Newman
Image via Alexander Rivera
Newman is a Raleigh, NC-based emcee and co-founder of the label, Ten $teps Ahead. Newman lists his biggest influences as Kanye West, Jay-Z, Lupe Fiasco, Gnarls Barkley, Kid Cudi, Young Thug, Mos Def, Pharrell, OutKast, Nas, and Lil Wayne. He got into music at a young age when his brother brought home a microphone from the store one day. The pair proceeded to mess around with the software, Audacity, and recorded to beats they found on YouTube. Today, Newman describes his sound as athletic, regularly challenging himself to find new flows, wide-ranging, cinematic, and thought-provoking.
Newman released his first project, From: Elminá in 2018. Though very raw, you can hear Newman’s potential to grow as an artist throughout the project, particularly on the guitar-heavy, “Corridor” and the vibey, “African Religions” featuring chlothegod. The next step in his evolution would come in the spring of 2021, when Newman released, Angel Frame. On the project, Newman finds his footing on the standout track, “Pinebox.” With a beat that is sure to catch your ear, Newman’s raps flow perfectly, and the track sounds like it could be played over the credits of a movie.
Newman soon returned, teaming up with Virginia producer, Shifty Capone to release, 24/7 in October 2021. The project kicks off with the project’s high note, “365,” a hard-hitting intro. Newman originally intended to release his debut album, LANIA in 2022. Unfortunately, the album was delayed, but Newman did drop off the single, “Middle Man” to hold us over.
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