Orey Eyed Presents His First Album Entitled "Dozing Off While Driving"
Orey Eyed, a music project of the South Korean born singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Jaehyun Kim, has unveiled the first full-length LP, titled “Dozing Off While Driving”.
Orey Eyed, a music project of the South Korean born singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Jaehyun Kim, has unveiled the first full-length LP, titled “Dozing Off While Driving”.
Featuring performances and production from himself as well as a vocal performance from Ohio-based singer-songwriter mimete on the sixth track “Scarlet Noise”, the record encompasses a wide range of genres from dream pop and shoegaze to electronic rock and alternative.
The twelve-track album discusses various topics such as escapism, bisexual identity, apocalyptic future, and unconditional love, too. Easily-identified sounds of dreamy, lush synths, psychedelic guitars, and airy vocals are found all over the album, establishing a solid identity of the project.
Live dates as well as the detailed release dates for the deluxe version of the album will be announced soon. In the meantime, listen to “Dozing Off While Driving” below, stream it on Bandcamp and Apple Music, and connect with Orey Eyed on his social media.
Stream and Share “Dozing Off While Driving”: Apple Music | Bandcamp
Mary J. Blige Unveils Her 2025 ‘The For My Fans Tour’ Dates
Grammy and Emmy award-winning and Oscar-nominated, “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” Mary J. Blige announced her 2025 “The For My Fans Tour” with special guests NE-YO and Mario.
Grammy and Emmy award-winning and Oscar-nominated, “Queen of Hip-Hop Soul,” Mary J. Blige announced her 2025 “The For My Fans Tour” with special guests NE-YO and Mario. The tour comes on the heels of her new album “Gratitude,” set for release on November 15. The tour and album are a celebration of the love and gratitude that Mary has towards her life, family, friends, and her beloved fans.
Produced by Live Nation, the 27-city tour includes a stop at UBS Arena, located 30 minutes from Penn Station or Grand Central via LIRR in Belmont Park, NY, on Friday, April 11, 2025.
“I am so excited to kick off this tour. I have amazing fans and am so grateful for all of the love and support they have given me throughout the years,” said Mary J. Blige. “This tour is for them, and I cannot wait to be able to travel to all these cities and see everyone. I am in such a place of immense gratitude and peace at this moment, so also having the chance to release my new album “Gratitude” on November 15 ahead of this tour is really special to me.”
Blige will release her new studio album, “Gratitude,” on Friday, November 15, through her own Beautiful Life Productions and in partnership with 300 Entertainment. In August, she dropped the first single off the album, “Breathing” featuring Fabolous.
Ahead of both the album release and tour, Blige will be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the rest of the class of 2024 on October 19 in Cleveland, OH.
VIP: The tour will also offer a variety of different VIP packages and experiences for fans to take their concert experience to the next level. Packages vary but include premium tickets including reserved booths & tables, access to the VIP Lounge, exclusive VIP merch item, limited edition VIP poster & more. For more information, visit vipnation.com!
TICKETS: Tickets will be available starting with artist presale beginning on Tuesday, October 1. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general on-sale beginning on Friday, October 4 at 10 AM at LiveNation.com.
PRESALE: Citi is the official card of The For My Fans Tour presale. Citi cardmembers will have access to presale tickets beginning on Wednesday, October 2 at 10 AM until Thursday, October 3 at 11:59 PM through the Citi Entertainment program. For complete presale details visit www.citientertainment.com.
MARY J. BLIGE – THE FOR MY FANS TOUR 2025 DATES:
Thu Jan 30 - Greensboro, NC - Greensboro Coliseum
Fri Jan 31 - Raleigh, NC - Lenovo Center
Mon Feb 03 - Atlanta, GA - State Farm Arena
Thu Feb 06 - Charlotte, NC - Spectrum Center
Sat Feb 08 - Tampa, FL - Amalie Arena
Tue Feb 11 - Hollywood, FL - Hard Rock Live
Fri Feb 14 - New Orleans, LA - Smoothie King Center
Tue Feb 18 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center
Fri Feb 21 - Ft. Worth, TX - Dickies Arena
Tue Feb 25 - Denver, CO - Ball Arena
Sat Mar 01 - Los Angeles, CA - Intuit Dome
Fri Mar 07 - San Francisco, CA - Chase Center
Sat Mar 08 - Sacramento, CA - Golden 1 Center
Wed Mar 12 - St. Louis, MO - Enterprise Center
Fri Mar 14 - Chicago, IL - United Center
Sun Mar 16 - St. Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center
Wed Mar 19 - Detroit, MI - Little Caesars Arena
Sat Mar 22 - Buffalo, NY - KeyBank Center
Mon Mar 24 - Toronto, ON - Scotiabank Arena
Wed Mar 26 - Washington, DC - Capital One Arena
Fri Mar 28 - Atlantic City, NJ - Boardwalk Hall
Wed Apr 02 - Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena
Fri Apr 04 - Baltimore, MD - CFG Bank Arena
Sun Apr 06 - Newark, NJ - Prudential Center
Thu Apr 10 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden
Fri Apr 11 - Belmont Park, NY - UBS Arena
Mon Apr 14 - Boston, MA - TD Garden
Taiwan Based Singer-Songwriter Niki Releases Her Fifth Album "Pride and Prejudice"
Niki is a Taiwan based singer-songwriter who is thrilled and relieved to unveil her fifth album, “Pride and Prejudice”. The album includes a total of 15 tracks, and all made it to the charts from No.1 to 50 on StreetVoice, Taiwan’s local indie streaming platform.
