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kanye west

Belle: From Dreamer to Achiever – A Musical Journey of Passion and Purpose | Interview

Posted on 28 August 2023

In the realm of music, there are dreamers, and then there are those like Belle, who transcend aspirations and manifest their dreams through unwavering authenticity and dedication. Hailing from California, Belle’s journey is a testament to turning dreams into reality, and she’s achieved it by staying true to herself. A Grammy-nominated songwriter, Belle’s life story is a symphony of creative achievement, lived on her own terms. Currently sharing stages with Kanye West and the Sunday Service Choir. As she unveils her latest labour of love—a mesmerizing EDM/disco EP—we sit down with Belle for an exclusive interview that offers a captivating glimpse into her journey and artistry.

Your journey is a remarkable example of turning dreams into reality while remaining true to oneself. Could you share how your upbringing influenced your unwavering pursuit of a music career and the key factors that kept you grounded in your authenticity?

My upbringing was a mashup of good and bad times. I grew up in watts, ca. I have been singing as long as i can rennet it’s just been in my blood with my dad being a gospel singer (lead vocalist of the five blind boys of Mississippi) his name was big Henry johnson. I’d say seeing him perform and sing all of the time made me stay up all night. All I could ever think about was music. I didn’t even feel poor until i had gotten into my teens. Then the motivation turned into me wanting a better life.

Touring with Kanye West and the Sunday Service Choir is a unique experience. Can you share some insights into how this collaboration came about and the impact it has had on your artistic perspective?

Kanye West got it in his spirit to start a choir. I auditioned and joined the choir in 2019. There was so much i took from that experience as we went on to tour the world, win prestigious awards and make great albums. That was all great but the one takeaway from this experience came from Kanye himself. When you have an idea you have to put your head down and tune the nay daters out. People will never believe until someone else does. Our choir under the leadership of Kanye west had some of the best talent this industry has to offer and I’m proud to have been apart of something that made such an impact,

“Building Bops” is a heart-warming tribute to family and early education. Could you elaborate on the inspiration behind this project and how your role as a mother has played a pivotal role in its creation?

I have two beautiful boys and one thing they know about their mom is that she’s always singing. My second son was learning how to read and his abc’s at the same time and so I had to go on the road for work for a couple weeks. I wrote an abc song for him and had my dear friend Brian waters mix the vocals for me. He hit me back and said hey, you need to make a whole album and so we did. I was able to work with my sister friend and great songwriter/vocalist Mika Lette on it. It was also fun to have our kids singing in the album. My kids inspire me daily to always try and press forward.

Your upcoming music video release for “Just Be Good to Me” has generated significant anticipation. Can you provide us with a sneak peek into the inspiration and creative process behind the video, and how it aligns with the song’s energetic vibe?

“Just be good to me” has been a favorite song of mines since I was a kid. It was made famous by the sos band an rnb soul sensation. The music video takes the audience into how I see the lyrics. It’s energetic, electronic with beautiful visuals. Just be good to me was released July 21,2023 and produced by Brad Grobler of big productions worldwide . It has an amazing future rave mix that was released august 18th (Here’s a sneak peek of the video) My album is filled with the influence from some of my favorite euro dance and house artist one of whom I sing Lead for Labouche famous for be my lover and sweet dreams. I’m so excited for the dance world to embrace me.

Your versatility as a songwriter has led to placement in Erica Campbell’s gospel album “Love.” How do you approach crafting music across different genres, and what were the highlights and challenges of collaborating with Erica Campbell?

I love working with other writers and singers. This song “trust and obey” came about from a situation that i knew wasn’t okay but it was so good that it made it hard to trust and obey. I wrote this song with a good friend of mine songwriter Gromyko Collins and the super producer warryn Campbell of my block resources produced the song. Each song is different most times you don’t sit in the studio with the artist and most times you do. There’s was no challenge working with Erica Campbell at all. She’s such an amazing and anointed talent. It’s my honor to be on her labor of “love”.

JD True pulled back the curtain in his groove-slicked hip-hop track, Red Pill

Posted on 26 January 2023

While some hip-hop artists need an entire discography to prove their dynamism, the songwriter and rapper JD True only needed three minutes. With superlative style and soul, his latest single, Red Pill, pulls back the curtain on formerly hidden facets of society and how they make their mark on the psyche.

