Arin Ray Archives | The Buck Stop

Smoke x Mirrors ’20|06: I

June 17, 2020June 17, 2020Smoke x MirrorsLeave a comment

It feels like an eternity ago now. Somewhere by the middle of last month, I had carefully planned a run of playlists with the fourth slated for Wednesday…two weeks ago. The day I started to execute was on the fateful May 25th. If I had to narrow down the type of hip-hop records I...

Smoke x Mirrors ’19|05: III

May 31, 2019May 31, 2019Smoke x MirrorsLeave a comment

And here comes my bow tie to May 2019. I had a great rush in compiling three playlists to present to you in a three-day span — though, I don’t look forward to repeating the experience so often 😅. As we get into the thick of summer, I will enthusiastically nudge you to listen...

R&Cs: Jus d’orange

January 30, 2019February 9, 2019Roll and CoastersLeave a comment

Much like when “One Love” came out, I won’t need much convincing to start off with Fally Ipupa and his latest single, “Jus d’orange”. And you’re in for quite a trip here as we celebrate some amazing voices such as Fally, Sam Smith, Ruby (of Tanzania) and (yes!) Bryan Adams....

R&Cs: Fever

October 24, 2018November 10, 2018Roll and CoastersLeave a comment

Wizkid’s “Fever” is the latest in a surge of surefire hits and crowd pleasers from the Nigerian pop scene. These singles are strategically released in the buildup to December, with its madness of shows that defy hype and record attendance limits. The visual treatment wherein Tiwa Savage revisits her video vixen days will only...

Smoke & Mirrors, September: IV

September 30, 2018October 2, 2018Smoke x MirrorsLeave a comment

We’re entering the last quarter of 2018. As far as music goes, it has been an unbelievable ride so far. And we’re poised for an incredible finish. I have been enthralled by the latest EPs from ATLiens EARTHGANG and Young Thug. In parallel, I have also immersed in the worlds of Burna, Cassper and...

R&Cs: KING

September 24, 2018December 3, 2018Roll and CoastersLeave a comment

There’s a growing number of hip-hop afficionados that believe South African rapper Nasty C would soon vy for the title of rap supremo on the global stage. As excellent as “King” (a single off his latest album Strings and Bling) may be, that’s just a glimpse of what a coasting Nasty C can do....

R&Cs: Stay

September 24, 2018September 24, 2018Roll and CoastersLeave a comment

I start off with “Stay”, one of my favorite songs off my favorite Mac Miller album, The Divine Feminine. (I had a couple more joints off the album on earlier playlists.) There was a way to kill two birds with one stone so I took a shot. What do I mean? I have a...

You Have an Hour to Spare for this Milky mOma Mix

September 12, 2018September 12, 2018Salute the MixLeave a comment

The DJ is mOma. I’ve already gushed about his prowess on the 1s & 2s a couple of times. However, I failed to mention his range. My bad! A couple of years back, mOma put out an 80-mins-long mix of smooth, at times suggestive, R&B that would have warmed many chilly nights. A couple...