|
|
GAYLE releases an acoustic performance video for her “abcdefu” single
|
|
GAYLE is a rising 17-year-old singer-songwriter and musician based in Nashville, TN. Not too long ago, she released an acoustic performance video for her Atlantic Records debut single, entitled, "abcdefu," which tells an honest tale about a young woman who shares a dilapidated relationship with her significant other. Apparently, she was once head-over-heels in love with her partner, but now, that love has evaporated. When her companion asked for space, she gave it. When she had nothing to say, her partner told everyone that she was a b*tch, so she became it. And that’s when she realized that she wasn’t going to play nice anymore.
“F U and your mom, and your sister, and your job, and your broken-down car. And that stuff you call art. F U and your friends that I’ll never see again. Everybody but your dog, you can all F off!!! I swear I meant to mean the best when it ended. Even tried to bite my tongue when you start it. Now, you’re texting all my friends asking questions. They never even liked you in the first place.” – lyrics
“abcdefu” continues to grow in streams every single week since its launch just over a month ago. It serves as a glowing example of GAYLE’s gift for fusing raw sincerity with an idiosyncratic and sometimes irreverent perspective. With its minimalist backdrop of jagged guitar work, the tongue-in-cheek breakup song explodes into a glorious free-for-all at its gang-vocal-fueled chorus. Furthermore, “abcdefu” telegraphs GAYLE’s refusal to compromise her own needs.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Sody releases an honest pop tune, entitled, “B*tch (I Said It)”
|
|
Sody (Sophie Dyson) is an emerging British singer-songwriter. Not too long ago, she released an honest pop tune, entitled, “B*tch (I Said It),” which contains a relatable narrative and ear-pleasing vocals that will resonate well with fans of Emily Burns, Clara Mae, and Anna Clendening. The likable tune possesses lush instrumentation flavored with contemporary and indie-pop elements. Furthermore, Sody will be playing “B*tch (I Said It)” live at her two upcoming shows at London’s Omeara on the 4th & 5th of October, 2021.
“After years of releasing music about my sadness, ‘B*tch (i said it)’ takes me into this new, angrier phase. I do see the good in people a lot but there are only so many times you can put up with someone treating you badly. This song has given me new confidence and has enabled me to channel my emotions into a sort of cheeky rage rather than crying into my pillow energy. It’s the realization that you’re actually better off without them and now you can scream it from the rooftops!” – Sody explained
Turning sadness into anger is cathartic for Sody. Last year was a fantastic year for the young singer, who garnered around half of her 243 million global career streams in just the last 12 months. This quickening in her career comes from shared cuts with bedroom pop maestro Cavetown on their single “is your bedroom ceiling bored?” and with upcoming hip-hop artist Foster on their Elvis remake “fools (can’t stop falling in love).” Also, Sody recently released her six-track EP, entitled, “real growth takes time,” which includes a fan-favorite track, “butterfly.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
KYE releases an appealing music video for her “Tuesday” single featuring Jerome Farah
|
|
KYE is a Zimbabwe-born, London-raised singer-songwriter based in Naarm and Melbourne, Australia. Not too long ago, she released an appealing music video for her third single, entitled, “Tuesday,” which tells an intriguing tale about a young woman who shares a challenging relationship with her significant other. Apparently, her partner has been testing her patience because he’s kinda unsure about their future. Later, she admits that it would be nice if he provided a little romance, a dance, or a hug. Also, she would feel loved, wanted, and appreciated if he held her hands in public.
“‘Tuesday’ is about that person who leaves you a little lonely. But you’re willing to wait however long it takes to win them over. They may not be ready to love you, and there’s a part of you that knows that, but you still jump through every hoop. This song came so naturally, Jerome, Jacob Farah, 18YOMAN, and I were just jamming and it wrote itself. It has the really nostalgic springtime feel to it that I love.” – KYE explained
‘Tuesday’ contains a relationship-based narrative, ear-pleasing vocals, and tuneful melodies that will resonate well with fans of Thaïs Lona, Gracie Ella, and Abby Diamond. The likable tune possesses groovy instrumentation sprinkled with neo-soul and contemporary R&B elements. Furthermore, “Tuesday” serves as a tasty appetizer to what listeners can expect to hear from KYE in the near future as she releases more memorable tunes.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Editor's Pick |
|
What we've been listening to this week |
|
|
|
|
|
Tai Marie releases an adorable R&B tune, entitled, “Superstar”
|
|
Tai Marie is a Dallas-based singer-songwriter from Los Angeles, California. Not too long ago, she released an adorable R&B tune, entitled, “Superstar,” which tells a charming tale about a young woman who politely enters into a deep conversation with a guy who looks familiar. Apparently, she saw him many times before in her dreams. Therefore, she concludes that he must be an important piece that’s missing in her life. Later, she tells him, “I get the sensation that we’ve been here (before), call it Déjà Vu. It couldn’t have been a coincidence, (me) running into you.”
