Throwback: Happy 78th Birthday, Carlos Santana!

JOVM’s William Ruben Helms celebrates Carlos Santana’s 78th birthday.

New Video: Rakim Teams Up with Dem Jointz and Detroit’s Lazarus on Hard-Hitting Anthem “Not To Be Defined”

The legendary God MC, Rakim will be releasing his fourth solo album, The Re-Up on August 29, 2025 through 1332 Records on all digital streaming platforms with physical copies — that’s right, vinyl, CDs and cassette tape — available right now.

The Re-Up‘s first single, the Dem Jointz-produced “Not To Be Defined,” is a collaboration with Detroit-based emcee and certified physician Lazarus, who was featured in the US Library of Congress for being the first artist to premiere a song from space. “Not To Be Defined” marks a first for the beloved, hip-hop legend, who has helped make the genre a global phenomenon — the first time that he has worked with a Detroit-based artist, ever.

Rakim and Lazarus deftly trade inspired, lyrically packed bars over Dem Jointz’s broodingly cinematic, thumping boom-bap Preemo-meets-Pete Rock-like production. While serving as a meeting of like-minds across different generations, “Not To Be Defined” is a forceful reminder of hip-hop’s artistry and power when true lyricists with something to say grab the mic. And for those, who think that they can’t find that real shit, it’s out there; you just have to make more of an effort to find it.

Directed by Matt Alonzo, the accompanying, slickly edited video features the two emcees on a Detroit rooftop and a studio, spitting bars. Fittingly, the video is no-filler, no bullshit — just real shit.

New Audio: South of France Teams Up with Little Trips and Grace DeVine on Sugary and Coquettish “Sugar Rush”

Led by Denver-based singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer and creative mastermind Jeff Cormack, South of France is an indie pop project that sees Cormack and collaborators specializing in a groovy, beat-driven take on escapist, vacation pop. 

Cormack’s South of France work has been featured in a number of smash-hit TV shows, including Bojack Horseman and Shameless while receiving praise from American SongwriterNPRRolling Stone and others. And adding to a growing profile, Cormack and his collaborators have opened for a growing list of acclaimed acts including, Portugal. The Man, Young The GiantFlaming LipsMichigander, Tennis, Zella Day and others.

Cormack’s forthcoming South of France album My Spirit Animal, My Baggage is reportedly one-part solo album and one-part collaborative effort with a series of vocalists, emcees and musicians. I’ve managed to write about four album singles:

Cormack’s latest South of France single, the Greg Laut co-produced “Sugar Rush” is a saccharine sweet, coquettish and breezy bop that features Grace DeVine’s ethereal cooing floating over a trippy and blissed-out, psych pop-influenced groove. “Sugar Rush” continues a remarkable run of summery and escapist pop that showcases Cormack’s unerring knack for funky grooves and catchy hooks.