Sire Castro - My Vest

Sire Castro drops hot new track ‘My Vest’ just in time for New Year

BRONX, NY – If you were to Google the name Sire Castro, you’d likely find stories about a  very controversial battle rap with another up-and-coming rapper about a decade ago that took place in New York City in front of Sean Diddy Combs and the Bad Boy staff. There’s footage all over the Internet of that battle, and Castro became an overnight name because of that one event. But he isn’t an artist who can be encapsulated in just one moment. In fact, he’s a successful musician who has been producing hit after hit for more than just the past 10 years. Like his namesake, Fidel Castro, he’s taking the music scene by storm and impacting an entire country.

Today, Sire Castro is launching a new single called “My Vest.” It’s a remake of the 1989 single “Too Hype” by the group In Touch – a song that was huge back in its day. Castro said he’s tapping into that success and using it to turn the song into a street version of the popular track.

“It’s a throw-back to a song that was hype back in the days, but I’m re-inventing it all over again,” he said. “My versatility and delivery set me apart from anyone else out there. The tone of my voice, also.  I want to be known for having a distinctive sound. Half these rappers today sound the same, but my style is different and I don’t want to sound the same as anyone else. That’s why I took the name Sire Castro – Sire means ‘You’re majesty,’ and Castro was the old king of Cuba who nobody messed with. Nobody dared to test him, and he impacted an entire country. That’s what my music is about.”

Castro said he first started being interested in rap when he was only 5 or 6 years old. His father was a DJ and loved music, and Castro grew up with that environment and influence. At age 8 he saw the classic hip-hop film “Krush Groove,” and a flame was sparked. Not long after he dominated at a fifth grade talent show with an original rap, and from that moment forward he never looked back. He credits legends such as Notorious BIG and Jay-Z for influencing much of his career, and he prides himself in paying homage to the styles of the old-school rappers and bridging the gap from those legends to the modern-day sounds that are popular across the country.

Over the course of his career he has dropped hits such as “Gem Em Cash,” “A Week Ago,” and “18 Wheeler.” He has also collaborated with some big name sin the game, including: Jadakiss, Styles P, Queen Patra, AZ, French Montana, Cory Gunz, and RIP Stack Bundles. He has performed on the notorious SOB’s stage in New York, and has toured in other states such as California, Miami, North Carolina, Baltimore, Washington D.C. and Atlanta.

This South Bronx lyrical assassin said he plans to continue his streak of hits with “My Vest,” and aims to use the success of that single as momentum going into the album he’s currently working on and which will release mid-year 2019.

To listen to Sire Castro’s music, or to follow him on social media, please visit:
www.twitter.com/sirecastromusic
www.instagram.com/sirecastromusic
www.facebook.com/sircastromusic
https://soundcloud.com/sirecastromusic

Dj Smoke and Cashville Rob present: Young and Paid Hosted by Kevin Gates

Dj Smoke is ending the year how he started the year off, with a bang! This mixtape is packed with a bunch of dope new music for the streets!!

Stream and download "Dj Smoke and Cahsville Rob presents: Young And Paid hosted by Kevin Gates" on Livemixtapes today! 

Follow @DjSmokemixtapes @IAmKevinGates

Mexico Baby - Diddy

Mexico Baby launches new club-banger ‘Diddy’

ALBANY, GA – When Robert McCluster was a young boy growing up on the streets of Ashburn, Georgia, he used to listen to a lot of hip-hop legend Young Scooter. His catchphrase was “Little Mexico,” and as a young boy who’s skin tone often had him mistaken as being from Latino decent, McCluster always would chuckle whenever he’d hear Young Scooter say the line. It caught on with other people in his life, and eventually McCluster was known around town and amongst friends as Mexico Baby.

The name has stuck and today he’s launching a music career under the stage name Mexico Baby. Though he started rapping soon after hearing Young Scooter and being impressed by the legend Michael Jackson during his youth, it wasn’t until age 19 that he began taking rap seriously. A run-in with the law was what woke him up, and during some time in jail he began to write his life experiences and feelings into song lyrics. By the time he was released he had an archive of good songs ready to be recorded.

“My style is different, with different vibes and different topics,” he said. “I do rap a lot about money and females, but every story that comes out of my mouth is the truth. When you hear my music you can know I’m for real.”

Mexico Baby said his mother has been a big influence in his life – helping him pick up the pieces of his life after being released from jail and encouraging him to pursue his dreams of being a professional musician. He also points to Gucci Man as a huge musical inspiration. His new single, “Diddy,” is one that came out of a combination of those influences and his own personal experiences. It’s a club vibe that will make listeners bob their heads, but it has a deeper message that Mexico Baby said he hopes people will pay attention to so as to avoid the mistakes he’s made.

