R&B Treasured Gems PleasureMore New Hit "Break Up to Make Up"

Who would have ever thought that an independent artist could take a ole school song and make it popular again? What was once lost is now found with a new sound and has emerged on the musical scene with a sultry feel.  

Within a half years' time span R & B, soul singer and musician PleasureMore has accomplished this task. As of today 2021, "Break Up to Make Up" is creating plenty of buzz streaming online through digital internet and mainstream radio formats across major US cities including: Los Angeles, New York City, Philadelphia, PA, Atlanta, GA, London, England, Canada and a host of others cities and countries around the world. This soul classic has new life to a new generation of listeners' hearing his version for the very first time. Music lovers around the world are embracing and appreciating PleasureMore re-make of this classic song, which was originally released in October 1972; the single became a hit in 1973 by the Stylistics'. He's been featured in Indie publications including but not limited to: Airplay Magazine, ArtistRack, Indie Network Radio, Magic Music Magazine, Radio Indie International Network, and Bring Back Soul Music to name a few. 

PleasureMore version is being heard in 100 different countries worldwide; don't sleep on this passionate soulful version. As of the date of this writing the single has over 100K streams on the Spotify platform alone, not including other platforms such as: Pandora, ITunes and other music apps.    

With the additional jewel of Varges Thomas, this dynamic duo and their latest collaboration "Lost For Words" this duet is sure to captured their fans who may be in serious relationships; when being lost for words. Gems are to be treasured; songs written with true meaning and purpose touches people hearts, these are the songs that last for a lifetime. The Thomas Brothers aren't newcomers to this rodeo. They appeared on the scenes a little over 40 years ago with their musical journey in the music business.  

The late Roger Troutman produced their first two albums on Columbia Records- "Something New" in 1983 & "Gonna Have Big Fun" in 1984. The single "Your Thing Is Your Thing" from their debut LP; reached the R&B top 40 charts. More is to come from Varges Thomas & PleasureMore; whether it's a cover song or original material. If you are ready to get your groove on; then get ready to party and enjoy music at its best. This is only the beginning from TBEG. Keep your eyes and ears open as more new music and videos are to come! - Clark A Thomas 

Meet Ananya, Influential Philanthropist and Recording Artist With a Global Impact on Mental Health and Financial Solutions

We were honored to interview Ananya, an influential philanthropist and recording artist who is changing perceptions on diversity in the entertainment industry and creating a global impact on mental health and financial solutions.

Ananya, you are one of the first musicians from India to break through in the West, you have hit nearly 350 million combined streams, collaborated with artists from Afrojack to Sean Kingston, and performed alongside Coldplay and Wiz Khalifa, what has your success in music meant to you personally as a musician from India?"  

I have a long way to go, but I’m loving the journey. I feel so lucky to get to live my passion every single day – particularly over the last year, which has been so difficult for everyone, music has been a lifeline through the heaviness and isolation.  When I got to LA at the beginning of 2020, my management had set up all these shows and appearances- then everything shut down.  So, like everyone, we had to be so resourceful to get our work done.  I really wanted to get some music out so I made a studio in my spare room at home – hanging blankets and pillows all over the place, and did all the production over zoom. It was kind of back to basics, which really allowed me to connect with the tracks. I’m so glad people out here connected with the music once it was out. It’s  still crazy to me that I went from doing little open mic nights around London to getting play outs on US radio and getting to working with the amazing people I have, whether its Wiz, Sean Kingston or Afrojack, I feel totally, immeasurably grateful - not to mention vindicated. When I was starting out, I had to really fight to make myself heard, there was not a lot of artists making the kind of music I wanted to make in India and it was tough to stay true to myself and what I believed in.  I am so so happy that I did – now I pride myself on being unapologetically me! It’s amazing to have the streams, but the best thing is when someone reaches out to me to tell me that they connected with something in one of my songs and it maybe helped them through something or made them feel less alone. Music always did that for me, and if I can do that for others then that is what this is all about. That is success for me.  

What do you think your success in music means to musicians in or from India?   

I really want to make India proud of what I am doing out here. It’s not that common for artists to venture out.  When I was starting out, there weren’t a lot of people who looked like me, making the kind of music I wanted to make and it was tough not having anyone to identify with and follow in the footsteps of. Hopefully what I am doing will encourage  other musicians back home to feel more confident about thinking internationally when they are creating. There’s so much talent there that deserves to be heard on a global stage.  