Niki is a Taiwan based singer-songwriter who is thrilled and relieved to unveil her fifth album, “Pride and Prejudice”. The album includes a total of 15 tracks, and all made it to the charts from No.1 to 50 on StreetVoice, Taiwan’s local indie streaming platform. The entire album is inspired by and dedicated to her ex, expressing all the up and mostly down emotions that occurred throughout the 15-month relationship.
The boy, a narcissist, sexist, materialistic and patriarchal, pretended to be a man and ended up creating a heart-break album. It covers topics that often occur in the post-relationship period, and she hoped that her lyrics would strike a chord with her listeners and act as a haven for some. “Pride and Prejudice” is Niki’s side of the story and her farewell and last romantic gesture to the inspiration himself. (It is definitely not a revenge album.)
Unlike the previous albums Niki has released, “Pride and Prejudice” consists of a collection of tracks made and recorded within two weeks using an entry-level USB microphone, as she hoped to document the authenticity and feelings for her break-up. Even though the lyrics themselves are direct, irritating and gut-wrenching, Niki has teamed up with Casper Yang, a famous and talented Taiwanese producer/singer, to add elements to the arrangements to create a variety of genres, including country, RnB, folk, soft rock, and more.
The album evolves around several topics, including how people nowadays often ‘replace broken items instead of fixing them to last,’ how men frequently choose ego and pride over something real to hold onto, how promises are often made just for sex, and how goodnights turned into goodbyes.
Listen to “Pride and Prejudice” below, as well as on your preferred streaming service, and connect with Niki on her social media.
Stream and Share “Pride and Prejudice”: Apple Music | YouTube Music | StreetVoice
Connect with Niki: Instagram
Interview: JSDavani Talks About His "The Melancholiac II" Album
"The Melancholiac II" is the recently released experimental album from JSDavani. DCWS connected with him for an exclusive interview to discuss the album's creation, and a lot more.
“Creativity is organic and feeds off everything. I think being open-minded helps clear out any blockages to free up inspired thoughts.”
Congratulations on the completion and release of your album "The Melancholiac II". Tell us about your creative process for the development of the songs.
Thanks for the compliments! This project was really organic and developed really quickly, in the aftermath of 2 previous projects. In Oct. 2023, a close friend had died near the completion of an album, FTCHRS, that ended up being dedicated to him. It also prompted me to immediately begin, complete, and release a project for my father (while he is still alive). That project, “Son of Man of Chair”, was completed in Feb. 2024.
After all of that, I was emotionally spent but still had some ‘leftover’ tracks and ideas that I continued to work on. I ended up a bit more depressed than I’d realized and ended up using this album to work thru a lot of different issues. “The Melancholiac II” definitely follows a similar progression that ran parallel in its’ own ways.
How long did it take for you to complete?
I worked on this project obsessively last spring, from March-May 2024.
Would you say that there is an overall theme or concept to the album? Also, what does the title represent?
The theme of the album deals with mental health issues, most notably depression/anxiety and substance abuse/addiction, all of which, I’ve experienced in my own life.
While working on this album, I experienced depression/anxiety, as well as the daily triggers an addict may experience. Instead of reacting in my life, I reacted on them vicariously thru the character I created, the Melancholiac. That became a cathartic and novel experience for me. The title is definitive, a Melancholiac being someone who is chronically depressed/melancholy. The II is an homage of sorts to Dean Blunt’s, the Narcissist II, an all-time favorite of mine.
The story here is that someone is bummed out/depressed. It doesn’t get better so they relapse/choose to use. The character goes thru all the motions- and emotions- the rush, the guilt, the denial, etc. before waking up/realizing they should do better. The story ends on an ambiguously positive note. That’s how recovery and mental health often is. Ambiguously tho Absolutely certain that Relapse doesn’t have to be the end.
If "The Melancholiac II" was to be the soundtrack to any movie, which one would you pick, and why?
While making it I thought about somehow creating a movie off the audio.. so this question totally reinforces that idea! Most movies about depression/addiction end dramatically with suicide/overdose. This movie would have to end on that ambiguously positive note with the character going to therapy and a methadone clinic, both of which still face an issue of stigma in society.
How did you get started creating music and what instruments do you play currently?
I used to play trombone in middle school band, and guitar in 8th grade. I learned all the other instruments in high school and got into experimental/noise scenes in college. I’ve continued building on things and embraced synthesizers and digital tools more recently, and to help create all these projects/stories.
What are some things/people/places that inspire you to create new art, whether it be music, or multimedia, and do you ever get "writer's block"? If so, how do you overcome it?
Creativity is organic and feeds off everything. I think being open-minded helps clear out any blockages to free up inspired thoughts. It also helps to have a variety of projects. I currently have 5 or 6 different projects lined up for release, as soon as this month (B.A.&the.G.S), a local arts exhibit in a few months with some experimental photography, and numerous projects throughout next year. OH and as of now, the Melancholiac II, the film, release date TBA (lol).
Tell us what made your friend Supreet Singh the perfect compliment to two of the album's tracks, " "a darker place" and "The Bottom :escape extinction".
My friend Supreet, I’ve known since high school. We went thru lots of times: the good, bad, and ugly. He’s someone I talk to often still after all of that and he’s also a poet/writer. He’s contributed some spoken word pieces to a handful of tracks. His contribution to “a darker place” is obscured but noted. “The bottom:escape extinction” came about organically and accidentally. I had changed the ending of the album after turning a corner/feeling better myself. We had recorded another version of that track well over a year ago, when I stumbled on it and it fit perfectly with the theme. We will continue to collaborate on future projects. Maybe he would even play the lead in the film version of the Melancholiac II.
