Senz – Shake It Off

Former professional basketball player parleys raw talent into inspirational music with new single ‘Shake it Off’

NEW YORK, NY – In an age of music when many artists sound alike, up-and-coming international superstar Senz offers refreshing styles that are uplifting and inspiring. His new single “Shake it Off” is a perfect example of that. Yet another hit from this seasoned producer, the song offers a new perspective for a world weary from so many tough situations and encourages listeners to persevere through it all – both individually and collectively.

“It’s a song about moving past adversity and going after what you want in life,” Senz said. “I make my own beats, and the production on this song carries a tropical feel with bouncy melodies.”

After cultivating his sound as a producer in his spare time while playing basketball professionally overseas, Senz began writing lyrics and creating music that was fresh and catchy. His content offers an honest perspective into his life with witty wordplay that is forthright and unapologetic. As a Ghanaian raised in the United Kingdom before settling in New York City, his international background is reflected in his sound which is rhythmic and melodic.

“I call it Soul Music because it comes from and touches the soul,” he said. “My music mixes together Hip Hop, R&B and Afro-beat influences with subject matter that is personal and relatable. From a producer’s standpoint, I’m always keen to listen to music from all genres. When I started making beats, I produced mostly House Music after being inspired by the then–emerging EDM movement. An avid Hip Hop listener, my whole life has allowed me to witness the progression of Hip Hop productions over time, taking bits and pieces from classic producers across genres and adding it to my own style. This has led me to create a sound unlike anything else out there.”

“Shake it Off” is the third single from Senz and is currently available across all digital streaming platforms. His plan is to release a new song every month for the next 12 months and through his music offer “an uplifting vibe that can be a soundtrack to people’s lives.”

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

https://www.instagram.com/asens0/

https://twitter.com/itmakesenz 

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCrZiOodZWxAvB9-7immgLQ?view_as=subscriber

Ray Davis – Lit Asf

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

Ray Davis drops yet another hit single with club banger ‘Lit Asf’

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK – For the past decade, Ray Davis has been making great melodic Hip Hop music, and his new single “Lit Asf” is just another in a long line of successful songs that showcases an incredible talent from this young man. Upbeat and bouncy, this club banger from Davis is an anthem to the people of the world who are tired of the various issues causing so much strife and violence and who would rather just go out for one night and have a good time.

“It started when I was in my room listening to an instrumental that was emailed to me, and just thinking about how I was at the point where I wanted to quit my job to start making music full time,” Davis said. “But I wasn’t able to do so because I knew I needed to continue grinding to get to that point. So, I said aloud to myself: ‘Well fuck it! I’m at least gonna get Lit Asf one night to myself.’ So, this song is about not holding onto everything and just having a great night – not worrying about anything. It’s stressful with everything going on, and this song will help people loosen up.”

The single is one that has propelled him onto the national stage and gained attention from some of the biggest industry insiders. That’s nothing new for this talented musician who worked out of Atlanta for many years before moving to Oklahoma City. At only age 23, he was signed to the label BNDR Music which is now called Streamlive, and released two singles with them. One of those singles, “Keep Holding On” was featured on WorldStarHipHop and gained him enough attention that he was able to open for Hip Hop legend Juice Wrld. He also performed at some big events in both LA and Las Vegas.

Davis returned to LA earlier this year to film the music video for “Lit Asf.” That video is slated to drop by the end of September, while the single is currently available across all streaming platforms. It’s a song that he said showcases his different sound and puts on display his signature style.

“I’m more of an artist who does singing and rapping with some great flow,” he said. “One minute I can go slow and sing with it, the next minute I’ll speed it up. Any time people hear it they say it’s just different. The more I’ve worked on my sound over the years, the more I’ve learned how to create that truly signature sound. Plus, I’ve got a great personality, I’m likable, and I’m willing to learn. And the work ethic is just the icing to all the things that make me stand out. At the end of the day, I want to create music that will relate with people. I talk about real shit that’s going on – not just about drugs, girls or money. I talk about life experiences and things I’ve gone through, and they’re all things that people from all over can relate to. But most of all, I make great music. I just want to be heard because I know my music is capable of getting me somewhere.”