“I wrote the song because I was on the way back from jail and I had a lot on my mind,” he said. “In the song I’m doing what I’m trying to get out of doing. I hope people appreciate the work I’ve put into it. I just want to be the best I can be and to go down in history as one of the best. I know what I’m capable of, and I just want to be known as being myself and making music that encourages others to be themselves and not try to be like anybody else.”

To listen to Mexico Baby’s music, or to follow him on social media, please visit:
https://www.instagram.com/mexicobaby_19/
https://mobile.twitter.com/Mexico_Baby1
https://soundcloud.com/mexicobaby1

Junior Boy - Wit Dat

Junior Boy stirs the soul with deeply introspective music

FORT MYERS, FL – There are only a handful of musicians through the years whose music goes beyond merely sounding good and actually touches the soul of an individual. Florida-based artist Junior Boy is on a journey to create that kind of music for the world.

It wasn’t always his life’s mission to create soul-stirring music, though. In fact, though music has always been something he’s connected with deeply over the years, it was never something he considered doing on his own until the death of his father in 2008. He was 13 at the time, and his father – who was a self-made millionaire – was murdered. As a young teenager who was already shy and who didn’t know how to deal with the turmoil of his emotions, he found himself often locked in his room listening to music. It didn’t take long for the music to touch his soul and pull out words that he didn’t even know he had within him. He started writing, and soon discovered that music offered an outlet for him to speak to people and to tell his story. And when he shared that music with others, he was pleasantly surprised to discover that it inspired them, as well.

“That’s when I took on the name Junior Boy,” he said. “My dad was a Junior, but I’m not. I took on his name so that he lives forever through me. I’ve had a hard life, but I’m not looking to be any type of tough guy or have a tough image. My goal is to speak for the souls who need to hear it. My goal is to inspire and uplift through the message of my pain and my story. I feel like I can be relatable to so many others that when you listen to my music you can’t help but feel it. My ultimate goal is to inspire somebody and touch somebody’s soul. When people play my music I want them to get chills through their whole body.”

Those chills are coming in spades with the release of Junior Boy’s new single, “Wit Dat.” It’s a song that details the ins-and-outs of his daily life, giving fans an in-depth look at the real-life story from his past two years. He said it’s a song that not only directs positive energy toward all the hatred around him and the people who want to see his downfall, but also showcases the positive steps he’s taken to come up and make it out of a tough situation. Ultimately it’s a song that he said speaks for multitudes of people all around the world.

“I’m being the voice for the millions of people who can’t speak up,” he said. “I feel like I’m different from what’s going on in the music industry today because I’m giving you quality music and quality content. A lot of artists today aren’t giving you anything, they’re just making it catchy to make it viral and there’s no substance to the music. That’s why I really respect artists who touch your soul. Take Adele, for instance. When I hear Adel – who is in a whole different genre from what I do – she’s telling you about her life and her relationships. And when you really listen to what she’s saying, it’s heart-felt. That’s what I’m doing, only in my genre, which is hip-hop and rap.”

Junior Boy said he plans to continue releasing singles over the next year so as to build a fanbase before putting together a full album. A music video for “Wit Dat” is currently available on his YouTube channel.

To listen to Junior Boy’s music, or to follow him on social media, please visit:
https://twitter.com/JuniorBoyTiDT
https://www.instagram.com/juniorboytidt/
https://www.facebook.com/juniorboy.tidt
www.Youtube.com/juniorboy/tidt
“Wit Dat” Official Music Video
https://youtu.be/Gg2yIkKxj0I

Lil Poots - Trap Chronicles

Self-made man Lil Poots uses stories of survival to connect with fans

SAVANNAH, GA – A lot of people from Lil Poots neck of the woods grow up wanting to rap. The Southern Georgia native has grown up, like many other aspiring rappers, in the midst of the struggle. And like many other aspiring rappers, his point of view is one that explores a life of survival.

But to think of Lil Poots like every other aspiring rapper would be a mistake. His delivery, his sound and his style are all ingredients that make him stand out from the crowd. And his stories from the struggle aren’t what one would normally think of – he’s rapping about the truth and weaving in tales of relationships and love along the way.

“I just write about how I feel at the time or what I’m going through at the time,” Lil Poots said of the things that inspire him to create new music. “I just go in the studio and just freestyle until I find what I want. Most of my music is about a life of survival that a lot of people don’t get to know about, but lately I’ve been writing about a lot of what’s going on the streets. I also have one song that I wrote recently that’s about this chick I used to think about all the time.