Stream and Share “The Melancholiac II” on Spotify
Read our review of “The Melancholiac II” HERE
Connect with JSDavani: Spotify | Soundcloud
Review: "The Melancholiac II" by JSDavani
“The Melancholiac II” is an album to get completely lost in and surrender to, and JSDavani proves a skilled worldbuilder of weirdness.
Smeared surrealism soaked in acidic alliteration gives JSDavani’s “The Melancholiac II” a wonderful and wild approach. Entirely and utterly baffling, the songs defy easy categorization. JSDavani exists on the proper fringes, making things like genres hard to place. Yes, there is certainly a catchiness to the entire procession, but it is not the usual poppy demeanor. Everything here is far too complicated for pop. It layers, expanding the whole sound into the seemingly infinite. The word “experimental” has been coined for music like this, the kind that seemingly embodies a distinctive personality.
The reference points love the outsiders. The vocal treatment clearly nods to the early work of the Residents, as the art flair and general unclassifiable demeanor give it a distinctive charm. Further along, the dreamy scope sometimes captures the equally perplexing narratives of Connan Mockasin because there’s that same element of infectious hooks alongside some real out-there approaches, easily listening as a half-forgotten dream. Some of the melodies have a haunted beauty, drawing from the nostalgic hues of Leyland Kirby’s countless sorrowful projects. For all these touchstones, this remains a highly unique work that lives on the edges.
“Heartdrops” opens the album, setting the tone for what follows. The use of field recordings continues the blurred lines of composition, as is found in “Feeling is shared.” Sci-fi elements permeate James Ferraro - referencing “Wants/Needs: A war between.” Fractured rhythms get broken and stretched beyond the recognizable with “2wait4weight.” Layers give “_:00 AM” a sense of enormity, like there is no definitive beginning or end, with the synthesizers feeling like they could melt away at any moment.
Going for a subdued ethos are the broken beats and mournful moodiness of “The Melancholiac II.” Like a half-remembered dream is the bliss of “Falling asleep: Nodding off” with little melodic fragments bubbling through. Near-silence runs through the captivating “That warm place: Denial.” Vocals become impossible to place on the endless manipulation of “WAKING Up :the sky with laughter.” “The Bottom :escape extinction” remains hard to grasp, with the multi-faceted, multi-suite piece giving it a sense of eternity. Tying everything together is the industrial-edged “A Beginning/Ending :Rinse/Repeat.”
“The Melancholiac II” is an album to get completely lost in and surrender to, and JSDavani proves a skilled worldbuilder of weirdness. Listen to this album below.
JSDavani Presents His Self-Produced Concept Album, "The Melancholiac II"
“The Melancholiac II" is the incredible newly released, self-produced concept album from multi-instrumentalist and multimedia artist Jacoby Davani aka JSDavani, and comprises 20 tracks, opening with “Heartdrops”, and closing with “A Beginning/Ending :Rinse/Repeat”.
“The Melancholiac II" is the incredible newly released, self-produced concept album from multi-instrumentalist and multimedia artist Jacoby Davani aka JSDavani, and comprises 20 tracks, opening with “Heartdrops”, and closing with “A Beginning/Ending :Rinse/Repeat”. The album’s title is a reference to Jacoby’s favorite Dean Blunt album, “The Narcissist II”.
Along with being a music creator and artist for over 20 years, Jacoby is a behavioral analyst (BCBA) who works with children on the Autism spectrum.
He has released 6 different experimental music projects in the last year, with over 5 hours of music between them; the latest being “RE:sender -> VOL1”.
If you’re a fan of experimentation and next level creativity, then you will love Jacoby’s album, “The Melancholiac II”. Listen to it below, and hang close to DCWS because our exclusive interview with him and review of the project are both coming soon.
Connect with JSDavani: Soundcloud | Spotify
Legendary Hip-Hop Producer Diamond D Releases "The Diam Piece 3: INITIUM”
Diggin’ In The Crates Crew co-founding member Diamond D shares “INITIUM”, the first of three parts to “The Diam Piece 3”, which will serve as the final installment in his production compilation series.
Grammy-winning Hip-Hop legend Diamond D released “The Diam Piece” album in 2014, followed by the project's sequel, “The Diam Piece 2”, in 2019. Now, the Diggin’ In The Crates Crew co-founding member shares “INITIUM”, the first of three parts to “The Diam Piece 3”, which will serve as the final installment in Diamond D's production compilation series.
With star-studded guest features such as Fatman Scoop, Skyzoo, RJ Payne, 38 Spesh, and more, “INITIUM” will be followed by Duo and Tria to complete The Diam Piece 3 over the course of the next 12 months.
"I would never release an album with 28 songs in this age of short attention spans. With that being said, I'll be releasing he 'Diam Piece III' album in three separate parts over a 12 month timespan: 'INITIUM', 'Duo' & 'Tria'. This will give each release a chance to breathe on its own and to be appreciated. The Diam Piece 3 album will complete the trinity for my production series. It was an honor to work with all the talented spitters on the new album. If you're familiar with both Diam Piece parts 1 and 2 then you already know what to expect: hard hitting tracks and dope lyricism. I stand on that." - Diamond D
“The Diam Piece 3: INITIUM” arrives on all major digital streaming platforms via Dymond Mine Records/EMPIRE just a month short of the 32nd anniversary of Diamond D's 1992 classic debut “Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop”.
Stream/Share “The Diam Piece 3: INITIUM”
“The Diam Piece 3: INITIUM” can be purchased on vinyl via Fatbeats here.
Hip-Hop Legends Smif-N-Wessun Announce “Still Shinin’ Tour”
Just ahead of the 30th anniversary of their critically acclaimed debut album, "Dah Shinin’", legendary rap Duo Smif-N-Wessun announce the launch of “Still Shinin’,” a tour that takes them from Brooklyn to Borlänge, Sweden.
