Search this site

Los Angeles based Trio, Kaviar, is cooking up an infectious sonic-brew with their debut EP, 'Round One.' With six tracks, artist and entertainer Leigh, Producer ImDre, and songwriting DJ, Philly-Mac, combine their expertise to traverse the adjacent lanes of R&B, Hip-Hop, and Electronic music on their latest harmonious escapades; landing toward innovative musical territories. Kaviar gathers from their life experiences' and musical cornerstones on their debut EP, amalgamating them together to create an ample playback experience that fascinates and serenades listeners from soca-beat festooned tracks to timeless contemporary R&B harmonies. Kaviar inaugurates 'Round One' with an infectious new-age creation that borders on the edges of R&B with its diverse vocal swells that garnish the backdrops of "Fire," like a dark-blue silk robe; comforting and enticing at the same time. It's an opening track that beautifully introduces the trio, with each member meriting a spotlight overtop the ominously droning subs and wavering pads that fester in the ambient backdrops. There's a moody aura that settles in almost immediately when Kaviar delivers their lines with nonchalant confidence, and as the LAf cooperatives harmonize and bellow, their salubrious adlibs and the dismal tones they manufacture drip over the "Fire" hooking lines, suppurating intoxicating captivation deep in your bones: "the way you throw that ass, got me hypnotized, yeah, yeah, ass so fat." It's a tantalizing teaser that grabs your attention and chaperones straight into the next soca-festooned track, "Getaway." With a softer palette established through oscillating pads and an island vibed back-beat, "Getaway" channels into the most infatuating dance-hall records, allowing Kaviar to blossom into their more lighthearted assemblage. Here, Leigh, ImDre, and D.J. Philly-Mac draw from their R&B touchstones to produce an archipelago of harmonized melodies over their catching hook, "gеtaway, getaway, getaway!" It's a buoyant top-line that arrives like a synergized dose of dopamine, settling straight into your bloodstream and prepping you for the smooth flowing verses that garnish the fleshiest portions of this instant-classic; highlighting their Hip-hop influences with a keen and creative wink. The next track, "Only One," comes like a distant relative of its island predecessor, with the same magnetized R&B vocal performances embellishing this new-age creation. What's contrasting here is how effortlessly ImDre's sonic stratagems embed Leigh and D.J. Philly-Mac's presence over this track; there's enough space over the playback that your attention is never drawn to the wrong spots. This is the most playful track off the record, operating with a swaggering cadence held by the outstanding vocal performances and utilizes a crisp assortment of saturated synths, taste-full pads, and soft-tethered hi-hats that draws reminiscence to 32nd note trap-house beats you'd hear on the radio, but with an enormous handful of finesse injected into the formula. "Misbehave" appears with similar silver-tongues traces attached, highlighting the LA trio weaving and blending their vocals together, but this time, over a production that proves even more innovative, to say the least. With the sequenced rhythm of what sounds like a bedframe squeaking, and a fruitful abundance of electronic motifs, Kaviar demonstrates that no sound is off-limits; they can create a masterpiece out of anything, just so long as they're working on it together. "Misbehave tonight, I want your worst behavior," they sing, crooning with a low-register harmonic, demanding attention with every breath, and winning you over the same way a classic swooner does. The next neural dose, "Pogo," renders-up like an innovative amalgam between Electronic, Hip-hop, and Contemporary R&B, buzzing like something that arrived from the future. There's no shortage of vocal harmonizing, enchanting melodies, and lyrical seduction, as the Los Angeles based crooners delicately corral themselves over the latter-sections of this track like a cherubic choir. It's a playback you'd want as a soundtrack for the most sensual moments in life, and while you might get caught up in the tantalizing notions of seduction and infatuation, Kaviar never borders on the edge of overwhelming; always landing with a healthy intention on the heart of their listeners. With most of 'Round One' fluctuating between minimalistic soundscapes that leave enough room for the dynamic trio to swell and blossom over their serenading hooks, the last track on this EP feels like a contrast. It's the busiest sonic sequencings to reach listeners from their new-age musical catalog. "Kaviar Night" sits somewhere in-between a fresh take on Electronica and a rendition of a timeless R&B classic. The theme throughout the record is still present here, brooding over the sensationalism in their voices as they sing, "come be my VIP, I'm where you want to be (I'm where you want to be), big vibes they all for free, there's no fee when you