Highmann – Hard Time

Highmann brings energy and fun with new album ‘Hard Time’

CHICAGO, IL – From the south side of Chicago, born in the Robert Taylor Projects, comes a rapper who is all about the good times. His name is Jesse Webbs but he operates under the stage name Highmann – a nod to getting high a lot both in his life and in his music. It’s also a light-hearted and playful moniker that is the perfect introduction to his fun wordplay and upbeat sound, which is put on full display with his new EP “Hard Time.”

Set to release across all streaming platforms on Feb. 26, “Hard Time” has seven songs that offer a diverse mixture of rhythms and grooves that will get people bopping their heads and put a smile on their feet. It’s a project that features a lot of heavy beats against lyrics that explore everything from being in a strip club, to having a bad trip, to going out with a lady and even a fun song that’s all about him being a rapper.

“I like to really concentrate on a nice beat with a melody and then do breakdowns and stuff,” Highmann said. “I have a lot of different sounds. I use a lot of bass drums and 808s and 606s. I try to incorporate horns whenever I can, or any instrument I can get the sound good that I can rap to. I do a lot of fast rapping, and I’m always mixing it up.”

That signature style is perhaps best displayed on the title track from the EP, “Hard Time.” Highmann plays with the words as he talks about how he navigates through hard times. While most of the other songs on the project are upbeat, this one is laid back and mellow, emphasizing his diversity as an artist. “Creepin” on the other hand, is an energetic and fast song that tells three stories of how he’s creepin – on an enemy, with a woman, and just generally sneaking around in the world.

“I wanted to put out a project that shows people that I make music that not only sounds good but is interesting,” he said. “I’m not saying a bunch of words that rhyme. I tell a good story. I’m entertaining and funny. And I just make good-sounding music.”

Highmann said he has always wanted to do music and credits artists such as Abla Homes, Henry Horner and Stateway Gardens for helping him to develop his style of hardcore mixed with party music. On this particular project, he worked with producer Beat by Jae to develop the diverse production and various Rap styles. And at the end of the day, he said he knows he made a collection of music that he would like to hear.

“I think I made some good songs,” he said. “We’ll see what other people think. It has always been a dream. And now that I have the ability to do everything myself, I’ve decided to go for it. This time right now is the time.”

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

https://www.instagram.com/thahighmann/

https://www.facebook.com/ThaHighmann

https://open.spotify.com/artist/47Fb0Ea21UIJH2jor1PKBH?si=6k84UataSc-kFIJ515JNbQ
https://open.spotify.com/track/2amqlHlaAgj3dbw9lgO2gw?si=uBT6KL0IQ_22BvUXO_O6mQ
https://open.spotify.com/track/1EpSyJW46o5Wv3iRZvd6k9?si=rZL7WGu8SsOxjA3Mv0iiWg

KCAM – Machine Queen

Blog, Industry Spotlight, ME Blog, Music, Promo

Chef by day, musician by night: East Coast artist KCAM shows mastery of creative technique with new single ‘Machine Queen’

RICHMOND, VA – A hot new single from East Coast artist KCAM is the ultimate vibe track. “Machine Queen” is the kind of spacey, ethereal Hip Hop groove that has you simultaneously bopping your head while leaning back and just relaxing. From the very first bars, this young artist from Richmond, Virginia invites you into a zone that immediately puts you into a chill mood and makes way for his tantric flow. His voice is almost hypnotic as it rolls across the beat. It is, in a word: chill.

“It’s definitely melodic,” said KCAM (pronounced Cam). “I like a lot of 70s and 80s vocal tones, and I try to match that as much as I can with today’s R&B. I’m also a big Pop culture movie guy – especially the 80s to early 2000s – which is why I’m talking about Marty McFly (a character from the 80s film “Back to the Future) and using that as a metaphor for how this girl is treating me. She’s my machine queen.”

Operating out of the south side of Richmond, KCAM is a chef by day and a musician by night. He’s a naturally talented artist who found his creative outlet through food. He graduated from culinary arts school and has been working as a chef for the past few years. Along the way, he realized that the same kind of chaos that takes place in the kitchen can take place in the recording studio, and his approach to making music began to mimic his approach to making beautiful and tasty food. It wasn’t long before the licks he was creating in the studio were just as succulent as the treats he would put on people’s plates … and the rest is history.

“Making food is very similar to making music to me,” he said. “That’s what got me fully immersed in music. I do private dinners and catering and stuff like that, and when I considered doing music as well, it was like I finally stopped living in a box.”