Just ahead of the 30th anniversary of their critically acclaimed debut album, “Dah Shinin’”, Smif-N-Wessun announce the launch of “Still Shinin’,” a tour that takes them from Brooklyn to Borlänge, Sweden.
The duo, composed of Tek and General Steele, first appeared on Black Moon’s album, “Enta Da Stage”, and they’ve been consciously commanding the stage ever since. Within a year, they were on a remix of May J. Blige’s "I Love You" from her chart-topping sophomore release, “My Life”, then released their own album reaching the Top 5 of Billboard’s R&B/Hip Hop chart!
Featuring production from Da Beatminerz, cover art inspired by Roy Ayers, and the debut of the Boot Camp Clik super group, “Dah Shinin’” would eventually be named one of The Source magazine’s 100 Best Rap albums and yielded such classics as “Bucktown,” “Let’s Git It On,” “Wontime,” “Wrekonize,” “Sound Bwoy Bureill,” and “Stand Strong.”
It wasn’t all smooth –– jazz funk and riddims –– for the Bucktown pair, however. After a cease and desist from gun company, Smith & Wesson, Tek and Steele temporarily released under the moniker Cocoa Brovaz with 1998’s “The Rude Awakening”, but the culture never let Smif-N-Wessun fade. In 2005, they released “Smif-N-Wessun: Reloaded” and “Smif-N-Wessun: The Album”.
In the following years, they delivered concentrated works with two more of hip hop’s most respected producers, Pete Rock for “Monumental” (2011), and 9th Wonder and his Soul Council for “The All” (2019), spawning collabs ranging from Styles P, to Bun B, Musiq Soulchild and Rick Ross.
In 2013, they pushed boundaries and the West Indian undertones laced throughout their music won diaspora-spanning respect and their first EP, “Born And Raised”, featuring reggae favorites, Jahdan Blakkamore, Junior Kelly and Junior Reid. It was entirely produced by Beatnick & K-Salaam. In 2018, a European tour showcased their stockpile of anthems and energetic flow with Champion Sound (Live From Prague).
Perhaps most known for their Timberlands and hook, “I shine, you shine, shine,” Smif-N-Wessun’s overall M.O. has acquired them a catalog and audience as loyal to them as they are to hip hop.
“When we on tour, we see generations that come to our shows,” says Tek. “At some shows, we have kids that are 9, 11, 13 years old with their dads, and their dads had their dad, and they all rocking, and they know the words too.”
For them –– and fans –– it still feels like 30 years ago. Coming off the 50th anniversary of hip hop and music industry-wide shake ups from lawsuits to rap beef, we can look forward to seeing Smif-N-Wessun enter the stage once again with some “super friends” for this “Still Shinin’ Tour.” “It’s hip hop, it’s going to be exciting,” says Steele. “I don’t want to say, ‘throwback’ but it’s going to have a feeling of just coming to a show and having fun.”
Smif-N-Wessun is also back in the studio for their eighth studio album, “INFINITY”, but no word yet on what to expect other than P.N.C.-type vibes. “When you hear the new lyrics on the next project you’ll see,” Steele continues. “We’ve been smashed in the media, we’ve been blacklisted in NYC, we’ve been underdogs and under-voted, outvoted, outcast, thought of last, shot at, took stabs at, shut doors on and we still look forward. That’s how you keep shinin’.”
Australian Pop Trio Sheppard Announce Their US Headline Tour
Australian pop superstars, Sheppard, announce another US headline tour following the release of their highly anticipated new studio album “ZORA”…
Australian pop superstars, Sheppard, announce another US headline tour following the release of their highly anticipated new studio album ZORA and their sold-out June Northeast headline trek that culminated with a Central Park SummerStage performance as part of this year's Aussie BBQ.
The new LP is the sibling band’s fourth full-length and debuted at #1 on the ARIA Australian Album Charts and #8 on the ARIA Overall Album Charts alongside Gracie Abrams, Taylor Swift, Charli XCX, Morgan Wallen, The Weeknd, Chappell Roan, Luke Combs, and Olivia Rodrigo. In addition, Sheppard was also the ONLY Australian act in the Top 40. The success of ZORA comes as the band celebrate the ten-year anniversary of their global mega-hit “Geronimo,” which has gone viral once again.
George, Amy, and Emma Sheppard relocated from Brisbane, Australia to Nashville in 2023 driven by the ambition to connect and engage more deeply with their US and Canadian fans. Their June tour took them to Boston, Washington DC, Philadelphia, and New York for warm-up shows ahead of the release of ZORA and saw them playing to sold-out enthusiastic crowds every night, that led to the addition of this second run of dates.
“We knew fans had been wanting live shows,” the sibling trio said, “but the response and the love that fans showed us across these shows took our breath away.” The extension to the Say Geronimo! tour continues the celebration of “Geronimo,” which has now surpassed the 1 BILLION stream mark, and gives the band a chance to share their new album live with fans across the US.
As one of Brisbane’s most successful bands of all time, Sheppard are enjoying a renaissance with recent singles lighting up charts on five continents while a new generation on social media discover the hits that have seen the sibling trio become certified 36x Platinum across 19 countries and cross 2 billion streams worldwide. ZORA is the first studio album for the band since 2021’s Kaleidoscope Eyes (ARIA #2), 2018’s Watching the Sky (ARIA #1) and their debut LP in 2014, Bombs Away (ARIA #2). Preceded by the singles “Good Time,” “Daylight,” “Dance on the Sun,” and “Edge of the Earth,” ZORA contains 16 tracks that explore themes of resilience, hope, despair, and strength, all underpinned by Sheppard’s trademark brand of anthemic pop designed to be turned up loud.
