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19-year-old King Jay is versatile with the music he crafts. Hailing from Columbus, Ohio, the ability to write music and his general love for the art stemmed from within him at a young age. Being greatly encouraged by his friends, King Jay began using music as his therapy when he was surrounded by gang activity in the neighborhood he lived in. Through the trials and tribulations that life brought him, that act of being in the studio gave him gratitude and hope for a better tomorrow. Enlisting the talents of Zaetacion on his most recent single, “Can’t Live Without You,” King Jay radiates his melodic charisma over mid-tempo instrumentation sure to get you tapping your fingers to the beat. Weaving in and out of his verses with an unmatched swagger, the lyrical content tiptoes on the line of love and healing narratives. The reverberated chambers that King Jay’s vocals reside in allow the effect of his words to linger on your mind and simmer in your thoughts as emotion is surfaced. As the enticing musical elements progress, you get swept into the slick cadences that effortlessly flow in a therapeutic manner. Combining the skills of both King Jay and Zaetacion on “Can’t Live Without You,” we hear just how malleable the techniques of King Jay truly remain. As Zaetacion delivers a blatant verse with precision, King Jay swoops in with his unbothered persona as he drips his authenticity through the lyricism conveyed, both creating a dynamic universe to feast upon. Destined to elevate through his craft and as an individual, King Jay holds the goal of instilling faith in those listening dear to his heart. Looking forward to his next series of moves, we’ll happily play “Can’t Live Without You,” on repeat. Listen to "Can't Live Without You" here. Welcome to BuzzMusic, King Jay, and congratulations on the release of “Can’t Live Without You.” What inspired you to take this approach in the track's meaning? Was there influence from a specific moment or story? “Can’t Live Without You” was inspired by a special girl who came into my life. She made me feel like I could be myself always and I loved her. But as you can hear in the song, she ended up moving away suddenly and I’m just telling the audience how I felt when she left and putting my emotions into the track of how I truly miss her & her vibe. I was deeply scarred for a while and I felt as if I couldn’t live the same without her. What was it like working with Zaetacion to bring this vision to life? How did the two of you link up to collaborate? Working with Zaetacion is lit and always productive. He made the song balanced and smooth with a more hip-hop approach with his verse. We both have had the same situations leading to heartbreak so he understands and was a big factor in bringing my vision for the song more life. We both always keep in contact so one day I asked him could he relate to a song I sang acapella over the beat and he liked it and asked if I had an open verse available. we linked at the recording studio he had his verse he showed me and I liked how he talked about his past relationship situation through the hip-hop rapping flow. Could you please share a glimpse into what the creative and recording process looked like for “Can’t Live Without You?" We linked at the recording studio he had his verse he showed me and I liked how he talked about his past relationship situation through the hip hop rapping flow. When I made my verse I took some things that I wrote and also I freestyled some things because I wanted to make the song neat and put my emotions I felt at that moment of me recording in there. I have a unique sound and I wanted to use that to make the song as good and different as possible. What are you hoping that your audience takes away from the song's meaning? I hope the audience can listen and understand the feeling of not being able to let go of the one special person in their lives. And how if you were in the situation where your special someone was leaving out your life the emotions you feel can be overwhelming. But despite all the negative emotions that come with your heartbreak never give in to despair because you will find love again one day. I also want them to know it’s okay to let your emotions out and if you truly love someone always speak from the heart when you talk to them. What's next for you? I will continue to make music and get better and elevate to be noticed worldwide and spread the message to always strive for your goals and be you. Tune in to me I will also continue to drop more songs and work towards my vision and dream of being one of the greatest. Thank you.

Coming in from Switzerland, the alternative-pop group Rooftop Heroes release an endearing and appreciative single with their latest release entitled "Brother." From composing modern pop tunes on the rooftop in the summer's heat to forming their alt-pop band, Rooftop Heroes have since released their debut single, "Emotions," in 2020 and saw thousands of streams on various platforms. Now ready to conquer not only Switzerland but the world, it's without a doubt that Rooftop Heroes will soon do so. Now gearing up to release their sophomore studio album later this year, Rooftop Heroes introduces us to the project through its second released single, "Brother." While the song touches on the brotherly relationship between Mike and Dani of Rooftop Heroes, the song also expands on their deeply emotional and life-long connection. Produced by award-winning producer Kiko Masbaum, "Brother" begins with warm electronic keys and lead singer Mike's breathy and bright vocals. While the sonics start to expand with the ticking of a clock, the beat drops into this powerful and exhilarating sonic atmosphere through the band's smashing drum breaks, plucky basslines, and lush acoustic guitar melodies. Expanding on Mike's lyricism, he pays tribute to his near and dear brother while leaving us with appreciative words like "I wish I could find some better lines to tell you that you're my hero, see, everyone's adoring you, even though you don't believe me, it's true." We can't help but hear upbeat and energetic similarities to bands like Imagine Dragons and The Script, as Rooftop Heroes lead us towards the song's end with boundless life, passion, and enthusiasm. Get to know the Swiss alt-pop quartet Rooftop Heroes with help from their latest single, "Brother," and don't miss the band's forthcoming sophomore album later this year. We genuinely admire the appreciative and endearing theme you've delivered within your latest single, "Brother," thank you for joining us at BuzzMusic Rooftop Heros. What inspired your group to write such an uplifting tribute to a sibling? I have had the idea to write an anthem for my brother Daniel, who's also in the band, just to thank him for spending his whole life with me. And to