“‘Superstar’ reverses roles. We often hear of songs/situations where a guy is the bold one in making a move on someone. Instead, this song tells a story about a woman (myself) who approaches a guy who she feels she’s seen before. Like a Deja Vu moment, she makes the bold move of approaching him.” – Tai Marie explained
‘Superstar’ contains a relatable narrative, ear-pleasing vocals, and impressive wordplay/lyrics. The dreamy tune possesses mid-tempo instrumentation flavored with retro-soul and contemporary R&B elements. Furthermore, “Superstar” serves as a tasty appetizer to what listeners can expect to hear from Tai Marie in the near future as she continues to release new music.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Thaïs Lona releases a lovely neo-soul tune, entitled, “Words”
|
|
Thaïs Lona is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter from Paris, France. Not too long ago, she released a lovely neo-soul tune, entitled, “Words,” which contains a relatable narrative and ear-pleasing vocals that will resonate well with fans of Sierra Blax, Abby Diamond, Jordan Danielle Harris, and Beth Macari. The jazzy tune is featured on Thaïs Lona’s debut EP, entitled, “Dancing Again.” The project will be followed by her debut album, projected to be released at the end of 2021.
“‘Words’ is about wanting to drown out the white noise going on in the back of your head. Noise telling you that you’re not good enough and not strong enough. That you deserve all the good things that happened to you. I feel a strong connection with this song because I’m often anxious and self-conscious. And instead of letting it terrify me, I wanted to face it with humor and visualize little birds that bug the hell out of me. It makes it more fun.” – Thaïs Lona explained
Thaïs Lona is the latest neo-soul sensation of the French musical scene. Her musical influences include D’Angelo, Erykah Badu, Chance the Rapper, and Alicia Keys. Thaïs was first discovered on social media by trumpeter and composer, Ibrahim Maalouf. One year later, with three music videos reaching thousands of views, she received an entry for the iNOUïS– Printemps de Bourges. Now, Thaïs is ready to take over the international market and solidify a top position within the neo-soul landscape.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dove Nicol releases an appealing music video for her debut single, entitled, “Calm Down”
|
|
Dove Nicol is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter and musician from Accra, Ghana, West Africa. Not too long ago, she released an appealing music video for her debut single, entitled, “Calm Down,” which contains a relationship-based narrative, ear-pleasing vocals, and tuneful melodies that will resonate well with fans of Teni The Entertainer, Ria Sean, and Kenah. The hypnotic tune serves as a fantastic introduction to what listeners can expect to hear on Dove Nicol’s upcoming debut EP, which is scheduled for release in mid-November 2021.
“I took so much time on this project because I wanted to express my story the best way I possibly could. And I want everyone watching to feel a sense of relatability to the story and imagery being portrayed. I love what I do and for me to share that with you all means more than you may know.” – Dove Nicol joyfully stated
Music is the canvas from which Dove Nicol paints her truth. The young artist grew up in the midst of an 11-year long civil war; music acted as her safe space, a beacon of solace away from the societal tragedies that plagued Sierra Leone. That, coupled with a spinal injury in her adolescence, set the foundations for a life that seemingly had the odds stacked against her. Despite this, she has maintained a positive attitude to life.
|
|
|
|
KB Mike releases a charismatic music video for his “L.O.V.E.” single
|
|
KB Mike is a contemporary rap artist from Chicago, Illinois. Not too long ago, he released a charismatic music video for his “L.O.V.E.” which tells a heartfelt tale about a young guy who shares an up-and-down relationship with his significant other. Apparently, he loves his partner dearly, even though she possesses flaws that he doesn’t mind overlooking. Later, he tells her, “I don’t care about ya past, I don’t care about ya last, and I don’t care about the ni^^as that you kissed or that you smashed.” It’s clear as day that he wants his girlfriend back in his arms because he knows they belong together.
“I was messing with somebody special, and I felt we were becoming distant. I didn’t want that to happen, so I wrote the song to let her know I DIDN’T want us to end up like that. That song means a lot to me, because it made everything in my music career really start up.” – KB Mike explained
‘Used To’ racked up 3.2 million Spotify streams independently before KB Mike inked a recording deal with Republic Records. The breakout single tells a heartfelt tale about a young man who wants his ex-girlfriend to stop crying so she can listen to what he has to say. Apparently, he’s the reason why she’s hurting with a broken heart, something he promises to fix. Later, he admits that he was wrong for lying to her about fooling around with other women.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Da Hot Spot Radio Station |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Zhuli releases a lovely debut single, entitled, “IKEA”
|
|
Zhuli is an exciting new project from Alana Patmore, a singer-songwriter based in Sydney, Australia. Not too long ago, she released a lovely debut single, entitled, “IKEA,” a light-hearted homage to knowing your self-worth and confidently placing yourself out of someone else’s league. The playful tune possesses percussion-laden instrumentation flavored with a contemporary pop vibration. Furthermore, “IKEA” serves as a fantastic introduction to what listeners can expect to hear from Zhuli in the near future.
