Stream "No Quarter for Thieves", the New Album by East Coast Reggae Project Cultivated Mind

Cultivated Mind is a reggae, dub, jazz, and blues project based on the recordings and compositions of Italian-American multi-instrumentalist Anthony Brand, from the Hampton Roads region of Virginia. Combining infectious melodies and conscious lyrics, Cultivated Mind blends multiple genres with classic golden age reggae to create his own sound called "East Coast Reggae." Cultivated Mind's music is honest, and stands unapologetic in lyricism musical exploration.

Anthony has recently released a 15 track album (with 3 extra hidden tracks) entitled “No Quarter for Thieves”, which features his bandmates Jahvin "Churchman" Purnell (baritone sax and melodica lines), and Mark "Hambone" Kohlman (tenor and alto sax). On the album, Anthony played the guitar, trumpet, drums, bass, keys, and vocals, as well as production, through his home studio "King Street Records."

The “No Quarter for Thieves” album was recorded solely on Garageband and used mostly real instruments and less digital elements than previous works to give the album a classic roots feel. Anthony notes that “While our album set for release this spring is already shaping up to be a pretty glossy, well produced album, No Quarter for Thieves mixes a lot of old music styles like Flamenco/Spaghetti Western elements, blues, soul, and 70's dub reggae, so having the production style be a little rough around the edges helps to give the album some character and set it apart from a lot of reggae releases coming out these days.”

Vibe out to “No Quarter for Thieves” right now, and connect with Anthony Brand on his website and social media. Also, be on the lookout for our in-depth review of the “No Quarter for Thieves” album and our exclusive interview with Anthony Brand coming very soon.

Connect with Cultivated Mind: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Interview: 16 Year Old Pop Artist Mason Embers Talks About His Debut Single/Video "Gem"

Mason Embers is an Atlanta based 16 year old pop singer-songwriter who connected with DCWS for an exclusive interview to discuss his debut single and music video, “Gem”. It was awesome experience to pick Mason’s brain about topics such as his creative process for the development of “Gem”, what he enjoys most about being a singer-songwriter as a teenager, his musical goals for the year, and much more.

After reading our Q&A with Mason, be sure to connect with him on his website and social media, and stream “Gem” on Spotify!

Congratulations on the release of your debut single, "Gem". Tell us about your creative process for the development of this song. Also, who produced it?

First of all, thank you! The creation process for “Gem” was fairly spontaneous, as mainly all of what I do is. I vividly remember experimenting with my guitar harmonizer when the introductory melody fell into my hands. I was around fourteen then, and was really new to songwriting (I’m still really new!). I had the song fully written in the next day or so.

My producer Eric Stallings, owner of Atlanta’s The Groove Studio, was the main person who let my ideas be made into a complete record. It took two whole years to go from my room to a finished product, but I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

Is the scenario you sing about in "Gem" based on a personal experience?

I have known from the instant I started writing “Gem” that it would be a twist on the typical “love song”. My very first couple of songs were about being in a devoted romantic relationship. Quickly I realized that, being only thirteen at the time, I had absolutely no truth to base anything on. I decided that I would rather not sing about that topic just yet, and would focus on other ways to express my life through song.

When I wrote “Gem”, I did not have a specific experience or person in mind. Rather, I had the very feeling or expression of love itself on my mind. That could be love for anything or anyone- your parents, your kids, your dog, even a new car you just got. I don’t think the theme of love, especially in a song, should be boiled down between two people. Love can be for and between anything and anyone.

Who directed the "Gem" music video and what did you enjoy most about the filming process?

Two amazing local directors named Rexway and KKMedia directed the music video for “Gem”. They and their assistants made the process so fun, interactive, and inspiring.

Being my first music video, almost every aspect was enjoyable. I think my favorite aspect, though, was the idea of the song itself being built upon and embodied through visuals. To me, the music video to a song must compliment it and build upon it, not take away. In my opinion, the video for “Gem” helps to tie the concept and mood of the song up nicely, and I hope that everyone else who watches feels the same.

What do you enjoy most about being a singer-songwriter, especially as a 16 year old? Also, which instruments do you play?

I mainly sing and play guitar, as well as bass guitar and drums!

What I enjoy most about being a singer-songwriter, though, actually correlates directly to my age and inexperience. Being sixteen, I have not experienced the majority of what a typical life has to offer. I haven’t experienced the normal monotony of relentless work, or the joyous milestones such as having a spouse and children. And that’s not including all the little, delicate aspects in between. This means that all the concepts and ideas in my songs are purely my own interpretation, and pretty oblivious, in a sense. I like the feeling of being oblivious in that way, that feeling of fantasizing what life is like when I haven’t actually experienced a lot of it. In fact, I almost hope that it always stays that way into my adulthood.

With the "Gem" single/video now released, what are some of your goals musically for the year?

