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.
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:
Jackson Israel Montero (born July 21, 2001), known professionally as Lil Ackson is an American Rapper, singer, and songwriter from Harrison, New Jersey. He is best known for his songs “Ups & Downs” & “Respect” featuring MoshDied. His single “Respect” is considered Lil Ackson’s breakout, which garnered even further attention after the rapper was charged with 2 counts of unlawful possession of a weapon. He released his debut album, Songs About You, on March 1, 2019.
In March 2019, he was arrested and charged with two counts of Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and faced 10-15 years in prison. He was also a suspect in a 2020 Felony Assault & Battery Penalty to a civilian in Kearny, New Jersey. In March 2019, Montero pleaded not guilty to the gun charges and had trial July 2019.
Early Life:
Lil Ackson was born on July 21, 2001, in Newark, New Jersey to father Victor Montero and mother Lupita Cortez. He is the 3rd child out of 3. Montero was raised by his single mother. He grew up listening to Lil Wayne and Akon. Montero later began listening to Wiz Khalifa and Sean Kingston, who he says inspired him to flow with love trap songs.
Montero Attended Harrison High School (New Jersey). He loved to play soccer and played for his high school until his junior year. Senior year came along and he decided to quit and focus on his future.
Montero stated he fell in love at the perfect moment because the situation that led to his heartbreak, made him start creating music. In an interview Montero said “One of my exes is the reason I started making music, she motivated me to do a song and it worked. It was a couple of songs that flopped but I made it work into my success.” Montero also stated that once he had his first real heartbreak, it provoked him to take his rap career seriously.
Career:
2018-21: Early Career and debut project:
Montero adopted his stage name Lil Ackson in 2018. He stated he originally was suppose to go with “JM The Woodz” but decided to change it just a week before he released his first songs. In late 2018, Montero released his first ever project, an EP (music) called “F*ck Love”. It contained 5 songs which he later deleted off his SoundCloud. In 2019, he released the singles “Ups & Downs“, ” Wish U Well“, “Lmao I Made This Song in 20 Minutes“. Other singles include “5212 Slime“.”Misunderstood“.” and “Brother Luv” . The respective singles have amassed over 700 thousand views on SoundCloud, as of January 2021. May 2020, Lil Ackson released album “Lil Ackson vs. The World” with features including Mbm Franko, Lil Reed, and Danny Ocean.
Legal issues:
Since 2014, Lil Ackson has been charged with several minor offenses such as shoplifting and assault. Many of those charges were later dropped.
On March 25, 2019, Montero and a second defendant were arrested and charged with unlawful possession of weapon in relation to an incident in Harrison, New Jersey. In July 2019, the chargers for Montero were downgraded to No Indictment Found. He took a Plea deal that also allowed him to avoid prison time in exchange for a Probation sentence. Montero has maintained his innocence, claiming it never happened.
Rev. KJ Blane offers soul-stirring songs on new album ‘Lyrical Faith
Newport News, VA – Touching souls and changing lives… That’s the passion behind the music from Christian rapper Rev. KJ Blane. And his new album “Lyrical Faith,” which is available across all streaming platforms, does exactly that. Taking the approach of a preacher using music to pass along God’s message, Blane brings the thunder with insights into God’s Words and inspirational licks that are sure to motivate people all over the world.
“You don’t have to put on a suit and tie to dress the part with this album,” Blane said. “You can keep your street clothes on and ride in your car and let the Word marinate in your soul. This is a project that will inspire people that no matter what they are going through, it can and will get better. It’s songs to get you through anything, and uplifting songs, because God is the one who uplifts our souls.”
Since its release on Nov. 27, 2020 – the birthday of his late brother, Daniel Blane Jr. who died from cancer early last year – the album has received some high praise — cracking the Top 100 on iTunes in his genre, and going as high as #2 on Amazon’s Digital Charts for Contemporary Christian new albums. Austin Radio DJ White Brutha (Todd Engle, owner of Insanely Gifted Radio) called the album a “marathon of all (Blane’s) sermons combined.”
“If you don’t get inspiration from listening to these songs, then something is wrong with you,” White Brutha said. “The quality of this album exceeds most of the albums that have been released (in 2020). This is a solid listening opportunity to expand your taste and get familiar with the Christian outlet from an authentic lyrical artist who sets the tone effectively throughout the project. Impressive. I almost wished there were more tracks to listen to. Even if the ‘message’ is overlooked, the music and the vibe will keep your attention just as well.”
