Featuring tracks by Cico P, Nardo Wick, Dark0, Gvllow, Helica, and more essential artists
Follow our Unleashed playlist on Spotify and stay up to date with essential tracks by underground artists:
Cico P – “Tampa”
Cico P’s buzzing single “Tampa” first appeared on his 2019 mixtape Sweet Union, but it’s taken on new life in the past month thanks to TikTok. One lyric in particular – “That boy bad news, he a menace to society” – has become fodder for countless memes and helped introduce the Jacksonville, Texas rapper to a wider audience.
Cico P’s delicate vocal layering on “Tampa” suggests he has an intuitive knack for songcraft. Like many of Cico’s beat choices to date, the “Tampa” instrumental is light as a feather. He glides across it with grace and sneaky sophistication. – Jack Ellis
Nardo Wick – “Shhh”
Nardo Wick became one of 2021’s first breakout rappers when his sinister anthem “Who Want Smoke” exploded online in January. That song scored him co-signs from A-listers like Future and Lil Durk, and the industry excitement around Nardo Wick led to his last minute placement on the star-studded Judas and the Black Messiah soundtrack.
Amid his whirlwind success, the Jacksonville, Florida native has taken a less-is-more approach to new releases. He’s only dropped a handful of official singles, and each track adds layers to his ominous vision.
Nardo Wick has a taste for horrorcore that recalls early 21 Savage, but the details of his music reveal a singular imagination at work. On his latest single “Shhh,” Nardo growls poetic taunts over production that evokes the sweaty claustrophobia of a mosh pit. “You know I don’t talk a lot, Nina that’s my translator / Claiming he was solid, heard life and turned to Fantasia.” – Jack Ellis
Dark0 – “Shining Star”
Dark0’s “Shining Star” reconfigures rave music from the ground up, guiding his synth progressions toward subtle catharsis. – Mike Giegerich
Gvllow – “Fell In Love With a Ghost”
Whenever he’s not on tour as City Morgue’s live DJ, SoCal vampire Gvllow spends time holed up in a batcave crafting modern-day darkwave. “Fell In Love With a Ghost” is just one of many standouts on his recent Spiritwalker EP, a track which offers a razor-sharp contemporary polish to ‘80s trad-goth. – Jack Angell
Helica – “Lstar”
“Lstar” is a beautiful, detailed baroque art-pop single courtesy of U.K. singer-songwriter Helica. Its infectious melody feels equal parts transcendent and dirgeful, drawing you back in for frequent repeats. – Sam Weinberg
If I Die First – “My Nightmares Would Do Numbers as Horror Movies”
Boasting an impressive lineup of post-hardcore veterans Travis Richter and Derek Bloom (From First to Last), as well as SoundCloud-emo heavyweights Nedarb, Lotus, and Zubin, Los Angeles based outfit If I Die First continue their emo-revival hot streak with “My Nightmares Would Do Numbers as Horror Movies.”
Shedding over-tired MySpace-era cliches, If I Die First present an ultra-modern take on post-hardcore, finding a middleground that sounds original whilst also evoking nostalgia. As you listen, Bloom’s drum rolls, Lotus’ pained wails, and Zubin’s gentle croons will feel like the comforting hug of a sweaty Warped Tour mosh pit circa 2007. – Jack Angell
blxty – “regret”
“regret” taps emorave for atmospheric production with deep percussive touches that propel blxty’s glistening vocals forward. The result is an honest exploration of strained romantics. – Mike Giegerich
OTR Chaz – “Immortalized”
There’s a new wave of melodic rap sweeping through Baltimore, and OTR Chaz is at the forefront. Along with his frequent collaborator and recent Def Jam signee Roddy Rackzz, Chaz has cultivated a hook-heavy songwriting style that’s both broadly appealing and fiercely idiosyncratic.
On the chorus of his bleary mixtape cut “Immortalized”, Chaz traces the impact of a life-shattering loss with one loaded couplet: “I seen my brother die, I watched my mother cry / Shit left me traumatized, started dreaming ‘bout homicide.” – Jack Ellis
WifiGawd – “2 FLY”
WiFiGawd (aka UPT SOULJAH) slides on “2 FLY” with innate ease, giving his FULL COURT PRESS mixtape a hushed highlight. – Mike Giegerich
FLEE – “Clark Kent”
On the first single from FLEE’s upcoming album, the Queens rapper teams up with producer CardoGotWings to cruise through ambient production by offering yet another testimony to expensive jeans, star-struck women, and his unparalleled self-confidence. FLEE’s first album in two years, RatedStar, is set to drop on Friday, May 7th. – Millan Verma