Music

Shawa – Touch Di Road

Industry Spotlight, ME Blog, Music, Promo

Reggae and Dance Hall artist Shawa aims to make signature sound accessible to a global audience

PHILADELPHIA, PA – A Reggae sensation who is on a mission to completely restructure the dancehall culture is setting the world on fire with his latest hit single “Touch Di Road.”

Shawa is a Trinidad & Tobago native who now lives in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. His sound and style are a unique blend of multiple influences that are shaking up the traditional sounds of Reggae and Dancehall music. And as that sound gets in front of more ears, this fast-rising young artist is quickly becoming a global phenomenon.

“Touch Di Road” takes the Caribbean vibes of his heritage and puts them through his unique filter to create something that’s both modern and progressive. True to the best Dancehall music, it’s a song that will get people up on their feet, but it’s also a song that will make people think a little more deeply and encourage them to look forward to good times yet to come.

“With everything we’re going through the Coronavirus and the lockdown, the Dancehall culture just kind of went away,” Shawa said. “You could say the Coronavirus is the enemy of Dancehall. But when the lockdown is over, we’re gonna go out and hit the streets. We’re gonna paint the streets red. We’re gonna “Touch Di Road”. So this song is about getting ready to party as soon as this thing is over.”

Shawa said part of his purpose in blending new sounds with the traditional Dancehall rhythms is to reach a more international audience. He said Reggae has often been limited to a specific audience and as such, there’s a deficit of international artists within that genre. But Shawa wants to take his music global and make it available for everybody.

“Reggae shouldn’t just be for a Caribbean audience,” he said. “It should be for everybody. That’s why I say I want to restructure the Dancehall culture. It can’t be underground anymore. It can’t be structured around immoral things, like it has in the past. I want to polish it and represent it with royalty. Everyone is a king – that’s one of our slogans. And with that comes a polished, clean sound.”

As Shawa continues to expand on this sound and style, he said he’s interested in working with all of the major DJs and collaborating with other artists to create something truly original. He’s not a one-dimensional artist and can seamlessly flow between multiple genres and popular music as a whole. More than anything, he’s looking for global appreciation of this brand of music that he said has always been great and for which he has a deep love and appreciation.

“Touch Di Road” is currently available across all streaming platforms under the Global Excalibur Music label.

To listen to Shawa’s music or to follow him on social media, please visit:

https://www.instagram.com/shawa_gx/

https://twitter.com/GxmgShawa

https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/yDVbqCD8H2yTJQnX7

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/shawa/touch-di-road-2

TikTok: @Shawa_GX

“Touch Di Road”

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2inmuHLYfulGqvBsPXtv6g?si=_GTbptdXTAG4l54ptdDgRw

For Media Inquiries: Joseph J. Watson @ [email protected]

For Business Inquiries: Mr. Ruiz: (754) 245-7643

For booking information: [email protected]

Respect Jknight – Never Leave

Blog, Industry Spotlight, ME Blog, Music, Promo

Respect Jknight brings decade-plus of craftsmanship to the table with hot new single ‘Never Leave’

ROCHESTER, NY – If you give respect, you get respect. That’s the mantra of East Coast artist Respect Jknight whose latest single “Never Leave” is currently lighting up the digital airwaves.

Born and raised in upstate Rochester, Jermiane J. Griffin – AKA Jknight – began to freestyle rap at the age of 10 with his other siblings and friends from around the neighborhood. His inspirations came from artists such as Nas, Jadakiss and Styles-P. He studied the music industry and eventually began to cross into making beats and recording his own vocals. In late 2009, he established his own production company Vice Versa Entertainment Productions, and over the past decade has continued to make music and provide opportunities for other up-and-coming artists in the area to chase their dreams.

With “Never Leave,” Jknight showcases a decade-plus worth of talent that has been honed and crafted into something that’s equal parts original and high quality. With a Hip Hop and R&B fusion that features fellow Rochester artist Ricky Kartel, “Never Leave” is the perfect song to capture the emotions that come with committing to that one true love.

“It’s about being through that someone that you’ve spent years and years with,” he said. “It’s about that person that you’ve committed to never leave. You’ve been through thick and thin together, with all the headaches and heartaches. She respects you as a real person which is why she never left. If you’re real with that person, then they’ll respect you and you have something deep.”

