ĀR RÄ

We are halfway through the year and there has been plentiful content being produced from the Gritty City. There has been a constant production of great content from some well-known artists as well as some that are on the rise in the city of Richmond. I made this list of projects based on projects that are released on January 1st, 2018 all the way to June 21st, 2018. Here is a collection of nine Richmond projects that you should definitely listen to.

1.) Michael Millions- Hard to Be King

The year started with the release of a jazzy, soulful project from Michael Millions. His project ended up on XXL and his music video for Sirens, which is on the album, was featured on Revolt TV. Hard to Be King is produced by a variety of people from his brother NameBrand, to fellow Association of Great Minds member Nickelus F, JL Hodges, Bandolero, and many more. The nineteen-track project focuses on Michael’s journey to happiness. In Sirens, Michael talks about the city he grew up in and some of the challenges that he faced growing up in Richmond. The tracks transition smoothly as the instrumentals gradually change in range, making it sound like it’s a long, beautiful story. Some tracks to check out on the project: Moor Hustle (feat. Melodic), Blacksugar (feat. Fly Anakin and Nickelus F), and Happy. You can follow Michael Millions on Instagram and Twitter (@michaelmillions)

2.) AARNXBRWN- Jailbird On Walton

AARNXBRWN created a buzz in the last year with performing at shows like FaceMelt Friday and Flora here in Richmond. The Equals7 collective he’s in even holds shows that happen weekly on Thursday nights. His most recent project that dropped June 2nd, Jailbird On Walton, gives any new listener a solid introduction to who he is as an individual. Jailbird On Walton is a nineteen-track project that has a balance of party songs and darker, more introspective tracks. This project shows his perseverance in his trials and tribulations. Some tracks to check out on the project: Taquito, Frankenstein (feat. OG Illa), and Wake Up. You can follow AARNXBRWN on Instagram and Twitter (@AARNXBRWN)

3.) Radio B- Jesus Never Wore A Suit

This project had almost a year and a half of anticipation in the making thanks to its precursor project, Sunday’s Best back in 2017. The level of cathexis Radio was showing into manifesting Jesus Never Wore A Suit as a study for understudies to borrow from is displayed in caring for the ones close to you. Here’s an excerpt from one of the songs on JNWAS, I Got U to show what I mean: “We all see something different. We all see different pictures, but you a masterpiece. I wanna buy you wineries and cabins. Let you lavish in all your favorite things. Go to paradise and play on the swings. Share our fears and share “highdeas”. So what we talking’ bout?

When you call my name…I wanna make it where you call our name…No fault no shame. No shift no blame. I’ll share your pain. I’ll share my soul. You make me whole.”. Some tracks to check out: Cursing In Church, I Got U, and Freedom To Live. You can follow Radio B on Instagram and Twitter (@RadioBlitz)

4.) Milo Case- Pillow Talking Weather

An up and coming artist from Richmond and recent UVA Alum, Milo Case, has been doing music ever since his days as a child. Pillow Talking Weather is a fifteen track mixtape that covers topics from the usual “Netflix and Chill”, college adventures, and black love to conscious societal issues such as police brutality and underfunded education from where he lived at in his younger days. Milo Case displays his versatility in sound through his rapping and singing to his overall beat selection. He was at episode three of the RVA Lyricist Lounge and finished as the runner-up. His presence in the RVA Lyricist Lounge and rising popularity in the city lead him to work on a track with Michael Millions that’s coming out later in the year. Some tracks that you should check out: Kickback, Vivadellis, and Hack (Bonus Track). You can follow Milo Case on Instagram (@milo.case) and Twitter (@MiloCaseMusic).

5.) Nickelus F- Stuck

The legendary rapper hailing from Southside of Richmond dropped Stuck to celebrate his graduation from VCU. Stuck is a fourteen-track project that explores his struggles in dark, introspective tracks that fits this lyricist’s style. Recently on a WRIR radio interview w/ artist Black Liq, Nickelus F said that the second track, Sleazie Wonder, a beat that he made for the deceased Richmond artist, Sleazie Wonder. On that track, he shouts out people who he respects greatly. He also debuted a new name, Horace Hardbody The Statue, which is the thirteenth track on Stuck. It’s a reflective project that’s strictly produced by Petey (which is also Nickelus F by the way). Some tracks to check out: Mids, Trill Burr, and Horace Hardbody The Statue. You can follow Nickelus F on Instagram and Twitter (@nickelusf).

6.) Fly Anakin & Ohbliv- Backyard Boogie  

Two members of the Mutant Academy collective released a collaborative project back on April, 20th. The sixteen-track project was strictly produced by Ohbliv and has Fly Anakin on every track. Backyard Boogie is a bar filled project that covers a variety of topics over a diverse and elegant beat selection by Ohbliv. The project has several features from Nickelus F, fellow Mutant Academy members Henny L.O. and Koncept Jack$on and more. Some tracks to check out: Thug Bachata, Several Blunts Later (feat. Koncept Jack$son), and The Prototype (We Got All Night). You can follow Fly Anakin and Ohbliv on Instagram and Twitter (@flyanakin) & (@ohbliv).

7.) Tuamie & Henny L.O.- Emergency Raps: Volume 2

Mutant Academy makes the list once again with another tag team project. Emergency Raps: Volume 2 is strictly produced by Tuamie and features Henny L.O. on twelve of the thirteen tracks. It’s another bar filled project over an extravagant beat selection from Tuamie. Emergency Raps features M.A. members Fly Anakin, Koncept Jack$on, Big Kahuna OG, and Richmond artist Monday Night. Emergency Raps: Volume 3 is already in the works and is on the way soon. The date for that project has yet to be revealed. Some tracks to check out: Exhibit M (feat. Henny L.O. and Monday Night), Love 3x, and Light Years (feat. Henny L.O. and Fly Anakin). You can follow Tuamie on Instagram (@tuamie_) and on Twitter (@Loop_Samples). You can also follow Henny L.O. on Instagram and Twitter (@hennyldot).

8.) Peter $un- Valencia

The Richmond native Peter $un collaborated with producer Lasik Beats to create the Valencia EP. The EP pays homage to his new home in Los Angeles. Valencia is influenced by Playboi Carti as $un would listen to Carti frequently during the cultivation of Valencia. It has a unique modern west coast influence as the instrumentals are more upbeat and playful that anyone can vibe to. Some of the tracks to check out: SUM MOE, VALENCIA, and EVRY THNG NVV. You can follow Peter $un on Instagram and Twitter (@holapedroxx).

9.) ĀR RÄ- The Sun Tape

ĀR RÄ is an artist from Southside of Richmond that has been making his own wave. He has done so from having his own radio station to being on DTLR radio to having giveaways of Adidas shoes, and more with his sun themed music. The Sun Tape is an eleven track project that describes his past that he’s adamant and honest about. The way that ĀR RÄ plays with many sun references in how he presents not just his trap music, but as a brand, definitely shows that he has a bright future ahead of him. Some tracks to check out: Sun Beam, Sun God, and Sun Tan. You can follow him on Instagram and Twitter (@arraoso)

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