TOP Artists of the Week – Series 11

Hi Everyone

Here is another Week of the MONTH of November 2022, we are presenting our Top Artists of the Week Series 11 for your entertainment and fun. There are lessons to learn from each other as you look and listen to one another’s tracks. The selections are simply 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 recordings 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 11

 

Nastenn – Inside

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nastennworld/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/31rtmhevsyzvwjqrrunlmaowqnfy?si=e1a7a815b9064ab0

Nastenn (formerly known as Makavelik Yeahz) is a musical artist born in Kinshasa. Of Congolese origin on his mother’s side and Angolan Congolese on his father’s side, he has bathed all his childhood in a universe where music and dance were highly valued.

Family reunions are often an opportunity for him to share his singing talents. At the age of 10, Nastenn left to live in France. At the time, the musical environment already speaks to him. His inspirations? 2pac, Dr Dre, Nate Dogg, Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, and many other rappers and American singers.

He is so passionate about hip-hop, R&B, pop, and soul culture that he embraces a career as a New Style dancer. Bold and pushed by the unshakeable thirst to be impregnated with more musicality, Nastenn settles for a few years in the United States. There, he broadens his horizons, meets artists from all over the world, and fully realizes his passions: dance, singing, and rap. Always curious and a globetrotter at heart, he stopped in many countries to learn about other artistic cultures.

London, Budapest, Spain, and Italy were among the many places he visited. Back in France and rich in all his experiences, he starts to compose MAO and to write a new project. In the meantime, he participates in numerous springboards and collaborates with other independent artists. Today, focused on his solo career and navigating between an urban pop style and his hip-hop, R&B, and soul influences, he released “Inside“, the first single in July 2022, and other singles during the year. Nastenn will release his album “NOW I KNOW” by the year 2023.

Bold and driven by an unwavering thirst to immerse himself in more musicality, Nastenn moved to the United States for a few years. There, he broadened his horizons, met artists from all over the world, and fully realized his passions: dance, singing, and rap. Always curious and a globetrotter at heart, he stopped in many countries to learn about other artistic cultures. London, Budapest, Spain, and Italy were among the many places he visited.

NASTENN’s s music is a mixture of rap, R&B, pop, soul, and others, inspired by Afro-American music as much by the sounds as the writings. As he says so well: “When I first listened to Tupac, that language spoke to me so naturally that I started to listen and write “. In parallel to his artistic activities, NASTENN is a businessman of a company of cleaning and associated services. He is also president of a neighborhood youth association for over 10 years.

 

V Of 4OM – Way Back

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vof40m/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7t9VqTuCZAn19CBRAW8YKr

V Of 4OM is an artist based in the USA. V Of 4OM is Hip-Hop’s first “Revolutionary Rap” artist. V Of 4OM came, he saw and he conquered it all with his no-nonsense lyrical approach that spins around in his tracks painted with some wheels of impression; as he waves and overtakes at high-speed leaving spectators in awe of his adrenaline-raising performances.

Based in Grifton, NC, V of 40M are a revolutionary artist and activist spreading powerful and lyrically potent messages through the universal language of Music. He has got it all from his authoritatively impressive vocal tones that make their way uninhabited through the exploding hip-hop and trap beats, cutting through with vigor like some hot knife through butter.

His music journey has been nothing short of aspiring with his debut single “No Church on Sunday” amassing nearly a million streams along with countless features and cosigns. His follow-ups “The Inferno”, “Way Back” and “Welcome” added to that impressive and have gone ahead to stamp his status as genuine superstardom that will reign supreme for the years to come.

“Way Back (Warning)” produced by Saint Cardona is a lyrical gem, “First U came to get a taste of (uh)…Exchanged and we traded (what)…Then U came and invaded (huh)…Whips, chains, and enslavement (Yup)! With its whooping flawless style that bangs with quality and sweeps a listener off of their feet with the danceable anthem that follows from the Intro all the way to the Outro!