Everybody sounds like somebody else, but I only sound like myself. There’s only one Poots.” Lil Poots emphasizes through his music that he is a self-made man. He grew up with a single mother with 3 children who worked her hardest to take care of all of them. He saved enough money on his own to move out to California to pursue his dreams. Once he got to California, he cleared out his closet to build a makeshift home studio. He got software and a laptop and started making music. As he developed as an artist and got better, he expanded his studio into a shed behind his house and began to “scratch my own stuff.” He’d freestyle in his own studio and organically come upon great lyrics that he’d scramble to write down before he forgot them.

“I would do whatever I gotta do to get where I want to get,” he said. “Nobody has helped me. No one has helped record my music. I just did it on my own. When people I hung out with used to drink and do crazy stuff, I would always say I was gonna be a rapper. I’d write down song and show my friends, and they liked it. I’ve always brought my own little energy and ad-libs, and I’m making it happen.”

Most recently Lil Poots released a party song called “It’s Going Down,” which is currently available on all digital downloading sites. It’s a song that he said is “just turnt,” with a hard beat and an upbeat vibe. He is also getting ready to release another single called “Trap Chronicles,” which he said is based on the mindset of a trapper and hustler.

To listen to Lil Poots music, or to follow him on social media, please visit:
https://www.instagram.com/lilpoots_/
https://audiomack.com/search?q=lilpoots
https://soundcloud.com/leonard-roberts-965227959/
https://m.soundcloud.com/leonard-roberts-965227959/its-going-down?ref=instagram

KG$ Vonte - Bikini Bottom

KG$ offers good vibes with chill new album ‘Kosher Way’

ATLANTA, GA – There are two things that KG$ Vonte has always loved: fast cars and good music. And those two things have come to be a dominant part of his life. When he’s not pushing cars to the limit, he’s in the studio creating new music to share with his fans.

The most recent offering is a mixtape called “Kosher Way,” which, of course, features a car on the cover art. It’s a more relaxed project than what KG$’s fans might expect, but that’s on purpose. He said he wanted to make something that people could listen to that’s not too rowdy, but instead chill and perfect for putting on at any time of the day.

“I wanted to take it back to when people were listening to full albums,” he said. “That’s what I came from listening to, and I wanted to make something that people could vibe to at any time of the day.”

The two main singles “Jet High” and “Bikini Bottom” from the album are perfect examples of the kind of vibe he’s trying to pass along. He said he always tries to make something a little different every time he goes into creating a new song, and these singles were definitely a different approach than he’s ever taken before.

“Whatever you do, be happy about it,” he said. “These songs are about showing people that what you’re doing is great if you like it. And if you like it, I love it. Just be you. That’s what my music is about, ultimately. I’m original and I’m always myself. And at the end of the day I just want to be known for good vibes and real songs.”

KG$ said he also loves that his music is an extension of the family and friends he has built around himself. He calls them the Kosher Gang – which includes his brothers and friends who support him both in his music career and share his love for the car culture. He has developed his own independent label with their help, called Kosher House, and when they’re not making music they can be found gaming or in the Atlanta street car scene.

To listen to KG$’s music or to follow him on social media, please visit:
https://www.instagram.com/kg_vonte/
http://itunes.apple.com/album/id1438249668?ls=1&app=itunes

YVBaby - Married To The Game

California Rapper to Release “Worth the Weight”
through Str8 Laced Entertainment

FRESNO, CA– From rap battling to taking on a Drake-inspired sound, YV Baby has been after the music since he could remember. Like most aspiring rappers, he grew up listening to Tupac, which really ignited a fire in him. He knew his passion had meaning behind it, which is why he took it upon himself to pursue a career in music. YV has always had an ear for music, and when it comes to making beats and producing his songs, it’s completely evident.

When it comes to the artist’s signature style, he doesn’t pigeonhole himself in one specific genre. His influences stem from a good amount of “old school” music, so those tones shine through in his music. “The soul is there. My sound kind of reminds me of something you’d hear from Bobby Valentino. I’m really different from other artists. I don’t want to be like anyone else,” said YV. In other words, the artist’s sound is truly what makes him who he is artistically.

As YV steps into the booth, he goes completely full throttle in terms of expressing himself. Everything comes directly from his heart, and aligns with the emotions he feels when he’s in the studio. This raw side of him can be heard through his latest projects, “Living the Life” and “Married to the Game”. “Nothing is slowing me down. I’m not letting

it- I’m staying focused, which is what ‘Married to the Game’ is all about. I’m pushing for success, and not letting anything get in the way of that,” said YV Baby. It’s always a surreal feeling to hear that your fans think your music is dope, which only motivates YV to continue chasing after his rap dreams.

Coming up this fall, YV Baby will be releasing his upcoming album “Worth the Weight”. He tells us there is way more music on the way, as so much he has been working on is currently unreleased. There is always something up his sleeve in terms of music, which is important to him in order to keep his fans satisfied. The artist is a true inspiration for aspiring musicians to follow- his work ethic is unmatched.