roll me." Still, their production finds balance, seizing the synergistic presence of Leigh, D.J. Philly-Man, and ImDre like a four-course feast, developing in flavor as they chaperone listeners from one delicacy to the next; never losing sight of their aesthetics. When you look back at 'Round One,' the engorging feeling of nostalgia isn't that far-gone; these three talents have developed their crafts with the best influences in mind. Yet, in more ways than one, whether it be the innovative productions, scintillating top-lines, or the serenading and swaggering cadences they so often run with, Kaviar never comes up lacking in innovation; their debut is unlike anything that's come out of L.A. in the past decade. It's an unsurprising and exciting feat for the gifted individuals who make up Kaviar, and with "Round One," they've already got listeners scratching for another course of the vibed-out, dripping-wet, new-age classics they're securing as their brand. Think of it as a fine delicacy, served to those who can appreciate the sonic luxury that arrives when three budding artists work as one. Can you walk us through the process of writing 'Round One?' What was each of your individual roles when it came to writing, the production, and the creation of the record? Writing this project was a fun one! We did what came naturally to us. Nothing in this EP was forced. The writing of this project was very organic and it shows! Individually, we all have input on each other's lyrics, placement, tone, and structure. Dré does the majority of production and engineering. Can you describe some of the emotions you found yourselves diving into the most throughout your performances on 'Round One?' Are these emotions a powerful placeholder in your artistic processes? We ended up doing a writer’s retreat to get inspiration and pull from being in a different environment. A Lot of the emotion and energy on “Round One” was drawn from wanting to create the space not only just for our audience but for ourselves as well during the lockdown. Were there any significant challenges you can recall experiencing creatively, or otherwise when you think about 'Round One?' What did you learn about yourselves as artists through overcoming those hurdles? The biggest challenge we faced was time! We did everything in the house with the exception of mastering. Time is definitely a commodity that we take for granted. We would say that we learn creativity cannot be rushed. Everything takes time for some projects more than others, but it's necessary to get an amazing final result. If you could give your listeners a few personal words that would act as a prologue to the experience behind 'Round One,' what would you feel the need to say, and why? We created a landscape where listeners can escape and have fun; not letting circumstances control how and when we entertain ourselves. How did you go about curating the flow from one track to the next on "Round One?' Were there any discussions about how the E.P.'s storyline should flow in terms of order? The flow-on round was created to how a DJ would play in the club or how a soundtrack is structured through a movie. The order is meant to take you through a cohesive ride full of good vibes and energy. Instagram Facebook #BUZZMUSIC

When discussing dream collaborations, we have two specific people in mind. Michelle Martinez and Miguel Fasa have returned with not only another hit single but a message in their highly anticipated single, “Worst Enemy.” The flourishing label-mates and siblings wanted to create an uplifting vision that people could hear, relate to, and be inspired by, in their day to day lives. The overall theme of this new bop is to never give up and knowing that sometimes that main obstacle in the way is yourself. “Worst Enemy” initiates with soft synth elements and distant ambient vocals from Fasa, all while the effervescent elements of electro-pop are introduced on the record. Pulling you into the track, Fasa keeps an up-tempo hip-hop cadence that makes you bounce to the lyrics being rapped. His soothing vocals break into a beautiful pre-chorus cutting into the main message of this song. When Martinez enters this record with sultry vocals and moving harmonies, you suddenly hear that femme power you didn’t know this record was missing. This dynamic duo complements one another with their intoxicating vocals and enough soul to fill an entire era. The fullness to this record is effortless with harmonious backing vocals that keep you drawn in and not missing a beat. Martinez and Fasa truly share the spotlight while taking turns adding their own flavor to a chorus that is stuck in your head long after the song is over. With this single being under 3 minutes, it leaves us wanting to click replay and listen intently to all of the hidden layers and gems showcased in “Worst Enemy” all over again. Congratulations on the release of your new single “Worst Enemy.” Besides the message in the song of yourselves being your worst enemies, what are your worst enemies in life? The