say "thank you" for these moments, when I really was in serious trouble and he was there supporting me unconditionally. So this should be an anthem for all brothers and best friends! It's very important to say "thank you", especially these days. Could you break down the members within your group and how you created the passionate single, "Brother?" What does your band's creative process usually look like? There are the following band members: Mike, lead singer & guitarist Daniel, bassist & back vocals Simon, lead guitarist & back vocals Samuel, drummer & back vocals Usually, we plan writing sessions with the whole band (and sometimes with the producer as well). Everybody in the band brings his ideas with him and then we discuss several ideas first. In most cases, there are melodies and just general topics first. Mostly, there are about 15-20 different ideas and we then discuss which one's the best. As soon as we have chosen one, we start with the hook line. This usually takes a lot of time then until we are happy with it. With "Brother", there was this line "you're my brother and we back one another" and some parts of the melody, but not the hook line itself. Together with Kiko, our producer, we then sang the line until we had this one signature melody. Creating the rest of the song went quite fast afterward, as everyone had his instrumentals to do and Kiko chose out of a bunch of tracks, which ones work together. Who wrote the lyricism for "Brother?" Was it an easy process to place your thoughts and feelings towards your brother onto paper? This was my part. I am usually writing the lyrics for a song together with my songwriting mate Lilly Martin. It was really hard this time due to the fact, that it is a very personal and emotional topic and I really wanted to use the right words in every single line. I mean, it's for my brother, who at the same time is one of my best friends. Could you give our readers any hints or news regarding your forthcoming sophomore album? How does "Brother" fit into the overall project and its concept? We really want to come up with some topics, which are very emotional and personal for us. So "Brother" is the first hit on it and will be followed by several singles before the album. The upcoming album will be completely produced by Kiko Masbaum. As well as it will be the first album with our new guitarist Simon. So it will sound different from the first one, with incredibly cool guitar riffs and more modern sounds in general. Instagram Facebook

At just 19 years old, Jack Arbor is an emerging alternative hip-hop/anti-pop artist hailing from Louisville, Kentucky. Inspired by genre-defying talents such as Aries, Elroy, Zac Greer, Ericdoa, and Brakence, Jack Arbor aims to keep his lyrics truthful, his production energetic, and his inspiration limitless. Traditionally being named Valedictorian of his high school class, he spent just one year at the nation’s top public university before his family encountered financial hardship, crushing his dreams of pursuing academia. While unfortunate, Jack Arbor sees this hardship as a wake-up call to rewrite his future and to chase what he is truly passionate about. Enlisting the talents of Triple B to fulfill a dynamic essence in his latest single, “GOON,” Jack Arbor flexes his charismatic persona as he dives into melodic verses that infiltrate your mindset. The effervescent energy that is captured through well-rounded instrumentation brightly hones in on high and low frequencies, portraying a rhythmic vigor on the alternative scales that pulse through your speakers. Jack Arbor harmoniously raps his intricate lyrics as the spectrum we are exposed to one that radiates in an authentic realm. Exposing his audience to an overflowing bout of passion that is deliberately placed in his rhyme schemes, the buttery tones that are expressed have us saturated in everything he stands for as an individual and artist. When Triple B enters the arrangement, the dynamism between the artists is emphasized in a way that brings out the best in one another’s skill set. Pushing any hardships endured to the side, the articulations that we feast upon celebrating the rise of success as Jack Arbor perseveres. Following his dreams through one spellbinding creation at a time, we eagerly sign up for the genuine melodies that Jack Arbor continues to represent at the mere click of a button. Welcome to BuzzMusic, Jack Arbor, and Triple B; congratulations on the release of “GOON.” There is such a unique dynamic that is explored with yourself and Triple B. What was it like bringing this creation to life with his talents to assist? Jack Arbor: Working on GOON with Triple B was a blast. The night we started laying out the instrumental is a night I’ll never forget. We had a pretty huge snowstorm in Louisville in mid-February, so Triple B, myself, and our roommate Elijah all called out of work and stayed up all night laying out the beat. The track was so hot it definitely kept us warm on such a frigid night. We had a great time balancing that act of being slightly not serious but performing it so well that it just embodied confidence. Triple B: I loved making GOON. Jack and I haven’t really done a collaborative song in years and it was nice to do it once again. We’re best friends, so it’s always a good time when we’re in the studio; lots of good ideas and constructive criticism. In your own words, what does “GOON,” mean to you? Where did the inspiration strike for the lyrical content heard? Jack Arbor: To me, GOON is a harmonious mixture of the two most popular definitions. A goon is primarily a silly, foolish, or eccentric person, but can also be interpreted as a violent, aggressive person who is hired to intimidate people. I feel like those two definitions describe the song and my personality in the song perfectly. We’re both super goofy as people in our everyday lives, but we’re so sure of ourselves that no one has even questioned bars like “Boutta hit a lick and f*ck your wife.” It’s intimidating and cocky, but also hilarious. Inspiration for me struck when I heard through the grapevine that someone I used to be close with was talking down on me publicly and everything I wanted to achieve with my life. My verse was kind of a soft middle finger to that person. But at the end of the day, I was just trying to make a fun song, and I don’t have any particular beef with that person. They can hate me all they want, it’s their bitterness that pulses through their own veins, not mine. I still wish them the best Triple B: To me, to be a goon, you have to be unapologetically confident in whatever you are/doing. This concept is seen throughout the entire song, from the epic nature of the hook to the lyrical content of every phrase. Most of my inspiration for the lyrics came from how I’ve lived my life the past year or so. I used to be so concerned with