I am very excited to say that I have a couple more singles in store to release over the course of the next few months! Even more exciting is my debut album, hopefully releasing by the end of this summer. My main goal for the year is to just get the songs out there. That in itself is enough to satisfy me. Of course, I will be pushing every day to get more people to hear my work and get more gigs, but I am incredibly grateful for all that I have been allowed to do so far.

My main goal for my music in general, though, is to have all my listeners receive something that makes them ponder, makes them reflect, makes them motivated, and makes them inspired.

Stream and Share “Gem” on Spotify

Connect with Mason Embers: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Review: "Welcome to the Inferno" Mixtape by Jalen McMillan

Los Angeles based rapper Jalen McMillan embraces a defiance on the powerful “Welcome to the Inferno” mixtape. Done with the greatest level of care, his verses are pure fire. Nicely merging elements of old school and new school rap, the whole of the mixtape feels all-consuming.

The production has a flawless feeling as the bass has a physicality to it. Virtually demanding to be blasted, the low-end rumbles have a luxurious quality to them. Stylistically grounded in hip-hop, Jalen incorporates elements of lo-fi, electro, dance, trap, RnB and pop into a singular vision. Layer upon layer intermingle in a way that gives it a living, breathing quality.

An incredibly immersive experience, the mixtape works best when taken in as a singular whole. Never rushed, Jalen takes his time creating a sound that unfurls in a unique pace. References abound throughout the entirety of the mixtape ranging from West Coast derived G-funk like early Snoop Dogg to more recent stuff like the labyrinth of Odd Future. Jalen’s ability to bring it all together in a voice that is uniquely his helps to give the whole collection a strong personality.

Stark beats and lyricism open things up with “Air Max 95”. A glimmering melody takes hold on the rotating work of “Azz Back”. Infinitely catchy “Call My Name” features a playfulness to it, featuring some wonderful flirtation. Dreamy atmospherics waft up in the air on the sensual “Camera”. The aggression of “No Cap”, feat. DJ Plae is a pure blast while the song works itself up into a paranoid frenzy.

Great beats hit with a force of nature on “Cash Talk”. Grooves roll through with “Way Too Hot”. “Swish” features darkened impulses as they ebb and flow.

Saving the best for last “Miami Ten (Bonus Track)” goes for a completely faded take. Synthesizers swell up further adding to the surrealist quality of the track. Neon-hued and full of splendor, the piece refuses to settle down constantly evolving in unexpected gorgeous ways.

The “Welcome to the Inferno” mixtape shows off Jalen McMillan’s uncanny storytelling, with a universe of characters whose lives are explored in full.

Stream and Share “Welcome to the Inferno” on Spotify

Jessie Reyez Announces Before Love Came To Kill Us Tour

Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Jessie Reyez kicked off the new decade on a high note by sharing music that resonated with her devout fanbase, and now she has announced that following her debut Coachella festival performance she will embark on her Spring headlining Before Love Came To Kill Us tour. The tour will begin in Europe before she heads back to the US and kicks off her 25 date North American leg in Phoenix on May 23rd. The North American run will bring Jessie across the continent with stops in Atlanta, Miami, Denver, Chicago, Toronto, and more before concluding at New York City’s Terminal 5. Fan pre-sale tickets will be available for purchase starting Tuesday, February 18th at 12 pm EST. This includes a Community pre-sale where fans in North America can text Jessie at 416-639-1868 for first access to tickets. General tickets go on sale Friday, February 21st at 10 am local time and can be purchased at http://www.jessiereyez.com/tour (full list of dates and cities below).

The news follows the release of her third hit single “Love In The Dark” and the announcement of her debut studio album Before Love Came To Kill Us due March 27th via FMLY / Island Records. “Love in The Dark” is an immensely poignant and vulnerable song about lost love. The single has garnered over 7 M views shortly after release and has amassed well over 3M streams to date. Resulting in great acclaim from both fans and press, including Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, The Fader, Billboard, Hypebeast, Complex, and more, including The New York Times, which said “Jessie Reyez has a special voice that’s capable of serrated soul belting and several more nuanced modes. It can sizzle, it can hiss, it can quiver with nerve. On this arresting song about loss, it’s pulsing with perseverance and strength in the face of trauma.”

Jessie leverages her personal experiences to write through emotional pain and deliver a meaningful sound her fans can connect to and appreciate. Known for her outspoken storytelling and raw vocals, emulating the likes of Amy Winehouse, Jessie uses her talents to expose the darkest corners of the music industry. She maintains this breed of storytelling in her forthcoming and heavily anticipated debut album Before Love Came to Kill Us while exploring themes surrounding immigration, feminism, and love in songs such as “Love in the Dark”, “Crazy”, and “Far Away.”

In the past year alone, Jessie has released a string of critically-praised songs, performed both “Far Away” and “Crazy" on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, as well as a duet performance of the GOLD-CERTIFIED reimagined hit single "Imported" with 6LACK on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, a headlining tour, performances at a plethora of music festivals, and collaborations with many notable artists including Eminem, Kehlani, Daniel Caesar, Romeo Santos, Lewis Capaldi, Karol G, Bea Miller and has co-writing credits on Dua Lipa's hit song "One Kiss" with Calvin Harris and "Promises" with Calvin Harris and Sam Smith.