"The album revolves around the rejuvenating nature of light and that no matter how dark life at times can feel, a new sunrise is just around the corner. Throughout any family ordeal or crisis (which no doubt every family goes through), we constantly look up to our Croatian Baba (grandma) whose name is Zora.” – George Sheppard
Confirmed US headline tour dates are below, catch them on July 13th with Niko Moon at Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, CA - details HERE, and for the most up-to-date information, please visit wearesheppard.com.
Lupe Fiasco Releases His Latest Album "Samurai" and New Music Video for "No.1 Headband"
Lupe Fiasco unveils his latest album “Samurai”, a smooth, yet cerebral, 8-track album brimming with ideas, that radiates his pure love for the art of emceeing and committing himself as a servant of the rap game.
With over two decades of tenure in the rap game, Lupe Fiasco is a savvy veteran of hip-hop, but that doesn't mean he doesn't take the time to hone and perfect his craft at every turn. Now, the Chicago MC unveils his latest album “Samurai”, a smooth, yet cerebral, 8-track album brimming with ideas, that radiates Lupe's pure love for the art of emceeing and committing himself as a servant of the rap game.
'The word 'samurai' means to serve,' Lupe says on the album's title. 'My relationship to that word has always meant that you need to be at the service of other people, either in the overall community, or in this instance, the rap community at large that I’ve been a part of for years.'
“Samurai”, Lupe's ninth studio album, is produced in full by Soundtrakk, making it their second full album collaboration following 2022's DRILL MUSIC IN ZION, and the first album that Lupe and Soundtrakk worked on with their longtime manager, and 1st & 15th co-CEO Charles 'Chill' Patton, since 2007's “The Cool”. Patton also serves as executive producer on the album. It's home to recent singles such as the title track, 'Samurai,' praised by Rolling Stone, HYPEBEAST, Clash and Complex plus the lyrical beatdown, 'Cake,' which shows off Lupe's supreme ability to attack the beat with poetic and energetic bars.
Lupe's ninth full-length to date opens with aforementioned title track, 'Samurai' and is a loose and soulful record that gently lopes along with a prominent drumbeat and a lilting soprano sax lick, as Lupe dons his battle rap persona, attempting to draw a crowd with his poetic devices. While the chorus imitates a busker or carnival barker's call for attention, the verses dig deeper. The first verse analyzes the awkward relationship between hip-hop culture and high culture. The second verse tells the story of a struggling artist, contrasting her glamorous dreams with her gritty reality, but brimming with her unbroken spirit.
Lupe takes the listener on an introspective journey but also utilizes different eras of hip hop to tell the stories that lay within each individual track. From experimental melodies infused within hip hop beats that carry '90s twang like 'Mumble Rap', or paired down, sentimental percussions and keys as found in 'Palaces,' and the orchestral, street freestyle-esque 'No. 1 Headband,' Lupe weaves the many faces of hip hop, along with the many lives he has lived within the industry, into the narrative of his project.
On “Samurai”, Lupe retreats inward to deliver fans one of his most personal albums to date. 'I sometimes get tagged by my fans as not doing personal records,' Lupe says, 'but I always tell people there's me in there if you listen closely enough. This album is one of my more personal records to date. It's not a full biography, but my personal experiences are tied up in all of my music. A lot of the records are me. Some are from the POV of a character. and some are me. The album weaves things from my life as an artist, touching on things other artists go through.'
“Samurai” is Lupe's first new album since 2022's DRILL MUSIC IN ZION, which earned critical acclaim from NPR, Complex, The FADER, and many others, including Vinyl Me Please, who wrote 'At their best, Lupe's bars are as visually and phonetically pleasing as popped bubble wrap.' The product of a burst of thoughtful spontaneity, Lupe created DRILL MUSIC IN ZION over a short period, diving into a folder of beats sent by Soundtrakk and emerging with a fully-realized album in just three days.
In 2023, Lupe kept busy by releasing tracks like 'Wild Child (Remix),' a new version of his 2017 track created in collaboration with Chicago house luminary Vince Lawrence, and 'Out There,' an archival track from the 1st & 15th vault.
The iconic Chicago native also settled into his position as a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where he teaches 'Rap Theory and Practice.' Beyond music, Lupe continues to focus on the community organizations he founded, including We Are M.U.R.A.L, The Neighborhood Start-Up Fund, Society of Spoken Art, and his cross-cultural content venture, Studio SV.
Listen to the DOPE “Samurai” album below, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with Lupe on his social media.
Manchester, UK Singer-Songwriter Odd One Out Releases Her New EP "Alone"
Dynamic Manchester, UK based singer-songwriter Odd One Out has just dropped her third EP entitled “Alone”, featuring five tracks. Listen to this great new release now.
Courtney Pilling aka Odd One Out is a dynamic singer-songwriter based in Manchester, UK who brings a unique voice to the indie music scene. Inspired by the band Twenty One Pilots, she began her musical journey with a modest ukulele, a gift from her mum.
Since then, Odd One Out has been expressing her thoughts and feelings through songs, initially recorded in single takes using the microphone on her earphones. Now, at 23 years old, she creates music with a more professional setup.
The name 'Odd One Out' reflects Courtney's experiences of often feeling out of place. Through music, however, she discovered a sense of belonging.
Odd One Out’s music, characterised by its hauntingly beautiful melodies and introspective lyrics, has been described as "Spectral Pop" by many people, including radio host Graham Duff.