As an entrepreneur, you have set up “Svatantra “, which means freedom in Hindi, when you were only 17 to provide financial solutions to underserved women in rural India. You now have over a million customers.  Do you have any favorite personal stories on the impact you have had on the financial solutions to underserved women in rural India? 

Every single client we have supported is important to me. In India the divide between rich and poor is incredibly wide. I recognize myself as enormously privileged, and I feel it is my duty to give back. We are able to reach the most marginalized women in the country: women who otherwise wouldn’t have access to banks or to financial assistance. We put the infrastructure in place so that women can help themselves, and have a hand in their own future. It is an honor to do so.  Whenever I am back in India I always take a bit of time to catch up with a few clients to see if what we are doing is continuing to make a positive impact. Before the pandemic, I went to go and see one of our very first clients, a lady who offered beauty services but at the time did not have the money to grow her business. I was so inspired when I went back, in the few years since she became a client she now has a proper business which employs four other women, and she has been able to get her daughter into full time education too. It is a testament to the fact that when women are able to earn and own and determine their own futures, entire communities are uplifted. 

You also have a mental health organization in India, “Mpower”, which is set up after your own struggles whilst at Oxford University. You are also an ambassador for NAMI, the largest mental health organization in the US. Through this work you are ranked one of GQs most influential Indians.  How important is mental health advocacy to you as an entrepreneur?  

It's incredibly important to me that I can use whatever platform I build to do some good – otherwise what’s the point?  When I was at college in the UK I struggled a lot with anxiety and panic attacks. Between my studies, running my businesses back in India, working on my music and trying to maintain a social life, I was totally burnt out… It took me a while to come to terms with it all, but eventually, I was lucky enough to get the professional help I needed. I know from personal experience that the consequences of just ‘sweeping it under the rug’ are awful and how important professional help can be so I wanted to make sure that everyone back home was able to get access to the same support that I was.  India is in the grip of a mental health crisis, and it’s only been made worse by the awful impact COVID has had. Depression and suicide rates are on the rise, and people are too scared to reach out for help because of the stigma, lack of awareness,  – or just because there isn’t enough support. At MPower, we campaign to stamp out the stigma and  provide amazing care for people living with mental health issues who have been ignored or discriminated against. We want people to know that its ok not to be ok sometimes and that there is help available should they need it. Through the Ananya Birla Foundation, I am also working on a study on mental health and care in rural India which I hope will drive much needed change in those hard to reach places.  I’ve also recently teamed up with NAMI in the US, to support them with their amazing work around mental health here. They provide advocacy and support so people and families affected by mental health conditions can build better lives. We teamed up at the end of last year and its been amazing to help them spread their message.   

Ananya,  you WERE ON THE COVER Vogue India LAST month, can you talk about changing the perceptions of Indian musicians in the US and the increasing appetite for diversity  

I am proud that I get to challenge people’s idea of what an Indian musician sounds like. Most people just think of Bollywood. And don’t get me wrong – I love some of that stuff, but there is so, so much more to Indian music.  I think streaming platforms like Spotify and social media have allowed audiences to find music that they never would have come across otherwise, which is great for artists not just in India but around the world. It also means young people are getting influenced by a whole range of styles and sounds. 

You have had to overcome cultural stereotypes to drop out of Oxford University and pursue music, can you comment on that process?   

For a while I was definitely that super bookish student who was so focused on my grades – like many kids I felt a particular pressure to succeed. I really wanted to make that work, but  however much I tried, that path just didn’t feel like me.  I used to play little shows at sketchy bars around London every weekend, and that was what made me feel complete. There was nothing on earth that made me happier - that feeling of being on stage was so addictive, the opportunity songwriting gave me to process my emotions and channel my pain and fear into creativity was incomparable.  I dropped out in my second year. I knew what I wanted to do, and I knew if I had any chance of succeeding then I had to commit every part of myself to it. It was scary to turn my back on a traditional career path and that security, but it wouldn’t have made me happy. I have no regrets.  

Lastly, you yourself are someone who has battled and has overcome mental health struggles, what was that process like and do you have any advice you can lend to other artists or fans who may be going through a similar situation? I remember feeling utterly alone, and utterly ashamed. So what I would like to say is: it’s okay not to be okay, in fact it’s normal - most of us will go through it at some stage. What’s not okay is to suffer in silence. Mental illness isn’t a sign of weakness, and asking for help can be the strongest thing you ever do. 

