Deland, FL – Growing up, music was always a strong passion for the Deland Florida native who now makes his home in “The Derb” (Daytona Beach), Tommy Levi. The son of a CEO and investor in the music industry, Tommy’s father dissuaded his passion for music in favor of his other passion, which was football. Persistent and passionate about music, Levi ignored his father’s discouragement and pursued music full force. Soon thereafter, once Tommy Levi had gained local notoriety and had built his skill as a rapper, his father got behind his career choice and has guided and inspired him to put his music out into the world. Tommy is a one-of-a-kind person and artist. When asked about his musical influences, he replied quite frankly that he had none – that drawing inspiration from other rappers would take away from the distinct, unique quality that makes his music shine. “People call me a unicorn,” explains Levi, noting that he listens to his own music in his spare time. Most recently, the artist has delved into creating his own beats, having formerly bought them. Now, his music is fully his own and he’s ready to make his debut into the world as an established and talented rapper. His latest project, a single entitled, “Look at Her,” is a testament to how far Levi’s music has come. The song is, as the artist explains it, “About how I live. The first things that come to mind when I see a woman.” Tenacious and fiercely unique, the artist has fought to make it out of the streets and into the music industry. Levi abides by the motto: “Don’t fit in. Fit out.” One thing is certain: Tommy Levi is bound for big things. Follow on Twitter Follow on Instagram Listen on SoundCloud
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ROANOKE RAPIDS, N.C. – After a childhood spent traveling all over the world with a father who was a career Navy man, Ziggy was anxious to put down roots and find some friends that could last longer than a few short months. So when he moved to Roanoke Rapids, N.C., right before going into junior high school, he was thrilled to meet the four friends who would eventually become like brothers to him. Today those friends are fellow musicians who make up the group $GOD. Along with Ziggy are rapper Taboo, DJ G-mac, and rapper Murk. “We’re basically a circle of friends who started making music together in high school and then went our separate ways for college and other things, and then came back together a year ago and started investing in music together,” Ziggy said. “We’re all talented guys, and we just decided to run with it and see what we could do with our music.” Toward that end, Ziggy is releasing his first single called “Work For Me” – a pop/reggae song that features the rap stylings of his friend, Murk. He said it’s a song that explores the commitment required to make a relationship work and the idea of loyalty. “I was in the studio messing with different sounds and I just couldn’t find any beats that I liked,” Ziggy said. “I used to play in a reggae band in Greenville and so I told the guys, ‘Why don’t we go to a Rihanna-type beat?’ Once I started listening to those beats and messing with it, we knew we found the right hook. And if you mess with that kind of sound, it’s inevitable that you’re going to start talking about a female or love or whatever. But I wanted to keep it raw, not sensitive, so the lyrics are really about asking a girl if she’ll put in work for me because I’ll put work in for her.” Ziggy filmed a music video for the single recently and will release it on YouTube in the next couple of weeks. The video follows the story of a woman who takes a package to some people as a favor for her boyfriend and the obstacles she faces along the way. While the single is definitely a reggae sound, Ziggy said that’s just one facet of his repertoire of work in the music industry. He said his voice sets him apart – especially his falsetto, which he busts out on various other songs and for which many fans have said they are attracted to. He also does some rap, and likes to explore a fusion of genres that include rap, pop, reggae and R&B. “I used to do a lot of acoustic stuff on Facebook and videos like that on YouTube, and a lot of people already knew me by that,” he said. “This is kind of the next step for me and I’m excited for people to hear this new sound that I’m bringing.” Fans who want to get a sample of his sound can find him at $GOD Ziggy on Soundcloud and Audiomack. Fans can also follow him on social media @sgodziggy on Twitter and Instagram. And on Nov. 26, he and his $GOD crew will be performing live at the Boat Ride in North Carolina as they open for Fat Trill. New York, NY - CEO Cleezy is a passionate, soulful, creative rapper who knows how to reign in an audience with his hustle and heart. His career got a jumpstart when the up and coming artist made guest appearances on mixtapes with the likes of 50 Cent and G-Unit. “It was an honor,” says Cleezy, and it continues to influence his music and his career. Now, the budding star is ready to debut his newest single on a project that is all his own. “Fly Away,” CEO Cleezy’s newest single set to release on December 4th, is an anthem of trials and tribulations – an honest account of struggle. “It’s a song that deals with the struggles of life,” explains the artist, “You have pretend friends with their hands out (when you’re on top) and then everyone scatters when you hit rock bottom.” But, as Cleezy explains, he’s able to see above it all and “Fly Away.” “I’m street smart,” laughs the CEO. The artist’s appeal is his one-of-a-kind unique factor. His music, a blend of soul and trap (which the artist appropriately names “soulful trap”) is quick and deep. “I’m hustling in my music,” he says, “and you gotta go deep.” Not only is his music unique, but the way it’s written and