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Caitlin Quisenberry releases a captivating music video for her “WHAT IF” single
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Nashville’s newest darling, Caitlin Quisenberry, brings her Denver flair to Music City. Not too long ago, she released a captivating music video for her “WHAT IF” single, which tells a heartfelt tale about a young woman who questions what life would be like if one moment in her past was changed. What if she hadn’t stayed the night, stopped at one bottle of wine, or said goodbye to her significant other? What if she never opened up and said, ‘I love you?’ Later, she realizes it’s too late to go back in time to right her wrongs. Also, she appreciates the way things turned out because she stood her ground and refused to be that girl who got strung along for the ride.
“The concept of “WHAT IF” is anchored in ‘the butterfly effect,’ where one small change can alter later results and amount to unforeseen outcomes. In writing, we also touched on the idea of mental health. I’m a perfectionist and with that often comes a lot of anxiety. When I wrote this song, I wanted to show people that having thoughts of regret, wonder, or being unsure of yourself are normal feelings we must deal with as humans. However, there’s also danger in constantly questioning our actions. We can easily get caught up in a rabbit hole of asking ourselves “what if” about everything…ultimately leading to even more anxiety and a lack of confidence. I hope those listening to ‘WHAT IF’ find comfort knowing that they aren’t alone and that we are all questioning things.” – Caitlin Quisenberry explained
Filmed in the heart of Nashville, the video marks Caitlin Quisenberry’s directorial debut. The talented songstress drew inspiration from her acting background and time on set to develop a short story that makes the song feel more like a theatrical experience rather than a standard music video. She worked with longtime collaborator and videographer, James McGettrick, to bring the vision to life. From the hustle and bustle of the downtown office scene to the quaint neighborhood park igniting a hot new romance, each location captures the beauty, charm, and energy of Nashville.
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Jasmine Thompson releases a music video for her “after goodbye” single
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Jasmine Thompson is a talented singer-songwriter based in London, England. Not too long ago, she released a music video for her “after goodbye” single, directed by acclaimed visual artist/director/photographer, The Melody Maker. The song was written by Casey Smith (Olivia Rodrigo, Ashe, Jonas Brothers) and co-written and produced by Zach Skelton (Jonas Brother, Shawn Mendes, John Legend).
“‘after goodbye’ is about seeing someone you love with someone new and realizing that you haven’t moved on. You knew it would hurt to leave behind a relationship, but you never once thought about what happens after that door has closed.” – Jasmine Thompson explained
At the age of just 13, Jasmine Thompson’s booming YouTube presence and captivating vocals helped lead to a major label deal with Atlantic Records. Now, at the age of 20, she has enjoyed a musical growth that’s taken her from viral covers to her own WONDERLAND and COLOUR EPs. Since then, Thompson has become even more beloved. She has earned more than three billion global streams and over five million monthly Spotify listeners worldwide. Also, her blockbuster YouTube channel has grown by leaps and bounds, accruing over 679 million views and more than 3.62 million subscribers thus far.
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DUCKWRTH releases an appealing visualizer for his “We Outside” single
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DUCKWRTH (Jared Lee) is a rapper, musician, and designer based in Los Angeles, California. Not too long ago, he released an appealing visualizer for his “We Outside” single, the intro track to DUCKWRTH’s new EP, entitled, “SG8*,” named after the success of his 2020 full length. The eight-track project was aptly named after the SuperGood brand that he created and the evolution to his 2020 album of the same name. Featuring production by WaveIQ (Jaden Smith, Goldlink) and Loshendrix (SZA, Brent Faiyaz, Kehlani), “SG8*” is an ode to post-pandemic joy and rising above the inherent anxiety associated with the era.
“Now that things are opening up and we’re living in this post-pandemic state of mind, no one is touching on the new anxieties. The truth of the matter is we shake the dice every time we’re around people. And now, I’m contemplating whether I’ve always struggled with anxiety or if the atmosphere change has bred a new thing in me. Deep down, I still just want to have a good time without fear because we clearly don’t know when this will end. ‘SG8*’ represents pressing play and hearing something that’ll make you feel good.” – DUCKWRTH explained
DUCKWRTH’s headlining U.S. tour supporting the EP will kick off on September 7, 2021, at The Roxy. The tour has sold-out dates in Los Angeles, New York, Atlanta, Boston, Oakland, and Chicago. Recently announced as direct support for Billie Eilish’s 2022 “Happier Than Ever, The World Tour,” DUCKWRTH continues the lineage of soul and dives deeper into melodic R&B.
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Editor's Pick |
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What we've been listening to this week |
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KB Mike releases an appealing music video for his “Used To” single
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KB Mike is a 20-year-old rap artist from the Marquette Park and Gage Park sections of Chicago’s historic Southside. Not too long ago, he released an appealing music video for his “Used To” single, which 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.
The video finds KB Mike seated at an old school typewriter, where he punches out one letter after another to his ex. Later, those letters are piled up on her bed – only to be discarded in a flurry of tears. Despite looking for love elsewhere, they both magnetically find one another again in a romantic reunion. The breakup-to-makeup storyline serves as the perfect complement to the track.
KB Mike dodged the pitfalls of violence and poverty through art. From a young age, he endured losing loved ones to the streets and drugs. Having found popularity in high school and the community, he tried his hand at rapping in 2018. What began as acapella freestyles to other artists’ tunes during house arrest evolved into something far greater two years later. Also, Mike is revved up for 2021 after experiencing a breakthrough in 2020, which included high-six-figure engagements on Soundcloud, Instagram, and Facebook.