As she continues to accumulate accolades, praise, and success, Jessie maintains the strong work ethic instilled in her by her parents and is conscious of her Latin roots by collaborating with and providing guidance to both rising and established acts as she climbs the charts. It is through her hard work, grit, and collaborative efforts that her solo catalog has obtained nearly one billion streams worldwide while her videos have resulted in over 230M views. Her raw vocals paired with her unique point of view and soulful expression make her an exciting rising star among critics and fans, putting her on the path to becoming a cherished household name in 2020.

Stream and Share “Love in the Dark”

Connect with Jessie Reyez: Twitter | Instagram

Dopecausewesaid Interviews Pop/RnB Artist Sabiine For DCWS Q&A Series

Dopecausewesaid co-founder Simon Boamah sat down with talented Pop/RnB singer-songwriter Sabiine for an exclusive in-studio interview at the renowned Jane Smith Studios in Atlanta, GA.

We featured Sabiine's music video, "Secret", last November, and now her new single, a folk ballad called "On My Mind", has been added to college radio, with a Spotify/streaming platform release around the end of March.

Sabiine's forthcoming EP will feature 3 tracks, including "Secrets", "On My Mind", and a club-inspired dance track entitled "More Than High". Sabiine is definitely an artist to watch, and we expect nothing but greatness from her musically this year and beyond.

Watch our latest DCWS Q&A Series episode with Sabiine right now, stream “Secret” on your preferred music service, watch the “Secret” music video on YouTube and connect with her on IG.

Stream and Share “Secret”

Watch “Secret” music video on YouTube

Connect with Sabiine: Instagram

Interview: Shaheed404 Discusses His Debut Album "Everlasting in Atlanta Funk"

We connected with Atlanta based rapper and spoken word poet Shaheed404 for an exclusive interview to discuss his recently released debut album “Everlasting in Atlanta Funk”. During our conversation with Shaheed404 we also got a chance to pick his brain about which Dungeon Family member he would feature on a song, how the city of Atlanta has influenced his music and spoken word poetry, what he looks for in production and much more.

After reading our Q&A with Shaheed404, be sure to connect with him on IG and listen to his very DOPE “Everlasting in Atlanta Funk” album below.

Congratulations on the completion and release of your debut album "Everlasting in Atlanta Funk". Describe your creative process for the project's nine songs; also, who provided the production?

First and foremost, I appreciate the time and consideration you’ve given to review my project. Thank you for that. To say that I took my time with this project would be an understatement; this has literally been years in the making.

For the most part, I’d had my lyrics for quite some time. The majority of the wait came from experimenting with production and seeing what stuck sonically. YouTube was my main source for beats at first. I had every beat stamped and solidified, ready to record, but it only took one studio session for nearly every beat to change. It became an in-house collaborative effort between my engineer, Brandon Rashad, and the co-executive producer of the project, Imaginary Friends.

Brandon Rashad mixed the entire project and also produced “In Some Nia” and “Homecoming,” which was the lightning rod for the production changes. Imaginary Friends not only produced “Midnight” and “Do It Again,” but also helped sequence the project, and provided the arrangements for the “Atlanta Lyrical Documentary,” performed live by Rica G (@thatsricag), which served as the intro, interlude, and outro.

If you could select any artist from the Dungeon Family to be featured on a song with you, who would you pick?

As tough of a decision as that is to make, I would have to say Cool Breeze. He may not have been as prolific or as well known as other members, but I’m from East Point, and I see him as one of the unsung heroes of the city.

“East Point’s Greatest Hit” is one of my favorite albums ever, and he was a big influence when it comes to the pride that I’ve always had in my city. Funny enough, we may not have even gotten the phrase “Dirty South” if it wasn’t for Cool Breeze. That may not seem like a big deal now, but that sort of gave us an identity to the outside world during a time when we were still fighting to open eyes and ears to what we had to offer artistically. So, shout out to Cool Breeze.

How would you say that the city of Atlanta has influenced your creativity as both a rapper and spoken word artist?

My Atlanta roots run pretty deep; the paternal side of my family has been here for generations. Of course, I witnessed a different Atlanta then they did. The city was still segregated when my father was young. My grandfather wasn’t allowed to vote here after serving his country. My grandmother attended school with Dr. King; my father went to the same school as Gladys Knight.

I’ve absorbed a lot of history through the generational ties that I have in Atlanta, and at this point, I’ve been around long enough to experience different eras of the city myself. The mixture of being here for the present and future of Atlanta, but also being educated about the past puts into perspective how culturally rich the city is. Regardless of all the gentrification and other outside influences, it’s still very much a black city. There’s still a soul and a spirit in Atlanta that you can feel. That’s what influences me and my style, the culture and heritage of Atlanta. That’s what I naturally pull from every time I rap.

