Hard Hitting Musical Artists You Should Be Listening To

Run The Jewels

We have mentioned Run The Jewels several times on this site. The duo of Killer Mike and EL-P manage to create hard-hitting rap with a hint of geek culture that never feels pandering or forced. RTJ’s music was featured to promote Black Panther, Baby Driver, Venom, and Rick and Morty. They even came out with a limited edition toy modeled after Krang from the Ninja Turtles. RTJ is the only rap duo that can get away with saying “notice me senpai” after dropping half a dozen cuss words.

You can listen to Run The Jewels on their YouTube Channel.

Childish Gambino

Childish Gambino aka Donald Glover is a bridge between communities. His music seeks to transcend hip-hop just as his persona has permeated across mediums. Gambino is a geek at heart and represents a new type of rapper. He grew up on gangster rap as opposed to growing up as a gangster.

You can listen to Childish Gambino on his YouTube Channel.

Krewella

You know when MIA said that “bad girls do it well,” she must have been talking about Yasmine and Jahan Yousaf of Krewella. The band has its musical roots in dubstep and EDM but has transitioned more into Trap and Future Bass as of late. Krewella describes their songs as the kind of music you’d want to have sex or get high to; an accurate description indeed.

You can listen to Krewella on their YouTube channel.

Neffex

What’s unique about Neffex’s music is that it’s 100% copyright free. This is an unusual business model which may seem counterintuitive, but making the music free and open to the public has attracted many new fans. I first discovered Neffex when their music was featured in AMVs.

You can listen to Neffex on their YouTube Channel.

Apashe

Apashe aka John De Buck describes his music as the soundtrack to your life if you were a supervillain. It’s an unholy union between opera and Trap. It’s music that makes you feel bigger than big and bad to the bone.

You can listen to Apashe on Soundcloud.