what other people thought of me and the life choices I have made. But lately, I’ve just been doing my own thing and being confident about it. I’ve made a choice to pursue music and I’m going to chase after that dream whether I’m successful or not. When it comes to the technical process of beat making, recording, mixing, and mastering, did anyone assist you with the production elements in order to give “GOON,” the desired sound you envisioned? How did they contribute to the process? I initially came to Triple B with an eight-bar loop of just a very simple trap beat, anxious about not knowing how to actually turn it into a full-fledged song. Triple B then took the beat and produced about 65% of it. Once the trap section was laid out, I remember coming to him and telling him I threw in an arp and a heavy rock drum beat on his verse. He didn’t like it at first, but he completely killed it. I also then came to him telling him I wanted a pop-punk instrumental at the end of the song, because why not? He delivered, and that entire section was made purely with synthetic sounds. The song’s instrumental and writing is 100% an original project from scratch. I also mixed and mastered the track, aside from Triple B mixing his own voice. If your listeners could take one thing away from your messaging, what would you want it to be? Jack Arbor: It would be to accept yourself for who you are, and to be unapologetic about it. I spent so much of my life trying to be just like everyone else so I would fit in and wouldn't have to think twice about having a normal life that’s nothing more and nothing less than most other people. But after not being able to finish my computer science degree at the nation’s top public university, I decided that it must be a sign to chase what I truly love, no matter how much of an uncalculated risk it may seem. And you’ll never truly be ready to take that risk for your happiness; sometimes, you just have to jump and pray you’ll stick the landing. Triple B: If my listeners take away one thing it should be the simple concept of being confident in yourself and the people you surround yourself by. I have gotten through some dark times in my life because I believed in myself and my friends. Life is hard, but with the right mindset and people, almost anything is possible. What's next for you? Jack Arbor: GOON is scheduled to have an action-styled music video releasing this month, and the song is the second single off my first project entitled “RAPID GROWTH,” releasing sometime in the summer. I’m also dropping the final single in May entitled “RAPIDS.” Triple B: I have a song called “Good Time” coming out 5/14 and a project called “Soft Boy Summer” coming sometime this summer. Instagram Twitter

Having amassed over a million streams across her first three singles alone, the London-based Irish singer-songwriter Etaoin has made an impressive introduction. Having debuted in January 2021, she’s clearly struck a chord with her brutally honest lyricism and belting vocal performances. Etaoin has the ability to interpret the world and her experiences in a way necessary to become a generation-defining songwriter. Her unconventional childhood, split between London and Ireland, has given her a unique worldview. Whilst pouring her sadness from heartbreak into her folk-infused pop music, Etaoin’s story is far from being a tale of woe, and more about growth and renewal. “For Her,” is the fourth single release to be brought to the ears of her listeners this year. Residing on the tracklist of her debut EP, ‘Bedroom Walls,’ Etaoin deems this musical collection the completion of her inauguration as a voice to listen to. The lush guitar chords that greet your initial moments of tuning into “For Her,” are delicate yet prevailing as they lay down an empowering blanket of realization in the framework that Etaoin will cascade her alluring timbres upon. Providing the ability for us to relate to Etaoin as she leads on a sense of vulnerability that is finally surfacing, words such as ‘and the truth is I’m afraid to write, anything that’s been alluding to the things that I’ve been feeling at night,’ have our understanding that fear on levels far beyond what the mind is capable of. There is a glorious sense of welcoming emotions that come pouring from this composition as you grasp onto the grippingly raw emotion that Etaoin releases through each intricately crafted word she sheds. Sitting in a puddle of self-realization, the comforting essence of the tantalizing arrangement gently eases you into a narrative of waiting and praying for the older version of yourself to return. Etaoin has a knack for creating vivid imagery that is interlaced with the lyrical motifs she presents through her relatability and flourishing connection with her fan base. Taking over one heartrending song at a time, it is no wonder that Etaoin is garnering the attention that she is. “For Her,” is such a beautiful representation of the support you’re lending out through your music. What inspired such a vast amount of vulnerability in this record? I wrote For Her when I was abroad alone from home for 3 months, I missed my family and home and didn’t feel like myself. I felt like I’d lost my spark. I was alone sitting cross-legged on my bed and I guess the song was inspired by that, wondering if I’d ever get my spark back. Could you please share a glimpse of what the creative and recording process entailed when creating your EP, ‘Bedroom Walls?' I wrote For Her at night time, I remember at the time I had been putting a lot of effort into trying to write something that was “catchy”. Then after a while, I kind of asked myself “why can’t I just be honest”. So I decided to write what was honest to me at the time. I recorded For Her with my lovely friend Phil Davidson. We sat and chatted rubbish in the studio for the whole day and then recorded the whole thing in like 2 hours. What does “For Her,” say about you as an artist and individual? I think For Her definitely shows a darker side of my songwriting that I haven’t explored before on the EP. I think this song really highlights the fact that we all have layers. Even if it’s easier to pretend we don’t. It’s just about how honest we are about them. For new listeners who have yet to hear the full body of work, what can they expect when taking in the emotions and messaging of your EP? I think the EP shows a lot of different sides to my personality. It covers heartbreak and everything that comes with it: anger, confusion, and feeling lost, something we’ve all experienced. It’s quite starkly honest and is basically everything I nearly said but didn’t. I really hope people relate to that and take comfort in it if they’re going through something similar. Instagram Twitter

