DJ-SUN “Didn’t Cha Know” Remix
The magic of DJ-Sun’s remix of Erykah Badu’s “Didn’t Cha Know,” released on May 16, is that it catches you off guard, the kind of flip that catches you mid-sway and makes you want to dance joyfully.
Taking the soulful, jazzy foundation that Badu built upon that perfect baseline from Tarika Blue’s Dreamflower, DJ-Sun masterfully speeds things up and modernizes the sound. Around the 22-second mark, he introduces a buoyant, driving beat and shimmering electronic textures that feel both contemporary and celebratory, groovy and breezy.
Yet throughout the track, he preserves the essence of the original, allowing Badu’s signature honeyed vocals to shine through.
DJ-Sun’s take on “Didn’t Cha Know” is a testament to the timeless appeal of Badu’s artistry — and the production from that album, which included J Dilla and Questlove — and his own knack for crafting remixes that both respect the source material and inject a fresh, exciting perspective.
“Didn’t Cha’ Know” is streaming on bandcamp.
glowflower xochi Break It (feat. Alex In Wonderland & Ragdollz)
Xochi Maldonado’s new single “Break It” from her album “The After Party” is a potent and moving work that immediately establishes its depth. The track opens with a poignant spoken word sample — “Take care of people no matter what their walk of life is” — set against the melancholic strum of an acoustic guitar and the distant wail of police sirens, creating a powerful juxtaposition of empathy and societal tension.
Maldonado fearlessly weaves her own experiences as a Latina transgender woman with the fight for freedom in Palestine and the realities of Baltimore, incorporating the raw energy of protest audio and a resonant chorus featuring local musicians. This intergenerational chorus underscores the timeless and borderless nature of the fight for liberation.
You can stream this project on bandcamp or Youtube.
S.DOT – SPECTRUM EP
Veteran Baltimore club producer S.DOT is back, and his latest release is poised to soundtrack your summer. Known for seamlessly blending the infectious rhythms of genres with the smooth melodies of R&B and the catchy hooks of pop, S.DOT crafts ethereal tracks that feel both otherworldly and perfectly at home on a packed dance floor.
This new project, released on May 17, 2025, is more than just a collection of songs; it’s an edit pack designed to provide the backing track for those liminal spaces — the after-hours energy of an underground gathering, the quiet tension between days, the unspoken distance between lovers meeting on a foggy dance floor. S.DOT himself describes the project as reflecting a duality, moving between moments of “light and ethereal” beauty and a “heartfelt and heavy” emotional resonance.”
While the tracks are perfect for those hazy dancefloor moments S.DOT envisions, I couldn’t help but hear them as the score for navigating the complexities of a breakup. The ethereal textures and underlying emotional weight create a sonic landscape that feels both vulnerable and resilient.
Mixed by S.DOT, mastered by El Blanco Nino, and featuring striking artwork by Ty Davis, this latest offering is a testament to S.DOT’s continued evolution as a producer and his ability to capture a unique emotional space within the Baltimore club scene and beyond.
You can stream SPECTRUM on all platforms.
The Black Mermaid/Kendra Banks – Flow Those ABCs
While “Flow Those ABCs” by The Black Mermaid dropped in 2023, it recently landed on my radar, and as my circle of friends with children grows, I find myself increasingly drawn to media that champions a multitude of perspectives and identities. Kendra Banks is the multifaceted creator behind The Black Mermaid, a vibrant series of books and songs for young girls.
We need more club music nursery songs! “Flow Those ABCs” featured the signature energy you’d expect from Baltimore’s own Mighty Mark. It’s exciting, it’s dynamic, it’s educational. It reminds me of my love for The Magic School Bus and Arthur growing up.
The Black Mermaid League Academy, a platform spearheaded by Dr. Jaky B. EdD. and Banks, cleverly employs colorful imagery, imaginative lyrics, and undeniably danceable beats to teach children how to read. This project, encompassing engaging books and relatable YouTube videos like “Flow Those ABCs” makes learning an interactive and joyful experience.
You can find more information about The Black Mermaid online at theblackmermaids.com.
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.