She’s just released her third EP entitled “Alone”, which is composed of five tracks. Speaking about the project, Odd One Out says, “This EP titled 'Alone' is about the perspectives of different people who are alone. Alone in the way they think, alone physically, alone because nobody seems to want them, but the ending song repeats "I am not alone." This conclusion to the EP emphasises that nobody is ever truly alone.”
Listen to “Alone” right now, connect with Odd One Out on social media, and be on the lookout for our exclusive interview with her coming soon.
Alt Punk-Rap Duo Joey Valence and Brae Release Their Sophomore Album "NO HANDS"
Fast-rising, viral alt punk-rap duo Joey Valence & Brae have released their highly anticipated sophomore album, “NO HANDS”. The boys have also announced a massive, US/EU fall tour in support of the album that kicks off September 9 in Dallas.
Fast-rising, viral alt punk-rap duo Joey Valence & Brae have released their highly anticipated sophomore album, “NO HANDS”. The self-written, self-produced, self-mixed and mastered collection takes the propulsive energy of their critically acclaimed debut, PUNK TACTICS, and goes harder, but also offers more range; housing their most impressive work to date and featuring guest appearances by Danny Brown, Terror Reid and Z-Trip, signifying a huge progression as they skillfully traverse a smash and grab collision of 90s hip-hop, drum ‘n’ bass and decades-spanning pop culture references while remaining undeniably themselves throughout.
The boys have also announced a massive, US/EU fall tour in support of the album that kicks off September 9 in Dallas. They’ll bring their insane live show to major cities around the world including Austin, Chicago, Washington DC, Boston, New York City, Toronto, Los Angeles, Stockholm, Milan, Paris, Berlin, London and more. Playing live is where Joey Valence & Brae truly excel, and their performances are a high-octane blur of pinwheeling arms and legs and adrenaline-fueled chaos with maximum crowd participation. Pre-sales begin with JVB’s artist pre-sale on Tuesday, June 11 ahead of the general on-sale beginning Friday, June 14 at 10 a.m. local time. Please visit www.jvbsucks.com for more info.
“NO HANDS” is classic JVB: raw, wily, full of braggadocio and peppered with their eclectic blend of interests — Star Wars, Super Mario, Putt Putt Golf, Olivia Rodrigo, Top Golf, Shirley Temples, Smucker’s Uncrustables, legendary UK chicken shop chain Nando’s and so much more. Opening track “BUSSIT,” with its distorted, bassy-synth, in-your-face, brain-rattling beats, and an unexpected jungle break, absolutely sets the tone. While lead single “THE BADDEST,” a body-quaking Miami bass banger, part Fatman Scoop, part LMFAO, is destined to be a riot-inducing live favorite. Elsewhere, early singles “JOHN CENA” and “WHERE U FROM” are full of swaggy braggadocio, simultaneously poking fun at those who think they’re all that. The latter is a mash-up of house synths and loose-limbed beats while tipping a cap to Brockhampton.
The record also includes stand out collaborations with Terror Reid on “DOUGHBOY,” and the just-released Danny Brown collab “PACKAPUNCH” (JVB slid into his DMs only to find out the Detroit rapper was already a fan). With its jazzy hook and scratching from pioneering DJ Z-Trip, the LP’s title track is also key.
“‘NO HANDS’ is driving home the point that we do this on our own, and that we're confident about it,” said Joey. “Like, ‘Look Ma, no hands.’ It also doubles for having no hands working on this project other than us in terms of the creative. This album is us doubling down: we bet on ourselves and it worked. [and] we're still having the best time of our lives.”
The album closes with “OMNITRIX,” a triumphant cut featuring sampled strings and soul vocals, the title a nod to the cartoon Ben 10. Joey calls it “a victory lap for the whole album,” and its more measured cadence showcases a new dimension to the brash, punk-rap stylings that have defined the duo since they popped off at the tail end of 2021. Music aside, what has really cemented their success is their humor, energy and attitude: they’re both down to clown, looking to entertain each other, and anyone around them. This spirit is the bedrock of their output as Joey Valence & Brae, and a cornerstone of their appeal.
Check out the “NO HANDS” album right now, and connect with Joey Valence and Brae on their website and social media.
Anderson .Paak aka DJ Pee .Wee to Headline Rosé Day Los Angeles on June 8th
Rosé Day Los Angeles is back for its 4th year, returning to its rightful date on National Rosé Day, on June 8, 2024, at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas, CA.
Rosé Day Los Angeles is back for its 4th year, returning to its rightful date on National Rosé Day, on June 8, 2024, at King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas, CA.
LA’s most sophisticated summer soirée will welcome 4,000 guests and treat them to 7+ hours of perfect pours from over 15 ultra-premium brands, including Perrier-Jouët, Sainte Marguerite en Provence, G.H. Mumm, Tequila Don Julio and Suntory Global Spirits RTDs. Throughout the day, attendees will also enjoy live musical performances from DJ Pee .Wee (aka Anderson .Paak), DJ Ruckus, and DJ Pookie Chapstick, while Next Iron Chef champion Marc Forgione marks his Rosé Day return by curating a gourmet culinary garden featuring caviar, lobster and LA’s finest food trucks. Guests will also revel in extraordinary art installations, luxury brand activations, lavish giveaways, life-sized games, and more – all set against the stunning backdrop of the Santa Monica Mountains.
The Rosé Day Los Angeles ownership team is comprised of production and hospitality veterans, including producer and entrepreneur Ben Biscotti (Co-Founder and President of 1iota Productions), award-winning event planner and designer Tony Schubert (Event Eleven), nightlife veterans Sylvain Bitton, JT Torregiani and David Jarrett (Warwick and The Hideaway) and famed chef, two Michelin Star recipient and Food Network’s Iron Chef America champion, Marc Forgione (Restaurant Marc Forgione, Peasant and One Fifth).
