play_arrow
HYFIN Connecting The Culture
Rhythm Lab Radio Redefining the Urban Sound
88Nine
Let’s stop pretending we desegregated schools
Discovering her past: Element uncovers her roots through African Ancestry DNA testing Tarik Moody
(Lovett Music / RCA)
Victoria Monét has traded in the lush velvet horns and retro-soul grooves of JAGUAR for pure, unadulterated romance on Frequency of Love. It’s an album that sounds like sipping expensive champagne on a silk couch—lavish, intimate, and effortlessly smooth. Monét proves once again that she is modern R&B’s master architect, blending 90s-inspired synth pads with crystal-clear vocal stacks that radiate genuine warmth.
What makes Frequency of Love hit so hard is its unhurried confidence. Rather than chasing TikTok-friendly byte-sized hooks, Victoria lets every beat breathe, creating a sprawling atmospheric vibe that demands a full front-to-back listen. If her last era was a high-octane entrance to the main stage, this album is the victory lap where she lets us peek straight into her heart.
(Blue Note Records)
Leave it to Meshell Ndegeocello to completely redefine the art of the cover album. On Synonym, the legendary bassist and songwriter reinterprets a curated collection of classic tracks alongside an incredible cast of guest vocalists, turning familiar compositions into completely unpredictable duets. Her bass lines still pulse like a steady heartbeat, but the production leans heavily into ambient jazz, psych-soul, and spoken-word poetry.
Synonym feels less like a studio project and more like a late-night jam session in a dimly lit Greenwich Village basement. Each track bends and morphs in real time, demonstrating Ndegeocello’s unique ability to elevate everyone around her without ever stepping out of her own artistic light. It’s dark, deeply soulful, and effortlessly cool.
(Griselda Records / Roc Nation)
First Lady of Griselda, Armani Caesar returns with The Liz Symphony, effortlessly fusing gritty street hip-hop with grand cinematic orchestration. Moving past the pure boom-bap minimalism of her earlier tapes, this project leans heavily into lush string arrangements and jazzy keys while preserving the sharp, menacing lyricism that made her a staple.
Caesar glides over these intricate beats with absolute authority, effortlessly balancing mob boss swagger with high-fashion elegance. The Liz Symphony cements her status as one of the most versatile spitters in the game—proving she can sound just as comfortable over a full orchestral arrangement as she does over a raw, stripped-back snare.
(Hathaway Entertainment / SRG-ILS)
Rooted in the musical soil of her hometown and released as a tribute to her father Donny Hathaway, Lalah Hathaway’s Made In Chicago is a masterclass in vocal technique and emotional depth. The project effortlessly merges classic South Side Chi-town soul with modern R&B, jazz, and spoken-word poetry.
Hathaway’s iconic, velvety contralto voice takes center stage here, floating seamlessly over warm horn lines and electric piano chords. It’s an album that feels profoundly intimate, serving both as a love letter to the Windy City and a powerful testament to her enduring legacy as modern soul royalty.
(Quality Control / Motown Records)
When Quavo pairs his trademark melodic trap cadence with Pharrell Williams’ signature minimal, synth-heavy production, magic happens. QRÖMELIFE drops the usual trap formulas in favor of sharp, metallic basslines, off-kilter percussion, and unexpected sonic shifts that keep you guessing on every track.
Quavo sounds completely re-energized by Pharrell’s futuristic beats, delivering some of his sharpest hooks and most reflective verses in years. The album walks a fine line between high-energy club anthems and experimental art-rap, making QRÖMELIFE a standout collaborative effort for both artists.
(REMEMB3R / Warner Records)
A decade after its original release, Mac Miller’s tribute to love, intimacy, and female energy returns with three unreleased gems from the original recording sessions. Revisiting The Divine Feminine serves as a poignant reminder of Mac’s artistic bravery—the moment he fully leaned into jazz-rap fusion, live instrumentation, and tender crooning.
The added bonus tracks fit seamlessly into the tracklist, offering fans a fresh peak into Mac’s creative headspace during one of his most transformative eras. Ten years later, the album’s lush brass sections, soaring pianos, and heartfelt lyrics remain as timeless and comforting as ever.
(JCM / Virgin Music)
Montell Fish continues his deep dive into acoustic bedroom-pop, gospel undertones, and haunting R&B on NEST. Built on muted guitar strums, lo-fi vocal harmonies, and reverberating room sound, the project captures the overwhelming weight of grief, devotion, and romantic longing.
What sets NEST apart is its sheer vulnerability. Montell’s falsetto cracked under the weight of his lyrics creates an atmosphere so raw and personal it feels like listening to someone’s private voice notes. It’s a dark, beautiful listen designed for late-night reflection.
(Tru Community / Ditto)
London-born, Birmingham-raised rapper Kofi Stone delivers a storytelling tour de force on The Last Flower To Bloom. Grounded in classic boom-bap, warm soul samples, and crisp live instrumentation, Stone reflects on growth, patience, and surviving the pressures of youth.
His introspective delivery and poetic rhyme schemes turn every song into a vivid short story. In an era of quick-fix single releases, The Last Flower To Bloom stands out as a cohesive, deeply personal body of work that hits right in the chest.
(Stones Throw Records)
Los Angeles rapper-producer The Koreatown Oddity delivers another slice of unhinged, creative genius with Purdy. Known for his self-produced, cassette-tape-crunch beats and humorous, stream-of-consciousness storytelling, this album navigates fatherhood, neighborhood dynamics, and the absurdities of daily life.
Purdy is fun, unpredictable, and completely unapologetic. The Koreatown Oddity effortlessly glides between dusty jazz loops, quirky comedy sketches, and surprisingly poignant life lessons, proving why he remains one of the underground’s most distinctive voices.
HYFIN is a media movement from Radio Milwaukee.
Milwaukee’s only Urban Alternative radio station features the full spectrum of Black music beyond R&B and Hip-Hop plus Milwaukee music. HYFIN connects the culture with the latest Black culture news, podcasts and more. Listen to best hip hop & R&B, dance, Afrobeats and more!
Get your tickets now for just $10 in advance or $15 at the door and join us at 220 East Pittsburgh on May 10th.
