Jac Ross – ‘It’s OK To Be Black’, Meant to Inspire!
Jack’s message of hope is extremely relevant during this time of racial injustice and senseless violence. His music, namely this song, embodies his journey to advocate for change through music. Jac is determined to inspire, and he emerges carrying enough pain to incite cultural change and the love to remind us we can be united. Additionally, the song was featured in a prominent NBA spot advocating for Black Lives Matter, in time for the kickoff of the season. Watch the video of ‘It’s OK To Be Black’ now on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N913jDdRuXc
Agyakomah – ‘Pay Me What You Owe’
I wrote this song after recounting my post-grad experience of entering the job market and having my eyes opened to the realities of finding a job especially as it relates to getting paid what you believe you’re worth. As someone who is only two years out of school, I was writing this song from my personal experience. Listen to Pay Me What You Owe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/4ivzyONdRpWJDE49zdGwOr?si=d-p0TGW_TcmPA-8MnnCWog
Will Ready – ‘Rough Out Here’. Brings Attention to BLM
New uptempo R&B, Soul track by Ready Music Group (RMG) recording artist Will Ready. He’s making a point with this new track on what’s going on today in the Black Lives Matter movement. The focus should be on important issues that shouldn’t be ignored or swept under the rug any longer. Most people agree enough is enough, it’s ROUGH OUT HERE! Listen to ROUGH OUT HERE! Now: https://willready.bandcamp.com/track/rough-out-here-2
The North and Wells Band – Issa Vibe is High Energy!
The North and Wells Band was formed by four night-staff workers at comedy club The Second City in Chicago. Not funny enough to be on the stages, they figured they would play music together instead. Never allowing themselves to be tied down to one specific genre, they write and play music that they like, drawing inspiration from a wide variety of artists such as Vulfpeck, Tame Impala, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Haruomi Hosono, and Stevie Wonder. Listen to Issa Vibe on Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/north-wells-402913824/the-north-and-wells-band-issa-vibe/s-K2Zb4hw6ZT7
Hatty Keane’s – ‘Nostalgia’ drops July 24, 2020 Easing our way into the summer months comes this soulful EP from the unique and talented Hatty Keane.The EP is simply entitled Nostalgia. Hatty explores the title’s theme in five glorious tracks mixing soul,jazz,hip hop and retro sounds. From the groovy opening track Diggin’ You to the nostalgic Hollywood Romance this EP delivers brilliantly. Besides having the ability to story tell what stands out most is the soulful yet sultry voice that oozes its distinct tones over each track. Listen to Hatty Keane’s single ‘Diggin’ You’ now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/3QFkNybKmEKqLckaA7RqIH?si=2vx-8I1nQkKa00Tv7t-SsQ
YOJI – ‘Head Can’t Be Turned’ drops July 28, 2020 Rising Star Yoji, tipped to be a ‘future chart success’ by Vodafone Future Breakers , is set to release her next single on ‘Head Can’t Be Turned’ following the success of her lockdown love song ‘Hiding Place’ released last month. Guaranteed to get you dancing in isolation, ‘Head Can’t Be Turned’ is a refreshing, upbeat R&B smash. The title of this summer anthem responds to a phrase made popular by Love Island ‘Heads will turn’ referring to the ability of someone’s good looks causing temptation and distraction from their partner. Listen to ‘Head Can’t Be Turned’ now on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/track/00GdcWOMzYHmWwEzBYvBCQ?si=ab8AaGBsRva18sgKCGg-3Q
Quinn DeVeaux! – ‘Holiday’ is a call for Unity and Justice! “I had the melody and theme for ‘Holiday’ a while ago, around when Tamir Rice was murdered in 2014 by Timothy Loehmann [who mistook the 12yo’s toy gun for a real one]. Whenever I would hear about a black person being murdered by police or profiling/random/racist gunman, a little piece of the song would come to me and then a little more. I finished the song. The systemic racism people of color face is ever present and I wanted the song to be true to that fact. I wrote several more verses that I may add later, but these are the verses I was feeling most in this moment. Watch Holiday on YouTube now HERE Listen to Quinn’s album ‘Book of Soul’ on HERE
