Chipelo – “Sirena”
It’s no secret that Baltimore’s Latino population has grown substantially over the past two decades. So, it should be no surprise that the sounds and vibes are here as well. Chipelo is currently a student at Towson University. His single “Sirena,” however, can be seen as a crash course master class in making a hit. The dark, seductive intro grabs you immediately in anticipation for the beat that does not disappoint once it drops. Chipelo, taking a thoughtful stroll down by the harbor in his music video, speaks candidly about the universal experience of dealing with a toxic lover and we’re dancing to every second of it.
dime que te pasa (pasa)
Tell me what’s wrong with you/
sirena en el agua (agua)
Siren in the water/
me cantas cosas falsas, yeah
You sing me lies, yeah/
para atraerme a ti
To lure me in/
las bichas me atrasan
Girls slow me down/
y siempre termino en sus camas
And I always end up in their beds/
salís del mar y me cantas
You come out of the ocean and sing to me/
pa’ atraparme y ahogarme baby
To trap me and to drown me, baby/
Sirena is streaming on all platforms.
DJ AAVE ft. Kayden Chloe – “So Baltimore”
We can never have enough Baltimore anthems. The city is so multifaceted and limitless in terms of creativity that you have to ask yourself “Should there ever be just one anthem?” Absolutely not. Enter DJ AAVE, a Baltimore-based DJ, producer, drag performer, and seamstress. This brand new original piece “So Baltimore” is just as fun to listen to as it is to watch. In the Spitcam University video, AAVE and Kayden Chloe give all that is needed to be given and leave not a morsel to be desired. All of the elements of a Baltimore Club banger are there from the catchy hook, the claps, and choreography to the mandatory unfiltered, shit-talking verses.
“I’m that bitch, looking like a dish/
Eating up Charles Street struttin my shit/
Hardcore whore. Steppin on the floor/
Everyone adores so I serve it up more/
Stream the song on Apple Music and Spotify and run the YouTube numbers up. We got one for the summer playlists.
The Bysons – “Kathmandu”
Mike and Jadie Byson may be your typical, modern-day life partners. In love with each other and making music together. But, look a little deeper and see The Bysons are quite an intriguing couple. These two Baltimorean world travelers are working on an EP that is full of songs spawned out of their 2023 travels throughout Asia. Jadie is a documentary photographer and Mike is a mixed media artist who has had work featured in several parts of the globe.
If I hid their new single “Kathmandu” in a ’70s music playlist full of songs themed for cross-country drives, letting your armpit hair grow out, and welcoming the freedom of defying rules and swimming in rivers during normal business hours, you’d be none the wiser. Kathmandu reminds us how simple it can be to make a positive change and just get away. This first single is a solid offering in anticipation of their upcoming EP “Meet the Bysons.”
“Kathmandu” is streaming on all platforms.
Bashi Rose “Ritual of Rebellion”
Drummer, curator, and multifaceted visual artist Bashi Rose is no stranger to Baltimore’s music scene. He is the backbone of the band Mowder Oyal and the brains of his abstract free jazz group, Konjur Collective. This offering comes by way of Detroit’s “Ornette Coleman Fiend Club” on Bandcamp. In just under an hour, Rose takes us on a journey between the past and the future. The two tracks, “Side A” (28:09) and “Side B” (28:43), seamlessly weave in and out of spoken word, improvised jazz, hip hop, soul, and beyond. With Rose leading with vocals and drums, the project moves in and out of peace, chaos, history, and funk. He features Brandee Younger on harp, ELDER RA on electronics, King Solomon on percussion and vocals, Tracey Beale on vocals, Jamal Moore on saxophone and electronics, Michele Blu on singing bowls and percussion, Jeron White on upright bass, with Mitchell Ferguson and Rose’s father Conal Bashiri Rose contributing spoken word poetry. At one point the collective covers John Coltrane’s “Equinox” with Conal Rose doing the melody with his voice. There’s so much to unpack in this, it’s clearly meant to be enjoyed again and again.
A highly recommended Bandcamp listen and support.
Plant Dad – “i can be ur lady”
Musician, teacher and curator Ralph Bernabe aka Plant Dad flexes some serious songwriting skills with his newest single “i can be ur lady.” Joined by producer Matt Hurd, this track feels good from start to finish. Once you delve into these lyrics, you find a freeing message of gender fluidity. Redefining what kind of power is held in embracing femininity. It’s hard to escape the soothing vibes of a straight forward talk over spliffs and tea.
“Blunt for Blunt and you can leave the blow/
You’re moving like a sinner just for show/
Curious you want me to ignore/
The reason that your Mama’s broke/
“I can be ur lady” is now streaming on all platforms.
If you would like your music to be considered for Baltimore Beat’s Best Beats, send us your project, along with a short bio (no more than 100 words), and a photo of yourself (with the name of the photographer) to music@baltimorebeat.com.