We Speak Music

Casual drops DJ Daryl (2pac) produced “Rockin Lo Vintage” / “I’m From Oakland”

Published

1 year ago

August 8, 2025

Hiero crew’s lyrical hitman, Casual returns “Rockin Lo Vintage.” New single (b/w “I’m From Oakland”) was produced by West Coast legend DJ Daryl (who produced Tupac’s “Keep Ya Head Up” as well as for Snoop Dogg, Richie Rich and many more).

Propelled by thick burbling synth-bass the single is sonically classic Bay meshed with Casual’s lifetime passion for Polo wear. Speaking on Lo, he said “when I got my first record deal with Jive in 1993, we had the label advance me $1000 before the funds cleared so I could go to Ralph Lauren. It was a part of Hiero’s everyday wardrobe. In fact if you saw Kanye West’s MTV live performance, he mentioned that the way Souls of Mischief dressed in the 1990s inspired him. That look was Ralph Lauren Polo. Now with Polo showing love to historic Black communities including Morehouse College, Spelman College and Oak Bluffs in their line, I’m showing the love back.”

Listen to “Rockin Lo Vintage” here: https://youtu.be/GQNBWsGjzqs?si=ORNfxyL7i1YZRWW4

Listen to “I’m From Oakland” here: https://youtu.be/Q4Pl4LCA5R4?si=88ZZXswoMLV9Fou9

The single is B/W another DJ Daryl collaboration “I’m From Oakland” which spits much game on Casual (and Hieroglyphics) home turf. Both tracks are available digitally now.

With over thirty years in the game, Casual rode his place into hip-hop history with his braggadocious and highly distinguishable flow. In recent years he has dropped albums focusing on metaphysical and historical topics including the symbiology and cultural inspiration of ancient Egypt and Afrocentric topics.

More Info: https://www.instagram.com/casualrapgod/—

We Speak Music

Moon Rocket Finds the Space Between Soul and Dancefloor on ‘Just Us Alone’

Published

8 hours ago

September 8, 2026

Joni Jones

Italian producer, DJ and multi-instrumentalist Moon Rocket returns with ‘Just Us Alone’, a hypnotic Afro House journey built around connection, intimacy and the energy of the dancefloor.

There’s a distinct musicality running through everything Moon Rocket creates. The alias of Italian producer and multi-instrumentalist Raffaele Scoccia, Moon Rocket brings his background as a classically trained pianist and Hammond organ player into a sound that seamlessly connects melody, emotion and electronic groove.

His latest single, ‘Just Us Alone’, released via Moon Rocket Music, is a perfect example.

Driven by a warm, steady Afro House rhythm, the track unfolds around a subtle piano melody and soulful vocals, creating an atmosphere that feels intimate yet effortlessly danceable. Hypnotic rather than overproduced, ‘Just Us Alone’ finds its strength in the space between emotion and movement.

“Just Us Alone is a track about connection and intimacy”, says Moon Rocket. “I wanted to create something that felt emotional and hypnotic while still having the energy to work on the dance floor.”

That balance has become a defining characteristic of Moon Rocket’s work. His musical journey began at the age of 15, when he received his first piano, eventually leading him to study classical music, harmony and composition. Today, those foundations inform a distinctive Afro Melodic-Tech style that combines organic musicianship with contemporary club production.

Moon Rocket has built an international following through releases on labels including Defected, Nervous, Sony Italy, BBE, Hed Kandi and Soulfuric, while his music has been embraced by artists across the global electronic scene. His breakthrough track ‘Reciprocity’ surpassed 21 million plays and 250,000 Shazams, establishing him as one of the distinctive voices emerging from the Afro House movement.

On ‘Just Us Alone’, Moon Rocket takes a more intimate approach, allowing the groove, melody and vocal to work together naturally. Mastered by Sam Wills at Wired Masters, London, the track carries the warmth and clarity to work equally well through a club system, a sunset set or a late-night headphone session.