Emerging artist ShaniqueJay is stepping from the Toronto music scene as a singer, rapper, and songwriter. She began releasing music in 2019 but has been exercising her penmanship for the past 10 years. Finding her passion for music at a young age, ShaniqueJay remembers her dad buying her first CD player back when she was in grade 4. Popping a disc into the CD player, she was surrounded by a medley of music found on compact discs and began playing them one by one. At that moment, ShaniqueJay knew music was something she was destined to be part of. In her most recent piano forward ballad “Sometimes,” the brilliant talents of ShaniqueJay are on full display. She carries a burning passion in her sultry timbres as she navigates us through her extensive vocal range that dips into a place of conviction. Each word that leaves ShaniqueJay is performed with the tenacity to provoke thought and strike up a miscellany of emotion within her fan base. The mid-tempo instrumentation of “Sometimes,” plays into a minimalistic route as the musical components that are illuminated from this piece has the purpose of acting as a fortified foundation for ShaniqueJay to cascade her impactful croons upon. The dark R&B vibrations fit the soundscape portrayed through lyrical motifs such as, ‘it’s different when you wanna make the time switch, back to when we’re happy living life and living lavishly.’ You hear the emotion poured into the grippingly raw narrative flashing before your eyes. Evoking images that fill the grand scheme of a back and forth relationship known to cast shadows on ShaniqueJay’s psyche, as part of her audience we feel uprooted to the environment she is speaking from. Immersing ourselves in the heartrending melodies of ShaniqueJay, we’ll happily place “Sometimes” on repeat in order to get another dose of her warming charisma. Congratulations on the release of “Sometimes.” We love the way you paint images with your lyrics. Was there a specific moment or story that inspired the theme behind this track? A few years ago, I was in a really rough time in my life and I was also in a really rough and difficult relationship. The relationship was really unbalanced and unhealthy, but I was always finding new ways to make it work. When you love someone, you try to forget about the hurt so bad because you just want everything perfect with this person. But sometimes the hurt is so painful to the point where you got to acknowledge the hurt, realize you deserve better and from there, move on. Could you please share a glimpse of the creative process you delved into when bringing “Sometimes” to life? When I first heard the beat for Sometimes, I knew I was going to write about a relationship. It took me a few days to figure out if the song was going to reflect something good or bad. As I continued listening to the beat for a few more days, I came to the conclusion that I wanted this song to be about a particular relationship I was in. I had to really go back and think about the ups and downs that did happen in the relationship. It was kind of hard at first just thinking about it, but then I thought to myself, this is what music is about. Well at least for me. Music for me is expressing how I feel or felt, using different styles and genres of music. Reflecting my happiness, sadness, pain, and also frustrations. When I finished writing Sometimes and recorded it, I listened to it a few times and almost got emotional because as I was hearing the playback of the song, it kind of felt like I was feeling or experiencing the same things that had happened in the relationship. How does this single compare to other songs heard throughout your music catalog? What does it say about you as an artist? Most of the songs that I have out are like melodic rapping. This was my second r&b song, but this one was different. This felt more touching and relatable. When I play this song in my car, I get a rush of emotions to the point where I play this song over and over again about 10 times. Whenever my friends listen to the song Sometimes, they always say "yo this one is it. Shanique, this is the one that's going to blow you up. All you need is a music video and your set". R&B is my most favorite genre to this day. I can express so much more singing than I do rapping. I am currently working on a new r&b song, which is like hands down 10 times better than Sometimes. I really can't wait to release that. I also want to branch out to trying other styles in music and genres. With each artist releasing a different message in their brand and artistry, what are you hoping your audience takes away from yours? I really try to have my audience relate to my music. If it's sad, happy or whatever. I really want to connect on a different level with the people who hear and listen to my music. I want my audience to feel true love and passion for music, the same way I do. I remember when I was in middle school, the songs that came out back then really had me feeling connected to the music and the artist themselves. I want my audience to connect to my music but also be connected to me. What's next for you? I have a lot of things planned for me in the coming future. I can't really put a time or date of them, but I know that this year there's a lot to be expected from me. When it comes to this music thing and even anything in general, I like to manifest. I literally manifested my music career, and it happened. I am also manifesting being the first female signed to Drake. Being a part of the OVO team has meant everything to me since OVO has been established in 2012. Especially since Drake and I are from the same city. I feel like Drake has opened the doors to a lot of music artists from Toronto, especially me. I really just put my time day in and day out promoting my music. Music is my life. When I first learned that I love music, was at a really young age. Probably when I was 4 years old. Music has changed my life in so many positive ways. I'm just really thankful for the love music had for me. So now, I'm giving back by making my own. Instagram

