THEY. Release Their Long Awaited Sophomore Album "The Amanda Tape"
Phenomenally gifted, critically-acclaimed, R&B electric duo, @unofficialthey has returned after their hiatus, delivering their long-awaited sophomore album, “The Amanda Tape”.
Phenomenally gifted, critically-acclaimed, R&B electric duo, THEY. has returned after their hiatus, delivering their long-awaited sophomore album, “The Amanda Tape”, available globally via Avant Garden, in partnership with Island Records. The album that has been a digital fan-favorite includes features from Wale, Three 6 Mafia’s Juicy J and Tinashe. To celebrate the release of their new album, Dante and Drew Love have surprised their fans with their poignant video for “On and On”, the lead single off the tape. Discussing what seems to get worse every day, from racial injustice, to the importance of protecting black women and men, to the representation of positive images and value of black lives– THEY. take their somber visual approach to another level in the song that leaves listeners hopeful, for better days to come. The LA pairing returns to the scene more mature and more magnetic than ever, as Billboard beamed, “The R&B duo encapsulates the Black Experience living in America.”
“This song has dual meaning to it. On the surface it’s a song about a relationship, but when writing it, we were also speaking about our relationship with the world around us. Things have changed so much, so rapidly and we must believe there’s hope that things will change for the better.
From day one we’ve wanted to use our platform responsibly to shed light on issues that affect us. This song was an opportunity to keep the conversation going about police brutality and social injustices that have afflicted our community for years.” – THEY.
Heartbreak, happiness and life lessons gave birth to THEY. ‘s sophomore release of “The Amanda Tape”, that’s been receiving acclaim from COMPLEX, The Fader, ESSENCE, NME, Clash, HNHH, INTERVIEW Magazine, FLAUNT Magazine, Notion, UPROXX, and many other outlets. Stand out tracks such as “Count Me In”, “Play Fight with Tinashe”, “All Mine”, “STCU with Juicy J” and streaming favorite, “Losing Focus with Wale”, have earned the guys over 22 million streams-to-date and excitement, at what seems to be the moment for new music, that’s been healing for many. This has spurned conversations that have transcended Dante and Drew’s coming of age album, an ode to R&B, that dives into the various phases of relationships, break-ups, black love, vulnerability, black intimacy, accountability as black men and purpose. All of this alongside Drew Love’s vocal crooning and Dante’s cozy production, fans and critics alike echo JEZEBEL’s sentiments saying, “THEY. takes me back to a golden era of R&B when Craig David’s “Fill Me In” was hitting right and Usher was doing that footroll skate dance in videos”.
Even in a quarantine, THEY. has managed to beat isolation, creating an album that feels like it’s narrating the ups, the downs and the in-between of your life. Bringing their music to life to help fans get through isolation they’ve stunned with their live acoustic performances recently on their YouTube Acoustic Performance and their next level DIGITAL FADER FORT, performance.
The moral of the story is, of THEY. show no signs of slowing down. Even in a global pandemic, Drew Love and Dante are poised and ready for their breakout year, as the R&B duo to watch for 2021.
Listen to “The Amanda Tape” right now, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with THEY. on their website and social media.
Review: "Burden of Proof" Album by Benny the Butcher
Check out our in-depth review of @bennybsf DOPE new album “Burden of Proof”.
Buffalo rapper Benny the Butcher is one of the most promising hip hop players in the game right now, and the album “Burden of Proof,” (his first work since 2019) cements that. “Burden of Proof” is the leading track with crisp clear production and a bulletproof horn foundation. His rhymes are slick-tongued and filled with entrepreneurial hustle with a fire that reminds us of a young Jay Z.
It walks the line between distinguished man presented to the public, and the gangster underneath that mask who’s always in the shadows. Unlike some artists who exist purely for hype, ego and lifestyle, Benny carefully approaches himself not only as a rapper, a multi-faceted brand. He tells us about it in the first lines: “Yo, last year was 'bout brandin', this one about expandin'/Caught a flight to Cali, made twenty 'fore I landed/This rap shit easy, tell the truth, I can't stand it.”
Beyond this vicious intro, the fluttering back beat in “Sly Green” stands out as the next essential track. His flow stands up hard against it, as he reps Griselda with pride, zooming back with nostalgia to the 90’s, or the “shoebox era” as he calls it, and moving on to compare other rappers in the game as addicts that buy his poison: “Y'all comparin' me to niggas? (Huh) That's abusive to my name/I sold the dope to 'em, then I watch 'em shoot it in they veins.”