That’s high praise for a debut album from an artist launching his first project in his mid-30s. Rev. KJ Blane has been in the Army for the past 10 years and is currently working on his master’s degree with intentions to become an Army Chaplain. Originally from Bartlett, Texas, he is the son of Pastor Daniel Blane who has been preaching at Mt. Ararat Missionary Baptist Church for more than 25 years. Church life has always been a part of Rev. Blane’s life, and he recalls playing the drums and singing in his father’s church from a young age. He began to rap in high school as a fun outlet with friends but soon discovered that he had a natural talent for it. He dropped his first mixtape, “It’s My Turn,” in 2011, one year after enlisting in the Army, but music took a back seat to his career and his family, and it wasn’t until he lost his brother at the age of 35 on July 21st, 2020 that he returned to music as an outlet for his emotions.
“Music has always been a way to vent and I know I can use music to reach larger crowds to get God’s Word across,” Blane said. “When my brother died, I went to a dark place. What got me through that was picking up the notepad and starting to write. The first single and video that released was “This Time”. Blane takes us into that one on one conversation with God asking Him to show up in his time of need. The opening track on the album, ‘Devotion’ opens like a church service. I utilize my preaching, Scripture, and prayer, along with my lyrics at the start and I close the same way. It’s like you’ve literally come to a Rev. KJ Blane’s church service. When you hear a song from me, you’re going to actually get Scripture or at least a breakdown. You might call me up afterward and say that felt like Bible study, which is great because I want my music to use those Bible verses and help you understand it through song. Bible verses are what got me through dark times, and they can for you, too. At the end of the day, it’s songs to get you through anything.”
To listen to Rev. KJ Blane’s music or to follow him on social media, please visit:
Midwest artist Tony Beyond offers versatile mix of sounds on new album ‘A Spark In The Dark’
CLEVELAND, OH – Tony Beyond is an artist who blurs the line between good and bad. Embracing the power of theology, numerology and astrology, this young artist from the Midwest offers a unique brand of music that deals with depression, chaos and dysfunction while also mixing in ideas of happiness, peace and love. Those ideas come to play across the songs on his new LP “A Spark in the Dark,” which is slated to drop across all streaming platforms on February 6.
“This is a project that represents the culmination of everything I’ve been working on the last couple of years,” he said. “It incorporates the different elements I want – duality and shedding light on situations and elements of my life. I think of it as offering pillars that help others see what direction they want to go in. That’s why I touch on a lot of different topics, from having a sense of identity to finding love that isn’t immediately reciprocated, to having things you want that you know are going to take a long time to pay off. There’s a little bit of softness with roughness around the edges, which captures this sense of duality. In some ways, it’s about focusing on a specific turning point in your life and that waiting period when you’re looking for something to change. You want the process to keep going where you’re improving and have things come full circle, and this project represents that time when you feel alone and start looking deep within yourself.”
Tony said his signature style is one that he brought to the music industry long before any other artists were mixing Soul with Hip Hop. Though today’s brand of Hip Hop has more Soul and mixes singing with rapping, Tony was one to explore that style in the early 2000s. In the years since, he’s been able to perfect that style, and the blend of soulful, traditional Hip Hop, with bits of R&B thrown in, is something truly original.
Born and raised in Cleveland, Tony found out very early on that both sides of his family were musically inclined. He started off freestyling on any request whenever he would hang out with his father, especially when his friends were around. By middle school, he was writing his own verses and hooks, and started a binder filled with song ideas and lyrics. In high school, he developed a reputation as “the rapper” and would often get caught writing lyrics in class instead of taking notes. But as he graduated from high school and tried to balance his creativity with a life lived on the street, he often found himself living the very yin-and-yang lifestyle that he now sings about in his music.
“Ultimately, I want my music to be known for versatility,” he said. “You can get every kind of vibe from it. I enjoy making romantic love songs but I also like to go with traditional hard core Hip Hop. I want to be the type of artist who any other artist making music will recognize as being good at his craft and a good person to collaborate with. I can delve into any topic or jump on any type of vibe. I also want to be known as someone who is a lyrical, melodic storyteller. I like to set scenes and paint a picture for you. I want to send you down a journey to see things for yourself. I like to be the person who brings a picture to the forefront and gives you something to visualize as you’re listening to the music.”
To listen to Tony Beyond’s music or to follow him on social media, please visit:
15-year-old rapper Malico wows the world with raw talent
LOS ANGELES, CA – The future of Hip Hop is something often debated, but there’s no doubt about the raw genius of 15-year-old Malico. The natural talent of this young up-and-coming artist is the kind of once-in-a-generation phenomenon that meets the attention of fans all over the world. And Malico has been doing that for the past five years, since he started entertaining fans with his unique style of Pop-Infused-Hip-Hop.