After only releasing a few EP’s of his own, 5an seems to be ready to take the underground scene for an adventure. From the various flows and rhyme schemes she adapts on beats, to the secretive appeal of her new mixtape and collaboration project ‘VILLAINS,’ 5an and Atlanta producer PhilGotAnother1 teamed up to give us an enticing body of work full of energy. Taking our attention to the ten tracks released on 5an’s album ‘VILLAINS,’ we stumble across the featured single of “WOCKSTAR,” and we’re thrilled to have found this gem. Commencing with a tantalizing soundscape that is both intriguing and definitive, we quickly come to realize that PhilGotAnother1 did not come to play when it gets down to the bass line. Submerging us in an all-out frenzy of hard-hitting instrumentation meets falsetto verses, the energy that sizzles through the sound waves is rather unrivaled. Hunger drips from the vocalization of 5an as she charismatically conveys a melodic rap that is fixated on notes that scream, ‘the higher the better.’ With such a unique approach to the driving essence of the song, both 5an and PhilGotAnother1 have us feeling this creation deep to our core. 5an has an exclusive sound that carves out a solidified lane of her own as she takes on her own adaptation of the new wave of harmonious rhyme schemes executed. The liveliness takes us to the mesmerizing hook that stays on our minds for long after the song reaches its final moments; making us want to put it on loop and take any noise complaints from our neighbors. Navigating us through their own momentum, 5an and PhilGotAnother1 make a dream team in the hit factory. The energy served in “WOCKSTAR,” is off the charts! How did you and PhilGotAnother1 come up with the concept for this song? First off, Thank You. Honestly, I didn't hear the beats to the full project until it was time to record, Phil makes the beats in different places & waits until either me & him sit and record the songs together or the day I have a studio session back home. In your own words, what does “WOCKSTAR” mean to you as the artist? Lifestyle What was it like working with one another to release your album, ‘VILLAINS?' PhilGotAnother1: Working with 5an was easy because the relationship was already there. Once you build a genuine relationship with an artist the music not only gets better but it becomes the easiest part. 5an: Vibes it's like the energy was just there to come up with something crazy. What has been your biggest takeaway from the release of this project? What does it say about you as an artist? Growth. I have been doing mad traveling lately to meet new people and feel new energy. The tape really my mood as of lately. Instagram Twitter

Born in High Wycombe, and currently living between London and Bournemouth, 22-year-old Harrison Walker has been writing commercial music influenced by R&B, trap, and drill in his bedroom over the last 4 years. Inspired by the likes of Santino Le Saint, Brakence, and EDEN, he states; ‘Most of my inspiration either comes from personal events that have happened to me or people close to me. I also sometimes create fake scenarios in my head and write about those too.’ In a reverberated universe of heartfelt emotion pouring from the soul-infused melodies, there is an inimitable lane that divides Harrison Walker from other artists in this genre. “Commitments,” is the most recent release from the flourishing artist and we’re taken back by the extensive vocal range he seamlessly dips into through candid harmony dimensions. Merging the spirits of a blossomed story unfolding, the narrative of “Commitments,” delves into love and the development of a relationship between two people authentically growing to love one another. There is a significant moment where the song's instrumentation and tempo transition, and at that point, the tale adapts with it. Steered by the signature ambiance Harrison Walker is adored for, we sense the overflow of compelling tenors that move the instrumentation through synth grounded chords, and heartbeat-like percussion pattern that emphasizes the vitality in love. Being swooped into our own heartrending recollections, we get caught up in the plot that Harrison Walker depicts as the subject matter is relatable in ways lived out. Keeping us fully engaged with each mesmerizing word shed, we admire the depth that Harrison Walker endures as he delivers a poignant message with utter care. We love the way that “Commitments,” grows with both the story development and the musicality. Was this always your vision when you began creating this single? Originally, no. Not at all actually. I was heading in a direction of writing from the perspective that the two people in question were never going to get together and that the girl in this situation was going to get messed around by the guy. The reason I changed was mainly due to the feel of the song, hard to explain, but it just didn’t have that sort of vibe if I carried on the lyrical content in that direction. How does “Commitments,” compare to other songs heard in your music catalog? What does this specific track say about you as an artist and the direction you’re headed with your art? Compared to all of my releases I’d say "Commitments" is the perfect blend of them all. The majority of the songs I’ve released so far are very upbeat and hard-hitting. My release before "Commitments," "For You," however, is very slow and more of an acoustic vibe and I wanted to blend those powerful beats with the soft melodies, creating "Commitments." This is definitely the direction I’m taking my artistry, I want my songs to be the ones that are played on long car journeys but also at events and parties. Songs that people can relate to on a personal level. With such remarkable accolades throughout your music career, did you happen to have a turning point in your journey that allowed you to propel to the next level? Surprisingly, I think the turning point for me was actually leaving university, I studied Commercial Songwriting and it was a very safe environment. I was releasing songs whilst studying but not worrying too much about what the plan was after, just drifting along. When I left I realized that the only way I would make it in the music industry was by myself, I taught myself how to produce and play instruments and then took my artistry more seriously. I began to brand myself more and take care of the sounds I was putting out to people, it’s now a part of my personality rather than something I’m just checking out. What are you hoping that your audience takes away from the emotions felt and messaging in “Commitments?" So, I always feel people should take their own message from my music. However it relates to someone, I’m happy with, as long as they can connect in some way. The way I wrote the song though and my personal vision from it is to tell people not to be scared to get into something serious with someone. It can seem so fun and easy when you’re messing around with someone but if you really feel you have a connection with that person then grab it with both hands. It’s way too common these days that people get scared and run away, it’s too easy now. You can block, ghost, ignore people if you don’t want to deal with the situation anymore. But yes the message for me was to not be scared, go with the flow. If it’s good, it’s good, enjoy it. Instagram Facebook