One of the things that makes KCAM stand out from others in the industry is the way he layers different sounds into each song. He said his approach is to go into the studio with a lot of different concepts and then try to layer how he’s feeling with the words he’s writing with the sounds he’s creating – all the while envisioning what it will feel like when he performs it in front of a crowd. After developing and laying down the direction of the song, I send it off to my engineer, Holdingold to polish the vision.

“Sonically, it’s just different,” he said of his sound. “Most people think you’re either one way or another in the industry today, but I can balance both sides by staying true to myself. I’m delivering passionate music. I’m always in the mindset that the more I listen to my own music, the better it can be. And I hope my music will help others open themselves to new things.”

KCAM said he has another single called “Leave The Floor” slated to drop on Feb. 8, and that more music will be coming throughout the year.

To listen to his music or to follow him on social media, please visit:

https://mobile.twitter.com/KcamStayTrippin
https://www.instagram.com
https://soundcloud.app.goo.gl/B144Ao6o14Q4LYNB9

“Machine Queen”

https://open.spotify.com/album/3VF8q5SpR7VWSQWKoJJo9K?si=twbBauA_Qy234v-M45j6JQ

Always Naked – Sex Sells

Blog, Industry Spotlight, ME Blog, Music, Promo

Northwest Alt-Rock band challenges social norms with new album just in time for Valentine’s Day

SEATTLE, WA – It would be easy to see a band called Always Naked launching a new album called “Sex Sells” on Valentine’s Day and think that the songs would be sensual and sultry, but nothing could be farther from the truth. This Seattle-based Alt-Rock group is presenting a project that is challenging the over-sexualization of today’s American culture. With catchy Rock riffs and engaging guitar licks, they’re offering a different perspective on the idea that passion and physical attraction are the be-all, end-all of good relationships.

“It’s a project that was born from the upspring of ‘Only Fans’ and the idea that you have to be sexualized to get anywhere in life,” said front-woman Skylar Steffy. “There’s this idea in our culture that you have to utilize your body and have the nice hair and the makeup to get ahead in life. With this album, and especially with the title track, I’m expressing the frustration I feel about being a girl who’s a rocker and who wants to dress like the boys. But so often, people are trying to do things to make me more feminine than I want to be. Women all over the world feel that sense of being sexualized.”

Though Steffy is the lone woman in the band, she’s the main songwriter and as such most of the songs explore what it’s like to live in today’s world as a woman. The band formed in Seattle as Steffy began looking for musicians who could partner with her to realize a new sound she’s been exploring. She connected with Rahul, the band’s drummer. Then the two of them used their mutual knowledge of the music scene along the West Coast to connect with Pword on bass guitar and Knuckles on rhythm guitar. Steffy said once they started playing, it came together almost effortlessly, and in no time they were writing raw, rhythmic, epic-style, girl-power Alt Rock. And with their unique style and sound, it almost seemed like a no-brainer to call themselves Always Naked.

“It’s a name that, for me, reflects how raw and open I am,” Steffy said. “I’m a private person in my day-to-day but when I’m on stage, I expose my entire life and soul. And at the end of the day, I hope people listen to our music and are inspired. I want people to know that our music is meaningful and deep, but it’s also still playful. We have fun jamming. If you come to one of our shows, I’m gonna be running around and jumping with the crowd and talking to people and interacting. That’s my favorite part of doing shows. People can dance and get involved with the music, and we have so much fun doing it. And then when they leave and go home, I hope they reflect on the music and realize that we were talking about some real shit.”

“Sex Sells” is slated to drop across all streaming platforms on Feb. 14.

To listen to Always Naked’s music or to follow them on social media, please visit:

https://www.facebook.com/alwaysnaked

https://www.instagram.com/alwaysnakedband/

https://twitter.com/Always__Naked

https://www.youtube.com/alwaysnaked

Open in Sex Sells (soundcloud.com)

$uicidal $hadow – The Song Is Over Fast

Blog, Industry Spotlight, ME Blog, Music, Promo

Australian artist $uicidal $hadow explores dark side of life with new ‘underground’ sound

ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA – Fans of artists such as $uicideboy$, Pop Smoke City Morgue, and Ghostemane will be ecstatic to learn of a new artist out of Australia who is bringing a new wave of excellence to the Dark Rap genre. $uicidal $hadow is a young 21-year-old artist from Adelaide who has been producing EDM music for the past two years, and over the course of the past few months has evolved into a more dark, underground Rap sound. It’s a style that is showcased on his new single, “This Song is Over Fast,” which is currently available across all streaming platforms.

