Author: befree

By Jacob Ezra

Prolific artist Dupizz has shared a new album, titled DuBron James. Hot off the heels of engaging projects like IF I WAS with GRIMM Doza, as well as WISEMEN with Doza and JaeFrmJerz, Dupizz has been consistent in delivering versatile and infectious offerings. His latest, DuBron James, contains spacey, bouncy soundscapes and displays his natural penchant for charisma and humorous lines, with many moments that will have the listener re-winding. Throughout DuBron James, Dupizz laces his verses with some hilarious and clever quips that give the project added character, atop hypnotic production.

Vibrant production with an underlying sense of triumph characterizes DuBron James, as Dupizz starts the album off strongly with potent track “The Ticket”. “Domino” contrasts the opener with a darker, booming soundscape and cathartic feel, while “Sky Green” is an enticing, ethereal joint that showcases his versatility. “Better With It” is a mesmerizing closer with mind-bending samples and a confident flow that closes out the project in a memorable fashion.

Give DuBron James a listen now here.

Estiee returns to our pages with the release of his fresh single “Drive Slow”, a collaboration with Roman. Here, a beautifully lucid instrumental consisting of refreshing, melancholic guitars, emotive organs, and a laid-back drum line convey a sense of longing. Estiee delivers a heartfelt verse that leads into a smooth, smoky hook from Roman. The two contrast each-other while adding up to a cohesive whole, while “Drive Slow”’s potently emotional feel make it a standout. Listen to “Drive Slow” here.

New York’s Iman Nunez has a strong track record as a razor-sharp lyricist, and his latest song “NUMBERS GAME” alongside the prolific HDBeenDope is no exception. The emcees attacks the silvery, electrifying instrumental with precision, in a manner that feels tactical. Underscored by ominous, metallic synths and a creeping rhythm section, they go back and forth with a kinetic chemistry that grips the listener from the get-go. Listen to “NUMBERS GAME” here.

“a la mesa” is the latest offering from NYC-via-Vermont artist rivan, who makes a return to our pages once again for this hard-hitting release. With a triumphant instrumental that takes on an anthemic tone through its usage of expansive synths that give way into a booming rhythm section, “a la mesa” is a track about going big. Droning layers of vocals underscore the instrumental, merging cohesively with the punchy percussion. rivan sounds hungry and focused on the mic as he weaves together dynamic flows that feel as potent and raw as the beat. Listen to “a la mesa” here.

Chris Celestial has shared a new song called “I Surrender”. Celestial’s new song “I Surrender” feels like finding a moment of peace amongst chaos. It’s mesmerizing vocal samples, dream-like keys, and relaxed percussion create an apt backdrop for Celestial’s poetic, soulful style. Like the track’s namesake, his delivery gives the impression of a state of acceptance, as he weaves together lyrics that absorb the listener in their piece-by-piece world building. Give “I Surrender” a listen here.

Myles Clayton has shared a new song called “Slim, Drought (Keep It Pushin’). As an emcee, Clayton tends to sound at home atop dissonant, claustrophobic jazz chords and grimy percussion. His sharp, no-nonsense flow and delivery merge sleekly with gritty, nearly metallic instrumentation, while cutting through the noise, such as on his new offering. On “Slim, Drought (Keep It Pushin’), Clayton brings a sense of stark realism that feels like being awoken out of a slumber, atop sheets of eery samples and grime-soaked percussion. Give “Slim, Drought (Keep It Pushin’)” a listen here.

Valid has dropped off a new single, titled “May 6th”. The Detroit emcee, who has consistently remained a staple in the Motor City hip-hop scene, recently dropped his well-received collaborative project Bill & Isiah with influential rapper Stretch Money, and he returns once again with a refreshing, captivating single in “May 6th”. The song, produced by Balkan Hip-Hop legends Knowwhere2run and Vibin wit DJ Mono, finds Valid reaching back to his ethnic roots with “May 6th ” and puts a modern twist on the traditional holiday known as “Djurdjevdan”. “May 6th” , recognized in Eastern Europe by many as Djurdjevdan (translation: St. George’s Day) is a holiday rich in history for many cultural backgrounds and ethnic groups throughout the region. His new release pays homage to Djurdjevdan both sonically and lyrically, with production inspired by traditional Balkan music underscoring his poignant flows.

