Female Led Neo-Soul Collective Menajerie Announce Debut EP "Selective Deafness" With Intoxicating New Single "Holding Pattern"

Taking centre stage with three ensnaring female vocalists, Menajerie is a Meanjin/Brisbane-based neo-soul outfit, who are announcing their debut EP 'Selective Deafness' (out September 29). Dripping with heated charm and a clawing passion, they are teasing the EP with the slow-burning lead single 'Holding Pattern' out now.

The heart and soul of Menajerie is embodied in its three captivating frontwomen. Primed with their spellbinding abilities, they are led by the compelling Gracie Mack on keys and vocals, powerhouse vocalist Rosa Mack, and the fiery Mel Galletly. Oozing sass, the three weave together their silky melodies and poignant lyrics as they get wrapped up in irresistible sultry grooves.

Having awed audiences on stage/s at Jungle Love Festival, Fortitude Valley Fiesta, and supporting Sex On Toast, plus so much more, Menajerie have already achieved a lot. With their previous singles, 'Stuck' and 'Time', they have left audiences craving more, and now, they are ready to unveil their debut EP 'Selective Deafness'.

The 8-track debut EP ultimately allows the band to expose their musical odyssey made up of laid-back and sophisticated soul, coloured by alluring rhythms and anti-gravity funk. At the heart of it all lies lyrics that gracefully navigate the line between unfiltered, gritty reality and a flirtatiously witty, tongue-in-cheek sensuality.

Gracie Mack eloquently encapsulates the essence of 'Selective Deafness' by stating, "This debut EP traverses all aspects of the creative human experience through introspection, humour, and grief and showcases the band's eclectic musical experiences."

The upcoming single 'Holding Pattern' dives deeper into the exasperation of being ensnared in a self-made cycle. Harnessing the EP's title within the lyric "Selective deafness, but now you know," the track fuses neo-soul and hip-hop harmonies with a magnetic undercurrent of grooves.

The song's confrontational lead vocals simmer with passion and allure, while its cool and calm demeanour ultimately crescendos into an electrifying harmony layered over a gritty shuffle. Intoxicating and bold, 'Holding Pattern' is a boiling cauldron of emotions, a musical mirror reflecting the complexities of life's patterns.

Be embraced by the divine tones of Menajerie as they turn up the heat with 'Holding Pattern' ahead of their debut EP 'Selective Deafness' on September 29.

Stream and Share “Holding Pattern”

Connect with Menajerie: Website | Facebook | Instagram

Lil Baby's It's Only Us National Tour Stops in Raleigh on Monday, Sept. 11th (PNC Arena)

Diamond certified rapper Lil Baby has announced two additional shows in New York and Philadelphia have been added to his 25-stop It’s Only Us national tour produced by AG Entertainment Touring and Mammoth in support of his most recent album, It’s Only Me (Quality Control Records/Motown) which was released in October of 2022.

The nationwide tour is set to kickoff July 26th in Houston. Other tour dates include Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta, Boston, and many more before wrapping the tour on September 22nd in Ft. Lauderdale. Lil Baby will be receiving tour support from GloRilla, Rylo Rodriguez, GLOSS UP, and Hunxho at all stops while on the road.

Artist pre-sale will start Tuesday July 18th at 12pm eastern time, with general on sale starting on Thursday July 20th at 10am eastern time. For more information and ticket purchasing please visit: www.itsonlyustour.com

The beloved QC rapper started this year on a high note after making his Saturday Night Live (SNL) musical guest debut in January and performing both his singles “California Breeze'' and “Forever” from his hit album.

‘IT’S ONLY US’ TOUR DATES:

www.ItsOnlyUsTour.com

Wed Jul 26 - Houston, TX - Toyota Center

Fri Jul 28 - Austin, TX - Moody Center

Sat Jul 29 - Dallas, TX - American Airlines Center

Sat Aug 05 - Los Angeles, CA - Crypto.com Arena

Sun Aug 06 - Oakland, CA - Oakland Arena

Sat Aug 12 - Seattle, WA - Climate Pledge Arena

Thu Aug 17 - St. Louis, MO - Enterprise Center

Fri Aug 18 - Milwaukee, WI - Fiserv Forum

Wed Aug 23 - Detroit, MI - Little Caesars Arena

Thu Aug 24 - Chicago, IL - United Center

Sat Aug 26 - Columbus, OH - Nationwide Arena

Tue Aug 29 - Philadelphia, PA - Wells Fargo Center

Wed Aug 30 - New York, NY - Madison Square Garden

Thu Aug 31 - Washington D.C. - Capital One Arena

Sat Sep 02 - Boston, MA - TD Garden

Sun Sep 03 - Baltimore, MD - CFG Bank Arena

Thu Sep 07 - Memphis, TN - FedExForum

Sat Sep 09 - Nashville, TN - Bridgestone Arena

Mon Sep 11 - Raleigh, NC - PNC Arena

Tue Sep 12 - Charlotte, NC - Spectrum Center

Fri Sep 15 - Tampa, FL - Amalie Arena

Sat Sep 16 - Jacksonville, FL - Vystar Veterans Memorial Arena

Sun Sep 17 - Atlanta, GA - Music Midtown Festival

Tue Sep 19 - New Orleans, LA - Smoothie King Center

Fri Sep 22 - Ft. Lauderdale, FL - FLA Live Arena

Get your ‘It’s Only Us’ concert tickets HERE, and connect with Lil Baby on his social media.

