Music

Chance The Rapper Releases His ‘Are U Live’ Video With Jeremih And Valee

The Chicago rappers spread holiday cheer as they encourage one of their own to get well soon. …

Chance The Rapper and Jeremih’s 2016 holiday mixtape Merry Christmas Lil’ Mama is an odd bit of internet ephemera. It’s a fan favorite, yet fans can only stream it sporadically, as the two uploaded the project and its 2017 follow-up to SoundCloud originally but not to more mainstream services like Apple Music, Spotify, and Tidal. While Jeremih is currently recovering from a bad case of COVID-19, Chance decided to spread a little holiday cheer by releasing the video for one of the project’s songs, “Are U Live,” after holding onto it since 2017.

The video was directed by Cole Bennett (no relation to Chance or his brother Taylor) of Lyrical Lemonade at the start of his rise as one of hip-hop’s most sought-after video shooters, while the track itself was produced by ChaseTheMoney, a SoundCloud rapper go-to who has since produced for Dreamville and J. Cole on Revenge Of The Dreamers III and JID’s DiCaprio 2. Like plenty of Cole Bennett’s previous works, the video blends a low-fi aesthetic with a simple concept, as well a cheeky sense of humor with on-screen captions pointing out a failed “successful dap” and more. He even appears in the video, although you’ll have to have a sharp eye to catch his cameo.

The song isn’t what you’d call a traditional Christmas song, with its call-and-response, sparse beat, and the artists’ rap athletics. But the video displays their festive mood, with Santa caps and fairy lights aplenty decorating their red cup turn up.

Watch “Are U Live” above and listen to Merry Christmas Lil’ Mama below.

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Artist Spotlight

XMOXY invites listeners get ready to move on new releases “Surge”

XMOXY storms in with “Surge,” a nonstop burst of energy that won’t go away. The song starts with a fast-paced ~160 BPM beat that gives you a pulse, making you want to move, whether you’re working out late at night, playing a game, or driving to work at full volume.

“Surge” is all about contrast and collision at its core. Heavy, distorted guitars crash into aggressive synth production, creating a sound that feels both rough and well-crafted. The rhythm section hits at just the right time, propelling the song forward with undeniable force.

“Surge” is a thrilling mix of styles, with the edge of modern alt-rock, the intensity of EDM, and the grand scale of movie-trailer music. The sound is both new and bigger than life. It works well with high-energy playlists, but it also stands out on its own.

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Artist Spotlight

The Divine Saint of Love delivers easygoing energy with new release “ZaZa”

Divine Saint of Love’s latest release, “ZaZa,” settles into its groove with confidence, giving people who get it a calm escape without needing to explain. “ZaZa” doesn’t have complicated plots or perfect writing. Instead, it fully embraces a calm, almost weightless atmosphere where mood is paramount.

The Divine Saint of Love doesn’t go overboard or make the message less clear. People who love weed and like to relax without being bothered by noise will like the song. It’s not about having too much or too little; it’s about staying calm, clear, and in your own rhythm.

It doesn’t have to be a well-known song. It is powerful because it is real and can connect with the people it is meant for on a deep level. “ZaZa” doesn’t feel like a performance, it feels more like a moment that everyone can relate to, even if it’s not.

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