Interview: Mr.Reaper Talks About His Newly Released Single/Video "Awaken"

“I aim to be known as a versatile artist who can reach listeners in many different ways and is here to make some noise.”

— Mr.Reaper

Congratulations on the release of your new single "Awaken", and its music video. What initially motivated you to write the song and who produced it?

The music was produced by Yah Mo Beatz. I was inspired to do a song that I wanted to talk about my musical journey, my goals and other aspirations. I wanted to introduce that we all go through same situations or habits that repeat itself daily.

Sometimes we have to change these cycles for opportunities and other situations to work out in our favor. No matter if we suffer through a losing battle called life. We got to keep moving. Coming to this full realization has opened my eyes and awaken my mind and soul.

In regards to the music video, how did you and Steve Broy Photography come up with the treatment, and would you say that your vision was fully realized?

Both Steve and I have done a great job of collaborating our thoughts and ideas to make a good visual production. We bounce these ideas off each other and work harmoniously together.

I also had a lot of vision on how and what I would like to incorporate in the video. Including venue location, cut scene shooting dynamics and timing of the scenes that pair well with the music. We were eager to make this video stand out in a unique way compared to others.

I also felt like music is an art. I wanted to showcase that in the video and show my levels of creativity as an artist.

Tell us about the EP that you released last year entitled "Light vs Dark"; what are you most proud of with that project, and do you have a follow-up in the making?

“Light vs Dark” was an album I created in early 2021. I wanted to focus on the concept that we have a light and dark side within us. This in terms was not about positive or negative. Instead I wanted to portray it differently. It's more like the mind vs the heart. You can't have too much focus on one side as it can lead to detrimental behaviors and other repercussions. Instead, if you have a perfect balance between the two. You can accomplish anything and improve self mastery within yourself.

I felt like that was where I have been on, self improvement through all tasks I am experiencing in this lifetime. I am very proud of the album as a whole because it showcase my unique talents/style of my musical composition and abilities as an artist.

I aim to be known as a versatile artist who can reach listeners in many different ways and is here to make some noise. With that being said, I have a few more single releases that will solidify that notion as well. I'm also eager to get a new EP going some time in 2023.

With "Awaken" now released, what are some of your goals musically for the remainder of 2022?

For the rest of 2022, I have a few more singles coming out. The big summer banger called “Come Follow Me And We Ride” will be out at the end of next month in July.

I want to keep establishing my brand, reaching new listeners, viewers and subscribers. I seek to do a collaboration with another music artist and then eventually in the future, do some live performances. But right now my goal is to grow. To showcase my talent through all platforms whether it be audio/visual and any other avenue. This way I can establish a market for my music and continue marketing my talents worldwide.

Connect with Mr.Reaper: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

Apollo Brown Announces New Album "This Must Be the Place" Due Out July 8th, and Shares New Single "It Just Is"

Detroit beatmaker Apollo Brown announces his new album “This Must Be the Place” due out July 8th on Mello Music Group. “This Must Be The Place” is the prolific veteran producer’s first instrumental project in 8 years! Along with the announcement, Brown drops the album’s lead single “It Just Is”. Highlighted by shimmering synths, the lo-fi Hip-Hop tune serves as a brilliant teaser for the upcoming album.

“This Must Be the Place” is a continuation of Brown’s celebrated 2011 album, “Clouds”, as well as a departure from it. “Clouds” was melancholic boom-bap made for the fall, the soundtrack to a ruminative walk through a leaf-strewn park beneath gray skies, but Brown’s new album “This Must Be the Place” trades somberness for warm nostalgia and glimmers of hope. Brown offers moments for reflective gratitude and portals of escape through new permutations of East Coast-rooted boom-bap, his drums hitting with concussive force as snares crack like ice on midwestern lakes.

Though Brown is a consummate and discerning crate digger, he sought different source material for “This Must Be the Place.” After soliciting compositions from ten trusted sound designers, Brown holed up in his basement home studio, looping, chopping, and deconstructing their work to create 21 wide-ranging productions. Thumping music box grooves (“Butter”) and wistful, jazz-imbued suites (“Nervous Goodbyes”) bump next to ethereal intergalactic funk, beats accented by synths that glint like stars shooting past psychedelic nebulae with drums seemingly sourced from colliding asteroids (“Escapism,” “Jupiter Gold”). For every instrumental that inspires reflection, another transports you above the clouds and to the cosmos. At every sonic turn, “This Must Be the Place” can remind you to appreciate living the life you imagined or push you as you navigate there.

In Apollo’s extensive catalog, knocking instrumental projects like “Clouds” (2011) and the noir-tinged “Thirty Eight” (2014) bump alongside acclaimed full-length albums with revered and elite veterans: Ghostface Killah (The Brown Tape), Ras Kass (Blasphemy), OC (Trophies), Planet Asia (Anchovies), Skyzoo (The Easy Truth), Stalley (Blacklight), and Joell Ortiz (Mona Lisa). On 2021’s “Lovesick”, Apollo adapted his sound for R&B and the velvety vocals of Raheem Devaughn. His collaborations always occur in the studio, as he cherishes the in-person synergy that yields each album’s cohesiveness.