Connect with Lil Baby: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | TikTok

Confluence: The Carolinas’ Premier Music Industry Conference + Festival, Announces First Round of Speakers and Performers

The spotlight is on the music community of Charlotte and the Carolinas as Confluence 2023, the region's most anticipated music industry conference and festival, announces the launch of ticket sales and the first round of speakers and performers. Confluence will bring together music artists, industry professionals, and live music fans for two unforgettable days of inspiration, networking, and collaboration. Daytime conference programming will be October 18 and 19 at the AvidXchange Music Factory in Uptown, Charlotte, with night-time live music showcases in several music venues in Uptown, NoDa, Plaza-Midwood, and Elizabeth.

Confluence 2023 promises to be a catalyst for the growth of the regional music ecosystem. With a lineup of panel discussions and keynotes featuring speakers from Charlotte, the Carolinas, and around the country, and performances by Charlotte- and Carolinas-based artists, Confluence aims to empower attendees with insights, tools, and connections that are crucial for success in the evolving music landscape and inspire fans with the incredible talent of the region.

Notable speakers include Roger Brown and Liza Levy of Salt Lick Incubator in Boston, Jason Jet of Grindhaus Studios, Gar Ragland of Citizen Vinyl in Asheville, Gregg McCraw of Maxx Music, Micah Davidson of Midwood Entertainment, Lonnie Davis of Jazz Arts Charlotte, and John Tosco of Tosco Music.

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Performers include Oceanic, Natalie Carr, Dane Page, Creekbed, Mercury Carter, the Couldn’t Be Happiers, Reuben Vincent, Arsena, Jason Scavone Band, and more.

“The mission of Confluence is to inspire, connect, elevate, and celebrate the music community of Charlotte and the Carolinas,” says Rick Thurmond of Charlotte Center City Partners and Music Everywhere CLT, the producers of Confluence. “It will be a hub for emerging artists, established industry professionals, and music enthusiasts to come together to share their passion, learn, exchange ideas, and pave the way for the future of music.”

Tickets for Confluence 2023 are now available for purchase on the event's official website, ConfluenceCarolinas.com. Early bird pricing and exclusive packages are being offered for a limited time.

**Key Highlights of Confluence 2023**

• Engaging panel discussions and thought-provoking keynotes featuring industry experts.

• Diverse and dynamic performances by regional and local artists in independent venues that power the scene.

• Unparalleled networking opportunities with fellow attendees, artists, and music industry leaders.

Confluence 2023 is produced by Charlotte Center City Partners and Music Everywhere CLT. Confluence is a recipient of support from the Infusion Fund, a partnership between the City of Charlotte, Foundation For The Carolinas and generous donors to support the arts and cultural sector. In addition, Confluence would not be possible without the following sponsors: Charlotte SHOUT!, Eventbrite, Bold Music, Summit Coffee, Midwood Entertainment, The Comedy Zone.

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit ConfluenceCarolinas.com.

J1 Presents Jeezy With the Sirius XM/Pandora Hip Hop 50 Pioneer Award | J1, Jeezy and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens Talk Hip Hop, Politics and Atlanta

Grammy-nominated artist, entrepreneur, philanthropist, and now New York Times best-selling author Jeezy, sat down with Sirius XM/Pandora Vice President of Music Programming Josh “J1” Raiford and special guest Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens.

The trio discussed Jeezy’s new book Adversity for Sale Ya Gotta Believe, 50 Years of hip-hop, and politics. During the event, Jeezy discloses a conversation he had with T.I. nearly 20 years ago where T.I. told the Snowman, “You can’t do music and be in the streets.”

In the video, Jeezy discusses the ability to utilize hip-hop music as a tool to grow personally and professionally. Andre Dickens stated that hip-hop means freedom and how a person can transfer ideas and ambition into a physical result.

At the night's end, J1 presented Jeezy with the Sirius XM/Pandora Hip Hop 50 Pioneer Award. “I’ve known Jeezy for 15 years. He’s as solid and genuine as they come. I’ve witnessed his evolution and how he’s expanded beyond music into business, politics, philanthropy, and now a New York Times best-selling author," said J1, "He is a trailblazer on so many levels so it was only right to present him the pioneer award.”

Attendees included DJs, college students, fans of Sirius XM and Pandora Now, social media influencers, and brand company representatives.

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Joshua ‘J1’ Raiford was born and raised in Harlem, NY. He was highly influenced by the ‘Bad Boy’ movement and closely followed labels like OutKast and Death Row Records. At the age of 14 years old, he interned at a small record label and knew he wanted to work in the industry from that point forward. In July 2020, J1 successfully helped program and launch “Uninterrupted Radio” on Pandora in partnership with LeBron James and Maverick Carter and was promoted to Director of Hip Hop Curation & Content. He was named on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Power Players List in 2021 and 2022. He’s the current Program Director for Pandora NOW on SiriusXM. Follow him @posterchildj1.

Interview: Experimental Electronic Music Producer Mikebøi Talks About His New EP "Human Nature"

“I think the main theme is the nature of the human being; at a certain point it’s in our nature to destroy, create and start again, always in constant evolution...”

— Mikebøi

Congratulations on the completion and release of your new EP "Human Nature"; tell us about your creative process for its development and how long it took for you to complete.

Thanks; first, the development of this EP comes completely from the feeling of growing up, evolving about my sound and about all my concept art.

