play_arrow
HYFIN Connecting The Culture
Rhythm Lab Radio Redefining the Urban Sound
88Nine
Julio Torres wants more time (and five clones)
Discovering her past: Element uncovers her roots through African Ancestry DNA testing Tarik Moody
(Because Music)
Shygirl continues her reign as one of club music’s most expressive boundary-pushers, stepping back into the spotlight with SWALLOW!. Building on the electronic foundations of Nymph, this project weaves heavy basslines, hyperpop accents, and sultry house grooves into a cohesive late-night soundtrack. She strikes a compelling balance between raw underground energy and polished, anthemic hooks.
Production comes courtesy of long-time collaborators like Sega Bodega alongside a sharp team of electronic innovators. Standout cuts like “Alyse,” “Luvli,” and “Real” highlight her distinct vocal cadence—oscillating effortlessly between detached spoken-word confidence and melodic vulnerability.
With an upcoming festival run and club tour dates on the horizon, SWALLOW! feels built specifically for physical spaces. It is an immersive, high-energy body of work that reinforces Shygirl’s reputation as a vital voice in modern UK club culture.
(Big Smoke Records / Epic Records)
Seven years after his last solo full-length, UK grime and rap titan Skepta returns with The Fork and Knife. Rather than chasing current sonic trends, Skepta doubles down on the heavy basslines, crisp percussion, and razor-sharp flows that built his legacy, delivering a project that feels both classic and refined.
The production boasts a international roster, featuring beats from UK staples alongside rising global talent like BZM. Skepta also brings heavy-hitting guest features into his orbit, including Central Cee, Jorja Smith, and Memphis legend Project Pat. Standout tracks like “Cold Shower” demonstrate his uncanny ability to bridge London street grit with global hip-hop sensibilities.
With rumors of a major international headline tour in support of the record, The Fork and Knife serves as a strong reminder of Skepta’s standing as a global cultural ambassador for UK rap.
(Quality Control Music / Motown Records)
Atlanta heavyweight Lil Baby returns with FRESH, a 17-track collection that finds him operating at peak confidence. The project leans heavily into the rapid-fire flows and reflective street narratives that made him a megastar, while showcasing a noticeably elevated production palette.
The album features an elite lineup of producers, including Metro Boomin, London on da Track, Wheezy, and Pharrell Williams, who produced the standout single “Dead Fresh.” On the feature front, Lil Baby reconnects with long-time collaborators Future, Young Thug, and Rylo Rodriguez on the standout posse cut “All My Partnas.”
With arena dates expected to follow the release, FRESH delivers exactly what fans expect from an Atlanta titan: heavy beats, relentless flows, and anthems built to shake arenas nationwide.
(Mass Appeal Records)
Veteran DJ and producer Statik Selektah delivers another masterclass in East Coast hip-hop with Expensive Taste. True to form, the project is anchored by Statik’s signature soul-sample chop, crisp boom-bap drums, and immaculate turntable scratches, giving the entire tape a timeless, handcrafted feel.
As always, Statik brings together an impressive lineup of lyricists across generations, pairing seasoned veterans with the sharpest voices in modern underground rap. Tracks like the title track showcase his ability to craft backdrop canvases that force MCs to bring their absolute best bar work.
Statik continues to be one of the culture’s most reliable tastemakers. Expensive Taste serves as another solid entry in his deep catalog and a celebration of classic hip-hop craftsmanship.
(Django Music)
Afrobeat icon Seun Kuti joins forces once again with his father Fela Kuti’s legendary orchestra, Egypt 80, for Na Dem. The album delivers fierce, politically charged anthems driven by explosive horn arrangements, intricate polyrhythmic percussion, and sharp social commentary.
Recorded with authentic live-band intensity, Seun commands every track with powerful vocal performances and blistering saxophone solos. Egypt 80’s tight rhythm section provides a deep, hypnotic groove that carries the spirit of Afrobeat tradition directly into the present day.
With international tour dates supporting the release, Na Dem stands as an unyielding, high-energy declaration of resistance and musical mastery from one of Nigeria’s finest musical ambassadors.