Prolific Michigan producer Apollo Brown transposes the happiness he’s found in his career, family, and circle of friends into his new album. Brown is excited to release “This Must Be the Place” on July 8th via Mello Music Group.

Pre-order “This Must Be the Place”: https://orcd.co/thismustbetheplace and connect with Apollo Brown on his social media.

Connect with Apollo Brown: Instagram | Twitter

California Metalcore Band SECRETS Release Their Ferocious New Album "The Collapse"

CA based metalcore stalwarts SECRETS released their crushing new album The Collapse on Velocity Records. Garnering steady hype from a dynamic series of singles including titular track "The Collapse" and follow up "Get Outta My Head", the new album showcases the bands relentless creative drive and ability to craft heavy music that has solidified their place as one of the most exciting voices in their genre and beyond. The record was produced by long time collaborator Tom Denney (formerly of ADTR).

The Collapse is a caustic 12 track tour-de-force of metalcore fury that is equal parts aggressive and emotive. Angular riffs weave in and out of each other building to explosive crescendos supported by a brutally heavy grooves. Powerhouse vocals courtesy of the bands dual frontmen juxtapose soaring melodies against anguished and guttural screams, delivering lyrics with chilling effect. The band doesn't shy away from unknown territory - incorporating previously unexplored electronic elements and influences pulled from a gamut of genres that speak to the maturity of their songwriting ability. Focus track "Lost" is a ferocious statement piece on an album full of explosive moments, fans will undoubtably find themselves connecting with each song in new ways with every spin of the record. You can stream The Collapse here.

The band has this to say about their latest album:

"The Collapse is our 5th LP and was written in two parts, pre-pandemic and during the pandemic. The album covers topics of anxiety, depression, addiction, loss and hope. We wrote this album in one of the most confusing times we've ever experienced, but we believe that the best art comes from times of struggle and this collection of songs proves that. You can expect aggressive in your face breakdowns, soaring choruses, and lyrics straight from the heart. We want people to walk away from listening to this album a little shaken up, but ultimately left with a sense of hope that they're not alone in their struggle."

The band spent the early part of 2022 reintroducing audiences across the country to their massive sound as part of The Velocity Records Tour alongside labelmates Scary Kids Scaring Kids, D.R.U.G.S., Dead American and Glasslands. They plan to spend the remainder of this year touring in support of their new album and beginning work on their next studio offering.

Listen to SECRETS’ brand new album “The Collapse” right now, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with the band on their social media.

Stream and Share “The Collapse”

Connect with SECRETS: Instagram | Twitter

Singer-Songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen Announces The So Nice Tour

Multi-Platinum GRAMMY®, JUNO and Polaris Prize nominated singer/songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen announces a fall North American headline tour. Her first North American headline tour since 2019, The So Nice Tour will kick off September 24th at MTELUS in Montreal, QC and will make stops at marquee venues including Radio City Music Hall in New York City and The Greek Theatre in Los Angeles. Empress Of will support tour dates from Sept. 24 to Nov. 5 with her forthcoming EP Save Me out June 24.

Artist presale is Wednesday, June 8 at 10am local time. Fans can register for artist presale codes on Jepsen’s tour dates page: www.carlyraemusic.com/tour. General on sale is Friday, June 10 at 10am local time. Jepsen has partnered with PLUS1 so that $1 from every ticket sold will go to The Ally Coalition’s work to support homeless and at-risk LGBTQ youth.

Two already announced co-headline dates with Bleachers; September 21 in Cleveland, OH and September 22 in Toronto, ON, are already on sale and precedes The So Nice Tour. Jepsen will also make a stop in Austin on October 7 for the Austin City Limits Festival. See below for a complete list of tour dates.

Jepsen’s The So Nice Tour announce follows the May release of her highly anticipated single “Western Wind”, and the accompanying video, which Jepsen first performed during her set at Coachella. Co-written by Jepsen and Rostam Batmanglij, “Western Wind” continues a collaboration the two musicians first kicked off with E*MO*TION. A major creative milestone for Jepsen, E*MO*TION inspired in-depth analysis from cultural critics and landed on multiple year-end “best of” lists including Pitchfork, Stereogum, Noisey, NPR, and many more. Released in 2019, her follow-up album Dedicated covered even more musical and emotional ground. Working with a crew of trusted songwriters and producers (among them John Hill, Jack Antonoff, Captain Cuts, Patrik Berger, and her longtime collaborator Tavish Crowe), Jepsen indulged in more sonic experimentation than she had in the past. She returned the following May with a gift for her fans: Dedicated Side B, a buoyant set of dance-floor tunes that affirmed her status as pop’s undefeatable ambassador of love. Much more to come from Carly Rae Jepsen in 2022.