main inspiration for this song is the enemy from within. Everyone has their own demons, their own obstacles, and how you deal with them is a key factor in how you go about life. For me, it might be procrastination, fear, or self-doubt. I think everyone has an idea of what they must do to reach their full potential, but it’s a lot easier said than done. I’m usually my own worst enemy. Being siblings and label-mates, what is the biggest challenge you both face when creating? Working with Michelle is super easy-going and chill. I know she’s always going to bring good ideas to the table. The biggest challenges for me are usually other sources. Things like “how do I get my idea to sound the way I hear it in my head?” as well as “how can we film that?” Could you please tell us what the typical creative flow process looks like for both of you when constructing your records? Do the lyrics come first or the instrumentation? For me, it’s always the music first. I’ve written songs down first in the past, but it’s just not how I like to vibe. I need to hear something that speaks to me. I look around for all different instrumentals and sounds until I find something that inspires me. After that, I start constructing the way it sounds in my head, creating melodies and format. I also have to figure out how the song progresses and flows; how many verses, chorus, bridge, etc. Once I hear the way I’d like the song to sound, I start writing. A lot of times I’ll freestyle on instrumentals, that’s how I usually find my hooks or choruses then write out the rest of the song around that. Who are your inspirations outside of music that motivate and influence the sound and messages you send out? Another passion of mine is film acting. I would say it’s one of my biggest influences. “The Matrix” is my all-time favorite movie; I saw it for the first time with my dad, and he loved it too. It gives me a certain feeling while watching it, and I often try to inject that emotion into my music. It’s hard to explain, but it’s a vibe I get. What has been keeping you inspired in 2020? It’s hard to believe we are in this type of situation. With all the loss, isolation, and pain the world is going through, it’s definitely hard to find motivation sometimes. But I believe there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. A big motivator for me has always been using music to give people a moment of joy, hope, or just comfort for a few minutes. Instagram Facebook #BUZZMUSIC

The Southern California-based Singer/Songwriter and multi-instrumentalist Emma Madison releases her inspiring Pop-infused single titled, "Fire." From an incredibly young age, Emma Madison felt drawn to the sounds of Pavarotti, and before she knew it, she was sitting in front of a piano and playing the violin. At 15-years-old, Emma Madison has set sail into the music industry while powering through with uplifting messages. Her latest single "Fire" surrounds themes of picking yourself back up after taking a tumble and pushing through until your very last breath. With ambient Pop production and heartfelt organic instrumentation, the song stands strong as a powerful piece for anyone who needs a pick-me-up. "Fire" gracefully begins with the crackling of a warm bonfire and celestial keys, not to mention faint saxophone elements. As Emma Madison starts to sing of life's losses and our fight or flight response, we must note how wildly impressed we are, not only with her sparkling vocal capabilities but her sound lyrical message. The songwriting and lyrical content within this single-serve a compelling message, and the surrounding Pop production and downtempo drums allow Emma Madison to radiate confidence and power at her own pace. As the song continues towards the bridge, the instrumentals drop to this naturally uplifting tone through delicate melodies and warm delivery. From the passionate production to the relatable and empowering lyrical content, Emma Madison is making waves with her recent inspirational single "Fire," and we're expecting that this flame won't be put out any time soon. We're highly impressed with the sound lyrical message you've captured within your empowering single, "Fire." What inspired you to create a song that reminds listeners of their inner power? Thank you so much! There was actually a specific moment that inspired this song. I used to be a part of a competitive musical theater team (yes, that is a thing), and we had a particularly difficult day in rehearsal. Our team was feeling unmotivated and tired, so our coach sat us all down to talk. She talked to us about not losing our passion, or our "fire." The song is based on the speech she gave us. Although this was a pretty specific moment, I'm glad that the song ended up being broader in its meaning, because I think it makes the message more relatable to more people. I want everyone to be able to resonate with and enjoy my music! Seeing as your single "Fire" was co-written with Anthony Fedorov, what was your songwriting process like while collaborating? Was the song's