(Ninja Tune)
Irish multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Ciarán unveils his long-awaited debut solo album Róisín via Ninja Tune. The project weaves delicate acoustic arrangements, subtle electronic textures, and evocative vocal melodies into a deeply intimate sonic landscape.
Ciarán handles the bulk of instrumentation and production, crafting a slow-burning atmospheric universe that bridges folk intimacy with ambient electronic experimentation. Rich string arrangements and quiet piano motifs allow his introspective lyricism to take center stage.
Róisín introduces a quiet, cinematic masterpiece that positions Ciarán as one of modern music’s most compelling creative visionaries.
(Ninja Tune)
Turkish-Italian DJ and producer Carlita delivers her sophomore album Telepathy (featuring the standout track “Therapy”) via Ninja Tune. The record blends kinetic house grooves, disco embellishments, and hypnotic club rhythms into an irresistible dancefloor journey.
Featuring stellar guest appearances and collaborations—including SOFI TUKKER, Justine Skye, and Stevie Appleton—Carlita orchestrates a seamless mix of uplifting anthems and moody late-night cuts. Her signature acoustic-meets-electronic production style gives the album a vibrant, cosmopolitan feel throughout.
Built for peak-hour DJ sets and global festival stages alike, Telepathy showcases Carlita at the top of her game as an electronic powerhouse.
(Jet Life Recordings / SRFSCHL)
Spitta Andretti and producer Harry Fraud reunite for Off To The Races, adding another cohesive chapter to their celebrated joint discography. Fraud provides his signature luxury cinematic backdrops—filled with lush synths, smooth saxophones, and laid-back samples—while Curren$y glides over every track with effortless charisma.
The project keeps things tight and focused, letting the duo’s natural chemistry take center stage. Key cuts highlight Curren$y’s trademark wordplay about vintage cars, high living, and independent hustle, anchored by Fraud’s immaculate, widescreen production.
For fans of late-night riding music and unhurried rap elegance, Off To The Races delivers precisely the high-grade, breezy aesthetic this duo has perfected over the years.
(XO Records / Republic Records)
Rising R&B talent Chxrry expands on her breakthrough project with U, Me & My Ego (Deluxe). The expanded edition adds fresh layers to her introspective exploration of love, pride, and personal growth, wrapping her emotive vocals in atmospheric synths and deep sub-bass.
The deluxe tracks build seamlessly on the original tracklist, highlighting her vocal control and sharp songwriting. Atmospheric production choices allow her voice to stay front-center, crafting an intimate space that feels tailor-made for quiet late-night listening.
Positioned under the XO umbrella, Chxrry continues to demonstrate why she’s one of the most exciting young voices in modern alternative R&B.
(P2026)
Atlanta genre-bender Kenny Mason returns with BULLDAWG: GRAVEYARD SHIFT, further blurring the lines between grunge rock, shoegaze, and southern hip-hop. The project captures Mason at his most visceral, pairing aggressive guitar riffs and heavy distortion with rapid-fire rap flows and raw hook melodies.
Mason handles a bulk of the sonic direction alongside his core team of producers, ensuring the project maintains its dark, nocturnal edge throughout. Tracks across the release seamlessly transition from heavy mosh-pit energy to ambient, melodic reflection.
Known for his electrifying live shows, Mason’s latest material feels purpose-built for the stage as he continues his current run of dates across the country.
(DNA Music Group / All Maf)
Wu-Tang Clan’s longtime DJ and producer Mathematics steps up to helm Black Samson: The Saga Continues, delivering a gritty East Coast sonic tapestry that carries the iconic Shaolin torch forward. Mathematics crafts a raw aesthetic filled with soul loops, cinematic dialogue clips, and hard-hitting drum breaks.
The project features appearances from Wu legends Inspectah Deck and Masta Killa, alongside an elite crew of lyricists including Skyzoo, Ransom, Rome Streetz, Planet Asia, and Popa Wu. Standout cuts like “Knowledge My Wisdom” capture the classic Wu-Tang spirit while giving contemporary lyricists space to shine.
Timing couldn’t be better for this release as hip-hop prepares to celebrate the Wu-Tang Clan’s upcoming induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame on November 14th. Black Samson stands as a direct testament to the enduring legacy and influence of the Staten Island pioneers.