Below is a complete list of North American tour dates for Carly Rae Jepsen. For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit www.carlyraemusic.com/tour

Connect with Carly Rae Jepsen: Twitter | Instagram

Demi Lovato Announces 8th Studio Album, "HOLY FVCK", Arriving August 19th

GRAMMY-nominated global superstar Demi Lovato has announced their 8th studio album, HOLY FVCK, will be released on Friday, August 19, 2022 via Island Records. The 16-track album is a sonic journey grounded in Demi’s rock and pop-punk roots and illustrates an earnest yet tongue-in-cheek retrospective of their life experiences. HOLY FVCK is available for pre-order on Demi’s webstore HERE.

“The process of making this album has been the most fulfilling yet, and I’m grateful to my fans and collaborators for being on this journey with me. Never have I been more sure of myself and my music, and this record speaks that for itself. To my Lovatics who have been rocking out with me since the beginning and those who are just now coming along for the ride, thank you. This record is for you,” states Demi.

The album’s highly-anticipated lead single “Skin of My Teeth,” will arrive this Friday, June 10, alongside it’s music video. Demi will be performing the new song on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon this Thursday, June 9th. The infectious rock-laced track showcases Demi’s multi-faceted artistry and powerhouse vocals. The song was produced by Warren Felder (OAK), and written by Demi Lovato, Alex Niceforo, Keith Sorrells, Laura Veltz, and Aaron Puckett (lil aaron).

The album follows Demi’s critically acclaimed seventh studio album, Dancing With The Devil… The Art Of Starting Over, which debuted at #1 on the Billboard Album Sales Chart and #2 on the Billboard Top 200 Chart, following its release on April 2nd.

Be on the lookout for Demi’s new single, “Skin of My Teeth”, on Friday, the “HOLY FVCK” album on August 19th and connect with her on social media.

Connect with Demi Lovato: Twitter | Instagram

Genre-bending Popstar Remi Wolf Returns With Her Newly Released "Juno Deluxe" Album

Genre-bending popstar and rulebreaker Remi Wolf has returned with the release of her new deluxe album Juno Deluxe out now via Island Records. The revamped version of Wolf’s breakout record Juno features her latest release “Michael” plus three new tracks as well as an intimate live version of Juno’s original closer “Street You Live On.” Alongside the deluxe album comes a new music video for “Cake,” a dramatic and trippy visual that documents Wolf’s night after she received a spontaneous cake tattoo. “Cake” is a return to the fun, playful side of Wolf’s creative nature and is sure to become an early favorite summer anthem. The new track premiered yesterday as BBC Radio 1's Hottest Record.

On the deluxe album, Wolf shares “I wanted the new songs featured on the Juno Deluxe album to act as bookends to the writing process of the Juno era of my life. ‘Fired’ and ‘Sugar’ were both written right before I started seriously working on Juno, while ‘Cake’ and ‘Michael’ were written right after the album came out. I have so much nostalgia for these songs. They send me right back to where I was mentally and physically during, before, and after one of the most challenging, creative, and interesting times of my life. I hope when you hear them, you see some yourself in the lyrics and most importantly, dance and sing!”

Juno, Wolf’s first full-length album, dropped late last year to high-praise from the likes of The New York Times, NPR, Billboard, and Pitchfork. Her recent single “Michael” showed a darker, more sentimental side of the pop singer that heavily intrigued both fans and press alike. The four new tracks appearing on Juno Deluxe provide insights into Wolf’s constant evolution as an artist, further highlighting her as one of the most exciting and unique names in pop music.

Wolf’s whimsical, candid take on pop music has continued to resonate with fans and critics alike, with Juno racking up 70 million streams to date and her entire catalog reaching over 1 billion global streams. Always spinning multiple plates, Wolf is also fresh off an airy collaboration with Still Woozy entitled “Pool,” and announced partnerships with footwear companies UGG & Crocs for creative campaigns. She has been busy opening for Lorde on her Solar Power North American tour, is slated to perform with Red Hot Chili Peppers and Nas in Florence, IT this June, and to hit the road in the UK/EU and perform at Hangout Festival and Lollapalooza this summer before embarking on her North American GWINGLE GWONGLE tour in fall.

Vibe out to “Juno Deluxe” below, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with Remi Wolf on her social media.

Stream and Share “Juno Deluxe”

Connect with Remi Wolf: Instagram | Twitter

GRAMMY-Winning Rapper Lupe Fiasco Announces His Next Album and Releases New Single "AUTOBOTO"

GRAMMY-winning rapper Lupe Fiasco announces his next album “DRILL MUSIC IN ZION”, out June 24th via 1st & 15th / Thirty Tigers. The announcement comes with the release of the first single from the album “AUTOBOTO”.