I started creating these songs in 2018 and managed to finish 24 songs in total but I decided that making releases as EPs would be a better idea and I noticed there that these 6 songs had in common several factors like the smells, images and sensations I had when creating them, and that's how I chose these songs for the first EP.

Would you say that there is an overall theme for the EP's six songs? If so, how would you describe it?

I think the main theme is the nature of the human being; at a certain point it's in our nature to destroy, create and start again, always in constant evolution and that's what I wanted to do with the whole sound of the EP, so I think that's the fundamental base of “Human Nature”.

Your track with SRU, "Never Stay" is great; how did you two connect and what made SRU's vocals the perfect fit for the song?

It was a very similar process to all our projects together. sru starts a song idea and shows me and initially it sounded kind of sad to me so I start to connect with the feeling she left in it and this song has very strong feelings that we both can feel since we went through very similar things so I decided to change a little bit the feeling that I perceived as sad and try to add flowers to it.

Literally, my thought when re doing the instrumental was: I want it to sound like we are surrounded by flowers while sru narrates all this, and I think the result was great because sru did an impeccable job with her vocals, it was just like letting myself be carried away by a stream of water with her vocals there.

With "Human Nature" now released, what are some of your goals musically for the rest of the year?

My main goals now are to get the second EP out, which I still can't release the name and reach more audience that likes this kind of experimental music.

I would also like to start influencing people in my country with this style of music, so there is a lot of work to do yet.

How would you describe the electronic music scene in your city, and in Mexico overall for up and coming producers?

I really like the production in Mexico but I feel that people need to value more the art that exists to be able to move forward small projects with huge potential.

We also need many more exponents willing to open roads and doors more than just getting on the trend or popular music. There is a small niche of people who are doing very well and I believe that in the next few years Mexico will have great exponents in experimental electronic music also known as pc/music.

Stream and Share “Human Nature”

Connect with Mikebøi: Instagram

Interview: Squares' Chris Barrett Discusses Their New Single/Video "Nostalgic"

“Lyrically and style wise, I started off wanting to keep the indie integrity of Squares which I think was maintained well, but I’m super happy that most of the songs took their own shape, touching on some different genres and feels.”

— Chris Barrett

Salute to you on the release of the new SLR Visuals directed music video for "Nostalgic", which appears on your debut album "Mountains". Of all the great songs on the album, why did you select this track to create a visual for?

Thank you! This song has a special meaning to me specifically because of the sound. Just performing music alone is nostalgic for me because every time I perform or sit down to write a song, it takes me right back to when I was a kid learning how to be a musician in my basement.

My family was huge in supporting me especially my mom, so it make me think of her. Also, the sound of the song is a chill throwback to the amazing music that I grew up on, from funk, R&B, and soul music like Earth Wind and Fire, Al Green, to some of the Motown greats like Marvin Gaye, and Michael Jackson.

Speaking of the album, tell us about your creative process for the development of its 11 tracks. Also, were there songs that you recorded that did not make the final tracklist?

So overall, I wanted to make an album that really showed off my versatility. There is kind of a wide range of songs and styles represented on the record and I’m super happy about that. I wanted the record to be well balanced from chill melodic songs, to more upbeat, high intensity bangers (i.e. the title track “Mountains”).

Lyrically and style wise, I started off wanting to keep the indie integrity of Squares which I think was maintained well, but I’m super happy that most of the songs took their own shape, touching on some different genres and feels.

I did have some ideas that didn’t quite make it on this record, but I’m definitely keeping them in the holster for future albums because I still have a lot of love for them!

How old were you when you initially fell in love with music, and were there any specific artists and/or producers early on that influenced you artistically?

I was around 13 years old when music really hit me as a passion and what I wanted to do. Drums is my primary instrument and my brother is also a drummer. One day he brought home an instructional video featuring Carter Beauford of the Dave Matthews Band. I watched the whole thing from start to finish and I was HOOKED! I decided literally while watching it that I wanted to play drums and that I wanted to be a musicians. The rest was really history from there!

There are plenty of producers and artists that I love and admire very very much. Some of my main influences as far as artists are: Michael Jackson, The Police, Incubus, Usher, MGMT, and Twenty One Pilots (among MANY others).

As far as producers: I LOVE the work that Pharrell does, also Dr. Dre, Polow Da Don, Stargate, Max Martin, Rick Rubin, and Oak Felder. Too many to name lol.

How many instruments do you play, and which would you say was the most difficult to learn?

I play mostly 4 instruments: Drums, guitar, bass, and little keyboard. Drums was definitely the most difficult, but also the most fun lol.

With the "Mountains" album and the "Nostalgic" music video now released, what next can we expect from Squares musically?

So we’ll have more music videos for some of the songs on the album coming soon, and we’ll continue playing live and hopefully be on a couple small tours starting late 2023 and early 2024!

Stream and Share “Mountains” on Spotify

Connect with Squares: LinkTree | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok

Review: "Human Nature" EP by Mikebøi

Experimental electronic producer Mikebøi confounds all expectations on the emotionally charged “Human Nature” EP. In a hybrid series of styles, there are an endless number of angles that are pursued. Pop, dubstep, noise, hip-hop, broken beats, and brittle textures reign supreme.

The EP’s six tracks explore the idea of near collapse. Beats have flexibility, with elastic grooves stretched far beyond any reasonable comfort zone. Change is the only constant, as Mikebøi makes sure to tear apart their arrangements, rearranging them in confounding, complex, and startlingly unique ways. Even at their most experimental, Mikebøi maintains a degree of vulnerability that can be found in the melodies to the nimble, ballet-like rhythms.

