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TOP Artists of the Week – Series 4
Sep
Hi Everyone
Here is another Week of the MONTH of September 2022, we are presenting our Top Artists of the Week Series 4 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 4
Chubb Rock – Grown And Sexy (G.A.S)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chubblive/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4dVRITwfej74WkmNpgYVPb
Chubb Rock (Richard Simpson) is a Brooklyn, New York-based legendary hip hop artist/radio host who released several successful hip hop albums in the early 1990s. He was discovered and produced by his first cousin DJ / Producer Howie Tee.
The Brooklyn-born native, now an Atlanta-based, artist/radio host teamed up with his longtime friend producer Kwame “NY DJ Success” Harris to give “Grown and Sexy (G.A.S.)” energy that is New York City authentic.
Chubb Rock first appeared on the national scene with his 1988 self-titled debut Chubb Rock and 1989’s And the Winner is. His 1990 release entitled The One reached No. 13 on Billboard’s Top Hip-Hop/R&B chart for that year. Three singles from that release, “Treat ‘Em Right”, “Just The Two of Us” and “The Chubbster”, made it to No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Rap Singles chart list for the same year.
The following year saw the release of I Gotta Get Mine, Yo, a release that featured guest performances from Grand Puba Maxwell and Poke. This release also helped fledgling music producers Trackmasters, on their rise to prominence, as the group handled production duties on the recording.
Chubb Rock also made an appearance on MC Serch’s 1992 song “Back to the Grill.” and was a member of the 1995 incarnation of the Crooklyn Dodgers, a hip hop act that also featured OC and Jeru the Damaja.
In 2008, his single “Treat ’em Right” was ranked number 82 on VH1’s 100 Greatest Songs of Hip Hop. Chubb Rock also released “Obama We Believe” in support of President Obama. Chubb Rock moved to Atlanta and had a radio show with Silas “SiMan” Alexander on Atlanta’s Majic 107.5/97.5 before leaving the station to start his current radio programs called The Chubb Rock Show with SiMan Baby and Diggin’ In Tha Crates. Outside of his radio shows, the Chubbster continues to tour and book shows nationwide keeping the people dancing and Treating ‘Em Right with nothing but classic hits.
Chubb Rock effortlessly paints images of the New York Hip Hop club scene, his lyricism and graceful wordplay cataloging the art form’s early 90’s explosion into the New York City nightlife. “Grown and Sexy (G.A.S.)”‘s bump, party vibe, and catchy hook set the soundstage as the Treat ‘Em Right emcee itemizes the era’s street style, choice venues, whips, and shopping strips.
MndIII – Tuesday Night
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mndmusic111/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2quLrFbwUD8lrBcKW6BCru?si=d2B9z5WJQDa5sM98VlEREQ
Mnd111 is an artist based in the United States. Mnd111 is an Atlanta musician, 19 years old. Mnd111 living in the present doesn’t sound that hard, but that’s a Journey itself in the beginning.
The enormous realization that you haven’t been TRULY living in the present is almost like a tsunami breaking through the shoreline and flooding the whole city. It’s so suffocating, overwhelming, and somewhat too much to handle.
But at the same time, it’s such a wonderful, freeing, and life-changing feeling. Sometimes he still gets too caught up with the games of life and realizes he hasn’t been truly present for weeks or even months. Just take a step back, breath, and spend a few days exploring your own brain and reality. It’ll be okay:) the realization alone brings you back.
“Tuesday night” is whatever style or genre you make it, he enjoyed every minute of recording this and he hopes you enjoy it too.
Fikion – Ghost
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/officialfiktion/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2TaELsE9PCv9wzMAlZnTxZ?si=NGh0tfjdTNCv8bSdQi2X5w
Fikion is a Hip hop artist from Alberta, Canada. Blend of boom bap and more current vibes.
This track is an ode to my muse, a woman I was in a long-distance relationship with for three years, and friends online for over 20 years. She was there for me through a debilitating fentanyl addiction, helped me get clean, then .. poof. Enough was enough. Gone like a “ghost”. Still haunts me, to this day.
Grabbz – Toonies Loonies
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Gra.bbz/
Grabbz is a Hip-hop/Rap artist from Canada. StompRite Or Don’t Stomp At All. Donovan “Grabbz” Campbell (born June 4, 1984) is a Toronto entrepreneur/Songwriter/Artist who released his debut single “Nasty” on January 5th, 2022. “Nasty” got Grabbz over 18k streams & over 1.3k followers on Spotify in his first month and was rated an 8.2 out of 10 on Reverb Nations crowd review.
“Nasty” has a short, direct, straight, cadenced and would be considered strong Hip-Hop, with heavy arrangements, perfectly combined with Grabbz‘s super bass tone. Lyrically, Grabbz invites listeners to try to discover a little of his personality, with light nuances in his lyrics.
Grabbz passion extends further than his music. Before rapping he’s been the owner of a popular Grabba company in Canada, Hotgrabbz. He opened his business in 2014 and has been focused on growing its brand ever since. Now he’s decided to expand his endeavors and make great music as well.
“Toonies & Loonies” are commonly known across Canada as a form of currency equating to a single dollar and two dollars – a Loonie and a Toonie. If you thought about Looney Tunes go on and get your jokes in now, because most Canadians have heard most of them at least in some capacity. So to some degree, it’s an ode to Canada as a whole. Paying homage to his home gives the track a vibe that *cannot be duplicated.
