT, Chet Faker, The Samuel Jackson Five, Louis Futon.

C’mon now…in this order:
Louis Futon
San Holo
Chet Faker
The Samuel Jackson Five
Run DMT

We love to see the self-love! Last question: Why didn’t you name the album Futonsurfing?

Fuck.

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Kabwasa Reps California In Groovy 2-Track EP ‘Westside’

Arielle Lana LeJarde — Thu, 09 Dec 2021 23:13:59 +0000

California love has never been more real. Watsonville native Kabwasa is in the cut, flaunting his state in his latest release, an EP called Westside. Now based out of Los Angeles, the rapper reps the coast with two tracks that share just how much he adores his home. He shares with us, “There’s a lot of rappers reppin the Bay Area and there’s a lot of rappers reppin So-Cal, but there’s not many rappers showin love to the Central Coast. With Westside Funk I wanted to give the Center Coast the love they deserve.”

Kabwasa brings two delightful tracks to Westside with appropriately named ‘Westside Funk’ and ‘Westside Blues.’ He starts it off with high energy, spitting, “I’m serving face on the left side/ Know that that’s my best side/ Steppin to that west side funk/ Watsonville dreamin California livin/ Everybody from the 831.” The artist then slows things down with love song ‘Westside Blues’ that encapsulates the romantic energy of R&B. Whether he’s rapping or singing, his way with words will resonate with listeners from any coast.

Check out Westside below and watch the newly-dropped ‘Westside Funk’ music video below!

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Ayotemi Puts His Versatility On Display with Foolie $urfin-Produced ‘peon’

Victor Lovo — Fri, 03 Dec 2021 00:36:41 +0000

In this fast-paced world we live in, it’s important to remember to slow down and take a quick breath, and that’s just what Maryland native Ayotemi’s ‘peon’ reminds us to do. Although hailing from Maryland, the young talent’s Nigerian roots shine through and provide the foundation for his soulful take on hip-hop with influences ranging from Afro-Beat to R&B. Beyond coming with a truly unique take on hip-hop, Ayotemi has worked with FUX favorite Foolie $urfin with their record ‘New Jam’ and we’re excited to see them collaborate again on this track as well as the upcoming Indigo Rap album. Taking all of this into account, you know we had to walk you through Ayotemi’s latest, ‘peon,’ which is out now via Good Society.

Stay Grounded, Stay Golden. Mountains and rivers will move over you.

AYOTEMI, ‘PEON’

Right out the gate, we’re met with this wavy synth that we ride throughout the intro before the voice of Ayotemi finally peaks through the mix. The opening seconds of the first verse are a perfect example of Ayotemi’s versatility. An off-kilter flow that perfectly fills the spaces between the ever-increasing percussion elements perfectly is soon interrupted by a switch-up that offers a smoother ride along with the beat as its drops. Effortlessly switching from singing to falsetto and back to rapping is something to marvel at, and ‘peon’ has plenty of that lying within. Check out the whole thing down below!

AYOTEMI · peon

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KAYTRANADA Drops 3 Seductive Songs on His Latest ‘Intimidated’ EP

Arielle Lana LeJarde — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 06:57:11 +0000

We’re a simple blog—we see KAYTRANADA drop music, we write about it. And on November 19, the GRAMMY Award-winning artist dropped the Intimidated EP, made up of three tracks that represent KAYTRANADA in a nutshell. Supported by R&B songstress H.E.R., modern soul artist Thundercat, and Newark rapper Mach-Hommy, Intimidated lives up to its name, making anyone who release around that time quake.

The title track has to be my favorite of the project, and it was absolutely the most hyped-up song as soon as the record dropped. H.E.R.’s nicely nectarous voice makes you instantly fall in love, and it’s even more intoxicating when matched with KAYTRA’s bubbly beats. Thundercat then joins in for the bouncy ‘Be Careful,’ flaunting his distinguishing falsetto in this sultry serenade. The EP ends with Mach-Hommy’s ‘$payforhaiti,’ which is a follow-up to the rapper’s similarly-themed Pray For Haiti album that was released 6 months ago. Mach-Hommy switches off rapping in English and Kreyòl, paying homage to both his and KAYTRANADA’s Haitian roots.

You can always expect greatness from KAYTRANADA, but Intimidated proves that you don’t need to release 20+ tracks (looking at you Kanye and Drake) to make waves in the scene. While the EP rests at 9 minutes and 14 seconds long, it’s so addicting, there’s no doubt you’ll be keeping it on repeat.

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Ace Henderson Educates Us On Love In ‘STUDY_ABROAD’

Arielle Lana LeJarde — Thu, 22 Apr 2021 13:16:13 +0000

Once we got our ears on the upcoming HOUSEWARMING EP, we had no doubts in our mind that this artist is bound to blow up. Today, Ace Henderson drops the first track off the project called ‘STUDY_ABROAD’ and it’s definitely a must-listen.

Born in Brooklyn, but currently Raleigh-based, Ace Henderson isn’t new to the scene. The musician has been actively making r&b and soul for years, using his music to share stories and resonate with people. Not phased by the halt on the industry last year, he’s been killing the game in 2021. Last month, Ace released a 2-track EP, JETLAGGED IN DALLAS and he recently was invited to HBO’s Insecure Writing Camp. Huge moves all around, which just makes us even more excited for HOUSEWARMING to come out.

Making this record felt like summer before college. Free of responsibilities but also aware of new challenges that would come. Finding a way to have fun through the chaos. Chaotic good though….I want to invite people to the world my friends and I have been building from within. I want to share HOUSEWARMING gifts to them that make them excited to make safe spaces for themselves and explore what it means to be present in the life we are blessed to have.

Ace Henderson

Ace Henny’s groovy flow and melodic yet simplistic funky beats on ‘STUDY_ABROAD’ make him such a pleasure to listen to. It’s the type of song you can see yourself vibing and singing along to while taking a summer road trip across the coast. Just an all-around calm and cute feel-good love song and sets the tone perfectly for what you can expect in the whole EP.

Listen to Ace Henderson’s ‘Study Abroad’ below and get excited for his forthcoming EP, HOUSEWARMING.

(ace) henderson · STUDY_ABROAD

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DejaVilla Delivers Sexy ‘Chocolate in Your Pocket’

Arielle Lana LeJarde — Tue, 16 Feb 2021 03:43:01 +0000

Now that Valentine’s Day is over, listening to sexy music is back on for us single folks. And if you’re having a deep craving for it like me, DejaVilla dropped a new track, ‘Chocolate in Your Pocket,’ that’ll satisfy it.

Interestingly enough, the duo comprised of David Marston and Sarah Couch is thriving in the times of the pandemic. Both were born and raised in Kingston Jamaica, but are currently creating music long-distance between London and Kingston. Knowing their background, it’s no surprise that this song brings steamy island vibes.

DejaVilla is known to combine elements of electronic funk, soul, and R&B in their music, so this track is a perfect introduction to what you’ll find in their discography. Marston’s groovy, head-bopping beat-making and Couch’s voluptuous vocals are a match made in heaven in ‘Chocolate In Your Pocket.’

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