Arrogant Listens

“Listening is often the only thing needed to help someone”

The May edition of Arrogant Listens boasts some artists, videographers work, battle rap and artists outside the region. This is what was in rotation in the month of May!

1.

Coming in at the number one and two spots is an Albuquerque legend. Well known for battle rap but an artist in his own right. Rahney has put out music in the month of May and done a variety of other things that have positively contributed to the hip hop community. Check out his latest work with The Krown and his solo works. Here is the track titled Dealers featuring The Krown!

2.

The second spot goes to Rahney again because of the content that was released in the last month and his presence in the city. In the month of May he and the Universal Battle Realm team put together an insane lineup for the 9th Anniversary of UBR’s realm as the best entertainment in the city of Albuquerque. He performed at All Hustle No Play event that featured King Blizz, Doughboy, and Joseph Bills and a single battle between Benny Loc and Magic the Prophit. In addition to all the activity in the music scene he threw the UBR energy behind a member of the community in their time of need. Please visit the UBR page on Facebook for more information regarding the charitable work UBR and Rahney is involved in! All that and he put out Quiet Storm and the previous track with the Krown. The man is busy.

3.

C-Duggy just had his latest release put out titled Gas. The video itself was shot by Jason Paul Multimedia. The track produced by Principal Porcha, mixed and mastered by the busiest man in the recording industry in Albuquerque over at Aeros Independent Studios and of course written by the man himself C-Duggy! He provides a look at the life and mind of one of New Mexico’s hidden gems. Check the latest from C-Duggy and keep an eye out for the track to be released this month on all streaming platforms!

4.

Number 4 on the list is an artist that I learned about by scrolling through Tik Tok of all places. Tik Tok is rapidly becoming the best possible platform for an artist to place their music, from influencer marketing to having people dance to your music or chopping up the music and throwing it onto the platform for reuse however people want to use it. This platform if not being utilized is a huge missed opportunity. Either way this artist had a video that was catchy and made me listen to the track. Once I heard it I started following the artist and have been tuned in ever since. Check out Don Michael Jr. by way of Camden, New Jersey.

5.

The fifth on the list is a battle from Universal Battle Realm. Two rappers that have heavy energy and battles that are even heavier. Check out the latest work from Smoove Da Juugman and Magic the Prophit. This battle was part of the Thunder Dome event and features some of the best bars of the night.

6.

This track was released in May and this artist has an infectious sound that reminds me of the music that was coming from Texas/South back in the early 2000’s but mixed with the energy that is bubbling in Albuquerque right now. The sound of that era and the energy of that type of hip hop is unforgettable. That is why this artist Dat Boi Nard was in rotation this month. Check out Giannis featuring NorthSide Tommy and the man Dat Boi Nard himself.

7.

This artist is not hip hop centered at all. The vocalist has an ethereal and trippy sound that is lofi but beautiful. She has a voice that is captivating and powerful. The music is overall just an experience that is different than so much other music out in the Southwest and as always Arrogant loves to welcome different onto the platform and playlists. Check out Sara Tanuz with Drugs.

8.

This artist keeps a steady supply of heavy content that doesn’t ever seem to run dry. Artists with this kind of work ethic are hard to find and even more difficult are artists with this work ethic with such high quality content. This young emcee is one of the artists that is doing the most in the city. Catch the latest video titled Something by Rylan Oz.

9.

Benny Browncoat is a New Mexico artist that is unapologetically true to himself and his music shows that! The music is boom bap with the modern era in mind. The energy and lyricism is heavy, the cuts on the tables create the environment for an album that is hard hitting, head nodding and memorable. Benny Browncoat is doing justice to the golden era while moving forward. Check out the project titled Apotheosis here!

10.

The last but definitely not least is Cowboy Killer. This artist is unorthodox and forges his own path with a mix of alt-country hip hop vibes that somehow still don’t fit those sub-genre rules. Cowboy Killer is an artist that bucks the system with his personality and music. If you aren’t familiar with him get familiar with this video titled “At Large” which has not only cinematic quality but that original Cowboy Killer flare.

Make sure to check out the playlist on Apple Music, Spotify and YouTube! Click like, follow and share and support the growth of our underground artists!