Albums, New Fire Music, Submissions
Top Artists of the Week – Series 1
Sep
Hi Everyone,
Beginning this month of September, 2022, we shall be presenting our Top Artists of the Week in a Series format to bring you some selected top artists in our opinion. All artists are great and super professionals in their calling.
How we select top artists.
Indeed, there are many interesting things that my job involves listening to live concerts by solo artists and ensembles whom we might showcase on a weekly series. You can learn a lot from watching their video or audio recording of course, but not everything. In fact, the most important thing you can learn from these commercial or demo recording is that a particular musician or ensemble is probably not destined for the priority list.
In recent weeks we have found ourselves with the opportunity to hear quite a few concerts, live bands, and recorded works from different artists. It got us thinking about what criteria are we going to rank and prioritize each artist. We have narrowed it down to 3 areas: technique, interest (substance), and communication.
Technical ability is probably the least important, simply because there’s such a high level of proficiency among professional soloists and ensembles these days. Indeed, it’s probably fair to say that if you ever get the impression at a concert that a piece of music is really difficult and pushing the performer(s) to their limit, then it’s probably more a reflection on the limitations of the artist than the technical problems of a piece of music. Great performances usually transcend technical difficulties.
So, the more important question is whether a performance is interesting, meaning does it capture people’s attention, and unlocks their imagination? That comes down to choices a musician makes around musical colors and textures, variation, consistency of approach, creating tension, the overall shape of a piece, tastefulness, and context. Much of this is subjective, which is why it’s okay, indeed healthy, for people to disagree after a video, or live stage watch – whether they liked it or not.
Thirdly, there’s the issue of communication. Unlike a recording, an artist or ensemble on stage with a live audience has to acknowledge the audience is there and perform for them. Singers maybe have the advantage of words to articulate, but instrumental music is a language too, and the live concert experience is about communicating.
The most memorable concerts we have attended are those at which that communication has been strong and convincing. There are many, many musicians and ensembles across the world who deliver at the highest level. Our lives are more enriched by having exposure to them.
Here are the TOP ARTISTS of the Week – Series 1
KHÁNG – Pain In Me
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bykhang/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3DnyBPw9Ma3pzybJBkKheC?si=hz7AdVLdSy-CHZzKhXEEyw
KHÁNG is an artist based in the United States. KHANG looking for any type of feedback, advice, or any opportunities to elevate his career. The song is sad, fierce, and guitar vibes.
A record truly stands out, special when it gives you everything. Being able to enjoy a sound that blends genres, as well as give you mastery in the vocals and writing to bring a full picture of music to life like no other. When you get to hear one of these special class of songs, it’s truly a joy that makes you fall in love with the creativity behind the sound. That special sound is what you get from KHÁNG on the new song “Pain In Me”.
Yullia Ehwaz – Where Am I?
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yuliaehwaz/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/1NAQm0MZhWSEXFiUvODsoI?si=u7pUvJa3TumF6JT89uamGQ
Yullia Ehwaz is an alternative artist from the lost and forgotten region where Instagram music is still not available. She’s influenced by synthwave/alternative, and R&B/pop-punk music. Yulia says that the most important thing in music is a catchy melody and uniqueness of the sound. Listen and enjoy.
Skuadossa – Aie Confiance en moi
Instagram: https://instagram.com/skuadossa?utm_medium=copy_link
Skuadossa is an author, composer and performer of French nationality. She grew up in an artist family (singer father, singer sister and rapper brother). Being young the music doesn’t interest her, she just likes to topline on beats. The year 2019, she joins the group LE KLAN SKUAD which is made up of 2 rappers, 2 singers and 1 sound engineer.
Skuadossa just takes care of the social networks of the group and helps to find top lines. In 2020, she gives herself a challenge, to write these songs, make these melodies and interpret them. She calls on a JUSTY RNB YOURSELF vocal coach to improve her singing, to be comfortable on stage and confident, because she has never sung before.
The coach voice and his team contributes so that his first song “Aie Confidence en toi” sees the day. Skuadossa shoots her first clip, she calls on the director Sébastien Berjon who works with the coordinator the stuntman FUN X RADERS. November 08, 2021 “Trust in you” was released on all download platforms and the clip.
In May 2022 Skuadossa collaborates with the two singers N’DY and O.C.A. They record summer music dancing, the title is “Kif”, it’s the moment! which will be released on June 21, 2022 with the music video.
MJ – 200 For Weeks (GUNNA)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Mjmtherapper/
MJ is a rapper currently in Houston, TX. She can be conscious, sexy, and introspective
all in one project. Her voice and flow are not like any current female rapper out right now. MJ most recent single, “DREAMS”, has gone viral with over 16,000 streams on Spotify and over 1,700 views on YouTube. She is steadily building her rise and impact in Hip-Hop.
Igniting this summer is a slow melodic yet tense vibe titled “200 For Weeks (GUNNA)“. Hence the title, MJ was inspired by the trap sound of Gunna. The beat is produced by Sogimura with special thanks to Twonite on the mix. The banging trap type of beat is fronted with vocals detailing the hard work being put into transforming MJ‘s musical dreams into reality. She is a female rapper who will break through by avoiding the norm. The lyrics narrate her struggle to sacrifice and put in work to advance her music. Her voice is soft and smooth, yet filled with tension.
