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Michael Kiwanuka releases a powerful visualizer for his “To Be Young Gifted & Black” single
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Michael Kiwanuka is a talented singer-songwriter from London, England. Not too long ago, he released a powerful visualizer for his “To Be Young Gifted & Black” single, which tells an evergreen tale of empowerment, self-growth, and racial identity. The timely tune finds Michael Kiwanuka telling listeners about the power they possess and why they should be proud of their Black heritage. Also, “To Be Young Gifted & Black” is featured on the official soundtrack to the landmark five-film anthology, entitled, Small Axe (Music Inspired By The Original TV Series).
“Music is an integral part of Small Axe, especially Lovers Rock. Selecting the songs was definitely one of the most fun parts of making the anthology series. So I’m really excited about the soundtrack release.” – stated Steve McQueen, Academy Award winner
‘Small Axe’ is a celebration of Black joy, beauty, love, friendship, family, music, and even food. Each one, in its own unique way, conveys hard-won successes, bringing hope and optimism. Also, the music featured on the official soundtrack is integral to the DNA of these stories. Both enhancing the narrative and paying homage to the musical and cultural heritage of the times documented in the series.
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E L E Y releases an appealing music video for his “Fire” single
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E L E Y is a rising Nashville-based, Atlanta-raised singer-songwriter, rapper, and producer. Not too long ago, he released an appealing music video for his “Fire” single, which tells a heartfelt tale of a young guy who can’t live without the love of his significant other.
“This song to me truly captures the post-breakup confusion that I think we all struggle with. I had the idea to do more vulnerable music for months and finally had a breakthrough with ‘Fire’ right after I moved to Nashville.” – E L E Y explained
E L E Y enlisted several key players from HBO’s Euphoria, such as the show’s production coordinator, Eliana Victoria Alcouloumre, who wrote and directed the video. Filmed in two days across the city of L.A., the sci-fi style video follows E L E Y on a journey for his last chance at love as the world ends. The artist can be seen initially sitting at home during a period of self-reflection before taking the run of his life through the streets of L.A. to see his lover one last time.
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RoseeLu releases an alternative-pop tune, entitled, “Got Me Feeling Like This”
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RoseeLu is a rising 20-year-old singer-songwriter from Copenhagen, Denmark. Not too long ago, she released an alternative-pop tune, entitled, “Got Me Feeling Like This,” which finds RoseeLu singing about a vulnerably familiar experience. Apparently, not too long ago, she was a victim of love and temporarily lost herself in the process.
“Although I’m still rather young, I’ve experienced being madly in love. Also, I’ve experienced the type of love where you end up losing yourself and lack the ability to be true to your own values. And even though it’s a hard farewell, sometimes you just have to do it in order to return to yourself again. This song was made only with the intention of letting these feelings go – make them free and give them the space they need.” – RoseeLu explained
‘Got Me Feeling Like This’ features a relationship-based narrative, ear-pleasing vocalization, and tuneful melodies. The sentimental tune possesses electric guitar-driven instrumentation flavored with upbeat alternative-pop and grungy-punk-rock elements. Also, “Got Me Feeling Like This” follows mildly on the heels of RoseeLu’s “F**k With My Feelings” and “Playing Alone” singles.
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Editor's Pick |
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What we've been listening to this week |
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chuXchu releases an appealing music video for his “Numbers Don’t Lie” single featuring Ayo Jay
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chuXchu (formerly known as Chu-Chu) was born in New York and raised in Abuja, Nigeria. Not too long ago, he released an appealing music video for his “Numbers Don’t Lie” single featuring Afro-pop sensation, Ayo Jay.
“I was and still am the biggest Ayo Jay fan. I always laugh when I think about the fact that I went from being a fan to a collaborator, and now a friend. He gave me my first shot and encouraged me to pursue this music thing. So it’s only right to have him be part of this important step in my life.” – ChuXchu explained
‘Numbers Don’t Lie’ contains a relationship-based narrative, ear-pleasing vocals, and catchy melodies that will resonate well with fans of Melvitto and Zarion Uti. The likable tune possesses rhythmic instrumentation flavored with tropical R&B, afro-pop, and afrobeats elements. Furthermore, “Numbers Don’t Lie” is featured on chuXchu’s debut EP, entitled, “Luv Struck.” The five-track project portrays the pain and beauty of love and its attachment.
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Dominique Pruitt releases a heartfelt Country tune, entitled, “Even My Roses Are Blue”
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Dominique Pruitt is a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. Not too long ago, she released a heartfelt Country tune, entitled, “Even My Roses Are Blue,” which tells a heartfelt tale about a young woman who traumatically experiences her heart breaking into a million pieces. Apparently, she wasted so much energy and time on a guy who turned out to be the cause of her unhappiness. Later, she admits that she isn’t over him yet, but she’s optimistic that she will find someone new soon. Also, she confesses that love is unpredictable and she had to learn that the hard way.