Nods to the latest wave of avant-garde meets the club emerge throughout the duration of the collection. Arca’s maddening twists and turns prove to be one touchstone of the overall aesthetic. On the heavier side of things, the glitch cacophonies that reassemble repeatedly draw upon early Oval, as there is that same level of dissonance mixed with beauty giving it that sweetness. The physicality of the pieces, the fragile and the frantic, incorporate lessons learned from Four Tet. Among all these different aspects one thing remains true – that Mikebøi manages to sculpt a sound very much rooted in the here and now.

Stuttering electronics fall apart with the fantastic opener and title track “Human Nature.” A longing aspect comes into focus, as the beats briefly flirt with EDM. Lumbering bass runs through “Never Stay”, featuring SRU with the inclusion of vocals adding a fine touch to the emotional tenor. One of the catchier pieces, the longing of the work has an intrinsic bliss, with the chopped-up vocals for the finale a fine touch to an already visceral piece. Industrial aesthetics on “Elevate” goes for the unhinged. “I Know a Ghost” has a beat-down expressiveness, allowing for chords to ring up to the sky. Gleeful abandon rushes through as “Dimension” clips samples down to mere milliseconds. Strangely hopeful “Φ૱Φ૱Φ૱” has an origami-like aspect, bringing things to a grandiose close.

“Human Nature” has an endearing, lovely sound as Mikebøi offers a stream of consciousness that is equal parts atmospheric as well as emotionally moving.

Stream and Share “Human Nature”

Big KRIT, The Cool Kids, and More to Join 'Made In Durham: A Little Brother Block Party' on October 7th

The legendary Hip-Hop group Little Brother released their seminal debut album The Listening on February 25th, 2003. All year-long, Little Brother co-founders Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh have been celebrating the masterwork's 20th anniversary, starting with a four-city tour back in March. Last week, they took to social media to announce that the year-long celebration would be brought back to its roots on October 7th with "Made In Durham: A Little Brother Block Party". The duo has revealed the show's full lineup with a parody of Wrestling legend Booker T's infamous N-word slip in a 1997 WCW promo. Starring Phonte as Booker T and Rapper Big Pooh as Stevie Ray-- known as Harlem Heat, one of wrestling's greatest tag teams of all time --the two deliver a spot-on reenactment of the moment that segues into the show's lineup.

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Hosted by comedian Sam Jay, "Made In Durham: A Little Brother Block Party" will be headlined by Little Brother, with supporting performances by Big KRIT, The Cool Kids, and Zo! & Tall Black Guy. DJs Hourglass and Wally Sparks will be on the ones and twos. The festivities kick off at Noon, and the performances will begin at 3PM. The event will take place at 310 East Main St, Durham, North Carolina 27701.

Purchase tickets here.

Ranked among Rolling Stone's "200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums Of All Time", The Listening helmed a pre-social media era where Alternative Rap found its audience through online message boards. As pioneers of "grown man" or "every man" Rap, Little Brother was rightfully placed among Billboard's "Greatest Rap Groups Of All Time".

The group's new documentary May The Lord Watch: The Little Brother Story will arrive later this year.

MORE ABOUT LITTLE BROTHER:

Little Brother is a critically acclaimed hip-hop group from Durham, North Carolina. Credited as one of the first buzzing rap acts in the pre-streaming era of online message boards, Little Brother emerged during the new millennium renaissance of alternative rap in the early 2000s. The group helped pioneer "grown man" or "every man" rap, relating to the working-class and everyday person. The group’s members-- rappers Phonte and Rapper Big Pooh --formed as college students at North Carolina Central University in 1998.

Over the course of their illustrious careers, Little Brother has worked with some of the biggest names in music: Kanye West, Kendrick Lamar, Drake, Lil' Wayne, and many more. Pooh currently manages Dreamville artist Lute, and DJ’s under the moniker RPM. Outside of his work under Grammy-nominated soul outfit The Foreign Exchange, Phonte has written music for Sesame Street, AMC's Sherman’s Showcase, and VH1's The Breaks. He also co-hosts the Questlove Supreme podcast alongside Questlove of The Roots.

Connect with Little Brother: Website | Instagram | Twitter

Experimental Electronic Producer Mikebøi Drops His New EP "Human Nature"

Mikebøi is a 22 year old experimental electronic producer based in Mexico, who began producing at 12 years old. His new EP, ‘Human Nature’, is a futuristic mix of experimental electronic, trap, hyper pop and PC music.

Mikebøi looks to bring his culture from Mexico to the future of electronic/PC music as there is little current representation for futuristic music within this community. He has reached some major musical milestones in his young career, including his most popular track, ‘Missed’ which has reached a total of +60 million plays on all platforms. This, along with his other releases, has enabled Mikebøi to appear on several different labels such as Trap Nation, Trap City, Actuation, Tribal Trap, Future House Records, Trap Town Records and many more.

This particular project, ‘Human Nature’, is inspired by Mikebøi’s belief that human nature is very different to what we humans are today, as we commonly do not adapt to the place where we live, but we fill it with comforts that destroy or completely change the natural habitat that nature gives us.

Through these tracks, Mikebøi asks the question of do we really belong to this planet or come from the outside. Trying to capture everything he feels about this philosophy in his project, Mikebøi tries to convey that we have a certain connection with nature that makes us enter into a balance where there is destruction, connection and ultimately, renewal.