Jknight said the single also showcases his ability to bridge the gap between old school and new school. He brings a very versatile style to the table, displaying an ability to rap with the best of them by creating a vibe that’s nostalgic but also progressive.

“I want my music to be known for giving someone the vibe of a dude who loves music and loves his craft,” Jknight said. “If a beat comes up, I know I can put a hook to it. I dig deeper with the story. You can hear the intricate notes I’m bringing, and the way I play my beats or spit my verses is what really sets me apart. I’m trying to show people that I’m a Hip Hop head, but I’m still into the new way of rapping. You could call me an unorthodox producer and artist. Jknight represents that slick, smooth, straight-to-the-point kind of person.”

To listen to Jknight’s music or to follow him on social media, please visit:

https://facebook.com/respectjknight/

http://instagram.com/respectjknight

https://twitter.com/RespectJknight

Keyn – Draft Night

Blog, Industry Spotlight, ME Blog, Music, Promo

Midwest artist Keyn takes sound to the next level with new single ‘Draft Night’

TOLEDO, OH – Midwest artist Keyn is ready to take it to the next level. Known for his three-part album series “The Drop Off,” Keyn has developed a large following throughout Ohio and the central part of the U.S. But with his latest single, “Draft Night,” he’s ready to grab an ever-widening audience along the East and West Coasts and eventually, an international audience.

That eager sense of anticipation is the very essence of Keyn’s new single. Tapping into the vibes that every prospective professional athlete feels in the moments before being officially drafted by a team, Keyn uses an upbeat Trap vibe to show off his unique delivery while expressing how he’s ready to take it to the next level of the industry.

“It’s all about the anticipation of draft night and how you feel when you’re hoping to get drafted,” he said. “For a long time, I was known as the kid around the neighborhood who was always rapping. As I grew older, different situations happened where I could take it to another level – doing shows and open mics and little performances around the state. I started pushing some mixtapes in my teenage years, and then put out the first album in 2018 which created even more buzz. I’ve been staying consistent with it and now it’s time to take it to the next level.”

Keyn said “Draft Night” is the first of a new album that’s set to come out in early 2021. Working with a fellow Toledo producer named Cook on the Beat, Keyn’s “The Key to Cookin” will show fans his evolution as an artist and display to a global audience his ability as a talented musician worth being taken seriously.

“When it comes to my music, it’s all about substance,” Keyn said. “When I come into my songs, it’s the content I put out there – content that people will never expect. I’m not a standard artist. I can touch on anything I went through in one song and still make it diverse. I have a laid-back style but at the same time, my delivery is a little aggressive – the bars can be aggressive now and then. I guess you could call it laid-back Trap Rap or Smooth Trap.”

Keyn also emphasized how versatile he is as a musician, noting that he sings on some of his tracks and has worked with Cook on the Beat to layer in some harmonies on the forthcoming album. From a content point of view, he said he wants to offer fans a range of perspectives – from stories from the streets to uplifting, anthemic jams that will inspire others to make the best of their lives.

“Sometimes I approach things from an outside view,” he said, “like I’m a third person looking at what’s happening. So if you’re going through something and you need to talk to somebody but you don’t’ have anybody, I want to put the music out there that will be your outlet. If you want to express something and you can’t, my music is out there for you to use to relate to it. And at the same time I still make music for people to ride to and just enjoy.”

“Draft Night” is currently available across all streaming platforms.

To listen to Keyn’s music or to follow him on social media, please visit:

https://ffm.to/keyn

https://www.instagram.com/keyn419/

https://twitter.com/Keyn419

“Draft Night”
https://youtu.be/4VXRO5AN8d8 (Clean)

President Kinte – Big Dog Status

Blog, Industry Spotlight, ME Blog, Music, Promo

President Kinte shares rags-to-riches story
on new self-titled album

ATLANTA, GA – It only take a few bars from one of his impressive songs to know that President Kinte is an artist with a whole lot of drip, flavor and swag. Operating out of Atlanta, this fast-rising rapper has dropped a 15-song self-titled album that is starting to make some major headway among industry insiders. Telling the story of his transition from the streets to the successful life of a full-time professional musician, “President Kinte” is the kind of album that puts new artists on the map.

