Five artists that should be on your radar according to MXXWLL

Sydney-born producer MXXWLL is gearing up to release his debut album on May 22nd, and its a record you should be excited about. After producing Ty Dolla Sign's and J.Cole's 'Purple Emoji' last year, he made his return earlier this year with a brilliant new track titled 'Light Turn Green'. Clearly inspired by his surroundings of LA, MXXWLL tapped into G-funk and trademark West Coast hip-hop stylings while injecting his own flair to create the stellar new single, and recruited LA artists John Givez and Rae Khalil for vocals, and New York producer Carrtoonz to take it to that next level. The end result is a smooth and captivating joint with MXXWLL firmly in the driver's seat as he takes us through the many different moving parts. It's ambitious and impressive in how he's pulled it off, and all the proof you need to jump on board this hype train.

Ahead of the release of his debut album, Sheesh (which is set to feature the likes of Kaiit, Aloe Blacc, SiR, and Kyle Dion), we caught up with MXXWLL who told us all about some of his favourite homegrown artists. From now legends of the scene to up-and-comers, MXXWLL delivers the goods. Check it out below!

Jim Alxndr

I’ve been lucky enough to cook up with this fool a few times and I can safely say dude has the SAUCE! Badman on the sax, keys, (insert any instrument here). Produces all his own stuff, definitely see him doing big things in the near future. This tune is called “Bowser” from his “Retro Future Love Sound Machine” record, it also features the homie (and Mac Ayers band member) Declan Miers on bass, big futuristic jazz vibes but remains super soulful too.

The Regime

These dudes make music which sounds like it came from some dusty 70’s funk/soul record. Super talented collective of musicians from Sydney. The track I’ve chosen is their 2020 single “Never Gonna Stop”. When my friend hipped me to this one I thought he was showing me some rare throwback tune to sample, turns out it’s some NEW shit, AND they’re randomly from the suburb I live too!

Kaiit

Kaiit is the homie, we actually just did a track together “ROLLITUP” for the “Sheeesh” record. Her growth over the past few years has been crazy, well deserved too as her music is something super special. Kaiit’s music feels like golden-age neo soul but with a distinct personality of her own sonically. For this list I’ve chosen her tune “Miss Shiney”, the production from 18YOMAN and UNO Stereo is crazy soulful, reminding me of D’Angelo or Raphael Saadiq. Kaiit’s melody choice and overall vibe on this is exactly what the instrumental asked for.

Sampa The Great

Sampa is so dope. I’ve had her “The Return” album on repeat for a minute now, it’s one of the best sounding records I’ve heard. The track I’ve chosen is “Freedom”, Sampa delivers fire lyrics through her expertly crafted flow. @ 2:47 there’s this crazy breakdown outro section which is magic af too.

Silentjay

Silentjay has been behind the scenes on a bunch of fire Australian releases, including making the beats / producing the larger part of Sampa The Great’s “The Return” mentioned above. We performed at the same show back in 2016 and I’ve since been a fan. The track I chose is “IN UR EYES ft Baro Sura”. It’s a really spacey, samply type sound with hints of Knxwledge, Madlib feels. Baro sits perfectly in the pocket too.

'Light Turn Green' is out now. Sheeesh is out May 22nd.

Introduction by Emma Jones

LISTEN TO NEW MUSIC HERE

SEE ALSO

CONNECT WITH SAMPA THE GREAT AND HER COMMUNITY WITH 'OMG'

SILENTJAY SHARES SILKY SMOOTH SINGLE 'THE GLYDE'

#SHOTFORSNEAKERS: KAIIT