Twisting and contorting the English language to fit the meter and his every whim, Lupe Fiasco uses his superb lyrical skill to process the changing world in which he lives. Drawing connections between the concrete and spiritual in his hometown of Chicago, Lupe announces “DRILL MUSIC IN ZION”, his next album. The product of a burst of thoughtful spontaneity, Lupe created the new album over a short period, diving into a folder of beats sent by his longtime producer Soundtrakk and emerging with a fully-realized album in just three days. “”Soundtrakk is the swordmaker, I’m the samurai," says Lupe. "He’s the mechanic, and I’m the driver.”” Armed with Soundtrakk's soulful sounds, Lupe creates a focused statement that reflects on the past and paves a way forward, preaching strength through mindfulness and self-sustaining community.

Along with the announcement of the album, Lupe shares "AUTOBOTO," the first DMIZ single. Mischievous, playful, and deceptively dense, "AUTOBOTO" gets its power from Soundtrakk's creeping keys and modal guitar melodies and Lupe's mantra-like hook. The rapper weaves meticulous metaphors and wry words of wisdom, proclaiming his fierce independence even as he decries the uselessness of individual rebellion in the face of rising tides of corruption and industry: "Why buy a tub when the Bayou a flood/Better buy you a sub/How you gon survive in the club, you gon kayak it, cuz, when they rise up above/And the waves come and push and the tidal's a shove/What's an infrared dot to a whole dot gov." At the end of the song, Lupe cedes the mic to Nayirah, who slows down Lupe's hook to a languid tempo and allows the defiant message to marinate.

His first new album since 2018's “DROGAS WAVE”, “DRILL MUSIC IN ZION” marks the start of another chapter in Lupe's illustrious career. The proud Chicago native has already had a busy 2022, marked with sold out shows, new music, and much more. Lupe recently closed out his "Food & Liquor Tour," a series of performances in which he plays his debut album in full. He paid tribute to his hometown in the reflective, self-produced "100 Chicagos," and dug into the archives to share "Hustlaz," a previously-unreleased song originally recorded before the release of the now-classic debut album “Food & Liquor”. Beyond music, Lupe continues to focus on the community organizations he founded, including We Are M.U.R.A.L, The Neighborhood Start-Up Fund, Society of Spoken Art, and his cross-cultural content venture, Studio SV.

Lupe recently launched his "LFT" program, a new NFT program that allows fans to get closer than ever to Lupe. Unlike many NFTs, which solely exist in the digital space, the "LFT" program offers token-holders an array of online and offline benefits. The benefits start with a generative art profile pic–each LFT holder gets a unique digital artwork inspired by Lupe's album Lupe Fiasco's “The Cool”, which celebrates its 15th birthday this year.

With “DRILL MUSIC IN ZION” on deck, an invigorated Lupe Fiasco seeks to prove once again that few rappers in history can rhyme like him. Stay tuned for much more from the legendary artist in the coming weeks.

Pre-order DRILL MUSIC IN ZION: https://orcd.co/dmiz

Check out full details about "LFT": https://lft.lupefiasco.com/

Connect with Lupe Fiasco: Twitter | Instagram

Endel x James Blake Release "Wind Down" Ambient Album to Support Healthy Sleep

Endel has collaborated with James Blake to create an album version of “Wind Down”, the everchanging AI-driven, science-powered soundscape to enhance healthy sleep. The album, out now on Polydor/Republic Records/UMG, is available in stereo and spatial audio formats. It uses the same AI technology and sounds found in the adaptive experience, available exclusively in Endel apps for iOS, Android, Mac, Apple TV, and Amazon Alexa.

“The Wind Down soundscape I created with Endel lets me explore the more ambient side of my music and create a project to support people in a new way,” James Blake reflects. “It's mesmerizing to hear how my music blends with the science-based sounds of Endel's AI and I think we've invented something not just beautiful or even meaningful, but truly practical.”

This album marks a quiet watershed: It's the first functional music album constructed via AI to be released by a Universal label. “Artists are learning that there are new tech- and science-enabled formats for expressing their creativity, new ways to engage listeners and play a role in their lives,” explains Oleg Stavitsky, co-founder and CEO of Endel. “They can draw on their same sounds and ideas to make a variety of experiences, and Endel’s functional sound can serve specific wellness and mental health purposes, enhancing focus, relaxation, and sleep.”

Inspired by the science of sound and sleep, the adaptive, personalized “Wind Down” is a prelude to bedtime, helping the Endel users shift gradually from the activity of day to the calm of night. The static album traces a similar arc.

The Endel collaboration is not Blake’s first foray into music that guides the listener toward calm and release. In 2019, he wrote “Lullaby for My Insomniac,” a song for those who have sleep struggles. In 2020, he created a “secret” ambient album that got Blake a nod from the founding father of the genre, Brian Eno. Eno’s generative approach to composition inspired both Blake’s work and Endel’s own technology, making for a powerful collaboration.