“It took me eight years to get this project done,” President Kinte said. “It covers the collective journey of everything I’ve been doing and how I got to this project. I’m from the streets – I’m really from the gutter – and this album captures all the small things that showed me there’s a world outside of where I’m from. That inspires me. I’m not driven by money and I don’t care about fame, I just want to show people there’s something bigger than where you are from. I came from nothing, and you can, too.”

The debut single from the album is a song called “Big Dog Status.” The upbeat, anthem-like track serves as the perfect motivational mood to build self-confidence.

“It’s about being a big dog,” President Kinte said. “It’s about believing in yourself and making sure you stand above the competition. It’s about making sure you understand within yourself that you’re powerful. If you’re in a nice car, you deserve the car. If you’re in the club, you’re the man everyone in the club is looking to. Ultimately,it’s about empowering other people, which is what I want for my music.”

President Kinte started his journey in music when he was a student in junior high. He has always loved poetry and rhyming words, and that passion led him to some accolades at a young age. The more he kept writing poetry, the more he liked the way his words sounded against certain beats, and eventually, he began rapping the lyrics he’d written. Over the years, he’s developed his sound and cadence to create something that’s truly original. That signature style starts with a one-of-a-kind voice and continues with a swagger that flows through a fusion of multiple genres.

“The industry is opening back up and looking for new talent, and I feel like it’s my time,” he said. “I’m what the industry has been waiting on. I’m the kind of artist who wants to give everybody an opportunity. If my music can open doors to change people’s lifestyles – to help them get out of poverty and give them the opportunity to do what they dream of – then it’s all beneficial to me. When you talk about President Kinte, you’ll say that he’s the guy who gave you a shot and put his neck out there for you. I’m gonna open that door for people.”

To listen to President Kinte’s music or to follow him on social media, please visit:

https://www.instagram.com/presidentkinte/
https://www.facebook.com/quantico.owens/
https://soundcloud.com/user-237678341
https://twitter.com/presidentkinte

Dave Rose – Play Too Much

Music, Promo

International artist Dave Rose offers new sound from Eastern Europe

VIENNA, AUSTRIA – A new sound from Eastern Europe is about to set the Hip Hop world on fire. Kenyan-Austrian Dave Rose is a 22-year-old recording artist currently living in Vienna and has been releasing a string of singles this year, turning heads among industry insiders around the globe. His most recent single, “Play Too Much,” is a bouncy jam that takes a playful jab at women who play hard-to-get.

“I met my girlfriend at a club about a year ago and I kept trying to get her to go on a date and she kept postponing dates and stuff,” Rose said. “One day, after we finally did start dating, I brought her with me to the club. I usually go in and hear the beat, but I’d had this specific beat for two years and that day I just started freestyling and the melody came to me right away. I was spitting bars about how I had to work hard to get a date of her, and she loved it. She thought it was funny. She busted out laughing, and we knew right away we had a hit.”

Growing up in Austria, Rose was always more interested in athletics than he was music. He was a very good basketball player who was recruited by Division 1 colleges in the U.S., but before committing to any of them, his uncle was shot and killed. He’d been very close to his uncle who had introduced him to music when he was younger. Rose began exploring music in the wake of his uncle’s death and eventually, music took over as his primary passion.

“When he died, I felt the urge to write songs,” Rose said. “I wrote my first song two days after his death and I’ve been writing ever since. For the first two years, I was just writing songs on the side while still playing basketball. I still had a dream of being an NBA player. But that passion faded over time and I spent more time writing and recording songs. Music really became my passion and since then, music is all I do – I eat, sleep and breathe music. I’m always thinking of new songs, beats, melodies, or whatever.”

Though he’s been writing since 2016, Rose didn’t release his first song until late 2019. He said he takes a lot of time to perfect his craft and make sure his songs are perfect before being released to the masses. He took singing lessons with several vocal teachers, and has developed a signature sound that’s a mellow mix of singing and rapping. As a result, Rose is able to create party songs, love songs, and tracks that fit practically any mood.

