Up and coming artist, Black I.C.E, is an artist on a mission, he released “Stranger Things” which is a clear exhibition of his skillset. The artist continues to grow his reach by establishing himself as a lyrical force in the underground scene.
“Stranger Things” has been delivered over a melodic trap production and it is lyrically precise and, generally, hard-hitting. The song gets to intensely grab the listener’s senses. Well, that’s something that Black I.C.E’s fans are already accustomed to.
Read our interview where Black I.C.E breaks down his newest single and tells us what inspired the song and his music career.
Hi, Thank you for your time and for speaking with us! How’s everything going?
Thank you for having me. Everything is going fine it will be even better once stranger things begins to circulate and create stranger things to happen.
We love your latest single – tell us more on how it came to life.
So this song came to life because of D Lynch who is a producer I believe Under Jay-Z’s label Roc Nation and he had a promo going on call the rap god bundle and I found this beat out of that bundle that I was able to use with unlimited licensing and everything because I paid for that bundle.
The energy from this song came from where I want to be I’m a firm believer in manifesting my dreams creating the reality that I live in today so with that being said I know I’m famous I know I’ve already made it I am everything that I ever wanted to be but to really physically bring that into this reality I had to set my intention.
I had an Intrinsic collaboration with Sheldon Wilson AKA Lil Wreck 302 we ran that beat but he was able to listen to what my verse was and be able to give that same amount of energy that I require in what I was trying to put out. We made this Vision together so to be honest you would have to also speak to him to be able to understand how we created this it wouldn’t have been the same without him to be honest
When did you start writing music and rapping?
I actually started writing music when I was 10 years old. I actually am a singer first rapper second but I’m really beginning to love this expression of rap. For me being a rapper and a singer it is like a balance the singing side of me has feminine energy to it and the rapping side has the masculine energy to it so to be able to get the best of both worlds and not only allow you to Just Vibe on one level of energy you get a whole nother person a whole nother ego of energy that I believe is well coagulated.
What’s next? Any plans for another release this year?
What’s next honestly I just want sync licensing deals I just want to be able to make music my way and have control of where it goes so expect stranger things on a movie near you and I just had a release August 4th with Kendrick Lamar’s producer Willie B the song is called Magik I honestly don’t know if I’m going to put more music out this year I think I want to focus on at least these two songs for the rest of the year and really get some traction going so that when the rest comes out you already have an idea of who is coming out with it I’ve released two albums1 April 18th of this year and the second on April 20th of this year you can both check those out on Spotify my first EP that was released is called internal and the second is called oops which is a and tire collaboration with my business partner my big bro Ruga Da Butcher from West Philly.
Who would you want to collaborate with in the near future?
I want want to work with a lot of artists for a lot of different reasons each artist that I want to work with has a specific energy and or has play the specific part in my life as far as their song or their energy getting me each artist that I want to work with has a specific energy and or has played a specific part in my life as far as their song or their energy getting me through my life so I’m going to have to say, Kendrick, J Cole, Neyo, Chris Brown Musiq Soulchild Jhene Aiko Big Sean I mean the list can go on but I won’t let it go on thank you very much for your time and I’m hoping one day we will have another interview talking about my Platinum plaques.
Black I.C.E has slowly-but-steadily been building a dedicated audience. Be sure to keep up with him on social media.
UK DJ, songwriter, and producer DJ PAPPY steps directly into football fever with “Offside Trap,” an electrifying new single made to rally behind England, the Three Lions, during this year’s World Cup campaign. Driven by urban energy, electronic force, and a stadium-sized sense of occasion, the track captures the belief, pride, and nervous excitement of a nation allowing itself to dream again.
Built for terraces, fan zones, pubs, clubs, festivals, and living rooms full of hoarse supporters, “Offside Trap” arrives as a full-throttle declaration of belief. It taps into that rare football mood when a country starts to feel something special taking shape, when every tackle, goal, chant, and final whistle seems to carry a little historical weight.
The track opens with a minimal, hypnotic, commanding melody that pulls the listener in immediately. The rawness of the intro feels deliberate, giving each note space while letting the tension build through restraint. It recalls the alluring opening of “Seven Nation Army” in spirit, though DJ PAPPY gives the idea his own melodic texture and personality. There is a gripping, chant-like quality here that football fans will instinctively understand, while the production remains firmly tied to his own energy and modern instincts.
From there, a march-like rhythm takes hold, setting the stage for enchanting male vocals that echo the spirit of the Three Lions’ roar. The performance feels confident, infectious, and emotionally charged, catching the pride of supporters who have carried England through decades of hope, heartbreak, and renewed belief. This time, the feeling seems different. This time, the dream feels alive.
Musically, “Offside Trap” brings together urban hip-hop cadence, electronic pulse, dance-driven momentum, and strong anthemic vocal harmonies. The result lands with streetwise swagger and stadium impact in equal measure.
The hook is where the song fully becomes a World Cup anthem. Big, communal, and hard to shake, it invites listeners to sing, clap, chant, and give themselves over to the moment. “Offside Trap” carries that unmistakable “olé, olé, olé” spirit, which makes it feel instantly at home wherever football fans gather to celebrate.
Arriving as excitement around the Three Lions reaches fever pitch, especially after that heart-racing 3-2 knockout win against Mexico, “Offside Trap” feels like the soundtrack to a nation standing on the edge of something unforgettable. The joy is real. The belief is growing. The chants are getting louder.