To listen to YV Baby’s music or to follow him on social media, please visit:
https://www.instagram.com/yvbabymusic/
https://twitter.com/Yvbaby2
https://www.facebook.com/deshawn.junior.5
Snapchat @ Str8laceyvbaby

Loso Tha Artist (@Loso_Tha_Artist) - Equilibrium

New mixtape from Omaha Nebraska's own - Loso Tha Artist!

The 9 song effort features Lil Mouse, Lil Knocks, Young Steez & T-Rell!

Follow @Loso_Tha_Artist

STREAM HERE

Nealy - The Passion of Rapping

Nealy’s new album offers fans a variety of ‘good vibes’

RALEIGH, NC – Justin Nealy is the kind of guy you just love to hang out with. He always has been. For as long as he can remember he’s had a natural talent for making people happy. And it just so happens that the best way he does that is through music.

When it comes to his artistry, his music serves as the backdrop for a true entertainer. He loves to record music, but he loves to perform it for a live audience even more. His most recent project is an album called “Paper Products” that he said he’s excited for fans to hear, and which he can’t wait to bring to people for some live performances over the next few months.

The project is a diverse offering of different sounds and styles that he hopes will be attractive to a wide variety of listeners. It features his unique sound and style that mixes clever wordplay laced with subtle humor that often leads to deeper ideas, all within a beat and vibe that people can enjoy.

“People can’t relate to a lot of the rap out there, but they jump to it because that’s what’s on the radio,” Nealy said. “I want people to understand me and know where my heart is when I’m writing music. And I want them to feel it the same way I feel it. My songs always depend on the beat. If I find something I like, I’ll listen to it over and over until I get the feel of it, and then I ask myself, ‘What can that feeling represent? Is it about love, or is it a club song, or is it a song that’s just for cruising and having a good time and smoking with my buddies?’ I never have an idea of the song until I actually fully feel the song I’m about to write to, and when it comes together I know others are gonna feel it, too.”

A perfect example of that is the debut single from the album, “The Passion of Rapping.” It’s a song that serves as an announcement to the world that his pursuit of success within the music industry is a serious endeavor that others should take seriously, too. It’s a song that proves he really can rap, and it perfectly encapsulates all the things he represents as an artist – funny, serious, cool and a little bit different. A music video for the single is due to drop in mid-to-late November.

In the meantime, anyone who wants to listen to Nealy’s music or follow him on social media
can visit:
https://www.facebook.com/Nealy21/
https://www.instagram.com/_nealy_21/
https://twitter.com/JustinNealy21
http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/brand-recognition/1436746839
Snapchat: @LarryHoopin
“The Passion of Rapping”
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uanN69h8saQ

Playboy Ronnie - Hard Enough

Playboy Ronnie is a entertaining new artist on the rise, he is the best thing coming out of Orlando, Florida!! We just got his new video for his latest single Hard Enough. Hard Enough was directed by Ghost, its the latest single from “S A Y L E S S”. 

Go to YouTube to stream the brand new Hard Enough video. Drop a comment to let us know if you are rocking with it or not!! 

Playboy Ronnie has a lot of dope content make sure you check out some of his other singles like "No $afety", "In Yo Shit", and "Break Yo back"

Follow Playboy Ronnie on social media below!

Instagram: @IamPlayboyRonnie | Twitter: @IamPlayboyRonnie | Youtube: @PlayboyRonnie

Gameboi - Snapchat

Gameboi combines West Coast sound with the South for original hip-hop

LAS VEGAS, NV – Tyree Curry, known professionally as Gameboi, is a rapper and CEO of Copastedik Hardknock Records who is starting to turn heads along the West Coast with his unique sound and style.

Originally from South Central Los Angeles, Gameboi was first recognized for his artistic talent by Universal Records when he was only 9 years old. While rapping in a restaurant one day, a talent scout happened to overhear him and offered to get him in touch with the studio. He called up the record execs and had young Curry rap over the phone, and the next day he was on a flight to Nashville. He became a young artist under Universal’s label and made a couple of albums. He made his debut on the radio with the hit single “Get Busy,” and has earned multiple awards, including first place at Coast to Coast Live for his mixtape in 2013.

Though the contract with Universal eventually expired and didn’t quite pan out the way he hoped, he hasn’t lost his passion for music and has since started his own company with his brother Deshon Oneal – known professionally as DLocc. Under this new label, Gameboi has released his most recent single, “Snapchat,” and is currently in the process of developing a new EP.