While we weren't too impressed with Rick Ross’s feature, “One Way Flight” is a gloriously intertwined collab between the Butcher and Freddie Gibs. It’s a tale of perseverance “I survived all them death threats and three felony convictions” next to surprisingly poignant lines that read like a haiku, “What's a stage with no mic and no voice of a poet?/What’s more important, the flower or the soil that grow it?”
These two sides of Benny the Butcher are present in every track on the album, speaking to his complexity as an artist, and a man. It sometimes feels impossible to pin him under any label, and we love that. Gibbs’ chorus is a message to a brokenhearted bae who might not be able to handle the side effects of fame, but can’t deny the shiny gleam of materialistic things: “Trips with that work, my baby made it back/I fuck with them hoes, I know she hated that/You gon' cry in that Toyota or this Maybach?"
“New Streets” is paired with the perfect sample (something Benny the Butcher always has on deck) and chronicles a chat with his girl over taking his gun with him on the road: ”Told baby girl I'd be back, she said be careful/I told baby girl I'd be strapped, that made her worry more”.
“Thank God I Made It” featuring Queen Naija is a love letter to single mothers “who had to teach their teenage boys to use rubbers” and disappointed but profound comments towards absent dads “I can't respect the man who don't raise his son/Then you blame the white man on what they become.”
Benny’s words are as poetic as they are raw. There are light moments, and there are dark, with genuine emotion through them all. The cohesion in this album is undeniable, and while there’s not too many minimalist, slowed down tracks, we almost prefer to see this artist flex his breath control and impressively delivered lyricism. In an album studded with celebrity features, Benny the Butcher is still the biggest star.
Stream and Share “Burden of Proof” on Spotify
Interview: Brandon Lee Harris Discusses His Latest Single/Video "Repeat"
We connected with Nashville based singer-songwriter @brandonleeharr for an exclusive Q&A to discuss his new single/video “Repeat”, his upcoming EP, and much more.
“The lyrics or phrases that come from the heart and where my head is at in life’s circumstances/relationships seems to be the core of writing songs for me. ”
As a songwriter, what are some things, people, or places that inspire your creativity when developing new music?
The lyrics or phrases that come from the heart and where my head is at in life’s circumstances/relationships seems to be the core of writing songs for me. Also, the vibe of a musical idea, even if it’s just a guitar-part or beat, I believe those sounds plant seeds that can grow into a song/track.
Inspiration also definitely comes from traveling, having open/free time to channel instinctual thoughts/points that feel worth being made, at least for my own sanity... hahaha. I love spending time with nature like Colorado and also cities like New York.
We're huge fans of your new single/video "Repeat"; tell us what inspired you to write the song, and how your brother Taylor got involved in its creation.
Thanks so much! The song was inspired by multiple accounts of falling in and out of love which felt like my love-life was on repeat.
My brother and I were sharing a studio and we tracked this being that he’s an incredible drummer/producer/engineer himself. There’s nothing like making music with family and I treasure every moment of it.
How did you and the director Gabe Pigg come up with the treatment for the "Repeat" visual, and where was it filmed?
My bud Gabriel Pigg is a natural with the camera and we actually took Mass Communications together in high school. The video direction with one of my dear best buds was pretty impromptu but we went to Harlinsdale Park in Franklin, TN, where the Pilgrimage Festival has taken place for 4-5 years, and filmed on the polo course there where a stage is annually setup for some legit acts to play on. It’s a dream of mine to someday play at that festival.
Will "Repeat" be appearing on an upcoming EP or album? If so, what can you tell us about it?
“Repeat” will be featured on an EP I’ll be releasing once the years done that will include the songs that will have been released in 2020. (my next single will be released around the holidays— stay tuned;)
With 2020 winding down, what are some of your goals musically heading into 2021?
I hope and pray that I can play a lot of shows live in front of crowds in 2021 and also want to travel to U.K. and connect with their music scene.
Connect with Brandon Lee Harris: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook
Newark, NJ Artist Beeb Releases His New Project "The City Aint Safe"
Check out “The City Aint Safe”, the new project by Newark, NJ based artist @habibeaux.
Fresh to DCWS is the new album entitled “The City Aint Safe” by Newark, NJ based artist BeeB. Produced by Pyramid Tapes and comprised of 8 tracks, “The City Aint Safe”, the project features moemaw naedon, calig kontra, elespee, and plush omega. We won’t go too much into the album now because our in-depth review is on the way, but trust us when we tell you that it is a certified banger.
Listen to “The City Aint Safe” now, connect with Beeb on his website and social media, and be on the lookout for our review of the project and our interview, coming soon.
