Interview: RnB Singer-Songwriter Melody Discusses Her Debut Single/Video "Dancing With a Stranger"

“...I want to open everyone’s eyes to the music industry’s void of inclusivity. I love empowering others, and I feel it’s something that is lacking in Middle Eastern representation.”

— Melody

We're huge fans of your debut single/video, "Dancing With A Stranger"; how did you connect with its producer S.L.M.N and Maurice Moore, who is featured on the track?

It was all fate. Proper timing and meeting that one person who ultimately believed in my craft changed my whole life--my manager Moaaz. I had reached out to S.L.M.N previously, and he was busy at the time; many producers pre-covid were busy or did not want to risk giving me a chance.

Those who would give me an opportunity did not take my craft seriously as an artist-- they would either take advantage of me financially or try to break that work boundary since I would always go to sessions alone. It was a struggle for three years; I remember crying to sleep on my mini studio floor. It took a toll on my mental health, so I decided to take a break and complete my University.

During my time off, I met Moaaz, who showed a lot of interest in my craft and motivated me to do more. He was so different from anyone that I've ever met. To this day, my life feels so incomplete without him. I had many unfinished projects, and Moaaz reached out to about 50 producers and out of those, S.L.M.N was the only one that cared. We scratched out those unfinished unusable projects and started fresh.

To this day, I feel so grateful and remind myself how lucky I am to have had this happen to me. Once we did the songwriting session, we had initially wanted Eric Bellinger on the track; he was busy at the time. After doing some research of my own, I came across Maurice Moore and reached out to him. He loved the track and recorded his part in Los Angeles.

The visual is the perfect accompaniment to the song; how did you and its director come up with its treatment?

Initially, the video's treatment was different; it was nice, but I felt it was not authentic to my brand. Because of this, Brian Gregory, Ardalan Fattahi and I met up a few days before the shoot to exchange ideas. After talking to each other, we decided to change up the direction of the music video. I always try to incorporate a bit of who I am as an artist. So we included a Kurdish scarf as well for one of my tops, which Banks styled.

Tell us about your transition from beauty pageant contestant to R&B songstress; was it a difficult decision to walk away from pageants?

The night I was auditioning for talent in Miss Canada finales, I stumbled on the words I was singing. I felt so anxious, which was strange because I have performed a lot and always felt in my FLOW. That night I started questioning why I was doing the competition. I felt like I was not doing what I was supposed to be doing. The same night I thanked the director and packed all my bags, and left.

With "Dancing With A Stranger" now released, what next can we expect from you musically?

We have some new projects which we will be releasing soon and that I cannot talk about in detail just yet. But, I want to open everyone's eyes to the music industry's void of inclusivity. I love empowering others, and I feel it's something that is lacking in Middle Eastern representation.

What motivated you to create your own record label Scorpion Melody Inc, and what are some of your goals with this corporation?

I mainly created Scorpion Melody because I told myself if no one's going to take me seriously, I might as well take myself seriously. I love challenges, and I always try to break out of whatever box society tries to place me in. I choose Scorpion as part of my corporation because my birthday is in November, and growing up, I would read a lot of horoscopes. I usually keep all my manifestations to myself until they become a reality. One of my manifestations that came true is receiving an opportunity, which I am forever grateful for.

Stream and Share “Dancing With A Stranger”

Connect with Melody: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

Interview: RnB/Pop Artist Khadi Lee Talks About His New Single/Video "All Night"

“I write my own songs and to see people connect with it is a great feeling.”

— Khadi Lee

Congratulations on the release of your new single "All Night"; tell us about your creative process for its development.

I really wanted to do a fun and sexy summer vibe with some Afrobeats sounds. I had planned a trip to LA to work with Stellar Music and we had Zoom meetings to bounce off ideas and inspiration for the music.

I wanted something flirty that people could move to. When I was at the studio we set the studio lights to a warm feel and looped tropical landscapes on the monitors and just began writing and working on multiple song ideas. I played the music to my family and friends back in Cleveland and “All Night” was everyone's favorite song, so we decided to release it as a single. I did another Zoom meeting with Stellar to finish writing the song and I recorded some additional vocals in Cleveland.

Describe for us the music video for “All Night”.

We released the music video on single release day. It was shot at beautiful locations around LA and just like the single, it's all about feel good vibes, summer and being outside.

Will "All Night" be a feature track on an upcoming project? If so, what can you tell us about it?

I am currently exploring new sounds within RnB/Pop and just creating and writing songs. If “All Night” organically fits within the soundscape and context of my next project, it will definitely be included.

Speaking of projects, your last EP, “Late Night Hour”, was released earlier this year. What are you most proud of with this project?

I write my own songs and to see people connect with it is a great feeling. “Late Night Hour” was special because people really began to listen to my music and my city was showing a lot of love. I was able to do an exclusive advance listening session with iHeart Radio 106.1 Cleveland and the singles “Connection” and “Go” are still on rotation.

Connect with Khadi Lee: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube

Interview: Edinburgh Singer-Songwriter Adonye B Discusses His Single/Video "New Life"

“I directed the video and for me it was the icing on the cake of the song. By this time, it was very clear to me that the song is about togetherness and community, particularly as everyone was having to isolate because of the lockdown.”

