Tim Shepherd – This Magic

Midwest musician Tim Shepherd drops chill summer single ‘This Magic’

KANSAS CITY, MO – A combination of Rock, Country, Pop, and R&B come together on the hot new track from Midwest artist Tim Shepherd. “This Magic” is the latest single from this fast-rising artist whose sound has been compared to Rob Thomas, Charlie Puth, and John Mayer. His groovy melodies and intricate guitar combine with an emotive vocal style make listeners want to go dancing or for a drive with that special someone.

Set to drop wide on July 24, “This Magic” was created in collaboration with Kansas City guitarist Gregg Wright, and engineered and mastered by Rob Murray of Poolside Sound who has credited work with multiple artists including Gavin Degraw, Wiz Khalifa, and Major Lazer. Shepherd said he wrote the song for his girl when they were having a fight.

“The words came to me immediately and I wrote it in one day,” he said. “It was one of those rare lightning-in-a-bottle moments where the song just flowed right out of me. I think of it as a chill summer song that anyone who has ever been in a relationship will be able to relate to. Couples are going to fight and have challenges, and this song reminds people of “this magic” that first brought you together.”

Originally from Dallas, Texas, Shepherd moved to Kansas City about three years ago and has been actively pursuing a career in music ever since. He released his first single in early 2019 and other singles along the way such as “Walking,” “Her Song,” “Cappuccino and Champagne,” “Hey Rox” and “Quaranteens”. These singles have all garnered major attention from fans all throughout the Midwest. In all of his songs, Shepherd said he likes to create an intimate feeling for the listeners while giving them a story with which they can connect. Being relatable is the No. 1 priority with his music, followed closely by an exploration of a variety of sounds and styles that push all of his favorite genres into something new and different. His collaboration with Gregg Wright, for instance, incorporates Wright’s penchant for Reggae riffs which adds a subtly Caribbean vibe to “This Magic.”

“I’m not afraid of any type of music or genre,” he said. “I recently worked with a Rap/Hip Hop producer on one of my tracks, and a lot of people liked it because it had a deeper sub-bass/808 feel. I also recently did a Gospel track called “All Rise” with my friend Will from Ohio. I like to incorporate different genres into my songs, and I think that’s what’s been unique about me and sets me apart. Music, to me, is an extension of who we are and my passion and the way I express my feelings. With all that is going on in the music industry and the way artists are treated by labels, I am content for now that I get to be an independent artist. In less than two years of producing, writing and performing, I have gained friends and fans in Indonesia, Germany, South America, Mexico, the United Kingdom, and across the U.S. I really believe that this song has the potential to breakthrough.”

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

https://www.instagram.com/tim_shepherd_music/

https://twitter.com/timtunes19  

https://www.facebook.com/TimMusic19  

https://www.tiktok.com/@timshepherdmusic  

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB_OW8vmlxWKmuTfm8Sg6_A  

“This Magic”
https://soundcloud.com/timshepherdmuzic/this-magic-feat-gregg-wright

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/timshepherd/this-magic-feat-gregg-wright

Xwavy – Call Me

Music, Promo

Summer jam ‘Call Me’ shows of bouncy side of Canadian artist Xwavy

EDMONTON, CANADA – The hot new single from Canadian Hip Hop artist Xwavy is the perfect song to illustrate his unique sound and style. “Call Me” is literally, as his name describes: WAVY. The fast-paced auto-tune sound is bouncy in ways that will make it impossible for listeners to avoid getting up on their feet and moving to the music. It’s the perfect kind of summer jam, and it’s set to put this up-and-coming young artist on the map.

Hailing from Edmonton, Canada, Darius Clarke – AKA Xwavy – is the kind of artist whose unique perspective and myriad of life experiences have helped to create a truly original sound. Born in Liberia, this half-Nigerian half-Liberian immigrant moved to Canada when he was 8 years old to escape civil war in the country. He grew up learning about music and first started rapping at age 17 when he was introduced to the recording process by a cousin who has a home studio in his basement. Five years later, Xwavy was making waves in the industry, signing his first contract deal with Wyse Artist Management. He soon after signed Wadley Saint-Juste as his personal manager, and over the past couple of years has been slowly building a fan following that spans the globe.

“Call Me” is his most recent track and it is the kind of song that is guaranteed to turn heads and make people sit up and pay attention. Telling the story of a guy trying to get with a girl who is out of a toxic relationship, “Call Me” uses lyrics and situations that many others in the world have experienced throughout their lives.