Stream and Share “The City Aint Safe on: Apple Music | Spotify
Interview: XO Xuded Talks About His New Single "No Company"
Major salute to Georgia based artist @xoxuded who connected with DCWS for an exclusive interview to discuss his very DOPE new single “No Company”, and much more.
“The things I’ve been through in life have significantly impacted my outlook as an artist...If anyone wants to know more about my story all they have to do is play some of my songs.”
Who are some artists that influenced you when you decided that you wanted to pursue music?
I'll be honest, when I was in middle school I listened to the first three "Carter's" by Lil Wayne and it inspired me to start writing myself. I ended up going door-to-door with a lawn mower to save up for a cheap little USB mic and stand. But yeah, Wayne definitely inspired me to get started on writing and recording my own music.
How would you say that your life experiences have impacted your outlook as an artist and the subject matters of your songs?
The things I've been through in life have significantly impacted my outlook as an artist. I mean, that's how I have the content I do in my songs. I talk about the struggles I went through like being homeless and literally sleeping on the street for months. I talk about how much I was doubted when I first started this out. If anyone wants to know more about my story all they have to do is play some of my songs.
Salute to you on the release of your new song "No Company"; it's a DOPE track. What inspired you to write it and how did you connect with the producer COBRA?
I remember the day I wrote this song I was ignoring messages from people and not because I had something against them, or they wouldn't have my number in the first place. But I was just in one of those moods to kick it by myself.
So I was listening to some beats and when I heard the beat to “No Company” I immediately vibed to it and was freestyling out the hook. It all just made sense for me in the moment and that's what I like to do with my music is to capture the moment through my perspective.
I ended up coming across the producer COBRA by simply going through YouTube. I like to expand outside of the network of producers I have on social media and look for new ones because there are so many talented producers out there.
Can we expect a music video for "No Company" to come next? If not, do you have another single on the way?
I more than likely won't be doing a music video to “No Company” but I do have multiple singles on the way. I'll be dropping at least one song a month but the next one I have coming is "Loyalty", which is dropping on all platforms November 1, 2020.
If you could have any artist featured on a remix to "No Company", who would you select and why?
Man that's a tough one. There's so many artists I would be honored to work with putting “No Company” aside. But I guess if I were to remix that particular song I'd have to go with Kid Cudi. He's been an artist I've looked up to since his first mixtapes and to have him on a remix to any of my songs would be blessings.
With 2020 winding down, what are some of your goals musically in 2021?
For 2021 I have a lot of ideas and content planned. I've got a game plan for what I'm dropping, when I'm dropping it, and of course the marketing strategies involved with all of that. Basically my goal for 2021 is to keep pushing and under no circumstances stop any momentum I have.
Connect with XO Xuded: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
Stream "Wide Awake Dreamin'", the New EP by Drew Graham
Ypsilanti, MI based artist and producer @illwill734 just released his latest project "Wide Awake Dreamin'", a visual album and EP, developed in collaboration with Will Fairbank.
26 year old Drew Graham is a talented Hip Hop producer and artist from Ypsilanti, MI, who has rapping since 2013, and making beats since 2014. Drew’s musical influences include J. Cole, Big Sean and the late Nipsey Hussle, and he released his first self produced project, "Treetops n Avalanches", in 2017.
Following "Hybrid", his last project released in 2019, Drew is closing out 2020 on a very high note with "Wide Awake Dreamin'", a visual album and EP that he produced, wrote and performed, and paired up with coming film producer Will Fairbanks to bring it to life.
The 7-track project is a vibe all the way through, and has one feature from Obie Iyoha, who is based Ann Arbor, MI. The music videos will continue to be released 1 by 1 every Sunday at 7 pm until they are all out.
Check out the very DOPE “Wide Awake Dreamin’” EP right now, stream it on your preferred music service, and connect with Drew on his website and social media. Also, hang close to DCWS because our exclusive interview with Drew and the review of the EP are coming soon.
Detroit Rapper TNV Releases His Latest Album "Shine"
Check out the DOPE new album entitled “Shine” by Detroit based rap artist TNV, and be on the lookout for our upcoming interview and review of the project.
With over a decade of experience in the rap game, Detroit based rap artist TNV (That New Vessel) has gained quite a notable reputation for his production and collaborations with notable artists. Not content to rest on his music, he is always building towards the next release, adding more classics to his repertoire.
Speaking of releases, TNV has just unveiled his new album entitled “Shine”, which is comprised of 17 tracks, and features Skyzoo, Jered Sanders, Jaooo, Rocdwell, Trey Libra, Kelo, East Paw Snow, and Kelo & Wiccd Wize. The album follows TNV’s last project “Shine”, which dropped in January of this year.