“The concept for ‘IKEA’ came from my friend who had an experience with a guy who didn’t want to go down on her because ‘I just don’t do that.’ This story came up in a writing session and Harry (my co-writer/producer) had this beat that radiated this fun, hype-my-b*tch-up kind of vibe. So we wanted to write something that expressed this frustration while also seeing the funny side of it. If you’ve ever spent hours assembling something from IKEA – just to find you have a screw left over at the end and have to start over, then you can probably get something out of this song.” – Zhuli explained
Zhuli’s musical influences include Charli XCX, Tinashe, and Ariana Grande. Her music straddles the line between mainstream and experimental worlds while retaining a bona fide cohesiveness that is inimitably her.
|
|
|
|
Erika Tham releases a lovely debut single, entitled, “Admit It”
|
|
Erika Tham is a singer-songwriter and actress based in Los Angeles, California. Not too long ago, she released a lovely debut single, entitled, “Admit It.”
“‘Admit It’ is what I wish I could’ve said to someone that I was watching fall in love with me when I knew I didn’t feel the same. It’s an honest conversation with myself and him; admitting my faults and hesitations when it comes to love. I’m sorry I let it get this far and that I let you think I was the one. ‘Pardon my seduction, I’ll pardon your assumptions.’ I made ‘Admit It’ in Atlanta with my friends, Major and Deion. Major and I were in the kitchen making breakfast when Deion played us the beat, which he made the night before. While major was cutting up some veggies, he started freestyling the melody with words making fun of my manager, Syd, for having a Samsung instead of an iPhone. There’s actually a video of it somewhere! Later that night, we rewatched the video and I heard him say the words, ‘admit it,’ which is when I came up with the first line in the song, ‘I’ll admit it, I wouldn’t know love if I was in it.’ As soon as I said it, the three of us fell in love with the concept and could so relate. It was one of those songs that wrote itself because we were just being so honest.”– Erika Tham explained
|
|
|
|
|
|
Three Black Boys book series |
|
|
|
|
|
|
"Thomson's ear for street-slang vernacular is effective in bringing his characters to life and creates a chillingly real backdrop." - Kirkus Discoveries Review |
|
“Three Black Boys: Tomorrow After Supper” by Zangba Thomson
|
|
The location is South-side Jamaica, a rough and tough neighborhood in Queens, New York, and home to Babita Harris, an uninsured single parent who falls ill after returning home from vacation. She is taken to a hospital, where Salome McBryant diagnoses her with having black fever disease, which has done a significant amount of damage to her liver. With a couple of months to live, Babita's only hope of survival is a costly liver transplant. But with no health insurance, the chance of surgery is slim. What she needs is a quarter of a million dollars in cash. And that's when Barnes, her only son, along with his best friends, Demus and Baker, spring into dangerous action to get the money. Though their road is paved with good intentions, the brothers in arms are in for a few surprises and a whole lot of heat in this supernatural thriller which tells two remarkable tales of crime and redemption.
|
|
|
|
|
"'Three Black Boys: The Hotep Brother Manuscript' has elements that reminded me of the movie, 'The Mummy Returns." - Night Reader Reviews |
|
"Three Black Boys: The Hotep Brother Manuscript" by Zangba Thomson
|
|
Barnes, Demus, and Baker are back with another actioned-packed adventure. This time, they travel to Monomotapa, Alkebulan, where the king and queen were recently slain by Ego, a familiar nemesis whom the three Black boys thought they had destroyed in the afterlife. But they were deeply mistaken. Now, Ego has in his possession The Hotep Brother Manuscript, a sacred book filled with spiritual laws and enchanting spells, which he uses to turn the Monomotapan military into Egomaniacs. By his side is Deadra, a divine entity, and their goal is to rule Monomotapa and discontinue all shipments of gold to Planet Black, the home of the deities. Currently, the black planet is vulnerable, protected by a thin layer of gold that is quickly depleting. With the threat of an incoming meteoroid shower looming, there’s no telling what might happen to Planet Black if a large shipment of gold doesn’t arrive there soon.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bong At Home video series |
|
|
|
|
|