“She’s scared of moving on even though she wants to,” Xwavy said of the girl in the song. “So this guy keeps trying to get with her – calling and texting – but she keeps saying she’s stuck in the other relationship. It has a laid-back chill type of tone, kind of an R&B vibe but with a little bit of excitement to it. It’s relaxing without having too much hype.”

Xwavy said he loved the process of discovery when writing the song – something that drives him when he writes all of these songs. He said he likes to experiment with a lot of different sounds and styles, and he has a great voice that can soar over verses while also exhibiting the ability to spit bars and show off a well-groomed flow.

“I just like to experiment with different things and see where the creativity takes me,” he said. “Mostly, my favorite stuff is to create is Hip Hop and R&B. What I ultimately want people to get from my music is to know that through all their ups and downs, they can still make it. When I was growing up, there was so much stuff going on in my life. I had to go through a lot of things and I experienced things that other kids never had to. I got kicked out of school and then out of my parents’ house. Life was an up-and-down cycle for me. All the things going on in my life were wavy like a roller coaster – good then bad, then good then bad – just non-stop up and down. But that helped me learn and get to know myself, and I want my music to show that to other people. At the end of the day, life might be a roller coaster but if you stick firm and go through those bad times and good times, things will end up real and better.”

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

https://instagram.com/xx.xwavy6?igshid=1rr86kh5vpv

“Call Me”

https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/xwavy/xwavy-call-me-offical-song

Ti Akiel – Just Left Me

Industry Spotlight, Music, Videos

Ti Akiel offers introspective reflection of reality with new album ‘Samson’s Delilah’

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – One of the most powerful lyricists to hit the Hip Hop market in recent years is an artist from North Minneapolis known as Ti Akiel. His new album, “Samson’s Delilah” is a tour-de-force of clever Hip Hop riffs paired with smooth R&B tracks, all of which showcase this fast-rising artist’s ability to cut deep with lyrics that are equal parts relatable and cutting edge.

Currently available across all streaming platforms, “Samson’s Delilah” uses eight songs to take listeners on a journey through the ups and downs of relationships. Akiel said he was inspired to create the album after having gone through his first real adult heartbreak.

“We all start our relationship experiences when we’re younger and we don’t really know what’s going on,” he said. “But there’s always that moment in life when you lose something you’ve really invested in and thought would last for a long time, if not forever. It’s the first time you go through an adult heartbreak. This album is me walking through that whole experience. It was my first time experiencing that and music has always been my form of expression and therapy. I’m trying to find strength in vulnerability and to navigate all that comes with that, and it all came together in the form of this project.”

Over the course of his young career, Akiel has been known to create music that navigates between introspective narratives, life realities and the ever-changing pursuit of growth and happiness. Easily weaving together Hip Hop and R&B, Akiel has created a signature style that allows him to tell his story of overcoming adversity while staying resilient in the process. And although his music is what he’s most known for, his work in the community is what he’s most passionate about. Most recently, he started a nonprofit organization called Give N Grow which aims to restore equality to marginalized communities around the Twin Cities.

“I got together with people I know and organized donation drives for people affected by the pandemic and riot situations,” he said. “I’m from North Minneapolis but there’s a lot of destruction going on the other side of the city, which is a low income area. They weren’t getting resources that they needed so we started a donation drive. We raised $20,000 and an additional $80,000 worth of supplies. I care deeply about being in the community and helping in whatever ways I can.”

Akiel said that as his career as a musician grows, he hopes to be able to continue to invest in his community in greater ways. His music never neglects the lyrical element that made him fall in love with Hip Hop, but it is often contrasted with catchy melodies, hard-hitting 808s, and ever-changing production styles. His debut single, “Just Left Me” is a perfect example of this. He describes it as an upbeat radio vibe with a catchy autotune sound that will make people want to get up and move when they hear it.

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

https://www.instagram.com/tiakiel/
https://twitter.com/realtiakiel
https://www.facebook.com/TiAkiel3/
www.tiakiel.com 

“Samson’s Delilah”

https://open.spotify.com/album/4DGm8LiVUzb8DSEiLWEmjN?si=q13AVffGR6W6o9es5QWslg

https://music.apple.com/us/album/samsons-delilah/1520354699

https://tidal.com/album/146522431

The Upward Avalanche – Livin’, Pt. 1 (feat. Chantel Rey)

Blog, Industry Spotlight, ME Blog, Music, Promo

Advancing EDM Producer and DJ, Dom Richardson, AKA The Upward Avalanche releases his debut single “Livin’” Part 1 and 2 featuring Chantel Rey

BRISTOL, TN—The Upward Avalanche’s debut single “Livin’” released July 3rd and brings a compelling and eccentric new blend of the Future and Chill House sub-genres of EDM to the scene with sheer devotion for musical creativity and influences of Martin Garrix, Oliver Heldens, CamelPhat, EDX, and Deadmau5.

