Tag Archives: Hip Hop

HeyHolly Interview – June 2025

We had the chance to talk to Australian duo HeyHolly to celebrate the release of their latest single “Glitter”

Congratulations on the release of your new song Glitter! Glitter is described as raw and unapologetic—what was going through your minds while writing and recording it? The last 2 years have been a roller coaster to say the least. Being around other individuals and seeing their struggles with toxicity while also balancing our own personal problems we wanted to shine light on how this can ultimately make us better people and hold it in a positive light instead of allowing it to swallow us whole.

Was there a particular experience or moment that inspired the message behind Glitter? I guess it is pretty personal looking back at glitter. The time that it was written. The experiences we were having then and also I think it’s a collection of different experiences from over the years. For me (Bryce) most definitely this is targeted towards a more recent and personal experience that had happened over the last couple years and this in a way was a therapy writing session and something I felt we needed to release. For Cruise I think he is fantastic when it comes to observation. He manages to pull inspiration and create art from stories. Whether they’re real life experiences for other individuals or fantasy film and tv. He just knows how to tap in and use that to his advantage.

The track feels like a rebirth—how did it feel emotionally to release this one compared to your earlier songs? This is something we have sat on for a while now. Generally when it comes to making music. You sit in a studio session and make what you think is a masterpiece , pour your heart into it, take it away and love it until you hate it. We have felt that way with most of our songs and demo syndrome is a real thing. For GLITTER it wasn’t like that. There was still this undying love for it after months and months of sitting on it. It feels amazing to finally have it out there and hopefully people feel the same way about it as we do.

How would you describe your individual roles in HeyHolly—Cruise as the vocalist and Bryce as the rapper? How do those elements come together when writing a song?
I guess we are very different with what we deliver but also complimentary to each other at the same time. I think the dynamic of our voices jell really well together while offering different things. Cruise has a strong voice and often this soft angelic tone to it that I enjoy. I think it’s comforting, I think it’s easy listening and something people engage with. Not to mention his parts are always so catchy.
For myself. Story telling has always been a big part of my life. I find it comforting and quite easy to write. Where I sometimes lack communication and finding the right words at the right times I find it way easier to sit and pour my heart into a pad and pen. Or more so these days iphone notes. I don’t think my rap voice is confrontational, it’s not aggressive, it’s not loud and obnoxious and whether it comes across this way to the listener or not but my lyrics have a lot of meaning behind them.

Since your debut in 2022, you’ve played WOMADelaide and supported WOMBAT—what’s been your most surreal moment so far? Both of them have been unreal. We have been so blessed to have a great team and could not have done it without Bianca from Renegade, our friends and family, the listeners and the two of us by each other’s side. WOMAD was an incredible experience and bringing in such an unexpected large crowd meant the world to us. Having strangers wait around after the show just to tell us how much they enjoyed our set and wanting photos is something we will never forget. 

If you could collaborate with any artist—local or international—who would it be and why? Okay now we are getting into the hard questions. For Cruise I’m sure if it’s Dead or alive. Mac Miller or Matt Corby would be his go to. Mac is truly a songbird of a generation when you think about it. In terms of his creativity he is unmatched and also very versatile. The type of artist you could listen to day in and day out and still pick up on new things on the same song you have heard a million times. Corby is incredible. Rainbow valley would have to be one of the greatest albums to come out of Australia. That man’s voice is truly out of this world.

For Bryce. I think we all know it would be Sticky Fingers. Even having the lads come in to collaborate on a writing session and lay down instrumentals would be insane but actually having Dylan Frost on a Chorus would be a dream come true. Every release they have is a front to back listen with no skips. I also think Dominic Fike would be an awesome artist to collaborate with. His music makes me feel good.

What message do you hope people take away when they listen to your music, especially Glitter? If you smile, laugh, cry or just get in your feelings in general when listening to any of our songs then that’s the best thing we could have ever hoped for. We just want people to feel something. It’s cool to create music that bangs and just has a good beat but to be able to make the listener actually feel emotions. That’s what we want. Dont take life seriously. Have a laugh, have a drink to our music with friends, have a cry. Feelings are a part of the human experience and we believe music is the best feeling of all time.



Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Tommy Marsh Puts It All on the Line in “Still I Don’t Regret”

Still I Don’t Regret captures the pain of loving someone you knew would break your heart — but choosing to love them anyway. It’s about holding onto hope, falling deeper despite the warning signs, and facing the heartbreak you saw coming. In the end, it’s a reflection on growth, gratitude, and not regretting a love that taught you who you want to be.

Tommy Marsh is a rapper and singer-songwriter from Maslins Beach, Australia. Known for his bold storytelling and genre-blending style, Tommy has been writing music since he was nine. His live performances are where he truly thrives, feeding off the energy of the audience.

In 2024, Tommy made a strong impression with his festival debut at WOMADelaide and has since played to packed venues. His music, including tracks like Surf Ct and 2K Baby, explores themes of resilience, self-discovery, and his personal journey, often inspired by his upbringing in Maslins Beach. With a focus on authenticity, Tommy hopes his work motivates listeners to embrace positive change​

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Pop Rap Duo HeyHolly Find Power in Letting Go with “Glitter”

“Glitter” by HeyHolly is about walking away from what no longer serves you and stepping into who you’re meant to be. It’s raw, reflective, and unapologetic — a reminder that sometimes distance is the first step toward growth. Leave the mess behind. Find your shine again.

HeyHolly is the real deal—born from over a decade of friendship and forged through hard times. Cruise and Bryce met back in Year 6, and in 2021, after years of talking about chasing music, they finally pulled the trigger. Bryce had just come out of a brutal five-year relationship, and music became the outlet.

Cruise sings. Bryce raps. One night, Cruise dropped a beat with a wild hook, Bryce jumped on it, and they knew they had something special.

Since their debut in 2022, HeyHolly has made serious moves—supporting WOMBAT in Adelaide, hitting the stage at WOMADelaide 2025, landing international press, and scoring their first national radio play on CADA with K-Sera.

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Hip-Hop’s Role in Shaping College Student Identity in 2025

Hip-Hop's Role in Shaping College Student Identity in 2025

The cultural impact of hip-hop has undergone significant transformation since its emergence in the South Bronx nearly five decades ago. In 2025, hip-hop stands not merely as a musical genre…

The post Hip-Hop’s Role in Shaping College Student Identity in 2025 appeared first on .

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Yung Van Opens Up in New Single “Honest” 

Yung Van’s latest single ft. SadBoyProlificHonest, delivers an unfiltered, emotional gut-punch, capturing the fragile balance of love on the verge of collapse. The track feels like a confessional—a desperate plea to save something slipping through your fingers. It’s raw, vulnerable, and beautifully bittersweet, offering listeners a glimpse into the emotional turbulence of a relationship at its breaking point.

Co-written with VITO during a visit to Terre Haute, IN, Honest holds a special place in Yung Van’s creative journey. What started as a single moment of candid expression evolved into the cornerstone for the upcoming album, Haunted Hearts. The song sets the tone for what’s to come, exploring themes of love, loss, and the lingering echoes of past relationships.

Songwriter and Record Label owner yung van has carved his own path in the underground music scene, captivating listeners with raw vulnerability and unapologetic authenticity. Based in Denver, this alternative singer-songwriter has earned a fiercely loyal fanbase, not just through his heartfelt lyrics, but by staying true to his unfiltered self on social media.

After the underground success of his 2017 hit, “I waited on you, you never came,” yung van built on that momentum with his 2023 album “don’t change the channel,” featuring standout collaborations from artists like guardin, demxntia, and Dion Dugas. Now, he’s gearing up for the release of his highly anticipated new album, “Haunted Hearts,” set to drop in 2025, this project promises to push the limits of genre, showcasing yung van’s bold evolution as an artist.

Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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Tommy Marsh Interview

Last week we spoke to Tommy Marsh about the release of his latest single Ladies, we got to chance to talk to him about the release and his music.

Congratulations on the release of “Ladies”. It feels like a very personal track. Can
you share more about the journey that inspired this song?
The song came to me
when I was trying to get back into my roots by using my singing voice, and rap
voice combined. I was listening to Justin Timberlake’s album
FutureSex/LoveSounds, which gave me some inspiration.