Beyond The Midwest – Rings of Saturn
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beyondthemidwest/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2vcnz5wJqlu1e7ZQXUZ7P9?si=_jjTjaEqRm-N3x55c5H5Vw
Beyond The Midwest is a musical artist based in the United States. Beyond The Midwest is just trying to make music to talk about his experiences outside the Midwest.
“Rings of Saturn” is Beyond the Midwest’s 20th published single. This song was produced, written, and recorded the day after being let go from work. Recorded on the floor of his closet, and showcased his 3rd song to be mixed by himself.
The song focuses on remembering your worth but the songs are made to connect people with his artwork which holds deeper meanings and messages. From hidden messages on the top of the head to visual depictions of how the job was “cut-throat”.
Using the iconic northern star seen in many of his art pieces as a reference to his song “END OF THE WORLD” which symbolizes hope to keep pushing forward through hard times. The song also received an Instagram filter of the robotic head showcasing his modeling skills. and animation skills, while featuring his best friend in Georgia to collaborate on the texturing portion and making the filter possible.
As always thank you for listening, to the life journey Beyond the Midwest.
Alicia DelMarie – Supergirl
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Alicia_delmarie/
Alicia DelMarie is an artist based in the United States. Alicia DelMarie is a combination sound of Jazz, R&B/Soul, and Hip-Hop. Looking to motivate and spread positivity.
Honestly, when people are coming to music they are coming for a vibe. Something that makes the music connect beyond the sound, but something that fits a certain feel that will keep you coming back. Especially if a song just has that vibe that makes it feel good to hear, it’s surely something that has real value, and Alicia DelMarie has one of those jams on the new song “Supergirl”.
Spirit Bear – Schitzo Mode
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Spiritbear100kg/
Spirit Bear is an artist based in Canada. Spirit Bear is really an up-and-coming hip-hop artist from Ottawa, Canada.
This single track, “Schitzo Mode”, is from an unreleased EP coming out soon called iLL Mentally. He addresses his experiences and struggles with mental health throughout the album. Especially his experiences with the very institutions meant to support those struggling with mental health.
This is his third project following his albums Sensory Overload and Spirit Bear Presents: Chronicles 2020. The song was produced by Nagster Ellazim from London, UK, and Sarju Jagai at the Cave Recording Studio in Ottawa, Canada. It features the artist Roblay from Worcester, Massachusetts.
205.Ghee – Say The Same Thing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/205.Ghee/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2Wlfqzeyxq5uqaUsT1VUFa?si=fBxu_LACQDSUPaaTaY099w
205.Ghee is an artist based in the United States. 205.Ghee is a stage name. His real name real is Christian, and 19-year-old Hip-Hop/Pop Music maker from Dallas, Texas.
205.Ghee is a classically trained jazz and classical singer. 205.Ghee studied under Diane Mcnarron for 10 years and has plenty of stage experience and hopes to share his unique sound and image with the world!
Actually, getting someone to enjoy your music is always a task for any artist. Putting out your own original sound for people to take in and see if they enjoy it. The only thing tougher than that is getting people to enjoy your own cover of someone’s music. Especially if you’re covering a big record, that people all over are familiar with and love. To exceed in that you truly have to knock the song out of the park, and 205.Ghee does just that on the new release “Say The Same Thing”.
Jada Denise – UnWorthy
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Theylovvejada/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2T7uPKYOl88xQGaMxp0ZKT
Jada Denise is an artist based in the United States. Jada Denise is an 18-year-old unsigned R&B/Pop Singer.
The song he is pitching today is entitled “UnWorthy” written by Dray Skky and Julius Singletary. The song will remind you of the ’90s when artists like Aaliyah, Brandy, and Monica were very young boy’s crushes and every young girl’s aspiration.
This is that girl. Hopefully, you like what you hear and will provide feedback as well as help promote my song and me as an upcoming artist.
Leila – Masquerade of Paradise
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leilamillon/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4cbHyL5gr0KTI14h15XtjU
Leïla is a French-Canadian singer living in Paris. She studied singing since her childhood, first at the Conservatoire de Paris and then at the UQAM (Université du Québec à Montréal), in classical and pop singing.
Leïla oscillates between Paris and Montreal for her musical career and has developed an entrepreneurial side over the years, as she performs and is part of the programming team of La Mazane; a cultural café in the center of Paris.
Leïla spends a lot of time in this artistic place, through open mic and events, Leïla is working actively on her music, in order to submerge us again in her singular universe.
Leïla is a two-piece person and here is how she described it: “These two pieces are two parts of me, two aspects of my personality. The double Leïla – The philosopher and the funny one. On the one hand, “Masquerade of Paradise“, a more philosophical piece, more thought out, on the existential questions that work for me on The song, therefore, invites the freedom to think for oneself and to be who one is, to be authentic. It is a more intense, more emotional song, which speaks directly to my soul. Love story it’s lighter, it’s funnier, I wrote it while having fun. I try to make fun of my own love stories, while not going into a satire either. But it’s a love story that isn’t really one, it remains vague and ambiguous because you can see from the start that there is something wrong. I want to, I don’t want to… It’s all me. But in the end, I believe it’s mostly a love affair with myself.”
Which is your favorite song? Drop a comment below in the comment section