State of the Union

Where were you when this song dropped? (0:55) This week on Underground Unreleased, we're getting political before we get musical. We open with a message for listeners back home: get your PVCs (3:30).

With elections looming and the country on edge, we break down the state of Nigeria, the First Lady's tone-deaf "roasting corn doesn't take much" charity (5:41), and why silence from Nigerian artists is part of the problem. Then we pivot to the Macklemore and Ed Sheeran controversy (11:15) - Macklemore's Palestine stance, the pressure from Robert Kraft, and what it says about the cost of speaking up.

We ask: was Macklemore a bad friend, or is this bigger than industry relationships? We also tackle the hot take: are Burna Boy and Ayra Starr "settling" by headlining NFL halftime shows abroad? (Spoiler: no.

Relax.) (25:04) Plus our 2026 Album of the Year debate (31:33) — Victony's Star Life , Wandé Coal's King Coal , Kastyle's Stylish , and the case for and against Rema's upcoming project being his Honestly, Nevermind era (41:14). Davido is in his "I Got Time" era and coming for DJ Tunez (56:24).

Fireboy's LA pivot has us concerned (1:03:30). And some fresh Put You On tracks from Nu Baby, Tommy Tomad, and KIRBS (1:11:06).

And as always, we review submissions from underground artists including Talon Miller, a white rapper from New Orleans (1:12:00) Put You On this week: Nu Baby - "Kalorie," Tommy Tomad - "Olomi," and KIRBS - Treason 🎤 Artists - send your unreleased music for review: unreleasedng@ Follow @unreleasedng on all platforms. Rate, comment, and don't forget - your future is in your hands.