"Rosé Day Los Angeles will once again be the official kickoff event to usher in the summer in style,” says Rosé Day Los Angeles co-founder Ben Biscotti. “We look forward to creating an immersive atmosphere that will captivate all of your senses and showcase some of the best food, wine, spirits and brands. We are thrilled to bring this incredible event back to National Rosé Day again this year, where it belongs, and we cannot wait to welcome in summer alongside our partners and friends.”
New partner, Wynn Nightlife, will bring its acclaimed hospitality brand and renowned Las Vegas presence to the Rosé Day experience.
Aston Martin of Galpin will be the luxury car partner, activating onsite with a brand new DB12 in spectacular florals.
Top champagne houses Perrier-Jouët and G.H. Mumm will supply the rosé champagnes, and attendees will have their selection of featured rosé and wines such as Sainte Marguerite en Provence, RUMOR Rosé, Lady A, and more. Sainte Marguerite en Provence will be back this year with an immersive Provence-inspired lounge having guests feel as if they were transported to the south of France, while they sip two exquisite wines; Fantastique Rosé, certified organic and vegan rosé wine precisely crafted from Grenache, Cinsault and Rolle grapes for balance, structure and precision and Symphonie Rosé, bringing its finesse and freshness with notes of delicate aromas of floral, white peach and grapefruit peel.
Tequila Don Julio will be the exclusive tequila for the first time this year, bringing an experiential bar activation where attendees can enjoy signature craft cocktails featuring Tequila Don Julio Rosado, a Reposado tequila finished in Ruby Port wine casks. Guests will also get to savor The House of Suntory Japanese spirits, including Haku Vodka and Roku Gin from the Cherry Blossom Lounge. Guests can enjoy their sip and savor experience from On The Rocks Premium Cocktails. Delola Cocktails, founded by Jennifer Lopez will bring their ready-to-drink craft cocktails to the event. -196 Vodka Seltzer will also be available along with Bruno Mars’ and Anderson .Paak’s SelvaRey Rum.
The gourmet food truck lineup was hand-selected by famed Iron Chef Marc Forgione, and several food trucks will also feature a collaboration for some of his signature dishes. The food partners at the event will include Caspian Queen Fine Caviar and Shucks Oyster Company for caviar and oysters as well as Cousins Maine Lobster, Vivace Pizza, Baby’s Badass Burger, Love Bird Fried Chicken, Wise Barbecue, Cerda Vega Tacos, Creamy Boys Real Fruit Ice Cream, Rice Balls of Fire and more.
This year will include a brand-new Non-Alcoholic Zone featuring wellness brands, pampering experiences and mocktails. Non-drinkers can still celebrate the occasion and get pampered with wellness treatments, products and non-alcoholic beverages, including pressed juice bar by Bare Essentials and Roots Lyfestyle, Organic French Bubbly, 0.0% Alcohol by French Bloom, NOOH By LA COSTE, the leading all-natural plant-based recovery supplement focused on optimizing your liver health as the last shot of the night by The Plug, and the world's first productivity drink, Magic Mind. Good Juju, SoCal’s premier organic and holistic mocktail bar, will be serving mocktails. Dr Refresh Med Spa will be doing IV drips and massages.
This year will also include the return of the popular Frosé Zone presented by POM Wonderful, offering both alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, made with POM Wonderful 100% Pomegranate Juice to add antioxidant goodness and a sweet yet tart flavor – a refreshing twist on a fan favorite.
Red Bull will preview an exclusive first taste of their new Sugarfree Red Edition (Watermelon), which launches market-wide following.
Guests will be treated to special hydration experiences with VOSS Water, and additional sponsors include Floral Crush Studio, who is doing all of the lush florals for the day across the event.
Main Attractions & Activities:
Live music and DJ lineup by DJ Pee .Wee aka Anderson .Paak, DJ Ruckus, DJ Pookie Chapstick and more
Non-Alcoholic Zone
Frosé Zone presented by POM Wonderful
Games: cornhole, giant Jenga, giant Connect Four, giant chess, backgammon and more
Luxury brand activations
Art installations
Gourmet food trucks, specials and delicious food pairings
Instagram-worthy moments
VIP tables and cabanas
Event Details:
Date: Saturday, June 8, 2024
Time: 1:00pm – 8:00pm
Location: King Gillette Ranch: 26800 Mulholland Hwy, Calabasas, CA 91302
Tickets: www.RoseDayUSA.com
Prices start at $175 for general admission ticket with open bar
Table options range from $5,000 for 6 people to $17,500 for VIP cabanas for 15 people
Sydney Sherrill Announces Upcoming "Luckiest Girl Alive" EP With Title Track and Clip
Singer-songwriter Sydney Sherrill has announced her new EP “Luckiest Girl Alive”, out July 12th. Setting the tone for what’s to come, Sydney has also released her new single and title track, “Luckiest Girl Alive”.
Singer-songwriter Sydney Sherrill has announced her new EP “Luckiest Girl Alive”, out July 12th. The project acts as a time capsule of her youth, encompassing the various emotions she experienced personally or witnessed from those around her. Setting the tone for what’s to come, Sydney has also released her new single and title track, “Luckiest Girl Alive,” which showcases her dynamic vocals as she speaks on having life fall into place after meeting that special someone. In the accompanying music video, directed by Sam Leviton, viewers get a first-hand look at her path to future-stardom.
“‘Luckiest Girl Alive’ is such a special track to me. I loved writing it, making it, and it’s one of my favorites to perform live,” shares Sydney. “It’s my version of a love song but really it’s a love song to myself. It’s about feeling on fire when things start to feel like they’re finally going your way.”