Davis said he’s working on another single and video that should come out this fall.

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

https://youtu.be/lV3kyMMzvUk

https://www.facebook.com/ray.davis.12935
https://instagram.com/1raydavis?igshid=1rxk3we5414fx
Snapchat– RayDavis4am “Lit Asf“
https://unitedmasters.com/m/5f396ff686f54865a4bc894a

JHustles – Molly Rock

Blog, ME Blog, Music, Promo

Third album from JHUSTLES, ‘Molly Rock,’ introduces hot new artist to the world while offering new perspective on world issues

LOS ANGELES, CA – It’s the dream of every parent to see their kids be successful at the things they’re naturally good at. For long time Hip Hop artist JHUSTLES, it was the joy of his life to get to work on his new album “Molly Rock” with his son who goes by the stage name drug$onwar. Featured on four of the album’s eight songs, this up-and-coming young artist is following in his father’s footsteps in big ways and lends an energy to the album in ways that JHUSTLES said makes it one of his best pieces of work to date.

Born and raised in LA, JHUSTLES was knee-deep in gangs, graffiti and the drug culture before he was even a teenager but even through all of that, his first love was music. He came from a long line of successful musicians – with a father who was a talented musician and a stepfather who was a member of notorious groups like the Italian Rock band PFM and the Saturday Night Live band. His mother was a celebrity hairdresser and worked with some of the biggest names in Rock including The Babies, Aerosmith and The Ramones. The combination of raw natural talent and rubbing shoulders with music’s biggest legends paid off and by a young age, JHUSTLES was using music to get himself off the streets.

It wasn’t long before he had made a name for himself on the West Coast. He became a Sway In The Morning “Get in the Game” artist on Eminem’s SHADE45 Radio and collaborated with many of Hip Hop’s best rappers, including Hot Dollar, JBO from the YoungbloodZ, FatLip from The Pharcyde and producers Stefon “Bionik” Taylor, Jason “Jplot” Plotkin, and Focus which is from Aftermath Records. His career was taking off, but then he had his son and committed to raising his boy as a single father. He backed off from the grind of making music daily and instead worked on his sound and style when he had the time to do so. He turned to Hollywood to make money and found a niche making songs for TV shows and film. In recent years, as his son grew into his teenage years, JHUSTLES found more time and a renewed energy for making his own music, and “Molly Rock” is his announcement to the world that he’s back.

“One major difference from my past work is that I was in a similar head space for all of these songs because it came together so quickly,” JHUSTLES said. “I did the album in a couple of weeks leading up to the full quarantine shutdown. I knew it was coming and needed to get in the studio and do an album real quick. We wrote, produced, recorded, mixed and mastered it all under the premise that no one would be able to leave their house for the next five months. And as such, it touches on a lot of different things – from the state of affairs politically to break-up songs to socially conscious songs and everything in between. There’s a lot on this album because I wanted to take people on a few different directions.”

The best part of making that album, JHUSTLES said, was his collaboration with his son. As a tall 6-foot-3 basketball player, his son has always shown an interest in sports. But he’s also been with his father in the recording studio since he was a baby and much like his father, he rubbed shoulders with a lot of big names in the industry, learning how to make music along the way. So when he approached his father about collaborating on a project, it was a shock.

“Working with my son is probably the coolest thing ever,” JHUSTLES said. “He’s been in the studio with me since he was a baby – in fact, he was on the cover of my first album. And he’s an encyclopedia of music and Hip Hop. When he came to me and presented me with songs he wrote, I was blown away. He’s gonna be way better than me. Being able to introduce him to the world on this project is probably the best thing I could ever imagine happening. This is my third official album and it’s definitely my best album, and a big part of that is because he’s on it. It’s a whole new light he brings to it.”

