We’re back with our roundup of the hottest new hip hop and R&B from Asia. Read on to check out our picks.
Because – “SMS”
Fresh off his contribution to Alisson Shore’s GARUDA, Filipino R&B singer Because shares his fear of ghosting in “SMS.” The single is his follow-up to August’s slow-burn cut, “7777-2-3.” This is his fourth standalone track of 2021, led by the Skuska Clee-featuring “Pwedeng Ayusin Natin To?” and “BMW” with Leslie.
AD LOADING...
SORDAN ft. OG MAKK – “IDIKET”
Filipino rapper SORDAN links up with Psychedelic Boyz’s OG MAKK for “IDIKET” (Paste It), a drill cut produced by nexxfriday. Shortly after the release, OG MAKK shared that he’s dropping his debut solo EP, 7 Deadly Sins, this month.
FIIXD – “COLD STREETS”
FIIXD shared the visual for “COLD STREETS,” the latest single from his newly released 40000 album. The mellow track was produced by RUBISDABEAT and prxmmm. The Thai OG rapper acknowledged his loved ones for providing him a support system through rough—and quite literally, cold—times.
AD LOADING...
Los – “Whateva”
Korean-American rapper 로스 (Los) shared the West Coast-inspired “Whateva,” the 5th track off his debut record, SKANDALOUZ. On the track, Los asserts his authenticity and being a self-made man. “I don’t need no stylist / I don’t wear fake gold,” and “On, God, I did it on my own / We don’t fake it / We make it / If I want it / I take it,” he raps. He also alludes to trust issues, which is not uncommon in the rap game when stakes are so high. “It’s a crazy world I can’t even trust my brotha,” he laments.
HK – King of Town
Huai Mek, Kalasin native HK dropped his 20-track debut album King of Town last week. The young Thai rapper collaborated with fellow underground MCs from Esan, including P$L, 11Kill, K Dark, Freefa, and more, according to HIP-HOP CULTURE TH.
AD LOADING...
Produced by RUBISDABEAT, Nonstate, M3TRY, and HZbeats, King of Town also includes previously released singles “GANG SLIME” and “CAME SO FAR.”
MONA V – “Last Time”
Up-and-coming Thai R&B singer-songwriter MONA V shared “Last Time” off her Just Remembered EP. The five-track biographical EP was produced by NINO and includes features from ESKIIMO and FIIXD. “Last Time” chronicles the painful end of a romantic relationship. Of her EP, MONA V said in a press statement, “Before this EP, I took a hiatus for 2-3 years and discovered that music is a part of me. Making music is my true passion, and it’s the fire that brings light to my life.”
AD LOADING...
POKMINDSET – “LAMBO”
Thai rapper POKMINDSET ticks off all the boxes in his music video for “LAMBO” (produced by DeejayB and Gwise): dancing women, action shots of a luxury car, and lyrics that tell you all about it.
FLOWMANZ MQT x SURIYA MQT x DIAMOND MQT – “ส่องทาง“
Thai rap collective MQT SQUAD’s FLOWMANZ MQT, SURIYA MQT, and DIAMOND MQT team up for “ส่องทาง” (loosely translated to “Illuminate The Way”). The 7TEEN-produced track falls on the jazz lite-inflected side, with horn flourishes and percussions. The track follows TAWANBULLET MQT’s “ก็เหมือนเดิม” featuring NICETIRED.