“’Snapchat’ is a real catchy, club-ready and radio-ready song,” Gameboi said. “It’s about the app, and how you can find a girl who looks so good that you have to put her on your Snapchat. It’s a song that’s relating to a guy who’s seeing a girl he thought was good looking. It’s a song that uses the West Coast kind of vibe but is combined with a new type of sound that I think can appeal to the ears of a younger crowd that wants to party and have a good time.”

Gameboi said one of the things that helps him stand out from the crowd of so many other hip-hop artists is his gritty, original vocals. They’re so distinct, he said, that once someone hears him one time they’ll never be able to forget that sound and will know immediately the next time they hear his voice. And when people hear his voice, they’ll know immediately that it’s going to be a good song with a good hook that will grab them immediately.

“I aim to create feel-good music that encourages folks to love life and live in their truth,” he said. “I see music as a language from, and I’ve progressed in life by using music to express myself. I want to be known for making good music that sounds different, and for having my own voice that sounds exactly like me and celebrates me being me.”

“Snapchat” is on all streaming platforms. Also, to listen to Gameboi’s music or to follow him on

social media, please visit:
https://www.instagram.com/gameboigothits
https://www.facebook.com/tyree.curry.1
https://mobile.twitter.com/GameboiG
https://open.spotify.com/album/5Tvww5V4zNKtRxoUGD70R4?si=HwzjoctlRZ-aRLxN4Y3K6w

Goddess Venus - Count it up ft Scrappy

Goddess Venus empowers women through music, launches new single ‘Count It Up’

BROOKLYN, NY – Venus is the Roman goddess of beauty and love. Goddess Venus music style represent that, but she is so much more. With her clever word play and beauty, it only makes sense that this Brooklyn-based artist would take the stage name Goddess Venus.  Venus is building a legacy based on the foundation of hustle and hard work. Her music career is bound to skyrocket in the coming months.

Already, Goddess Venus has accomplished a lot through a modeling career – including being published in Straight Stuntin Magazine, Pressure Magazine, Fenominal Magazine, Don Diva Magazine, Conceited Magazine, and Feds Sweetz Magazine. It’s not just her good looks or sexy style that she wants people to focus on the most. What she really wants to represent to the world is a woman who is smart, talented, and who demands respect.

“I want to be known for my boss demeanor,” she said. “I’m all about women empowerment and helping women chase their own money. My new single ‘Count It Up’ is a song that shows that. It’s about being a boss and being in control of your own life, but it’s also lively and anyone can have fun with it and turn up. That’s part of my personality. Being ambitious while chasing dreams and getting money as female boss is a lifestyle. I’m cocky and confident while still being sexy and having fun.”

In addition to her modeling career, Venus has also been involved in a handful of film projects, including a web series called “Karma Kills,” in which she had a lead role. She also had a lead role in the short film “Was it Really Worth It.” But while modeling and acting are things she’s interested in, her first love is music. Her sexy yet entertaining songs and boss-like attitude are inspirational and are destined to leave a mark on the industry, not just as one of the best female artists, but as one of the best hip-hop artists the industry has ever seen.

In just one year, Venus has already released two full projects – “Money Bitch Vol. 1” and “Chronicles of a Boss.” She has also performed at more than 20 venues all over the country and has been developed an extensive music video collection. All of that is testament to her hard work, and when you combine that with clever lyrics and a smooth party girl swagger, you get one of the hottest young entertainers in the country.

“I want my music to be known for women not just using their looks to get in,” she said. “I’m lyrical. I’m a hard worker. There’s more to the surface than just being cute and all the glitz and glam. I have music with a deeper message, and I want people to get to know me and who I am. I’m pushing for female independence because I’m all about chasing my goals and my dreams.”

“Count It Up” is currently available on all digital distribution sites. It features Atlanta superstar Lil Scrappy from “Love and Hip Hop.”

To listen to Goddess Venus’ music or to follow her on social media, please visit:

https://www.instagram.com/goddess_venus_/
https://twitter.com/Goddessvenus247
https://www.facebook.com/GoddessVenus247
http://www.goddessvenusmusic.com/
www.goddessvenusmusic.com
https://soundcloud.com/user-697839069
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvvCAsRf5_ApHt4-yIFZz6w

Memphis Maccie - Juice ft. Taye Levell & Ja'Ryan

Memphis Maccie brings West Coast and South together in new album ‘Tale of Two Cities’

PORTLAND, OR – Much like his new album, Memphis Maccie is an artist whose style tells the “Tale of Two Cities.” Originally from Memphis, Tennessee, his Southern grit is a prominent feature on his music, but couples in unique ways with the West Coast style he’s adopted after having moved to Portland, Oregon.

