Author Archives: cruzanje

Who is Dame Atlas?

 
 Dame Atlas has been on repeat in my headphones for months now, and at some point you have to stop keeping a good thing to yourself.The New York-born, South Florida-based singer makes the kind of R&B that feels like it was written at 2am with the lights off. No filler, no posturing — just the kind of raw honesty that’s genuinely hard to fake. And judging by the way his numbers have been climbing, I’m clearly not the only one who’s noticed.
 
The Sound: Atmospheric, Cinematic, Unapologetically Vulnerable
 
There’s a reason people keep reaching for the word “cinematic” when they talk about Dame Atlas. His music has that widescreen, late-night drive quality – atmospheric production paired with lyrics that don’t flinch from saying the uncomfortable thing out loud. It’s alternative R&B in the truest sense: rooted in the genre’s classic emotional core, but shaped by someone who clearly grew up on more than just R&B.
His debut album, ACT I, was the first real signal that something was building. It’s since crossed 1.5 million streams on Spotify alone. But it’s his follow-up, If I’m Being Honest, that’s turned that early promise into a genuine moment.
“Dame’s Interlude” Is Everywhere Right Now, And For Good Reason
 
If you’ve spent any time on TikTok or Instagram Reels lately, you’ve probably already heard “Dame’s Interlude” without knowing it. The track has become a certified viral moment, racking up over 4.5 million streams on Spotify alone. That’s a big number for any song, and it’s an especially big number for one that barely runs longer than a minute and a half.That’s kind of the whole appeal, though. “Dame’s Interlude” doesn’t waste a second of your time. 
The Streaming Numbers Are Genuinely ImpressiveAt this point Dame Atlas is pulling in 509K+ monthly listeners on Spotify, and If I’m Being Honest as a full project has passed 5 million streams on Spotify alone. 
The Industry Has Taken Notice TooIt’s not just fans and playlists doing the algorithm’s work here – the editorial teams have signed off too. Dame Atlas has landed placements on some genuinely respected curated playlists: Apple Music’s Love Letters, Brown Sugar, Grown-N-Sexy, and Soul Revival, along with Spotify’s R&B Weekly and DND. Six editorial placements is a real vote of confidence — those aren’t algorithm-generated slots, they’re chosen by actual human curators sorting through a mountain of submissions every week.
He’s also picked up a feature on On The Radar, one of the platforms most plugged-in listeners already trust for spotting talent before it blows up.
 
Bottom Line 
Dame Atlas is one of those artists where the more you dig in, the more the story checks out. The streams are real, the editorial support is real, and the songwriting behind it all holds up to repeat listens – which, in R&B, is the whole ballgame. If If I’m Being Honest is where he’s at right now, I’m genuinely curious where he goes next.
Follow Dame Atlas: Spotify | Instagram | TikTok
 
 

Dame Atlas “If I’m Being Honest” Album Review

There’s a moment on If I’m Being Honest where you stop listening as a critic and start listening as a witness. That’s the trick of Dame Atlas – the South Florida-via-New York R&B artist doesn’t perform vulnerability, he just hands it to you, unfiltered.

A Project That Lives Up to Its Name

The title isn’t a gimmick. If I’m Being Honest is built like a diary with a beat attached -every track feels like Dame caught himself mid-thought and decided to keep the tape rolling. That’s what separates this project from the flood of “vibes” R&B saturating playlists right now: there’s a narrative spine here, a real emotional arc from denial to acceptance, and it never feels rushed to get there.

Standout Track: “Dame’s Interlude”

If you’ve heard one song from this album already, it’s probably “Dame’s Interlude” – the track that’s been steadily going viral and pulling new listeners into Dame Atlas’s world. It’s short by design, more confession than chorus, and that brevity is exactly why it hits so hard. In an era of three-minute pop-optimized songs, Dame proves that sometimes 90 honest seconds says more than a full track ever could.

Classic R&B Bones, Modern Edge

What makes If I’m Being Honest click is the balance. The production nods to the golden era of R&B storytelling – warm chords, unhurried tempos, space for the voice to breathe – while the songwriting itself feels distinctly of-the-moment: direct, text-message-plain in places, then suddenly poetic when you least expect it. It’s an album that could’ve come out in 2003 or 2025, and that timelessness is part of the appeal.

The Verdict

If I’m Being Honest isn’t trying to be an event album. It’s trying to be true, and more often than not, it succeeds. With over 3 million streams and counting, editorial placements on Apple Music and Spotify, and a viral moment in “Dame’s Interlude” still building momentum, Dame Atlas isn’t a rising artist anymore – he’s arrived. If confessional R&B with real emotional stakes is your thing, this project belongs on your playlist.