— Adonye B

Congratulations on the release of your new single/video "New Life". What initially inspired you to write it and who produced it? Lastly, who directed the visual?

Firstly, thank you so much DOPECAUSEWESAID for this interview because as an independent artist it is really encouraging to get exposure from an amazing online platform like DOPECAUSEWESAID.

I first got the melody of the song in early January 2020, but I couldn’t pinpoint the lyrics to go with it. I tend to get the melody of a song before the lyrics, and in a rather strange way too where I get woken up in the middle of the night with the melody in my head, and if I am not quick enough to grab my phone and record it then the melody seems to just drift away! Probably to the next available songwriter J By April 2020 as the pandemic was on a full-blown scale, I knew that the song was for the pandemic. From that point the lyrics came easily.

In terms of production, I have an excellent relationship with my incredible co-producer. I started recording the song at home, working out the chords that allowed me to go up an octave vocally in the second verse to add that dynamic emotion to the song. I added guitar and piano parts, but it was quite guitar heavy. I took the song to my co-producer, and he felt that the melody should be based around the piano not the guitar. I wasn’t so keen on this change, but I’ve learnt to trust his expertise, which I’m so glad I did because it totally transformed the song for the better. I love the contrast of the softness of the piano placed against the rawness and audacity of my vocal melodies particularly towards the end of the song.

I directed the video and for me it was the icing on the cake of the song. By this time, it was very clear to me that the song is about togetherness and community, particularly as everyone was having to isolate because of the lockdown. I built a storyboard and got in touch with a guy who had a stock of video clips. A few edits later the video was done.

Why was it important for you to dedicate "New Life" to healthcare workers around the world?

I wanted to take the idea of a “covid song” and spin it on its head. Most covid songs are about an individual and about being isolated, so “New Life” had to be about community and being together. And then I thought, who are the people working hard to ensure that we can get back to the communities we love? Healthcare workers! It was an obvious decision to dedicate it to them. I am a healthcare worker myself, so I know first-hand how tough the job is on a regular day, and how much tougher it got during the pandemic.

So many healthcare workers around the world are behind the scenes doing an amazing job, I thought it was time to recognise them.

What can you tell us about your upcoming EP, which is due out this autumn? Have you decided on a name for the project, and will there be any featured artists?

Oh I’m so excited about my debut EP! One of the tracks on the EP is called “I Dare You”, which I would quite like to use as the EP title but to be honest I am still undecided.

For my current releases I’ve been experimenting a lot trying to capture what my sound is, so each song has sounded quite different and not quite fit into a genre. Thankfully from that experience I have been able to solidify my signature sound as Pop Soul, which will be evident on my EP.

For this EP project I am combining soul influences in my vocals with antagonistic pop sounds; I am obsessed with the idea of bringing opposites together. At the same time, I still love a catchy danceable tune, so each track is going to be just that. I don’t have any featured artists (as yet) but I do love collaborating so watch this space…

Tell us about how you got started singing and songwriting. Who were the artists that influenced you musically when you were younger?

It’s a very cliché story but I grew up in church and I was always enthralled by the music and the singing. Back at home I was about 9 when I managed to convince my parents to give me an old radio with an in-built CD and cassette player that no one wanted. This was way before mp3 players came out. I wasn’t brave enough to ask them for money to buy CDs, so instead I bought empty cassettes and whenever a song came on the radio that I loved I would hit record and play (simultaneously) and dub it onto my cassette. This meant I spent a lot of time sitting by my radio! In terms of songwriting, I always had melodies in my head, or I would change melodies of well-known songs and get told off by everyone else for ruining the song.

I was very shy, so I ended up just keeping my songs to myself. I was 19 when I first let some friends in university listen to a song I wrote, and the feedback wasn’t very good! Thankfully I didn’t let that stop me.

Growing up I loved artists like Otis Redding, Luther Vandross, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson and they had and still have a lot of influence on me musically. Now artists like Jessie Ware and Troye Sivan are big inspirations for the music I create.

How would you describe the pop and soul music scene in Edinburgh? Are there a lot of venues to perform and is it difficult growing a fan base there?

There isn’t really a Pop Soul music scene in Edinburgh but luckily most venues do all types of genres, so it’s been great for me playing in different places. I launched my debut single in December 2020 during the pandemic, so I haven’t had a lot of performance opportunities where I would’ve been able to grow my fanbase. I think these things take time anyway.

I’m happy to keep creating music and improving myself and I’m sure the fanbase will grow at the right time. I am enjoying my journey as an artist, and I am really excited about what the future holds.

Stream and Share “New Life” on Spotify

Connect with Adonye B: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Soundcloud

Interview: New Haven Based Rapper Black Jewelz Talks About His New Song "King is Black"

“New Haven made me. That’s where I was lost and that’s where I was found. That’s where I started gaining acclaim as an emcee and a poet.”

— Black Jewelz

Congratulations on the release of your new song "King is Black"; tell us about your creative process for its development for songwriting and production standpoints.