"It's important to us that we collaborate with artists who are genuinely interested in what we do. From the first call with James, he was clearly passionate about ambient music and excited to experiment with our AI engine,” notes Konstantin Elchev, Endel’s Head of Artist Relations. “I'm really proud of how the soundscape turned out and happy we're bringing an adapted version to streaming platforms."

“Wind Down” the album is the latest in a series of static releases that expand Endel’s functional music offerings outside of its app ecosystem. For those who want a taste of Endel via their favorite music streaming service, projects like “Wind Down” let them explore and enjoy the interplay of AI and artist in a more standard album format.

For the full personalized and adaptive Endel experience, including “Wind Down”, Grimes’ AI Lullaby, Plastikman’s Deeper Focus, and Miguel’s Clarity Trip, listeners can go to the Endel apps on iOS, Android, macOS, Amazon Alexa, and wearables. Using the Endel app allows you to create an unending soundscape that responds to your environment and supports your mind and body during daily activities.

Listen to James Blake’s “Wind Down” soundscape on your favorite streaming platform here.

Experience the adaptive, personalized “Wind Down” Soundscape in the Endel App free here.

Explore more Endel static releases, such as the recent collaborations with anaiis, ANNA, FACESOUL, Green-House, Ian Isiah, monte booker, Nailah Hunter, Simon on the Moon, and Ta-Ku, here.

Stream "Bad Kid, GOOD City", the Debut Album From Queens Rap Artist Dre A.M.

Queens’ own Dre A.M. has just unveiled his newly released 12-track album, “Bad Kid, GOOD City”, which follows his self-directed music video that we shared recently entitled “Lost Harmonics” (watch it HERE).

Speaking about the background of his debut full length project, Dre A.M. says:

“A young man tries to "escape" suburbia into the inner city to find out what he's made of.

This project features haunting, cinematic production which represents the mania that I was going through at the time. I unfortunately attempted suicide during the writing process which landed me a visit to a mental hospital, sidelining me for weeks. Once I was released, I had several verses ready for the studio in Brooklyn where I would head to with my co-producer.

I created this album because I believe that human beings still maintain a hunter-gatherer esque instinct that has become defunct in modern times - I wanted to rediscover this element of the self by escaping my quiet neighborhood into the projects and the inner city.”

Listen to the incredible “Bad Kid, GOOD City” album now, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with Dre A.M. on his social media. Also, be sure to share the album with anyone who know who appreciates DOPE music.

Stream and Share “Bad Kid, GOOD City”

Connect with Dre A.M.: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok

Monsta X Gear Up to Hit U.S. Shores For Their Ten-Stop 2022 No Limit Tour

International artist, Monsta X, are preparing their U.S. juggernaut of a tour; Monsta X: No Limit Tour presented by Lexus. Kicking off on May 21st at Radio City Music Hall in New York City, it includes ten-stops total, ending on June 11th in California. With a second night recently added in Chicago, Monsta X have attracted a massive international fanbase over the years with their array of hit singles and tours.

Monsta X and Lexus first joined forces on the music video set for their hit single “You Problem,” which Billboard referred to as a “dance floor charmer.” Prior to that, “One Day” was released, marking the group’s third Top 40 single — and as Forbes reported, makes Monsta X only the second K-pop group in history to appear on the chart more than once. Both of these viral singles lead into the release of Monsta X’s second English-language album The Dreaming; where they once again teamed up with Lexus for a Pop Up event in Los Angeles last December.

Follow Monsta X on their social media and get your Monsta X: No Limit Tour tickets HERE.

Connect with Monsta X: Instagram | Twitter | Spotify

Interview: Mykii J Discusses His Visual For the Remix to "And That's It!", Featuring The Kelly

“I could not be more proud of myself for proving that I am capable and talented enough to create industry-level music without the backing of a corporate giant.”

— Mykii J

Congratulations on the release of the remix to "And That's It!", which features your sister The Kelly; describe for us your creative process for the original version and why you decided to record a remix.

Thank you so much. I've always known I wanted to do a song using the title “And That’s It!”, especially since it is my official catchphrase. I started using the phrase at the beginning of all my freestyles to engage the audience.

I don’t know why, but I knew that I wanted a dark, low-slung beat, and that I wanted it to be a fly and flashy, braggadocious record.

I crafted the melody and lyrics for the hook first, then built the rest of the song around that. After recording it, my sister heard it and immediately said it was her favorite record on the album, so it was only fitting to have her on the official remix to the song.

I have always loved female rap and the excitement that female emcees bring to hip-hop records. When considering a female artist to feature on the remix, I figured, who better than my own sister, The Kelly? She’s so fire.

The music video for the remix is incredible; tell us about how you and the director, Mariah Carroll, came up with its treatment. Also, how long did it take to shoot the visual?