The song reflects on self-awareness and self-love. What do these concepts mean
to you, and how have they transformed your outlook on life and relationships?

After going through some self reflection and overcoming the pain of losing
someone I thought would be with me forever, I’ve realised that it’s okay to be on
your own and you don’t need somebody in your life to rely on all the time. Of
course a time will come where it works out, but it can’t be a main drive of self
motivation.

You’ve been writing music since you were nine. What first inspired you to pick up
the pen and start creating music at such a young age?
I’ve been surrounded by
music my whole life and always loved to create things it didn’t really matter what it
was I’ve always been into making stuff. Song writing came naturally, although I
struggled to play instruments, I always liked to sing and use my voice, I found it
was my best instrument.

You’ve played to packed venues following your festival debut. What has been your
favourite memory from performing live this year?
My favourite live performance
this year would of been playing at kickback brewery in aldinga because it’s the
closest to home I’ve been able to perform and I got to perform for so many people
who hadn’t heard me before.

If you could collaborate with any artist, who would it be and why? realistically I
would say either Barkaa or Nerve, because I feel very passionate about
indigenous rights and would love to contribute by spreading their messages in
music, Barkaa has been a big inspiration for me over the last two years. I would
love to collaborate with Nerve because he is an amazing producer and never
misses on a beat.

    Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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    Heartbreak Fuels Self-Discovery in Tommy Marsh’s Latest, “Ladies”

    Tommy Marsh is a rapper and singer-songwriter from Maslins Beach, Australia. Known for his bold storytelling and genre-blending style, Tommy has been writing music since he was nine. His live performances are where he truly thrives, feeding off the energy of the audience.

    In 2024, Tommy made a strong impression with his festival debut at WOMADelaide and has since played to packed venues. His music, including tracks like Surf Ct and 2K Baby, explores themes of resilience, self-discovery, and his personal journey, often inspired by his upbringing in Maslins Beach. With a focus on authenticity, Tommy hopes his work motivates listeners to embrace positive change

    Tommy Marsh delivers a raw and introspective pop-rap anthem in “Ladies,” unpacking the hard truth that love begins with self-awareness. Through heartfelt lyrics and a reflective beat, he chronicles his journey from heartbreak to self-acceptance, realizing the need to heal within before seeking love again. Sorry, ladies—Tommy’s focusing on himself this time around.

    Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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    Tommy Marsh Releases Nostalgic Rap Banger 2K Baby 

    Tommy Marsh, is a 21-year-old rapper/singer-songwriter from Maslins Beach. Tommy has been writing his own songs since he was 9, and performing live is his absolute favourite thing in the world. The energy from an audience enjoying his music is an incredible feeling that he cherishes.

    Starting out in a creative school, Tommy was fortunate to unlock his musical talents at a young age. His big dream? To make a positive impact through his music, motivating others to make positive changes in themselves and the world around them.

    Tommy started 2024 with a bang making his first festival appearance at WOMADelaide on Friday the 8th of March, since then he has performed a series of packed out live shows. 

    Tommy Marsh’s track “2K Baby” is a nostalgic anthem that takes listeners on a journey back to the early 2000s, capturing the essence of youthful exuberance and the thrill of chasing dreams. The song’s upbeat energy and catchy hooks evoke the carefree days of recording demos with friends, while also reflecting the challenges of navigating fame in the big city. Tommy masterfully blends personal memories with universal themes of staying grounded, making “2K Baby” a relatable and fun listen for anyone who’s ever chased a dream or felt the pull of their roots.

    Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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    [WATCH] LL Cool J Talks Hip Hop Culture And Breaking At The Paris Olympics

    Screenshot 2024 08 15 at 5.39.39 PM

    LL Cool J recently chatted with SiriusXM host D-Stroy on SiriusXM’s “CTRL, ALT, D-Stroy” on Shade 45.  During the interview, LL Cool J talks about hip hop culture at the Paris Olympics and hopes they bring back breaking for the 2028 games. 