JHUSTLES’s new album isn’t the only exciting release about to come out. He was also fortunate enough to be hired by filmmaker Geo Santini to do the original music for the new film “LIKE: The Miseducation of Lil Tito” which is slated to premier on Sept. 16 at the HBO New York Latino Festival. JHUSTLES wrote seven original songs for the film, and can be heard performing songs for the main character of the film.

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

www.JHUSTLES.com

Twitter.com/jhustles1

Instagram.com/jhustles1

snapchat.com/add/jhustles1

https://youtu.be/aCNL54RtffY

TikTok @jhustles1 

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/j-hustles/382794069

https://open.spotify.com/artist/3X8sogLAdl5oDGR3icqA7w?si=5qsgAwl5QNKe8av1yjun1g 

https://soundcloud.com/jhustles?ref=clipboard

OFFICIAL TRAILER FOR LIKE “The Miseducation of Lil Tito”

https://www.instagram.com/tv/CEcLL5XHj0D/?igshid=zyyarfoevha5

Ferreira – All Night Long

Blog, Industry Spotlight, Music, Promo

Synth-Pop gets modern day twist with new single and album from international artist Ferreira

TORONTO, CANADA – One of Synth-Pop’s most underrated artists is about to release a new album with a sound so genre-bending that it’ll be turning heads all around the globe.

Ferreira has been a mainstay in the music industry for the better part of a decade, collaborating with some of the biggest names in the game. He’s been an opening act for legends such as Fabolous, Jadakiss, Pusha T, Styles P, Boys II Men and many more. He’s recorded with multi-Grammy-nominated artist Noreaga (N.O.R.E.) and he’s performed on some of the biggest stages in America, Canada and throughout Europe. Now, with the forthcoming release of his sophomore album “Venus,” he’s ready to become more of a household name.

“I just want to be known as an artist that everybody remembers for my music,” Ferreira said. “I want to send out a good vibe. I want to be that feel-good, listening-to artist who puts you in a good mood – just a good vibe in a nutshell. I hope I’m known for leaving a lasting impression and for having timelessness to my music. That’s what some of my favorite artists have been for me, and I’d like to be that person, as well for whoever is listening to my music.”

Ferreira had some success with his first album, “Mercury,” which showcased his charismatic style. Staying with the concept of planets derived from his Astrology sign, “Venus” is his follow-up project. Unlike “Mercury” – which explored a lot of the ins-and-outs of relationships, love and heartbreak – “Venus” is more of an examination of the outside influences of today’s world on a person’s day-to-day life.

“It’s more about people I’m meeting and life-changing experiences that are affected by things going on in the world today,” he said. “I grew up listening to 80s music, which was an incredible decade music wise. My dad would listen to Genesis and UB-40 and Stevie B and Michael Jackson, and a lot of the one-hit wonders. With this album, I’m aiming toward my childhood experiences music wise, but with a new style.”

That 80s vibe comes across loud and clear with the debut single “All Night Long,” which is currently available across all streaming platforms. With an upbeat EDM and Synth-Pop vibe, the song stays true to its name by fulfilling the promising of giving listeners a sound and rhythm that will make them want to move all night long. Ferreira’s finely honed vocals provide the perfect counterpoint to the moving beat, and the hook is one of those ear candy lyrics that will be stuck in your head for days.

“I’m an 80s baby and I kind of fell into that vibe with this project,” Ferreira said. “That especially shows on this song. It definitely has an 80s vibe, but it’s also a good indication of where I am today. Both old and new fans are going to appreciate the honesty and direction of this album, and the first single, ‘All Night Long’ shows just how versatile I can get.”

