@newman10steps has released a new project, ‘dust on the akai’. The Raleigh, North Carolina rapper, producer, and creative director has been carving out a space that feels deliberate, grounded in soulful production and clear, introspective writing. His music leans into bigger questions- purpose, faith, self-direction- delivered with a potent grit and sharpness.
At the center of his new project is a simple image: an MPC left untouched, gathering dust. It’s not just about neglect- but rather about hesitation giving way to action. About knowing what you’re capable of, but stalling somewhere between intention and execution. ‘dust on the akai’ lives in that tension, but more importantly, it pushes through it. The project captures what it sounds like when the waiting runs out.
That mindset carries into the music itself. Newman’s sound pulls from soulful samples and punchy, infectious grooves, but there’s a cinematic edge to how everything is arranged. Nothing feels overcrowded, yet nothing feels empty either. It’s balanced in a way that gives his voice room to sit front and center- direct, reflective, and grounded in themes like faith, discipline, and self-direction.
The project opens with “LAYAWAY,” setting a steady, focused tone. There’s warmth in the sampling, but also a sense of restraint, like he’s easing into something bigger. That momentum builds as the tracklist unfolds. “US OPEN” and “3i” sharpen the energy in different ways- one more immediate and driving, the other darker and more atmospheric- adding contrast without breaking the cohesion. Elsewhere, “WHILE THE CLOCK IS TICKING” stands out for its urgency. Orchestral touches meet classic drum patterns, creating a sense of pressure that never feels forced- but rather just real. By the time “LANDSCAPE” closes things out, everything clicks into place. It’s cinematic without losing its intimacy, and reflective without feeling unresolved.
Newman’s ‘dust on the akai’ is focused, self-aware, and deliberate in a way that makes it stick. In the end, the project doesn’t just document a turning point- it feels like the moment hesitation gives way to momentum, and there’s no looking back.
Written by
@jacobezra_rh
