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Mila Smith releases an appealing audiovisual for her impressive debut single, entitled, “Liars and Fakes”
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Mila Smith is an up-and-coming 16-year-old singer-songwriter from Cape Town, South Africa. Not too long ago, she released an appealing audiovisual for her impressive debut single, entitled, “Liars and Fakes,” which tells an intriguing tale about a young woman who experiences an aching heart. Apparently, her hurt was caused by someone with whom she is no longer friends. Now, she feels weak and needs someone reliable to stand by her side. Later, she admits that she doesn’t like liars and fakes because they act like they love you but eventually they’ll throw you away.
“‘Liars and Fakes’ is a song I hope everyone can bop along to. The title of the song is relatively self-explanatory, it calls out the liars and the fakes. It was written about someone who communicated with me very superficially and only associated with me for their own gain. Rather than chasing a genuine friendship.”– Mila Smith explained
Mila Smith is about to steal your heart with her soulful heart-on-her-sleeve sound. The artist-to-watch emotive vocals express a maturity and storytelling ability beyond her years. She grew up on a varied diet of artists from Adele and Sam Smith to The Neighbourhood.
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Zikai covers Paul Simon’s 1986 hit single, entitled, “You Can Call Me Al”
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Zikai is a talented singer-songwriter from Stockholm, Sweden. Not too long ago, she released a stripped-down and spherical version of Paul Simon’s 1986 hit single, entitled, “You Can Call Me Al,” produced by Tobias Frelin (The Priest) and Anton Hård Af Segerstad via Northbound/Warner Music Sweden.
“I was eight years old when I first heard ‘You Can Call Me Al.’ My mom used to listen to it at home a lot and I clearly remember that she said it was recorded in South Africa. I didn’t understand the lyrics but stuck to the melody. 15 years later, I’m in the studio with producer, The Priest, and without thinking about it, I start singing – you can call me al – even though I haven’t heard it in so many years. Then I thought it must mean something, so we decided to do our own version of it.” – Zikai explained
For Zikai, and so many others who grew up in the ‘90s, “You Can Call Me Al” reflects childhood. Unlike the original version – which is about a man with a middle-aged crisis – Zikai is just at the beginning of a promising career.
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Issam Alnajjar releases a lyric video for his “Turning Me Up (Hadal Ahbek)” single with Loud Luxury and Ali Gatie
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Issam Alnajjar is a rising 17-year-old singer-songwriter and guitarist from Amman, Jordan. Expanding the scope of his debut viral smash, “Hadal Ahbek,” Issam recruited a Canadian multi-Platinum/Diamond dance music duo, Loud Luxury, to reimagine the track. The result, “Turning Me Up (Hadal Ahbek),” also featuring Ali Gatie, a multi-Platinum Iraqi-Canadian singer-songwriter who delivers an undeniable guest spot, elevating the song to a whole new level.
“‘Hadal Ahbek’ was a turning point in my career. Getting the chance to revisit it in English with Ali Gatie and Loud Luxury is insane.” – Issam Alnajjar stated
Issam Alnajjar is leading the way for a new generation of artists from the Middle East and North Africa to take over the global music scene. He has been creating music for a couple of years, studying the songwriting of pop artists like Shawn Mendes and Ed Sheeran and admiring the creativity of iconic artists like Queen and The Weeknd. For any artist to have a top song is an accomplishment. But what makes Issam’s feat more incredible is that he achieved this with a song sung in Arabic.
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Editor's Pick |
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What we've been listening to this week |
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Talia Jackson releases an appealing audiovisual for her “Hidden” single
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Talia Jackson is an LA-based NAACP Award-winning actress and singer-songwriter from Madison, Wisconsin. Not too long ago, she released an appealing audiovisual for her “Hidden” single, which finds Talia Jackson singing about being free from a toxic relationship and needing no one but herself.
Jackson draws influence from SZA, Jhené Aiko, and Lana Del Rey. Her empowering music discusses important themes such as embracing her identity as a biracial woman, overcoming mental health issues, and not allowing external influences to dictate who she is at her core.
In addition to singing, Jackson is an actress who stars alongside Loretta Devine as Tia Mowry-Hardrict’s character’s oldest daughter, Jade McKellan, in Netflix’s multi-camera comedy, “Family Reunion,” from veteran showrunner, Meg DeLoatch (“Family Matters”).
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Molly Hammar releases an empowering sophomore EP, entitled, “God Is Lonely Too”
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Molly Hammar is a chart-topping singer-songwriter hailing from Stockholm, Sweden. Not too long ago, she released an empowering sophomore EP, entitled, “God Is Lonely Too,” via Cosmos Music.
“I want the ‘God Is Lonely Too’ EP to be a friend when you’re feeling lonely. I want to remind people of the importance of accepting their loneliness and talk about it more frequently in different ways. There are different perspectives to being lonely, sometimes you love it and sometimes you hate it. I would have never been able to release this music with a major label in Sweden, it’s so out there. I’m so happy to be doing the kind of music that I love.” – Molly Hammar explained
‘God Is Lonely Too’ is rooted in female advocacy, as Molly continues to use that message as a springboard for sonic evolution. Also, the EP showcases her musical hybridity as a nouveau RnB alt-pop powerhouse. Listeners are treated to the singer’s fully matured artistry as she navigates loneliness and lyrically distills disappointing experiences with men. Furthermore, “FRIENDS” sets the tone for the EP which features the intriguing “DOUCHEBAG,” “Alone,” and “Get To Know Me First” featuring Julie Bergan and Awa. The six-track project also highlights “Loneliness,” a co-write with Sky Adams.