“Inspiration can strike any place. Pretty sure I saw dyed blue roses at the market and thought of the title. But really, when you’re breaking up, it feels like the whole world is tinged with a somber hue. I thought, ‘If your whole world is so blue with sadness and heartache, that even the roses are blue.’ This song came from an urge to write something very retro at that moment.” – Dominique Pruitt stated
‘Even My Roses Are Blue’ contains a sad narrative, ear-pleasing vocalization, and tuneful melodies that will resonate well with fans of Betty Levette, Kitty Wells, and Patsy Cline. The teary-eyed tune possesses guitar-laden instrumentation flavored with golden horn blasts and Americana and Country elements. Furthermore, “Even My Roses Are Blue” serves as a tasty appetizer to what listeners can expect to hear on Dominique Pruitt’s upcoming EP, entitled, Praying for Rain.
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Law releases an attractive music video for her “Over It” single
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Law is a singer-songwriter based in New Jersey. Not too long ago, she released an attractive music video for her “Over It" single, which tells an intriguing tale about a young woman who no longer wants to be in a committed relationship with her significant other. Apparently, their show is over, and her partner is mad that she won’t be under his bedsheets anymore. Later, she tells him not to text or call her because she’s over him and their failed relationship.
"After being fed up with the lies and manipulations of men myself, I decided to start helping other girls all around the world get over their own situations with my ‘catching cheaters’ series on TikTok. With everything going on in the world, everyone has truly been #OVERIT. And this song has become an anthem among girls everywhere." – Law explained
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Sydney releases an appealing music video for her “Old School” single
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Sydney is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter from Portland, Maine. Not too long ago, she released an appealing music video for her “Old School” single, which contains a relationship-based narrative, ear-pleasing vocalization, and tuneful melodies that will resonate well with fans of Ariana Grande, Jorja Smith, and H.E.R.
“I wrote ‘Old School’ about finally reaching this spot in a relationship where everything is patient, mature, kind, and understanding. Even the tough moments are ok because you’re working through them together. And with this spot, comes the reflection of times when you thought you might never get there. And now that you’re actually at this stage, you never want to go back to how it was before. Because, at the end of the day, I would rather go through it and work it out, versus quitting. I guess I’m old school that way.” – Sydney explained
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Wiese releases a lovely deep house tune, entitled, “Hear Me”
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Wiese (Trygve Wiese-Haugland) is a songwriter, producer, and DJ from Bergen, Norway. He released a lovely deep house tune not too long ago, entitled, “Hear Me,” the anthem to lead us out into the jungle of life again as we get ready to burst out of lockdown hibernation. The song touches on the freedom after post-lockdown confinement. Also, it shares the excitement at the prospect of travel and adventure coming back into full swing.
“The song is telling a story about what lockdown has done to us as human beings – our ability to be close to each other and our need to explore things the way we used to. After a year in lockdown and finally starting to see things opening up again, the vibe I felt was uplifting, energetic, and happy.” – Wiese explained
Wiese’s songs have accumulated over 15 million Spotify plays to date, as well as significant radio rotation and placements on Spotify’s official editorial playlists. Live-performance highlights include Viking Stadium (audience 16,000), NHH (audience 2,000), and Rockefeller Music Hall (audience 1,500). Wiese’s musical influences and inspirations include Imanbek, R3HAB, and Hedegaard.
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Claire Hawkins releases a lovely indie-pop tune, entitled, “Small Doses”
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Claire Hawkins is an up-and-coming singer-songwriter and travel vlogger based in Dublin, Ireland. Not too long ago, she released a lovely indie-pop tune, entitled, “Small Doses,” which tells a different story from the voyages Hawkins sings of on her last EP. Her tongue-in-cheek lyrics poke fun at some of the clichés we think of when it comes to romance. With its mixture of playful metaphors and confessional lyrics, “Small Doses” offers a glimpse into the mind of a 20-something who’s still figuring things out.
“I’m not really one to write a love song. That’s just not where my interest typically lies as a songwriter. I’m fascinated with this idea of hook-up culture and the way it’s so prevalent among young people. I’ve particularly felt that, as a woman, there’s this tension around wanting to defy certain societal expectations, but worrying there’s a risk of losing a bit of myself in the process.”– Claire Hawkins explained
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Three Black Boys book series |
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"Thomson's ear for street-slang vernacular is effective in bringing his characters to life and creates a chillingly real backdrop." - Kirkus Discoveries Review |
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“Three Black Boys: Tomorrow After Supper” by Zangba Thomson
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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.
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"'Three Black Boys: The Hotep Brother Manuscript' has elements that reminded me of the movie, 'The Mummy Returns." - Night Reader Reviews |
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"Three Black Boys: The Hotep Brother Manuscript" by Zangba Thomson
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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.
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Bong At Home video series |
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