What do you look for in the beats that you select to write to?

I gravitate towards beats that are musical. I was in the marching band in high school; I like instruments. I usually pick beats that I could see being sheet music. I’m not married to a sound. It’s all about the project and the vision that’s driving it, but instrumentation, even if there are just remnants of it, will always be a quick way to draw me in.

The cover graphic for "Everlasting in Atlanta Funk" is really dope. Who did the artwork and what does it represent?

Thank you very much. I actually made the artwork myself. I had all kinds of ideas, but this was the one that really clicked due to the recent experiences I had traveling to Egypt with my father. Years before the trip, he took an African Ancestry DNA test and it matched him to a specific ethnicity that migrated from Egypt and settled in Cameroon, so the connection was already there. But, once we landed, the feeling was indescribable.

Walking into the Egyptian Museum in Cairo, seeing all those artifacts and representations of what essentially are my ancestors, I couldn’t help but to see myself in it all. What made it even more concrete was the further south we traveled, the more the people looked like me. More than a few locals would approach me saying “You and I are the same.” “We have the same color, my friend.”

One exchange in particular stands out in my mind. I was asked where I was from, and I told them I was from America. One of the elders there simply replied, “Family.” It was clear that he understood our kinship far more than I did, and it put so much into perspective for me. That’s what the cover to “Everlasting in Atlanta Funk” really symbolizes. I traveled thousands of miles away from home just to be “back home,” seeing the same people in Egypt that I would see in the West End of Atlanta. It was a powerful experience to say the least.

Read our in-depth review of “Everlasting in Atlanta Funk”

Connect with Shaheed404: Instagram

Australia Based Hip-Hop DJ JAYSNBRWN Drops His Latest Mix "Bangers and Mash"

Meet JAYSNBRWN, currently sending shockwaves through the Australian hip-hop DJ scene, having only been in the game for a few years and already supporting huge international artists such as French Montana, A$AP Ferg, G-Unit and Bruno Mars, and guest DJ’ing at many clubs through Australia, Los Angeles and Bali. JAYSNBRWN also headlined the 4th Birthday celebration for Canvas Nightclub in Singapore.

JAYSNBRWN is also the founder of the record label Dough Related, which was created to bring out the very best in urban culture, and share it with the world. They have recently had success with the artist REGI FLIH, whose first 3 singles have each amassed over 150k streams on Spotify.

He has recently put together an eclectic mashup of all your favourite tunes and it’s titled “Bangers and Mash”. Check out the mixtape below and connect with JAYSNBRWN and Dough Related on their website and social media.

Connect with JAYSNBRWN: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Interview: Jalen McMillan Talks About His New Mixtape "Welcome to the Inferno"

Big ups to Los Angeles based artist Jalen McMillan who connected with DCWS for an exclusive interview to talk about his newly released mixtape “Welcome to the Inferno”. We appreciate Jalen for taking the time our his busy schedule to chat about the mixtape, as well as his biggest musical accomplishment, his upcoming album, which is dedicated to the late, great Kobe Bryant, and much more.

After reading our Q&A with this talented artist, be sure to connect with Jalen on his website and social media, and check out the “Welcome to the Inferno” mixtape. Also, be on the lookout for our review of the mixtape coming later this week.

Congratulations on the completion and release of the "Welcome to the Inferno" mixtape. What makes this project different sonically and thematically from your earlier releases?

First of all, super excited/happy to be doing an interview with the DCWS team! I don't really do a lot of interviews but I’m a huge fan of what your team has going on. Keep up the amazing work; I see your team doing big things and it’s a huge accomplishment for artists to get featured here.

I played basketball growing up and it relates pretty closely to recording; the more you repeat and practice the better you get. With “Inferno”, AD (the owner of Goldie Sound Studios), my creative director ChrisMaejorBeats and myself stayed locked in the studio for months at a time, so I feel like "Inferno" is just me at the prime form in my craft, shooting free throw after free throw and getting better with each song.

You could hear the difference between "Miami Ten" (which was recorded 2 years ago) and "No Cap", which was the last song we recorded.

On this project you handled the production of each track; tell us about your creative process when it comes to developing your beats and what software/hardware you use.

Believe it or not, I started off as a producer back in high school. I was taught Reason and FL STUDIO back in 9th grade. I used to get high with my boys and make beats for all my local rapper friends, until I realized they were the ones getting all the girls lol.

So fast forward to “Inferno”, I usually spend a good part of my day on YouTube searching for beats, I buy the tracked-out versions of the beats I like and modify them with AD and Chris. S/o to Mr. Perenzo back from John A. Ferguson, he was the best teacher and taught me everything there is to know about production.

When you are not creating new music, what are some things that you enjoy doing for leisure?

