You don’t have to leave just yet.. Francisco Martin’s latest song, “Passenger Princess,” is a captivating blend of pop production, lively guitar rhythms, and a stirring beat. The artist’s dreamy falsetto takes center stage, and his cool songwriting and addictive chord progression make it even more enjoyable. The addition of numerous horns in the background provides depth to the production, while the keys (some of the with a retro hint) add warmth to the overall sound. With this song, Martin reminds us that there is beauty all around us, waiting to be appreciated. You just need to take a drive with the right person and click the play button.
Can you tell us more about the process of writing “head//heart”?
head//heart happened really quickly. I remember I found the beat first, & instantly fell in love with it, the oaky vocal sample repeating those lyrics did it for me. I came up with the chorus on the spot, and liked the inflictions on my voice. It felt right, with what I was going through at the time, me choosing those words. I had to sit down for the verse though. It was like, 11pm when I started and maybe 1am/2am when I finished the verse. I was realllll careful when I selected certain words as well, not in a safety net sort of context but because I wanted to properly convey my very conflicted thought process.
How has your experiences with mental health influenced your music and creative process?
I draw most, if not all of my creativity on how I’m feeling in real time whenever making music. I don’t know if other artist can relate but I very rarely make something happy when I’m the opposite. Unless a certain sound can pull me in that direction. But on the topic of influences, some of my favourite musicians (Mac Miller, Kendrick Lamar) have used their platform to speak on topics such as mental health, and I can admit, I’ve been depressed & hit brick walls, figuratively. I want to help people with my music the same way other people have helped me with theirs.
Can you share more about the upcoming EP “photodump//exit left”?
The best way for me to describe it would be a snapshot of scattered memories of this one relationship I had that taught me a lot about myself. On the spectrum of toxic masculinity, & vulnerability, I go over that on the project.
Can you talk about the line “dead, I wish I was dead & gone” and what it means to you?
That line is really dark, when I first heard it I think I was so gripped & sold because yeah I talk about mental health a lot but to actually state that you don’t want to be here anymore for your entire audience to hear is a scary thing, but I see it as hopeful, because if you look behind the words you’ll find someone who’s looking & pleading for a reason to hold on, even if it’s just for a little while longer.
How do you see “head//heart” as a step towards bettering yourself and purging old demons?
I actually wrote this song about 3 years ago now! I had to write these songs to understand myself, & to come to terms with my thoughts & actions. So to me, this is me symbolically writing a letter to myself detailing all the things that bother me, everything that is wrong about myself & burning it before it plays on my mind. Old demons have no place in new beginnings.
This song is playing in the background as a black car heads straight down the pitch black alleyway and you stand hidden wondering: Are they gonna flood the big lights on us, or they friendly?
Born and raised in Detroit, New York City based artist Motown Priest makes a strong comeback with his latest single, “Farewell to Welfare.” The track features an effective 2 chord progression and a beautiful acoustic drumbeat with intriguing breaks that give the instrumental a natural feel. Motown Priest delivers a succinct flow, addressing the song’s main question and refrain: “What is the value of a dollar?”.
Get ready to ride the rhythm. Zenodro, the Hispanic artist hailing from New Jersey, has made a comeback with his latest release, “Trainwreck.” The track is filled with punchy lyrics and a consistent melodic riff that occasionally shifts octaves. What sets this song apart is its incorporation of groove switches that seamlessly transition between classic hip-hop/R&B infused beats and 4/4 dance beats, ensuring the listener remains engaged throughout the entire track. This is a track that’s perfect for dancing with anyone, but especially with a feline friend (If you’re curious about the reason why, it’s time to give Zenodro’s debut album a listen).
Can you describe the creative process behind the album “Quincy”?
Almost everything was recorded at a friend’s studio, so I got to really take my time experimenting with arrangements and sounds, and work with some of my best friends. My dog Quincy was by my side through the entire recording process, sometimes leaning against my legs while I tracked vocals.
How did your personal experiences with loss, illness, and recovery shape the content of this album?
I am very inspired by the cycle of nature when it comes to recovery and healing. The natural world is so resilient and adaptable that it’s impossible not to take cues from it when you’re facing down chronic illness and grief. My mom died at 64, while I was recording the album, and her death gave me a sense of urgency and vision around the project. It pushed me to be uncompromising and stay true to my goals.
Can you talk about the significance of the song “Letting Go” and its connection to your mother?
We go to Cape Cod every summer, and every summer for my teen years, I’d have a big fight with my mom. Towards the end of her life, as her illness progressed, I started thinking more about what it would be like to go to the Cape and not have her there to fight with — or even just be with. “Letting Go” holds some of the tension of loving someone and letting them follow their own path.
Do you like the idea of collaborating? Is songwriting a lonely process?
I love collaborating when it comes to recording, but songwriting is a really solo process for me. I’m a slow songwriter and I take my time feeling out melodic lines so they fit my voice perfectly. I love the idea of collaborating on writing in the future, but for now, it’s me on my own.
Favorite music related film?
I love “What Happened, Miss Simone?” as a documentary, and “This is Spinal Tap”
Future plans?
I want to share the songs from Quincy as widely as I can! I’ll be touring all summer and through the fall, and working on new songs from my home studio as well. I’m also writing a book this year — a hybrid memoir on grieving, and I can’t wait to share that with the world in the future.
