Every year, the THOP Fest Tour introduces us to artists from across California who are hungry, talented, and ready to make their mark. At our Orange County stop, one artist stood above the rest and earned his place on this year's Happiness of Pursuit Festival lineup: Illnes. Santa Ana native Illne has been building a reputation as one of Orange County's most authentic underground hip-hop voices. Rooted deeply in the city's East End, Illnes combines classic boom-bap production

Every once in a while we get a random submission that immediately grabs our attention, and that’s exactly how we felt when we came across Tommie Rose. More than just an artist, Tommie is a rapper, producer, and creative visionary carving out his own lane through raw authenticity and a passion for community. Alongside his brother Onno Roos, he co-founded the Art & Music Collective Wallplug, a platform dedicated to pushing creativity forward and building opportunities for indep

The Fly & Swim series focuses on that rare intersection of high-level skill and deep-seated substance. This week, we’re crossing borders to highlight an artist who has mastered the art of the vulnerable anthem: Dax . Originally hailing from St. John's, Dax has built a global powerhouse of a brand by leaning into the raw, uncomfortable truths that many artists shy away from. His latest release, the official video for "God, Can You Hear Me," is a masterclass in cinematic story