Music
Russ Resurrects BET’s ‘Rap City’ In His ‘Who Wants What’ Video With Ab-Soul
Even Big Tigger makes an appearance to react to some of the harder-hitting punchlines. …
For a certain generation of hip-hop heads, BET’s Rap City (and later, Rap City: Tha Basement) were staples in their diet of new rap videos. New Jersey rapper Russ, who is promoting a star-studded new EP titled Chomp, resurrects the nostalgic Basement Booth set — complete with a cameo from Big Tigger(!) — for his first video from the EP, “Who Wants What” featuring Ab-Soul.
Russ provides a nostalgic, crate-digging beat reminiscent of the early ’90s New York hip-hop heyday as he and Ab-Soul roam the booth with a classic set-up from Big Tigger. During his verse, Russ throws a subtle salute to Cam’ron, whose money-counting antics during his 2001 freestyle became a fan-favorite and a lasting image in the minds of hip-hop fans who continue to share grainy videos of it on social media to this day.
Ab-Soul does what he came to do as well, spitting a ferocious flurry of punchlines that will leave permanent fingerprints on rewind buttons everywhere (I know how dated that reference is but, in this case, it works). The video is also cleverly mixed so that the track continues to play even as we get to listen in to Tigger’s reactions to some of the juicier lines.
Russ teased Chomp via Instagram yesterday, sharing a tracklist that includes Benny The Butcher, Black Thought, Busta Rhymes, DJ Premier, and Kxng Crooked. No release date was shared but such a tape could go a long way toward revamping — or at least justifying — Russ’ holier-than-thou image.
Watch the “Who Wants What” video above.
Artist Spotlight
Night Wolf and The Fods deliver hopeful pop bliss on “Kickback”
The single “Kickback,” co-released by Night Wolf and The Fods, carries a naturally gentle, warm, relaxed atmosphere that fits perfectly with late-night city drives or any moment of solitude meant to shake off the pressure of daily life. This track is an all-new rework of The Fods’ original song.
Producer Night Wolf retained only the original track’s vocal elements, rebuilt all production content from the ground up, and refined the final work into a polished ambient pop piece with subtle trip-hop textures. The core members involved in this creation include Neil “Birch” Birchall, Alan Winn, Chris “EZ” Ranson, Paul “Ol” Collins, and lyricist Rob Critchley.
Every part of the creative process serves a unified overall mood, with none of the production layers overpowering the others. The biggest strength of this work is its outstanding balance, and it feels both reflective and vividly fresh, both relaxed and holding a quiet, uplifting tension.
“Kickback” is the first collaboration between the two acts, who first connected through a radio station. Their natural creative alignment made their artistic chemistry develop exceptionally smoothly. This partnership will carve out its own unique place in indie pop and chill electronica.
Connect with Night Wolf on X | Website | Facebook | Spotify | TikTok | Instagram
Artist Spotlight
“Skyline Heart” sees Connor Wren cruise through LA with confidence and style (music video)
Connor Wren’s latest pop single, “Skyline Heart,” has an uplifting quality. Centered on the core themes of self-confidence, ambition, and personal growth, the work is a cinematic piece that celebrates the growth enabled by trusting one’s own individual journey.
It balances fine craftsmanship, emotional power, and broad relatability, leaving a lasting, hopeful sense. Its accompanying music video is set against Los Angeles’ glowing cityscape as Wren drives a red convertible through locations from Hollywood Boulevard to scenic hills overlooking the city.
Los Angeles becomes an integral part of the work’s narrative. The music video’s visuals are clean and stylish, filled with widely familiar landmarks that build a timeless pop aesthetic. The work aligns with the logic of modern pop songwriting while consistently retaining its core emotional foundation.
Wren’s vocals are warm and sincere, naturally conveying the work’s central message, and the piece as a whole boasts strong narrative tension, making it suitable for a wide range of scenarios, including late-night drives, summer playlists, and periods of personal reflection. Rooted in core themes of growth, the road ahead, and persistent forward movement, paired with eye-catching visual creativity and an uplifting emotional base, “Skyline Heart” stands as an authentic, positive, high-quality work well-suited for repeated listening.
Connect with Connor Wren on Spotify | Website | Instagram | TikTok
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