Thank you. I made this beat on a whim. Starting with the basic beat and horn melody. As it progressed I wanted to make it have a certain energy or vibe. I wanted the track to be able to impact and carry the listener as it played. So I designed the arrangement and the various sounds to achieve the effect. I essentially wanted to make it like an abstract painting. That’s how the designing of it was for me at least.

Can we expect a music video for "King is Black", and will it be featured on your upcoming album "Strictly 4 Myself"?

It will not be in S4MS and there will not be a music video. Only because I don’t have the money for a video—not for a video done RIGHT anyway.

I have started a Patreon page for people who would like to support, one of the main things I want to be able to do is have professional videographers who can bring my ideas to life visually.

Speaking of "Strictly 4 Myself", what can you tell us about this album? Is it totally self-produced and are there featured guests?

S4MS will be self-produced, there will not be any guest features. It’s not going to be the typical sellable album. It is truly “strictly for myself.”

It’s concept album with a storyline, but it’s all about some of the darkest moments of my life over recent years. Most of it will probably be super depressing.

Tell us about how you got started writing rhymes and producing music; who were some artists and/or producers that inspired you artistically coming up?

I started writing rhymes as a little kid. I was amazed by rappers like Nas, Shady and Jigga. I also a HUGE Lauryn Hill fan. She influenced me in such a major way. I wouldn’t be who I am today without her music and influence, for sure.

My biggest influence was probably Tupac though. I got into Pac years after he died but his interviews and the documentaries about him just impacted me so immensely. His music used to speak to me a lot. If taught me a lot about how you can put passion into your music.

My favorite producers coming up were definitely Timbaland, The Neptunes and Kanye.

How would you say that your hometown of New Haven has influenced the music you create?

New Haven made me. That’s where I was lost and that’s where I was found. That’s where I started gaining acclaim as an emcee and a poet.

I’ve done a lot of work in the streets and stages there, and in the classrooms. Someday I want to be able to help reform the school system in New Haven.

Connect with Black Jewelz: Website | Facebook

Canadian Artist Hotel Decor Releases His Debut EP "Could It Take Me Any Longer"

Over the last few months Canadian artist Hotel Decor has given us two very awesome singles - ‘All The Rage’ & ‘Could It Take Me Any Longer’ – while also making promise of his debut EP coming our way very soon - and lucky for us, soon is now!

Fans of Toro Y Moi, Metronomy and Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs are really going to enjoy the sounds of Hotel Decor, as he blends elements of psychedelic-rock with chill-wave and indie-dance genres, ultimately forging a whole new sound and style all of his own.

“Could It Take Me Any Longer” is a modest four-track collection of songs which Csaba Laszlo, aka Hotel Decor, began writing just over a year ago. At that time, Csaba was releasing music under the name NVY, but as he continued experimenting with different sounds & styles, he felt this new music was actually moving in a different direction to the NVY vibe, and that a new project was the inevitable next phase in his musical evolution.

“This whole EP came together over the course of about a year. I really enjoyed making a collection of stylistically different songs. I decided to start doing vocals as I hit a pretty big stop with my previous project. It was an exciting project to work on as there wasn’t really any expectation as to what I would write or try to make. Especially with starting to do my own vocals, as I wanted to keep it as open ended as possible and write whatever I felt like. The tone of the entire EP ended up being me talking about the mundane and boxed in feelings I was experiencing.” – Hotel Decor

The EP is made up of the two previously heard singles ‘All The Rage’ and ‘Could It Take Me Any Longer, as well as two other previously unheard singles, ‘Maybe Not Tonight’ and ‘I Can’t Even Remember’, on which Csaba reveals..

“I Can’t Even Remember’ was the 3rd track I ended up finishing for the EP. I actually ended up finishing the vocal tracking on Halloween. The song is about me having a horrible attention span. My mind is constantly wandering even when it shouldn’t be. I produced the instrumental in Ableton and it was originally just supposed to be a house instrumental for DJ sets. I really ended up liking the the looping repetitive nature of the track and cut out some space for vocals in the arrangement.”

“Could It Take Me Any Longer” is available everywhere now via Mammal Sounds Records. Listen to it now, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with Hotel Decor on his social media.

Stream and Share “Could It Take Me Any Longer”

Connect with Hotel Decor: Instagram | Twitter

Coming Soon: Beats n Bars Festival 2021, Durham, NC, June 24th - 26th

"Building Stronger Communities through the influence of Urban Culture and Music”

As one of the few black women owned hip hop festivals, we've been through a lot as a community due to COVID. So to celebrate ourselves, our community and hip hop culture....

Beats n Bars Festival is FOR FREE.99!

The art of MCing, Breakdancing, DJing and graffiti all are integral elements that are culturally represented in our community. Through Beats n Bars, The Underground Collective is committed to sustaining the hip-hop sensibilities here in Durham.

Festival goers can expect to be actively engaged and increase their understanding of new ways to display and celebrate hip-hop. With craft and love of the culture, the Beats n Bars experience includes art display fixtures, panel discussions on culture relations and community impact, exposure to real hip hop music and an introduction to break out artists.