On the “Luckiest Girl Alive” EP, she adds, “I am so excited to be releasing this EP! I am so proud of the songs and the journey that it took making them. I’m really glad to be exploring this new sound as I continue developing who I am as a person and as an artist. I can’t wait for everyone to hear it!”
“Luckiest Girl Alive” marks a new era in Sydney’s musical journey by adding a bit more edge to her Southern-rooted sound, a direction she explores even further on the new EP. “Luckiest Girl Alive” follows the recent release of her debut album “17 Young and Stunning” which sees Sydney describing the highs and lows of young love while her forthcoming venture finds her settling into a sound and style that best represents the artist she aims to be.
“Luckiest Girl Alive” was recorded at John and Martina McBride’s Blackbird Studios in Nashville, produced by Kim Wood Sandusky (Beyonce, Kelly Rowland, Thomas Rhett), mixed and mastered by Greg Collins (Gwen Stefani, Ingrid Michaelson, Michelle Branch), and is available for pre-save now here.
Sydney’s powerhouse vocals, memorable hooks, and ability to write relatable anthems for Gen-Z makes her an essential artist on the rise. At just 19 years old, the New York based singer-songwriter draws inspiration from the likes of Taylor Swift, Stevie Nicks, and Adele, as her songs embody earnest narratives that mesh pop melodies with folk and rock undertones. To date, Sydney has amassed over 1 million streams and garnered media support from the likes of Voice of America, Cowgirl Magazine, Whiskey Riff, and Spindle Magazine among others. Captivating audiences with her distinctive voice and stage presence, she has opened for American music icon Sheryl Crow and performed at the largest single night fundraiser for the American Cancer Society at the 50th Annual Cattle Baron’s Ball in Dallas headlined by Shania Twain. She has also had the privilege of singing the National Anthem at various sporting events for the Texas Rangers, Carolina Hurricanes, and Dallas Sidekicks, to name a few.
AG Club's Jody Fontaine and Baby Boy Drop "BRODIE WORLD" Mixtape
The duo of Jody Fontaine and Baby Boy of hip-hop collective AG Club have released their latest mixtape "BRODIE WORLD". Alongside the ten-track project, they share the official music video for the song “ROWDYRUFFBOYZ” off of the tape.
The duo of Jody Fontaine and Baby Boy of hip-hop collective AG Club have released their latest mixtape “BRODIE WORLD”. Alongside the ten-track project, they share the official music video for the song “ROWDYRUFFBOYZ” off of the tape.
Fusing playful imagination with an innate sense of aesthetic, BRODIE WORLD is whimsical, masterful, and electric—a glimmering constellation of sharp technique and raw impulse. It plays out as an immersive, free-wheeling adventure, at once quintessential AG Club yet a confident evolution and statement from Jody Fontaine and Baby Boy. Full of high energy bars, mesmerizing melodies and shapeshifting sonics, the mixtape is powered by previously shared songs and music videos like “eva” and “Barry.” BRODIE WORLD includes guest contributions from Mike Dimes, Igwe Aka and Mercury, as well as production contributions from Hippie Sabotage on one song.
The just-premiered video for “ROWDYRUFFBOYZ” places the viewer in a familiar corner of AG Club’s world: an otherwise tranquil scene that AG Club discovers is actually the perfect site for some organized chaos. Still, the duo is committed to its range, and doesn’t shy away from experimenting with pace and tempo. As the album winds down, on tracks like “Iron Giant” and “Sabine,” they present more moderately as they explore themes of vulnerability.
The group has steadily built its audience with a multitude of releases since 2019, leading to appearances at global festivals such as Coachella by last year. AG Club has been crowned the “next big music collective,” by Nylon, “genuine, pure, and unlike anything you’ve experienced before” by Billboard and “The Bay Area music collective you wish you could join” by i-D. Baby Boy and Fontaine’s commitment to cohesion and culture has helped them develop a cult-like following that continues to grow with them, from 2020’s Halfway Off The Porch to 2022’s Imposter Syndrome.
It isn’t just a journey that AG Club has been on, it’s a world that they’ve been building. This is your official invite. BRODIE WORLD is now available.
South Korean Music Project Orey Eyed Shares the Brand New EP "The Last Flight to You"
Orey Eyed, a music project of 18-year-old South Korean producer and singer-songwriter Jaehyun Kim, has just dropped the three track EP “The Last Flight to You”, which combines sound palettes from alternative/indie scenes as well as electronic elements.
Brand new to DCWS is Orey Eyed, a music project of 18-year-old producer and singer-songwriter Jaehyun Kim, who is currently based in Yongin-si, South Korea. Influenced by artists such as Chairlift, The 1975, Perfume Genius, and more, fuzzy synths and mellow vocals characterize his sound.
With Orey Eyed, Jaehyun aims to capture the beauty of various eerie and ethereal soundscapes, conveying emotions through the medium of music. Also invested in exploring different perspectives of romantic relationships and emotional struggles, his lyrics often assume a fictional point of view, providing a fresh and entertaining encounter to listeners.
He has just unveiled his debut three track EP, “The Last Flight to You”, which combines sound palettes from alternative/indie scenes as well as electronic elements. The tracks on this EP are airy and emotional, yet danceable.
With a overarching theme dealing with departure and arrival in relationships, longing for intimacy and tortures of romantic devotion, this EP provides a peek into broader projects that Jaehyun is working on as an artist.
Check out the new “The Last Flight to You” EP right now, connect with Jaehyun on social media, and be on the lookout for our interview with him coming soon!