DIAMOND IN THE ROUGH: Saul Goode feat. Musalini - "Like Like"

In this new entry in our 'Diamonds In The Rough' category, we would like to introduce you to upcoming artist Saul Goode and his brand new single titled "Like Like" featuring Musalini.



North Carolina-based rapper Saul Goode lights the fuse for his upcoming album Sebastian, an album by Ryan with the release of "Like Like," a bouncy and infectious hip-hop single that arrived November 14, 2025. Featuring a slick guest verse from Jamla Records' own The Musalini and smooth, rhythm-first production by longtime collaborator Lele (aka Empc), the track stands as a triumphant return for one of the most globally seasoned voices in Southern hip-hop.

A Song Born From Renewal

"Like Like" isn't just the first single from Sebastian; it's the spark that reignited Saul Goode's creative fire.

Recorded during a pivotal afternoon walk, one of the first moments he recalls feeling like himself again after being deported from South Korea and navigating his mother's health battle, the track captures the clarity and surreal calm of that day. Everyday sounds became unexpected instruments: the soft clinking of ice cubes swirling in a latte, the unusually loud birds in his North Carolina neighborhood. Lele weaves these textures into ambient percussion that evokes a vivid Southeast Asian jungle, grounding the song in the contrast between chaos and peace.

The result is a beat that fuses laid-back coastal grooves with bouncy-house energy, pairing Saul Goode's introspective punchlines with The Musalini's classic New York bravado. It's Southern charm meets East Coast cool; an effortless bridge across scenes, countries, and cultures.

A Live Debut at a Local Legend

Fans got their first taste of "Like Like" live on Saturday, November 22, when Saul Goode celebrated the Sebastian rollout at the iconic Cat's Cradle in Carrboro, North Carolina. The night marked a milestone: the debut performance of his new live band, led by his brother TJ Maiani on drums and serving as musical director. The full-band arrangement breathed new life into the song's jungle-inspired textures and dance-ready bounce, signaling the dynamic direction Saul Goode is taking into the album release cycle.

From Seoul to the South-A Journey That Shapes the Music

Saul Goode's path to Sebastian is anything but ordinary.

He first built an international following in Seoul, South Korea, where he formed Part Time Cooks, the first foreign hip-hop act signed to a major Korean label. He later reached the semi-finals of Jay Park's television competition Sign Here, solidifying his status as one of the most respected foreign rappers in the country's scene.

When the pandemic rerouted him back home to Chapel Hill, Saul Goode began rediscovering his voice; this time in English. The result is Sebastian, an introspective, deeply personal body of work produced by e.m.p.c, featuring instrumentation from his jazz-musician brother and father, and elevated by a standout appearance from The Musalini.

Influences Rooted in Soul, Groove, and Introspection

With sonic inspirations ranging from Mac Miller and Anderson .Paak to Little Simz, Erykah Badu, and Nujabes, "Like Like" reflects Saul Goode's signature blend of introspection, groove, and globe-spanning perspective. The single positions him firmly as an artist entering a new era: self-aware, energized, and unafraid to pull beauty from unlikely places.

Listen to "Like Like" below:



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