Get your FREE tickets here - https://www.eventbrite.com/e/beats-n-bars-festival-2021-tickets-157017472487

Connect with Beats n Bars Festival: Website | Twitter | Instagram

Emo Rap Artist Cody Presley Releases His Latest Cathartic EP "Twenty7"

Tampa-based hip-hop artist Cody Presley has released his newest EP, “Twenty7”, on all streaming platforms. The sophomore project is considered the complete follow-up to his previously released singles “Before You Go” and “Nosebleed.” Featuring production work from Vaegud, Sketchmyname, HXRXKILLER, and 5head - “Twenty7” EP is a reflection of Cody Presley’s personal struggles and thoughts.

Setting the sound and theme for the rest of the EP, “Twenty7” opens with “Welcome To The Club,” a track about sacrifice at rock bottom - partially inspired by the 27 Club conspiracy. The EP unravels emo trap bangers “Dead Inside” and “Nosebleed,” amping emotive riffs alongside 808s. The closing track, “Ghost,” takes a turn into a slower field, ultimately bringing audiences back full circle.

Cody Presley discusses his “Twenty7” EP with excitement:

“The team and I really poured a lot into this project, we’re really excited for everyone to hear it as a whole and just really feel the presence we put into it. We hope the when the fans listen to this project that they understand life is full of ups and downs, episodes, to just really tap into living in the moment. Whether it’s bad or good, life is an experience.” - Cody Presley

Growing up in Pensacola, Florida, Cody Presley used his small town hardships to his advantage; sharing his raw passion and pain through his music. Mixing elements of emo-rap, alternative, and trap - the 27-year-old’s discography of heartbreak and loss speak to the hopeless romantic in all of us. His singles “Dead Inside” and “Nosebleed” have amassed over 150k streams collectively; launching the emerging artist and producer to new heights in a fast-paced digital world. Cody Presley’s fans are drawn to his relatability in his lyricism and presence; there’s no choice but to pay attention.

In 2018, Cody released his debut EP, “There’s Always Tomorrow”. The album’s leading tracks, “i Think i” and “2 Good 4 U,” stem from a place of hope; focusing on Cody’s personable journey, being the voice for the forgotten and unseen.

Earlier this month, Cody released his latest single and music video for “Before You Go”; watch it below.

The “Twenty7” EP is available now to stream on all DSPs via Happy Place Music Group. Listen to it right now, and connect with Cody Presley on his social media.

Connect with Cody Presley: Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

To the Creators, the Value: Audius Puts Ownership in the Hands of Artists and Fans

What if artists owned the means of distribution and promotion? That radical question launched Audius, the decentralized music protocol and largest consumer-facing blockchain-based app running today.

Audius was designed to put control and ownership into the hands of creators and fans, building a community and an ecosystem where ideas flowed from those using it. “We want to give power to the artists who are making the system valuable and we realized that meant we had to give ownership to artists using it,” explains CEO and Co-founder Roneil Rumburg. “In any reasonable view of the world, what makes UGC platforms like YouTube and Soundcloud valuable is the content. Who’s making it? The creators. The tech isn’t the value, the content is, and we knew we had to reorient the system to valuing it appropriately.”

Born from disillusionment with existing UGC and streaming platforms, Audius’ founders wanted to preserve all the best qualities of the music communities they loved while giving new opportunities to the artists who made the music happen. “We were power users of Soundcloud and then later of Spotify,” says CPO and Co-founder Forrest Browning. “We were building these castles out of sound, but then we’d come back and half the songs were gone. You can't build a robust community when the music’s always disappearing.”

Rumburg and Browning were the kind of super fans who cared about and needed that community. Rumburg avidly collected music, doing deep dives into new genres and compiling extensive playlists and libraries, the kind of user who discovers there’s a limit to the number of songs certain streaming platforms let you like. He and Browning both loved Soundcloud for its artists and the innovative new interactions--from mashups to remixes--they inspired among fans.

Tired of watching the music they loved evaporate due to licensing or metadata woes, they decided to create a new system that would prevent this problem. What’s more, they imagined a world that rewarded artists more adequately for their work. “We wanted to make the data transparent via artist-controlled rails,” Rumburg notes. “And with the cost of distributing music close to zero, we didn’t see the need for all the middlemen.”

They decided that blockchain, paired with a user-friendly, familiar interface, could accomplish their goals of permanence, transparency, and empowerment. Both Browning and Rumburg had impressive tech backgrounds to match their passion for music. Browning had built consumer apps and mobile games before raising several million dollars for an enterprise software startup that eventually sold to VMWare. He was named one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30. Rumburg had been working in cryptocurrency and blockchain for years and helped Kleiner Perkins start a new venture fund.

Though they had the tech down, Rumburg cautions that, “The tech is a small piece of the puzzle.”

The community of artists and fans Audius hoped to cultivate was more important. Thanks to its token, AUDIO, its community has a clear way to contribute to and shape Audius. The token, which has no value outside the platform, helps incentivize positive contributions and behavior, and has inspired some innovative initiatives among Audius users. For example, users proposed a portion of the community treasury of AUDIO be used to give grants to encourage everything from festival founding to playlisting and remixes by creators, administered by a group of avid creators and users.