Listen to the “Shine” album right now, stream it on Bandcamp, and connect with TNV on his website and social media. Also, be on the lookout for our upcoming review of the “Shine” album and interview with TNV.
Interview: New York Based Rapper Tattooey Talks About His New Song "Nasty Thing"
We connected with Rockland County, NY based rapper @TATT2EY for an exclusive interview to discuss his DOREBEATS produced track “Nasty Thing”, and much more.
“When I write a song, what I usually do is find a beat I like, write a song to it, then almost always change the beat to something I like way more, which was the case for “Nasty Thing”.”
Congratulations on the release of your new track "Nasty Thing". Tell us about your creative process for its development and how you connected with the producer DOREBEATS?
I don’t really remember the writing process for this track in particular, but it’s been in my back pocket for a while.
When I write a song, what I usually do is find a beat I like, write a song to it, then almost always change the beat to something I like way more, which was the case for “Nasty Thing”.
To be honest I’ve never connected with DOREBEATS. It’s like impossible to get in touch with these producers sometimes, well from my experience at least, so I found the beat on YouTube, and bought it off the website. Every time I try to contact these guys, it’s no bueno for me, but hey, wont stop me from trying.
Can we expect a music video for "Nasty Thing" to follow and will it be featured on an upcoming EP or album?
A video for “Nasty Thing”, uhh I don't think so, doubt it, but def expect a video for my new song “G League” or another song of mine called “Everybody Here”.
Album? EP? right now? Hell nah, lmao, listen I have like 4 followers on SoundCloud and like 100+ followers on instagram. I have to make a song that catches on first before I even think of putting out projects.
How would you describe the scene for rap music where you are located, especially for emerging artists?
Well I’m from the Bronx and I currently live in Rockland County. The music scene here is crazy, ok so if you live in Rockland County, and if your under 30 years old, you’re a rapper making music. POINT BLANK.
As 2020 is winding down, what are some of your goals musically for the remainder of the year, heading into 2021?
My goals is to work extremely hard! Get a viral song, and blow the fuck up!
What are some things that inspire you to create the music that you do, and to take your artistry and music brand to the next level of success?
I’ll tell you right now WHO inspires me, Noah, Abi, Juju, and Izzy. Those are my 4 children! They inspire me to do what I love, I will be great for them, I want them to be proud of me!
LÜM Grows to Over 80,000 Artists as the Home for Independent Musicians Launches New Mobile and Web Platforms
Social network and music discovery platform @lumofficial_ has announced their expansion to Web and Android, and new tools for independent artists to collaborate and make money.
LÜM has announced their expansion to Web and Android. Described as the “Home” for independent artists, LÜM is a social network and music discovery platform that allows artists to collaborate with other music creators, share content, and manage relationships with fans. This year, LÜM became the first music streaming platform in the US to allow for direct-to-artist financial support through virtual gifting technology. In the company’s first year on iOS, the platform has drawn over 80,000 creators and surpassed 25 million Notes (LÜM’s in-app currency) gifted to artists across the United States. The value of the Note is equivalent to the average royalty payout per stream on alternative music streaming platforms. While the COVID-19 pandemic has significantly limited artists' ability to make money, virtual gifting is directly helping the development and profitability of independent artists in the music streaming industry.
LÜM recently closed a $3 million Seed II round of funding. To fuel continued work on the platform, the company has also partnered with multi-Grammy-award winner NE-YO and Compound Entertainment co-founders and music executives Tishawn Gayle and Rynell “Tango” Hay.
“Being able to share your art with the world no matter how big or small is a gift in itself. Being able to get paid for sharing your art is the cherry on top, and every artist deserves that opportunity,” says NE-YO. “Every so often a product or tool emerges that disrupts the status quo. In the case of social music streaming and discovery, that product is LÜM. Artists and creators of all sizes can monetize their hard work from the second they upload their content to the platform. No more waiting on quarterly payouts, no more wondering who exactly your fanbase is, and no more wondering how to directly build and speak to your fans. LÜM checks all the boxes and in time will be the new status quo,” added Gayle.
“We live in a world where artists have hundreds of tools that are designed to gain exposure, but the foundation of the business model for music streaming is broken, rendering those tools largely useless,” says Max Fergus, CEO and co-founder of LÜM. “The future of music needs to be built around tools for artists that allow them to maximize their most important assets, their fans, and all of the content they create. LÜM is excited to be leading that charge for independent creators.”