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

https://www.instagram.com/king.ferreira/
https://open.spotify.com/artist/0xKHLINRFajytpNdsF045U?si=mpCYr1V3TCC8px8Zf7oNhA

Mia Kodak – Take His Money

Blog, ME Blog, Music, Promo

Rising super star Mia Kodak drops hot new rap single ‘Take His Money’

LOS ANGELES, CA – Kansas City native Mia Brooks – better known as Mia Kodak – is a specialty pharmaceutical sales rep by day and an artist by night. But her days of flying under the radar are soon to be over thanks to the release of her new single “Take His Money.”

The single takes inspiration from Tupac’s “Hit ‘em Up” and showcases Mia’s hardcore and edgy persona alongside her naturally gifted voice and one-of-a-kind delivery.

“I come across very aggressive on the beat,” Mia said. “I attack the beat and I think that makes me stand out a lot. I write everything myself and I’m able to sing my own hooks and melodies but ultimately, my sound is varied. I can go from aggressive and deep to a very soft sound. With ‘Take His Money’ I’m showing off my rap skills and doing some shit talking from a female standpoint.”

As a young teen, Mia was a professional model who always carried around a Kodak brand camera. She was always taking pictures, which is where she got the nickname. It’s a name that has stuck and like the snapshots she’s captured over time, her fans are beginning to get a picture of what this rising talent has to offer the world of music.

After graduating from the University of Central Missouri with a Bachelor of Science in Broadcast Media and Photography, Mia moved to Los Angeles to pursue her dream of being a professional in the entertainment industry. At the time she didn’t know exactly what that would look like. On a whim, she started writing her thoughts and feelings into songs and realized she had a natural knack for writing music. She released her first single in July 2018 to rave reviews and followed that up with an EP in August 2018. “Mistakes and Heartbreaks” gave her audience a glimpse of what she was capable of in the world of Hip Hop and since that EP release, she has dropped numerous other singles including “Faded,” “Dear Mama” and “Let’s Get a Bag.” She was also booked for All Access ATL in September 2019 where she performed in front of industry professionals.

“It was nothing but positive feedback from them,” she said. “They couldn’t believe it was my first show and many of them said, ‘You’re already a star.’”

Mia grew up listening to and loving all genres of music and it shows in her signature style today. Influences in her sound include Hip Hop, Country, Pop, Soft Rock, Jazz, Blues and more. And she credits legends such as Trina, Nicki Minaj, Lauryn Hill, Brandy and Ashanti for inspiring her at a young age to chase after her dreams and dive deep into her passion for making good music.

“At the end of the day, I want my music to be known for just being real,” she said. “So many people feel pain and emotions the same way I do. I feel like if I can get more people to react the way my core fanbase is reacting – people have cried through my songs – then I’ll be able to connect with more people and help them through every kind of emotion. That’s why I write about things like relationships and love and heartbreak and pain and hurt and happiness. Anything inspirational. I’m everywhere with my music because I’m writing what I feel, and I know people who hear my music can connect with that.”

Mia Kodak’s music is available on every streaming service. To listen to them or to follow her on social media, please visit:

www.MiaKodak.com

https://www.instagram.com/miakodak/

https://twitter.com/miakodak_

Quey – Good Day (GVO)

Industry Spotlight, ME Blog, Music, Videos

Fusion of Miami and Houston sounds come together on new album from Hip Hop star Quey

HOUSTON, TX – Miami-based high-energy vibes combine with a down South feel for a truly original sound from up-and-coming artist Quey. Hailing from Houston, this seasoned rapper is releasing his third album “MIA 2 H-Town” on Sept. 11. The project’s 10 songs will not only feature Quey’s signature sound but also examine the various cultures and lifestyles of people living in both Miami and Houston.