PRLM CHLD makes Sirius XM Premier on Shade 45

PRLM CHLD is a hip hop and r&b trio based out of Philadelphia consisting of Scottie Kash of Jamaican decent, the first lady Hovlaine who is also Haitian, and North Philly’s own Pride Zu. The groups mix of hip hop, r&b as well as the sounds of the Caribbean has at times been compared to the Fugees but with today’s twist. Their music covers the spectrum of honest stories of the often marginalized urban youth and too quickly categorized black sheep as well as empowering anthems about claiming your greatness. Don’t forget their fun side too though with the party vibes and their share of sexy riddim influenced dance records. PRLM CHLD made its Sirius XM Premier on the Shade 45 Radio Show in June of 2021. Their musical style is young and yet versatile and their energy will reach the world over. Growing up they were called ‘problems’ but now together issa PRLM! They are PRLM CHLD!

Artist Spotlight: "RodthaGreat" Interview

It's an honor to speak with you today. You just recently signed a distribution deal with VIP Recordings, currently distributed by a division of Sony Music Entertainment. Why don't you give us some details about you and your success. How did you get to where you are today? I first got inspired into music when I discovered my big cousin’s music while I was 12. It was a different experience to hear someone that’s I was related to on a piece of music like that. Back then I recognized his talent and I still do till this day. From that day forward I started writing but after thinking I had no talent within that niche , I stopped for years. A really close family friend of mine that I went to high school with pushed me into writing songs again. I was a sloppy songwriter and I wrote about stuff that wasn’t true and experiences I never went through. I thought maybe if I sounded like someone else people would listen to what I had to say. I wasn’t born skilled, it took a series of trial and error along with a lot of soul searching. Eventually I found myself in all this and I don’t regret the path that I took.

I'm sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way? * Ooooh my main challenge along the way would have to be PERFECTIONISM. It's great to have but it can ruin some things if you don't keep it under control. I want to be amongst the greatest but I have to remind myself that the most beloved things in the world even have their flaws. Sometimes I'll have a verse that I deliver really well and will redo it if I feel like it could've been better. Everyone else in the studio may hear the greatest thing I've ever made but I may hear a verse that needs improvement.

Let's talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the I specialize in gathering my thoughts, emotions, and ideas from the mental planes and converting those feelings into sound in order to heal myself and potentially others who feel the same way I do. I think more artists should work with me due to the fact that I care about this art deeply.

What's your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life? * desire to find success in their life? *Enjoy the way towards your destination and recognize the dream when it arrives. Most people are unknowingly living their dreams and recognize it till it’s over . I use to be one of those people who just wanted to be at the destination. I wanted the accolades, and everything that came with the success. But the funnest part is the journey on the way to whatever destination you have planned for yourself.

Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you? * To me success is everything that you worked for finally paying off. Everyone has different views of success but that word to me is having a genuine connection to people through music. Your never alone in this world, there’s always someone like you and a part of being human is being able to relate to eachother . So to be able to speak to people in that way is like it’s own language. Being heard to me is success.

What's next for you? What’s next for me is to keep evolving as a person so that the music can evolve along with me. Every piece of music I put out is apart of this legacy I’m trying to building and I want everything to be conveyed the way I want it to be. After The Garden drops, were on the way to an EP that will take me, as well as people around me to different heights. I see it opening lots of doors.

Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?

My new song “The Garden” drops June 25th 2021! Follow me on Instagram!

"C-Stud Vill" Hits the Billboard Charts on VIP Recordings' Red Devil Compilation

It's an honor to speak with you today. Why don't you give us some details about you and your story. You just hit the Billboard charts with your song “Major Play” on VIP Recordings’ Red Devil Compilation album. How did you get to where you are today? 

In the 90’s, in my neighborhood in the projects New Light Village Known as The UNLV I use to rhyme & battle other rappers around my hood and others and people would tell me i have bars and to stick with it so i saved monies and went to a studio and cut a demo called “Trick Or Treat” and sold Cassette tapes around town got a bigger buzz and an small indie label came calling signed me and repackaged and distributed the single to a larger audience and history was made selling over 25,000 units independently locally throughout Texas.

I'm sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way? 

Due to issues at the label among the CEO and chairman and money the label folded and i was let out my contract i pursued to continue to cut another album “The Unsigned Deal” independently but had problems distributing the album to a larger audience at the time because in the early & late 90’s the internet was not popular for artist to gain national attention with online distribution.