LÜM’s primary goal is to build tools for independent artists to foster closer relationships with artists and fans that also allow them to make money. Along with the expansion to Web and Android, LÜM is also announcing the launch of a new platform for artist collaboration and monetization -- The LÜM Exchange. Launching later this year, the Exchange will allow music creators to buy and sell music services including mixing and mastering, beats, vocals/songwriting, and music reviews. This is the first music-specific marketplace for artists to network, collaborate, and monetize their skill sets on a social network where collaboration is already prominent.
The new Web platform can be accessed at https://lum.fm/
The new Android platform can be accessed at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=fm.lum.lum
Demie Cao Drops Her Debut EP "Thicker Lines", Along with a Title Track Music Video
LA-based rapper and singer-songwriter @demthedestroyer has released her new EP, “Thicker Lines” (formally named Airplane Mode), with a music video of the title track.
LA-based rapper and singer-songwriter Demie Cao has released her new EP, “Thicker Lines” (formally named Airplane Mode), with a music video of the title track. Demie has been leading up to this release after having teased out singles “Yung,” “Sage,” and “Rari” earlier this year. “Thicker Lines” includes these singles along with three unheard tracks: “Thicker Lines,” “Airplane Mode,” and “Wake Up.”
Featured on “Thicker Lines” is Katherine Ho, who is known for her cover of Coldplay’s “Yellow” (sung in Mandarin), which plays in the closing scenes of the film adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s Crazy Rich Asians. Demie worked with many industry veterans to complete this EP including Holly, Edward Shin, Phil Da Agony, (a member of Strong Arm Steady), Brandun Deshay, DPINTHEZOO, Deen, Peter MSTR RCKS Hong, and management mate Justin Park. The previously released singles have collectively garnered over 300k streams on Spotify, 392k views on YouTube, and landed her in publications such as Ones to Watch, Buzzbands LA, and Spotify’s New Music Friday lists.
Demie Cao is a Chinese-American singer-songwriter whose love of performing started from a young age as a ballet dancer. After 13 years dedicated to the art, Demie turned her focus to the music industry with her distinctive style and fierce lyrics, and energetic dances. Demie continues to grow as an artist and is training under MSTR RCKS, and in the past, has trained within the K-Pop music industry in Seoul, South Korea, and took part in writing camps in Beijing, China.
Demie’s official debut in China was with her single, “NIGHT VISION,” which landed on Billboard Asia’s 2019 “Best of Rap: URBAN ASIA Vol. 2.” Demie has also appeared in promos for 88 Rising, CJ E&M, and KCON. In May 2020, she made her English debut in May 2020 with her single “Yung” which garnered immediate attention and landed her on Spotify’s Editorial New Music Friday lists in Thailand, Indonesia, and the Philippines.
Demie Cao is signed to 5A LABEL/Steel Wool Entertainment and distributed by EMPIRE and EMPIRE ASIA.
Listen to “Thicker Lines” right now, stream and share the EP on your preferred music service and connect with Demie Cao on her social media.
Review: "New Beginnings" Album by Reason
@reasonTDE debut album, "New Beginnings", is one of the better hip-hop projects of 2020. There is a solid mix of replayable/catchy type records as well as introspective records. It’s full of lyricism and musicality as well as dope features.
TDE essentially never misses when it comes to signing artists. Aside from the main names on the roster such as Kendrick, ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock and Ab-Soul, Top Dawg has signed dope newer artists such as SZA, Isaiah Rashad and now Reason.
I first heard about Reason when he was featured on the Black Panther Soundtrack on a record called “Seasons”. He also re-released a 2017 project of his is 2018 titled “There You Have It” which I was a huge fan of. When he announced he was dropping his first official album with TDE, “New Beginnings”, I was extremely excited.
Being a Reason fan, I had been listening to all the singles that he’d dropped leading up to the project. The tracks “Pop Sh*t, “Show Stop”, “Flick It Up” and “Sauce” had all been released before, yet sounded even better in the context of the album. I personally was excited to hear all the non-single tracks because those typically hold deeper content (and because I’d already listened to the singles about 100 times each).
Reason displays his typical brand of rapping throughout the project which includes lyricism, wordplay, similes, punchlines and storytelling; all elements of hip-hop that have become underappreciated in today’s musical climate.
There are two songs in particular that really stood out to me: “Gossip” and “Windows Cry”. “Gossip” reminded me of the track “Cut You Off (To Grow Closer)” by Kendrick Lamar. Reason speaks on how he has people in his own family who want to see him struggle and fail. Kendrick’s third verse on “Cut You Off” speaks on how he has family members who he wants to cut off because all they do is talk about other family members behind their backs.