There's never a time I'm not working. I work 24/7; I'm trying to be the best in the world! If I'm not in the studio or working on a new song or video, I'm working on my real estate investing, which is my 2nd passion. I'm new to LA so I plan on continuing to invest in real estate and other business ventures on the side as I continue to grow as an artist, but truthfully I don't really have “free time”.

If you see me in a club or out, I’m paid to be there. I have a lot of friends and people in my life that I love, but right now I’m pretty focused on getting better, so I don’t have the time to invest on building relationships (unfortunately).

What would you say has been your biggest musical accomplishment thus far?

Every time we get millions of views or streams, or climb up the charts, it's never taken lightly. I'm very happy the public enjoys what I do.

I feel like everyday there's a new accomplishment, but I'd say the thing that makes me most happy is being able to be a positive influence on the kids and provide for my family. That's my biggest/favorite accomplishment. I plan on investing a lot of funds into humanitarian work. It's bigger than just "me"; I want to help the world get to a better place.

Why should every person reading this interview stream and purchase the "Welcome to the Inferno" mixtape?

If you're a fan of what I do, I think you'll love this record. You'll hear the growth from a lot of my earlier work. We put in years of work on “Inferno” so I hope you enjoy!

I hope this project will be remembered for the next 5-10+ years.

You are already hard at work on another album in honor of the late great Kobe Bryant. What can you tell us about it?

First off, such devastating news. Kobe was such a huge inspiration on my childhood. Growing up, my father taught me to have "Kobe Bryant work ethic" with anything I decide to pursue, meaning to go at it with 110%. That's part of the reason I'm going so hard with music, because that's what Kobe would do.

The news almost made me cry! My family and I send our deepest condolences out to Kobe and his family, as well as the other victims of the crash. Also, I live in Calabasas next to the Kardashians where he crashed and it's just so heartbreaking! That whole day was terrible in LA. I can’t imagine how Vanessa’s feeling.

I'm flying to Tallahassee in April. I'm going to be locked in the studio with AD, Chris and my director DreamAbove 561 for a follow up record and to film a few music videos. All the songs are already written and my next album will be in honor of Kobe! #24.

Stream and Share “Welcome to the Inferno” on Spotify

Connect with Jalen McMillan: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Review: "Everlasting in Atlanta Funk" Album by Shaheed404

Atlanta based rapper Shaheed404 crafts a welcoming, weird trip of an album on the surrealist “Everlasting in Atlanta Funk”. The absolutely gorgeous production has a flawless, shimmering sheen behind it. His highly articulate, wild flows are spit with pure fire. Incredible intricate detail proves Shaheed404 to be a careful storyteller, one that paints vivid portraits. By opting for such an approach, the songs linger on in the mind long after they have ended. Every song perfectly plays off the last as they reflect a greater overarching theme, one of trying to overcome, a celebration of community.

References abound throughout the whole of the “Everlasting in Atlanta Funk” album. The nods to Outkast, fellow ATLiens, feel satisfying. Like Andre3000 and Big Boi, Shaheed404 goes for a kaleidoscopic approach towards his sound, bringing in electro RnB, funk, hip-hop, jazz, and a whole slew of genres. Beyond this, Shaheed404’s style also goes for a Brainfeeder Records tact, specifically that of the low-slung tempos of Flying Lotus and the modern funk arrangements of Thundercat. Nothing ever feels rushed for he takes his time in setting the scene for the sound, making sure that the atmospherics are carefully considered. Melodies waft up into the air as they explore vast spaces.

After the spoken intro of “Rica G’s Intro” (feat. Rico G) which captures a live spirit, things begin in earnest with “Mentality”. The cavernous take gives it a stately feel, with the gorgeous bass line holding up Shaheed404’s incredible flows.

Woozy keys roll through on “Homecoming” (feat. Cosie), and usage of echo further adds to the otherworldly nature of the work. Easily the highlight of the album comes from the stark, clear-eyed intensity of “Midnight”. Bass rumbles and the sheer hit of the beat makes it feel like an instant classic, infinitely catchy with lyrics that have a clarity to them.

Sprawling and ambitious, the title track “Everlasting in Atlanta Funk” goes for a languid groove that is potent. Late-night vibes come together on the low-key “In Some Nia” where Shaheed404 goes for an introspective tone. Ending the album on a high note are the nimble beats of “Do It Again”.

“Everlasting in Atlanta Funk” shows off Shaheed404’s uncanny storytelling, lyrical mastery and ear for dope beats. Simply put, this is one album that we highly recommend that you stream/purchase ASAP.

Stream and Share “Everlasting in Atlanta Funk” on: Spotify | Bandcamp

Interview: Peoria, AZ Artist/Producer Pentaline Talks About His New Single "Let Me Ball"

We connected with Peoria, AZ based artist and producer Pentaline for an exclusive interview to discuss his newly released single “Let Me Ball”, which features a guest verse from MARLEY. Along with talking about “Let Me Ball”, we also learned more about the artists and producers who have influenced Pentaline creatively, the beat making software/hardware he uses, as well as the music scene in Peoria.

