Breeze Embalm's Embalming Fluid LP was released late last year. Today, the Bronx-based emcee releases the kinetic, bleary-eyed, self-directed visuals for the project's rebellious B-Side, "Cochise," a re-work of Audioslave's modern rock classic of the same name.
“There was a time when I was very frustrated with the state of hip hop and all of its stereotypes. Cochise is about taking that anger and frustration and confronting it head on.”
Artwork by Sabatahj
Following the late 2015 release of his Zapp & Roger Troutman-inspired southern jam "Old Skoo," the young Louisville, Kentucky-based multi-instrumentalist, producer, rapper, singer, and songwriter Sabatahj takes us back to the '90s with "Crush Grooves." Featuring vocals from Felly The Voice (who's penned songs for J. Holiday, Dawn Richard, Keri Hilson, and more), the single puts a stamp on Tahj's unique, sensual style of music, and opens a new chapter of the '502 Come Up.'
“Crush Grooves’ is a style of music I’ve created using the influences of early ‘90s Southern rap, mixed with sensual contemporary R&B. [It’s] a style of music based on my perception of sex and love.”
Artwork by Alexandra Amenta
Over the past two years since his third studio release, The Balloon Guide, with his balloonUP collective, Philly-based emcee, producer, and multi-media artist MH the Verb has been hard at work. Between his tireless live show schedule, recording new music, his weekly DJ residency at Brooklyn's Knitting Factory, and working with organizations to empower young people through art, MH has linked up with musician GR Stone and engineer Clyon to form the new Philly-based indie arts collective ArtHouse95.
Today, ArtHouse95 presents its soulful debut in the form of a three-track EP entitled Owl, which features production by indie favorites Buscrates 16-Bit Ensemble, Ogi Feel The Beat, and VerbStone.
“[When] I began working with George “Cylon” Casseus and GR Stone, our individual spirits and creativity gelled... We developed a common goal and purpose to curate audio and visual projects, mixing soul music with various other art forms, ideas, and spaces. We envisioned a place where different artists and creatives could come together and produce media around the concepts of positive vibes and progressive thought. Philadelphia [became] our new creative space for harnessing the various musicians, vocalists, rappers, DJs, and producers we work with.”
Listen to 'Owl' on SoundCloud: https://goo.gl/BxTVtL
Premiere of 'Owl' on DJBooth.net
MH The Verb and his ArtHouse collective have an upcoming show April 28. Tickets are available here. You can get a taste of what to expect here.
Following the release of her single "Take It Slow," Bronx-born upstart, Isa, keeps the momentum going with a live acoustic performance video of the new heartfelt ballad, further showcasing her extraordinary vocal ability.
"Take It Slow"' is the lead single from Isa's forthcoming sophomore EP "Mirrors" Vol. 1.
Watch "Take It Slow" On YouTube
LatinTRENDS Premiere
Listen to "Take It Slow" on SoundCloud
Following up the release of his 2015 EP Kame House, young rapper/producer Tay Rhodes, returns with his brand new single "TONY," from his forthcoming sophomore EP Purple Heart.
With confident flows, quick-strike punchlines, and the energy and sound that has been described as a mix between the styles of Future and Mick Jenkins, Tay bridges the gap between sharp lyricism and trap music.
Purple Heart is a personal body of work that represents Tay's resilience through life's ups and downs, and is set to put his hometown of Kalamazoo, Michigan on the map come its release on May 2nd.
Listen to "Tony" on SoundCloud
Premiere of "TONY" on RESPECT Magazine
On Friday, April 29th, 2016, The Elixir Media Group's 'Uptown Soul Lounge' monthly music showcase series returns to Gin Fizz Harlem. For the third installment, Uptown Soul Lounge alumnus Carla G joins Afrobeat musician, poet, and emceeAyoinmotion for hosting duties, with special live performances by southern belle Lea Anderson, uptown R&B hero Vin Keatin, and Bronx soul upstart Gaetano.
Serving as Harlem's exciting new platform for the best emerging talent in soul music, 'Uptown Soul Lounge' is a monthly music showcase happening the last Friday of every month. With the live soulful vibes from carefully curated talent, set to the intimate, speakeasy setting of Harlem's "best-kept secret," 'Uptown Soul Lounge' is, at once, the revival of Harlem's old jazz/soul ethos and the birth of a new musical frontier.