The outro to Reason’s album, “Windows Cry” is a very deep and introspective track where Reason is very transparent about thoughts he’s had during his time being signed to TDE. He even goes as far as speaking on being nervous about being screwed over by a label as it has happened to many others in the industry. He talks about how Kendrick is the main focus on TDE and wonders what happens if he doesn’t reach K-Dot levels. He mentions that when joining a label he essentially is joining what’s supposed to be a family, but at the same time, they’re basically strangers to him. I really respect Reason for being this open and transparent about thoughts that crossed his mind about what most would perceive as “making it”.
Overall, I felt that this was a very solid debut album and one of the better hip-hop projects of 2020. There is a solid mix of replayable/catchy type records as well as introspective records. It’s full of lyricism and musicality as well as dope features. I’m proud of Reason and I feel he has a bright future ahead of him.
Stream and Share “New Beginnings” on: Spotify | Apple Music
Beatchain Announces Fan Builder, a High-Tech, Ad-Buying Feature For Artists
@beatchainmusic new ad creation tool Fan Builder creates hyper-targeted ad campaigns using machine learning, and is now available for all artists using the Beatchain platform.
Musicians using the new feature increased their listener base by thousands for as little as $25
Using industry-leading technology and machine learning, Beatchain is launching its newest tool for artists and music marketers of all levels — Fan Builder.
And the results have already been staggering.
Building off its unique big data dashboard of digital insights, Beatchain has created an easy-to-use feature guiding artists and music managers through building their fanbase with targeted advertising buys. Despite initially flying under the radar, artists who have been early users of Fan Builder have seen amazing results from the specialized tech.
Eliza Shaddad, a London-based indie rock artist, used Beatchain’s newest feature to land more than 3,000 new fans in just one month, including close to 10,000 new profile views and 2.9 million targeted ad impressions, spending around $800 (£616). A California Instrumentalist, VCAGE, only spent $50 (£39) on Fan Builder and earned 248 new followers, 338 new listeners and 181,000 ad impressions.
Others who tested the new software were The Brown Goose and Joe Publick, artists who each gained thousands of listeners spending between $0.08 and $0.04 (£0.06 and £0.03) for each new listener, respectively. The Brown Goose found success using every aspect of Beatchain’s recommended suite of features, including Fan Growth, Distribution, Presave, and Hypelinks. And since using Fan Builder’s ad campaigns to hyper-target his audience and insights to focus efforts on Facebook, Joe Publick has signed a label contract with Sony.
Simply put, this new automatic-ad-buy tech from Beatchain is leveling the playing field for artists. The days of needing a marketing department to get noticed are over. Instead of trying to find money for outsourcing marketing and promotion, artists can trust Beatchain’s machine learning tech to target the potential audiences most likely to, not only listen to their music, but become engaged fans. After setting a campaign goal, promotion budget, and timeframe, artists can click “Start Campaign” and sit back and watch as the high powered artificial intelligence of Fan Builder creates Facebook and Instagram ads, pulling from assets and content already in the Beatchain system, and makes them more famous overnight. Beatchain plans to deliver both Google and Twitter ads as well in the very near future.
“The amazing thing about Fan Builder is that it uses data from the artist’s own social media and streaming profiles to hyper-target ads that will focus on audiences that have already shown interest in their music and brand,” said Ben Mendoza, Founder and CEO of Beatchain. “This levels the playing field for independent artists and gives them access to the same tools and processes they’d get working with a marketing team at a major record label.”
During a Fan Builder promotion campaign, artists and brand managers can keep track of the rise in music video views or social media presence using Beatchain’s extensive data insights page, where they can watch their return on investment in real time, through pageviews on their own website, song streams, merch sales, and email signups. They can even discover the country and city these digital page views originate, eliminating the black hole long associated with digital marketing.
“For as little as 5 dollars, artists can start a targeted digital ad campaign that is proven to find them more fans,” said Ed Godshaw, Beatchain CTO. “Even though we believe our distribution platform is best in class, we don’t see ourselves as a pure play distributor and don’t require artists to distribute their music through Beatchain to use Fan Builder. Fan Builder empowers artists to take their releases and deliver them to engaged and growing audiences.”
Beatchain was built by tech savvy experts, who keep the best interests of artists in mind, and continuously develop features to help artists succeed. With all the backend tech know-how, they provide one-of-a-kind services to musicians and brand managers of all levels, giving them a huge leg up in a world of corporate gatekeepers and digital walls. Plus, Beatchain has the business experience to continue to scale up and build on their success.