created is specific to CEO Cleezy as well. With no pen or paper, and just himself, the engineer, and the microphone, he sits in the studio and lets the words pour out with little to no preparation. This makes for raw, refreshingly honest lyrics that pierce the soul. Often, to the shock and awe of the engineer, he’ll perform 5 songs in 20 minutes, locking himself into a mindset that allows him to create openly and freely. Be on the lookout for “Fly Away” and Cleezy’s forthcoming album, BEATRICE. @ceo_cleezy on Twitter Listen on SoundCloud. Follow on Facebook. LOS ANGELES, CA – In a world that’s divided in so many different ways – culturally, racially, spiritually – up-and-coming musician Justin Hibbert [i] is on a mission to unify people through music. After decades of music being classified into so many sub-genres that it’s almost impossible to keep track of all of them, and years of fans attaching so strongly to those genres in passionate and fanatical ways, Hibbert is bringing an eclectic sound that breaks down that sonic segregation. “On a deeper level – on a spiritual level – my real purpose is to try to unify people,” Hibbert said. “I want to bring people from all different walks of life together by listening to the same sound, and by doing so maybe they can realize how un-different we all are and how music divided by genres doesn’t make sense. We’re ready. It’s time for a change.’ Hibbert classifies himself as a multi-genre artist with self-produced songs that fuse hip-hop, pop, rock, reggae, soul and many more sounds. Growing up, he was drawn to rock and loved the energy and over-the-top performance of heavy metal. During high school and into college he studied percussion and is today a classically trained drummer. But it was during that time that he developed a love for hip-hop and the way all of the different music he loved could come together in new and unique ways. “I truly believe hip-hop is the epitome of all genres of music if it’s used properly,” he said. “I’m bringing a fresh sound of fusion to hip-hop, which means my sound is really unique and is a huge fusion of all genres that not one has been able to pull off before. I consider myself one of the first true multi-genre artists.” His new single, “[i] Am Work (feat. Mike Jones)” is a prime example of the fusion of genres he’s trying to create in his music. He calls it a mashup of rock and hip-hop with some amazing rap from Mike Jones. It’s a song that explores all aspects of work and what that means for every person. “Whether you’re a construction worker or an office worker or someone at the gym or in sports or fitness or rapping – the song is about the true embodiment of putting in the work to get what you want,” he said. “I think people are ready for this kind of sound right now. They’re ready to break down those walls of music racism. Black people are listening to country music and white people are listening to Gucci Man. And I’m a guy who likes to have moments in the middle of one of my performances where I’ll do live drumming on my Roland SPD-SX with some solos over the top of some EDM or something. I’m giving you a fresh take on a live show and a fresh take on musical fusion.” A new music video for “[i] Am Work” was recently released and can be seen on Justin Hibbert [i]’s VEVO channel. Fans can also check out the single on Spotify or iTunes, or check it out on Hibbert’s website at justinhibberti.com. Those who want to know more about new music releases or upcoming live performances can also follow him on social media on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube. Birmingham, AL – Devin “Dee” Morton has always had a deep passion for music, but it wasn’t until recently that the budding artist began to take his musical career seriously. Influenced by powerful rappers such as Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Future and Nipsey Hussle, Morton’s music is encouraged and inspired by the way each artist has created a name for himself. Additionally, Dee Morton has respect for fellow artist Chief Keef for his ability to create a “lane for young dudes like myself.” Remarks the artist, “I listen to all types of music , all types of artist , from Bob Marley to new artist Like Kodak,” explaining that he derives his inspiration and vibe from every genre and sound. Morton’s chief attribute is that he’s a one-of-a-kind person, “I’m me. I’m my own person. I’m one of one.” He brings this unique, eclectic personality to his music, creating a vibe that is entirely his own. His newest project, a mixtape entitled #NSTLA is coming soon to digital platforms, a part of his personal brand No Sleep. Ultimately, while Morton is eager to succeed in his own musical career, his goals extend far beyond himself. The artist’s two essential goals? “Reach a lot of people, and help my people.” Listen on SoundCloud. @1Deemorton on Twitter New Jersey – For as long as Mazee (born Marcus Peake Jr.) has been alive, music has been an inherent part of his life. Born into a musical family, the budding artist’s interest in a musical career was piqued at the encouragement of his father, who owned a recording studio. His earliest memories of music are of venturing into his father’s studio and becoming inspired by the beat. Inspired by artists like the influential rapper Jadakiss, Mazee calls his fellow rapper’s message “relatable and relevant.” Says Mazee, “His struggle – coming from the hood. People telling you that you can’t do this or that.” This is an experience Mazee knows intimately, having experienced the trials and triumphs of the rap game. His latest single, “Till I’m Up” is making strides, with a resounding 120K streams over various music sharing networks. The song, a testimony of a hard fought plight for success, is about the persistence and dedication Mazee has committed