News

[EARLY RELEASE] Substantial - No Per Diem 2.0 ft. Mega Ran (Bandcamp)

Substantial and Mega Ran team up for the new single No Per Diem 2.0, a song for the recipients of unsolicited advice. Sub provides a soulful feel-good banger of a beat comprised of chopped gospel keys and vocals over pounding drums, 808 bass, and synth. Lyrically, the two veteran, MCs rhyme about their journey as artists, following their own path in spite of doubts, conflicting advice from loved ones, and choosing integrity over checks.

For now, the song/maxi-single (including instrumental and acapella) is exclusively available on Bandcamp but No Per Diem 2.0 drops* on all DSPs on October 7th. Pre-save Now. This is the first single from Substantial’s fifth solo album Adulitsh due out in February 2023.

*Song only. The Instrumental and acapella are only available on Bandcamp.

Catch Substantial live with Mega Ran and MC Frontalot and others for their east coast run of The Octoberpus Tour. Dates and details are below.

10/12/22 - Baltimore, MD @ Metro Gallery w/ Wreck the System

10/13/22 - Alexandria, VA @ The Garden w/ Black Liquid and Twisted Distilled

[NEW RELEASE] Substantial & KDFoxx - Animal Arithmetic, Vol. 1

DOWNLOAD/STREAM: Animal Arithmetic, Vol. 1

Animal Arithmetic (AA) is an end-times story in the form of manga, animation and Jazz-Hop. Animal Arithmetic’s creator and Queens, NY native, Kenya “KDFoxx” Danino is an illustrator, writer, and former mentee of acclaimed storytellers Peter De Seve, Terryl Whitlatch, Thomas Astruc, and Hiroyuki Asada. When the time came to produce the soundtrack for AA, KD teamed up with veteran Maryland native, MC/Producer, and 2x Hollywood Music in Media nominee, Substantial. The result is a soulful, mostly jazz and funk-infused Hip-Hop instrumental soundscape featuring live instrumentation by Jonathan Smalls, Malcolm Jackson, Marukabis, Marcus D, and Mason Lieberman. It also features vocal guest appearances from EyeQ, MLLN, and of course Substantial along with voice-over actors Ashley Christen, Binks, Daniel Acosta, Farah Naz Rishi, Hunter Scott, Noell Webber, and Rachelle Etienne-Robinson.

Official Animal Arithmetic WEBSITE + MERCH.

In case you missed it, watch the official Your Greatest Weapon (Music Video).

[NEW MUSIC] Substantial and KDFoxx - Your Greatest Weapon ft. MLLN and Malcolm Jackson

Peace World. New music!

Download/Stream Your Greatest Weapon ft. MLLN & Malcolm Jackson

Maryland-born MC, producer, artist, and educator Substantial teams up with KD Foxx for one of the best collaborations you’ll hear this year. Speaking about the new release, Substantial shares, “Your Greatest Weapon is about self-empowerment and realizing that the most powerful weapon that we have is our voice.” 'YGW's' production is a chill midtempo groove, filled with smooth bass, rhythm guitar, chopped drum, and clarinet samples, and expertly-played vibraphone courtesy of Malcolm Jackson. MLLN's jazzy vocals are the icing on this delicious Jazz-Hop cake.


Pre-order Animal Arithmetic, Vol. 1 on Bandcamp (Digital) or on the official Animal Arithmetic store (Vinyl).

Lastly, don’t forget to tune in to Substantial Weekly today for more music updates and live Q&A.

[NEW MUSIC] Substantial & KDFoxx - A Hunter And His Prey (Jackal's Theme) + It's My Born Day!!!

Peace World. I’m excited about today for multiple reasons! First: IT’S MY B DAY!!! Second: I’ve got new music to share with y’all! Download/Stream A Hunter and His Prey (Jackal’s Theme)

Veteran Jazz Hop/Lo-Fi Hip-Hop artist, Substantial teams up with illustrator and writer, KDFoxx to produce his latest instrumental A Hunter and His Prey, inspired by her manga 'Animal Arithmetic'. The track features voice-over acting by Daniel Acosta and Noell Webber over a mellow groove of chill samples, drums chops, and live bass by Jonathan Smalls. A Hunter and his Prey is the debut single from the album Animal Arithmetic, Vol. 1 which drops on February 4, 2022 on all digital streaming platforms along with a limited edition vinyl release.

Official Animal Arithmetic WEBSITE + MERCH.


Pre-order Animal Arithmetic, Vol. 1 on Bandcamp (Digital) or on the official Animal Arithmetic store (Vinyl).

Lastly, don’t forget to tune in to Substantial Weekly today for more music updates and live Q&A.

[FUNDRAISER] Animal Arithmetic 動物の算術: Beasts of Burden (Manga + Vinyl) by KD Foxx & Substantial

Where manga, animation, and jazz-hop meet in the middle to tell a unique end times story-a call to introspection!

Br'er Animation by KDFoxx and Natalia Mercado

Br'er Animation by KDFoxx and Natalia Mercado

It's a simple equation, you see...

In 2015, NYC Manga Artist Kenya Danino (otherwise known as KDFoxx) created and performed spoken word poetry from her Boston College thesis: Kingdom Animalia. The collection of poems highlighted the human nature of emotions - using animal imagery to convey the thoughts we keep in the dark for fear of being misunderstood.  As she pursued her artistic endeavors, she connected with and bonded over love of music, poetry, and anime with the legendary MC, Substantial- who in the past collaborated with the late Japanese producer, Nujabes. Together, they began to construct a poetic project that merged a 90's-esque dystopian fantasy manga with the raw energy of Hip-Hop and Jazz to tell a story with a fresh perspective on navigating difficult times.  

Thus now in the tumultuous year of 2021, they are thrilled to kick off the Animal Arithmetic: Beasts of Burden project; a powerful narrative about navigating life as if the days were numbered. We are humbled and excited to bring you an original manga and music project about the unique journies of those who feel deeply- and KNOW even deeper.

For more info: CLICK HERE.

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[INTERVIEW] Deep Dive: Stan "Substantial" Robinson written by Jeff Kim

A lifelong advocate for educational enrichment, community activism, and student of hip-hop since the early 80's, Stan "Substantial" Robinson's life story and the twist and turns that have shaped it add texture to his storied career.

To date, he has dedicated three decades of his life to activism, educational enrichment, and industry insight.

To read the full article: CLICK HERE.