Being at the right place at the right time, Malico is on the radar of nearly every industry insider there is such as Kanye, Young Thug, Lil Duke, Trippie Redd, MGK, Lil Pump, Lil Keed, Calboy, Holiday, Lil Durk, Bump J, and Benny the Butcher, to name a few. To say he’s poised to make a major splash in the industry is an understatement, and his latest single “Distractions” could be the very thing that pushes him over the top.
Currently available across all streaming platforms, “Distractions” is a song that captures a chill vibe while sharing with the world an emotional pain that is beyond his years. It’s a song about trying to make a name for himself while dealing with the distractions that come with the life of an American teenager.
“When you’re working, you’ve got a lot of distractions,” he said. “Friends and influences and all different things can push you out of the way to what you need to be doing. This song is based around that. It’s a pain song that really makes you think.”
Originally hailing from Chicago, Malico recently moved with his mother to Los Angeles to pursue entertainment full-time. He’s been making music since age 9 and said he got his start randomly while freestyling with his brothers and friends one day. His father passed away that year and shortly after that, he lost a brother. He coped with those losses by putting pen to paper and started writing his own songs. He hasn’t looked back since.
“I don’t want to be looked at as a regular kid or average kid from Chicago,” he said. “I have a very proper demeanor. I’m all about positive energy. I want to encourage other youth and people in general to really be you and stay optimistic and hardworking. I want to be known for making great music and for impacting the youth in communities all over the world. I’d love to have a lot of awards and accolades but only because I want to be recognized for my art, and because it will mean that I’ll have a long career. But at the end of the day, I definitely want my music to be about bringing happiness and making people connected to my music so that it lives on forever.”
Malico said that over the next month or two,he is planning to drop 2 songs, “Chosen“and “TikTok “.He also said he credits a lot of his success to producers Osiris and Slime Castro who served as collaborators on “Distractions” and “Chosen,” respectively.
To listen to Malico’s music or to follow him on social media, please visit:
Funk master BFunkN drops upbeat anthem with new single ‘King James’
LOS ANGELES, CA – Like everyone else around the world facing the hardships of 2020, the National Basketball Association limped its way toward a championship. Its star player, LeBron James, also limped his way to a national championship – literally. In fact, at one point in the year when he got hurt, many critics of the game started counting him out. He already bore a label as a player who crumbled under the high pressure of the NBA finals. And now with an injury, it seemed inevitable that his team, the LA Lakers, would struggle and fall. But Lebron shut the mouths of those critics and led his team to victory. It was an impressive performance from one of the best players of all time, and that energy is something that people all over the world are wanting to tap into.
West Coast artist BFunkN has captured a little bit of that energy with his latest single “King James (No Shame in My Game).” Inspired by LeBron’s season last year, the song talks about how he heard everything everyone was saying about him and used it as fuel for his drive to win. The song has major swag and an upbeat energy that serves perfectly as an anthem for anyone else in the world who has a goal in mind and needs a little motivational push to get going. It’s also a song laced with Funk – something BFunkN has become known for over the course of his career.
Originally from Cincinnati, Ohio – raised in the Walnut Hills neighborhood that is known for its Funk music – BFunkN started his own band at a young age. They had the opportunity to work with Joe Tex for a while before moving out to California and expanding on their success. In the years since,BFunkN has dropped singles and worked both as an actor and producer on Hollywood films, and has developed a reputation as someone who can drop some serious Bass on a track at the drop of a hat.
“I bring that Ohio Funk that mixes with Hip Hop and R&B,” he said. “Not too many people out there today can pull that off. You can hear the Funk, but you can also hear the Hip Hop flavor. But more than anything, I’m known for my Funky Bass. That goes way back to when I first started getting serious with music and I played the Bass for people and they told me I’d be funking with the Bass. That’s how I got my name, and it stuck after I started doing a lot of underground Hip Hop stuff. I became known as the guy who could drop straight beats with a hard bassline, and I’ve just reinforced that over time.”
Today,BFunkN is known as a 3D artist who uses all three dimensions of Hip Hop, R&B and Funk equally well. It shows on “King James” and it will continue to shine on his follow-up single “Say It Loud,” a remix of the popular James Brown song that is slated to drop in February as a tribute to Black History Month.
To listen to BFunkN’s music or to follow him on social media, please visit:
Lil Kappy Is Back On The Scene With A Brand New Release: Gunnin
January 2021 – Lil Kappy is an artist with a focus on creating music that seamlessly blurs the lines between a wide range of genre definitions and creative ideas. His sound combines the energy of old-school rap with the melodic edge of the contemporary scene, which sets the bar higher in terms of versatility and focus.
His most recent release, Gunnin, has a sound that might remind the audience of artists as diverse as Lil Wayne, Kanye West, and more. However, Lil Kappy has a distinctive personality that is quite hard to categorize.