After reading our Q&A with Pentaline, be sure to connect with him on his website and social media, and check out some more of his DOPE music on Spotify.

We're big fans of your new single "Let Me Ball". How did the song come together from a creative process perspective? Did you have the beat already done before you wrote the song?

The beat for "Let Me Ball" was created by my favorite YouTube producer Young Taylor, and when we heard it we immediately knew we HAD to use it. We just loved the unique sound of the track. As far as writing, we wanted to tell the world that we have worked hard on our craft, and we are ready to do more. “Let Me Ball” is essentially our way of saying we are ready for the world to give us a chance, and Let Us Succeed.

You and MARLEY had great chemistry on the "Let Me Ball" song. Had you guys worked together before on other tracks?

Yes, we have actually worked together on four other tracks. One being a single, and the other three being on two of our albums. We have decided that we love the sound we create together, and we are always on the same page, so respectively, we are each others' favorite artists to work with.

Can we expect a music video for "Let Me Ball" to drop next? If not, do you have a song lined up to follow?

A music video is unlikely as we live in opposite sides of the country, so gathering the budget for such a project isn't feasible as of right now, that is if we want it to be quality enough to live up to our standards. That being said, we do have a top secret project that should see the light of day in early June 2020, so be sure to watch out for that!

Who are some artists and producers that have inspired you creatively? Also, what hardware/software do you use to make your beats?

My biggest inspirations as artists would have to be Lil Tecca, Travis Scott, and Arizona Zervas. They have all created such a largely known brand from scratch and I find that very inspiring, especially with Tecca's age, Travis being rated one of the top performers of all time, and just the unique sound of Zervas's vocals.

As far as producers go, Young Taylor is my go to for unique and quality beats for personal use, though I will say that 94skrt is my favorite producer out there. I would love to work with him some day! I personally use FL Studio 20 for when I create beats for myself or other artists that I work with, and I LOVE this program.

How would you describe the music scene in Peoria, AZ? Are there venues to perform and are locals supportive of homegrown talent such as yourself?

The music scene here is much more saturated here in AZ than anywhere I've been before. That said, there are lots of artists near me that I am working on collaborating with at the moment.

As far as events go, I see a very competitive group down here, though many artists mainly work in-studio and not live. I don't have much experience with the music scene down here as of yet, sticking to my main group of talented artists until recently (spoiler maybe).

Connect with Pentaline: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Jalen McMillan Releases His Highly Anticipated Mixtape “Welcome to the Inferno”

Rapper Jalen McMillan released his highly anticipated mixtape “Welcome to the Inferno”. The new mixtape features 11 songs including recently released “No Cap” (ft DJ PLAE) which currently has 35 million plays on McMillan’s Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/jalenmcmillan/jalenmcmillannocap) and quickly buzzing up a few independent charts.

A majority of the project was mixed and mastered by the production staff at Goldie Sound Productions in Tallahassee, the top-rated studio in the North Florida region. The mixtape also comes with “Inferno” merchandise, which fans can buy exclusively on McMillan’s official website or his YouTube merchandise shelf.

‘'No Cap’ is one of my favorite tracks and I’m thankful it’s doing so well, can’t wait to shoot the video for the fans” says McMillan, who plans on setting up a tour later this year.

In addition to ‘No Cap’, his song 'Azz Back' will be included on the project. ‘Azz Back’ also went viral last year, racking up an impressive 10 million Soundcloud plays and is still gaining momentum daily. The track is produced by Fly Melodies and has an official music video on McMillan’s YouTube which was directed by Dream Above 561 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OHvkZih6-k). Promotion efforts were boosted on Twitter where the hashtag #JalenMcMillan was a trending topic for over 24 hours after the release.

When asked about the rationale behind the name of the project, Jalen indicates, “Inferno comes with new songs in which I rap, sing, and handle the production of each track. I’m 25 now with a family to support & I’m hungrier & hotter than ever! This project is me giving it my all & it’s only the beginning, so welcome to my madness, the Inferno”.

McMillan is coming off a very successful 2019 campaign, which saw him release his project named “Triple Threat” after a 4-year hiatus, launch two clothing lines (which reports say sold out in seconds) and sprinkled on a few major music videos on his YouTube. Jalen fans will be delighted to know that he is already back in the studio and has plans to release a follow up album in honor of the late Kobe Bryant, who was a major inspiration behind McMillan’s work ethic and lived close by McMillan.

Listen to “Welcome to the Inferno” right now, stream it on Spotify, and connect with Jalen McMillan on his website and social media. Also, stay close to DCWS because our exclusive interview with him and our in-depth review of the “Welcome to the Inferno” mixtape are both coming this week.