“May 6th” builds an energizing, hypnotic soundscape with brisk guitar strumming, atmospheric backing vocals, and organic-sounding, infectious percussion. As rich bass drops in beneath to tie together a catchy groove, Valid comes through with commanding verses that present a nonchalant charisma. Demonstrating his penchant for sharply-crafted lyricism, he delivers a performance that is memorable from the get-go. Listen to “May 6th” here now.

Valid recently appeared in the latest Detroit Tigers jersey reveal video, alongside Stretch Money, Eminem and more. Giving a live performance alongside Stretch Money, Valid represents his city and further showcases why he is an essential member of Detroit’s hip-hop scene. Check out the new Detroit Tigers jersey reveal video here now.

Connect with Valid: Instagram | YouTube | Twitter | Facebook

By Jacob Ezra 

Making emotional connections with your audience is a very important element of promoting yourself as an artist. An effective way to do this is through story-telling. As a part of human nature, people are attracted to stories- and stories can be excellent tools to establish deeper bonds with your fans. Telling stories helps your audience relate to you, and makes them feel like they’re coming along with you on an artistic journey. Storytelling can communicate both your personal values and relatability, making your audience invested in you- and building connection with them over time. 

As far as how to approach storytelling as an artist, it’s important to craft a story that is meaningful, vulnerable, and relatable. It can be especially powerful if it is able to tap into something universally and basically human. Everyone loves a good origin story and a come-up story, or a tale of an under-dog overcoming adversity- any story that shows authenticity. There are many types of stories that can help communicate these themes: 

1. Autobiographical: Sharing personal experiences, memories, or challenges can create a relatable narrative for the audience.
   
2. Fictional: Creating characters, settings, and plots allows artists to explore different perspectives, emotions, and ideas.
   
3. Allegorical: Using symbols, metaphors, and analogies can help convey complex ideas and emotions in a more accessible way.
   
4. Historical: Drawing inspiration from real-life events, people, or cultures can provide a rich backdrop for storytelling.
   
5. Conceptual: Exploring abstract concepts, emotions, or ideas through art can create thought-provoking narratives that resonate with the audience.
   

6. Experimental: Combining different storytelling techniques or challenging conventional narrative structures can create unique and innovative works of art. 

You can use your content and music to communicate your story in numerous ways. It doesn’t always have to be literal, and can also imply your value, message, and identity. But having underlying themes, and an underlying narrative of who you are as an artist, makes your fans invested in you and make them want to cheer for you. 

When you tell stories about who you are and what your music represents, it completes your identity as an artist and allows you to stand out. If your story creates a deeper emotional connection with a listener, you will stand out to them and they will remember you based upon how you made them feel. Then, when they see this story that they related to communicated in your music, visuals, etc., they will continue to feel like they are along with you on an artistic journey. It’s like letting them into your world as an artist. It’s also key to approach storytelling with integrity if you want to build trust with your audience. While incorporating trends is entirely fine, jumping between trends without having a core message and core values will just confuse your fans and dilute your message. 

Telling relatable, authentic stories through everything you do- from music to visuals to promotion, really helps set you apart as an artist and build loyalty with your audience. To summarize, here are 5 ways that storytelling can help artists promote themselves and build a fanbase: 

1. Authenticity: Sharing genuine, relatable experiences and struggles helps artists establish a genuine connection with their audience. Fans appreciate artists who are open and honest about their lives.
   
2. Inspiration: A musician’s story of overcoming obstacles, pursuing their passion, or achieving success can inspire fans and help them identify with the artist’s journey.
   
3. Differentiation: In a crowded industry, a unique and compelling story can help musicians stand out and make their brand more memorable.
   
4. Emotional connection: Sharing personal stories can evoke strong emotions in fans, making them more likely to invest in the artist’s music and brand.
   
5. Storytelling through music: Musicians can weave their personal stories into their lyrics and compositions, creating a more immersive and meaningful experience for listeners.
   

In essence, a musician’s personal story can serve as a powerful tool to build a strong, relatable identity that resonates with fans and sets them apart in the competitive world of music.