Tennessee-born hybrid producer/DJ Dom Richardson worked throughout the pandemic with featured vocalist Chantel Rey, creating an exquisite synergy from different sides of the United States, having never met in person, to produce and finalize this single. Structured in a two-part release, Pt. 1 is much more mellow, featuring a Future/Chill house hybrid regarded as the original mix with Pt. 2 being more dance intuitive with Rey’s vocals — paying homage to the era of trans-eclectic backtracks synthesized with its dance-along beat and references to the counterculture EDM genre’s top club tracks.

“Where I come from, electronic dance music isn’t really that big. I’m hoping to broaden the horizons of those around me, show them a new genre and why I enjoy it so much. Though that’s incredibly hard to do, it’s essential to remember to also teach them that no matter what it is, if you stick to what you love, it will love you back,” Richardson says regarding the typical music that mostly comes out of Tennessee. Few EDM tracks in Tennessee and the Southwest US have been met with such a warm reception and as a resident DJ of a well-known club in Bristol, TN, Richardson is doing just that.

Due to the pandemic, there’s been a great decline of business with DJing to express his adoration and share the distinguished repute of EDM; in exchange, Richardson sticks to sharpening his production skills and continuing to work on projects for future releases, all while being generously active to his followers on social media.

After a full year of working with Chantel Rey, finalizing this track throughout the pandemic and working tirelessly from his home studio, The Upward Avalanche will spend the next few months promoting his single heavily on social media until bars and music venues re-open.

To listen to The Upward Avalanche’s music or to follow him on social media, please visit these links:

Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/upwardavalanche/

https://www.instagram.com/chantelreyy/

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/UpwardAvalanche

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/UpwardAvalanche

Instagram (Chantel Rey):

https://www.instagram.com/chantelreyy/

http://www.theupwardavalanche.com/

“Livin’, Pt. 2” (feat. Chantel Rey)”

https://soundcloud.com/upwardavalanche/livin-pt-2

Foundry13 – Devil’s Lovenotes

Blog, ME Blog, Music, Promo

England’s Foundry13 introduces new sound of Rock to the world with latest single ‘Devil’s Lovenotes’

LONDON, UK – The British Invasion is primed for a return thanks to the head-turning sound of two young brothers who have formed the band Foundry13. Much like the cultural phenomenon of the mid 1960s that brought to America the legends of such bands as The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, The Who, The Kinks and The Animals, among others – Foundry13 is the kind of band that can start a whole new wave of British-born musical influence.

Over the past few years, these brothers have slowly been building a solid reputation for great music underneath a novel new sound that blends dark Pop undertones with Trap beats mixed with a distinct Rock vibe. Reminiscent of bands like Juice World or Twenty One Pilots, with touches of influence from older bands like The Clash or The Smiths, Foundry13 brings to light an impressive vibe that fans all over the world are beginning to clamor for. And though the global pandemic has been a hardship on their festival performances and plans for a tour this summer, it has also given the brothers an opportunity to dive head-first into creating new music.

Their latest release is a single called “Devil’s Lovenotes.” Currently available across all streaming platforms, this upbeat Indie Rock song uses upbeat vibes to tell the story of a guy who wants to get back with his girlfriend, who has left him to be with someone else. The guy in the story casts the competition as the devil, and he tries to convince the girl that he can treat her better than the devil can. This song exposes the hard and struggling times the speaker has faced with their love interest in the past, and how they believe that the “Devil” is only using their love to punish the speaker. The song also brings more light to depression and mental health issues and how people can deal with them and let go of their worries as a whole. 

“We’re constantly evolving our sound while retaining a distinct style by mixing and matching elements from Indie Pop,” said Joshua, the younger of the brothers and the lead singer. “We’re trying to produce a generation-defining sound.”

The band has already garnered ample industry attention through their previously released singles with many of those tracks often cruising the BBC Introducing airwaves. Having already played a number of high profile shows and venues – such as the O2 Islington, the band was also set to play large venues such as” the Great Escape Music Festival, and the Thames Music Festival – the band is currently enjoying an extensive growth in fanbase. That’s set to explode even more as a wider international audience begins to discover their soft, chilled vocals and catchy melodies. That quality musicianship combined with their “flower power emo” style, as James calls it, is sure to set them on the international stage in big ways.

