We are excited to present our forth episode of "Soundcloud Gems", which features a carefully curated selection of artists who are making waves on SoundCloud. These emerging artists have been gaining traction and attention in the underground music scene with their unique sound and style, and we are proud to showcase their talent.
From the energetic beats of LosTK to the ambient sounds of Vaeo, each artist on our list brings something different to the table. We are excited to feature Caponeti, Viizzi, Jahhlu, Emags, Runner Boy, Angelus, Scruff, Sxulz, Frost'd, Ghostsocial, and Polar in this post. Read more about the artists below
july.
july. is a newcomer to the underground scene and encompasses what we’ve described as a breath of fresh air every time a track of theirs enters our ears. Their track “ily2”, featuring fellow artist, Babebee, draws you into a delicate atmosphere, yet grounds you with cutting truths and heart-wrenching introspection. July is an artist we can’t seem to stop listening to, and we hope you guys get the earbug for their music all 2023!
LosTK
LosTK has a demanding presence as soon as he enters any track. A gruff and aggressive vocal tone, one that can surprisingly rise gently into higher registers, allows this artist to do a variety of flows over whatever beat he wants. Oh, we didn’t tell you? Los is a self-produced artist, and with the way his beats form around his vocals, you can tell he can manufacture his gritty, yet cautionary insights easily.
Vaeo
Vaeo has been a fan favorite of ours for a long time, and we’re so excited we can finally talk about them. The first track we heard from them was “luminescence”, a combined effort between them and Rouri404, which we would soon come to realize as a powerhouse duo within the underground community. Vaeo’s evocative vocals and deep-cutting lyrics towards themselves and whoever might happen to be listening allows the listener to almost bare their heart out without having to say a word. Vaeo will do it all for you, and that catharsis is what we think is a big part of why we love their music so much.
Caponeti
Caponeti is a mood changer, and we mean that in the best of ways. If you’re feeling pissed off, turn on “emulate” with keeta and bronclair. If you’re feeling down, play “distance between us” with Novastein If you’re feeling like a bad b*tch bump “Dota” with Jons. We honestly don't think there’s anything Caponeti can’t do with a mic and DAW, all it takes is some fun idea to enter his head and you have a hit song playing in your ears, it’s an amazing, enjoyable ride tuning in to what may cook up next.
Viizzi
Viizzi is the auditory manifestation of detonating C4 in your car and reveling in the explosion. Viizzi will give you a boost of adrenaline if he happens to come on speakers and there’s no way you’re skipping a second of it. We first heard Viizzi through NS favorite, simon m’s single “TRUE RELIGION”, featuring patrick o’ neill, swazy, and k0a. From there we were on a tear, with singles like “murder for hire” with funeral, “broken” with pichu, or “nuketown”, produced by frost’d, the man simply cannot miss.
Jahhlu
Jahhlu has been an enormous presence in the underground scene for a while now, recognized by the Soundcloud platform itself on multiple occasions due to his unrelenting talent. Jahhlu is a master of putting out multiple projects and tracks within little time of each other and having insanely different styles of musicality working exemplary in their own lanes. There isn’t a Jahhlu song we’ve been iffy on, he is able to fit the overall vibe and atmosphere of each of his tracks with surgical precision.
Emags
Emags is such a fun artist to listen to. With the specific stress he puts on his vocal tone, plus the natural husk in his voice, any song he’s on sounds like you’re getting ready to fight a supervillain and just got the best superpower. Emags is able to release evocative tracks that stick in your head for days on end such as “all in my head”, and then completely spin you for 180 degrees with absolute bangers like “Snooze” and his new effort “GOGETA” with Staggy. The artist is ever-evolving while keeping his signature sound close to his belt, a master in his craft.
Runner Boy
Runner Boy has been a fan favorite of ours for a couple of months now. Their song “BACKWARDS”, with Babebee, was our introduction to who they were a producer, utilizing beautiful drum and bass patterns underneath nostalgic and nocturnal melodies above. Then we listened to their album, “BOY”, and were blown away. Runner has a unique ability to have music videos immediately formulating in your head when you hear the first kick. A beautiful, sultry tone to his voice adds to an amazing picturesque every time you press play.
Angelus
Angelus is the second French artist in this community we’ve brought a spotlight to, but if their artistry tells us anything it’s that we hope they’re not the last. Angelus is a pure pop star in the making and has made waves within the underground community for years. With the release of their latest project, “sphynx” Angelus showed us their immeasurable versatility/ From the dance/trap endeavor “holly shuffle” to the deeply resonating “over you” produced by both joss and angelus themselves. Angelus’ voice gives off a sense of constant confidence and stress they put on the high end of their tone giving it such an alluring feel. Please check out Angelus today!
Scruff
Scruff is the artistic equivalent of enjoying a nice indica strain before bed or as soon as you wake. He’s a breath of refreshing cool air on a night walk. His voice is smooth yet merry allowing a smooth and uplifting experience sonically, even if the themes behind his music may be darker and more introspective than originally let on. When our ears first heard his efforts on sai’s production, we knew he had found a fun, light-hearted and vibe-ridden path for himself and we’re always excited to hear what he does next. We hope after listening to him that you are too!
Sxulz
Sxulz is a different type of vocalist entirely. Utilizing a low-vibrating tone along with expert layering gives Sxulz an almost disembodied texture to it that sets him apart from most vocalists of his type within the community. In addition, the sleepy, dusky production style he finds himself in adds to the overall dark atmosphere he provides on his tracks. Sxulz is also able to wave together witty punchlines with contemplative self-reasoning, a fun trait to hear time and time again with each effort.
Frost’d
Frost’d is probably one of the most popular producers within the underground community, having made beats for almost every notable artist within the scene to date. The crazy part is, he’s only fifteen years old. Frost’d has made tracks for heavyweights such as midwxst, keeta, DPF, reef, aftrr, weial, jiccjucc, bronclair, clip, and many more. His unique, heavy production style, especially explored through the design of his 808s is an incredible feat to hear for someone so young and we only see good things in the future for this blossoming talent.
Ghostsocial
Ghostsocial is someone we’ve come to listen to a lot of as of recent. With a first listen through the facet of “crawl” we were introduced to the dark and deeply personal world that Ghostsocial dwells within. On tracks like “fool” and “make it out” Ghost is able to truly strike at the heart of those rawest emotions. His music is like screaming off the top of a mountain or in the middle of a vacant parking garage, cathartic.
Polar
Polar is an incredible vocalist, from the way their powerful, assertive tone is meshed behind the slightest radio effect, to the extremely precise sound design that bolsters every heart-piercing lyrics out of their mouth. Polar’s duo effort “surface” with fellow artist Tigerstar really blew us away. From the subject matter to the immaculate production quality on display, Polar will make sure your ears always have an unforgettable time, and we mean that in the most positive of ways. Please check out Polar this year!