Kicking off with a smooth old-school prelude with funk-chopped staccato guitars, the atmosphere pulls into the mix simultaneously with the melodicism as JD True uses the intricately weaved instrumental layers as a rhythmically mesmerising platform to filter his energetic flow into.

Based on Red Pill alone, it is no wonder that the artist who takes inspiration from Kanye, J Cole, and Big Krit has had no issues garnering hype since his 2021 debut single, Crown Me.

Red Pill was officially released on January 19th. Check it out on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

NY rapper and producer, Jon Harris is rich in lyrical gold after his latest hip hop release, Great

Posted on 1 November 2022

NY rapper, songwriter and producer Jon Harris tore up the rulebook in his latest old-school-meets-nu-skool single, Great. After a cinematic intro that will speak to the senses of any Tarantino fan, the single moves into more familiar hip hop territory through Harris’ down-to-earth versing style, inspired by the visionaries, Eminem, Kanye and Jay Z, while the instrumentals work melodic magic in the background.

With bells chiming in place of the usual 808s and plenty more ingenuity written into the rhythmic works, Great is an arresting feat of urban innovation. And that’s before we get to the cutting wit that puts all of the wannabe rappers in their place with solid lines that get stronger with every repeat hit of Great. Which is everything it says on the tin.

Every lyric is quote-worthy, but “I’m the bad guy for trying to speak up, constantly telling me to shut up and stick to music, well, guess what bitch, now you gotta listen to it”, may just cut slightly above the rest.

The lyric video for Great premiered on October 22nd. Catch it on YouTube.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Pee.Tzu redefined escapism music with his hip hop track, Jetplane Getaway

Posted on 29 August 2022

Pee.Tzu allowed his fans to peek behind the curtain of his mentality and music career in his latest single, Jetplane Getaway, which drips with East Coast hip hop luxe glamour in contrast to the raw spilt ink lyricism. It is escapist hip hop like you have never heard it before.

It is safe to say that the up-and-coming artist didn’t just speak for himself when he captured the claustrophobia that our hustle and daily lives can create around us. His wicked use of wordplay almost makes a sense of empathy redundant when you’re listening to Jetplane Getaway. There is no evading the visceral weight of the bars that run under inventive effect, allowing them to synergise with the Rakim-Esque beats.

Jetplane Getaway which features on Pee.Tzu’s 2022 album is now available to stream on Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

By Myself: Norwegian rapper Denim Blue wonders what happened to those rules on ‘Rodeo’

Posted on 14 September 2021

Inspired by Prince, Ice Cube, Kanye West and The Weeknd, Denim Blue lets the music speak for itself on his brand new single all about seeing something so bright stop shining rather quickly on ‘Rodeo‘.

Jens Bjarne aka Denim Blue, is an indie rapper, weeds explorer and singer-songwriter who is based in beautiful Norway.

”I love mixing genres and I’ll never stop trying to show my art in creative ways.” ~ Denim Blue

This is the story about being with someone who you care about so much, who you saw with a halo on their head that has now been so tarnished. Your ex lover fell nose-first into the treacherous trenches of temptation and you won’t stand for it, as you wish that they could go back to who they were before the once-beautiful spark fizzled out.

”I’ve been writing songs my entire life, rapping for most of my life, and singing in the last 5 years or so, but I didn’t start recording until 3 years ago.” ~ Denim Blue

Sung with a terrific vocal ability, honest lyrics and with a dazzling beat which has your imagination swirling so quickly – this is a real gem of an underground track from this youthful artist with morals – who refused to walk in the line that so many fall over just to get inside.

‘Rodeo‘ from the Norway-based indie hip-hop artist and songwriter Denim Blue, is a reminisce-filled track all about wondering what happened to that person you looked up to. They were a Queen in your eyes but that shimmering star has faded darkly into the night, as you now feel like you are much better alone.

An old school lover mentality is so hard to keep these days, but this is something that morally you can’t change in the fiber of your fabric.

Hear this new single on Spotify and see more via his fresh IG music page.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

J Roy has released the ultimate power-couple hip hop anthem with ‘Forbes List’, featuring Jai Fears.

Posted on 21 June 2021

If you’re looking for the freshest feel-good groves to add to your summer hip hop playlists, look no further than J Roy’s self-titled 2021 album, featuring the lead single, Forbes List, featuring Jai Fears.