message tweaked at all during the process? Anthony has actually co-written all of my singles with me so far. Typically, we start out with some chords and build the foundation and format of the song from there. "Fire" was written on a piano, but I actually really enjoy playing it on the guitar too! After we had sculpted the foundation of the song, we moved to the melody. Melody is honestly my favorite part of the songwriting process, I love just improvising with whatever chords we have so far and going from there. I had initially thought the song was going to be more specific to the situation I was in, but ultimately I'm glad it ended up a little more general. I think this is a message that applies to everyone, and I'm glad we were able to write the lyrics in a way that reflected that. Regarding your single "Fire," we've heard that it was produced by Latin Grammy Award-winner Jeeve. How did Jeeve help bring your sonic ideas to life during the song's creative process? It was produced by Jeeve, he is very talented! I had recorded a bare minimum demo for this song with just piano and vocals about a year before we produced it, and Jeeve was able to work from there. When he sent me the first draft of the song with only the background and no vocals, it was so different from what I had imagined but I loved it! My first impression of the track was that it sounded like outer space in a way? Like a UFO maybe? I'm not quite sure how to explain it, but I think it complimented the melody and message of the song well! At the mere age of 15, how have you come across such wise messages to place into your songs? Do you feel that the music industry has naturally matured you? It's interesting, I think that a lot of kids my age are maturing quicker than kids in previous generations. I think this might be due to our exposure to the internet and social media. Seeing everything that was going on in the world helped me recognize that I wanted to make a difference and if I can do that through something I love, like music, that would be amazing! I do think that music has helped me mature in a sense, it taught me how to work efficiently in a studio, how to be professional on social media, and overall this business has shown me the importance of good communication. What has been keeping you inspired in 2020? I definitely can't pretend that I am motivated and inspired every day; there are definitely days when I want to stay in bed and watch Netflix (as an actor I am blessed with the ability to use the excuse that this is "scene study"). Something that has been keeping me motivated is music, both my own and from my favorite artists. Through everything that has been happening recently, I really appreciate people using their platform to help people out. For example, Alicia Keys' song "Good Job" never fails to make me cry. Another thing keeping me inspired is everyone supporting me! I have received some very sweet messages on my Instagram and Facebook that were so amazing to read. I love making music just for fun, but hearing that I have actually helped people is incredible. emmamadisonmusic.com

Constantly in evolution mode, Desarae Dee allows us to realign our attention with her latest whole-hearted ballad, “Refocus (feat. Sean C. Johnson).” As a fusion pianist, Desarae Dee is widely known for her unconventional and spontaneous playing style. Often being compared to the likes of Robert Glasper, she has the unique ability to fuse multiple musical styles together, while creating exclusive, unusual chord structures and powerful melodic lines. Simultaneously giving you everything you need to hear and something you've never heard before, Desarae Dee and Sean C. Johnson capture your attention within moments of listening to their music together. This stands especially true with her latest release, “Refocus (feat. Sean C. Johnson).” “Refocus,” begins immersing us with the delicate embrace of a piano being played. To add to the structure of the ambiance drawing us in, we can hear shimmering symbols and the warm grasp of an electric guitar being strummed as the instrumentation comes together for a symphony. Reinforcing the essence of Sean C. Johnson’s warm and pleasant vocals, a deep bassline and horns can be heard pepping along adding some more depth to this already brilliant masterpiece. The power and earnest encirclement of Sean C. Johnson’s vocals create a heavenly ambiance in which your attention is in fact refocused to the striking harmonies and melodious tunes she captivates you with. "Broken mirrors, life ain’t what it seems; I see clearer when I chase destiny; some days we need to refocus, why not today?" is the hard-hitting message of this ballad. Sometimes in life, we allow things that are not aligned with our purpose to take precedence when we should be aligning our focus with the things we are destined for. With a piece of work this powerful, Desarae Dee has us singing this narrative into the likes of next week. We are excited about what she has to offer us next when captivating our focus once