“I’m from Miami and now I’m starting a life in Houston, so in a lot of ways, it’s an album that’s very personal,” Quey said. “I did that on purpose because I wanted people to get to know something about me. But I also wanted to bring that Miami-type music with high energy, which is the style of music I’m known for. I like to bring the complete package with a powerful delivery. I like to use a lot of metaphors and lyricism. Hip Hop is storytelling and being able to say things without actually saying things, which means you have to do it in a clever way. I do that with a unique delivery. Nobody delivers a sound the way I do. The way I read beats and flow on them is like nothing else out there right now.”

The debut single from the project, “Good Day (GVO)” is a perfect example of Quey’s signature style. The term Good Vibes Only was invented in Miami and indicates an atmosphere that’s described by its name. Quey uses a sample from Ice Cube’s hit song “Good Day” for his own version of the single. Pairing with Miami producer Rippa on the Beat, Quey tells a simple tale of a good day in Miami, all with an upbeat energy that is perfect for partying and turning up on South Beach.

“I’m basically doing the same thing Ice Cube did but with a modern-day twist,” Quey said. “He’s one of the artists I grew up listening to with my dad. He used to blast a lot of 80s and 90s Rap music in the car when I was a kid, so I listened to a lot of those rappers and I’m hoping to go down as one of those legends one day.”

Quey is releasing the album under his new record label, Hit Squad Records. In addition to himself, there are three other artists on the label – two from Miami and one female Hip Hop artist from Texas. Quey said he’s planning on following the album with a smaller EP toward the end of December, and might even do an EP on top of that this fall.

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

https://www.instagram.com/quey305/

https://www.twitter.com/quey305
https://www.soundcloud.com/ayequey

Dlobs – Life’s Surreal

Blog, Industry Spotlight, ME Blog, Music, Promo

East Coast artist DLobs drops timely new single ‘Life’s Surreal’

PROVIDENCE, RI – Sometimes the craziness that occurs in life can be so real that it feels surreal. That’s the sentiment captured on the new single from East Coast rapper DLobs. “Life’s Surreal” is the perfect kind of conscious Rap that explores the surreal experiences that so many find themselves going through today. Showcasing DLobs’ signature deep voice and wavy flow, the song has a nice bounce to it as he drips his conscious rap across a laid-back 808 beat. Listeners will immediately feel that throw-back vibe to the 90s as synth organs weave a parallel path alongside his rapid-fire flow. And at the end of the day, it’s a song that not only says something powerful about today’s state of affairs but also is catchy to listen to and is destined to be put on repeat for years to come.

“It seems like every day lately, when things happen it can be surreal,” DLobs said. “Or it can be so real it can be unavoidable and unchangeable. This song is about those things we go through in life that are so real and surreal. I use music as a way of coping and a form of expressing. It’s always born from a vibe I’m going through. In my life, I go through trials and tribulations a lot. I put my troubles or pain into my music, and so this song was inspired by something I was going through and the experiences and feelings that came with that. But through that I believe it’s something that a lot of people can relate to.”

Though DLobs has always been a fan of music, it wasn’t until his later teenage years that he really became interested in creating music on his own. He said it was artists like Joey Badass and Mac Miller who ultimately inspired him to want to try to make conscious Rap. He loves how they tell stories through their music, which is something he also tries to do.

“I’m a very diverse artist,” he said. “I’m not committed or constrained to one genre. Through Hip Hop, I do a lot of different styles. I try singing in some of my songs. I do R&B, straight drill Rap, conscious Rap, and a lot of other styles. But more than anything, I try to keep my lyrics very in-depth so people can have substance to it. I’m not just using a beat to coast on and using that to elevate the music. I use lyrics to elevate my beats, and I’m always keeping the lyrics and substance conscious and prevalent. I want my music to be relatable, not just something people can listen to and enjoy but something where they can take something from. At the end of the day, I want people to listen to my music and really relate to what I’m saying. I make music to feel better, and I hope people can take that and use it to feel better, as well.”

In addition to “Life’s Surreal,” DLobs has two other projects out on all streaming platforms, and he’s currently at work on a five-track EP that he said should drop later this fall.