Audius also allows users to propose and create new features. There was an enthusiastic contingent on Audius that desperately wanted dark mode. The Audius team had other priorities to tackle first, so a user built it himself. “The community spoke to us by going out and doing it themselves. They knew best what they wanted,” muses Rumburg. “We want them to act on what’s best for the community, not wait around for our permission.”

While the co-op model of ownership and governance marks a significant change in the way music is distributed and enjoyed, the truly exciting part comes with the new types of interactions the tech unlocks for Audius’ highly creative user community. “When we think about artist-fan relationships, we see the tech is a means to an end. It’s not about the token; it’s about the cool new features because of the crazy tech behind the scenes,” says Browning. “It’s about tapping into all of the cool things people miss about Soundcloud and creating new ones, ways that help you engage the superfans who want exclusives or behind-the-scenes content or every single rough mix you’ve ever made.”

“The root is artist empowerment. The downstream effect we believe will be better artist monetization in the long run,” says Rumburg. “But you can’t get there without the power and freedom to make things useful.”

About Audius

Audius is a digital streaming service that connects fans directly with artists and exclusive new music.

It does this by being fully decentralized: Audius is owned and run by a vibrant, open-source community of artists, fans, and developers all around the world. Audius gives artists the power to share never-before-heard music and monetize streams directly. Developers can build their own apps on top of Audius, giving them access to one of the most unique audio catalogs in existence.

Backed by an all-star team of investors, Audius was founded in 2018 and serves millions of users every month, making it one of the largest crypto applications ever built.

Learn more at https://audius.co

Interview: Sharkorama Talks About His Latest Album "Wicked Machine"

“This is a ‘city of neighborhoods,’ each with its own character and flaws, but still undeniably Chicago. I like to compile projects with that mindset...”

— Sharkorama

Congratulations on the completion and release of your new album "Wicked Machine"; describe for us your creative process for its development and how long it took for you to finish.

Hey, thanks! I recorded about 90% of the album in a string of all-nighters between Christmas and New Year's Day. I had a few dozen ideas -- chords, hooks, lyrical phrases -- recorded in some form of crude demo and needed about a week to sink my teeth into them and develop them into, you know, actual songs. I think squeezing my creative output into a tight window like that lends a sense of urgency to the sound. From there, it took me a few months' worth of sporadic bouts of attention from there to revisit a few takes, get the mix right, and make it the thing I wanted it to be.

Were there songs that you recorded that did not make the final track list? If so, why did they not make the cut?

Yeah, just a few. The two instrumental tracks were actually attached to larger songs. I just didn't get the feel I wanted from them.

They wound up being a bit too serious and didn't match the playful nature of the rest of the album, though I thought the guitar parts contributed nicely to the pacing of the project.

Maybe they'll reappear in a future project. I was also tinkering with some more sample and synth-based tracks, largely composed on my OP-1, but I think I'll be spinning those off into a separate project.

Tell us about the Sharkorama name's origin, and why you decided to release music under that moniker.

Sharky was the name of my family dog growing up, and, naturally, 'Sharkorama' was one of the various nicknames I bestowed upon him.

In the late '00s I started a blog and hosted it at sharkorama.com, a domain that was strangely available for purchase. I mainly used that as a vehicle to release songs for a spell. So when I was ready to properly release an album, Sharkorama was the obvious choice to carry my voice and pay homage to Sharky (RIP buddy).

Would you say that your hometown of Chicago inspires the music that you make from a songwriting perspective?

Almost certainly, though I'm having a hard time articulating how, exactly. Assuredly the personalities, architecture, geography, and general aura shape my rough-around-the-edges-but-well-meaning sound. Most importantly, this city is a continual reminder that things don't have to be homogenous to fit into a collective whole.

This is a 'city of neighborhoods,' each with its own character and flaws, but still undeniably Chicago. I like to compile projects with that mindset; each track has its own voice and perspective but with a distinctive sound and spirit that makes it all fit together.

With the "Wicked Machine" album now released, what are some of your goals musically for the rest of 2021?

I have some music videos in the works! Keep your eyes peeled for those very soon. I also have a few new Sharkorama tracks that should see the light of day over the summer. It's been quite some time since I've had the opportunity to play a show, and with things opening up again, that may soon become a possibility, even if it's just at the local record shop. But I'm most looking forward to spending a week (or more) back in the basement, working on the next LP.

Stream and Share “Wicked Machine” on: Spotify | Bandcamp

Connect with Skarkorama: Website | Twitter | Instagram

Interview: Chicago Based Rap Artist Kai Akili Discusses His Debut EP "Off the Grid"

“Off the Grid” is typically used to describe someone who has detached from their native surroundings. It’s mainly a play on words, as Chicago’s navigation system is set up like a grid.”

— Kai Akili

Congratulations on the release of your debut EP "Off the Grid"; tell us about your creative process for its development and how you connected with Malik Ismail who provided its production.

Thanks a lot. It took a lot to get to this point. The process started back in 2016. Malik and I were friends who had known each other during high school. By the time I got to college, I had just started rapping. He had a song in mind for me that he planned to use on another project he was working on. After hearing the song and sitting with it for a while, it led us to create an entire project ourselves. Me being in school at the time inspired a lot of the narrative aspects.

What does the title "Off the Grid" mean to you and what does it represent for the EP's four songs?