Let's talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition? 

My genre of work would be in gangster rap hardcore / hiphop and due to my success and hard grind over the years i have proven with sales and performances and stayed consistent in this music game building my brand and label and is considered in my city and through out the texas region as one of the best mc’s and a living legend .

What's your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life? 

Consistency & hard work is the key.  Never give up on your dream / career and always have a plan B for backup because nothing is guaranteed overnight success.

Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you? 

For Me It Means hard Determination til you reach your goal for what you planned and strived on and you never gave up you achieved successfully.

What's next for you? 

to land a record deal / distribution deal with a major push / backing behind me and as long as I have a tongue I will continue to make music and others in this game.

Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?

They can connect with me through all the main social sites because all my sites i go by the name C Stud Vill or Cstud Villain.

Spotlight Interview with Music Composer, Performer and Educator "Kerry Kennard"

Today we interview Kerry Kennard, an influential music composer, performer and educator from Ohio, USA.

It's an honor to speak with you today. Why don't you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today? *

Thanks for the opportunity to share my life, Sebastian. It all started watching a band play in Junior High, Freedom jam/Freefare. I think some people might remember them, a definite high energy rock & roll show. In high school, I was in band all three years. I played drums in a few bands and music theatre in the Ohio area.. Then I went on to a local college, Wright State University (WSU). From studying music ed. there, I transferred to Belmont University, studying contemporary music/Percussion Performance. During time at Wright State, I took a year off and traveled with American Entertainment Productions (AEP), doing HS/JH, and convention shows. We travelled across the U.S., mostly states close to Ohio. Doing some graduate work at Univ. of Dayton and Eastman school of Music, I transferred credits and did a year Master of Music in teaching at Eastern Kentucky University. I also learned about Film Music – one class – doing four short videos which are on YouTube.

After EKU, next step went towards more performance with Holland America Line cruise line, doing Percussion and some drum set. I performed for three years, equating about our to five six-month contracts. It was a great experience, playing with click tracks for some Production shows, dance sets (for guests), and other music sets around the ship.

In 2016, with continued interest in Film Music - I studied Michelle Lockey’s music licensing and sync class information online. In 2019, I graduated with a one-year Online Master’s degree in Jazz, with a 4.0 GPA, while working other jobs. Starting my own business, KennardMusic and continue to learn business/Finance skills, all these experiences and education help me become an Artist, as well as a musician. The music education supports the writing and creative side, while music listening and performance experiences has shaped my music in different ways.

I'm sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way? *

Great question, Sebastian. Fear of the unknown – there have been a few of these circumstances in my life. Some doubt / hesitation – about how to walk through some situations in this life. Depression – at different times. Growing up, I went to a counselor, and it helped a little. This person started prescribing some drugs, though I think it made it worse. I stopped taking them and stopped going to the counselor. Advice, ... work out your own issues ... if possible. I was depressed / sad for a few years after my Dad’s passing / death. It was hard ... lots of grief to deal with. Living in Nashville, TN at the time, there was a support group which helped during this period. Hearing other people’s stories helped to relate to mine, at times. The weekly and monthly meetings did help. Since going through depression and some doubt, I feel I am a stronger person now – able to take on most situations. Granted, I’m still human and am grateful to make it this far in life.

Let's talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition? *

I specialize in Drum Set now; I still play congas and other hand percussion when needed. Going back to school for Jazz, I wanted to work on my drum skills, as well as learn more about jazz music, being able to compete with some of the other players / Educators in the College marketplace. Granted, having the degree helps, finding work during these Pandemic times is trickier, and hard to know what schools are hiring for Adjunct and/or Full-time teachers. Some schools I heard are not hiring; so, creating KennardMusic seemed a way to create my own studio last year (2020). Knowing drums and percussion with Latin/World knowledge is one area where I excel. Learning these patterns during the online Jazz Program will help people who are interested learn Brazil and South America drum patterns. Being part of PASiC is a blessing. The yearly conventions are great! To the clinics to seeing new gear, PASiC is a great Convention – able to help learn about the competition. I am able to download information from the website. Receiving the monthly magazines helps to keep up with other Drum Artists and the whole percussion scene. Speaking of magazines, I read and skim DownBeat and JazzED articles – two great resources ‘zines to be part of any serious musician’s life.