Stream and Share “Welcome to the Inferno” on Spotify

Connect with Jalen McMillan: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Interview: Declan Sheehy-Moss Discusses His New EP "Things Do That"

Originally from Brooklyn, saxophone player and songwriter Declan Sheehy-Moss is currently a student of Jazz Performance at The New England Conservatory in Boston. We connected with Declan for an exclusive Q&A to discuss his newly released four track EP, “Things Do That”, which features Arlo Sims (guitar), Dorée Gordon (vocals), Alex Yoo (drums), Kabir Adhiya-Kumar (drums), and Miles Keingstein (trumpet). We also learned about Declan’s creative process for the development of the EP’s songs, his musical inspirations, whether the movie Whiplash is realistic, and much more.

After reading our interview with Declan, be sure to connect with him on social media, and listen to “Things Do That” on Spotify.

As a jazz musician, who are some of your musical inspirations and what attracted you to the jazz genre in the first place?

Some of my biggest inspirations from jazz are Joe Henderson, Sonny Rollins, and Stan Getz. Those three players really shaped my playing and made me the musician I am today. Of course, there are other non-sax players, but those three are at the top.

I really started playing jazz in middle school when I joined the jazz band. It met Wednesdays after school once a week and it was where I got my first taste of jazz. From there I attended an Arts High School that had a jazz program, and after that I was hooked! Throughout all of that I wasn’t only playing jazz though, and I think that’s partly why the music I make has so much of a blend between genres.

Congratulations on the release of your newly released EP "Things Do That"; tell us about your creative process for the development of its four songs.

Thanks! Honestly, it was a long process. It’s been two years of chipping away at it. Adding, subtracting, and finally figuring out who I was going to feature on it. I think the main reason I’m so proud of this EP is because it contains musical inspiration from many different periods of my life. It was a confusing and hard couple of years, figuring out what path I wanted to go down. That’s why there’s some happy and some more melancholy vibes on there, it’s inspired by how life goes. Sometimes it’s up sometimes it’s down. I guess I just tried to channel those vibes life sometimes gives you, and turn it into something you can listen to and relate to.

Are the featured players and singer who appeared on the EP also students at The New England Conservatory?

Yes! Everybody but Arlo goes to NEC. Additionally, I knew Doree, Alex, and Miles from high school! So grateful to be able to continue working with such inspiring people!

I'm a big fan of the movie Whiplash; as a current student at The New England Conservatory, how realistic is that movie?

Haha, well… not very! While it does capture some of the feelings an intense conservatory environment brings, it severely over-exaggerates many of the themes throughout. There is no cymbal-throwing, slur-calling, or hand bleeding in a regular conservatory day, but I do see the need to amplify and exaggerate when making a movie. On the other hand, the intense internal battle for parts or roles is very prominent, whether for seats in the orchestra or an opportunity to take part in a residency concert. My take is; an entertaining movie, yes! An accurate depiction of conservatory life? Not as much.

With the EP now released, what are some of your goals musically for the remainder of 2020?

Well, I’m planning on playing some shows throughout the summer, but I’m also really trying to get a second EP out by the end of this year! Fingers crossed!

Connect with Declan Sheehy-Moss: Facebook | Instagram

Review: "Meet The Woo 2" Album by Pop Smoke

He’s definitely not the next Tupac Shakur, but it’s undeniable that Pop Smoke’s drill style of gangster is incredibly catchy, and he’s sort of created a sub-genre of rap with his one-of-a-kind delivery. At just 20 years old, Smoke starting blending his NYC swag with a UK style of drill rapping. In lieu of rappers like Waka Flocka fading into the background, artists like Smoke are here to pick up the slack. He’s made for the radio, with that raspy growl and addictive but hood-friendly hooks. His latest project is a mixtape follow-up to “Meet The Woo” dubbed “Meet The Woo 2”.

With singles like “Christopher Walking” dropping before the album, we at DCWS were pretty hype for the ultimate product of “Meet The Woo 2”. Filled with Pop’s signature adlibs, his sound does get a little repetitive over time, but there are some stand-out tracks that are going to be dominating roof parties as soon as the weather starts to warm up.

Lyrics aren’t exactly Smoke’s strong suit, but he pleasantly surprised us with “Element” and “Armed and Dangerous”. Element showed off a more clever side of the rapper with witty pop culture references like “I have her hanging off the rod like she Mimi.” Sweetheart shows a slight less aggressive side of Smoke and blends beautifully with Fivio Foreign’s husky vocals to create a well-textured song and creepy hook that helps keep the album from getting monotonous.

The Canarsie-raised native also brings more of his moshpit inducing bangers to the table like “Shake the Room” featuring Quavo, a kindred spirit to Pop in terms of chill personality with a dose of turn-up. Hypnotizing female vocals give us snake charmer vibes that are perfectly paired with a spliff.

“Dior” is featured as a bonus track, but it’s one of our favorite tracks that embody the Pop Smoke spirit. It’s lighthearted, filled with drip and party vibes embody NYC. This project feels full circle next to its predecessor, “Meet The Woo” which included his breakout track “Welcome to the Party.” Pop is a gangster no doubt, but an easy one that likes to dance and “get retarded off the xan.” His foremost priority is to chill out and party, which is a message we’re grateful for in the mess that is 2020.