Thank you so much. I’m glad you enjoyed it! My sister, The Kelly, and I developed the concept for the video together. She also directed, and starred in the music video (talk about “I'm Every Woman” ... sheesh!).

I typically provide my sister with a general idea for my videos and scout locations while she develops the treatment. I told her I wanted the music video to reflect the vibe of the song. I wanted to create an atmosphere that screamed dark, edgy-fashion. That was the inspiration behind music video.

It was a 10-hour shoot that required more than 20 hours of editing to complete.

The original version appears on your debut album “Music 4 Mutants, Vol. 1”; what are you most proud of with this project, and is "Vol. 2" currently in development?

Yes, the original version of the song is included on my debut album “Music 4 Mutants, Vol. 1.” What I am most proud of with this project is that I did it by myself (meaning without a label or writing team). From writing, recording, designing, distributing, marketing, co-producing, and assembling the right engineering team, all of it was done by me.

I could not be more proud of myself for proving that I am capable and talented enough to create industry-level music without the backing of a corporate giant.

There eventually will be a Vol. 2; however, I can’t promise that it will immediately follow "Music 4 Mutants, Vol. 1." I never like feeling forced to write and create projects based on a specific topic or theme. I like it when ideas come to me organically without them feeling forced or contrived.

As far as the next album goes, I’ll have to see what direction the universe takes me in while writing.

What is it like working on the creation of new music with The Kelly and when did you both discover that you were musically gifted?

Developing new music with The Kelly was so much fun. My sister and I share the same sense of humor, so we're always in the studio cracking jokes between takes (and sometimes during takes), which I’m sure drives my engineer crazy, but it’s that kind of energy that keeps music and our relationship light, loose, and fun.

We each discovered we could rap just a couple of years ago. I’ve been singing in school choirs since middle school and writing/publishing poetry since 2018. My sister has been acting and directing her entire life, so the entertainment industry has always been something we've been interested in.

I think both of us being HUGE Nicki Minaj fans is what eventually inspired us to try our hand at rap. This is the 2nd song we’ve done together, and the reception from the public has been wild. Hopefully, we can make more music together in the future … that would be dope!

With the remix clip now released, what are some of your goals musically for the rest of this year?

Well, I am currently in nursing school full-time, so my goal is to finish up my final year of the program. However, I plan to continue promoting my previously released music while writing/recording new music for my next project.

Again, I have no specific timeline for when I plan to release my sophomore album. What is more, I have neither a theme nor a solid direction I would like to take my next project. I’m just letting the universe bring me more wonderfully organic ideas and taking it from there. I can’t wait to see what the future brings!

Stream and Share “Music 4 Mutants, Vol. 1” on Spotify

Connect with Mykii J: Website | Facebook | Instagram | TikTok | Twitter

Interview: London Based EDM Producer Zight Talks About His New Single/Video "Number One"

“As a musician from Hong Kong, I hope to bring some fresh air into the city, bring some fresh air into the lungs of the corpse. It ain’t easy but it is what I’m trying at this moment.”

— Zight

Congratulations on the release of your awesome new single/video "Number One"; tell us about your creative process for the song itself and who directed the visual.

Thanks! As a “number one” Formula racing fan, you know, I’ve been watching cars sprinting and turning around race tracks since I was a kid. My father once took me to a Grand Prix in Melbourne many years ago. I can never forget that feeling. Cars roar across my ears like thunder, which became an essential inspiration of the song “Number One”.

It took me 5 months to finish the song. And then we have the brilliant Indiana singer Adam Christopher. The music video took place in Winton Motor Raceway, coincidentally in Melbourne. Directed by Brad Day, I’d say “Number One” made the kid’s dream come true.

When someone listens to or watches "Number One" for the first time, what do you want them to take away from the experience?

Well, I hope this song, the music video arouse some memories of yours about Formula racing.

In some countries the Grand Prix was canceled during the pandemic and people are forgetting it. As I know the championships are coming back this year. Maybe it’s the time for us to experience that feeling again, seating and enjoying the show in a real racing circuit.

Will "Number One" be featured on an upcoming EP or album you have in development? Also, what can we expect next from you musically?

I have no plan for an album yet. However I’m working on the next EDM project, named “City Lights”. Inspired by neon lights and towering buildings in Hong Kong, there is a line in the song --

“Dancing in the night, we are shining like city lights. Fire in your eyes, shining bright in the sky”.

I hope listeners will get to feel the unique vibe of city lights and neon signs in Hong Kong listening to this song.

As a producer, what software/hardware do you usually use to create your music?

Ableton Live, with an AKAI keyboard. That’s it.

What led you to move to London, and how would you compare the electronic music scene there to Hong Kong?

I spent a year in London, mastering my production skills. And then I returned to Hong Kong in 2021.