(Mike Ladd / Independent)
Experimental hip-hop veteran and spoken-word artist Mike Ladd returns with Nonechosen, a dense, thought-provoking 16-track project that showcases his singular poetic perspective. Blending avant-garde electronics, jazz breaks, and spoken-word cadences, Ladd crafts an album that feels like a literary dispatch from the underground.
Tracks like “Son as Berry Gordy,” “Pest,” and “Rawbridge” illustrate his sharp commentary on culture, history, and modern alienation. The production remains deliberately unconventional, refusing standard verse-chorus formulas in favor of evolving sonic textures.
Nonechosen is a rich, challenging listen from an artist who has spent decades pushing the boundaries of alternative rap and narrative songwriting.
(BINA. / Independent)
London-based R&B vocalist BINA. shares SOFT RAGE, an 8-track EP that balances vulnerability with quiet strength. Over warm alternative R&B production infused with neo-soul keys and gentle UK jazz touches, BINA. explores themes of emotional boundaries, self-preservation, and personal empowerment.
Standout tracks like “Send Help,” “Art of Anger,” and “EMERGENCY” highlight her smooth vocal arrangements and intimate lyricism. Her ability to convey deep feeling through subtle dynamics gives the project its distinct emotional weight.
SOFT RAGE reinforces BINA.’s position as one of the UK’s most compelling independent R&B voices to watch.
(Self-Released)
Manchester rap star Nemzz drops the expanded LOCKED IN (EUROLUXE) edition of his recent mixtape, capitalizing on his rapid rise across the European hip-hop landscape. Known for his relaxed delivery over crisp, bouncy 808s, Nemzz delivers effortless street talk with infectious confidence.
This deluxe edition builds international bridges by introducing guest verses from European heavyweights including Nono La Grinta (France), Artie 5ive (Italy), and Sosa La M (Germany). The new tracks elevate the project into a multi-national showcase of modern European rap styles.
With a massive European headline tour underway, Nemzz continues to prove that his low-key flow has massive international appeal.
(Org Music / Bad Brains Records)
Punk history comes alive with Are You Ready: The First Studio Recordings (Inner Ear – March 1979), capturing the legendary D.C. hardcore pioneers during their incendiary early days at Arlington’s Inner Ear Studios. Mixed for release by Ian MacKaye, these tracks reveal a band operating at unbelievable speed, precision, and technical ability.
The collection features raw, early takes of classics like “Pay to Cum,” “Don’t Bother Me,” and “Black Dots”. Hearing HR’s lightning vocals alongside Dr. Know’s blistering guitar work in this restored format offers an incredible look at the birth of hardcore punk.
Accompanied by rare archival photos and liner notes by Alec MacKaye, this archival release is an essential document for anyone interested in punk and rock history.
(ECM Records)
ECM Records presents Roma (Live), capturing legendary pianist Keith Jarrett during his acclaimed 2016 European solo tour at the Santa Cecilia Hall in Rome. The album offers an unscripted, breathtaking masterclass in solo piano improvisation.
Jarrett navigates through spontaneous blues riffs, complex classical harmonic structures, and tender melodic ballads without a safety net. The pristine acoustics of the Roman concert hall capture every subtle touch and acoustic nuance of his performance.
Roma serves as a poignant document of Jarrett’s solo concert legacy, capturing one of modern music’s greatest improvisers in full command of his craft.
(Resonance Records / Craft Recordings)
Jazz history receives a monumental addition with The Tiberi Tapes, featuring previously unreleased live performances by John Coltrane recorded during the early 1960s by musician Frank Tiberi in Philadelphia and New York clubs.
The audio captures Coltrane in the midst of his most transformative period, pushing past modal jazz boundaries into new sonic territory. Across these extended improvisations, listeners get a front-row seat to Coltrane’s relentless pursuit of musical discovery alongside his classic quartet dynamics.
Featuring extensive liner notes and archival photos, The Tiberi Tapes provides a rare, intimate window into the creative process of a titan at the peak of his powers.
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.
You must be logged in to post a comment.