βλασφημία the action or offence of speaking sacrilegiously about God or sacred things.
Ryan G. Mills spent more than ten years consulting with independent artists across different music genres. Through this experience, he discovered his passion for creating music that fosters community connections by promoting exceptional talent. Ryan Mills Presents achieves this by carefully choosing emerging and established artists for innovative collaborations. The works of these artists are unified around the vision and direction of Ryan Mills Presents, and they include both nationally and internationally recognized talents.
The collaboration between 1st Official’s production and the vocals of Vic Frost, Paranom, and Illogic on the track “Blasphemy” creates a hauntingly dark atmosphere. The diverse flows of each artist add to the track’s intrigue and keep the listener fully engaged. The classic hip hop beat with its heavy subs, provides a strong foundation for the flows to shine. The distorted “Blasphemy” vocal layered in the background adds a level of tension and unease that complements the overall tone of the track.
H2theBizza’s unique sound has been shaped by his upbringing in both India and Washington DC, which exposed him to a diverse range of musical genres and cultures. His music aims to unite people from different backgrounds through the universal language of music.
One example of this can be heard in his track titled “Dooba”, where he seamlessly blends hip hop elements with Bollywood styles. The melancholic melody in the chorus, wrapped in a reggaeton beat, provides a striking contrast to the classic hip hop verses.
Another track, “There For You”, showcases H2theBizza’s musical versatility with a fusion of bluesy guitars, synth sounds and a classic old school flavoured beat mixed with modern trap infused snares. The clean vocals in the chorus add an extra layer of depth, while the rap in the verses drives the song forward. Overall, H2theBizza’s music is a testament to the power of cross-cultural collaboration and the magic that can happen when diverse musical styles come together.
Capturing the dichotomy of knowing ones potential and being trapped by the short changing expectations of others, “Run It Up” is a powerful encapsulation of life under modern society. Similar to the nail biting tension of living under the gun, the lyrical prowess is a stark reminder not to ever underestimate the downtrodden. The first single off the debut album by Bex & Bright showcases their emotional and melodic range offset by the featured rapper 1L1L’s knife’s edge seething delivery. The track infuses drilling percussion, thundering bass, and haunting choral elements.
Next on the list, “My Style”, where Infectious Philadelphia emcee GradedAxe joins the incomparable production duo Bex & Bright to deliver another instant classic. GradedAxe pairs a truly impressive vocal performance with one of the hard-hitting ethereal beats that Bex & Bright have become known for. This track is a true earworm and one that you will want to have playing on repeat.
Lots of fun , lackadaisical energy coming from the get-go. Lyrics are pretty simple. It’s a young man giving warning to another that if he doesn’t treat his woman right the narrator will snatch up his boo-boo bear for his own.
Blaize Infinger (grimeykenneth) is a 22 year old Alt-Rap act out of Austin, TX. He started making music about 2 years ago and have committed to it through and through. In 2020, when the pandemic hit, he transferred from playing football at D-2 in Texas, to a private trade school for audio engineering so he could hold the means to creating his music and content. Ultimately, his main goal is not just to be a musician, but an entertainer with widely varying work.
Rising R&B talent Milla Thyme positions himself for commercial success with the release of his single “Exaltation”.
The single is described as a “sonic journey into the transformations I have undergone in my own personal life” says Thyme. Exhibiting his ability to note an intersection amongst genres, Thyme is venturing deep into the synthesized soundscapes to create a new sound that effortlessly blends his hip-hop, electronic and gospel roots. The song opens with sultry female vocals repeating “Exaltation” and a groovy beat to quickly get listeners in the R&B headspace. Immediately upon the song’s opening, one can hear the fusion of hip-hop, electronic, and gospel elements – a dash of bass, guitar, chords, synthesizer, oohs and ahhs, and an irresistible groove. Thyme’s rapping could not be crisper, with excellent timing, lyrics about transformational freedom and the self, and a tone that feels powerful yet simultaneously meditative. Further representing his ability to work cross-genres, Thyme makes his listeners feel motivated yet completely calmed with the various musical elements incorporated into the new single. The paradox of sensations from the track makes it all the more addicting to hit the replay button.
Milla Thyme is a true devout artist building on the foundations set before him and fearlessly molding it to the present day and time. Born and raised in Toronto, based out of Montreal, Milla Thyme’s artistry is unique and, on a technical level, irreplaceable. By intertwining his skills as a rapper, bassist and producer/composer, he has set the stage for himself as a socially conscious rapper and proficient musician who has earned critical praise amongst his peers and across Canada.
Being influenced by so many different genres, musicians and artists, Thyme prides himself of blending Hip-Hop, Neo-Soul, and Jazz into his craft. His songwriting and well-crafted verses speak to the experiences we all go through, making it easily accessible and universal. He looks to the iconic influential musicians like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and Miles Davis, to be inspired to push boundaries and make music that will stand the test of time.
For this track, Thyme teamed up with Vancouver based, Grammy and Juno nominated keyboardist/producer Jonny Tobin. Over the last few years Jonny Tobin has established himself as one of the most sought after producers in Canada, working with artists such as D-Smoke (LA), Sarah Kang (NYC), and Jonny Burgos. With their two talents combined, “Exaltation” feels like as much a promise from the rising star to outdo himself as it does declare him a presence of evolving R&B music.
HipHop Paranoia 