Listen to “Human Nature” below, stream it on your preferred music service, connect with Mikebøi on IG and be on the lookout for our in-depth EP review and interview, both coming soon!

Stream and Share “Human Nature”

Connect with Mikebøi: Instagram

Interview: Winston-Salem, NC Based Rap Artist Kejuanservin Talks About His New Track "Get to It"

“Honestly, my creative process is the same for all my songs; I smoke, listen to beats I was either sent or from YouTube. Find one I like at the moment and just get on there and talk...”

— Kejuanservin

Salute to you on the release of your new track "Get to It", featuring gtb-mike. How did you and Gtb-mike connect with each other and how did you decide on the beat from dsrmez?

I been knew Gtb mike since the 6th grade. We started rapping together in the 9th grade; he heard a slimesito song called “dizzy” with a experimental type beat and said he wanted to get on a song with a beat like that, so I went looking on YouTube, made it and sent it to him. It took him awhile to hop on it but eventually he did.

You also recently released an EP entitled "Mode"; tell us about your creative process for its six tracks, and whether there were any songs you recorded that did not make the final tracklist. If so, why didn't they make it?

Honestly, my creative process is the same for all my songs; I smoke, listen to beats I was either sent or from YouTube. Find one I like at the moment and just get on there and talk and that’s what “Mode” was; me expressing myself talking to you.

What do you look for in the beats that you decide to write to, and where do you generally find them?

I don’t look for anything specific; if I like it, I like it. I get on all kinds of beats, well I try to anyway. I just get high and like to express myself on different beats and I hope people feel it.

How would you describe the hip-hop music scene in Winston-Salem, NC?

It’s a lots of other rappers here, we just overlooked. I feel like it’s lots of underrated talent here. I’m hoping to be somebody to put us on frfr.

With both "Get to It" and "Mode" now released, what's next for you musically?

Consistency; I’m putting out way more projects except all different kinds of music I wanna try new things and have fun.

Stream and Share “Mode” on Spotify

Connect with Kejuanservin: Instagram

Interview: Lebanese Rap Duo R.Y.M Discuss Their New Single/Animated Video "Al Qiyama"

“R.Y.M aims to make a positive impact in the world, and in the way the youth reasons and acts. We want to show today’s youth a more sustainable model, a new way of being “gangster” or “dope”, far from the guns, violence, drugs and blasphemy.”

— R.Y.M

Congratulations on the release of your new single entitled "Al Qiyama"; tell us what initially inspired its writing and who provided the production.

When we turned 18, we stopped pursuing our dreams and followed society’s “traditional” path. Life in Lebanon comes with a lot of challenges and setbacks. We didn’t have the needed mindset nor resources and didn’t feel empowered to move up our musical passion.

Around 10 years later, knees deep in our professional careers, thousands of miles apart, trying to advance despite crises, conflicts, and social turmoils we decided to resurrect our ambitions and dreams.

“Al Qiyama” translates to resurrection and reflects our return to rap more determined and at peace than ever. “Al Qiyama” is also a calling for spiritual, and behavioral change of today’s youth and future leaders particularly in our region. A calling to rise above inter-generational reflexes and perceptions, to question and challenge indoctrinated narratives, and forge a new truth by means of reason, education, wisdom and kindness.

This song was recorded and produced at RedBooth Lebanon (@redbooth), under the direction of Scarlette Saad. The track is a fusion of Oriental and Western cultures, a sort of bridge between the two civilizations.

The animated lyric video is really dope as well; how did you connect with its creator Roudy el Hajj?

A good conscious rap song excels in 3 factors: the message, the delivery, and and the relatability. The process of delivering the message requires the activation of many sensory features from both the artist and the listener. The message of a song can be either found or lost in its delivery. Hence, the decision to proceed with an animated lyric video came naturally, for two main reasons: first the idea could be fulfilled independently of the geographical distance between us. Second, it was only natural to release “Al Qiyama” through a video that prioritizes the lyrics while remaining visually artistic and creative.

We got introduced to Roudy el Hajj via a cousin working in the United Arab Emirates. @roudy.elhajj is also an expatriate who left Lebanon seeking a better future. We scheduled a call and shared our initial thoughts and were amazed by Roudy’s level of enthusiasm, professionalism and innovative thinking.

We are very blessed and grateful that our musical journey is allowing us to meet such amazing talents and beautiful individuals like Roudy. We are currently working together on a new project and are really excited to explore new possibilities and concepts.

How would you say that the Leave a Mark Project (LAMP) is represented in the music that R.Y.M creates?

Each release has its purpose and its aim. It’s like with each verse, chorus, and song, we seek to convey a message that will hopefully resonate within the soul and mind of each listener.

We want to break barriers, stereotypes and traditional ways of thinking. By addressing various themes pertaining to human life, and presenting them in daring and bold ways, we want for each song to leave a certain impact on individuals. Accordingly, we are consciously and continuously choosing quality over quantity, targeted heavy impact over large scale light reach.

Will "Al Qiyama" be a featured track on an upcoming EP or album you have in development? If so, what can you tell us about the project?

“Al Qiyama” was just the beginning. We are working with several other producers and talented professionals to produce more original songs that will eventually fall under the Leave a Mark Project. We purposely worked with producers from various, non-rap backgrounds to give a creative and innovative sound to our music.

Alongside “Al Qiyama”, two tracks are already finalized and, as said earlier, we’re constantly adapting and finding solutions to progress despite the geographical distance and the work pressure.