Miami-born, yet LA-raised, Xxzpetional holds Latin roots in both countries of Chile and Guatemala. Bringing a fresh Latin spice to the rap game, along with a distinct and unique perspective showcased in his musical offerings, his rhythmic rapping pattern coupled with soothing melodies have garnered acclaim and recognition from growing reputable record labels from Bentley Records, Blame the Label, and Chaos Music. There’s a certain magnetism that has Xxzpetional standing out from the crowd. The way that he carries himself in a manner that reflects his morals and soul is remarkable. In his most recent release of “Perfect,” the lyrical dexterity that is unsparingly weaved into each bar he raps, addresses what it’s like to be a young and emerging artist that has the odds stacked against him. Driving home the type of confidence that we wish to see in everyone, Xxzpetional goes as far as to pair eye-catching visuals with this highly enticing narrative. Visions of himself writing in various settings show just how committed to his craft he truly is. As he charismatically raps to the camera in front of a baseball diamond, we feel like we’re on a tour of Xxzpetional’s neighborhood, and we’re finally tapping into the environment that makes him who he is today. Tackling the tantalizing kernel of his artistry as he fiercely conducts the beat to sky-rocket in flight, there is a weighty amount of witty quips that ooze from the wordplay Xxzpetional performs. Never one to shy away from his authenticity, the vulnerability offered here reflects a triumphant mindset that caters to the victories Xxzpetional continues to encounter with a good head on his shoulders. Hello Xxzpetional, welcome to BuzzMusic, and congratulations on the release of “Perfect.” You get vulnerable in a way that brings out your confidence through the hurdles life presents you. What inspired you to approach the instrumentation in a way that has you reigning supreme? Where did inspiration strike for this song? Working with a premier international producer from London "Beatsbycasual" I relayed to him I would like a composition that breathes life and hope in the instrumentation. At the first moment, I heard the track I was like "yo that's it right there, I feel inspired at this very moment". Everything after that flowed naturally. I just channeled all the doubt and insecurities I have as an individual and had the astute opportunity as an artist to be vulnerable and expressive. I wanted to create a track that could have you feeling hopeful for the way you are no matter what "cuz you ARE PERFECT!" Could you please take us into what it was like filming the music video for “Perfect?" Was your vision executed the way that you saw it out? Working with a great team under "Multiflexvisuals" I knew I was in the right hands. I shared with them my vision of how I wanted to be portrayed as a struggling artist on his ropes with his only hopes in his songwriting. This is in fact true and reflective of my own struggles and thankful to be in a better position in life. Ultimately I wanted to show a day in the life of a "struggling artist" to know at the end of the day if you keep working on your craft you'll get where you wanna go. I feel confident my vision was presented in the video and executed with precision. As a two-time beat recipient winner of Beat Demons and the winner of ‘Song Challenge: Against the Wall’ by PinkFader, you’ve accomplished some wonderful things through your artistic voyage. What happens to be the highlight of your career this far into your journey? Thanks for the acknowledgment, but in all sincerity, my highlight in my career thus far has been the profound opportunity to meet and collaborate with many artists and creatives alike who share similar visions/goals for success that keeps me hungry and energized to keep chasing my dream. If listeners could pick up on one message from “Perfect,” what would you want it to be? The message I want listeners to pull away is that they are perfect the way they are and don't need to change for anyone! If you have a dream, you have the right to chase it! Of course, within reason, I believe success takes sacrifice and discipline. Just because you are the way you are doesn't mean you will reach success, but sometimes you have to show restraint until you are in the position to truly demonstrate your best qualities. That in itself is Perfect knowing you are aware of both your strengths and weaknesses. Instagram

Hailing from Amsterdam, Netherlands, Steven Al Baghdadi fell in love with music the second he was introduced to Hip-Hop. The young rapper began releasing his original songs, and soon after at the age of 25, he began to make a name for himself on an international level. The 2015 hit single “Ahebak” boasts over two hundred thousand streams on YouTube and certainly made waves throughout the middle east. With its unique use of instrumentation and energetic production, “Ahebak” is a representation of Steven Al Baghdadi’s musical diversity and ability to stand out among the masses. The ultimate message Steven Al Baghdadi is aiming to spread through his growing international platform lies under the far-reaching umbrella of self-acceptance. He has made it his goal to ease his listeners into comfort and contentment by reminding them that they are not alone. Through the lyrics of “Ahebak,” he describes his journey with romantic relationships, and by sharing what he has learned through his obstacles and triumphs he invites the listener to feel the emotions he is pouring into his music. Steven Al Baghdadi takes advantage of each dynamic and thought-provoking verse by encouraging listeners to find their inner strengths and not only accept but embrace their differences. Your song “Ahebak” was a Hip-Hop sensation in the middle east upon its release. As a preview of what you can bring your fans, how does “Ahebak” compare with your recent releases? When I wrote the song ''Ahebak'' the lyrics were from my heart, every word is from my innermost thoughts and feelings. Personally, "Ahebak" is one of the best songs that I have ever made, it seemed to resonate with a lot of people. It took a long time to write it and to record it. Do you have any specific artists or genres that inspired your music style in “Ahebak?” Not really, I had developed the beat a while ago and I just kept recalling the melody so I started to write some lyrics every day until I reached the finished product. I am so happy that the song has reached many people. We are inspired by your main message as an artist. Can you elaborate on the message behind your thought-provoking lyrics for “Ahebak?” I like songs that have many meanings, I have thought for a long time to also make a love song, it was a different style of mine, but I managed to find out that there is also a large audience for these kinds of songs and what I achieved with my song '' Ahebak.'' I am very happy that I wrote the lyrics from my heart. After hitting the ground running internationally throughout the middle east, who is the target audience for your music? The target audience is the people who like songs that find meaning in our everyday life. Also, my rap-styling is different, which is one of my successes. What's next for you? I am going to continue releasing more music and I'm now working on different songs that will come out soon. I can't give any info yet, but I will say keep an eye and an ear out for me, and you will see what's next. Instagram