As the title indicates, the song is short in length – only slightly more than one minute – but it packs a punch in that little amount of time. $uicidal $hadow hits listeners with some dark lyrics that touch on murder, death and drugs, all within 60 seconds. Though it’s a quick hit of his new style, it serves as an introduction to the new kind of music he’s making and paves the way for the singles he wants to release this year.

“I’m constantly making music and will be releasing a single every week this year,” he said. “My inspiration is that underground, alternative type of stuff but with a bit of humor. I like the style and the beats. It’s real catchy for me, and I know it is for a lot of others, too. What I bring that others don’t is that my beats can change up quite easily. Also, I have dark lyric but I can make my voice more light-sounding. I can move from that lighter to darker side quite easily.”

Though his music is dark, his personality is anything but. In fact, most people who know him would say he’s not really a serious kind of person and prefers to be more laid back and have fun with life. He likes to make jokes and often helps others see the humorous side of life. But when he gets in the studio, he’s a dark rapper.

“I just like to explore the darker side of the world through my music,” he said. “I know it’s not the happiest stuff, but bad things happen in this world and this is the personality I’ve developed over the years due to various circumstances – like losing jobs and depression and stuff like that. I know that as life moves on, I’ll probably switch up my style a little and mix it around to see what does best for me. But this is the sound I’m going for right now and I think people who like that kind of music will really love it.”

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

https://www.instagram.com/666suicidalshadow/

https://twitter.com/UicidalHadow

“This Song Is Over Fast”

https://soundcloud.com/triple54787/this-song-is-over-fast-1

Boorook – Freedom to the People

Blog, Industry Spotlight, ME Blog, Music, Promo

International artist Boorook connects cultures with new album ‘Positive Change’

VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA – In the region of southwest Victoria, Australia, Aboriginal families like the Kirrae Whurrung keep traditional culture strong through song, their ancient crafts and song healing methods are as strong today and truly connect in the challenges we all face in a more hectic world.

Brett Clarke is a descendent of and brings song ‘in his soul’ from Kirrae Whurrung Tradition He opens a door for the listener to enjoy and share how they want. This is an infusion and style of international music – a sound that takes center stage on his new album “Positive Change,” which is currently available across all streaming platforms. Local community calls out to Boorook “Deadly Vibes Brother!”

With an ethereal vibe that mixes Hip Hop beats and Classic Rock licks, “Positive Change” showcases Clarke’s vocals over a kind of World Music sound that offers a different approach with a fusion of multiple genres. Boorook – a traditional name derived from the land in which his people live, his ‘Mother’ Country, brings this international feel good vibe. His words come straight from the heart, and generally come from an angle of forward thinking positive change, which, of course, is where the name of the album gets its inspiration.

“In these strange days we’re living in, ‘Positive Change” is the type of album that can give people hope and send them some healing through music,” Boorook said. “Music is the universal language that brings people together. The overall tone is light and joyful. There are some earth world songs, some with Classic Rock vibes, soulfully blended to heal and connect us all back to Country”.

The opening track from the album is a perfect example of the kind of connecting out to World Music Boorook is going for. “Mother Earth” smoothly pairs a mid-tempo Hip Hop beat with well crafted electric guitar riffs for a bouncy feel that’s a good foil for Boorook’s ethereal vocals. This sets the tone for the rest of the album, which explores more of those sounds and delivers a truly feel good vibe. Along the way, Boorook aims to educate listeners about his heritage, integrating some language from his tribe into many of the songs.

“Dreaming” is a single that’s upbeat and has a chorus that uses words from that culture. It’s a song about walking and talking with respect – something that he said people should appreciate more.

“Coming from one of the oldest song nations in the world, it’s important to continue our dreaming stories and our culture,” he said. “Music is a good vehicle and tool to educate people on indigenous topics and issues. Ultimately, I want my music to be known for sharing a good message of hope. I want it to be something that gives a good message while sharing that cultural knowledge and encouraging people to care for country and for the land and for other people.”

Following the release of the album, Boorook said he has some exciting projects and collaborations soon to be announced.

To listen to Boorook’s music or to follow him on social media please visit

https://www.instagram.com/boorook90/
https://twitter.com/Boorook3
https://www.facebook.com/gunditj

https://vm.tiktok.com/ZSE4kFjj/

https://tuuranndesigns.wixsite.com/boorook

https://boorook.bandcamp.com/
https://soundcloud.com/boorook-music
https://open.spotify.com/artist/5EUMJiwAoKYtXZRHVfgdUA
https://www.deezer.com/us/artist/76825882
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvGadioECwK8j2qPj46ZqEw
https://music.apple.com/ca/artist/boorook/1484362321

Star 2 Releases New Single ” If U Want 2″ @Star2official

Music

Star 2 is back to start the year off right with his first debut music video for his new song “If U Want 2” This is his third release off his Shooting Stars album scheduled to release later this year. The project features amazing collaborations with YSN Flow, Neisha Neshae, and Luh Kel. Star 2 continues to show why he is the next artist out of San Diego to make a name for himself. With his catchy hooks and lyrics about love, heartbreak, and life that everyone can relate to, Star 2 has something that everyone can vibe to. Follow Star 2 on Instagram and Tik Tok at @Star2official.