“We want to share our music with the world and let people understand what they’re going through doesn’t have to be alone,” James said. “We want to address topics that people sometimes find uncomfortable – like anxiety or mental illness or depression – and showing them that there is always a light at the end of the tunnel. That’s what our music is ultimately about: helping people get through their lives in a safe and better way.”

To listen to Foundry13’s music or to follow them on social media, please visit:

https://www.facebook.com/Foundry13band

https://www.instagram.com/_foundry13/

https://twitter.com/Foundry13band

https://open.spotify.com/artist/5apPacV6AZaMJjvhRj0ohU?si=Rf8GSLdST9a1kdLO_vsu3g

Big Foldjaz – Open Wide

Blog, Industry Spotlight, Music, Promo

Big Foldjaz blends influences from Chicago, Atlanta and Texas into original new sound

HOUSTON, TX – Houston-based rapper Big Foldjaz is a divine blend of bars and drip, which he puts on full display with his two latest singles “Open Wide” and “Kill Us Again.” These songs are perfect for the kind of brand he’s trying to create – what he calls DripDeck, which stands for Dedicated Respected Independent Presidents.

Born and raised in Chicago while also spending much of his early 20s in Atlanta, this now Texas-based rapper blends multiple musical influences to create a truly one-of-a-kind sound. He takes the energy of each of the cities in which he’s lived and melds them together into something truly original.

“I’m the best part of waking up,” he said, nodding to his stage name. “I’ve got the kind of Twista vibe and energy of Chicago rappers, and I have a lot of the Atlanta swag and finesse with my flow, and living in Houston gives me a lot of soul. Add that to the fact that I write music that’s appealing with deep lyrics, and you get a whole different energy than anything else out there right now. I’m a good blend of all those things with style and catchy hooks and real lyrics. I grind like coffee beans.”

With “Open Wide,” Big Foldjaz takes a comical approach to waving goodbye to past wrongs. With a sarcastic wink and explicit lyrics, Big Foldjaz dedicates the song to his probation officer while at the same time creating an energetic anthem that listeners can use as a chant for situations in their own life in which they want to tell someone to “suck my dick.”

“It’s about somebody who doesn’t give a fuck,” he said. “It’s about being a rebel, but in a funny and comical way. The video will be funny, as well.”

“Kill Us Again” on the other hand, is more of a current hit that touches on the continuous racial inequalities that have been brought to light again in the wake of the George Floyd killing. He said it’s a song that will remind people of Tupac with its raw energy and a message that cuts to the core while being necessary for today’s society.

At the end of the day, that’s the kind of music Big Foldjaz wants to be known for – the kind of music that connects with people in deep ways and says something that makes them come back for more.

“I’m trying to touch the crowd,” he said. “I’m making real rock star shit and I’m trying to push my sound to different audiences. One of the audiences I’m trying to hit right now is that crowd of aggressive skateboarders. I’m trying to push my sound to that skater crowd because I think these songs fit that group. But that’s just one kind of music I create. I’m always talking some gangster shit, too. I’m gangsta, I’m a player … I’m a little bit of everything.”

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

https://www.facebook.com/dripdeck
https://www.instagram.com/bigfoldjaz_dripdeck/
https://twitter.com/Mr_FoldGaz
https://open.spotify.com/album/5Fn1IXuNSYAyywHLtV9DhZ?si=Gpv32CpFR6uqR2SABVc9zA

“Kill Us Again”

https://youtu.be/V4bgPZKg-os 
https://youtu.be/tPBAGEuQlEw 

MyFolk – Ball Don’t Lie

Blog, Industry Spotlight, ME Blog, Music, Promo

South Georgia Hip Hop group MyFolk drops hot new track ‘Ball Don’t Lie’

SOUTH GEORGIA – Almost every basketball player who has ever played the sport knows that if you do something inappropriate on the court, Karma dictates that you’re not likely to make very many shots. The “Ball Don’t Lie,” as the saying goes, is both the sentiment and the title of a new single from Southern Georgia Hip Hop trio MyFolk.

Currently available across all streaming platforms, “Ball Don’t Lie” is a mid-tempo swaggy song that uses basketball metaphors to illustrate the life experiences that sometimes lead to difficult situations. It’s a song about bad choices and the consequences that come thereafter but done in such a way that it perfectly showcases the unique sound and style of this fast-rising group from the South.