again. Listen to "Refocus (feat. Sean C. Johnson)" here. Hello Desarae and welcome back to BuzzMusic. Congratulations on the release of, “Refocus (feat. Sean C. Johnson)” How did this lovely collaboration come to life? Well, I first met Sean at an event in Toronto back in 2017 and we instantly connected. From there, we had collaborated on a few of his songs through some mini-concerts via Facebook Live that we put together. I knew at some point, we’d collaborate on a song as his vibe fit so well with my style of playing with him being a Christian RnB/Soul artist. At the time that I asked him to be apart of this song in 2018, Refocus was already completed as it was intended to be an instrumental song, but I felt that it needed that vocal touch to it. Of course, with no hesitation, he said yes and the collaboration became a reality. What did the creative process look like for you when writing the heartfelt lyrics for, “Refocus?" The initial meaning and idea of "Refocus" were me, but the lyrics were written by Sean after I had given him the back story on the song. As I was writing the music to this song, the word “Refocus” came to me. At that moment, I was reminded that I need to continue to focus my attention on my purpose and not on the things that aren’t propelling me to reach my destiny. My faith is important and as someone who has a relationship with God, he’s my guide in this life and I want to fulfill the purpose that he has mandated for my life. Could you please take us into what the ambiance for the studio session looked like? The ambiance during the process of putting this song together was very quiet and mellow. For this song, I worked on it alone in the comfort of my home studio. I of course wanted to have some live instruments, so I reached out to a few of my musician friends to play on this song. Because everyone had their own home set up, we didn’t have to go into an actual studio to record this, which made the process of putting this song together seamless. In a world so chaotic and busy, what moments allow you to “Refocus?" Being able to have my meditative moments where I can just play my piano from my heart or even listening to past and current music that I write is one way I can refocus. I also appreciate the moments where I can sit in silence and just think and reminisce about the positive things that have happened in my life. I also value the time I spend talking to God and getting into my devotionals - these moments give me the strength to take on each day. What can listeners expect next from you? Christmas is just around the corner, so listeners can expect a few original tunes for the holidays and in true Desarae Dee fashion, they won’t be your “typical” Christmas songs. Desarae Dee Instagram Sean C. Johnson Website #BUZZMUSIC

Growing up in a household that put a huge emphasis on the power of music, UTE had always transpired to become a music artist. Singing wherever she could, UTE would always have room to open her heart and soul in order to truly connect with the song she was singing. UTE has always been straight to the point with her sound, never leaving room for misinterpretation. Keeping her music light and airy, UTE is always trying to extend good spirits out to her listeners, and continues this theme with her recent song release, "Rainbow". "Rainbow" starts off with melodic piano stylings, a prominent ambiance UTE's music unravels. Deep and harmonious vocalism quickly integrates into the heartwarming tempo and UTE ventures along with the storyline of the lessons within life. UTE pushes for positivity within "Rainbow", and attempts to convince listeners to see the light in every situation. "Rainbow" is the type of single you'd listen to on a tougher day, as the inspiring lyricism is able to provide a bright light in the midst of darkness. UTE reminds her audience that in tough times, "there's always been a rainbow hanging over your head", and focuses on the zealousness of life. And for that reason, we're anticipating the next release of UTE and the warm embrace that will extend itself from it. "Rainbow" is a song that hones in on embracing the positive aspects of life, even when tougher times come about. Where did you get the influence to write this type of song and how did you feel during the writing stage of it? Rainbow is written by Kacey Musgraves. I chose the song for me to perform because of the message. Even when it rains and pours, you can still see a rainbow in the sky if you try. This means never give up hope, bad times, dark times can change within some days or weeks. What kind of approach would you say that you took on in "Rainbow"? Was there a certain feeling you wished to impart to listeners? I wish my listeners to relax and to comfort them. To breath deeply and let it go How do you think "Rainbow" compares to other songs you've released this year?! It is a very low song in the keys. I am relaxed too when I sing in that kind of register. And this song is dedicated to my mum, Gabriele Schoenherr Where do you see your sound extending itself from here? More in part of bringing out good vibes, positive thinking and there will a Christmas single this Holiday Season with the name Santa is knocking at my door What has been keeping you inspired in 2020? Both of my parents died this year of different kinds of sicknesses. Now I only have my two dogs left. This year was the hardest year of my entire life so far. Actually, you will find this as a reflection of my new songs. instagram.com/ute.world