to in his career and life. Says the rapper, “I come from nothing, so when the hard work pays off, I’m not going to stop.” He quotes from the single, “’Even when I’m up, it will not be enough.’” The rapper is a self-proclaimed ladies man, a smooth gentleman at heart with a knack for sarcasm and a sharp, quick wit that shines through his lyrics. A family operation from its inception, Mazee owes much of his success to his father, who is at the forefront of Mazee’s record label Peake Level Entertainment. “He’s the one who taught me the ropes,” beams the rapper, grateful for his father’s influence and guidance. The world will soon have all eyes on Mazee, which makes him one to watch out for. Soundcloud Twitter & Instagram: @Therealmazee PALM BEACH COUNTY, FL – When Pablo Phat was doing time in prison, there was one thing that helped him stay sane. It was a dream, really – a promise of something bigger that would come after he was released from prison. And that dream was sparked by a book about Pablo Escobar – a famous Colombian drug lord and drug trafficker. “I’d read a lot of books in prison, and this book really inspired me because it was the story of a man who made a lot of money and came from nothing,” Pablo Phat said. “That’s the type of money I’m looking for. That story of his life – of his determination and coming from nothing – really hit me. Phat was already my name – I’ve had it since I was young – and it was a no-brainer to add Pablo to the front because that’s what I’m trying to represent.” The first step toward making that dream a reality is here in the form of Pablo Phat’s latest mixtape, “Hide Yo Beatz.” It’s a project that he said is a bit of a throwback to some of the old classics. The 22 songs feature a mixture of raps coupled with sounds that fans have requested of him over the years. “It’s a nice little vibe,” he said. “I’m rapping on different beats and throwing in some of the old classics and it’s been getting a lot of good feedback.” The first single off the mixtape is “Killers Everywhere.” It’s a song he said was inspired by various situations that have happened in his own life. He said most of his music is written in such a way that he hopes others will relate to it. “It could be a moment and they get it,” he said. “It could be something that I’ve done or experience or been through, and they hear it and it might be something that makes their day. I think I bring the old sound back while I’m talking about real situations and day-to-day life – things that people can really relate to. And with my music they can feel where it’s coming from.” He said his ambition is to rise above the struggle and share his talents with the world. Ultimately he hopes the dreams that were started in prison will become fully realized and he’ll elevate to something bigger with his music career and “go to bigger and better places.” Fans who want to sample his new mixtape can visit his Soundcloud page or his YouTube page. Fans can also follow him on social media for more information about future music releases or live shows. Look for him on Facebook as pablophat, Snapchat as PabloPhat6, Instagram as PabloPhat and Twitter as PhabloPhatgse. MIAMI, FL – Jake P. Noch, AKA $O$A IFGB (pronounced Sosa), is the epitome of a successful young entrepreneur. At only age 17 he has successfully put together one of the fastest-growing music labels in the country, Sosa Entertainment LLC, with more than 25 artists signed and generating more than $5 million over the past year. His own music has been streamed more than 43 million times and has brought him $1 million in additional earnings. But to hear him tell it, he’s just getting started. These mere millions are just the beginning of a career in the music industry that he hopes one day rivals the billions earned by some of music’s giants. “When I was a little younger I was doing some dumb street stuff, like selling drugs,” he said. “At the time I saw it as a way to make money, and I was good at it. In fact, that’s how I originally got my name because Sosa is a character from the movie ‘Scarface.’ He’s the supplier of the product they’re moving in the film, and he’s the one who was victorious at the end of the movie. He was the real boss, and when I was younger a lot of younger guys would call me that because I kind of fit that persona. But it didn’t take me long to realize that wasn’t a lifestyle that was going to make me happy, and I’ve always loved music and I started to see how I could make money with that in a more legal – and more profitable – way. Eventually I launched my own record label.” One of the most recent business transactions his label has undertaken is a partnership with Sugo Music Group to make a digital distribution service. Ultimately his label and Sugo Music Group are working with Sony BMG and the Orchard to distribute music to more than 1,200 platforms. “I love the money part of the music industry,” $O$A IFGB said. “I’ll switch my sound and chase the music wherever the money leads.” Toward that end, $O$A IFGB has shifted his hip-hop style to more of an electronic EDM sound. On Nov. 18 he’ll be releasing an EDM album called “Brick God III” – the third in the “Brick God” series of albums he’s released in recent years. The previous two albums had hip-hop beats and were somewhat limited in their diversity. This new album, he said, combines hip-hop with EDM and presents a “flash/classy” image. “I really wanted to combine hip-hop with what’s going on in the EDM music scene,” $O$A IFGB said. “That doesn’t often mix, but I think there’s money in it. As much as I love making hip-hop beats, there’s not much of a market for it right now. There’s a much bigger market for EDM music currently – so much so that I only recently started making music in that genre and I already got a live booking last