Literally, there is no EDM music scene in Hong Kong. The music industry (what we call Canton-pop) has been struggling like a walking dead (zombie) since the sunset of CD sales. Music has not been evolved for so many years, even the kids in school get so addicted to Harry Styles & BTS, but they never listen to Canton-pop songs.

A recent singing competition restricts candidates to perform in Cantonese. Sadly what we hear in the television are songs from the 80s and 90s. Nothing new from 00s and afterwards.

As a musician from Hong Kong, I hope to bring some fresh air into the city, bring some fresh air into the lungs of the corpse. It ain’t easy but it is what I’m trying at this moment.

With "Number One" now released, what are some of your goals musically for the rest of 2022?

Besides “City Lights”, I’m working on another single, collaborating with a producer. I know pretty well how to work with singers but honestly this is the very first time I collaborate with a producer from another country.

There are some conflicts between different ideas so that’s something I’m still learning. No big goals this year but I hope to finish and release this single by the winter.

Connect with Zight: Website | Instagram | Facebook

Pop Artist Sigrid Releases Her Highly Anticipated Second Album "How To Let Go"

Learning how to let go is at the heart of Sigrid’s highly anticipated second album, How To Let Go, out now on Island Records. Written over a period in intense self-reflection during the pandemic, How To Let Go is a masterpiece in pop alchemy.

Taking Sigrid’s renowned powerhouse vocal and immediate pop hooks through a new lens of live instrumentation and experimental production, the follow up to 2019’s Sucker Punch is an exploration into anthemic pop soundscapes, and all written for Sigrid’s defining happy place: the stage.

Over the past five years we have witnessed an alternative pop star who has won critical acclaim, countless awards and accolades, toured the globe, and sold more than 100,000 records on her debut, but has always stayed true to her Norwegian roots and made us feel both comfort and escapism in an ever changing, unsure landscape. Already described as “a perfect summer listen” (Who What Wear), How To Let Go features the self-love summer disco tune “Mirror,” the dance-like-no-one-is-watching “Burning Bridges,” the thundering powerhouse “It Gets Dark,” and the recent colossal collaboration with UK rock band Bring Me The Horizon, “Bad Life.” Now, “A Driver Saved My Night” is the latest song to be lifted from How To Let Go, an epic dance-synth tune inspired by the kindness of strangers and that moment when all you need is a taxi home; “you’re never alone when you listen to music,” says Sigrid.

Writing huge pop songs from the heart with that rasp and recalling great vocalists from Stevie Nicks to Carole King and Freddie Mercury, since Sigrid’s ascent to pop stardom in 2017, the 25-year-old has achieved every accolade a young artist from a small town off the coast of Norway could ever have imagined. Sigrid has lit up stages with her non-conformist and progressive attitudes to the femininity in pop. Sigrid has become renowned for her high-energy live shows, writing anthemic chorus’ for festivals that would become her definitive stage. It’s no surprise that the only place Sigrid feels truly she can take out “all those emotions” is performing live with her band.

The 12-track LP How To Let Go was written at a time where Sigrid was thinking a lot about her life in Norway and her life outside of Norway. “They're two different things. The chill girl who loves to ski and hike and cook versus the other part of me that's like ‘let's go out’, or let's play massive shows, go on stage and not be scared of anything. I used to be so shy as a kid but then when I'm on stage at Glastonbury for example I love losing myself in it.” Sigrid comments that sometimes those personalities clash and you get confused about what makes you thrive in life, wanting both parts but realizing sometimes they don’t always align. This sense of differing perspectives and looking at the same thing from a new angle, is reflected in the amazingly surrealist video for “It Gets Dark,” which was made with “Mirror” director Femke Huurdeman and CANADA (Dua Lipa, Rosalia), featuring Sigrid escaping to space.

Listen to Sigrid’s “How To Let Go” right now, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with her on social media.

Stream and Share “How To Let Go”

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Interview: Queens Based Rap Artist Prince James Talks About His New Single/Video "The Way It Is"

“...for this particular track I knew I wanted to do something that showed a little of my versatility...”

— Prince James

Tell us about how you first got started writing rhymes and when you decided to get serious about recording music.

I been writing rhymes forever. Right after high school, I started to write a little more and even started recording my rhymes on my laptop.

But it wasn't until years later, that I let some of the homies hear what I been working on. And that's when they told me that the shit was iight and people would definitely listen to my shit.

That's when I started taking it serious. I would write everyday until I saw improvement, and then write some more.

Salute to you on the release of your new single/video "The Way It Is"; describe for us your creative process for its development and how you decided on the instrumental from The Boy.

Well for this particular track I knew I wanted to do something that showed a little of my versatility. And I remembered that The Boy usually makes some fire beats that have some dope melodies throughout the production. And when I heard the beat that eventually became "The Way It Is", it just had a whole life of its own. I threw on my Beats and just went to work.