Now releasing his passionate and emotional music video for his hit single, "a ballad for u," singer-songwriter and producer Chris Yang is sprinting down his path to success after finally finding his voice. Making music for about five years now, Chris Yang began his artistic career merely through entertainment and to pass the time. After finding the inspiration to take it seriously with help from friends, family, and industry vets, Chris Yang is now on track to release his forthcoming debut concept album entitled 'The Martian.' Highlighting the emotional music video for his lead single, "a ballad for u," Chris Yang takes his broken heart and flees to the planet Mars, where he later sinks into the depths of despair after letting us into the song's broken-hearted theme. "I hope the song becomes as therapeutic to others as it was for me, but most importantly, I hope they feel a genuine connection to my ballad for you," states Yang. Opening the music video for "a ballad for u" is a slow zoom-in shot of Mars and its radiant red glow. As the modern and jazzy instrumentals make their way in alongside Chris Yang's delicate and emotional vocals, the scenes make a switch into the desert landscapes of Mars, where Yang is seen in his dress shirt and tie while exclaiming his hardships within a broken relationship. While clutching his dress coat near his chest and delivering his spoken-word flow, Chris Yang truly holds any viewer in awe of his powerful emotion with help from his intense and tight delivery. As the song comes to an end with Chris Yang's calming and serene harmonies, we're truly impressed with the concept and desire in this song/video, as Chris Yang opens his heart for listeners to find a piece of themselves and relate. Introduce yourself to the powerful stylings of Chris Yang through his emotionally intense music video, "a ballad for u," now available on YouTube. Welcome to BuzzMusic, Chris Yang, and congratulations on the release of your single and music video for "a ballad for u.' When did you begin feeling inspired to create the song itself? Thank you! When I first went to college I never would've thought of myself as someone who would one day pursue music as a serious career choice. Over two years ago I moved more than 350 miles from my home in the San Francisco Bay Area and I started attending Cal State Fullerton as a Political Science major. Very quickly I realized that I chose the wrong pathway for myself in life and, feeling like my life was falling apart, began to gain a lot of weight. At the time I was experimenting with music but I never took it too seriously so I began to make songs using the Garageband for iOS app on my phone and recording them with the iPhone earbud microphone that came with it. With that came two albums that were poorly mixed and recorded, Yin Yang and Vision. I felt unable to be motivated in my classes until I realized that I was in a mental cycle of doubting myself. Not yet knowing what I wanted to do with my life yet, I began to drag myself out of this low point of my life and started dieting and working out. Within the course of a year, I went from 233 pounds to 165 pounds. One day, I threw out all the pants that were now too big for me and grabbed the pants I had from high school that once grew too tight for me to wear. Happy that I was finally able to wear these again, I reached in my pocket and in there was a stub to a movie ticket for the last time I had been able to wear those jeans. That movie ticket was for a showing of "The Martian" starring Matt Damon on October 18, 2015. I felt at that moment I had hit an epiphany with what I wanted to do in life and I began drafting a basic concept album about someone bettering themselves with the same running title called "The Martian." I had a 12 song album that I planned to release on October 18th of that year, 2019. Last-minute, however, I decided that the concept wasn't fully delivered and I delayed the release to add on an additional 6 songs. I released three sub-par singles that were all cut songs to show that I was at least doing something musically and found quickly that releasing cut music was the fastest way to not be taken seriously. Hitting a new peak of self-loathing, I planned to just quit music entirely to just focus on school and building a more conventional career out of my life. I remember around that moment, an old friend of mine had randomly gifted me a succulent with a note that said, "'I sit before flowers hoping they will teach me in the art of opening up.' Learn to care for this plant, and yourself in this process. Don't hate the process, embrace your steady growth over time." I ended up letting that plant die over the course of that winter and it wasn't until I was working with another artist on a song where I had a stark change in mindset. Around February of 2020, I had asked an artist named August Kim to feature on a song and, looking through my song notebook, told me, "these songs are better off as poem stanzas or as ballads." It was at that moment I told her that I was planning on quitting music and that these 18 songs were from an album I was going to cut called "The Martian." She had then looked at the dead plant and the note and recognized the succulent and told me that this specific plant can regrow if I cut out a bud and let it lay in the sun. Upon leaving, she read the note and said, "Wow, what a precious thought." I don't know what it was about me learning that I could still save that dying plant, but I began to take care of it again and with that, came me finding my passion to work on new music again. I figured I was going to give this album one more shot. As I was tending to the plant, I looked through all 18 songs and cut all of them. What was left of that project was a couple of sentences and lines that resonated with me and I spliced them together to make one singular heartbreak song. I decided to title it, "a ballad for u." After writing that, I had completely written 9 additional new songs and redid the writing and composition of the entire album in the course of two weeks. I ended up writing a project that began with a dramatic heartbreak song that was "a ballad for u," and told the story of a character struggling to get over a former love interest and bettering himself through that process. After writing the new version of the album, the pandemic struck and places began to shut down and I immediately changed my mind and announced the album's cancellation. Rereading what I had just written, I felt absurdly embarrassed and vulnerable. I didn't want to be coined as a simp and I didn't want to be ridiculed for a project like this. Instead, I shelved my iPhone demos of that album