Artist OutLook

PWRLNE: From Modesto to the Masses — The Undeniable Rise of a Pure Artist PWRLNE’s music journey began not in a studio, but at home, watching his father and his friends write raps. That early exposure to creativity sparked something lasting. “They would write raps and I just wanted to be like them,” he says. The real switch flipped when he discovered artists like Soulja Boy and the Naked Brothers Band. “It made me realize it’s possible as a kid to be on some superstar larger-than-life shit.” A childhood curiosity evolved quickly—by age 9, he was experimenting with beats on his dad’s computer. A gift from his grandmother, a microphone, sealed the deal. “It was game over,” he says. That was the beginning of what would become PWRLNE. When it comes to influences, PWRLNE’s sound is shaped not just by artists, but by energy. “Honestly, my family and friends,” he says. “I’m always making my music to play around them.” Sonically, he draws inspiration from artists like Black Kray, Bby Goyard, Y...

🎤 CTB Shan: Versatility with a Message CTB Shan didn’t just stumble into music — he was born into it. Surrounded by sound from an early age, he was drawn in by the instrumentals first, then locked in by the lyrics that painted vivid pictures and played with rhyme in a way that fascinated him. “Music was always around me… I fell in love with the sounds of the instruments. Then as I got older, I started understanding the words — and that’s when I was impressed by how they made words rhyme.” That early spark turned into a full-blown fire — one fueled by range, emotion, and expression. 🌍 Diverse Roots, Diverse Sound CTB Shan is a product of many places: born in Washington D.C., raised in South Carolina, and now living in Florida. Each location added a new layer to his sound and perspective. He doesn’t lock himself into a box — and that’s what sets him apart. “I don’t just rap one way. I rap very versatile.” His sound is a melting pot of genres, blending rap, old-school vibes, and even ro...

🔊 AAAK: Straight From the Hype, No Filter Needed AAAK isn’t here to follow a blueprint — he’s here to build his own lane, hype included. Repping Louisville, Kentucky, this rising artist got his start back in 2019, pulling heavy influence from the Michigan hip-hop scene — known for its gritty punch-ins, off-kilter flows, and unapologetic delivery. “That’s all I listened to fr 😭… so naturally my flow came outta that sound.” It’s raw, it’s authentic, and it’s 100% AAAK. 🎯 Real Artist, Real Obstacles Being an underground artist isn’t always smooth. AAAK has dealt with producer scams, random copyright claims, and the type of setbacks that would make most people quit. “The challenges? Scams and claims, man 😂” But AAAK isn’t stopping. He knows every misstep is just part of the journey — and he’s turning the losses into lessons. ⚡ Feel the Energy When AAAK makes music, there’s no grand plan or deep thinkpiece behind it — it’s vibe first, questions later. If he’s feeling hype, you will too....

🔥 Zay Goku: Finding His Voice, and Making It Loud Zay Goku didn’t plan on becoming a music artist. In fact, he almost left it all behind before it started. But sometimes, the people around us see our potential before we do. “It started back in school. Me and my friends would rap, and one of them told me to lock in… I didn’t think it was for me, but here I am now — hitting the studio and making it happen.” Born in Puerto Rico but raised in the Bronx, Zay Goku’s music reflects both his upbringing and the rawness of experience. His lyrics are shaped by what he’s seen, what he’s lived, and what he refuses to hold back. 💥 Influenced by the Drill Scene Zay’s sound is straight from the street — inspired by some of the biggest names in drill rap, including Dudey Lo, Bloodie, Kenzo Balla, and more. These influences gave his style an edge, but his voice and perspective give it soul. You can hear the Bronx in his tone, feel the hunger in his bars, and sense the growth with each drop. 🚧 Breakin...

🎙️ Rius: Lyrical Soul with a Restless Spirit For Canadian artist Rius, music was never just sound — it was survival. What began as an escape from reality evolved into a craft, a coping mechanism, and eventually, a calling. “At first I used it as an escape… just listening,” he says. But by age 13, freestyling online turned into passion. And by 2021, that passion became something tangible — music creation. 🎧 Shaped by the Greats, But Carving His Own Path Raised on lyrical legends like Eminem and Kendrick Lamar, Rius first stepped into the game spitting boombap and bar-heavy verses. But evolution came quickly. “After a while, I started playin’ around and never stopped,” he says. Still, Eminem remains a key influence in both lyricism and work ethic — a reminder that technical skill and raw emotion don’t have to exist separately. “You can’t pinpoint just one person or sound that influences me now — I play around with it all.” 🌍 Nomadic Roots, Grounded Spirit Born in Vernon, British Colum...

