Our thoughts can multiply into a spiral. Tapping into his bashful nature, Zen Dash looks to build new momentum with a darker track entitled Negative Affirmations. Label himself as the Blaxploitation Bronson, the latest track comes from the combined efforts of Nicho Santos on production and vocals from Lilith. Rapping about the economic gloom and the pursuit of vices, in unorthodox rhythmic fashion Zen describes why he is a force to be reckoned with. Keep up with Zen by following him on X, Instagram, Bandcamp, and Soundcloud. Checkout some of his merch here and let us know your thoughts on the official audio below.

Rubi Rose is wrapping up as an opener for Sexyy Red on her cross-country Hood Hottest Princess Tour this week in San Francisco. Rose raps over hard-hitting production by Lawson, Bl$$d, $aint Vincent, and ethanscott in the brand new single Cherry. Rose is letting fans know there’s nothing sweet going on establishing her dominance over her peers and flexing her success in the rap game. Be ready for a fiery fire record form the Kentucky Native and stream the official audio below. Get your copy of the single here.

Emmy-nominated educator turned entertainer, Dee-1 (@Dee1music) addresses critics and fans alike in the official music video for the Danny Beats-produced single “Lines Drawn,” following his viral interview on Sway In The Morning centered around industry hypycrosy. Filmed by Tufts University‘s own Jalen Hill, a student enrolled in the New Orleans native’s “The Intersection of Hip Hop and Social Change” course, the timely track and its accompanying visual postdate Dee’s previously released album UNO. Serving as the first official leak from his forthcoming LP From The Hood To Harvard, the song is a beacon of light as unfavorable headlines engulf online media.

“I did this song as a response to the industry being so shaken by me drawing a line in the sand and saying that we need some accountability for the messages we’re glorifying inside Hip-Hop. This is part one, there’s more on the way. A shift is happening from a genre and cultural perspective,” says the National Social Emotional Learning Consultant in a press statement to Medium Creative Agency about the release.

Award-winning rapper. educator, host, activist, business owner, and keynote speaker are synonymous with Louisiana‘s Dee-1. The Nasir “Nas” Jones Hip Hop Fellow at Harvard University is a Billboard Top 10 charting, game-changing MC with a persona to match his penmanship. He’s transitioned from being a middle school math teacher in The Boot to a Hip-Hop heavyweight with much more to accomplish. He has released 10 albums and 21 projects thus far in his career. 

Dee-1’s music is part of a bigger lifestyle movement called Mission Vision, which centers around three core principles: Be Real. Be Righteous. Be Relevant. In 2020, Dee received the prestigious NAACP “Power of Influence Award,” highlighting his community activism and commitment to inspiring the youth. In 2021, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work on “The Manhattan Project,” but he lost to Michelle Obama. Later that year, Dee was appointed to the “Louisiana Council for the Success of Black Men and Boys” by Governor John Bel Edwards, making him the first rapper in Louisiana history to become a governor’s appointee.

Watch the HD clip for “Lines Drawn” on YouTube and stream the single via Audiomack below. For a limited time you can purchase an advanced copy of From The Hood To Harvard exclusively on EVEN, here.