Anti-Lilly & Phoniks "All Good Things" (Album Stream)

There’s a certain kind of album that doesn’t demand attention — it meets you where you are. All Good Things by Anti-Lilly & Phoniks is exactly that type of record. Quietly powerful. Thoughtful. Built for late nights, long walks, and moments when you need something honest playing in the background — not background music, but companion music. Phoniks handles the boards with a soft but confident touch. The production is soulful without being heavy-handed — warm samples, gentle drum patterns, and a dusty jazz feel that nods to boom-bap tradition while staying comfortably modern. Nothing here is rushed or overcrowded. The beats breathe. They give space for reflection. You can feel the care in the sequencing — like the album was meant to be played straight through, not cherry-picked. And Anti-Lilly fits this sound perfectly. His delivery is conversational, almost diaristic. Anti-Lilly leans into clarity, vulnerability, and self-awareness. He talks about growth, anxiety, creative doubt, love, gratitude — the kind of internal conversations most people have but don’t always articulate well. What makes All Good Things stand out is its emotional sincerity. There’s optimism here, but it’s earned — not forced positivity. Anti-Lilly acknowledges the lows alongside the highs, understanding that both are part of the same journey. The album feels like a checkpoint rather than a victory lap — a moment to pause, reflect, and keep moving forward. Tracks flow naturally, each one building on the last without dramatic swings. It’s cohesive, calming, and deeply human. The title says it all — not as an ending, but as a reminder that moments, phases, and feelings all pass… and that’s okay. Anti-Lilly & Phoniks deliver another record that feels genuine, comforting, and should absolutely stay in rotation. Dig into their new album All Good Things below...

Don't Sleep Records "Original Demos & Unreleased Tracks"

"Every MC I've worked with will tell you there's a 50/50 chance I try to change the beat on any track we record together. Here's a collection of 20 tracks with their original beats that ultimately got cut from the album and swapped for something else. Also included are a few unreleased joints that got scrapped altogether. Some of them I'm not sure why. Give it a listen and hear the original flows as they were intended before I went in and tampered with them. This was a dope trip down memory lane to go back and listen to the OG versions of some of our best records. It was a fun mixtape to put together and it features every member of the Don't Sleep Records roster. Hope you enjoy." - Phoniks // I'm a fan of every artist on the Don't Sleep Records roster, so this was a pleasant surprise - I recommend listening closely below, and click through for a lot more music!

Anti-Lilly & Phoniks "That's The World" (Album Stream)

"That's The World" from Houston emcee Anti-Lilly and Portland, Maine producer Phoniks is the third installment of their hip-hop trilogy which featured 2014's "Stories From The Brass Section" and 2017's "It's Nice Outside". After going from exchanging beats over email in 2014 to now touring the world together the chemistry between the two has never been more evident than on their latest release. Once again Anti-Lilly is laying his therapy sessions on record, speaking on his substance abuse, trust issues, relationships and coping with his parents divorce. But despite the negativity he touches on, the young Houston poet embraces the duality of life—taking the good with the bad and trying to find a ray of light in dark times. His outer pressures help craft the jewels he lays over Phoniks jazzy production as he showcases his mature, honest perspective across the albums 12 tracks. “Peace family, I just wanted to take the time to dedicate this album to you... This album is inspired by one of my closest friends who inspires me. This album is built off of my entire life experience to this point. Thank you for your patience with me, God Bless.” - Anti-Lilly. Listen below...

Awon "Soulapowa" (Album Stream)

I woke up to the incredible sounds of soul pumpin' through my speakers today. Yup, I stretched my arms at 6:15am, saw an e-mail that the new Awon album was released and 'popped' it in to get my day started. Some jazzy keys, a nice break... my eyes are opening... then the bars come in - "...the first amendment, exercised with a criminal vision..." - my day is off to a great start! Peace to my brother from Philly, Dread Solo, on the production for "Dark Roast," which ends with a proper applause. MZ Boom Bap is up next, and when the cuts come in after Awon's first verse, it levels up. This is feeling like Awon's sharpest and most concise effort thus far. "Keep it real, that's that..." (Peace to N.O.R.E.) By the time the soulful chop from Phoniks bleeds through the speakers, I'm floating through my morning rituals. I had to pause the album to cop the CD and show support...

The LP's AZ-like feature comes from Houston, TX's Anti-Lilly on two cuts. His message is always on point and breathes added life into the project. All in all, if you've been a fan from day one or this is the first time hearing Awon's music, this project has a timeless feel to it and while I must sit with it to break down and digest the lyrics properly, I'm standing firm that this may be his best project released to date. I'm gonna fire off a text to let him know how I appreciated his album as the sun starts to peak through. I hope the rest of the world is waking up with me, as Awon ironically says "...sleep while you alive and wake up in a coffin..." lol. I hear you, brother. Listen to Soulapowa below...

Demuja "Can't Defeat" feat. Anti-Lilly

When you dig an artist's music, you dig for an artist's music. Makes sense, right? Well, that's how I stumbled upon this record from Demuja, featuring the good homie, Anti-Lilly, out of Houston, Texas. The track is called "Can't Defeat," and it is featured on Demuja's album "Hidden Paradise." Demuja is an Austrian producer & DJ with an emotive style of production bordering on soulful, jazzy hip-hop in the case of "Can't Defeat," and a more house-infused style on much of the remaining tracks on the project. Anti-Lilly delivers, making the pen bleed on the page with more introspection, like:

"And when you come up, better watch your directions 

Look a man in his eyes and listen to that voice inflection 

Perspectives change and intentions ain't never known 

It be the same people you trust that be plotting shit on the low 

I done seen it, done felt it / Never felt so helpless..."