The Leave a Mark Project is our way of making an impact. Each song in the Project will address a specific theme and embrace a different style. We pour our souls into every track with the aim that LAMP, as a constantly growing and evolving organism, will in its entirety constitute our memoir, the narrative of two Lebanese brothers who were not afraid to stand out, be transparent and advocate for what is right.

This project is our contribution to the world, for ideas are eternal; and we hope that one day, could be today or in a hundred years, those ideas will influence and spark the rebirth of a nation.

For first time listeners/viewers of "AI Qiyama" and R.Y.M's music overall, would you say that it is the voice of Lebanese hip-hop, or is your music representative of something else?

Actually, it is both. “Al Qiyama” is representative of the voice of Lebanese hip-hop in the sense that its message is politically and socially engaged. Lebanese hip-hop artists all share the burden of a perplexed and disenchanted country/region. As a result, generated music is more than often nuanced with such hot topics. However, our music is representative of something else. There are very few rappers in the Middle-East, let alone in Lebanon, who decided to express their voices in English in a region still strongly arabicized in its forms of artistic expression.

R.Y.M represents familiarity and novelty. We offer listeners a raw and emotional performance, a symbiosis of conscious rap accompanied with oriental melodies/vibes. R.Y.M aims to make a positive impact in the world, and in the way the youth reasons and acts. We want to show today’s youth a more sustainable model, a new way of being “gangster” or “dope”, far from the guns, violence, drugs and blasphemy.

Our model is built on the concept of self-questioning, self-acceptance, and self-development. We try to always be true to ourselves and avoid creating a dishonest and harmful persona behind the comfort of a microphone.

With "Al Qiyama" single and animated lyric clip now unveiled, what's next for R.Y.M musically?

Musically, we’re trying to advance on all fronts. We have dozens of lyrics, melodies, and choruses developed; we are working with several music producers and studios to create variant tracks and beats; we are expanding our horizons in terms of video production and featured tracks, and are strengthening our knowledge about brand management as well as music distribution and promotion. Being independent is not easy but the taste of freedom is sweet.

Stay tuned, our upcoming song “Lost” will present a completely different side to R.Y.M; more personal, and vulnerable. The song is for every individual, who at one point in his/her life felt tired, not good enough, or depressed. It is important to accept and deal with our emotions, but also to know that nothing lasts forever; and the key for change lies within us. R.Y.M will also be doing some singing in that one … we hope you stay with us for the ride.

Stream and Share “Al Qiyama”

Connect with R.Y.M: Facebook | Instagram

Pop Singer-Songwriter Anna Vrahliotis Releases Her Latest EP "A Little Thing Called Love"

With bright vocals and brutally honest lyrics, Anna Vrahliotis proudly calls herself a pop singer-songwriter. At 19 years old, she has released three solo-written EPs, has performed at the notorious Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, TN, and has had several articles written about her music.

Anna returns to the music scene with her new EP, “A Little Thing Called Love.” Like her other records, Anna is the sole writer, for which songwriting she takes the most pride in. Written in two months, this EP is abundant in vivid imagery for which Anna is known. The tracklisting is purposeful, creating a story of unrequited love.

Beginning with a playful synthpop song, “This Is” describes a teenage love story pursued by naive remarks and youthful imagery. This theme continues in track two, “Call You Mine,” where we realize the love story has ended. The opening line makes this apparent with the lyric, “How am I supposed to handle this right now? The fact you’re leaving me and won’t come back around.”

Track three, “Faker,” is where her youthful infatuation morphs into something a bit more profound. Reminiscing this lost lover, Anna uses her skill of vivid imagery to bring this scene to life, describing moments of singing in garages and being afraid to speak her truth. Still grasping the remains of youthful lust that began this EP, we move onto track four: “Friends.” One particular lyric in this song encapsulates the essence of the entire EP: “And I know you weren’t trying to trip me up, but I fell head over heels.” This is where Anna pushes aside her callow puppy love and hones in on the raw emotions following unrequited love.

“A Little Thing Called Love,” the title track of this EP, holds the number five spot in the tracklist. Released as a single on June 30th, this song is where her perspective on love changes from naive ideations to remorseful revelations. This is where we focus on her journey through heartbreak rather than what the relationship was. The sixth and final track on the “A Little Thing Called Love” EP is “Feel Love,” a song about recognizing your worth. As her youth presence slowly returns in this song, Anna describes how she deserves a love that is truly something, not just the idea of something. With the bridge that ends the EP, “To feel love and be loved by someone, I have to love myself,” she realizes that love is not wondrous and wild until you have a strong sense of self.

Listen to “A Little Thing Called Love” below and connect with Anna on her website and social media.

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Dallas Based Experimental Pop Artist Lily Taylor Drops Her New Album "Amphora"

Dallas-based vocalist and experimental-pop chanteuse Lily Taylor is excited to release her anticipated new album Amphora. The album arrives after the release of pre-album singles "Ever New," "Kepler Wells" and "J&J." Recorded at Elmwood Recording in Oak Cliff, TX, Amphora was produced by a dream team of talented producers, Black Taffy, Lily Taylor herself and Alex Bhore. The track-listing includes ten original songs, each one a masterpiece in its own right.

On Amphora, Lily Taylor demonstrates exceptional artistry by blending various elements including looping pedals, keyboards, and her captivating vocals. She has created a sonic bed that draws out a captivating melody, taking listeners on a transcendent journey. This stunning musical journey is sure to captivate listeners with its mix of avant-pop, ambient pop, and experimental sounds.