And now, with the addition of Fan Builder, Beatchain is continuing to make good on its vision to upend the traditional way of marketing and distributing music, and revolutionizing the way artists are discovered.
About Beatchain
Beatchain is a powerful new data science and digital marketing platform that will revolutionize discovery, marketing, and promotion in the music industry. Beatchain provides emerging artists with the right tools and guidance to build a supportive fan base, who gets everything directly from them: their music, content, tickets and merchandise. It was founded to bring all the tools together into one app and give musicians insight and control over almost every aspect of their careers, from their music, to their ads, to even their website.
Review: "A Thousand Shades of Black." Album by Kaze4letters
Check out our in-depth review of the newly released album “A Thousand Shades of Black.”, by NC rapper and VibeHouse founder @blackkennedy.
“A Thousand Shades of Black.” is the newest album from North Carolina rapper and VibeHouse founder, Kevin “Kaze” Thomas a.k.a. Kaze4Letters. Upon my first impression of its rather clever title, I did go in to the album expecting Kaze4Letters to concentrate solely on current political and racial matters of concern in the U.S. To my surprise, he covers a wide variety of everyday topics from love and relationships to black excellence and self-improvement, all from a mature, thoughtful and socially conscious lens.
On the subject of politics and race, the album opens and closes with two of its most powerful tracks: “Wake Up” and “Good Trouble”. The former has a soul-stirring, piano-driven beat and lyrics based on the recent police shootings of Breonna Taylor and Philando Castile, among others. The mellow, jazzy track “Good Trouble” finds Kaze4letters verbally defying a broken system that has kept African Americans subjugated for decades.
As expected, there are a few motivational joints, like the upbeat, bouncy “Past the Sun” with its potent, self-affirmative lyrics and DOPE scratches from DJ Flash and “Bringing Me Down” with its themes of quelling external critics and embracing your greatness, backed by a tranquil musical backdrop, brilliantly sung hook by Kaze4letters himself and beautiful post-hook by guest singer Alo Ver.
There’s also a few love-and-relationship-centered cuts on the album, like the breezy, sunny track “Be Yours” where Kaze4letters raps and sings (he does some 90s-R&B-inspired crooning on the hook) to a girl he wants to share his life with, and “Higher” (which features a great hook from guest singer Ethan Taylor) where he pays tribute to his significant other.
But the album’s major highlight comes in the form of “Dear Son”, which involves Kaze4letters sharing words of wisdom with his son. Not only does it have the best instrumental (a driving, soulful, 9th Wonder-esque beat) and most heartfelt lyrics, but it truly feels like a destined moment where Kaze4letters finally imparts the lessons he’s learnt throughout his life to a new generation of listeners.
Overall, I really enjoyed “A Thousand Shades of Black”. The production is consistent throughout, the performances from Kaze4letters and his guests are stellar, the subject matter is varied, relatable and relevant and there’s no shortage of thoughts, opinions and wordplay brought to the table. Whether you’re a fan of Kaze4letters’ music from the jump, or a newbie like I am, this album is a definite must listen!
Stream and Share “A Thousand Shades of Black.” on: Spotify | Apple Music
Joohoney, of Monsta X, Releases His New Mixtape "PSYCHE", and Video For "Smoky"
@OfficialMonstaX, rapper of K-pop group Monsta X, has released his highly anticipated 4th mixtape, “PSYCHE”, along with the visual for "Smoky".
Joohoney, rapper of K-pop group Monsta X, has released his highly anticipated 4th Mixtape, “PSYCHE”. This release comes about two years after his last mixtape ‘DWTD (Do What They Do)’. PSYCHE consists of seven tracks, all of which Joohoney helped compose, arrange, and write lyrics on. This Mixtape, and the lyrics throughout it, take you through the different sides of Joohoney’s world as an artist encompassing his own music, a person named Lee Jooheon showcasing his personality, a Joohoney of Monsta X and as Joohoney the Rapper. Accompanying the Mixtape, Joohoney has also released the music video for “Smoky,” the sub-title track.
Title track “Psyche” symbolizes the success or failure that happens throughout one's lifespan, and these twists and turns are compared to the psychedelic lights turning on and off. Psyche is often referred to as one’s inner self, the mind, or the deepest thoughts and feelings. This track refers to Joohoney’s attitude toward his future plans, by looking back on what he felt during his past activities, and each path he has taken so far.