V of 40M did not come to play and his no-holds-barred lyrical approach demands a listener’s attention as he waves and slithers through the blazing heavy bass and atmospheric beat synths that are speaker-thumping, he possesses a high-confident and deep voice reminiscent of rap legend Pop Smoke’s own voice and he also showcases a wide vocal range switching his voice and flows intermittently like some musical god. The beats are fire and each time you listen you catch a vibe from the slapping highway expression and the catchy and memorable hooks delivered in intricate fashion by V of 40M giving this track a timeless feel.

The track has so far garnered over 47. 2 K streams and more than 1.8 K listeners have made their feelings known by liking the track and as a sign of approval to its certified status. He is just getting started and in fact, he has barely scratched the exterior. Wait until he releases his upcoming projects and it is then you will get to know what he is made of! Follow the attached link to vibe to “Way Back” which will take you back with its southern nostalgic melody that has been stylistically and intentionally incorporated to give it its unpredictable nature! How about that?

 

ADST Music – New Horizon

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adst.music/

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/vof40m/

ADST Music is an artist based in the USA. ADST Music’s release “New Horizon” feat. R&B Songstress Devin Messina. “New Horizon” is a soulful lace track about growth and maturity.

Indeed, Hip Hop has always been a genre that is about letting your talent speak. A culture that is unapologetic in its aggression of wanting its artists, to be bold in their pursuit to let their bars do the work. In a time where that can be lost in gimmicks and antics, it’s always refreshing to hear a master class of lyricism that embodies everything that made Hip Hop a global phenomenon. ADST Music puts on in every way on her new song “New Horizon”.

 

Chop 3 – Roll Up

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chop3music/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/13t50fhI2n7GRgED2onkOB

Chop 3 is an artist based in the USA. Chop 3 is a Talladega native with southern slang that just simply can’t be denied. He brings an aggressive southern player-listic type flow to the game.

His context of music consists of hustling and getting money. He started rapping at age 14 after being influenced by groups such as Outcast, 8-Ball & MJG, UGK, Tupac, Biggie just to name a few.

After graduating from high school to take it a step further he began attending Alabama State University to study Recording Technology where he developed a skill for recording and mixing.

In 2016 Chop 3 won a radio contest with his single “Clap For Me” and landed him a seat at the #BETAwards giving him a fist hand insight into the Industry. Chop 3 has opened for big names such as Young Jeezy, Yo Gotti, Trill Fam, and more.

“Roll Up” is Chop 3 which brings a relaxing/melodic sound like no other!

 

Jacquan Beck – Open Up

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Jacquanbeck/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6oJ1aM5e0YAjlt9NcDgOFz?si=1w9I6qQqQv6IafvCFMSK8w

Jacquan Beck is an artist based in the USA. Jacquan Beck is seriously looking to get more exposure on his new single.

Honestly, something that can’t be denied in music is a song with the right vibes. Those infectious records have the right sound, accompanied by the perfect words, and a great presence to the vocals that let you buy into the music, as well as the person behind it. That experience always makes for something exciting worth coming back to enjoy the thrill of it all and Jacquan Beck delivers that for the world on a silver platter with his new must-hear record “Open Up”.

 

No1r – Rockstar

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/no1r_official/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2IFZiqMbmN8jZYhBaUmjye?si=r5h7ntBaS6SERlc4TjvNuA

No1r is an artist based in the USA. No1r’s track deserves to be found by others so easily.  You can help make that happen.

Ideally, one of the best things to hear in music is a vision coming to life. Those songs that you hear and picture the music the way it should be heard best, as you get lost in the sound. That’s one of the many reasons music has long been the soundtrack for our lives, as it finds an occasion for us to play it, and with this new record from No1r called “Rockstar” you know it will have clubs everywhere going crazy.

 

Zoe – Intrinsic

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Officialzoe_s/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6m15QmrtAaPmTlk3HhVtMW?si=BUPp40s2ReWeI__tnnkT8Q

Zoe is an artist based in the USA. Zoe is a Melodic rapper & songwriter.