Amphora takes its name from the Ancient Greek vessel, the amphora, which served as a container for precious liquids. In this case, Lily Taylor is the vessel, delivering a musical experience that is both powerful and delicate. The themes of duality, time, and introspection run throughout the album, creating a deeply personal and introspective atmosphere.

Lily Taylor is no stranger to the music scene in Dallas, TX, where she has collaborated with various musicians, performance artists, poets, dancers, artists, and designers, as well as booked local line ups for various venues around DFW. Her captivating vocals and performances create a unique and immersive experience for listeners. Taylor continues to teach private voice lessons and hosts a radio show called BandWidthTX on 92.9FM KUZU LP Denton, Texas.

Lily Taylor was born in Boston, Massachusetts. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Performance and Composition of Contemporary Music from College of Santa Fe in New Mexico in 2004, with a focus on vocal studies. After many years working as a professional musician, arts administrator, and private teacher in Santa Fe, New Mexico and San Francisco, California, Taylor released her critically acclaimed solo album The Ride in 2014 while residing in Dallas, Texas.

Connect with Lily Taylor: Instagram | Twitter

Pop Artist Bava Unveils Her Debut EP "Imitate" and Seductive Title Track Visual

Popstar-in-waiting Bava wraps a bow around her opening remarks as a newcomer in her impressive debut EP titled “Imitate.” The release gets a companion in the shape of her incredibly sleek and seductive video to its title track.

Speaking about the EP release, Bava explains “This EP felt like a mini heroes story. We start smack bang with raw self-reflection, then we're just taken on a serotonin drive with Itsy Bitsy and Back to Me, and then we plummet into the depths of anger and then we're back in this resolution at the end. It felt like these five songs gave me this journey arc that mimicked the journey arc I was on myself. I was this inhibited Haitian girl making music, then I formulated my sound, then I'm shot into the stratosphere with Taki Taki, and then I'm brought back to my depths with the way the world goes. I'm now coming out and I'm a little bit tougher.”

With her prior released EP tracks, Bava has been creating music inspired by bold, energetic pop sounds on “Itsy Bitsy” and “Back to Me (Me Ma Moop)”, whereas more recently “I Wish” found Bava in a slightly more vulnerable light, in all its emotive ballad-like glory, and “$EX SELLS” with its tongue-in-cheek, gritty, industrial quality.

Although she is a new artist only releasing her debut EP, she has already received impressive support online, on TikTok, Instagram and Youtube, amassing almost 3 million followers and accumulating over 1 billion views. She’s also been supported by likes of key tastemakers such as NYLON, PAPER & MTV amongst others. In doing so, she continues to grow as a budding force in upcoming pop music today.

The launch of the Imitate EP is just the beginning of an important, future alternative pop star. Listen to “Imitate” below, stream it on your preferred music service and connect with Bava on her social media.

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Connect with Bava: Instagram | TikTok | YouTube

Grandaddy Announce "Sumday: Excess Baggage" Collection and Share “The Town where I’m Livin Now”

Modesto, CA’s influential indie-rock group Grandaddy have announced a special digital release of the Sumday: Excess Baggage, a thirteen-track collection of rarities and b-sides from the Sumday-era that unfolds like a lost Grandaddy album and is set for release on August 25 on Dangerbird Records. The band has also unveiled lead single “The Town where I’m Livin Now” alongside an official video, a spacy, wistful ode to the dissonant American landscape of California’s hardscrabble Central Valley.

Grandaddy leader Jason Lytle said, “I like making songs like this. Lots of bleak but sweet visuals. Everyday stuff available for everyone to see...but some of us just end up with the twisted work of documenting it.”

In May, Grandaddy announced Sumday Twunny, a limited edition 4-LP boxed set to be released on September 1 via Dangerbird Records. The collection includes the remastered original album as well as a complete 4-track demo version titled Sumday: The Cassette Demos, and Sumday: Excess Baggage.

“After many years of hammering away at writing and recording as Grandaddy, Sumday seems to be the center of it and where it all peaked. To the journalists we were, ‘On the verge of greatness, underrated, overlooked, unsung.’ It was a tumultuous and exciting time for us for sure. Also very exhausting,” Lytle said.

“Revisiting this material and reflecting on those times has been a double edged sword. Bittersweet is an apt word, I suppose. Twenty years after the fact, I'm just grateful to be alive and kicking… celebrating that moment in time by re-releasing the original album, B sides and extras of that era, and even some raw cassette demos of the album itself a sort of sketchbook/rough draft of the LP in cassette form. So be it then. ‘On the verge of greatness, underrated, overlooked, unsung.’ This is what all of that sounds like. I'll take it.”

Grandaddy formed in 1992 and have released five official LPs, most recently 2017’s Last Place. Grandaddy members include Jason Lytle, Aaron Burtch, Jim Fairchild, Tim Dryden, and the late Kevin Garcia, who passed away in 2017.

Stream and Share "The Town where I'm Livin Now"

Pre-Order Sumday Twunny 4-LP Boxed Set

Stream and Share “Sumday: The Cassette Demos”

Connect with Grandaddy: Website | Instagram

Dot Hip Hop Gives Hip Hop Culture a Home Online (and its Own Digital Real Estate)

Domain extensions (i.e. .org, .com, .biz) are often viewed as simple punctuation at the end of a website address. But they are more than just a label. They are a digital asset, a digital brand, and a valuable digital space. Dot Hip Hop, LLC, a domain name registry that manages the Top-Level Domain (“TLD”) extension .HipHop, is giving everyone in the Hip Hop community a chance to claim their place online and contribute to the culture, with access to .HipHop domains.