What's your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life? *

I would say stick with it (persistence), no matter what instrument, or outside field you are interested in. Keep up with what’s going on in the industry you’re interested in. Within the Music industry, there are so many sub-categories to find a niche. For example, Performance there are the music genres (Rock, Pop Rock, R&B, Country, Jazz, etc.). In the music business, there are many subgroups as well, i.e. music publishing, education, composition, and learning about Performance Rights Organizations/Music Businesses, and new ones which are created with the growing digital market, like the MLC.com for example. It has come into existence from the signing of the MMA, which President Trump signed into law, being a digital collector of mechanical licenses from new works, and past works. The company’s database started with the Harry Fox database, as “Technology company ConsenSys and mechanical licensing administrator Harry Fox Agency (HFA) received unanimous approval from the MLC Board to become the primary vendors responsible for managing the matching of digital uses to musical works, distributing mechanical royalties, and onboarding songwriters, composers, lyricists, and music publishers and their catalogs to the database”. (www.theMLC.com)

Learn all you can about the field you plan on going into. Focus your energies toward those goals, which are written down (right? :~) . Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you? * For the longest time, I thought it meant having a desired amount of income. Now, I believe it is finishing a desired task. For example, finishing the last music degree is a success. Finishing a certain part of a career is considered a success. Yes, money is important, as in Webster’s dictionary, one definition of success states, ‘the gaining of wealth and fame’. Since my father died, I have struggled with what success means. Therefore, I make this point saying, ‘to attain a desired end’, as Webster defines the word succeed.

What's next for you? *

More composing and ... performing. Talking with a singer this week, I’m looking into a band doing R&B/Motown. We talked about doing Festivals, with a few possible booking agents assisting with gigs. I do have a Jazz project which needs funding to finish. It’s called Coolin’. The GoFundMe campaign link is: https://gofund.me/d02240c4. There are short music mockups inside the GFM campaign. My composing life is still growing; I like this new plug-in called GrainStates, which has a lot of interesting sounds with lots of parameters to make stimulating music. Two recent tunes are ‘Grainy Sounds’ and ‘April Mystery’, both found on SoundCloud. As my music theory teachers always said, ... develop your own music/sound. Always liked Schoenberg (12-tone system) and quartal harmonies. Seems many percussionists used these musical devices for composition –another story someday. :~)

Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?

Of course, Sebastian, they can contact me at www.kerrykennard.com, which has all the Social Media means to connect. Facebook page is www.Facebook.com/KennardMusicLLc. I do spend some time on LinkedIn also; feel free to converse with me there.

Thank you again, Sebastian for the opportunity to share some of my story with everyone. I’m grateful for the opportunity to be part of this great new network of acquaintances.

VIP Recordings' Capt Teno makes Sirius XM Premier on the Shade 45 Radio Show

We are honored to interview VIP Recordings distributed artist and rising star “Capt Teno” who will have his song “All Dat Ass” premiered on Sirius XM Radio on Eminem’s Shade 45 Radio Show Sunday night 5/30/21 11pm-2am with DJ Dinero!

It's an honor to speak with you today. Why don't you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today? * 

• I started rapping with a couple friends, I was in a rap group. We started just freestyle rapping around the neighborhood, then we had the idea to take it seriously and make a few songs to perform.(those songs were really bad) Then after that I was in a Hip-hop development program that basically puts artists threw artists development. Learning song writing, video production, and audio production I was ready to start working on building my own production support. Now I’m just mastering my craft and giving space for growth.

I'm sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way? *

• I’ve been threw a lot of ups and downs so far. I’ve had a few labels come to me trying to sign me to bad deals. I’ve lost a lot of friendship and relationships. I’ve even gone broke (like can’t feed yourself broke) because I believed in my dream of being successful in this industry and it was worth it. A wise person told me “Skip the drip, invest in yourself!”

Let's talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition? *

• i am a full time audio/ visual producer for my multimedia production company based in Philadelphia. I specialize in audio engineering, video production, and digital marketing. I started building my own production company because when I was looking for studios as just an artist every studio pushed me to the side because I wasn’t a big name.

What's your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life? *

• Don’t let the lack of not having something stop you from doing what you want, it’s more then one way to skin a cat.

• Also hard work beats talent, when talent doesn’t work hard.

Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you? *

• Financial stability & economic impact

What's next for you? *

• Next for me is a huge checklist of goals, starting a music label, I’m working on a few projects music wise, and build the empire for independent artists to come create with a amazing vibe that promotes business growth.

Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?

• you can follow me on all streaming platforms “@teno215” I always respond. You can also search “Captn Teno” on google and find all my pages. Please tune into Shade 45 show on Sirius XM radio to check out my song “ All Dat Ass!”

Get Lifted With $helta's Latest Banger, "Crossfaded"

Hip-hop artist $helta was introduced to music at a young age. Swarming in various genres, including playing the piano, it wasn’t until the age of 14 where $helta began rapping. $helta’s music exudes waves of emotion with a unique delivery and cadence. Growing up with a single mother and two siblings produced trials and tribulations for $helta and his family as he had to become the man of the house at a young age. Using this situation to fuel his fire of making monumental moves in the underground rap scene, he began recording music around the age of 15 and shaped his craft in the oncoming years. Flaunting his talents on a musical canvas of heavy-hitting Hip-hop trademarks, the energy adapted by $helta in “Crossfaded,” leaves you wanting to run the trackback. Tapping into his spot-on characteristics as an emcee, the entirety of this single is structured from a freestyle, with the majority of the bars being off the top of $helta’s creative mind. Sifting through a narrative that has you in a hypnotic trance, the themes touched on refer to being in a daze from smoking cannabis in copious amounts. Embodying a side of himself that he has yet to explore, $helta takes a dive into mid-tempo cadences, the glide over the K.E On The Track instrumentation as you anticipate each word that $helta is going to impeccably flaunt in his witty rhyme schemes to come. Taking in the artistic finesse of $helta, we’re here for all that he embodies in his lyrical dexterity as he boasts a sense of confidence that has us moving in buoyant ways to the beat of his own drum. Keeping the themes in “Crossfaded,” highly relatable, he doesn’t neglect his skill set as an emcee, as he places emphasis on riding the beat with the intention of letting it sink into his listener's minds.

Welcome to GRINDWEEKLY, $helta, and congratulations on the release of “Crossfaded.” We love the theme and energy that this single brings! What was it like working with such an established producer like K.E On The Track to give this song the attention it deserves? Thanks for the warm welcome, GRINDWEEKLY! I'm excited to be featured here that's for sure. Yeah so just wanted to thank you for the warm words in regards to releasing "Crossfaded". Definitely appreciate it, for sure. I'm happy to read that the theme and energy are loved, that means a lot. Focusing on the energy in the studio and recording this song, was cray spent a few hours on "Crossfaded" and one other song titled "Life Is Good". Naturally, some energy began to resonate in my mind and soul and manifested properly, that's when we knew we were getting somewhere. That is a great feeling, hands down, no cap! Always need the right energy in the studio, and sometimes the right people to be honest or just nobody just depends on vibes really. During the session, I had one of my best friends in the studio with the engineer, and that's the tip I was on that day anyway. Really felt great having a professional exclusive beat from a well-recognized producer in the game also was litty working directly with a professional engineer with a music degree, the engineer did what he was supposed to do as the song is mixed and mastered wonderfully, he did the spectacular job so did "K.E. On The Track". We all killed it to a degree. Looking forward to working together on the next project. Working with an established producer is lit for sure, I have about +50 more of "K.E. On The Track's" beats mainly all of them exclusive, the ones that aren't exclusive I still got them for a hell of a deal. "K.E. On the Track" is regularly known to sell beats anywhere from $10,000.00-$20,000.00. It's ballin and G. as ever that K.E. made these beats available to individuals, the right individuals I should say. Big shout out again to "K.E. On The Track" and my engineer who is the studio owner, oh, and shouts out to GRINDWEEKLY ya'll be killin the game. FACTS. You mentioned that this song is mainly a freestyle, which we love! Could you please take us into the process that you endured when creating and recording “Crossfaded?" Are most of your songs freestyles? Yes, "Crossfaded" was mainly a freestyle, again, thanks for the love and appreciation regarding the song being a freestyle. I am always freestyle-rapping most of my songs are, yes, freestyles. As of right now I have about 100 maybe 110 songs out there finished on the web to find, anyways, I've been practicing since the age of 14. That's a fact, so when it comes a time, I just spit bars and concentrate on getting my rhythm down and my cadence, and from there just go in like a surfer killing it on a big wave, him being on the board is like my freestyling/rapping and the ocean and all its force and the wave are like the beat, I just ride the beat like dat, and I love it! I'll spit and freestyle and go back and remember what I said on the last take while recording and stop and go back when needed to attempt the verse again using some of the material I laid down prior off the top. Seems to work hella, my writing skills are off the chain too don't get me wrong, yes I prefer freestyling but I'm confident in delivering what I need to if and when I need/choose to write versus freestyle. Lots of takes were involved in the recording process, sometimes I'll mark beats and finish a song in one take, that's when I really get the euphoric feeling I'm after it's like a natural high, well for me it is a natural high. "Crossfaded" was one of those tracks I needed multiple takes on and stopping starting back where I specify and then there are the adlibs, which I love going back and laying down. I know I kill it on the hook and with the adlibs and just the vibe entirely on the hook but yeah so that's 100. I also love the adlibs I dropped throughout the entire track, unable to deny that, I am an adlib type of artist, hands down. When the adlibbing time comes round I'm like aight then let's get it!