“I think my style is unique in the way that there’s no real definition of what my style is,” he said. “The rapping and singing mixture I’ve incorporated into all my songs gives it a sound that’s not out there a lot right now. It spreads good vibes, and at the end of the day, I just hope my music is the thing people can turn to in any situation. If you’re sad, go listen to one of my songs and feel better. If you’re happy, my music can make you even happier. If you’re at a party, my music is the kind of music you can listen to and it instantly makes the party better.”

Rose said he’s planning on dropping another single, “How U Do It”, at the beginning of 2021 and encourages fans to check out his music across all streaming platforms. To listen to Dave Rose’s music or to follow him on social media, please visit:

https://www.instagram.com/daverosemusic/

https://www.youtube.com/c/DaveRoseMusic

https://open.spotify.com/artist/7kG1iBnzZYWUmRhE3kVpe8?si=d922NHZHQiS9i3Hy1bA-ng

https://music.apple.com/at/artist/dave-rose/166716671?l=en

Holiday The Golden Child – Features

Blog, Industry Spotlight, ME Blog, Music, Promo

A new era of female Rap: Holiday The Golden Child releases a mixtape and single highlighting women empowerment

New York – An up-and-coming female Rap icon and ridiculously talented musician, Holiday The Golden Child is taking over the Rap scene with two new releases — a mixtape named “The Makeover” and her latest single “FEATURES.” Both discuss the hardships of making it big as a woman in a hyper masculine industry like Rap, and the rights of women to express themselves however they see fit, no matter who they are.

Holiday started her music career as a poet. She found herself using poetry as an outlet for her emotions, something that helped greatly after the passing of her father and after several different experiences and career changes. She found herself drawn to Hip Hop. “I went from just writing one song to learning how to hone in my craft and understanding how to compose a song, what a verse was and what a bar was and things like that.” From those beginnings, she has continued to work on her skills and grow as an artist.

Inspiration for Holiday and her music comes from her life and experiences. “I’ve got a hard head. I’ve learned the hard knock life, from being out in the streets, becoming a stripper, from living in the suburbs, having that good girl lifestyle and to go into the hood and learning what it’s like on the other side.” Being able to see both sides of the spectrum gives her a new perspective and allows for Holiday to reach a greater and more versatile range of people through her music.

Through those influences and a variety of other things, Holiday has crafted a sound that is uniquely her own. Holiday’s music has a contemporary Hip Hop feel to it. Her lyrics have a fun and easy feel to them, and are always relatable. Specifically in her new single “FEATURES,” she shines with artistic lyricism and an overall amazing song.

“FEATURES” is an exciting new track where Holiday discusses the importance of being attractive and well off in the Hip Hop industry. Not only is the song beautifully done with an intricate string piece that overlays an electric beat, it holds a strong message that is extremely important to today’s climate. In 1.36 minutes, she brings light to a variety of things that this industry finds almost if not more important than the music that artists make. This is especially true for women, something Holiday as well as many of the other powerhouse women in the Hip Hop industry have attested to.

Holiday’s new mixtape, “The Makeover,” is essentially a collection of tracks that discuss the power that women have in the music industry and how that differs from the power of men in the same position. It truly pays homage to the evolution of women in Rap as it remakes the hits that defined several instrumental movements.  “The music is dedicated to the female pioneers in the game who have paved the way for me to do what I’m doing, so I felt it was only right for me to pay homage to them and give them, and the world, the music that we all love so much.” These tracks are essentially a salute to the female rapper and everything that she has had to go through to get to where she wants to be.

With experience in the sex work industry as well as the work that she’s done in the world of Hip Hop, Holiday is no stranger to the issues and disadvantages that women face in today’s world. She recounts several problematic realities of being a woman in Rap. “If you bat your eyes too hard or you say thank you too sweetly or you respond too quickly and a man doesn’t take it the right way, you may lose your position in that room.” One of Holiday’s main goals is to work her way up in the industry to get to a point where she has enough power to not have to worry about what she says, how she looks, and whose favor she has when she walks into a room. “There are very few women in positions, running labels that have a say in things. Unfortunately, one of the big things is that to gain power, you have to be attractive. Sex sells.”