🎤  Metakate: Turning Pain into a Dream For rising artist Metakate, music wasn’t just a passion — it was a lifeline. Her journey began during a transformative chapter in her life: her first time in rehab at 25. What started as a group therapy exercise in a music program led to a pivotal connection with another artist, who showed her how to structure her emotions into songs. From there, Metakate began writing not just for herself, but for others — marking the start of a deeply personal and cathartic journey in music. 🎶 Sound Driven by Emotion Metakate’s sound is raw, vulnerable, and refreshingly honest. She doesn’t chase trends — she writes what she feels. Her catalog is filled with heartfelt love songs, reflections on loss, and stories of personal insecurity. “I just put my feelings completely out there on the track,” she says. That transparency has allowed her to connect with fans on a deep level, especially when it comes to music about those she’s lost. “If it’s a song about one...

🎙️ Artist Outlook Spotlight: W8std — The Voice of Raw Emotion In an era where many artists chase trends, W8std stands out by chasing truth. Hailing from Gaffney, South Carolina, and now based in Florida, this emotionally transparent artist is making waves in the underground with a sound that isn’t afraid to bleed. “Making music became my go-to coping mechanism in my darkest days,” W8std shares. “You’ll find I’m not shy about displaying my emotions for the world to see — and hell, you can hear it in my sound.” W8std draws heavy influence from the golden era of underground SoundCloud rap, citing artists like 9tails, Sewerperson, Lund, and Guccihighwaters as key inspirations. Still, he emphasizes that his sound is uniquely his own — forged in pain, passion, and persistence. “You couldn’t really set my music beside anyone else’s and say they’re alike.” Like many underground artists, his biggest hurdle has been audience consistency. While collaborations with larger names have brought spike...

K Bopin: From ABCs to Authentic Bars For some artists, music is a hobby. For others, it’s a calling. For K Bopin, it was instinct. “One of my earliest memories is walking up to my mom rapping ‘Black and Yellow.’ She looked at me like, ‘Why are you singing that? You don’t even know your ABCs!’” That moment planted the first seed — and even though he didn’t know the alphabet yet, he knew music. Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, and raised in Union City, K Bopin is part of a new generation of southern creatives who mix authenticity with experimentation. When asked about who shapes his sound today, he doesn’t hesitate: “Without a doubt, Kendrick Lamar.” That influence is clear — not only in tone, but in intention. “As an artist,” K Bopin says, “my job is to provide people with a release. Something different. Something real.” But the road as an underground artist hasn’t always been smooth. “My biggest challenge? Honestly, myself. I’ve struggled with staying consistent and putting out content r...

Nami: Fueled by Experience, Inspired by Pain When Nami first stepped into the world of music, it wasn’t a dramatic origin story. It was simply the right moment, surrounded by the right energy. “I was just hearing a lot of music at the time,” he recalls. “People around me were already rapping—and I already knew I could rap.” That quiet confidence led to something real: a voice that couldn’t be ignored. Hailing from Memphis, Tennessee, Nami carries that city’s rawness in his tone and delivery. His sound reflects both personal growth and powerful influence. “If anybody, I’d say Jace and Lil Tony, I mess with their vibe,” he says. “But my all-time influence will forever be XXXTentacion—long live bro.” Much like X, Nami’s music is shaped by emotion and reality. He speaks on the uphill battle many underground artists face, not just creatively, but politically. “There’s a lot of bias out here,” he explains. “People will overlook you just because of who you work with or who their friends are. ...

Lil Youngin: From Freestyle Circles to Finding His Voice For Lil Youngin, music wasn’t something that started in the studio—it started in the hallways, cafeterias, and after-school hangouts. “It all started freestyling with friends,” he shares. “Me and my twin used to go back and forth with it, and he really pushed me to take it seriously.” That casual spark lit a fire that’s kept burning ever since. Though he reps Charlotte, NC as his roots, it was the Bay Area that helped shape much of who he is today. The mix of southern grit and West Coast hustle is deeply present in his sound—a sound that, according to him, comes straight from the soul. “I don’t write too much,” Youngin admits. “My music comes from the heart, brain, and soul. It’s all about my passion for better living—or as my bro calls it, ‘lavish living.’” For Lil Youngin, inspiration isn’t tied to a single artist or genre. It’s life itself. Every song is a chapter, a message, or a memory. He doesn’t just want to make music—he ...