Being signed with "viprecordings" what was the release process like when bringing this track to the public? Is it a different release rollout than you’re used to? "Viprecordings" is a dope record label lets face it, go check out the website and see what I'm talking about folks!!! Here is the viprecordings website, it's lit. When rolling out "Crossfaded" I was happy as every release is not only distributed to 600+ stores but also is eligible to be distributed into radio stations and magazines. For that, I'm truly grateful. Look in my opinion releasing the music independently would/is more difficult, I've been there done that, and still do release and publish my own music via my record label called "illaFloRecords, here's our website illaFlo Records. Look but don't get me wrong, not impossible not a bit, but having a marketing team and other individuals assisting in the process of releasing the music and getting it in stores and just everything else kicks so much ass it's not even funny, not even a little tiny bit funny, haha just kidding but not seriously I also love the dedication and respect the A&R and COO of the "viprecordings" brings to the table, the A&R and COO I'm referencing are named Sebastian Aguirre and he knows the business when it comes down to this music industry. I trust him and he liked the song "Crossfaded" and basically advised me to release it as he enjoyed the track and thereafter proceeded to push the record and support me along the way. All in all, it is a different process, and tasks are entirely different when releasing myself versus through "viprecordings", I am thrilled to be signed with them and look forward to what's to come next. Believe that, hey! The process is easier as all I have to do is get the song recorded, mixed, and mastered, which I am proficient in those sectors as well like the music that got me noticed or in my demo(s) has been all me, write/freestyle and recording in my home studio or a professional one, also I have to find or make a beat get the licensing situated and the session scheduled and lastly the cover art. When releasing with "viprecordings" it's just simple, send the song over and the right cover art dimension wise and I'm all set I get to pick the date I want the song to roll out, and boom the label takes care of the rest. I was absolutely thrilled and blown away on could say that "viprecordings" has landed a deal with "Sony" and has a partnership type of deal worked out where the music from us at "viprecordings" is published via the "the Orchard" which "Sony" owns and is delivered to wherever it's going, for example, youtube for instance "Crossfaded" was provided from "The Orchard ". At one point or another I was like wait...."Sony" is distributing my music via "The Orchard "? Once I realized that fact, I was like this is horribly ballin, ayyyeee. I feel privileged is all you know what I'm saying? Bet! Lez Go!

