Releases from Muscle, Nature Boi, Veli Smallz, The Ten Roars, and 4Tae
Muscle – “Arrest God”
2025 has been a year of seeing the hypocrisy in religious propaganda placed on front street, as many religious leaders are either silent or supportive of the most evil parts of humanity like genocide, denial of women’s rights, transphobia, and racism. If ever there was a time to tear down current structures and disgusting societal norms, it is now. If ever there was a perfect soundtrack for said demolition, it’d be Muscle’s new album, aptly titled “Arrest God.”
My introduction to the Baltimore hardcore trio came in the form of their music video for the single “Carpenter.” I was completely hypnotized by lead singer Madison Coan’s destructive performance, directed by consummate Baltimore multimedia artist Danielle d’Amico and shot by Amy Oden. With Quintin Gibeau on bass and Adam Farkas on drums, the band members all deliver unified, sharp, precise hits on every bar. The song is less than two minutes long, and the replay value is insatiable.
“Carpenter” is the lead single and third track on the album, yet it’s only the tip of the iceberg. Muscle’s unapologetic, in-your-face energy from the first track, “Exciter” locks you in for a ride of undeniable power through and through. It all reaches a boiling point once you arrive at the final track, “Fake Sick,” and hear Coan screaming “Go on and put me on a fucking stretcher” on a loop. If you’re like me and feel empowered to wreck some shit, go on and run that bitch back. But, if you’re scared, go to church.
“Arrest God” is available on Bandcamp and all streaming platforms.
Nature Boi – “Antonio”
For Antonio “Nature Boi” Ervin, his latest offering, “Antonio” is a personal testimony. He delves into his life openly through storytelling and bar crafting. The death of his mother, his upbringing, his relentless pursuit of his dreams, mental health, and mastering his craft all come together spliced with interludes of close family and friends encouraging him to drag his nuts and stand on his accolades as a DMV staple.
On the title track, he raps “Antonio Dante/With a shorty that favor Beyonce/ off the raspberry Chardonnay she gon’ do what the Don say/ Orange juice with the Andre/ I’m big bro, shoutout to 9th, Big Pooh and Phonte, Little Brother…”
The chemistry between a rapper and a producer is priceless in hip hop. Think Clipse and Pharrell, Prodigy of Mobb Deep and Alchemist, Freddie Gibbs and MadLib, or Wu Tang and RZA. That’s the kind of magic Nature Boi makes with producer LD Beats on this project. In 16 minutes, you’re taken on a journey of soul samples, crisp piano notes, funky guitar loops, and sharp delivery. Nature Boi transitions seamlessly from talking his shit as an emcee to detailing the vulnerable realities he has faced that built his character.
“Six Years old when I moved to the burbs with cousin and Auntie/Told me and cuz to stay off drugs and turned to a junkie/Hardly lived with my mother I’m thinking she didnt want me/ She just aint want me growing up in a murder capital country/” the Columbia, Maryland, representative raps on “A Product.” “Antonio” is a very solid project displaying unapologetic authenticity, a seemingly missing ingredient in today’s Hip Hop.
It’s streaming on all major platforms.
Veli Smallz – Nu Shhh!
Baltimore rap veteran Veli Smallz recruits legendary hitters on his high energy Baltimore Club Banger “Nu Shhh!” It was produced by Skarr-Akbar, who flips an infamous Mary Choral Family sample with the legendary Porkchop on the hook, shouting out hoods in his natural element as a known party rocker.
The energy of this one takes you back to days of the Paradox, The Tunnel, Trilogies, and Eutaw Street before the “No Parking, No Cruising” signs and heavy police presence.
Add this one to your Baltimore Club Playlist.
Streaming everywhere.
The Ten Roars – “Vile”
“Grown Man Rock and Roll” is the best way to describe the band The Ten Roars. The Beltsville, Maryland trio dropped their latest EP, “Vile,” on July 19. Self described as “like throwing a lasso around pure chaos and taking it for a surprisingly smooth ride,” and “like riding shai halud thru the desert,” “Vile” showcases a cohesive vibe in rhythm and words that exude the band’s collective experience as musicians. Dan Yavetz on guitar, Frank Van Haden on bass, and Marteze Ivy on drums pack a collection of soul, veteran punk energy, and heartbreak into only 21 minutes.
The lyrics on “Take Me Apart“ come after a beautiful 1:10 cinematic bluesy guitar intro: “Take Me Apart. Tear me apart. Make an example out of me.”
“Cyclopes” and “Vegans Don’t Swallow” are two of my personal first-listen favorites, but the haunting “88v90” is a necessary spoken word piece about the acceptance of mundane misery in the everyday pursuit of the dollar. It stops you in your tracks to listen and receive this ever-so-gentle-yet-firm acknowledgement of a place we’ve all either been or are currently in.
Definitely keeping a look out for this band. Stream “Vile” and more on all streaming sites.
4TAE featuring Joi Carter – “Day Dream”
Trombonist Patrick “4TAE” Harrison teams up with songstress Joi Carter on his newest single “Day Dream.” The funky neo soul vibes take me into a time capsule watching the newest videos on BET as a teenager, imagining myself in love and walking through downtown with one of my crushes: Kameelah Williams from 702 or Nivea. The catchy hook and harmonies throughout showcase a very cool and fun chemistry between Carter and Harrison over Kariz Marcel’s production.
“If I write the right thing, maybe this won’t be a pipe dream. As I watch the tv screen, I think , no I know that I’ll be there only in my next day dream.”
The best way to experience this track for the first time is by watching the video, in my opinion. Directed by Bashi Rose, it takes place at “The Black Genius Art Show,” visual artist Bryan Robinson’s Bromo Arts District art gallery and clothing store. The video opens with a fitting intro from LaDawn Black, radio host of “The Love Zone” on 92Q.
Carter, a beloved Baltimore native and star of the reality tv show Love & Marriage: DC, enters on the second verse, more poignantly delivering the message that the “Day Dream” can be realized by simply visualizing goals. Overall, it’s a relatable whisk away from current realities. While the dream of being on TV and living as a star may well be nothing but a “Day Dream,” it’s a sweet one to return to.
Stream this everywhere.
If you would like your music to be considered for Baltimore Beat’s Best Beats, send us your single or full length project, along with a short bio (no more than 100 words) and a photo of yourself (with the photographer’s name) to music@baltimorebeat.com.