Hip-Hop Lives Here
Hip-Hop Lives Here
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When AL99, pronounced “AL Nine-Nine,” drops a new track, it’s never just another single—it’s an experience. His latest release, “WHY II,” the ninth track from his EP Elevate, is no exception. From the first bars, the song is reflective, pulling listeners into the artist’s world of introspection, faith, and cultural awareness.
“I really was in the moment of reflection,” AL99 explains, recounting the creation of “WHY II.” “It was reflective from my own journey, and then reflective in terms of how I think about the world and what was going on at the time. I feel like music is so important to connect us all because then we realize we’re all the same.”
The song arrives as part of Elevate, a nine-track collection that sees AL99 seamlessly navigating the highs and lows of life and Hip-Hop. Tracks like “SET IT OFF,” “POP,” “ENIGMA,” “SINK OR SWIM,” “9 GOD,” “PASSION,” and “MOMMA” showcase the versatility that fans have come to expect. Each track feels intentional, with AL99 carefully crafting every beat, hook, and lyric to reflect a broader journey.
What makes “WHY II” unique in AL99’s catalog is its collaborative genesis. Unlike most of his music, which he produces himself, this track began with a beat by international producer B Noize. “I found this beat on YouTube, and I was like, ‘Man, this really speaks to me,’” AL99 recalls. “I just started rapping to it… and it kind of started the Y series.” The track continues a thematic exploration of the “why” behind his artistry—a series AL99 says is meant to connect listeners with purpose, introspection, and culture.
AL99’s artistry is as much about heart as it is about craft. On “WHY II,” he reflects on the delicate balance between ambition and authenticity: “I had to separate my mindset and how I’m grinding for a goal and my heart… still keep the passion of what I’m doing… it’s all still about the love.” This philosophy permeates his work, giving tracks a depth that resonates beyond the music itself.
Cultural heritage is another driving force. While not Haitian himself, AL99 draws deeply from his family’s roots. “Being around the family and speaking patois and Creole… it was always such a very spiritual, family-oriented situation,” he says. “You can manifest whatever energy you have inside you into reality. We have power in our heritages, we have power in our culture.” The influence of this lineage, coupled with his faith and personal growth, is threaded throughout Elevate, especially on tracks like “9 GOD” and “MOMMA.”
Beyond music, AL99 is an entrepreneur and a visionary. Founder of TPC Music Production, he recently signed a distribution deal with Universal Music Group/Bungalo, cementing his independent grind while expanding his reach. From the early success of singles like “POP” to his ongoing rise in the Hip-Hop scene, AL99 continues to define his own path, blending artistry, business, and culture.
“WHY II” is more than a track—it’s a testament to AL99’s journey as an artist and as a person. He hopes listeners will take away the essence of authenticity and reflection that permeates his music. “I just want people to go back and listen and feel that I was always speaking what I believed,” he says. “As long as I’m doing that, I’ll be happy, and I hope people now or later on feel that too.”
With Elevate, AL99 doesn’t just make music; he offers a roadmap of introspection, resilience, and cultural pride, proving once again why fans call him “Versatile AL” and peers recognize him as “The Genius.”
About AL99
AL99, known for his versatility as a lyricist, performer, instrumentalist, and producer, is redefining the boundaries of Hip-Hop. Drawing inspiration from icons like Tupac, Kendrick Lamar, and Drake, his music blends introspective lyricism, energetic performance, and cultural resonance. Founder of TPC Music Production, AL99 balances artistry and entrepreneurship, delivering music that inspires, entertains, and uplifts. With a mission to create tracks that connect deeply with listeners, AL99 continues to push Hip-Hop forward while remaining authentically himself.
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Hip-hop artist Thxrsday demonstrates versatility and authenticity in his latest release, “O V R T H I N K,” from the upcoming album of the same name. Inviting listeners to confront their own emotions, the thoughtful single acts both as an outlet for the artist and a moment for listeners to feel of their own accord.
Hailing from Tennessee (and born in Colorado), Thxrsday is a musician with abundant life experiences and the courage to share them. Taking inspiration from artists including The Weeknd, Kendrick Lamar, Juice WRLD, and XXXTentacion, Thxrsday blends the sounds of his surroundings with a perspective of his own. His goal, ultimately, is to meet listeners where they are in life and share the moment through his songs.
Moved by The Weeknd’s mixtape, “Thursday,” the artist eventually adopted a version of the title as his moniker. “That mixtape is my favorite and resonated the most with me as a person,” adds Thxrsday of his namesake.
The album O V R T H I N K showcases a cohesive variety that flows from one song to the next while compiling beats from various producers. “The album is arranged sonically but not chronologically,” explains the artist. “I curated it based on which songs sounded good next to the other ones, not necessarily how listeners are expected to listen to them.”
“Every song individually tells its own story,” he adds. “The first is the bittersweet introduction of who I am and where I come from. The second leads into the music scene and what I want to do here. The project isn’t supposed to be one story. It’s about getting people to know who I am. I’d rather have a song paint a picture than write words in a biography.”
Both the single and album title, “O V R T H I N K” is the fifth of nine songs on Thxrsday’s upcoming project. The single came to Thxrsday in the form of a rock-based beat by producer youngtaylor_. “I’m a huge fan of rock and guitars,” shares the rapper. “I heard the guitar, and it led to me telling the truth on the mic.”
“O V R T H I N K” is an experience to be had. As the song begins, the smooth rock breaks into a delightfully unexpected verse. There is never a moment of pause through the flows and movement of the single. Each section is carefully curated to pull listeners in and give them space to feel.
To Thxrsday, creating music is like therapy. “It’s only then that I open up and talk to the mic, like sharing with a friend. Music gave me the opportunity to open up and use it to show people how I’m really feeling — my deepest, darkest secrets.”
Thxrsday isn’t shy about pouring his heart and soul into song. “Everything I say is based off real experiences and things I’ve gone through. That’s then painted in the beautiful masterpiece of music.”
Ultimately, Thxrsday hopes listeners can find their own purpose and meaning in his songs. “I want my story to resonate with others but I don’t want to force a meaning. I want them to find it for themselves,” he adds.
O V R T H I N K is set to release on July 30, 2026. Following the release of O V R T H I N K and its namesake single (out July 3), Thxrsday looks forward to continuing to create and release music at a steady pace. ”Releasing new music is a no brainer,” says Thxrsday. “I want to touch upon different genres, drop some EDM songs.”
As for live performances, Thxrsday is eager to showcase his music onstage in the near future. In the meantime, fans can enjoy the entire album – in whichever order they like.
“O V R T H I N K” is available on all streaming platforms, with promotional support from Starlight PR.
Make sure to stay connected to Thxrsday on all platforms for new music, videos, and social posts.
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Don’t miss it! Stream “O V R T H I N K” today!
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