Spotify- https://open.spotify.com/track/1KA4esW1nJ4cYd2grkBs1t

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-Yb-hGFxiM

Haze OPC presents: Hot New Trilogy

Music

Haze OPC is starting off the year dropping off a trilogy of singles. He’s shining more light and adding depth to his story, by taking the fans deeper into his mind and heart picking up from last years hit singles, while bearing it all showing his ability to reach different people. With the first single Light On Me (Conversations With The Father), he’s telling his struggles of fighting to overcome different obstacles that could set him back and how the story unfolded into a testimony. There comes a time during life when we’ve come to a crossroad or become awaken/aware and have to acknowledge certain things. That’s where the single Protect Me, Lead Me, Hold Me, Guide Me comes from knowing you’re fighting a battle beyond your understanding, needing help and guidance from GOD along the way. Quick Escape has a catchy hook and it’s one of the songs that’s different from what listeners are used to hearing from International Haze lately. Frustrations from day to day obstacles, rather it be from relationships, work, home or just wanting some alone time to get back focused and relieve some stress built up from the world. We all feel like we need a quick escape at times from something rather it’s a person, place or thing. Once again Haze OPC delivers on time records for times such as this.

https://open.spotify.com/album/5cK4yn7u4I06Z1u0OTECqb#context

https://open.spotify.com/album/19ZVwZfzwUkwmgWNK8vP0a#context

https://open.spotify.com/album/4lIjRQtn5iMGGiUeZCLhRO

Stay Connected
Instagram: mr_paper_chaser_opc
Instagram: officialpaperchasersmusic
Twitter:@HazeOPC

Chicago Artist Vi City Delivers A Visual For Rising Single “On GOD”

Blog, Industry Spotlight, ME Blog, Music, Promo, Videos

Chicago Artist Vi City Delivers A Visual For Rising Single “On GOD”

One of Chicago’s very own, Vi City, originally from the ‘Wild Hundreds’ area of the southside. He’s back on the music scene with a brand new visual for “On GOD” tune in!!

One of Chicago’s very own, Vi City, originally from the Wild Hundreds, is back on the music scene. Crafting a sound that captures the pain and hope of a youth striving to make a better way, combined with the ambition and skills to actually have made it out, the celebratory tones reign supreme on this wave of sound for the veteran rapper, songwriter and producer.

Vi’s introduction to the game came via working with Mathaus Ent. & Chilly of the 1st & 15th label in conjunction with Lupe Fiasco. Shortly after, he connected with DJ Skee to release a mixtape under Skee’s Skeeter’s TV label. His next stint came working with St. Louis’ own, Nelly, co – penning the hit Country N**** Fly (CNF). In the midst of acquiring a deal with Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), Vi wrote and featured on “Some Ish” by Sir Michael Rocks ft. Twista off of his #1 debut solo album “Banco.” Along the way, he also has done some work with the iconic producer duo Da Interz (Tuo Clark & Kosine).

Prior to deciding to drop new music of his own, Vi founded and branded Hundreds Entertainment, a music and film production firm of which he signed talented artist, Phoînix Keyz out of St. Louis, MO and has started crafting Phoînix’ debut project around each of the 6 instruments he plays.

Vi’s new album “S7V3N” is set to release early 2021.

Follow Vi City:
Instagram: @IamViCity
Twitter: @IamViCity
FB: @IamViCity
TikTok: @ViCity
SoundCloud: @IamViCity

Redlite – Reddy or Not

Blog, ME Blog, Music, Promo

New York entertainer Redlite offers introspect reflection on the previous year with fifth album in ‘2020 Vision’ installment

WHITE PLAINS, NY – Everyone has a gift. When you find that gift, you either use it or you don’t. Joe Young has a gift of music and at age 37, he’s finally found a way to use it to entertain the world as the artist known as Redlite. Over the course of 2020, he released five albums called “2020 Vision,” the most recent of which was dropped on Christmas day. It’s a project that he calls the culmination of a lot of hard work over the past three years since he chose to pursue music as a full-time career. It’s also a project that reflects on one of the hardest years in recent memory, with stories and introspective looks at some of the situations Americans found themselves in at various times during the year.