"Off the Grid” is typically used to describe someone who has detached from their native surroundings. It's mainly a play on words, as Chicago's navigation system is set up like a grid.

In this sense, I left Chicago to go to school in New Orleans to develop myself as an artist. I literally went off the grid to find myself, ultimately realizing that I can't run from me or my problems by relocating.

Were there songs that you recorded for the EP that did not make the final cut? If so, why did you decide to not include them?

Yes, actually. The song that inspired us to do the project didn't even make it to the final. There's a plan for it all, though.

This project as well as future drops from within Black Tide Entertainment are going to fall under several new live and digital experiences with a main theme of Afro-Futurism. You can expect "Off the Grid" to evolve throughout the year. I'm looking forward to showing you all more later this summer.

With the "Off the Grid" EP now released, what are some of your goals musically for the rest of 2021?

I love playing the piano and composing pieces. A lot of people aren't aware of my musical background, so I plan to lean on that a bit more to open the door for more live performances.

I'm starting a mini-series called "Kai's Korner" where I cover a few of my favorite songs, and I may include of few of the homies, too. Look out for that soon!

Tell us about your company Black Tide Entertainment; why did you create it and what are your goals for it?

Black Tide Entertainment is a fine arts and entertainment management company. It started as a student organization at Dillard University in 2015, hosting open mics on campus for local talent.

As of today it exists as a platform-building creative collective in both Chicago and New Orleans. We've curated experiences such as artist showcases, brunches, community drives, and social awareness exhibits behind the idea that art can be used as a form of therapy.

We have a lot more in store as these next few months get underway, so stay tuned with the team to stay up to date!

Stream and Share “Off the Grid”

Connect with Kai Akili: Website | Twitter | Instagram

Hot 97's Peter Rosenberg Releases His Debut Album "Real Late"

Peter Rosenberg has just released his debut album “Real Late”. The album is not just a DJ compilation, rather it is a love letter to the kind of hip hop that hits you in the heart. Expertly curated by Rosenberg down to every detail of production and vocalist pairings, Real Late includes the previously-released singles "Marcus Smart," "Stain," and "Next Chamber."

Comprised of soulful production from a wide range of contemporary producers as well as the legendary Buckwild (DITC, Biggie, Black Rob), the album features the iconic Roc Marci, Styles P of the Lox, Jim Jones and more alongside some of today’s most beloved underground MCs such as Westside Gunn, Crimeapple, and Smoke DZA as well as verses from three founding members of Wu-Tang Clan (Ghostface, Raekwon, and Method Man).

The album also arrives ahead of Rosenberg's performance as part of Top Shelf Premium's show Supply & Demand on July 10th in Brooklyn. Hosted by Luke Cage, the show features Rosenberg as well as Fly Siifu, Vel the Wonder, Rome Streetz, Chuck Strangers and more, alongside vendors such as Classic Material New York and Guttah Wear. Purchase tickets here.

Listen to “Real Late: right now, stream the album on your preferred music service and connect with Peter Rosenberg on his social media.

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Connect with Peter Rosenberg: Twitter | Instagram

Interview: Birmingham, AL Band Lady Legs Talk About Their Latest Album "Off Days"

““Off Days” was written with more collaboration between band members. Everyone individually helped craft each song and different genres and soundscapes were explored.”

— Lady Legs

We're blown away by your latest album "Off Days"; congratulations on its completion and release. Tell us about your creative process for the album's 14 songs.

GG: Thank you so much. These songs started coming together around the time our first album was wrapping up recording. It was a combination of the type of spontaneous writing that comes about during practices and hanging out, and isolated writing when we were on our own. Some of them were fresh ideas, some were old ideas that resurfaced from years ago and had finally found their place with the new.

I think we were all in a place where we could be really expressive but also productive. It was a period of change and we were all in it together.

How would you say that "Off Days" is different from your first album "Holy Heatwave" from a conceptual and sonic standpoint?

JS: “Off Days” was written with more collaboration between band members. Everyone individually helped craft each song and different genres and soundscapes were explored. We also experimented with a lot of saxophone with help from our friend Chris Spies (who's currently playing with Marcus King) and used more synth and piano than we had on the previous record.

“Holy Heatwave” was recorded fully analog to tape whereas “Off Days” was recorded digitally giving songs the freedom to evolve in the studio without the constraints of working with tape.

Lady Legs was formed in Auburn, Alabama; how did you all meet initially and then decide to form the band?

GG: John and I knew each other a bit from high school and were taking the same curriculum in college. After recognizing each other in a class we went out and took a smoke break and started talking music. I showed him some rough recordings I’d made of my playing, and from there we started writing, just me playing guitar and him playing drums, which was when we first started writing songs.

EB: John knew me from high school, and Seth from the Auburn music scene. He got us all together, and when we started playing, something definitely felt right. But the band formed in a very organic way. We never explicitly decided to organize or advertise - we just loved playing music together, and we’re lucky enough to have opportunities start to come our way.

Tell us about the experience of playing in Austin for SXSW 2017.

GG: SXSW was dope. We drove all the way from AL, crammed in the car with our gear. We got there and our label, Communicating Vessels, had rented out a space and we were staying with all the other bands from the label.

