indie
Indie music features a sampling of maverick musicians that favor the DIY approach to music making.
The Quiet That Follows the Applause
I didn’t cry at the end of Better Call Saul. I cried three days later, while washing dishes. The water was hot, the sponge worn thin, and suddenly—without warning—I saw Kim Wexler’s hands again. Not in the courtroom. Not in the finale. But in that tiny Albuquerque office, adjusting the blinds just so, trying to control one small thing in a world spinning out of her grasp.
By KAMRAN AHMADabout a month ago in Beat
A New Year's Piano Medley
Welp, time for some humble honesty: I did in fact abandon my New Year's resolution for 2025. This is rather expected, for many; jokes are found everywhere about many of us would-be-changed-folks not lasting more than three days into a new year before failing their resolutions. More embarrassing than that, though, I failed at the resolution which I made public on Vocal (and even got a runner-up prize for in their New Year's resolution-based challenge...yikes!). My resolution was to create and share, on YouTube and on Vocal, new original pieces of music every month. I did this for a while, but trailed off a little before the halfway mark through the year, just as some life things started to really pick up frenetic speed.
By Gabriel Huizengaabout a month ago in Beat
The Song That Brought Him Back
After my mother passed, grief settled into our home like winter fog—thick, gray, and impossible to ignore. He stopped whistling while fixing the sink. Stopped tapping his boot to the oldies station. Even his laugh, once so loud it startled the dogs, vanished into a silence so heavy it filled every room. For two years, he moved through life like a man walking in someone else’s shoes. So when he said, voice barely above a whisper, “Let’s go south for New Year’s,” I didn’t ask why. I just booked the tickets.
By KAMRAN AHMADabout a month ago in Beat
Tyla’s Chart-Topping Rise
Introduction When South African singer Tyla released her self-titled debut album in late 2023, few predicted it would ignite a global movement. But by 2025, her name was everywhere: on Billboard charts, Grammy stages, and playlists from Lagos to Los Angeles. Fueled by her breakout hit “Water”—a seductive fusion of amapiano, R&B, and pop—Tyla didn’t just enter the global music scene; she reshaped it.
By KAMRAN AHMADabout a month ago in Beat
Richard Smallwood
Introduction In recent months, false rumors have spread online with alarming speed: searches like “gospel singer Richard Smallwood died”, “Richard Smallwood passed away”, and “Richard Smallwood cause of death” have surged—despite having no basis in truth.
By KAMRAN AHMADabout a month ago in Beat
Closing the Year with Music That Matters
As 2025 comes to a close, Indie Q Radio finds itself in a reflective place. The stretch from Christmas through New Year’s has felt like a natural pause—a moment to slow down, listen a little more closely, and appreciate the music and people that made the year what it was. Ending the year with our holiday programming felt right, especially knowing it came from independent artists around the world who shared their own interpretations of the season.
By mysoundMusicabout a month ago in Beat
Muriel Grossmann Plays the Music of McCoy Tyner and the Grateful Dead
Muriel Grossmann’s new album Plays the Music of McCoy Tyner and the Grateful Dead, released today on Dreamland Records, presents a rare exploration of two musical worlds that rarely meet. On the surface, McCoy Tyner and the Grateful Dead seem to inhabit entirely different spheres. Tyner’s towering presence in post-Coltrane jazz is built on harmonic complexity, powerful left-hand voicings, and modal exploration. The Grateful Dead’s legacy, meanwhile, lies in open-ended improvisation, rhythmic elasticity, and a communal approach to performance. Yet Grossmann’s interpretation shows that both traditions share a common drive.
By Chris Adamsabout a month ago in Beat
Best Unsigned Rappers Making Noise Online
The internet has changed how rap careers are built. In 2025, some of the loudest movement in hip-hop isn’t coming from major labels—it’s coming from unsigned rappers who are dominating online through consistency, personality, and music that actually connects. These artists are building fanbases on streaming platforms, social media, and playlists without waiting for industry approval. Here are some of the best unsigned rappers making real noise online right now.
By RapRadarDigestabout a month ago in Beat
Best Underground Rappers to Watch This Year
The underground rap scene is where the next era of hip-hop is quietly being built. While mainstream artists often move according to label schedules and industry trends, underground rappers operate differently. They release music on their own timelines, build audiences organically, and develop sounds that feel personal rather than manufactured. This year, the underground is especially strong, with artists gaining real traction without sacrificing authenticity. These are the underground rappers worth paying close attention to right now.
By RapRadarDigestabout a month ago in Beat
Top Independent Rappers Right Now (2025 List)
In 2025, independent rap is no longer a side lane in the music industry—it’s one of the strongest forces shaping hip-hop culture. Artists are proving that you don’t need a major-label contract to build momentum, loyal fans, or a lasting catalog. Independence today means control, consistency, and identity. The rappers on this list stand out because their music connects, their catalogs hold weight, and their careers move with intention rather than hype. These are the top independent rappers making noise right now.
By RapRadarDigestabout a month ago in Beat
BigDeuceFOF Discography: All Songs, Features, and Releases
BigDeuceFOF has built his discography with intention. Rather than flooding platforms with random drops, his releases feel connected—each song adding to a larger story shaped by pressure, belief, and persistence. For fans, his catalog isn’t just a list of tracks. It’s a timeline of growth.
By RapRadarDigestabout a month ago in Beat