“My music is very diverse,” Redlite said. “I have such a variety of songs that make me a unique artist. I have street songs with street bars. I have relationships songs. I have breakup songs. I have venting-about-my-life songs. I have sex songs. I have tough songs and softer songs for the ladies. Every album I do is just a bag of mixed nuts because I don’t ever want to be so repetitive that every song starts to feel the same. That’s a little boring. This album is no different – it’s a variety of different things that I think will keep people interested.”

Redlite said he’s become known over the past three years as an artist who is all about lyrics and punchlines. Growing up with 90s Hip Hop and R&B, as well as the “New York hard lyricism,” Redlite said he quickly learned how to fuse different genres. He might take a bedroom song and turn it into a Rap or a hardcore street vibe and give it an R&B edge. He’s also an imposing physical feature – 6-feet-4-inches tall and heavily muscled (he used to be a bouncer). Taking all those things combined, it’s apparent that he has a unique look and a unique sound.

That signature sound is put on full display with the debut single from his most recent album, “Reddy or Not…” It’s a song that features female vocalist Tyka who brings a vibe that’s reminiscent of Lauryn Hill and The Fugees. Redlite calls the song a “little more hood – almost like drive-by music.”

“It’s pretty catchy,” he said. “People listen to it and say it’s pretty good. It’s definitely a little more gangster, but ultimately it’s about bringing my whole light to life. I’ve been wasting my talent for so many years and hadn’t been in the studio for a long time. Now is my time. I’m ready. And I think I’ve had more and more growth as time has gone on. This is what I feel like I’m born to do. With this diverse music I put out, if something connects more with people then I’ll make more of that. I want to give the listeners what they want to hear.”

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

https://www.instagram.com/redlitemusic/

Na’Shon – G.O.A.T. Season

Blog, Industry Spotlight, ME Blog, Music, Promo

Na’Shon serves up message for the masses with new single ‘G.O.A.T. Season’

CLEVELAND, OH – Nahshon Brown is a musician who serves as a voice for the people. Operating under the stage name Na’Shon (pronounced “nation”), this young artist from the Midwest has a modern-day sound with deeply profound lyrics that serve as an anthem for an international audience. His latest single, “GOAT Season” is a song that caters to anyone who has a dream and is willing to put in the work to achieve those goals. Currently available across all streaming platforms, “GOAT Season” is just the latest in a large archive of music from this fast-rising young talent.

“With this single, I’m basically letting everybody know I’m here to stay and to work,” Na’Shon said. “It’s all about the grind and consistency. I was once overlooked, but that’s no more. This is my mid-tempo statement piece that shows that I try to be a voice for my people. I’m talking about all of us, as a whole, who are going through crazy stuff. Na’Shon stands for all of us.”

Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Na’Shon was captivated by the music industry at a young age and eventually went to school to become a sound engineer. While studying at the Conservatory of the Recording Arts and Sciences in Arizona, he learned that he had a passion for all aspects of the entertainment industry and soon began laying the groundwork to start his own business. He created Ournashonisme Entertainment LLC and began to expand his horizons to offer other artists opportunities to succeed.

Over the years, Na’Shon has had the opportunity to work with many artists, and has engineered at Wildfire Studios in Mesa, Arizona. He has also hosted events in Arizona and performed at major clubs such as Wild Willys. He has traveled many places to perfect his craft and said he has a sound that is original and unlike anything else out there today.

“My style is different than what you’re hearing right now,” he said. “The way I approach today’s modern sound is a little different. I do all the recording, mixing and mastering myself. I write about my life and the things I’ve been through, or things I’ve seen other people go through. I talk about the current times a lot – things that are going on right now – and I try to create lyrics that give other people empowerment over their situations. I always put that into my music. I believe you can be anything you want to be with belief in yourself and hard work. Keep going and grind. Don’t ever stop.”

As an engineer, artist, songwriter, performer and producer, Na’Shon hopes to take his music talents to the next level, creating a label and platform for independent artists like himself. He’s also planning on releasing quite a bit more music this year, starting with two new singles called “Whole Lot” and “Put In Dat Work” which are currently available across all streaming platforms.

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

https://www.instagram.com/snow_nashon_onim/

https://www.facebook.com/nahshon.brown.37
https://twitter.com/nashon216
https://open.spotify.com/artist/3c3b4aT2faykG01leqI1ys?si=qNzgoWxQTzGK2R7pal7rKw
https://tidal.com/artist/7593469
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/nashon/1082742110