Because of everything that Holiday has gone through and triumphed over, she stands in a particularly advantageous spot as one of the few powerful women capable of taking the throne as one of the next queens of Hip Hop, a coveted title that she is undoubtedly built for.

Be sure to check out the new single “FEATURES” and the gorgeous music video that has recently been released alongside it. You can find Holiday The Golden Child and her music on platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Spotify, Soundcloud and BET Jams. Also check her out on the podcast 8atthetable which can be found on YouTube and IGTV.

https://linktr.ee/holidaythegoldenchild

https://soundcloud.com/olidayheoldenchild

Cristal Carrington – Running Out Of Time

Blog, Industry Spotlight, ME Blog, Music, Promo

Hit-maker Cristal Carrington rides wave of success
with string of Pop single releases in 2020

BALTIMORE, MD – When you look at Cristal Carrington’s body of work, there’s one thing that’s strikingly clear: she makes hits!

As a singer/songwriter in the Pop and Techno realm, Carrington fell in love with EDM and its fusion of R&B, Rap, Rock & Roll, and Nu-Disco. She’s been surrounded by groundbreaking music for the better part of the past decade and always wanted to mesh different genres into intriguing new grooves. In 2020, she’s further explored that progressive style with a handful of singles that range from the dance-inspired track “Dance with You” to the inspiring and thought-provoking tune “Running Out of Time.”

Inspired by the anxiety-inducing experiences of 2020, “Running Out of Time” is a Pop track with an upbeat vibe that’s juxtaposed against lyrics that are at times melancholy and introspective.

“It’s about the anxiety that comes from the stuff we’re going through right now with the pandemic,” Carrington said. “Everything is in disarray. People are feeling stressed out and frustrated. And at the end of the day, we need to unify and come together. So this is a song that’s pleading for better days.”

If nothing else, “Running Out of Time” is a single that will show the world that Carrington is the next big thing. She’s about to blow up and she’s ready to take it to another level. Her music is so diverse that it’s impossible to put her in a box. She can spit bars, she can create EDM jams, she can bring a soulful style, and she can, of course, create music that is both relatable and commercially viable.

Carrington began her entertainment career as an intern for Universal Records, doing promotions for artists such as Lil Wayne, Maino, Chamillionaire, David Banner, and Remy Ma. Soon, her love of music landed her an intern producer spot for the popular radio station WPGC 95.5 FM in the Washington, D.C. market. As her career developed and she began to create her own music, she was highlighted in some major magazines such as Medium, Vents Magazine and Hollywood Digest. She soon became known as a highly talented artist who was bringing a new voice to Pop music by creating songs to please audiences of all ages.

“I make hits,” she said. “Every song I make has to be structured to be a hit. It has to be something made ready for the radio. I’ve got a growing audience right now and I want to keep that momentum going and reach for higher levels.”

Some other Pop songs that Carrington has created this year and which are currently streaming across all digital platforms include: “I Believe In Your Love,” “Another Way of Life,” “Player” and “See You Dance.”

To listen to Cristal Carrington’s music or to follow her on social media, please visit:

https://www.instagram.com/cristalcarringtonmusic/

https://twitter.com/LongIslandPop

https://soundcloud.com/cristal-carrington

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2u1ImA7SUr4bTt3xYJKP4W

TikTok @CristalCarringtonMusic

Yogi 700 – Dangerous

Blog, Industry Spotlight, Music, Promo

 Yogi 700 keeps his vibe 
100 percent with new album ‘700 Milligramz’ 

LOS ANGELES, CA – Yogi 700 is one of those unique individuals who also sees the glass as half-full. Born with 7 fingers he’s very optimistic, and his music offers that same kind of hope to the world. As a young 23-year-old artist trying to show the world his unique sound and style, Yogi 700 demonstrates that never-give-up attitude in ways that are equal parts inspiring and motivational. With his latest album “700 Milligramz” which features the hit single “Dangerous,” Yogi 700 is set to launch himself onto the global stage in big ways. 