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

https://linktr.ee/dlobs_/

Jevin Lamar – Boss Alert

Blog, Industry Spotlight, ME Blog, Music, Promo

New single ‘Boss Alert’ from Atlanta-based Jevin Lamar is one of summer’s hottest bangers

ATLANTA, GA – When listeners get caught in the rapid-fire flow of Jevin Lamar’s latest hit, “Boss Alert,” it’ll be impossible to escape from the ride of this upbeat banger. The aggressive rapping of this budding young artist gets in your face and invites listeners into a bouncy, upbeat vibe in ways that are undeniable. This is a single that’s sure to be one of 2020’s biggest summer hits, and it’s destined to put this fast-rising young artist on the map.

The single was born from Jevin’s experience like the everyday hustle while working 2-3 jobs and chasing his dream at the same time. He found himself wanting to impress every time he interacted with a new person, and his daily self–psych-up included a look in the mirror every morning saying to himself, “I feel like a boss today.”

“Everybody can be a boss in their own way, and that’s what this song is about,” Jevin said. “When I pull up – no matter where it is – I want to feel like a boss. When it comes to my music, I really feel like I have a very distinctive voice and style. There’s a unique-ness to it. It’s a different type of vibe that I give off.”

That unique vibe was developed in the studio by producer Tru.P, one of the producers for Rap icon Sticky Fingaz. Jevin happened to be in the studio one day when Sticky Fingaz was there, and the notorious rapper invited him into the booth with his producer to work on a song. What came out with “Boss Alert” is a song that Jevin said is very commercial and will be wide-reaching in the number of fans it creates.

Born in Dayton, Ohio, Jevin has pursued music for most of his young life. He’s seen some budding success, as well, having been featured on Revolt TV and releasing singles that have seen more than 500,000 streams. He released a song called “Still Holing On” in homage to his cousin Thomas J. McNichols, which went on to be featured on ABC, CBS, Fox, and in an article with The New York Times.

Over the past few years, he was in California working on his sound and developing new music with some of the best producers in the country. Eventually, he moved to Atlanta to further pursue his career.

“My type of music got more of that Trap sound to it,” he said. “At the end of the day, I just want my music to be known for being good music. I’m a great poet and a great rapper, and I want to be known as a rapper who takes his time with metaphors and stories. I have an EP out called ‘Street Orphan’ that will show some of that off. It’s real Hip Hop with straight bars and straight storytelling. But I’m also a storyteller even in my Trap music. My new EP that’s coming out in September called ‘Gangdom’ is all underground Trap music. ‘Street Orphan’ was kind of my introduction and showing off my storytelling, but now the music I’m putting out is Club stuff and bangers and underground that people will love.”

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

https://soundcloud.com/jevinlamar
https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jevin-lamar/1339846473
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyHx1qgaRO90EQCUiNeLhGA

https://www.instagram.com/jevinlamar/

https://twitter.com/JevinLamar

“Boss Alert”

https://song.link/i/1450676232

B Raxcks – Swagg Walk

Industry Spotlight, ME Blog, Music, Promo, Videos

Catchy single from fast-rising rapper B Raxcks has him showing off his ‘Swagg Walk’

ATLANTA, GA – B Raxcks is a hot young artist who’s making a name for himself all along the East Coast, and he’s inviting a new wave of fans to check out his swag with a catchy new single called “Swagg Walk.” With a bouncy beat and a clever combination of Atlanta Trap and New York Brash, this single is gaining this fast-rising musician some major attention. Currently available across all streaming platforms, “Swagg Walk” is the kind of summer single that will spread like wildfire around the globe and is destined to make this young rapper a future superstar.