Ended up sharing a stage with Meatbodies, The Parrots, and Turquoise Jeep, amongst others. We met Martin Courtney from Real Estate, who ended up adding us to the guest list, which I think was actually his grocery list, for a Birmingham show that was like 6 months out . Super nice guy. And a bunch of other ridiculous stuff happened that made it one of the most memorable experiences I’ve ever had.

It was hard to leave, but we’re looking to go back the next chance we get.

How would you describe the music scene in Birmingham? Are there a lot of venues to perform at and are locals generally supportive of homegrown talent?

JS: There are a lot of talented musicians in Birmingham and the local music scene has always been there to support them. Even if you aren’t playing a big stage, almost every bar and brewery hosts shows for local bands. There’s a tight knit community of bands here willing to share bills together and collaborate.

A lot of the groups here share the same members so it’s always nice to see different musicians' talents highlighted in whatever projects they might be working with.

With "Off Days" released, what are the band's goals musically for the rest of 2021?

GG: We want this record to be heard, so we’ve got some shows in the works and are looking to play some festivals.

On the creative side, we are all currently working on solo stuff since social distancing has made collaboration a little tougher, but once we’re able to get together again that collaboration is gonna pick back up.

Read our review of “Off Days” HERE

Stream and Share “Off Days” on: Spotify | Apple Music

Connect with Lady Legs: Instagram

Review: "Off Days" Album by Lady Legs

Birmingham based band Lady Legs embrace a sun-drenched garage rock on the joyous jangle of their latest album “Off Days”. These are woozy, wild and wonderful journeys that delight in unexpected ways. Everything here has a dreamy aura behind it for they radiate such warmth and good cheer.

Beyond the gentle, Lady Legs know how to let loose with a wild-eyed animalistic fervor. Vocals have such tenderness about them for every verse is delivered for maximum impact. Interplay within the group has a fantastic quality to it, like a bunch of friends who have played together for years and know each other’s quirks.

Parallels to their work include the painfully short-lived Texas group Harlem in terms of their similar “go for broke” emphasis. Lady Legs race on through much of the sound, letting the beats flirt with the breaking point. On the kinder, laid-back tracs, they conjure up imagery of Mac DeMarco’s “Salad Days/Old Dog” period for there is a beauty to the way they bring color into the fray in rather delicate ways. Every track builds off the last and Lady Legs pay close attention to sequencing, making the album a gorgeous trip.

A neat little backwards effect introduces the album with gusto on the commanding presence of “Quit Bringing Me Down” which opens things on a high note. Doubling down on the speed is the Car Seat Headrest chaos of “City Slickers”. The funky fresh feeling of “Run with the Fade” is a pure piece of bliss. Grooves have a taut quality to them on “Not Right” as they let the energy bubble over.

Fuzzed-out guitars give “Idle Hands” a strange rural psychedelic mood, as they have a carefree attitude. Riffs intertwine on the thoughtful reflection of the title track “Off Days” where they tap into a pastoral beauty. By far the highlight emerges on “Thank You”. Part surf rock, part jazz, part indie pop, but all haze, there is a delightful atmosphere that runs through it. Effortlessly closing the album out is the sprawling ambitious “Slippin”.

“Off Days” shows off Lady Legs deft skill in crafting a universe full of playfulness, with infectious riffs and giddy lyricism.

Stream and Share “Off Days” on: Spotify | Apple Music

Melbourne Alt Hip-Hop Artist Olive Amun Drops His New EP "Don't Leave Yet"

One of the brightest newcomers around, rising Australian up and comer Olive Amun justifies recent hype with the reveal of a stellar body of work, Don’t Leave Yet. A vibrant collection of cuts showcasing the versatility of Amun across a variety of genre, this project marks him as a surefire one to watch this year. Look out for more very soon.

22-year-old Melbourne talent Olive Amun is primed to be the next Australian commanding attention in the alternative hip-hop space with his debut project, Don't Leave Yet—a collection of love-soaked modern hits that are equal-parts blissful and wistful. Inspired by everything from acoustic-guitar led bossa ballads to 808-heavy trap, Olive has delivered a dynamic, yet coherent introductory project with two radio-ready singles: "Blues" and "Bad Dreams".

“I noticed in a lot of the demos I was making, I kept saying these 3 words… don’t. leave. yet. It was unintentional, but after a while I knew this was the recurring theme and had to be what I base this project off of. Don’t Leave Yet is filled with self exploration; musically and figuratively speaking. This was the first time I got comfortable with the uncomfortable and didn’t hold anything back. After about 6 months and 50+ song ideas, I finally had the EP I was looking for. When you play it front to back you really get a taste of everything that I have in my locker. I knew I had so much more to give artistically than I had showcased in the past, and this body of work was the perfect opportunity for me to finally go for it and not hold anything back.”

A carefree and insanely fun batch of songs on the surface, Don't Leave Yet subtly and concisely captures the tumultuousness of modern romance, overflowing with contradicting emotions and vivid imagery at every turn. Beyond earworm hooks and addicting melodies, the underlying genius of these songs exposes itself more with each listen, making this a repeat-worthy project bound to impact many.

