August 4th, 2026

Ultra Magnus is “Moving to Scarborough”

Ultra Magnus drops “Moving to Scarborough”, the third and final single from his fourth album, And Nero Played. Give it a listen:

“Moving to Scarborough” is the third and final single from And Nero Played, the first new album from Ultra Magnus since Muziki Mzuri in 2019. Over a chill electronic beat from UK producer Kidkanevil, Mag proceeds to recontextualize hip hop cliches like sex, drugs, and braggadocio with his witty wordplay and inspired punchlines. And to keep things even more interesting, he bobs and weaves through a variety of styles and tempos, his delivery paying homage to the innovators that came before while adding his own twist. Whether old school or new, fans will be drawn into the storytelling of Ultra Magnus as he contemplates “Moving to Scarborough”.

Written and performed by Ultra Magnus
Produced by Kidkanevil

July 31st, 2026

Noah23 x Fresh Kils drop highly anticipated Tuff Racket!

Tuff Racket from Noah23 x Fresh Kils is finally here! Both artists agree that this is one of the best albums in their respective discography. You’ll want to check this one out!

Canadian underground rap legends Noah23 and Fresh Kils combine their talents for the first time with this collaborative album, Tuff Racket. Fresh Kils, a Juno-nominated producer and master of the MPC, offers up a wide selection of quirky beats that runs the gamut from the jazzy Digable Planets sound of “Jazz Man”, featuring Peter Scherzinger on trumpet, to the dark, Griselda-style boom bap of “Banana Bread”. The meticulous attention to detail in these beats is evident. And with such a spectacular soundtrack, Noah23 can bring no less than his best. His clear, slow delivery makes his abstract lyrics, poetic lines and smart punchlines easier to understand, whether the subject of the song is politics, the music business, or his high brow stoner raps. Heavy on features, each of Noah’s handpicked selection of guests—D-Sisive, Emerson Corleone, Ben Buck, Birdapres, Tachichi, PremRock, Shark, and Lee Reed—enhances the album with their complementary contributions. And the precise, punchy cuts of DJ Vektrx adds an extra potency whenever they pop up. Tuff Racket isn’t just a collection of songs, but a concise, considered album that sits confidently alongside the very best in either collaborator’s catalogue. 

Written and performed by Noah23 and guests
Produced, mixed and mastered by Fresh Kils
Cuts by Vektrx

July 29th, 2026

CFRU to provide sneak preview of Tuff Racket

At midnight tonight, CFRU show Unmonitored will be playing the full Tuff Racket album by Noah23 x Fresh Kils prior to the official release on Friday. If you missed the listening party, you have another chance to check it out early!

Listen here.

July 28th, 2026

Exclaim! covers 30th Anniversary Tour

It’s great to receive support from Exclaim! for the Hand’Solo 30th Anniversary Tour with an article about it on their site…

Buy tickets here.

July 25th, 2026

Word Is Bond reviews Hip Club Groove’s “Dead Words”

“The track has a bouncy groove with jazz undertones, and it’s both an homage to the culture and a scathing look at the current state of hip-hop.” – Word Is Bond

Word Is Bond provides a short review of Hip Club Groove’s “Dead Words”, their first new song in 30 years and the second single from Bassments of Badmen 4.

July 24th, 2026

Soaplife Magazine reviews Hip Club Groove’s “Dead Words”

“The track rejects nostalgia and instead draws on classic hip-hop values, presenting them in a fresh, engaging performance brimming with confidence and purpose.” – Soaplife Magazine

We got a short review of Hip Club Groove’s “Dead Words”, the second single from Bassments of Badmen 4, by Soaplife Magazine.

July 22nd, 2026

Tuff Racket Listening Party!

The Listening Party for Tuff Racket by Noah23 x Fresh Kils is going down on Saturday, July 25 at 8 PM EDT. This is a big release so we hope you will join us as we listen to the album and discuss it in the chat. RSVP here.

July 21st, 2026

Hip Club Groove return with “Dead Words”

Hip Club Groove are back with their first new song in 30 years which doubles as the second single from Bassments of Badmen 4!

As old heads coming up in the 90s, Hip Club Groove have noticed a little something different in hip hop these days. Too many rappers are saying a lot while saying nothing. No one pays their damn dues anymore. As MCs, Cheklove and MacKenzie had to address this lack of accountability in the way they know best—by rapping about it. The duo present their case with witty lyrics and humourous punchlines over a throwback boom bap beat dominated by a groovy bass loop and a horny hook section, all courtesy of Moves. The first new song from Hip Club Groove in 30 years was recorded specifically for Bassments of Badmen 4, a compilation celebrating 30 years of Hand’Solo Records, so it had to be honoured as the second single.

Raps written and performed by Cheklove and MacKenzie
Produced by Moves
Cuts by Moves

July 18th, 2026

Raised By Cassettes reviews Mickey O’Brien’s Twin Flame – Reshuffled

“…one of the best cassettes I’ve ever not only seen in the tarot sense but heard in a musical sense.” – Raised by Cassettes

A new review of the cassette version of Mickey O’Brien’s Twin Flame, which contains both the original version of the EP and Twin Flame – Reshuffled.

July 17th, 2026

Folded Waffle reviews “Golly” by Ultra Magnus

“…bringing pure, unfiltered lyricism back to the forefront.” – Folded Waffle

For their Fresh Drop column, Folded Waffle has provided an excellent review for “Golly”, the most recent single from And Nero Played, the upcoming album from Ultra Magnus.

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