Newah and Amber Prothero come together for a genre-bending collaboration on their rebellious new single “Let It Burn.” As a producer and multi-instrumentalist, Newah fuses live and electronic instrumentation into his productions, while Amber Prothero is a dynamic musical force whose dreamy vocals and raw confessional lyricism allow her to effortlessly transition between any genre of music. These artists from London and Liverpool, met by chance in Paris last November. Through their heartfelt conversations, they discovered they shared a burning passion for music. Although their plans were interrupted by COVID-19, they didn’t let that halt their creativity. Zoom enabled them to work together in their very first session and they wrote “Let It Burn,” in a matter of hours. Taking inspiration from the beloved Jazz and Disco genre, “Let it Burn,” is the perfect blend to showcase both up and coming artists in a hit that trickles with Pop ambiance. “Let It Burn,” begins with the lively playing of keys and clapping; instantly setting an intoxicating tone for the production. Newah shines with the elements of the composition while sonic goodness fills the speakers through bending genres to deliver a sparkling Pop essence through the instrumentation. You are transported to a dreamy utopia that you don’t want to leave as the song progresses through its magnetic charm. When Amber's vocals are introduced, you're hit with enough soul to take over a village. There’s an enticing hook that pulls you towards her divine, effortless delivery. She showcases a wide-range of potent artistic styles through the lyrics and harmonies that exude pure melodic bliss. Even the ad-libs have a fierce, charismatic edge to them and you can’t help but tap your foot to the collaborative dynamic. Together the force of Newah and Amber Prothero has created a euphoric synth anthem that is known to be, “Let It Burn." “Let It Burn,” drips with captivation. We're so happy we could stumble upon these talented up and comers in the music industry that are sure to make their mark. Could you please take us into what the creative process looked like for, “Let It Burn?" Amber: So the two of us met by complete chance last December as we were both visiting Paris at the same time! When we got to chatting at Gare du Nord station we realized that we both shared a love for music (FATE!? I think so). We were supposed to get in the studio together in March, just as things were starting to go crazy! In the end, we decided to do the writing session over Zoom. That was the first time we’d spoken since meeting for that brief period in Paris! So for the first hour or so, we talked about what we’d been up to music-wise and what kind of track we wanted to build. We created a Spotify playlist and after a little while we decided we wanted a feel-good bop that beautifully showcased our strengths; Newah’s electro-pop influences with my old-school, soulful vocals! We literally wrote "Let It Burn" within a matter of hours and it was such an organic process. The energy in the session was so great and we bounced off one another so well… I’d come up with a melody or a lyric and then Newah would have the next puzzle piece at the ready. The synchronicity of it was quite scary bearing in mind that it was our first ever session! What does this song mean to each of you as individuals and together as a collective? Newah: Going into the session I knew I wanted to make something that would hopefully lift people’s spirits and something that would really get a crowd moving when we play it live one day! For me, the song is quite a milestone as it’s the first time I’ve collaborated with another artist as Newah and the first time I’ve been involved in the lyric writing process, so that was a fun learning process and challenge. Amber: I think for me this song represents hope in a very weird time that was (and still is) quite scary. When we wrote the song, we couldn’t go out and see friends or family or do what we loved to do… perform. So having a writing session like this one gave me a sense of hope and it was the first time in a long while where I felt really excited about a project and sharing it with the world. Being our first song together it’s monumental for us and feels like we’ve started this collaboration with a bang. Going into the session there was obviously some anticipation for both of us, as it was such a long time coming, and it felt amazing to come out of it with a whole song in such a short amount of time! How important is chemistry to you when collaborating with people in the music industry? Amber: It’s paramount, to be honest. Like I explained earlier, having the chemistry between a producer and a writer or whatever the dynamic may be, completely transforms a writing session. I am such a firm believer in fate and I’m so happy that we took advantage of that coincidence meeting and turned it into something positive, a song that people can listen to, dance to, and feel happy when doing so! Newah: Chemistry and trust are the most important things when it comes to collaborating. When you’re creating music and coming up with ideas you have to feel comfortable and confident with each other otherwise you’ll struggle to make anything. As I mentioned this was the first time I had written lyrics but Amber was open to all my ideas and didn’t even make me feel uneasy in suggesting lines or words. What would you like your listeners to take away from, “Let It Burn?" I think that the message of this song is all about letting yourself get lost in the music. The first few lyrics of the verse say ‘The melody makes me feel complete when there’s a fire I am drawn to the heat’. We wanted to create a song that depicts that sensation of completely losing yourself in a feeling, not even necessarily in music, by leaving all of your troubles and worries in the past, letting it all 'burn' away. What has been keeping you inspired in 2020? Newah: For me, the key to staying inspired amidst all this craziness has been creating a structure for myself. When lockdown started I set out daily timetables for myself around music and I think it’s really helped me stay focused and on track with everything music-related. I’m the sort of person who knows if I turn up every day in the studio then inspiration and great things will follow! I’ve also loved seeing all the creative ways other artists have been making music during the lockdown and followed Charli XCX quite closely whilst she was making her album 'How I’m Feeling Now.' Amber: To be honest, what is going on in the world this year has provided more than enough inspiration. I released a single back in August called "Won’t Let This Love Go", which was inspired by the difficulties faced by binational couples in long-distance relationships around the world, as a result of a worldwide lockdown. This project was an incredible outlet for me and with this song, I ended up filming my very first music video which has now amounted to over 42K views on YouTube. It’s time like these when I put my heart and soul into a project basing each creative detail on what’s happening to me personally, that I feel most fulfilled and eternally grateful to get to do what I do. Instagram Newah Instagram Amber Prothero #BUZZMUSIC

Coming in hot from New York City, the lively Pop artist Kfir teams up with Sis to release an exhilarating and stimulating music video, "Fan a Bitch (feat. Sis)." Kfir is no stranger to the stage, as he's been performing and Ballet dancing professionally since the mere age of six. Not to mention performing eight shows a week in Broadway's Phantom of The Opera, we can see why Kfir takes each creative endeavor with such confidence and charisma. With his latest bop, "Fan a Bitch (feat. Sis)," Kfir brings fire to the Pop scene with help from Sis and their incredibly modern flair. The song takes listeners into the celestials of Electro-Pop with the song's gut-wrenching synths, lively drum breaks, and upbeat rhythm. That being said, the song's music video takes the track to new and exciting places. The music video for "Fan a Bitch (feat. Sis)" opens with Kfir walking up to his sports car and jumping through its butterfly doors. As he begins to drive away, Sis makes her way in and livens the song with fiery intro ad-libs. Once the first verse drops, Kfir's delivery is truly stimulating as he rides the Electro-Pop beat with dominance. Not to mention the fierce dancers within the video, Kfir, and Sis takes us right back to the scorching nights in the club where we're basking in the nightlife's energy. With heaps of voguing, death drops, and intense energy, the music video keeps our eyes peeled onto the many dancers and their tightly-wound choreography. Also noting the verse that Sis delivers, she powers through with rhythmic bars that compliment her spirited performance within the music video, snapping her fan open and giving the audience nothing but a thrill. Offering an ode to the club and Drag culture with his recent hit "Fan a Bitch (feat. Sis)," Kfir's song and music video provide striking and energetic elements that would have Mama Ru scream, "10's, 10's, 10's across the board!" Watch "Fan a Bitch (feat. Sis)" here. We can't get enough of your flaming music video for your stimulating single, "Fan a Bitch (feat. Sis)." Why inspired you to create such a lively song during these times? I never create songs intentionally, my songs are always born out of inspiration like a dream or a situation that I’ve been through directly or indirectly. It’s always a process that leads to the final product from conception to delivery. When I create concepts for my music