MyFolk is a tight-knit trio made up of cousins Marc Ross and Kleif Bussey, who go by the stage names Candyman and Kalico. The third member of the group is Kalico’s best friend Demetrius AKA FieldBoi. The group has been refining its sound and expanding its reach for more than a decade, releasing three mixtapes and taking over the underground scene. Their releases of “The Resume,” “2 For Da Money” and “NFL (No Fat Lady)” have reached national acclaim thanks to their groundbreaking hard-hitting rhymes, heavy beats and dynamic shifting flow.

“Our lyrics are what really sets us apart,” Kalico said. “Everybody else in Hip Hop seems to be picking up the same vibe and lingo, but we got our own lingo. We always have. And it keeps evolving. That’s what we want our music to be known for, that originality. We got multiple sounds and avenues. We never follow one sound and we can write and make music about any subject or any genre. We just try to be limitless. If you put on a beat, we can make anything.”

That ability to make such high-quality music has brought them to the attention of music insiders, and in recent years, the group has been able to perform at such high-profile clubs as Throwbacks and Club Crucial in Atlanta, Club Rozay, Fountain Inn, and The Martin Twin Theatre in Douglas, Georgia, just to name a few.

Now with the release of “Ball Don’t Lie,” the group is excited to show their fanbase a visceral and impressive illustration of their new sound. Kalico said it’s a song that should be essential for every Hip Hop fan.

“When you’re in the South, people are always using the term ‘MyFolk’ to refer to their group of people,” Kalico said. “When we make music, we always say ‘Hit ‘em in the mouth, Folk!’ because we know our music is gonna make an impact. That’s what this song will do. People are gonna really dig it.”

In addition to “Ball Don’t Lie,” MyFolk is preparing to drop a six-song EP called “200 Proof” later this year.

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

https://twitter.com/MyFolk

https://www.instagram.com/PureHustleRecords/

https://www.facebook.com/myfolkbandpage 

https://www.pandora.com/artist/all-songs/myfolk/ARdmPc37g9d3cm6

https://open.spotify.com/artist/2tZL3ap7Xu78JRLpZIHqVb?si=-HCkLo8TQnuSCpXgnaRxmg

Layn – d.t.r.

Blog, Industry Spotlight, Music

Sultry voiced artist Layn drops sexy new EP ‘After Midnight’

ATLANTA, GA – Life has been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for most people in the world over the past year, but up-and-coming Atlanta-based artist Layn has seen more changes than most other people.

The former Navy helicopter technician finished her service last year and in the time since has moved twice, ended a toxic relationship, gotten married, had multiple jobs and is expecting her first child. And in the middle of all that, she put together a five-track EP that so perfectly showcases her sultry smooth vocals that already people in the industry are turning their heads and it hasn’t even been released yet. Slated to drop across all streaming platforms on July 16, “After Midnight” is the perfect kind of chill vibe to pair with the exploration of all the crazy that has happened in the world over the past year – told through the lens of her own personal up-and-down experiences.

“My life turned around a lot last year – like a lot of other people – and a lot of crazy and important things happened,” she said. “This project is a nod to that place when you’re up past midnight because your brain won’t shut off and you’re just lying there thinking about what’s going on. I’ve been through a lot of things in my life, and I want to be relatable to people of all ages and demographics who have also been through tough situations. Hopefully, my music will help them to know they’re not alone. Music is a release for me, and I would want anyone who hears what I do to feel that same type of way.”

Layn said the five tracks on the EP take listeners on a journey that goes in chronological order of her own experiences. It starts with the single “Lullaby,” which immediately shows off her rich R&B and soulful voice as she laments the loss of a long-time boyfriend while reconnecting with an old friend who could become more. She calls it her “last goodbye and coming back home” song.

That’s followed by “Always U” which further explores the budding relationship with the old friend and the surprise she has at recognizing stronger feelings she’d been repressing for a long time. The slower, laid-back vibe of the song pairs perfectly with her sultry voice in ways that evoke the sexiness of a budding romantic relationship. As she comes to realize how she feels for this man, listeners can put themselves in her shoes and remember their own love stories.