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Interview: Houston Based Rapper Cory Stylez Discusses His New Music Video "Drip Drip"

Originally from Boston, Cory Stylez is a Houston based rap artist who we connected with for an exclusive interview to discuss his very DOPE new music video “Drip Drip”, directed by Barf Media. We also talked about Cory Stylez’ goals for 2020, which artist he would select as a guest feature on a remix of “Drip Drip” and much more.

After reading our Q&A with Cory Stylez, be sure to connect with him on social media, and check out some more of his music on Spotify.

We're big fans of your music video for "Drip Drip". Tell us about the song itself; who produced it and what initially inspired you to write it?

The song was produced by 2dirtyy. The song is basically about drippin on the haters, and nobody inspired me to write it because when I write my songs I write different from these rappers.

Regarding the visual, how did you and Barf Media come up with that insane treatment? Also, who were the people who appeared in the clip?

He just does his stuff; he’s the goat in film making.

A model that I used to talk to and also my manager/twin a.k.a my slime.

You're originally from Boston but now based in Houston; how would you compare the two cities and has your creative process with developing new music changed at all since you moved?

The style is way different in Boston than in Houston. My creative process changed dramatically since I moved to the H.

Will "Drip Drip" be appearing on an upcoming project this spring or summer?

Yes it will.

What are some of your goals musically for this year overall?

To have a million dollars in my pocket so that my family and slime are good.

If you could select one artist to appear on a remix to "Drip Drip", who would you pick?

Dababy

Connect with Cory Stylez: Twitter | Instagram

Nate Trillo Releases His New Album "“I HATE IT WHEN YOU LOVE ME” and "Alpha" Music Video

Dallas artist Nate Trillo has released his highly anticipated album, “I HATE IT WHEN YOU LOVE ME”, just in time for Valentine’s Day.

“I HATE IT WHEN YOU LOVE ME” is out now on all platforms worldwide and features nine tracks that serve as a rollercoaster of intense emotions, all displaying different attitudes towards love and relationships. Nate Trillo explains, “This is NOT a romantic album, this isn’t something you dedicate to your girlfriend on the beach before you propose. This album is for all the grimier stuff that can be found in a relationship; the toxicity, the lust, the conflict, the dirty talk, the adrenaline, and everything else in between without any of that lovey dovey stuff.” Nate also sets the stage for multiple characters throughout the album including an arrogant king who chops his wives’ heads off, a gentle nice-guy who grows sick of being friend-zoned, a man who fell victim to false accusation, and a girl who wishes death upon all men just to name a few.

This week, in partnership with TRNDMUSIC, Nate Trillo made a surprise appearance at the first ever TRNDBEATS Cypher, where he reminded audiences, “I took a break from the rap, but I’m back all of a sudden.” Watch the full TRNDBEATS Cypher on IGTV HERE.

In other news, Nate Trillo is set to perform his debut show under his EDM DJ persona, FYREWRK on March 13th in Fort Worth, TX. Listen to FYREWRK’s debut mix HERE.

Stream Nate Trillo’s DOPE new album “I HATE IT WHEN YOU LOVE ME” on your preferred music service, watch the official music video for “Alpha” below, and connect with him on social media!

Stream and Share “I HATE IT WHEN YOU LOVE ME”

Connect with Nate Trillo: Twitter | Instagram

…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead Announce More North American Headline Dates

…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead will resume their North American headline tour in support of their critically acclaimed new LP X: The Godless Void and Other Stories on April 21st in Quebec City. The spring run has Trail of Dead hitting New York City, DC, Boston, Atlanta, Chicago and more for the first time since the album was released on January 17th via Dine Alone Records. Tickets for all April and May shows will be on sale Friday.

X: The Godless Void and Other Stories is the band’s 10th album, first new full-length studio release in six years and ushers in the band’s 25th year anniversary. The album has been met with raves from the press. Pitchfork called the LP, “…a true revelation from a band 25 years into the game…” and the Austin American Statesman added that The Godless Void is “…their catchiest and most tuneful in forever, an obvious highlight of their now-25-year career.” PREMIERGuitar gave the album a Spotlight Review, writing “Godless Void combines post-punk angst and remarkable musicality akin to T.o.D’s own influences, Rush and Sonic Youth, and matches it with spirited urgency” and Kerrang! a 4/5 rating, saying, “Texas alt-rock legends …Trail Of Dead return, as spiky and brilliant as ever.”

…And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead’s spring North American tour follows an extensive EU/UK trek that kicked off this week in Paris France and ends in London on March 11th. The overseas dates come on the heels of a sold-out North American run that started in Austin on January 14th, headed to Los Angeles for a release day show at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery before heading North. Tickets for the spring dates will go on sale this Friday, with all confirmed North American dates below.

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Connect with …And You Will Know Us by the Trail of Dead: Instagram | Twitter