“Tale of Two Cities” is his third project, but the first with any kind of financial or promotional backing. It’s a project that introduces his unique sound and style to the larger world, while also laying some background of who he is and where he’s from in ways that will relate to a wide audience.

“I grew up in Memphis and lived a lot of years gang banging there,” he said. “But I’ve moved to Portland, which has a completely different sound. So now I’m bringing the West Coast and the South together into one project. I’m a Southern dude with West Coast beats who’s putting Southern rap over the top. And within that I’m very versatile, gritty and graphic. I can give you a picture of what’s going on. My sound can be explicit sometimes, where you cringe in a way, but it’s also very truthful. All of my lyrics are based in truth.”

It’s that realism that Memphis Maccie said he’s hoping he becomes known for as more people get to know his name and become familiar with his music. He wants people to know that when they listen to his music they’re going to get more truth and facts and real-life situations, occasionally mixed with metaphors for real-life scenarios.

“I believe that you have a responsibility when you’re rapping and people are listening to you,” he said. “You have a responsibility to tell the truth, not just some bullshit music to listen to for a while and ride around to and perpetrate a whole different lifestyle. That only lasts for as long as that one song. True truthful music can last for a lifetime and you can take it wherever you go.”

That mindset is one that was developed within him at a young age as he watched others around him build careers within the music industry. He said he has fond memories of growing up around Beale Street watching artists such as BB King, Isaac Hayes and Al Green embrace the idea of realism in their music and literally build a genre around storytelling. As a teenager he remembers hearing Bone Thugs N Harmony, and when he first tried to spit lyrics as fast as they did, he got a lot of encouragement from friends and family – which eventually led to him pursuing music as a full-time career.

“Tale of Two Cities” is due for wide release across all digital distribution sites on Oct. 15.

To listen to Memphis Maccie’s music or to follow him on social media, please visit:
https://twitter.com/memphmac
https://www.instagram.com/memphmacc/
https://www.facebook.com/memph.macc
https://soundcloud.com/memphis-maccie

Darrell Kelley - Believe in Something (Kneel)

Darrell Kelley – Believe in Something (Kneel)

MORROW, GA – American Gospel music is a big business, and has been part of the business plan of American Christianity for more than a century. As the American Christian Community has strengthened its ties together, the various forms of Gospel have come into their own. Darrell Kelley was born and raised in Boston and had joined this tradition through his own efforts as a pastor, businessman, author and now musician.

After years shepherding a flock of believers as a Bishop and Pastor in Morrow and now owning multiple restaurants in Georgia and Florida, Kelley entered into the music industry in a major way with the release of his first single “Unity” earlier this year. In just a few months he has already left his stamp on the Gospel music scene, and his newest single “Believe in Something (Kneel)” is putting his name on people’s lips all over the country.

“As a musician and a Gospel entertainer, I really and truly believe we need to stand up for what we believe in,” Kelley said. “We need to come together as a country and stop being divided. I write music just to spread a positive message. I don’t believe in doing music with violence. I have the right music that is good for people to help them understand the positive message I’m bringing. I want to continue to write music and continue to sing positive things in reference to anything that is primarily negative. I want to turn those things into something positive, if I can. I’ve always been someone who has a voice to help out a situation by speaking out about it or singing about it.”

In the case of “Believe in Something,” Pastor Kelley is exploring the conversation around the freedom of speech and the controversy that has arisen in the wake of NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick’s decision to kneel during the singing of the National Anthem in protest to the way minorities are treated in the U.S. In essence, Kelley uses the song to encourage people to take a different look at the situation and remember that everyone has a right to think and speak and feel the way they do when they live in America because it is a basic right.

“I agree with Kaepernick 100 percent,” he said. “There have already been a lot of write-ups about this song, and some people have been disappointed in me, but I’m sticking by it. I’m glad I got a reaction because that means people are focusing on what I’m saying. There are more things in America that are more important than worrying about a person taking a knee at a football game. There are more serious issues in the world.”

Ultimately, the theme that flows throughout the song – and really all of his songs – is the idea of UWGEAM. It’s a way of thinking that Pastor Kelley created that embraces love, unity and acceptance. He has created an organization and wrote a book called “The Book of UWGEAM.” The idea takes the basic tenants of God’s laws – to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength; and to love your neighbor as yourself – and then says, “live the way you want to live and enjoy life.”

“You’re an individual at the end of the day, so don’t let race or religion take away your character,” Kelley said. “That’s why I’m doing what I’m doing, to spread that message. Gospel music has always been done by those who hear the calling in their hearts. The business has grown up around that. I have that calling in my heart.”