Awon & Phoniks "The Actual Proof" Album Stream

"Brooklyn-born / Virgina-based emcee Antwan Wiggins, better known as Awon, and Portland, Maine hip hop producer Phoniks have been cutting ‘Golden Era’-inspired rap tracks since 2013. This year’s The Actual Proof marks their 5th endeavor back into the studio, their third release on their own music label, Don’t Sleep Records. First track True to the Facts harkens back to the conscious hip hop years of the early aughts, my personal favorite era of this ever-expansive genre. Gliding on a Bob James-inspired organ hook delivered by the great Phoniks and some smooth-as-silk flows from Awon and Anti-Lilly, True to the Facts is yet another reminder that jazz and hip hop are as aurally delicious of a combo as coffee and cream." Peep the stream below and definitely show support.

Anti-Lilly & Phoniks "It's Nice Outside" Album Stream

Over the past few years, Houston emcee Anti-Lilly has experienced a lot of hardships. Stretches of serious depression combined with the monotony of a 9-to-5 lifestyle, temptations from the streets and betrayal from a close friend forced him into isolation. Using Phoniks jazzy soundscapes as a coping mechanism, Anti paints a vivid picture of the struggles he’s endured since we last heard from the duo on 2014’s “Stories From The Brass Section”. The album's 17 tracks are stitched together with voicemail’s the young Houston rhyme-spitter received from friends and family trying to reach him while he was shut out from the world. Through it all, Anti emerges from his experiences with a renewed optimism, letting the world know “It’s Nice Outside” despite all the pain and suffering he’s withstood. “Thank y'all. This is the only way I know how to get through it. I lost my way for a while, honestly I'm still tryna figure everything out. I’m learning that we all are, though. I done lost as much as I gained, but it was all necessary. This album is dedicated to everyone who feels like me. Thanks for being so patient with me. God Bless” - Anti-Lilly. Show love, this is everything I want my hip-hop to be in 2019. Much respect and thanks to Anti-Lilly, Phoniks, and Don't Sleep Records.

Playlist #4: From The Depths of Soundcloud

It's been a minute since I did a Playlist post, but I was on Soundcloud and looked into what I've liked on my company account and created a quick playlist from it. It's about 30 joints, some I've already posted on here, and others I probably meant to in the first place. To give you an idea of what to expect, it includes tracks from: Awon, Anti-Lilly, Reks, Apollo Brown, SRAW, Philanthrope & Omaure, DJ Low Cut, Blu, Emanon, Hubbs, Yogisoul, Hy-Definition, Bluestaeb & Juju Rogers, Joe Budden, Torae, Logic and a dozen more. I mean, if you've been paying attention to the 'Selections' posted on this site, then you already know what to expect. I'm overdue for another Instrumentals playlist too, I'll have to remind myself to like more material, so the playlists will be ready when I go to make them, lol. A lot of the projects included have digital AND physical copies that you can support, so do look into purchasing what you enjoy from the playlist. I need to do more, I know...

Anti-Lilly "91 Regal" (Album Stream)

Another solid release from Houston, TX's Anti-Lilly! He introduces the project saying, "Life is a real gift. This project is dedicated to the past 23 years of my life which has been a beautiful whirlwind filled with many ups and downs. Through my short time I've grown to understand that every experience; no matter the outcome is only there for you to learn from. You gotta embrace the hand that you have to appreciate what's in front of you. These 7 tracks encapsulate my reaction to my environment in my best form of expression. I appreciate you for listening and thank you for all of your support. Much love to you." - Anti-Lilly. Please hit up the tags for more content from this important young voice - I believe in his character, and his music, but he'll need all your support!

Anti-Lilly "Memoirs & The 90s" (Album Stream)

Today, on the 3rd anniversary of its release, I am revisiting Anti-Lilly's incredible mixtape, "Memoirs & The 90s." When I first heard it, the content and delivery of this project hit me in a familiar, but indescribable way ... I hadn't felt that particular feeling since Jonathan Kim hit me an advance copy of a then-unknown group and album back in '07: Blu & Exile's "Below the Heavens." I mean that wholeheartedly and to me, there isn't a greater praise I could give an artist, as "Below The Heavens" is thee single best album to be released post-2000, in my eyes. I could hear the talent, the catharsis, the room for growth; and I was sold. I've since spoken to Anti-Lilly online and he's a good dude, definitely someone to support and I think his contributions to music will be felt by those who seek it out. Hit up the tags for more music, especially Stories From The Brass Section with Phoniks.

Anti-Lilly "Stories From The Bass Section" (Album Stream)

Anti-Lilly is an introspective lyricist from Houston, Texas. He is one of a few young artists whose careers I steadily follow, and I've already seen a lot of growth in his music. He shares, "Ever since Phoniks first reached out to me and started sending music I knew that we would have an amazing chemistry together. My first time listening to his production, the horns immediately put into a zone which allowed me to express myself like no other way before. His sound reminded me of J Dilla or Pete Rock... After Memoirs I was looking to keep more of classical jazz sound; after recording a few songs together we both decided it only made sense to create an album. What we ended up creating is without a doubt my greatest work up to date. I’m sure Phoniks feels the same. Sonically everything was inspired by an older era of Hip-Hop, I personally drew inspiration from Black Star, UGK, Scarface, Nas and other great storytellers from that time." From what I've heard in 'Stories From The Brass Section' and 'Memoires & the 90s', his potential is limitless and what I dig most is that I can hear the therapy in his bars. After-all, what is art if not something that makes you FEEL? I'm definitely keeping an eye out for more from both artists and Don't Sleep Records. Dig in...