The show on Friday, April 29 will begin at 8PM. RSVP here for $5 admission. Tickets are $10 at the door without RSVP. Gin Fizz is located at 308 Malcolm X Boulevard, New York, NY 10027.
For Amber Mimz, the past three years have meant a lot. Since the 2013 release of her debut LP The Life of Riley, the DC-based funk/jazz/soul singer, songwriter, and producer has been busy perfecting her craft, not only as a musician, but as a jewelry designer and hair stylist, as well. That's multiple layers of threes, which is the theme of her brand new live EP aptly titled Three, out today.
To celebrate the release of her first project in three years, Amber has relinquished the Charles Bates-directed music video for the live recording of the EP's third and final song "Never Be."
“[The number] three kept showing up in multiple ways in my life, right down to the number of times I’ve attempted a project like this over the last three years... While researching, I found that the number three symbolizes the principles of growth: one is the thought of an idea, and two is the fertility of that idea, which results in the creation of three, the final product. Then, out of all the demos and songs circulating at the time I felt strongly about these three to share. Thus you have the THREE EP.”
Premiere of 'Never Be' and Exclusive Q&A on ESSENCE.com's New & Next Feature
Watch 'Never Be' on YouTube
Stream and/or purchase Three on SoundCloud and Bandcamp
Multifarious DC Soul Queen Reesa Reene keeps her 2015 EP Lovers Rock fresh with the release of her brand new music video for "Guess Again." Produced by Reesa's brother P'Kay, the bouyant song is a personal number with vibrant visuals to match the uplifting message.
““I wrote the song in a very busy season of my career - I was at a transitioning point in my career where I was spending a lot more time on the road. I was juggling family and music and music was winning - I found myself missing family functions and birthday parties and it was really bothering me. I wrote that song for my loved ones - just a way of telling them I cared even though I was gone and missing things.” ”
Watch "Guess Again" on YouTube
Premiere of "Guess Again" on YouKnowIGotSoul
Purchase Lovers Rock on iTunes
Reesa Renee is set to headline NYC's Uptown Soul Lounge music showcase series this Friday, March 25th at Gin Fizz Harlem. RSVP here for $5 admission.
Montreal-based multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter Knafo shows his appreciation for fans today by giving them seven days to download his recent Pronto Musique release Change To Last for free. The announcement comes on the heels of the release of the rich, nearly fifteen minute-long visual companion for the album.
While Knafo continues to donate all proceeds from album sales to the Rainbows For All Children Canada's annual 'Nation Children's Grief Awareness Day' campaign, he proves that his benevolence extends to his fans, as well.
““Music is my passion. I make music because I want to, not to put food on the table. Sure, I want as many people as possible to listen to it, but it’s not about money or fame. By connecting it to a charity, it made the impact of my experience deeper.””
Stream and Download 'Change To Last' on SoundCloud below.
Download 'Change To Last' via WeTransfer.
Watch 'Change To Last' Short Film on YouTube
Purchase Change To Last Album on iTunes
Stream Change To Last on Spotify
Reconciliation with loss can be tumultuous process. Philly-bred singer, songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist Yellow Shoots uses his infectious melodies and seamless fusion of progressive rock, R&B, and ambient electronic to articulate this process in his brand new single "Stormy Weather."
For someone whose name spawned from their observation of sound in the color yellow (a condition known as synesthesia), Yellow Shoots interjects ample brush strokes of somber misty grays and blues in "Stormy Weather."
“Stormy Weather’ is about a person losing a relationship or separating ties with someone. It talks about how one doesn’t actually feel the depths or significance at the time they lose a relationship. I tried to demonstrate that I often get hit with that wave of “loss” at an unexpected time, which is often triggered by an unexpected event. Life is odd and awkward for a bit and all of a sudden you get smacked in the face with everything that’s missing, everything you had before.”
Thank you to our friends at The FADER for the world premiere of Yellow Shoots' new single. Listen to "Stormy Weather" on SoundCloud below.