    See the clip from “CTRL, ALT, D-Stroy” HERE

    When asked about this year’s Olympics in Paris and its inclusion of breaking(breakdancing) as an Olympic sport, Ladies Love responded, “The boombox. I saw judges with Kangols which I felt, I did feel like I was part of it. Whenever I see the boombox radio obviously. Yeah that kind of and my first album radio right? Boombox. So it personifies that. So it’s like when I see that I always think about you know my music and my contribution to hip hop, so it was amazing man.

    He added,” Like look I’m so happy about hip hop culture. I hope that they reconsider bringing back breaking for the 2028 games. I do know that the breakers will be even better in the 2028 games. There were a lot of great ones out there, don’t get me wrong, but I think that it will only get better and stronger. You just have to give it some time and I feel good about it man. I love this culture. I love hip hop, man. I love it.”

    Even though L was excited over the breaking/Hip Hop inclusion in this year’s Olympics, fans and critics alike were perplexed after the performance of a b-girl from Brazil named “Raygun”, whose “dance” moves were ridiculed and made into some of the funniest memes to date.

    The Olympic Committee decided to eliminate breakdancing from the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

    The post [WATCH] LL Cool J Talks Hip Hop Culture And Breaking At The Paris Olympics first appeared on The Source.

    The post [WATCH] LL Cool J Talks Hip Hop Culture And Breaking At The Paris Olympics appeared first on The Source.

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    Brandon Bally Interview, Being A Pittsburgh Native & Using That As A Power In Music

    We recently talked to Brandon Bally on life as a Hip-Hop artist in Pittsburgh and his latest release, Pew Pew.

    Hey Brandon, thanks for talking to us today. Your latest track “Pew Pew” is
    described as the ultimate hip-hop club anthem. What was the inspiration behind this
    song?

    I wanted to create an experience. Dancing is good for the soul. At times, we go in spaces where no one is dancing. Everyone is separated, guarded, and distant in a setting where they should be moving.

    How does Pittsburgh’s music scene influence your style and creativity?

    I am spearheading a new wave of my city’s music scene. What I want to do is outline something unique and innovative because that is what I believe is the essence of my city and the people who inhibit it. I aspire to stay true to my roots. We aren’t like everyone else and I want to represent that.

    Who were your musical influences growing up, and how have they shaped your sound today?

     My influences span across many genres such as the following: – Soul/ R&B, House Music, Rock & Alternative, and Jazz. 

    Artists and bands that have inspired me are the following

     Soul: Earth, Wind and Fire, Parliament, Gil Scott Heron, Stevie Wonder – R&B: Maxwell, Kem, Music Soulchild, Jill Scott, Erykah Badu, Mary J. Blige – Hip Hop/ Rap: Tupac, Snoop Dogg, Outkast, Ludacris, Big KRIT, Wale, J.Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, A Tribe Called Quest, Lupe Fiasco 

    Rock: Slipknot, Linkin Park, Fall Out Boys, Korn 

    Jazz: Rodney McCoy, Roy Ayers 

    These artists have inspired how I approach the creation of my music and how I want to make it feel. These artists also inspire how I want to perform, brand, and deliver my art. 

    How did you incorporate elements of Jersey Club Music into “Pew Pew,” and what was the production process like? 

    The instrumental already had the Jersey Club Music feel. The production process was good. My engineer Mike Moore created the initial recording at LDB10 Studios. My fellow artist, B. Aquarius, completed additional mixing & mastering for this track.

    What are your plans for future releases? Can fans expect more music in the same vein as “Pew Pew”? 

    Future releases will continue to reflect my musical versatility. Expect more music that will create an experience. Expect more music that can be played and interacted with in different settings. 

    Are there any upcoming collaborations or projects you’re particularly excited about? T

    he Cats Out The Bag EP is on the way. This is my first EP and I am excited to release it. 

    What do you enjoy doing in your free time when you’re not making music? 

    Going to the gym. Reading & writing. Spending time in nature at parks or at beaches. Traveling. Hooping. 

    What advice would you give to aspiring artists looking to make their mark in the music world? 

     Believe in yourself. Be patient. Trust the process. Be clear on what you want and go after it relentlessly.

    Source: UndergroundHipHopBlog.com

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