Listen to Olive’s DOPE new EP “Don’t Leave Yet” right now, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with him on social media.

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Connect with Olive Amun: Twitter | Instagram

South Korean Rapper B.I Unveils His Debut Album as a Solo Artist, "WATERFALL"

South Korean rapper, singer-songwriter, and record producer, B.I, has dropped his first full-length album as a solo artist, “WATERFALL”. This highly anticipated release also consists of a music video for the title track, “illa illa,” which was written and composed by B.I. The video has garnered nearly 3 million views within the first few hours, and the album has jumped to #2 on the iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap albums chart just below DMX. “WATERFALL” comes fresh off the release of “Got It Like That,” a collaboration with Destiny Rogers and Tyla Yaweh. This fuse of cultures and genres did not go unnoticed, with AV Club, stating “The Stereotypes, the team that produced the track, has a lofty resumé [...] so in joining forces with someone with as unerring a knack for hooks as B.I., it was basically impossible for this song to not be an absolute banger. Guest Destiny Rogers’ light and dreamy vocals pair smoothly with fellow visitor Tyla Yaweh’s energetic ad libs; by the time the powerhouse rapper enters with his melodic flow and boastful lyrics, it’s hard not to believe in the power of an impeccably produced pop track.”

Consisting of 12 tracks, B.I’s ‘1st Full Album [WATERFALL]’ is a story of his musical journey and appreciation for all the people who have helped and supported him along the way. Water in many literary works represents the flow of life, and each track on this album is meant to take its listener on a journey together from the waterfall to the vast seaside. “The waterfall that begins with falling down, That’s me”; a lyric that stood out and impressed viewers around the world during B.I’s appearance on South Korea’s Rap Competition, Show Me The Money in 2014, is now coming back full circle as a lyric on track 01. “WATERFALL.” 7 years later, after his debut, B.I is breaking into the scene with his first album, “WATERFALL”, knowing well the difficulties and challenges of walking down the path of one’s passion. This album is symbolically referencing the idea that the only way is up when people fall down.

Title track “illa illa,” most simply put, is about hope. B.I elaborates; “I wrote the song wishing that it could provide comfort to those that listen to it. Everyone has their own struggles whether it be with relationships, work, family, loneliness. As much as it can seem difficult at the time, there is a beach in the distance. To remember that every chapter that closes just means that a new chapter is about to begin.” Another stand out track on this album, “Daydream,” features K-Pop powerhouse Lee Hi, and marks their second collaboration. “I wrote this song as a reminder of the dreams I used to have and feel. The feeling of waking up from a deep sleep and a sweet dream that seemed so real, covering up a cloudy and unfamiliar universe where I felt lost. Watching beautiful stars fall from the sky daily is how quickly a beautiful daydream can pass.” The album closes out with the track “Re-birth,” a message to himself and listeners that every new road must start at the beginning.

Listen to “WATERFALL” right now, and connect with B.I on his social media.

Connect with B.I: Twitter | Instagram

Review: "Wicked Machine" Album by Sharkorama

Chicago based artist Cody Knauer aka Sharkorama stuns on the heartfelt ode to 90s indie rock pop with the pitch-perfect “Wicked Machine”. There is a sense of nervous swagger about it, for the hyper-articulate lyricism works wonders alongside the playfully strange arrangements. A wide variety of twists and turns define the songs, for they have a loose, lo-fi aesthetic to them. With a deep understanding of rock’s history, Sharkorama mines this knowledge and places it alongside wry observational humor for a sound that is quite charming. Rhythms have a mellowed atmosphere about them, and the riffs that adorn much of it have a joyous attitude about them. Nothing overstays its welcome for these pieces are kept to the essentials for a style that has a timelessness to it.

The influences abound throughout the whole of the album. On the lo-fi kick, they tap into the spirit of early Guided By Voices, for there’s that same adoration for a raw, gritty, earnestness. Jokes race through, and their sense of humor works perfect for their underdog stories. Various rhythms and grooves recall a bit of Sebadoh’s first albums, as there is a delicate vulnerable side to what they do. Humor is an important part of the whole album, for music geeks will appreciate the subtle nods to the Beatles, Guns N’Roses, and a whole bunch of other bands thrown into the mix, referenced with pure love.

On the opener “Topic of Conversation” they introduce their droll wit, for the song unfurls at its own pace. Fuzzed-out in a delirious din comes the hazy atmosphere of “Wicked Machine”. Delicate to its core “When Will I Stop” has tremendously powerful wordplay. Going for an intimate approach “Don’t Trust the Warden” has a fire behind it. Rhythms have a loose, giddy attitude on the thoughtful and wonderfully titled “The Dishwasher Sound Like Bob Seger”. Sounding like a long-lost Red House Painters demo is the gentle demeanor of “Some Days I Feel Like Pete Best”. Things are held together by twine on the spirited “All My Favorite Bands”. With a reflective stance the meditative finale of “Warwick” brings it all to a close.

“Wicked Machine” has a wide-eyed kindness to it, for Sharkorama has truly lived this life of passion for music and it shows.

Stream and Share “Wicked Machine” on: Spotify | Bandcamp