In this new entry in our ‘Diamonds In The Rough’ category, we would like to introduce you to artists Tony Newbury and Charles Hamilton and their brand new joint album titled $OMETHING NEW.
In a climate where hip-hop often feels either overly polished or creatively constrained, $OMETHING NEW arrives as a breath of fresh air — a raw, soul-stirring project that puts substance and spontaneity front and center. A collaboration between Harlem cult hero Charles Hamilton and fast-rising New Jersey emcee Tony Newbury, the 9-track album is a bold, unfiltered dive into the real spirit of hip-hop — where dusty drums, deep thoughts, and pure artistry reign supreme.
Entirely produced by Charles Hamilton, $OMETHING NEW captures the essence of two artists locked in sync, operating without a safety net. Hamilton, known for his sonic fearlessness and cerebral sampling, brings his signature sound: cosmic soul, rich textures, and gritty, analog warmth. Meanwhile, Tony Newbury — freestyle-driven, emotionally candid, and refreshingly unpretentious — steps to the mic with hunger and heart, delivering verses that hit like diary entries spilled in real time.
From the cinematic opener “We Good” to the hypnotic storytelling of “C & H Discount Market” and the introspective chaos of “POSITIVE SELF DESTRUCTION,” the project plays like a lo-fi mind trip through late-night train rides, smoke-filled studios, and notebook scribbles turned gospel. Newbury shines brightest on “HI, MY NAME IS TONY NEW,” a raw self-introduction layered over a soul loop that feels like it was lifted straight from a forgotten Dilla crate.
Charles Hamilton’s fingerprints are all over this record — not just in the beats, but in the atmosphere. His legacy as a boundary-pusher is reaffirmed here: this is not just a producer-for-hire scenario. This is a meeting of minds. And when Hamilton himself steps to the mic, the chemistry feels effortless. There’s no posturing. No pandering. Just two voices echoing off studio walls with passion, pain, and purpose.
The album’s closer, “voicemail-27174622144,” is a short, fragmented voicemail. A fitting finale for a project that thrives on mood and memory.
For fans of J Dilla, MF DOOM, A Tribe Called Quest, and even modern independent titans like Russ, this is home turf. $OMETHING NEW doesn’t chase trends — it builds on a tradition. It honors the past while standing firmly in the present, offering something that isn’t trying to be viral — it’s trying to be vital.
In an era desperate for authenticity, $OMETHING NEW proves that real rap never left — it just needed a reason to speak up again.
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Standout Tracks:
“POSITIVE SELF DESTRUCTION”
“C & H Discount Market”
“HI, MY NAME IS TONY NEW”
“JUST WANNA RAP”
Listen to the full project below:
Great Job Rick & the Team @ Fresh: Hip-Hop & R&B Source link for sharing this story.