Born Byron Patterson in Queens, New York, B Raxcks navigated the rougher parts of Little Jamaica and found himself in and out of trouble with the law before his father moved him to Charleston, South Carolina. He’d always been a fan of music, but it was during his teenage years in South Carolina that he began to really explore his sound and style. Eventually, a friend convinced him to record a song in a local studio, and when that song gained major attention throughout the area and got quite a bit of radio play, he knew music was a career he wanted to dive into. He moved to Atlanta shortly thereafter to tap into the city’s thriving music scene, network with more influential industry insiders, and further develop his sound. “Swagg Walk” is the fulfillment of all that hard work, and the success he’s seeing so quickly after its release is testament to his natural talent and dedication to hard work.

“I grew up in New York, so my sound originates from there, but I ended up moving down south and that shaped me, as well,” he said. “I think what really sets me apart from anyone else in the game today is that influence of up North mixed with the Southern twang. You can hear that on ‘Swagg Walk.’ It’s a very, very catchy song. It’s a feel-good song, basically. It’s about when you step out – like going shopping or going to the club or wherever you’re going – and you’re basically saying, ‘Look at me. Check out my swag.’ It’s one of those songs that just came so quickly and naturally. I wrote it kind of quick. It only took me 15 minutes. I heard the beat and I just felt something, and since it’s come out, I’ve gotten a lot of good responses and it’s being played in a lot of places.”

In addition to “Swagg Walk,” B Raxcks said he already released another single called “War” and the music video for it is now available for streaming. Also, B Raxcks will be featured in a mixtape hosted by So So Defs “Da Brat” which releases September 28.

To listen to B Raxcks’ music or to follow him on social media, please visit:

https://www.instagram.com/braxcks/

https://www.facebook.com/Raxckss/

https://twitter.com/BRaxcks

YQ Dreams – Playmaker

Blog, Industry Spotlight, ME Blog, Music, Promo

YQ Dreams drops inspiring anthem ‘Playmaker’ just in time for NBA playoffs

NEW JERSEY – Just in time for the NBA playoffs comes a hot new anthem from East Coast artist YQ Dreams. The song is called “Playmaker” and though its inspiration came from the greatest NBA players, it’s a song that can hype up playmakers from all sports and all walks of life.

“Essentially, it’s a song about overcoming adversity and turning them into plays,” YQ said. “It’s upbeat and anthemic. I’m remembering my hardest days and showing people that now I’m up and I make all the plays. So it’s a story of a playmaker shining. It’s not necessarily basketball-driven though it was inspired by the LA Lakers and my desire to highlight their playmakers who are in the playoffs. I’m a huge LeBron fan and some of my goals are similar to his. But this song can be for anybody. If you’re a playmaker and you have a bad experience, you can turn it into something good and you’d be classified as a playmaker.”

At 23-years-old, YQ Dreams is having the kind of success that seasoned stars wish for. He’s traveled nationwide in his young career, opening for acts such as PNB Rock and releasing big hits like “Did It,” featuring Hip Hop icon DaBaby. His full-length EP “Jersey” is also available now across all streaming platforms and has been gaining even more attention from industry insiders and fans alike.

Part of the attention being headed on his fast-rising star is for his unique sound and style. Born to a Jamaican mother, YQ fuses his heritage with a blend of genres to create something truly original. He’s also very lyrical, creating music that is simultaneously hype music but also deeply introspective. His songs require people to really listen to the lyrics, and when they do, they’ll meet a vulnerable musician who lays his insecurities out to the world and doesn’t hide anything.

If you respect authentic music and the true essence of art, then you’ll respect my work,” he said. “The most beautiful art is created during pain. At the end of the day, I hope my music is known for being authentic. I feel like in this industry there are a lot of things that are fake, or at least not necessarily genuine. When you listen to my music, you’ll know that I’m genuine. You as the listener are the same as me. I never make it seem like I’m better than anyone. You go through the same pain and trials and tribulations as me, and because of that, you can connect with me at that level and know I go through the same things as you.”

YQ said he’s excited for people to hear “Playmaker” and hopes that it’ll gain the attention of some of the NBA stars currently playing in the playoffs.