With “Offside Trap,” DJ PAPPY delivers what a great football anthem needs: energy, unity, pride, and a hook that stays in your head. It is a rallying cry for the fans, a celebration of the squad, and a reminder that when music and football collide, unforgettable moments can follow.
“Offside Trap” is available now on major streaming platforms.
Iowa-based Rwandese artist Michael M Jeni returns to his R&B roots with “Played,” a moody, atmospheric, and deeply personal release that leans into vulnerability without losing its smooth composure. The song, the fastest he has ever written, recorded, and released, traces the mental and physical exhaustion of giving chance after chance to someone you love, only to end up caught in the same pattern again.
Heartbreak sits at the center of “Played,” but the song is ultimately about reclaiming self-worth. It captures the moment when someone finally recognizes their own value and chooses growth over the comfort of what is familiar. That shift comes through clearly in the words, “I’m done with giving chances, let me find my way…you’re just somebody that I used to know.”
The production is built around minimalist, slow-burn R&B, with soft, crisp, and unobtrusive beats that leave space for the emotion to breathe. The intro feels floaty and atmospheric, carried by Michael’s rich, lush vocals as they set a silky foundation. The drums offer a gentle head-nod pulse rather than a heavy knock, giving the song room to ache instead of pushing it toward a forced climax.
“Played” moves at a slow-to-mid-tempo pace, shaped by a smooth, swaying groove that makes it feel like a private late-night confession. Its hook is catchy and memorable, creating a lingering, circular pull that stays with you after the final notes fade.
Velvety keys, warm low end, airy synths, and delicate percussion give Michael’s conversational tone the right setting. The lyrics feel personal and relatable because he delivers them with a natural ease, letting the song’s soulful and introspective mood land without overstatement.
Michael sings with controlled vulnerability. His runs and ad-libs are carefully placed, which keeps the emotion raw without turning it theatrical. His vocal identity here is rooted in emotional connection rather than vocal dominance, using melody, harmony, and rhythmic finesse to make the record feel heartfelt, memorable, and widely relatable.
“Too many times you broke the rules, too many times I played the fool, I gotta graduate from this, you’re just somebody I used to know…”
Those lyrics form the emotional core of the record, capturing the painful but necessary decision to step away from a relationship that has become a repeated cycle of hurt. Instead of sinking into bitterness, “Played” turns heartbreak into self-respect, making the act of leaving feel like a declaration of personal freedom.
“Played” also serves as a compelling precursor to Michael M Jeni’s forthcoming project, “KING,” offering listeners a glimpse into the vulnerability, growth, and self-discovery shaping this new chapter of his artistry. Named after the meaning of his surname in Kinyarwanda, “KING” is expected to explore resilience, identity, healing, and personal empowerment.
Stream “Played” here and find a home for it in your playlist.
KING TYGUSS approaches music as a calling, with artistry that carries the force of Gospel truth. He is the kind of Gospel hip-hop artist who treats every track as ministry, using rhythm, testimony, scripture, and raw emotion to reach hearts inside the church and beyond it. His work feels rooted in something lived rather than performed. That honesty, along with his spiritual conviction, gives his music a weight listeners can sense right away.
A devoted educator, army veteran, and proud servant of Christ, KING TYGUSS returns with one of his most commanding and spiritually charged releases so far, “Made For This Moment.” The single brings together hard-hitting modern drill production and an uplifting Gospel-centered message, shaping the track into a declaration of faith and a rallying call for believers walking in divine purpose.
At its heart, “Made For This Moment” celebrates spiritual awakening, identity, and victory through Christ. The song speaks to those who know they were created for a higher calling, soldiers for the Most High moving boldly through faith and purpose. With passionate lyricism and a firm, commanding delivery, KING TYGUSS reminds listeners that Christ gave His life for humanity, and through Him, believers can begin to understand why they were made and what they were destined to become.
Musically, the record carries as much range as its message. It is built on a dark, bass-heavy drill foundation that grabs attention immediately, driven by booming low-end percussion, sleek electronic drums, and eerie melodic textures. Even with that intensity, the instrumental leaves enough space for KING TYGUSS to move across the beat with sharp flows and magnetic conviction. From the opening moments, the hook locks into an anthemic energy that stays with you after the track ends.
As the song develops, “Made For This Moment” takes a surprising but natural sonic turn, shifting into a glossy, haunting early 2010s pop atmosphere that recalls the cinematic edge of Iggy Azalea’s “Black Widow.” Tense synth stabs, shadowy melodies, and polished electronic details blend smoothly with the aggressive drill framework, creating a dynamic listen that reflects the depth and urgency of the song’s spiritual message.
What makes “Made For This Moment” so impactful is KING TYGUSS’ ability to connect modern mainstream production with unwavering Gospel truth. He brings faith into contemporary sound without softening its message, creating music that feels spiritually grounded while still speaking clearly to today’s listeners.
The result is a soaring Gospel anthem for every soldier of Christ who has accepted the call to action. It is for those living boldly for Him, carrying His message each day, and knowing deep in their hearts that they were truly made for this moment.
With “Made For This Moment,” KING TYGUSS continues to show that Gospel hip-hop can be sonically inventive and spiritually transformative, offering music that inspires strength, conviction, and steady faith in a generation still searching for purpose.
Check this heartfelt tune below, add it to your favorite repertoire, and share it with other soldiers of Christ.