With each artist varying in their brand and message, what would you say yours says about you as an artist? Hmm, I haven't ever been asked a question like this one, been asked a few in my day but this one is a bit challenging. My brand is "illaDank Street Apparel". Here check out my website as it just recently launched and products are available just not the clothing line yet, but stay tuned as the clothing line will be rolling out here this year for sure, and trust me the clothing line is illaDank, illa. Here is the link to my brand and the website domain I purchased and the store I got online just last week. Looks great actually here is the link illaDank Street Apparel. I think my brand indicates to many that I obviously smoke mary jane, hence the name of the brand being "illaDankStreetApparel". So I feel I put that vibe off that's like okay this is a weed clothing line or brand and that most likely things will be dope and chill versus the alternative whatever that may be. My message well it's like this I am an aspiring 29-year old father & entrepreneur/hip-hop artist/record label owner/and a signed artist all mixed in one. I am currently residing in Minot, North Dakota. I am constantly working on new ways to provide business owners and my artists everything in my arsenal, in hopes to duplicate & automate production as well as ROI (return on investment). My message or basically my personal VISION is to positively change lives for the better of the world and for our kids/our nations kids/ kids around the world through money raised conducting business the right way. Whatever it may be in my case it's music. FACT Only a small portion is silver-spooned coming into this world. Everyone starts somewhere, somehow, someway and that's just how it is everywhere throughout this entire world, period. I want to help you help others in this world. Everyone is going to doubt, stay non-believers, hate, but just know no publicity is bad publicity, technically speaking. Case in point, don't ever pass up a "chance", you never know what could happen or worse what could have happened. Over the last few years, I've been overseeing & introducing the newest ways to BOOST annual sales revenue, allowing for duplication and automation to occur at rapid speeds. Since the inception of 'illaFloRecords' groundbreaking GROWTH has occurred both in the PHYSICAL & BITS world. THE vision is to obliterate what's known as the CURRENT STATUS QUO, causing IRREVERSIBLE damage, while presenting an incredible OPPORTUNITY for AMERICA to come TOGETHER as ONE. We believe with the CURRENT and UPCOMING workforce, ANYTHING, and I mean ANYTHING....is POSSIBLE I know what it's like to STRUGGLE, most people DON'T DO ANYTHING TO MAKE A CHANGE ..take a CHANCE ...become a CHAMPION for the LOVE of life. So something like that is basically my message in a nutshell. I am truly hoping and working towards a better planet essentially as well as unification worldwide and what better way to do just that? MUSIC boom, honestly though music heals, feel no pain when it hits you and so so much more as, most if not all of us, understand the abilities music has and its potential to bring the world closer and together it's the energy released into the Universe that sometimes I think about it and remember energy lasts forever. So let's make music and make our dreams happen guys lets go!

What's next for you? I am going to continue releasing music this year and hopefully get some traction going and hype, as well as gain some fans, or I, should say more fans. 10,00 loyal fans are my goal so I'll be working towards that. When finances aren't an issue I want to end up in the pacific northwest, as it's pretty hard to do a whole lot while living in North Dakota as that's where I'm from and located right now. Thank God for the internet though so I can continue to makes plays and move forward to accomplishing my goals and that's to be fully sufficient and financially set from my works in the music industry, however, will have to just see what happens. I have high hopes! I hope what's next is a bigger opportunity and that's not too far out of the picture, so stay tuned in GRINDWEEKLY and those reading this as there are some pretty big things in the works. My first E.P. ever was released and published through "BentleyRecords" here's their website to check out they were/are a great label to work with out of New York City on Wallstreet, no cap, like the 24th floor or something! Well anyways this year I'll be releasing more hot singles and my second E.P. through and published by "BentleyRecords" and "viprecordings" so it should be exciting. This year what's next for me also is PR PR PR and more PR learning how to attract people/businesses/and labels also magazines and blogs to feature my work and become affiliated as one's net worth is their network, so ima be busy attempting to do just that grow my network! Also, I haven't released any music video(s) just slideshows of pictures over top of my songs on youtube. This year what is next is a real directed music video so stay tuned in folks please and thank you for your time and for reading this! Peace, love, and happiness until the war ends!

VIP Recordings’ “Red Devil” Compilation Debuts #13 on the Hip-Hop Album Chart

VIP Recordings’ “Red Devil” compilation debut at #13 on the iTunes Hip-Hop Album Chart features some of the best independent Hip-hop and Pop artists in the music industry. Hybrid styles of powerhouse independent Hip-hop artists and the notorious Pop/R&B artists headline this powerful mixture of musical styles on this VIP Recordings compilation album. Combining sentiments of Hip-Hop, R&B and Pop melodic and harmonic textures to the fabric of this album provides the listener with a body of work that embodies today’s most popular styles. Indeed hybrid music is the name of the game to today’s active listeners who crave both the dynamic energy behind the cadence of Hip-hop music or electronic rich harmonic textures, and “Red Devil” evidently delivers.

VIP Recordings, a record label out of Florida, USA is now currently distributing with “The Orchard,” a division of Sony Music Entertainment. The label will be hosting “VIP Recordings Presents: Listening Sessions North Hollywood” during Memorial Day weekend 2021 where artists have an opportunity to perform on stage for A&R’s for 100K advances.

Download VIP Recording’s infamous “Red Devil” compilation album featuring some of the music industries most successful independent artists such as Gwa-la, C-Stud Vill, Taran Richards, Black Dawn, Wayne Gunna, SATgame, Big Lew, Dockko, Ralphy Clouds, K Mac-Beats and IAMR0MEO.