“Worst Way” is the third song on the EP and brings an appropriate level of energy as Layn infuses elements of Pop alongside the Hip Hop rhythms. Inspired by an argument she had with her former boyfriend, the energy of the song is bouncy and will invite anyone listening to get up and move. Then comes “D.T.R.” which uses a quasi-Reggae/Latin beat to bring the journey to the tipping point of Layn’s new relationship. Featuring her now husband Don as a rapper on the track, the song’s swag illustrates the sheer joy of finally discovering that perfect person in your life… The beat was provided by “Philly P on Tha Trackk”

“I’m happy now,” she said. “Things are going really well. This guy who sat behind me in class in high school and gave me a note asking if I wanted his number is now my husband, even though we had moved on from each other and both moved around for the past eight years. The joy of finding each other again and knowing that this person – who has always been there through everything and always stayed connected with me – is the one person that I know will always be Down To Ride.”

The final song on “After Midnight” is called “Free” and it brings listeners back to her sultry soulful sound with a fusion of her unique blend of R&B and Pop. Her journey has brought her to a place where she can finally feel free to be herself, and this song – which showcases her ability as a freestyle rapper – perfectly illustrates that. Her sultry voice intertwines perfectly with her aggressive rapid-fire flow in ways that will make listeners hit repeat time and time again.

To listen to Layn’s music or to follow her on social media, please visit: http://www.instagram.com/foreverlayn
https://twitter.com/foreverlayn1

“After Midnight” – EP

https://ditto.fm/after-midnight-layn

BandupSMG – On My Mind

Blog, Industry Spotlight, Music, Promo

BandupSMG, with his unorthodox style and cocky delivery was born and raised in Chicago, IL. His ability to create catchy hooks, and a superb collection of flows, with the ability to bring real life experiences into his music, makes him potentially the next to blow. His style of cocky adlibs, diverse tracks, and real life experience makes him a tough act to follow.

Although his life is no act, he prides himself for being known for expressing true stories through his lyrics that anyone can relate to. His creativity and flow that can attract anyone makes him a great choice to perform for diverse crowds.

Bandup is ready for the industry, but is the industry ready for what he has to offer them? Good music, strong lyrics, true stories, and 100% dedication to being the best artist possible. Click here to stream this on all DSP’s!

To contact Bandup SMG for collabs or booking, email [email protected]

Music Links:
https://open.spotify.com/album/0SQLYY3oiIgKgxlfSelYKU?si=WNcUU440S22Y0pPTzqF3Cw
https://youtu.be/mL-4lbAPQyw
https://linktr.ee/officialbandupsmg

Social media:
Instagram: @Bandupsmg

Sabastianlax – Freshman

Industry Spotlight, Music

Fast-rising young artist Sabastian Lax drops debut single ‘Freshman’

BROOKLYN, NY – Sean Bailey has a story that would be familiar to most recording artists today. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, this young rapper had a love for music and would spend his free time writing lyrics in his notebook or recording freestyles onto the audio notes app of his phone. Whenever he’d let his friends hear his raps, he’d always receive positive feedback, and by his senior year of high school, it seemed only natural for him to take those raps into the studio.

In the two years since that time, this up-and-coming East Coast artist has continued to develop his unique sound and style in ways that have led him to the release of his debut single, “Freshman”. It’s a song that tells the true story of where this young artist is today – operating under the stage name Sabastian Lax and announcing himself to the world as a new voice in the industry that should not be ignored.

“This is the beginning of the season of trying to make a career out of music,” Sabastian said. “This song is me telling my story of where I am right now and the kind of music people can expect from me. My sound is very unique, and I learned everything by teaching myself. Throughout most of my childhood, I was involved in the performing arts – I acted, played piano, designed clothes and even danced. I started by writing freestyles in my notebook about people around me and stories of what I’ve seen. Basically, my raps are telegraphing the journey I’ve taken and what I want to achieve in life. My music is the best way to manifest the things I want while talking about the stuff I’ve seen while growing up. I have a lot of friends who were into the street life and I hung around them even though I knew it wasn’t my path or direction. It’s not my personal experience, but I can rap about it because I saw it. And I love showing people a different side of that lifestyle. I know they’re good people deep down despite the things they’ve gone through or done. I’m proud of my neighborhood and the experiences that shapes my life and influenced by appreciation for the arts”

Sabastian doesn’t just share those experiences through his music, either. This young entrepreneur is also a fashion designer and is currently going to school to study fashion design. He began designing clothes two years ago when he realized how many different styles and types of t-shirts there were throughout the city. His imagination took off and he began designing his own t-shirts. Recently he created a “Ban Trump” t-shirt that he gave out at rallies throughout New York.