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Angelina Jordan releases a lovely performance video for her “7th Heaven” single
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Angelina Jordan is a 15-year-old Norwegian singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles, California. Not too long ago, she released a lovely performance video for her “7th Heaven” single, which tells an inspiring tale about a young woman who believes that life should be lived with hope. Also, she believes that you should never give up, even though there is a lot of bitterness in the world.
“Life has ups and downs, and you always have to be ready for whatever is coming up. The song is a reminder to look at everything in a positive light and not get down on yourself. Most importantly—no matter what you’re doing—don’t give up. Also, the song is meant to make you dance.”– Angelina Jordan explained
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Monroe releases a lovely music video for her “Seattle” single
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Monroe (Munny Monroe) is an up-and-coming 24-year-old singer-songwriter/rapper from Riverside, California. Not too long ago, she released a lovely music video for her “Seattle” single, which tells an unhappy tale about a woman who was done badly by her significant other. Apparently, she gave her companion everything she could, but her companion just isn’t into her like that. What she needs is a change, and that’s why her companion moved to Seattle.
“My aim is to really create something that makes people feel. There are songs I can listen to that make me feel heartbroken all over again and songs I’ll hear that can make me feel like a kid. I don’t want my music to just be a record, I want it to be an experience.” – Monroe stated
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Ju Sama releases an attractive lyric video for her “DROP” single
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Ju Sama (Lord Ju) is a plant-based rapper/singer from Boston, Massachusetts. Not too long ago, she released an attractive lyric video for her “DROP” single, which contains a sensual narrative and ear-pleasing raps that will resonate well with fans of MeganThee Stallion, Kash Doll, and Leaf. The likable tune possesses hard-hitting instrumentation flavored with a melodic rap vibration. Furthermore, “DROP” serves as a tasty appetizer to what listeners can expect to hear from Ju Sama in the near future.
Ju Sama is inspired by artists such as Nicki Minaj, Missy Elliot, Rihanna, Lil Kim, and Beyoncé. She began her climb to stardom as a social media fitness model and health guru. Musically inclined, she grew up a violinist and would playfully write raps and freestyle in Boston. In 2018, she released her debut freestyle, “Flop Freestyle,” and shows no sign of slowing down. Furthermore, “DROP” serves as a tasty appetizer to what listeners can expect to hear from Ju Sama in the near future.
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D.$ahin unveils an appealing audiovisual for her haunting debut single, entitled, “Shine”
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D.$ahin (pronounced: dee shaheen) is an up-and-coming Berlin-based singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Istanbul. Not too long ago, she released an appealing audiovisual for her haunting debut single, entitled, “Shine,” which finds D.$ahin encouraging listeners to always shine no matter what obstacles might present themselves. A road is a lonely place, and each person’s journey is unique. Therefore, you must “shine from a place so deep inside that the world can never hide you,” sings D.$ahin. For additional push, the artist-to-watch urges listeners to run with the wind behind their backs.
“‘Shine’ is a love letter to life and an expression of gratitude. It took me a while to realize that I needed to practice compassion towards myself in order to be present. This is how I sound like in my head when I try to self-soothe and try to focus on the simple things. I am always on the hunt for clarity within myself.” – D.$ahin explained
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"Thomson's ear for street-slang vernacular is effective in bringing his characters to life and creates a chillingly real backdrop." - Kirkus Discoveries Review |
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“Three Black Boys: Tomorrow After Supper” by Zangba Thomson
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The location is South-side Jamaica, a rough and tough neighborhood in Queens, New York, and home to Babita Harris, an uninsured single parent who falls ill after returning home from vacation. She is taken to a hospital, where Salome McBryant diagnoses her with having black fever disease, which has done a significant amount of damage to her liver. With a couple of months to live, Babita's only hope of survival is a costly liver transplant. But with no health insurance, the chance of surgery is slim. What she needs is a quarter of a million dollars in cash. And that's when Barnes, her only son, along with his best friends, Demus and Baker, spring into dangerous action to get the money. Though their road is paved with good intentions, the brothers in arms are in for a few surprises and a whole lot of heat in this supernatural thriller which tells two remarkable tales of crime and redemption.
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"'Three Black Boys: The Hotep Brother Manuscript' has elements that reminded me of the movie, 'The Mummy Returns." - Night Reader Reviews |
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"Three Black Boys: The Hotep Brother Manuscript" by Zangba Thomson
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Barnes, Demus, and Baker are back with another actioned-packed adventure. This time, they travel to Monomotapa, Alkebulan, where the king and queen were recently slain by Ego, a familiar nemesis whom the three Black boys thought they had destroyed in the afterlife. But they were deeply mistaken. Now, Ego has in his possession The Hotep Brother Manuscript, a sacred book filled with spiritual laws and enchanting spells, which he uses to turn the Monomotapan military into Egomaniacs. By his side is Deadra, a divine entity, and their goal is to rule Monomotapa and discontinue all shipments of gold to Planet Black, the home of the deities. Currently, the black planet is vulnerable, protected by a thin layer of gold that is quickly depleting. With the threat of an incoming meteoroid shower looming, there’s no telling what might happen to Planet Black if a large shipment of gold doesn’t arrive there soon.
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