“Smoky” is a rock-based track, showcasing the many diverse sides of Joohoney’s creative process. He not only played the drums on this track, but his emotions behind the lyrics can be heard from start to finish. Joohoney states; “SMOKY is a song that I worked on during one of the toughest times in my life. It talks about me collapsing in the darkness, losing my old-self who was so passionate. It also describes how I was stuck in the smoke, knowing that I have to move forward and trying to reach out to myself who can’t see due to the smoke in front of it. The track is like a story about me in the past, present, and future. It’s a song for myself in the future that will wake myself up in the darkness to step forward.”
On track #3, “DIA,” Joohoney compares himself to a sparkling diamond. The inspiration behind this track comes from his mother being a jewelry designer, and as being a son of hers, he describes himself as the ‘ONLY’ diamond in the world that his mother has designed. Through “DIA,” Joohoney confidently declares himself as a unique diamond that no one can be compared to.
“Anyone can raise their voice and become a king in the world that we live in. We need ones who can confidently stand up and raise their hands. The world that we are living in is too scary and harsh that children have to live with fear even from their birth” says Joohoney about track #6 “왕 (KING).” Throughout his career Joohoney has always wanted to give hope to young children; and with this track he hopes to send a message that they should become a king themselves with the confidence to create a new world. Throughout this track Joohoney portrays the message that he will also be a king who doesn’t hesitate to stand up again even after falling down. He will rise up to a higher place while forgiving the falsehood of the pretentious one.
Listen to the “PSYCHE” mixtape now, and connect with Joohoney on social media with Monsta X.
Ninajirachi and Kota Banks Announce Collaborative Project "True North" EP, Out November 6th
Producer @ninajirachi and pop prodigy @KotaBanksMusic have announced their upcoming collaborative EP "True North", due out on November 6th. They've also released the music video for "True North". Watch it now!
A seven track odyssey, “True North” is a true best-of-both-worlds collaborative project, carefully crafted from start to finish by two young women. Floating atop Nina’s vivid and visceral instrumentals, Kota’s merciless melodies and delivery combine effortlessly to create an aural rabbit hole.
Led by a diverse pair of singles 'True North' and 'Opus', the full length project is marked by its diversity of theme and tempos, yet anchored together with the consistency of both artist distinct, musical voices.
Announced via a series of cryptic postcards and QR codes shared across the internet by dozens and fans, with the likes of Jess Kent, E^st, Alice Ivy, Nicole Millar some of those with the loudest voices, while both Spotify and Apple featured it prominently in and amongst their top tier playlists.
The announcement of the EP coincides with the release of the impressive, self produced visual for 'True North'. Utilising eye catching 360 footage captured by a hired GOPro Max, the video was directed, filmed and edited by Nina, Kota Banks and Tiff Williams, the pair’s frequent creative collaborator.
From the neon synthesizers of ‘True North’, to the experimental glitch pop soundscape of ‘Opus’, each song exists in its own distinctive sonic world, creating a listening experience that is akin to playing through a video game from start to finish.
“True North feels like the perfect encapsulation of both our solo music and our collaborative work together, yet something entirely new for us both, too. The project came together very naturally over a few months in 2019 and it really feels like a medley of different styles that we both love so much.”
Watch the “True North” music video now, connect with Ninajirachi and Kota Banks on their social media and be ready to stream/buy “True North” on November 6th.
Pre-order “True North” HERE
Kaze4letters Returns With His New Album "A Thousand Shades of Black"
Chapel Hill, NC based rap artist and owner/creative director at VibeHouse, @BlackKennedy (fka Kaze), returns with his just released sixth album “A Thousand Shades of Black”.
Chapel Hill, NC based rap artist and owner/creative director at VibeHouse, Kaze4letters (fka Kaze), returns with his just released sixth album “A Thousand Shades of Black”.
Featuring lead single "The Ultimate" with Sonny Miles, "A Thousand Shades of Black" dives deep into Kaze’s journey of identity, creativity and the struggles of life, tackling topics like the diversity of Blackness in all its forms and how our Youth is often pressured into believing they’re pigeonholed into a few narrow lanes. “A Thousand Shades of Black” points out that the difference in Blackness between Carlton Banks & Malcolm X is more perception than reality.
The “A Thousand Shades of Black” album is comprised of sixteen tracks and features Sonny Miles, Ethan Taylor, Defacto Thesbian, Alo Ver, J Rowdy, Dasan Ahanu, and Nathan Harris.
Listen to “A Thousand Shades of Black” right now, stream it on Apple Music, and connect with Kaze4letters on his social media.
Stream and Share “A Thousand Shades of Black” on Apple Music