and kept on releasing subpar music to stay under the radar. When June came, my friends had influenced me to at least take what I wrote to a studio for one final shot. I showed "a ballad for u" to the two producers there and they said it was very well-written, but that I was a nobody and that I should sell it to someone else they had in mind to perform the song so that way I could have a songwriting credit on a song that they said would only chart if I gave it away. I turned the offer down, disappointed, and was told I needed to learn to swallow my pride and that I was making a mistake. Somehow, them being so insistent on me selling my song empowered me to keep trying. For the first time ever, I wrote something that other musicians wanted. I took all my iPhone demos of that album and bought a mic and a DAW and began to try my best to professionally record and mix and master the album in my own bedroom. After trying to redo the recordings, I felt frustrated that the performance wasn't as passionate and genuine as my iPhone demo performance. I was mentally so over everything I was going through at the time of writing the project but as a result, was unable to reperform it with the same passion as I did for the demos. I solved this by manually importing each audio track from my phone onto the new DAW I had on my computer, to mix the iPhone recorded audio a lot better. When I finished, like magic, the once-dead succulent that I owned, had bloomed into a beautiful pink and purple star-shaped flower. My plant of precious thoughts had finally fully recovered and for the first time ever, I felt that I had done something that I was proud of. Speaking on the music video for "a ballad for u,' how did you create the concept of performing on Mars amid the lonesome and dusty landscape? The concept of Mars came way before any visuals went into fruition. I had written an album about getting over a former love interest, so I began with fleshing out the concept of drug use and the alcohol abuse that comes with the unhealthy methods of getting over a heartbreak and played on the trope of "hey, I'm so high I feel like I could be on Mars or another planet!" As the album progresses and the story solidifies, our character finds himself being more "down to Earth" as he is lost in space and trying to find his way back home so that the album could end with the character arc completing, the protagonist finally being over their past as they land their starship back on the home planet of Earth. This skeleton of a story I began to flesh out more and more. I used influence from dramatic space stories from "2001: A Space Odyssey" and "Interstellar" all the way to sci-fi film franchises like Star Wars and Star Trek. In a way, I guess it could be said that I started to make music really to hide the fact that I'm actually just a huge fucking nerd, but for my own self-comfort, I would like to think otherwise. But I do wish I was lying when I say that before making the music video of this song I binge-watched all of the original Star Trek series and all of the Star Wars saga, films, shows, and all. It's just too good, you know? This tangent went on for too long, I'm sorry. I think performance-wise, I made sure I did everything I could to be in character. It was kind of weird for me at first to pop into the headspace I was in a year ago, but to acknowledge the difference gave me comfort because, by that point, I knew I had grown. What was it like working with director Huxley Matthew Berg when formulating/executing your music video, "a ballad for u?" How did he help make the shooting process easier for you? Working with Huxley is an absolute blast. He was a randomly assigned roommate in college and I've never had a better stroke of luck. I loved his YouTube channel, HuxleyBergStudios, which boasts over 125 thousand subscribers. I met him when he was a stop-motion lego animator and aspiring musician and seeing him work on his music greatly inspired me to keep going, personally. His having all this online credibility constantly pushed me to make something that he could fully enjoy since he is really the person who has made all my favorite albums. His bands, Hocus and Vegan Coats, are some of my most listened to artists and it's really a blessing to have this dude as a roommate and as a friend. Nothing made my day more than hearing this guy get really excited and happy for me when he first heard the demos for The Martian. We would both spend days on our balcony discussing visuals for it and at times it felt like he was even more excited for the album than I was. I honestly think the music video and the way the project turned out would've been nothing without this guy. I remember the day before the music video I began to panic and thought I wasn't prepared and Huxley really came up with an organized shoot in five seconds off the top of his head. He's really the person that was able to bring my ideas to life and I could not have done this without him. Seeing that your music video for "a ballad for u" takes place on Mars, should we expect more celestial and out-of-this-world themes throughout your forthcoming album, 'The Martian?' The whole album is going to feel very spatial and cinematic. When I wrote the project, I had also written a short film script to go with the project in the hopes of possibly making it a visual album or a short film. Without spoiling too much, I'll just say that every shot and scene is carefully planned out and will all be revealed in the end. I recommend following my Instagram, @chrisyangmusic, to stay caught up and be immersed in this world and go with me on this journey. I'm doing what I can to make the album rollout feel as cinematic and as much of an experience as I can. I figured for the first time ever, I'm going to go all in. With visuals, sounds, and world-building, I'm going to tell a story in a way that has never been told before. Over time, I've gained a small following, and while I acknowledge that I may not have the most influence, I cannot wait for the people that follow me to experience this story, go on this journey, and grow with me. What's next for you? I think after this I'm still going to persevere and make sure that I get this degree no matter what. I don't know where this album will take me but it personally doesn't matter that much to me. I had a blast growing and evolving with this project and, in retrospect, I do not regret any of it. It's time for me to own what I make and that's what I plan to do. If you want you can follow my Twitter, @dachrisyang, or my Instagram, @chrisyangmusic, and come let me know what you think of it! I'll regularly be posting updates about the projects so it's definitely a place to check out if you're interested in staying tuned. You can also check out my website as well at chrisyangmusic.com for regular updates. Instagram Artist Website