To listen to Pastor Kelley’s music, or to follow him on social media, please visit:
https://www.facebook.com/darrellkelleysmusic
https://www.instagram.com/uwgeam/
https://twitter.com/UwgeamLLC
http://www.jango.com/music/Darrell+Kelley
https://www.youtube.com/user/latenightwithdarrell/
https://darrellkelley.bandcamp.com/
https://soundcloud.com/user-792034936
https://store.cdbaby.com/cd/darrellkelley
https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/darrell-kelley/965281663
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=ntt_srch_drd_B00TAJU3WW?ie=UTF8&field-keywords=Darrell%20Kelley&index=digital-music&search-type=ss

Believe in Something (Kneel)
https://youtu.be/CNaTNk-Ovhc

“Storm Is Coming”
https://youtu.be/vUsk8pYS2Rk

YS Lou - Demon

YS Lou combines motivation with fun with a dark and energetic hip hop sound

LOS ANGELES, CA – Luis Saavedra’s mother knew he was destined for musical greatness the moment she walked in on him conducting an orchestra that was playing on the television when he was barely old enough to stand on his own. He confirmed that destiny as he grew older, learning every instrument that was put in his hands and displaying a voice that would make any mother proud. Over time he displayed a talent for poetry, as well, and it didn’t take long for his natural giftedness as a musician to pair with his penchant for prose and pretty soon he was writing his own songs and performing them to crowds. Today he’s a professional artist from Southern California who goes by the stage name YS Lou. His first love was jazz – and in fact he attended the University of Central Florida to study jazz and has worked as a freelance jazz musician and music producer all over the east coast. But he also loves hip-hop and in an endeavor to recreate himself, he moved from Orlando to Los Angeles in 2016 to launch a new hip-hop career.

YS Lou released his first single, “No Really,” in May of this year under the stage name Louis. It has seen some good success, and now he’s ready to follow it up with his second single, “Demon.” The new single features a little bit of a darker vibe than its predecessor, though still is dominated by a trap beat. The lyrics are reflective and explore what it means to overcome the demons of one’s past, and then accept the person that those demons have helped to create over time.

“It’s about looking back at the person I used to be compared to the person I am now,” he said. “I’m riding with demons because of the skeletons in my closet that I’m trying to get rid of, as well as face and accept. The things I’ve done have built up to make me who I am as a person and an artist. I was in the streets a few years ago, selling drugs and hanging with people I shouldn’t have. But I also grew up in the church and have been listening to jazz my whole life. So I take influences from all types of genres and moments from my life. The production, arranging and musicality, is something I pay close attention to. I’m deliberate with the sound because I’m a musician above everything. I really pride myself in my attention to detail and being deliberate in my music and my lyrics. I think that’s something the genre desperately needs.”

YS Lou said he wants his music to ultimately be known for inspiring people while having fun. He often thinks to the musicians who have inspired him over the years – such as Kid Cudi or Kanye West – and how they’re always able to bring out the most in their performances. Like those artists, he hopes to create music that will get people moving and “get everybody lit.” “Demon” is the first single off an upcoming mixtape called “Out of Reach,” which he said  should drop later this year. Its nine songs continue the reflection of his life and bring a little bit of everything.

To listen to YS Lou’s music, or to follow him on social media, please visit the following links:
https://www.instagram.com/yslou_/
https://twitter.com/YSLOU_
https://soundcloud.com/yslou/

Varcity - Element of Surprise

Check out the blazing new mixtape from Varcity titled Element of Surprise. Its available to stream and download on Spinrilla, Livemixtapes, along with many other dope sites!!

Follow @V2flee on IG
Follow @Varcitykid on Twitter
 Follow Varcity on all Music Platforms

D1 - T.U.T.T

Chicago rapper D1 turns up the temperature with new single ‘T.U.T.T.’

CHICAGO, IL – It’s time to turn of the up the temperature, and that’s exactly what Chicago-based hip-hop artist D1 does with his new single “T.U.T.T.”

The high-energy hype song that’s sweeping through Midwest clubs is the perfect vibe for having fun and jamming out at a party, or even just by yourself in the living room. It’s very upbeat with a catchy hook and a sound that perfectly represents this up-and-coming young artist from one of the country’s best music cities.

“I wanted to have fun with it,” D1 said of the single. “A lot of my music is serious, and when I first finished making this beat I thought I didn’t have a purpose for it. I thought I’d just put it out as a beat and someone else could use it. But the more I listened to it, the more I liked it. I started putting some stuff together for it just to see if I could call it a song. But then I thought of the hook out of nowhere, and I liked it so much that I decided to run with it. After I got the hook, the song pretty much wrote itself. I, of course, wanted to make sure it sounded good as well as being well-made. But then I just had fun with it. And the response from my fans is that it’s different, but in a good way. I’m pretty sure no one has ever heard this sound before – it sounds different, but it’s fun.”