If you could select any artist to appear on a remix to "The Way It Is", who would you select?

On the remix, it might have to be Drake. I think he would do some filth to this beat.

Can we expect to hear "The Way It Is" on an upcoming EP or album this year; if so, what can you tell us about it?

Actually there are no plans for a project this year. But expect to hear more dope singles like "The Way It Is". Been dropping like two every month, so I might continue that.

With "The Way It Is" now released, what are some of your goals musically for the rest of 2022?

My music goals for the rest of the year are to drop great music and to get people to listen to it. That's the main thing for me. Is getting the music heard because the rest is gonna follow soon after. I believe in the music.

Stream and Share “The Way It Is”

Connect with Prince James: Facebook | Instagram

Interview: Bronx Based Rapper/Producer $pend Money Kwam Discusses His Single "Supposed to Be"

“Inspiration from lyrics, it honestly just comes. I just write whatever comes to me and if it’s fire, I keep it...”

— $pend Money Kwam

Salute to you on the release of your new track "Supposed to Be"; describe for us your creative process for its development in regards to lyrical inspiration and production.

Thanks, I appreciate it! For me honestly, I start with the production first. It's rare that I prematurely write bars now. I'll usually start with melodies, then drums and then if I like the beat a lot I'll write to it. Inspiration from lyrics, it honestly just comes. I just write whatever comes to me and if it's fire, I keep it. I try to give real life stuff, though. A lot of stuff I rap about has really happened, even if it was a simple line.

Speaking of production, do you self-produce a lot of your tracks, and what software/hardware do you use?

Yes, I produce every track I rap on entirely by myself, though I'm open to co-producing.

I'm running FL Studio 20 with the Akai MPK Mini LOL.

Do you plan on releasing a music video for "Supposed to Be", and will it be featured on an upcoming EP or album? If so, what can you tell us about it?

I'm honestly thinking about it, even if it is a little late. I think that track is the best I have so far, it's just so energetic and raw.

Look out for some new singles with music videos this summer! We're shooting at least 3!

How would you say that your hometown, the Bronx, and/or your life experiences have influenced the music that you create?

I honestly can say I learned a lot being in the Bronx. I gained a lot of real friends who had my back. I met a lot of great people. Ate a lot of great food.

I was actually born in the Bronx, I grew up in Newburgh and then I moved back to BX. A lot of music comes from a lot of stuff I've been through in BX.

I remember making beats on the floor on my first crib in BX, before I could even afford a table to put my computer on.

With "Supposed to Be" now released, what are some of your goals musically for the rest of 2022?

Just releasing more music and showing more diversity as an artist, doing some live shows starting this summer and dropping a whole lot of visuals.

Also I'd like to start doing some live streams on my IG and YouTube!

Connect with $pend Money Kwam: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | TikTok

Beatopia Launches: A Subscription to Exclusive Beats For Rappers and Singers

Online beats marketplace Beatopia has just launched. With an affordable subscription model and a single unlimited license, Beatopia is every artist’s dream. The library is packed with exclusive beats by producers with major credits. Beatopia’s hitmaker roster has worked with the likes of Gunna, Kehlani, Katy Perry, The Jonas Brothers, Wizkid, Lil Pump, Ty Dolla $ign and more.

Built by the team behind major sound effects library Soundsnap, the company raised $2 million USD from Greek fund Elikonos Capital and the Research and Innovation Foundation of Cyprus.

Every track has been hand picked and then mixed in house by world class engineers. Each beat comes with the full quality .wav and the multitrack stems at no extra charge. Rappers and singers can use these beats, upload their tracks, and monetize via YouTube, Spotify, Apple Music, Instagram or Soundcloud. There, they can rack up unlimited streams without having to worry about negotiating new licenses.

“Existing beat platforms are open marketplaces where anyone can upload a beat. This means that the production and mix are not always great,” says founder Tasos Frantzolas, a former beatmaker himself. “Producers on other platforms choose their own terms for each beat, which is confusing to the artist. We wanted to change all that with an affordable subscription, unlimited streams, and curated content.”

From trap to futurepop, Afrobeat to piano ballads, Beatopia serves all styles. Artists can drill down their searches in a user-friendly interface, narrowing the library down into mood, style, and even the specific instruments they want to hear.

“What’s revolutionary about Beatopia is that they’re focused on the artist—not just the producer,” explains Houston based RnB artist Brionnie. “They don’t have ads, the beats all sound amazing, and everything has an unlimited license. That means that I can focus on my songwriting instead of dealing with red tape.”

Beatopia’s monthly fee is $15 for full rights to five beats, .wav files and stems included. Representing a value of around $1000 a month, the platform lowers the price barrier to better democratize creativity. By making quality beats more accessible, Beatopia hopes to make an impact and inspire a new generation of artists.

All beats can be previewed at Beatopia.com or the official YouTube channel.