Indeed, music has reached a point where it’s no longer so much about the music just sounds good, but it must contain a certain quality that makes you feel the music. Getting an experience from the artist slows down time for you to only focus on the work you’re hearing and getting lost in it all as it all takes form majorly to make fans of us all. That type of music is what shines from Zoe on his brand new project “Intrinsic”.

This new release “Intrinsic” got a melodic rap style that you’d like! Let me know what you think!

 

Sani Knight – Ivy

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sani.knight/?hl=en

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3RomO7NMGNE6Zbmm7ZUxAW?si=wMtgvS7qSwSv0uarvzBmJQ

Sani Knight is an artist based in the USA. Sani Knight got a heartbroken experience and wanted to put his feelings into a song and this is what came up with. the song titled – “Ivy”. It is about wanting someone so bad that it doesn’t matter how bad they are for you, like poison.

So, when writing about music to described something, it can be a grind coming up with the right words, to describe the music but then there are some releases that, inspire you to write so freely that it truly writes itself. That type of music doesn’t always come across often, but when it does it makes things that much more enjoyable to be a part of, and that’s the case for this new must-hear song from Sani Knight on the new song “Ivy”.

 

Hope2yu – Stay

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hope2yu/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7GXnclGvctq7Dwyu5wN0Xm?si=ypWe7TgNSRWOqy6Nf9lPwg

Hope2yu is a talented Tokyo artist that has done it all, from supporting independent musicians to working with ringtones. As a student in a graphic design school, she would use her skills to help promote DJ’s, bands, and theatrical companies.

It was during that period that she also began venturing into her production skills, teaching herself how to make music as well as graphic designs. Soon after, her promising skills would lead her to become a ringtone converter at a mobile company.

Hope2yu would begin to hear different types of music each day, whilst also participating in local music competitions. Her debut single ‘| B | _ Forest – Remix’ was released in 2021; since then, she’s been working on making her own blend of Pop, R&B, and Alternative R&B to impress music fans everywhere. She hopes to increase awareness with ‘RAIN’ and with such an addictive sound, there is a lot more recognition coming her way.

Hope2yu supported independent musicians, such as DJs, bands, theatrical companies, and students when she was a student at a graphic design school in Tokyo. During that period, she started programming music by self-taught. After she got some skills, she worked for a mobile content company as a ringtone converter. At that time, she listened to various music genres as it was one of her jobs. On the other hand, she also participated in competitions for mainstream artists. She had visited New York for a while to get a global perspective on music. She resumes music activities in 2021.

Hope2yu tells us that this song acknowledges the difficulties, or “rain”, in relationships and chooses to move through it with positivity, an admirable approach from the artist. This track is the spirited sister of Hope2yu‘s track titled “STAY”, a rawer track that sticks to Hope2yu‘s usual style. Both of these were composed and mixed on Logic Pro by Hope2yu and showcase the best of her skills as a musical all-rounder.

 

Scrapp – Sack

Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/1ysXpSDiPmuXSd2W9

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/75rw2PPo9Znzv4ofoYyGb8?si=XlWEMHrRTwCqx4-nAA_uoA

Scrapp is an artist based in the USA. Scrapp brings an emotional art piece you can get lost in on the new song “Sack”. The emotion of the record resonates to a high level as each element brings the feels majorly. The writing has the right level of intimacy you can feel, as the writing takes on the toxic pattern of a partner that we all can relate to. The vocal performance is masterful in its tone to bring it to life, this creative production adds a nice touch of innovation to the approach that marvels.

 

Daylite – Drunken Master

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/daylite__/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/092Ww7DinSDl0jbhQbzJHe?si=eZADex6QRX-VFQHfqTPGnA

Daylite is an artist based in the USA. Daylite is a California native and independent rap artist. Worked as a hip-hop educator for youth in the San Fransisco Bay Area teaching positivity and art through songwriting.

Daylite is also a Black Belt and Tea Kwon Do teacher. Daylite is equally an anime-loving, spiritual hyphy Queen pushing a brand new song. Reach out to me for networking!