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Zaniya releases a music video for her “Not Sorry” single
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Zaniya (Kiara Ponton) is a Newark-based singer-songwriter from Trenton, New Jersey. Not too long ago, she released a music video for her “Not Sorry” single, which contains a relatable narrative and pleasing vocals that will resonate well with fans of Summer Walker, Ella Mai, and Queen Naija. The Anze Skrube-directed video and song was created the same week when Zaniya went to Hollywood, where she worked in the studio with Grammy-nominated producers, Bizkit & Butta.
“This video is about having fun, dancing, and not being sorry for what you believe in or being different. Loving your decisions in life and taking chances. Doing what I love to do, make music that people can relate to.” – Zaniya stated
Zaniya isn’t sorry about the direction that she’s heading in. The young artist grew up in the church, where she was influenced by the angelic vocals from the choir.
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HETHA releases an appealing music video for her “Hey People” single
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HETHA is an independent singer-songwriter from Australia. Not too long ago, she released an appealing music video for her “Hey People” single, which serves as a tasty appetizer to what listeners can expect to hear on HETHA’s upcoming debut EP, set to be released in 2022.
“Growing up, I always felt underestimated because I was just a little girl who looked cute. I wasn’t seen for my strength or courage. I initially wrote ‘Hey People’ about this specific experience. But it’s taken on a wider message to become an anthem about acceptance and smashing stereotypes of all kinds. So that people can show a little less judgment and a lot more kindness.” – HETHA explained
HETHA has a style that can only be described as diverse, eclectic, and idiosyncratic. In 2021, she burst onto Sydney’s original music scene giving birth to a string of singles that draw inspiration from her musical idols: Diana Ross, Rickie Lee Jones, and Lily Allen. The young songstress sketches her life in music with honest transparency, revealing her deepest emotions and innermost struggles.
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Sofia Coll releases a lovely neo-soul tune, entitled, “Mi Hogar”
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Sofia Coll is a singer-songwriter based in Barcelona, Spain. Not too long ago, she released a lovely neo-soul tune, entitled, “Mi Hogar,” which contains a universal message that enhances listeners to see beyond the superficial. Sofia Coll composed the song by asking herself: What does it mean to be at home? What is home to me? That place, sensation, memory that inexplicably feels good and is uniquely yours. This feeling of “home” is within each one of us.
“'Mi Hogar' appears after a conversation about what does 'home' mean. I wanna believe 'home' is where you feel safe, inspired, true to yourself, warm. And it can be found anywhere. It can be a smell, a song, a touch, a feeling. It changes, it grows, it expands, like love and life. And it is so important to appreciate that place to not lose yourself.” — Sofia Coll explained
‘Mi Hogar’ contains a relatable narrative, ear-pleasing English and Spanish vocals, and tuneful melodies that will resonate well with fans of Mahalia, Arlo Parks, and Jorja Smith. The elegant tune possesses vibey instrumentation flavored with Latin-R&B and British neo-soul elements. Also, “Mi Hogar” serves as a tasty appetizer to what listeners can expect to hear from Sofia Coll in the near future.
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Da Hot Spot Radio Station |
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Rosa Linn releases a music video for her “KING” single with Kiiara
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Rosa Linn is a 21-year-old singer-songwriter from Vanadzor, Armenia. Kiiara is a multi-platinum singer-songwriter from Chicago, Illinois. Not too long ago, they released a music video for their “KING” single via Nvak Collective (pronounce “nuuh-vaak” and means “to play music” in Armenian).
“I want my music to have a message, and as soon as I wrote ‘KING,’ I knew it had to be my first release. It addresses the political undertones between Russia and America. and I’m thankful to have Kiiara share her and the American perspective of what fame is like.” – Rosa Linn explained
The track and video present two artists whose global story connects wholeheartedly. Kiiara represents the American perspective, and Rosa, the global perspective. Sharing stories and lyrics in both English and Russian (the second most common language spoken in Armenia), “KING” showcases the glorification of western culture and fame not being all that it’s cut out to be through Kiiara’s and Rosa’s lens. This release from Rosa Linn is an exciting moment for global pop music from West Asia and the growing globalization around where talent can be found and fostered.
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Emi Jeen releases an alternative, pop-rock tune, entitled, “Dark Lonely Summer”
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Emi Jeen is a singer-songwriter based in Montréal, Canada. Not too long ago, she released an alternative, pop-rock tune, entitled, “Dark Lonely Summer.”
“Derek and I got into a writing session and felt like we didn’t want to spend another summer as we had far from people we loved. I arrived at the studio and had one word in mind: “canyon.” We were about to start another wave of the pandemic and I felt so far from human connections. I felt like we were digging a huge canyon and wouldn’t be able to connect physically with each other anymore. I just wanted to get out of this mindset saying, ‘And I won’t chase another dark lonely summer.’ In terms of the instrumentation, I said to Derek, it would be cool to do a four-on-the-floor beat but alternative. To feel a sense of movement, to feel that it was a phase and that we will get out of this deepness. He nailed that one right away.” – Emi Jeen explained
The story of Emi Jeen began in a small town of 3000 on the south shore of the St. Lawrence River, QC. There, she trained in opera, laying the groundwork for her unique sound. In 2012, Emi joined the girl group, AKA. The group toured across Asia to adoring crowds in Dubai, Morocco, Thailand, and Malaysia.
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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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