month.” Fans who want to find out more about $O$A IFGB’s music or his label can follow him on social media at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. And keep an eye out for new releases from artists on his label, including from his partner and vice president of Sosa Entertainment, Lil Dread FDG. San Fransisco, California – Music isn’t just a passion for rapper Cenaan Kelley, known by fans as “Bo Blitz,” but a vehicle out of a difficult upbringing. His challenges growing up in a violent, poverty stricken community aren’t unique, but for Kelley, it was motivation to find an outlet of positivity other than sports and school. Alongside his two brothers, Blitz’s musical talents flourished, and he took a real interest in writing, scribbling lines on loose pieces of paper, and inevitably turning pieces of thoughts into masterpieces. Bo Blitz and his brother, Young Looch, released two albums under the alias “Mic Monsters,” to resounding positive response. It was then the two young artists decided to turn passion into career, fueling their success and motivation. In 2011, they traveled to Atlanta for BET’s annual Hip Hop Awards Show. While there, they were blue carpet guests for company promotions such as Monster Cable Headphones and Don Diva Magazine. Blitz’s latest project, All Out Blitz, is the first half of a double EP (the second is set to release in 2017) and the artist’s next step to stardom. A 6-track album, the songs vary in subject matter and vibe, each bringing a taste of what Bo Blitz has to offer the world. A refreshing departure from the cookie cutter music currently playing on the radio, the album offers something more authentic and real – true craftsmanship – the artist caring for each line and melody. It’s real music, a rarity in today’s musical climate, and vaguely reminiscent of classical rappers and their commitment to the art of rap. "I feel it's more important as an artist to evolve your music with the times, then change who you are to fit the times,” explains the artist, continuing, “The creativity and individualism are removed.” Listening to Bo Blitz’s music, one thing is loud and clear: The artist has poured his heart and soul into each lyric and line. With a tenacious zest for his music, the tracks exude a musical confidence that is certain to make the up and coming rapper a star. "Everything big you see was once small. The story of my success will be no different." http://amillionways.rocks/ YouTube PHOENIX, AZ – Hypergraphia. It’s the term for the syndrome that is essentially the opposite of writer’s block – for when a person has the uncontrollable urge to write things down. It’s also the name of the new album from up-and-coming artist Dbait (pronounced Debate). The 14-song album is one he’s been working on for nearly three years, and it encapsulates a sound and journey that he’s proud to be able to share with the world. “Hypergraphia causes people to write down anything – lists, names, just excessive writing,” Dbait said. “But it can also be a term for the creative flow of words that you just can’t stop when you’re in the zone. A couple of years ago I was going through a lot of things in my life – stuff so bad that had anybody else gone through it they probably would have quit doing music altogether. I went through the lowest point in my life. But going through that hard time I found that making music was therapeutic to me. It helped me escape and get through some really terrible stuff. And this album is a tribute to that journey.” The first single off the album is a song called “Got It,” and it’s a song that is indicative of the kind of music Dbait wants to make – both in sound and in lyrical content. The whole point of the song, he said, is trying to reinforce a positive image in women. He said his music unlike a lot of other hip-hop music out there that tends to objectify women. He wants his music to celebrate women, and if his songs can help them have a more positive self-esteem then that’s a win for him. “I think it’s rare in music to hear that,” he said. “Most hip-hop today is either about wasting your life away, being foolish and getting drunk all the time, or its conscious hip-hop that seems to almost be putting down the fun side of life. There’s not really a middle ground. I have a different point of view, and it’s a point of view that says I like to have fun, but I also like to take care of business. And I’m attracted to women who are the same. I don’t really have an agenda, but I do want to celebrate those things.” Dbait said music to him is a self-expression – a way of sharing stories from his life that hopefully give others insight into what they do and who they are. But at the end of the day he’s conscious of the fact that he’s making music, and he doesn’t want that to be taken so seriously that people can’t enjoy the music just for the sake of having fun. “I want to inspire a balance in life and encourage people to be humble and use music to escape and have fun,” he said. “When I’m at a concert, I see people who are there to forget about their drama and their bills and their worries. I see a sea of smiling faces, of people dancing and waving their arms to the music. There are no differences – no races or hoods or gangs – just people listening to music and having a good time and forgetting about the tough stuff of life for one night. That’s what I want my music to do – to bring people together to have a good time and to be therapeutic for them in the same ways music was for me.” “Hypergraphia” is slated for a release on Oct. 31. Fans can sample some of the music on the album on Dbait’s website, officialdbait.com, or purchase the album on Spotify, iTunes and Google Play. Fans can also follow Dbait on social media on Twitter and Instagram. |
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