“700 Milligramz” is an album that Yogi 700 said will get fans equal parts turnt up and turned down. It tells his life story – from the moment he arrived in LA a few years ago to the point that he’s at today. He said he wanted to give the world a project that only gives off the full spectrum of who he once was compared to who he is today, but also an album that showcases his wide range of styles and sounds. 

“There’s singing and rapping,” he said. “There’s Hip Hop and Soul and a little bit of Pop. Singing, more than anything else, is the core of what led me to music. I try to make that the biggest core of most of my music, unless there’s something occurring inside that makes me want to let it out as a Rap song. But most of this project will be songs that people can feel on a deeper level and vibe to.” 

“Dangerous” is perhaps the best example of that. It’s a song that explores the aches of heartbreak and the joys of reunion, or at least the hopes of a reunion. Yogi 700 said he was fascinated with that liminal space in which so many people find themselves when they’re hoping for a relationship to take the next step. 

“Even though you know that’s what you want, you’re teeter-tottering if it’s gonna happen,” he said. “This song is about focusing on you and letting things happen as they are instead of trying to force it. It’s got the kind of vibe that makes you just want to sit on the couch and relax – something that’s gonna vibe you down.” 

This isn’t the first project that Yogi 700 has released to the world. Prior to moving to LA, he released several mixtapes and singles in his hometown of Iowa City, Iowa. After a series of hardships that saw Yogi 700 living on the streets for a while, he got his big break in LA when label owner Mark Ellis and Billy Davenport signed him to his first recording contract with Static Music Group. From there, he started to build a base in LA, and that journey of ups and downs makes up the core of his new album. 

To listen to Yogi 700’s music or to follow him on social media, please visit: 

https://www.facebook.com/Y7fyogi700 

https://twitter.com/Y7fyogi700 

https://www.instagram.com/Y7fyogi700 

“Topic”
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu4TBRgQPLyJYXX8wmuLNaQ

[New Single] “BIG 5TASH” by 5tash @5tash

Music

Following his appearance on the blog with singles such as, “24/8”, The Official commemorative single, in Honor of the late Kobe Bryant, in Feb., ‘S.D.F.O.’ (Step Da Fuxk Out) back in June, or more recently in September with the release of his Group/ Collective ‘Greenfolkz!’s Debut Studio Album, titled “C.O.V.1.D.E.N.T.I.A.L.”, Atlanta-based hip-hop artist, businessman & upriser, Ryan Lamar Alexander – aka 5TASH BANK$ – circles right back around, yet again, with another bonafide classic fresh off the press!

This Latest and maybe greatest installment yet, titled “BIG 5TASH” will be the Lead Single off his Debut EP entitled “I, 5tash Banks” releasing in 2021. Hardly Home but always Reppin’ his hometown, Prince George’s County, Maryland (DMV), 5tash has been focusing on his grynd for a very long time, and it’s finally starting to show in a “BIG” way & truly on another Echelon. 5tash gets BiG & Braggadocios Over a smooth arrangement by none other than his seemingly go to producer as of late & newest Member if Greenfolkz!, Joshua Branden Welch, aka “Brutus The Melodist”, in this sure classic. Make sure you you check out this absolute banger now available on all digital platforms/outlets!

Social Network info

@5tash
@brutusmusik
@greenfolkz.ent

Steam now on Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/track/0kId1aDuNK3LbnOAJkxiQ4

So Loyal Recruits OG Dre to Talk “Hood Superstar” @soloyal910

Music

Fayetteville NC native So Loyal recruits OG Dre to talk about his urban struggles that motivated him to do better. So Loyal has been steady climbing the ladder of success with a relentless work ethic. The song “Hood Superstar” is produced by Tha Kidd QDH and is a ode to all the street celebrities who made something from nothing. So Loyal with music influences from the likes of Tupac and Jeezy offers “Hood Superstar” as the first single to his upcoming project titled “Downtown Finest”.

https://m.facebook.com/profile.php? id=100000508119045&ref=content_filter

InstaGram soloyal910- https://www.instagram.com/soloyal910/

YouTube So Loyal T2G- https://youtu.be/wrAtT1y_aMM

Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/artist/1MatdDOGA6z2zpvtgp5fQZ?si=Ik2JRKWxS2m01RGq7xg1dw&nd=1