As the Hip Hop community celebrates 50 years of transforming global culture, it’s the perfect time to kick off a new online era. An era when the communities of Hip Hop regain control of their culture.

“Before meeting the domaining experts on our team, I had no clue that any one person or group could hold the right to operate a domain extension such as ‘.com’; something so quintessential to the entire internet’s functionality,” says Ajene Watson, Managing Director of Dot Hip Hop, LLC. “Then I came to learn that one of these domain extensions was .HipHop. It immediately became a matter of duty for me, because if there were ever a time and space for my culture to reclaim its birthright, it would be right now through the ownership of Hip Hop online and in the digital world.”

Dot Hip Hop is the combined brainchild of several experts in the domain name industry, along with a bonafide child of Hip Hop culture.

Monte Cahn, a seasoned master of the domain name business, identified a unique opportunity to secure the .HipHop domain extension. Monte then recruited the domain name registry legal and operations expert, Jeffrey Neuman. Neuman’s initial role was to manage the very difficult task of getting the transfer of the .HipHop domain extension to Cahn approved by the International Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (“ICANN”)—the legal body responsible for the allocation of Top-Level Domain (“TLD”) extensions such as .HipHop.

Unexpected happenstance required Monte to identify an additional partner. In a twist of fate, just days after establishing Dot Hip Hop, LLC on August 11, 2021, Hip Hop’s recognized birthdate, Cahn was introduced to Ajene Watson, an investor, advisor, and CEO of DigitalAMN. Watson, whose current focus at DigitalAMN is on developing business strategies and platforms to assist everyday people establish and grow transferable wealth, was born on August 11, and grew up in the Bronx neighborhood credited with the birth of Hip Hop.

Under a unique set of circumstances, Cahn and Watson agreed to forge a relationship and within hours of meeting, joined forces to grow and deliver the .HipHop domain extension. Cahn educated Watson on the business potential of the domain naming space, and Watson provided Cahn with personal insight into the importance of putting Hip Hop culture first. With the aid of domain name marketing whiz, Scott Pruitt, Dot Hip Hop, LLC began its campaign to reach key members of both the domain naming and Hip Hop communities to participate in building one of the few, globally cultural domain extensions known to date.

The need for a solid, community-owned online home for Hip Hop is clear. Websites and email addresses matter, and are key business tools and Intellectual Property (“IP”) assets. For creators and businesses, having an active social media presence isn’t enough, as accounts get hacked, platforms control data monetization and social media platforms can get shut down or change policies. The only way creators can ensure they have full control of their content and data, and can monetize their audience is by owning their platform, a valuable part of their IP. Dot Hip Hop aims to build an entire online community and network of .HipHop spaces–all individually owned and operated but belonging and contributing to the larger cultural scene.

Other cultural groups have been recognized by domain names in recent years, such as .gay for LGBTQIA+ content. But Hip Hop, globally, is more than music, transcending nearly all socioeconomic and religious boundaries. It is unique as it’s all-encompassing, embracing music, culture, community, fashion, art, attitude, and more. And it’s big: Global revenue for media, fashion, music, and all the other sides of Hip Hop has added up to more than $19 Billion. It appeals to a diverse demographic worldwide, making up over 33% of streamed content and putting it in first place among musical and dance genres and very close in fashion. It has set the standard for fashion, dance, and pop culture at large.

Yet those at the forefront of creating and currently driving the culture haven’t had enough of an ownership stake or a say in its future.

“I believe, if a group is given the opportunity to control its foundation, it can maintain it,” states Monte Cahn, Dot Hip Hop Managing Director. “Registering domain names, in addition to providing a valuable digital asset through content, has the potential to spark participation, ownership, and a sense of pride in belonging to the Hip Hop community.”

Dot Hip Hop aims to turn the .HipHop extension into a uniting force for the community, where the community writes its own destiny. Furthering this mission of empowerment, the Dot Hip Hop team is developing plans to forward education workshops teaching the community how to research, analyze, buy, and sell domain names (i.e. digital real estate). It’s also creating digital tools that help creators regain control of their data and IP and easily connect their .HipHop addresses to digital wallets and other aspects of blockchain and Web3. And lastly, .HipHop is working with initiatives and organizations that support Hip Hop culture, to drive a portion of its revenue back into the communities of Hip Hop. From housing to scholarships for higher education, to caring for elder founders that contributed greatly to the “pillars” of Hip Hop, Dot Hip Hop, LLC is committed to financially supporting viable solutions for socioeconomic advancement throughout the communities of Hip Hop.

“At a business level, .HipHop is about selling domain registrations; that’s how money is made!” explains Watson. “At a human level, however, it’s about the betterment of society. We believe that by offering ownership of Hip Hop through equity and education on digital real estate, and by reclaiming control of Hip Hop’s online identity and community endeavors worldwide, Hip Hop will re-find its purpose as an extended voice of the 60’s movement, which ultimately wasn’t aimed simply at freedoms for Black Americans, but for the greater observance of love, peace, unity and prosperity amongst all people. Look at how far the culture of Hip Hop has come, only to realize we were kinda lost. But now with .HipHop, maybe…, just maybe, we’re finally found.”