Gunnin is definitely an outstanding example of his commitment to creating quality music that will connect with people, not only due to the integrity of the production value, but also due to Lil Kappy’s signature approach to musical storytelling. If this release is any indication, this is going to be an exciting new year of creativity and success for this talented recording artist.
Instagram/Twitter: @LilKappyGODC
Find out more about Lil Kappy’s music, and do not miss out on Gunnin, which is currently available on the web’s best digital musical streaming platforms.
Don’t forget to hit the links below and follow @LilKappyGODC on ALL social media outlets!!
Beasty Biznessand BlacYoungsta Deliver the Male Response to Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion’s WAP
CINCINNATI, OH – The man behind Beasty Bizness is an artist who has set his heart on being a successful entrepreneur. His wide range of trials has brought him up as a struggle-survivor who will stop at nothing but the top. The father of four children, business owner, artist, actor, and more, strives to be the best businessman you will ever have the pleasure to know. His latest single “(WMD) Wap Me Down” is testament to that.
Featuring fellow artist BlacYoungsta, “Wap Me Down” is a strip club anthem produced by SparkzthaTrakman. It’s a song that Beasty said encourages women to do what they have to do to get ahead, and champions the independence of women in today’s world.
“Most of my music is party club vibe, women-in-the-club-dancing kind of music,” he said. “I’m more of an animated and excited individual. I make you feel it. I’m more of a turnt vibe, and this song is exactly all that.”
Beasty Bizness said he grew up watching all the music videos and learning from some of the biggest legends in music. He’s the brother of Timothy Thomas, the young black male killed by a Cincinnati police officer in early 2001, which sparked some of the city’s civil unrest. Since that time, Beasty has dealt with his own justice issues as well as wrong decisions, which led him to pursue his dreams in the music and entertainment industry.
“When my brother died, I made the decision to make our name something more than just being gunned down by police,” he said. “Music has always been my passion. Young Jeezy is one of my biggest inspirations, and when I heard ‘Trap or Die’ in 2004, it gave me the inspiration to take the stand to really do music. So many other greats have inspired me along the way.”
As he’s built his career as a musician, Beasty began to delve into other avenues of the entertainment business. Most recently, he started a new brand called Team Grinderz which offers a unique brand of custom clothing and offers an affordable recording studio to artists throughout Cincinnati. Beasty calls it a “one-stop shop for entertainment.”
“Everything about me is fun times,” he said. “I’m not into that whole super gangsta Rap. I’m more of a guy who wants to smoke some weed and party with women and have a ball while spilling some champagne. I’m always after a good time, and I think my music and my businesses represent that.”
To listen to Beasty Bizness’s music or to follow him on social media, please visit:
Hard-hitting lyricist brings playful style to the world with new single ‘Sick AF’
COLUMBUS, GA – Briana Donniel is one of those rare artists who dares to tackle topics that not many other artists talk about. This independent Hip Hop musician from Columbus, Georgia, has a smooth delivery with witty punchlines that give her music a special kind of vibe that offers a deeper look at life. Her latest single,” Sick AF,” is the perfect example of her signature sound and style.
Told from the point of view of the “girl next door,” the song explores what it means to be an independent woman in today’s day and age. The girl in the song is one that every guy wants to be with and who other girls want to be. She’s a boss chick who is really pretty and who is doing her own thing and she doesn’t care about any other girls’ opinion about her, Donniel said.
“I’m very old-school when it comes to music especially in the world of Rap and R&B,” she said. “So I wanted to go with the vibe of the early 2000s. I do a lot of references from old songs from back in that era. It’s just a fun song that I think people will like. The beat is hard but it’s still fun at the same time.”
Donniel said the song also has pieces of commentary laced throughout that show a bit of her playful side. But more than anything, her new track is one that fully puts on display her ability to weave powerful lyrics against a catchy melody. It’s also a song that showcases her unique voice which sits in the higher registers and stands out as it soars over the beat.
At an early age,Donniel had a deep love for music. Growing up, she was heavily inspired by Hip Hop and R&B and especially loved the playful yet hard-hitting artists like Missy Elliot and Eminem. In early 2019, she transitioned from a fan to an artist and songwriter, and her versatility has shown since then. She’s become known in the industry as someone who can create songs with a range of emotions, while diving into lyrical content that cuts to the core.
“I want to talk about real things,” she said. “I want people to know I’m gonna be true to myself and inspire others along the way. I especially want to uplift younger girls to go for their goals and live for their dreams. I’ve been insecure most of my life and never thought music would be the way to go. But it’s the one thing that always uplifts me and brings confidence back to my life. It helps me know I can do anything, and I want to create music that does that for others. Live your dreams. Be the best you can be. I want to do anything and everything, and I know if I put my mind to it, I can demolish it.”
