Urban Barz Magazine — Issue 3 (Sep–Nov 2025): Global Voices in Rap – Breaking Through the Gatekeepers
- Tamara Jenna
- Sep 1
- 2 min read
Underground to international. Issue 3 is a pulse check on rap, R&B, grime and soul that refuses to play by old rules. We amplify the overlooked and document the innovators—from Trenton to Trondheim, Birmingham to Boston—where lyricism matters and culture speaks without compromise.

What’s inside Issue 3
Stephen Thomas — “Strange Love”: a raw, modern take on romance that leans into vulnerability and craft.
MrZnote — “Boathouse Row”: finding a voice with reflective storytelling and tight production.
Mz & Cabra — “BMT”: no hooks, no filler—just pure back-to-back verses and UK grit under the ES6 Collective.
Liona Jahmara — “Lioness Fire”: strength, soul and digital innovation in a single that roars.
Mr. Rockstar: Charleston’s rising star blends grunge energy with rap swagger.
Siklu — VISIONS: minimalist rap that reframes Norway’s underground on its own terms.
Raubtier Kollektiv — Zoo Deutschland: a conceptual manifesto on power, survival and society.
Proklaim — “CREEPIN/FURTHER (2 IN 1)”: Windhoek to the world—boom bap, amapiano and heritage in motion.
R&B Reimagined: the state of rhythm & blues in the streaming era—context, data points and scene snapshots.
Top Emerging Artists from ReverbNation & BandLab: handpicked spotlights (Ang13, Thawurdsmith and more).
Studio & Gear: Behringer U-PHORIA STUDIO PRO bundle—plug-and-play clarity for rappers, vocalists and podcasters.
Quick facts:Issue: 3 (Sep–Nov 2025) • Print ISSN: 2976-9876 • Online ISSN: 2976-9884 • Magazine hub: tjplnews.com/magazine.
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Why this issue matters
Global voices. Local truths. Issue 3 charts how artists bypass gatekeepers—community radio, DIY scenes and digital ecosystems replacing bottlenecks with bridges. It’s rap and R&B with receipts: resistant to erasure, rooted in story, and built on integrity.
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