Asaru – No Extras (Ft. 9INE) [Video]

The single “No Extras” by Asaru, featuring 9INE, is more than just a catchy track—it’s the product of a creative partnership dating back to high school. Asaru and 9INE both attended Wharton High School as teens and started making music together in 2014, bonding over their shared passion for hip-hop. Over the years, they’ve built a deep musical rapport, with “No Extras” marking their latest release.

The song dropped on August 31st and made its live debut the same day at this year’s Tampa Beat Weekend. This isn’t their first collaboration; fans may remember “Big Bucks” from Asaru’s 2019 debut album, Dreiser Loop, where the duo showcased their unique chemistry. Since then, they’ve crafted plenty of unreleased material together, making “No Extras” a testament to their growth as artists and the enduring bond they’ve maintained.

Follow Asaru and 9INE on Instagram

@whoisasxru x @wayofthenine

#TBT: SpaceGhostPurrp – The Black God (Video)

by .

DIRECTOR: N/A
PRODUCER: SGP
STREAM: via Spotify/Apple Music/Tidal

Arguably one of the Florida and underground rap’s biggest influences. This week we take you back to 2012 when the founder of Raider Klan, SpaceGhostPurrp, released “The Black God”. The debut single off of his debut studio album, Mysterious Phonk: Chronicles of SpaceGhostPurrp. Purrp used his grimey lyrics and signature dark ambience to convey a powerful message. Talks of breaking the cycle that our society has made in order to work us like slaves. Rising above this plane existence, to be something better. To be a God among men. To this day , SGP and Raider Klan continues to be a definite cornerstone to today’s hip-hop.

LIL PAGE – Vengeance


One of Tampa’s favorites ,  Lil Page just dropped his exclusive single “Vengeance”  produced by Thump Money. He’s definitely in his own lane , his unique sound and hard hitting beats make him stand out. We asked him when to expect his next project , and he said to stay on the lookout for his upcoming singles he’ll be dropping throughout the rest of the year. “More music is inevitable” – PAGE 

Stream Vengeance HERE – http://smarturl.it/page-vengeance

and follow him on Instagram 

@lilpage

Frankie X – Heartbreak Summer


Outside Worlds Frankie X just released his exclusive mixtape, Heartbreak Summer. We asked him a few questions to learn some more about the tape. 

•How long has the tape been in the works?

The tape has been in the works since November of 2019, when the first song and one of the lead singles “H.E.R.” was recorded. 

•Who’s all featured on it?

This project features only one other artist, fellow Outside World member and DJ, Richie Guapo. However, this tape has 3 production placements from Outside World producer/recording artist Fetti Suo who also recently dropped a body of work titled Crybaby Suo. 

•What’s your favorite song on the tape?

My favorite song on the tape is Lone Stone. I feel like that song describes best how I feel most of the time, and have built a personal connection to it. It’s the kind of song you listen to when you’re down and want to pick yourself back up. 

•What was your motivation / inspiration for the tape?

My motivation/inspiration behind the tape was ultimately to assemble a body of work that I knew someone, somewhere, would find relatable. It really highlights the ups and downs of the experiences i’ve had in the dating world, and I know these are common things we all go through but sometimes don’t have the words to express. My hopes for this tape are that the music resonates and helps a broken or lonely heart begin to heal the way mine did while making this project. 

Go check out Heartbreak Summer and follow @frankiesoutside on Instagram to tune in for the latest drops!

FettiSuo – CryBabySuo (Mixtape)

The Outside World collective is back at it again! FettiSuo just dropped the track list to his upcoming debut mixtape “CryBabySuo” dropping on August 6th 2020 and we got the inside scoop on it. The 15 track tape consists of 12 songs and 3 skits, along with features by fellow OutsideWorld members Flex Winter , Frankie X , Billy Banks and Richie Guapo who also works with Macibision, another Tampa based collective. You can also expect to hear some features by YZM and upcoming talented singer Michaela Paladio , along with a few familiar voices that Suo said listeners will have to guess! Everything from the tapes production and engineering , to the cover art and promotion was done in house by the Outside World team. We asked Suo what his biggest influence for the project was and this is what he told us …

“My biggest influence for this project was not only going through life lessons and hardships, but also having fun and enjoying life. Music influence comes from the NY drill , G Funk classics and modern trap as well as a bit of classic hip hop.
What inspired this tape was really the understanding that no matter how you put it or how you want to look at it im always going to be me and be myself. Whether its good, bad, happy, sad, high or low its all genuinely me. Alot of artists should try to be themselves more.”

Here is the exclusive track list along with Suo’s Instagram & Soundcloud. Make sure to be on the lookout August 6th for the drop!