Daylite is an unsigned Femcee from California. As an independent artist she regularly does paid gigs, and has put out two albums, multiple singles, and music videos,and I am simply here to get my music to the next level and create a great network and relationships.

Just dropped a song called “Drunken Master” on 11/11/22 on all platforms. It’s professionally mastered, Daylite owns all the rights, and there is no cussing in the lyrics. The song is a fun catchy rap song that reflects being a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do and a hip-hop head.

 

Arce I – Times Of War

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arceirootz/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4JWOxsaawS2iZUwrHhvDnU?si=R60ePkEUTG6LRpxqoPGoYA

Arce I is an artist based in the USA. Arce I is a reggae specialist.

This Song titled – “Times Of War” expresses the symbolism of Spiritual warfare and Overcoming dark times. Arce I’s goal is to impact the consumer in a positive way and shed love and light!

 

Cmfrt – Facelift (feat. Jay Coast)

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/david__joseph/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2gUu92KRZVkUDSFZSAy1vH?si=d5v0qBK1QUSpexu1Pzl_Jg

CMFRT is an artist based in the USA. During his recent interview, CMFRT said that the melody is a flipped sample titled “Tardema” by the Rias Orchestra. Jaheem had created the first part of the beat, and when he sent the beat, he mixed it down, added a different 808, and thought it would be dope to add a more chopped and screwed section to the beat to give it more flavor.

We originally called the beat “hurt”. After that he happened to be with Jay Coast (the vocalist) one day, he asked me to show him some beats, and hurt came up! He laid down the first section of the track at his crib, which is how “Facelift” came to be. We went to a studio in St. Louis to get a professional recording/mix and that’s when he did the rest!

During the interview, he was asked “What has been a favorite memory of yours so far as an artist”?

CMFRT responded by saying – Everyone involved has definitely been being semi-finalists in the International Music Video Awards, but personally, my favorite memory so far has been performing. It’s an exhilarating feeling to be up on stage, something that you can’t really replicate. 

 

Brody – HONESTLY

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gi.brody/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4iiYJFtfrvcuh2gNZwczMu?si=Fdtr8o6ySNmDpsenSNud5w

Brody is an independent artist from Fort Worth, Texas. Founder and Owner of Good Intentions Entertainment. Brody’s music is known for its energetic and dance-worthy vibes, crooning hooks, coupled with quick and snappy lyrical delivery, in verses, make for a wild ride on every song.

When it comes down to making the songs, Brody takes a composition that he is really connecting with and starts to just go off the top, throwing what sounds good to him into the music with power.

Depending on what the ideas are in the editing process, these songs come out anywhere between 2 weeks to 5 months apart, just to make sure everything sounds the absolute best it possibly can. At the end of the day…it’s really what you feel in your gut versus whatever your head tries to tell you after. Your gut decision is usually the best one, and the one you should stay on. That’s the one that just might take you the furthest.

“HONESTLY”, the title track to an upcoming album by Brody, is a chill song with a dope groove. In this track, you’ll see Brody expanding his sound in a unique, never-before-seen way. Growing up, Brody learned to play the guitar, and for the first time, he is putting it on display for everyone to hear.

 

SERVAN – MANIFESTO

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/servanheyderi/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6f5bThjRdWnQONLbA7Ne8u?si=3sJ8yJF7RN2uKVmQrgyuxg

SERVAN is an artist based in German.  SERVAN is a Conscious Hip-Hop Lyricist Composer of Revolutionary.

As the title suggests, his song “MANIFESTO” is his musical and lyrical manifest, which expresses his worldview to his audience as well as his socialization conditions. It has introduced him as an artist.

The music video was filmed in his home town Leverkusen, the place where he grew up. It shows the different aspects of his life. In other words: It’s not just one song in a million, it’s a piece of art. It’s real HIP-HOP like back in the day. Conscious, honest, real & revolutionary.

 

Which is your favorite song? Drop a comment below in the comment section