D1 is the kind of artist who embraces that reputation of being different. It’s the foundation for his stage name, in fact. Originally D1 was meant to represent the fact that he’s in his own division – like a Division 1 college athlete. And certainly he said it still reflects that his music is in a class of its own. But he hopes that it has grown larger than that. He wants his music to really shake up the way people think of their lives.

“I want my music to be known for people who aren’t afraid of being out of the box,” he said. “I want it to be fun and funny – like I want you to laugh – but I also want you to relate to it and understand the message behind it. I want it to help you heal, or to be inspired or motivated, but through all of it, to have fun. I’m a funny person and my personality is way extroverted. I can be very charismatic and goofy and I like to make people laugh, and the point of my music to make people want to have fun and enjoy life.”

Part of that attitude has come from a life that hasn’t always been fun. Growing up, D1 didn’t have a lot of friends. He was bullied in school and wasn’t always treated well by his family at home. He started writing poetry at a young age as a way to get his pent up emotions out. When he went to a summer camp and took a music class one year, that poetry turned into song- writing – the rest is history.

“I have had some struggles, but that ultimately has made me a more humble and grounded person,” he said. “My craft has evolved along with my personal growth. I have been dealing with adversity for a long time now, but that hasn’t stopped me from having faith in my music and my career. And through it all I’ve come out fun and extroverted. And my music will always show you that I do not know when to give up.”

To listen to D1’s music, or to follow him on social media, please visit:
www.instagram.com/dmwall3 
www.twitter.com/dmwall3 
https://open.spotify.com/track/1m2J0NU9Ly6tFH2nzQv0YV?si=tSDlq3BqTpinUfiUCYKP6A
https://soundcloud.com/supa_great1/tutt

O.G. Charlie Frank$$$ - Never Have To Question My Love

 OG Charlie Frank$$$ drops new single ‘Never Have to

Question My Love’

HOUSTON, TX – Music that has staying power is music that’s well put together and has substance to it. OG Charlie Frank$$$ is the kind of artist whose music will be around 100 years from now because it not only has substance and quality, but it also has a timeless quality to it that’s reminiscent of some of the legends of the industry.

Hailing from Houston, Texas, this hip-hop artist is one of the industry’s most highly regarded trendsetters. He’s the kind of artist who takes the legendary sounds of the past and fuses them with new-wave sounds of the future to create truly original music that will still be impressing fans for years to come. He first influenced and pioneered the mid-1980s sounds of hip-hop throughout Houston, alongside other legends like Mr. Scarface and the Safoolz. In the mid-1990s he introduced a new style of music he calls “screw music” or “slab music,” collaborating with the iconic DJ Screw. And by the 2000s he was taking those sounds and melding them with his own unique style to create a fad that swept the nation through his work alongside Sauce Walka and Sancho Sauce.

Following those decades of success, OG Charlie Frank$$$ is ready to release his newest project – a 15-track EP he’s calling “The OG.” It’s a project that will talk about his experiences with life and the game, his time on the streets and even some of the politics of the world. Of course the project reflects his unique perspective on life while dealing with the realities of the world in ways that anyone can relate with.

“The thing that sets me apart is my perspective,” he said. “I have a distinct perspective about life. From my experience from the streets I have a different insight about things that a lot of other artists couldn’t talk about. A lot of my songs are stories from my life, but sometimes I’ll just dibble and dabble and do stuff for fun. But mostly I’m talking about life. And that’s because I want my music to be known for its authenticity and real-ness. I want my music to have a shelf-life where 100 years from now you can pick up my album and feel that experience all over again. That’s what I love about ‘70s music – you can pick up anything from that era and it still makes you feel the same way.”

The first single of OG Charlie Frank$$$’s new EP is a song called “Never Have to Question My Love.” The song features a sample from a Biggie song. OG said he took a Biggie riff and put a little “Southern flavor over it.” Ultimately the song is about infidelity and the stuff people go through in a relationship to prove their love, even when they mess up sometimes. The overall vibe of the single has a ‘90s swing to it, and OG said it’s just some “feel-good, throw-back music.”

In addition to his new music, OG Charlie Frank$$$ has a record label under Street Playa
Entertainment with his Greatest Hits CD coming out very soon, something for fans to look out for. He also has a clothing line called Strydgees – which means “warrior spirit.”

To listen to OG Charlie Frank$$$’s music or to follow him on social media, please visit:
https://www.instagram.com/streetplayaent777/
https://www.instagram.com/strydgees/
https://twitter.com/Charlie_Franks
https://www.facebook.com/OGCFranks/
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmg9_fNzT7fy1qduSNdo6sg
“BRICK N!GGAZ”
https://youtu.be/4ee6_Og0OHA