JB Lite – Hello
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realjblite/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/03Qj56XmrbC3dyQ25MSseS?si=N6kIFzOTSZ-J8CwCVGRoWw
JB Lite is a rising hip-hop artist driven by the desire to spread the message that life is a journey that is meant to be enjoyed – we have each been blessed with a short time on this planet, so it is of the utmost importance that we try to embrace each moment, the valleys and the peaks, to maximize love and the experience for all of us.
JB Lite draws inspiration from friends, family, and everyday interactions to infuse playfulness and lite-ness into sharp and witty lyrics, creating a unique brand of hip hop that can’t be placed into a single box. JB Lite, the former attorney, Midwest-born, Carolina-raised, unapologetic member of the tribe, will continue to pour countless hours into his craft with the hope that we all enjoy the ride and smile every day.
HELLO is about the first meeting, that wonderous initial encounter, with a person which ultimately leads to the development of a deeper and more intimate love. While it doesn’t always end in wedding bells, we all know the feeling of being introduced to someone with a simple “Hello” and immediately recognizing the stir within us – an excitement, a lust, a genuine feeling of attraction.
HELLO
highlights the journey of that moment, following the soon-to-be lover to a drink, to dinner, to the dance floor, and to a late night that turns into the early morning. The track not only portrays the initial buzz and moment of flutter in connecting with another person on that deeper wavelength, but it paints the intuition of something deeper and longer lasting.
Kadicentra – I Don’t Have Friends, Only Voice
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/kadicentra
Kayla Miller (born February 7, 1992), known professionally as Kadicentra, is an American singer, lyricist, and producer. Her sound can be described as dark pop and is inspired by her struggles with mental illness.
Kadicentra narrated her story about four days ago when she released her album “Ghostmine”. It’s a lamentation regarding her struggles with Bipolar Disorder Type II of the Schizoeffective variety. This album was therapeutic for her, and she wanted to share it with others who struggle with mental illness. For a long time she has been hiding, but she has decided to bring more awareness and inspire others like her through music. Kadicentra would love for you to listen to it, share it, and write about it.
Le Zar – MOOD (EP)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/le_zer_94/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2Ki7VbEypGhVcAgzffDQaz
Le Zar is an artist originally from Cameroon. Le Zar has been passionate about music and rap since the age of 14. Strongly admiring the French urban rap scene, he was inspired by it to write my first texts. He decided to take his first steps in music at the age of 16. With more maturity and a little more ground cover, he became passionate about new musical genres and today he defines his style as a mixture of influences: Rap, hip-hop, Afro-beat, and Afro-Caribbean sounds.
Le Zar is super happy to present to you his first project, an EP entitled “MOOD“. Richer with 6 titles, this project officially marks the launch of my musical career. He had a lot of fun making it and hopes you will also enjoy discovering it!!
A real painting, the “MOOD” project is nothing but a portrait of me in all its facets. Offering a multitude of artistic possibilities, the opus will take you on board his “ship” from morning until evening. According to my moods and my encounters, he gives you a whole range of feelings between disappointment, love, euphoria, and strolling.
According to his “MOOD“, travel from afro-beat to dancehall passing by trap and rap: musical universes that define me as an emerging artist that he can’t wait to make you discover!
Briana Piedra – It Was Always You
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brianapiedra/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7mATn7Bm2PYG3s0NPvsFkR?si=XcxYYym9RtC4gz8kCJ5-QA&dl_branch=1
Briana Piedra is an American Singer/Songwriter from Portland, OR, currently based in Los Angeles, CA. Briana started off her music career in 2019 when she released her Debut Single “Something To Believe In”, then shortly followed with her electrifying single “No More” in 2020.
After creating a buzz in the PNW, Briana Piedra quickly got to work on a project with the Producer Duo, Yellow Trash Can, moved to LA in early 2021, and hit the ground running with her mesmerizing 5 song EP “Daydream” that came out in July 2021.
Now in 2022, Briana kicked off this year releasing her upbeat Summer Hit Single “CRAVE” in April, and is keeping her momentum going with her New Moody Single released “It Was Always You”.
MerkVonDoomDaWZRD – Ouchie
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sirgentmerk/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2heW8DFcbdptX3LbBhx89H?si=Gflduk6kSvWmuguh5OP8Ng
MerkVonDoomDaWZRD is an artist with a difference and based in the United States. MerkVonDoomDaWZRD’s song “Ouchie” is about focusing on bettering yourself after being through something that might have held you in a state of depression before but you get past it and like life will go on so get up stand strong. MerkVonDoomDaWZRD is looking for promotions and basically to grow his audience.
JJ Viscane – Baby don’t you lie to me
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jjviscane/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3ZjjRoyBtKaQtr3XvQZrhG?si=v2-UhdkTRWGfrPiySgc6Rw
JJ Viscane is an artist based in the United States. JJ Viscane produced the album title: “Baby Don’t You Lie To Me” as his first single after his debut mix-tape (“INFAMOUS”).
This track is a more ethereal and lustful approach as it will be the leading single for JJ Viscane‘s EP “Addicted To Love.” There are two types of music that get newer and older generations love; Hype, consistent head-bopping, energetic music, and heartfelt more pleasing music.
Which of these is your favorite song? Drop a comment below in the comment section.