There are some fairly obvious nods to Jay-Z’s luxurious sound in the mix, but between Jay Roy and Jai Fears, plenty of authenticity was brought to Forbes List; a single that shows that all that glitters isn’t gold, but it is still beautiful. Forbes List drips with extravagance, but at the centre of the mix is a fiercely romantic sense of soul that makes Forbes List the ultimate power couple anthem.

J Roy’s latest album is now available to stream and download on all major platforms via this link.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

East Coast Hip Hop got hotter with the release of Vior’s track “Stevie Wonder”

Posted on 29 October 2020

Feel the oceanic breeze of East Coast Hip Hop with Vior’s standout sun-kissed track, Stevie Wonder, from their 2020 EP, Presidential.

The Coatesville, PA artist has amassed plenty of hype for their ability to bring more than sound to the airwaves since releasing their debut single in 2018.

Hit play on any of their tracks and get lost in the immersive vibes which manifest through their meticulously dynamic lyrical flow and their larger than life personality which will leave you galvanized.

The conviction in Stevie Wonder practically makes the track a kiss with a fist. It’s viscerally hard-hitting. but soulfully sweet all the same.

With their clear Rap style and their mischievously hedonistic bars sitting seamlessly with the high-octane rhythmically arrestive beats, Vior offers the best of East Coast Hip Hop. We have no doubt that it’s only a matter of time before they achieve what they set out to do and put their name on the map.

You can check out the official video to Stevie Wonder which was shot by WizFx by heading over to YouTube.

Or you can listen to the Presidential EP in full via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Rooftop J – We Going Up: Magnetically Connectable Smooth Hip Hop

Posted on 6 June 2020

Inspirational Hip Hop never gets old. As long as apathy still lingers in our society, we’ll need artists such as Rooftop J to grace the airwaves with high-vibe tracks such as “We Going Up”.

With the steady downtempo beats, a sprinkling of Jazz tones and the atmospheric depth of We Going Up, you’ll easily find the groove in the mix and be pulled along as you hang off Rooftop J’s every word. Their Rap bars parallel the mellifluous feel of the beats in the track which is bound to be of interest to fans of Mac Miller, Kanye, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar.

Ever since Rooftop J made their debut in 2018, they haven’t been short of acclaim, and it’s more than easy to see why. Their magnetically connectable vibe is inimitable.

You can check out Rooftop J’s single We Going Up for yourselves via Spotify.

Review by Amelia Vandergast

Atlanta Rapper/Producer ‘Yahchi B’ drops visuals for his self-assured‘’Quarantine Freestyle’

Posted on 3 June 2020

‘’I’m not your boyfriend, bae or anything in between.’’ Sending a message to the ladies in his life, ‘Yahchi B’ is quite fine with being single right now as he is on a quest for global respect and recognition.

Heavily influenced by Nas, Outkast, Tupac, Rakim, Eminem, and Kanye West, you can feel the old school style in his lyrical delivery. He mixes in his own new school style while on the mic and the results are quite impressive.

Formerly from the Bronx in New York, ‘Yahchi B’ made the move from his roots a few years ago and this change seems to have paid off. New York is a great city but it is easy to get lost in the suffocating environment of NYC Hip Hop. His style fits the more relaxed but music-crazy South USA.

In the Hip Hop game since 2012, this veteran rapper & self-produced artist has amassed quite a good following since his debut. A very confident Emcee, his flow is impressive, the beat real fly and with a summer time/chill by the pool with your bikini or swim shorts on energy to it.

Stream this Atlanta rapper’s YouTube visuals right here.

Reviewed by Llewelyn Screen

Kid Riz drops his new single ‘Lola’

Posted on 2 May 2020

Canadian artist Kid Riz drops his new single ‘Lola’, a fresh boogie hit that will surprise you with its authenticity.

‘Lola’ stands from the very first playthrough as a dance-y tune filled with Latin sounds very unlike the typical summer Raggaeton one-hit wonders. It showcases an original feel in its sparkling and captivating loops, indulging you to “shake it” to the upbeat tempo.

Inspired by the likes of Drake, Bruno Mars and, in some bits, Kanye West, Kid Riz manages to “latinize” Hip Hop fundamentals with a tenacious RnB spirit – all building up to a Pop outcome that lives up to the Top50’s mainstream charts.

Being only 19 years old, Kid Riz has youth on his side and a long way ahead to explore and experiment.

Check out ‘Lola’ on Spotify.

Review by Jim Esposito.

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