videos, I create them either during the recording process or at the very end after I lived with the track for a while. Then, most of the time images and concepts pop into my head and if I feel like they convey my aesthetics and go with the track then I know they are right. I don't like to be too literal with my visuals because I feel it’s too boring. I knew that I was singing about a club environment, so I was thinking about how to serve that environment indirectly and mix it up with theater, film, and art. I came up with the idea of Kitkat Klub 2020 out of the movie cabaret when I was watching a documentary about Bob Fosse. F.A.B is a club culture-inspired track so it was obvious to me that I wanted it to be colorful and diverse with its colors and cultural themes. I wanted to include everyone in that party atmosphere, our country and the world is very divided right now, with lots of negativity and hate and it was something that was important for me. It even influenced my casting decisions of the multicultural cast that represents the survival power of NYC artists who came together during these hard times to create art. Speaking on Sis' fiery feature within "Fan a Bitch (feat. Sis)," what made you gravitate towards Sis when seeking someone to feature on a lively track like this? What was your collaboration like? I met Sis through a mutual friend. I was looking for a specific fiery, charismatic, and powerful artist to collaborate with. So when I met Sis it was instant. I knew that she was the perfect artist for this. After filling her in on my concept and why I wrote the track and what I was envisioning to hear in it, I sent her the track and she wrote her verse in less than a day. Sis is a very passionate LGBTQI activist, TLM & BLM, and it was one of my intentions to give a visual and audio exposure to her as a person and as an activist. I am so happy we made this happen. It was such a great experience. Regarding the impeccable and blazing music video for "Fan a Bitch (feat. Sis)," we must note the brilliant direction from you and Tom Flynn. What sort of vision did you initially have for the music video, and how did you execute it? Tom Flynn is an artist as well. I worked with him a month before on my last music video for my song "Gigolo". After seeing his creative side, input, and excitement for that video while working, I knew that he is the perfect person to help me achieve this. We have a great working/creative chemistry. I knew that this F.A.B MV was more involved with lots of scenes, filming schedules, and a bigger crew. But when I sent Tom - my treatment as I always do he got it right away. I always create my music videos “at my desk”, which means that before any filming happens, I create an extremely detailed treatment that serves as the book that guides anyone that joins the team. We had two separate dates for filming, the car sequences were filmed on a stormy night in Long Island. And the rest was filmed a week later in manhattan at the Triad Theater on the upper west side. We noticed that your music video for "Fan a Bitch (feat. Sis)" had quite the team. From the list of credits on the video, which members and what departments had a significant impact on the creation of the video? How did your team help the video come to life? My team is everything to me from my social team to my closest team members who are my closest friends. Like my best friend and longtime collaborators Herman Payne, my choreographer, and Deon Ridley who was our assistant choreographer in this video. Herman’s choreography and Deon’s involvement with setting it on the dancers have created the F.A.B world. Avi Edri with his makeup concepts gave us all a face and artistic vision. Tom’s light design and cinematography skills and choices helped us translate it all to the screen. I wanted to create a visual mix of cabaret, Vogue, and urban club and street feel. My friend Iggy Berlin who acted as the Klub MC is a close friend who performed with me at the Metropolitan Opera many times before. Since I was looking to involve the House Live Matter movement in the video I had the pleasure to work with the amazing human being and artist Mailk Miyake Mugler, his kindness and vision saw what this meant for all of us so he came on board. All my dancers brought their individuality and made the choreography and characters shine. Those long time friendships and individuals brought what they felt my concepts meant for them and that's how the video looks so wholesome. I deeply cherish these people and I would never be able to do what I do without them. They get me as a performer and they get me as an artist and a person. With such creative force behind me, it opened up the floodgates to more inspiration. Above all, my friends build me as a person as well and really help me believe in myself. What has been keeping you inspired in 2020 and what can we expect to see next from you? Throughout this year my anxiety, turmoil, few moments of clarity, the daily cycle of all this insecurity is what pushes me forward. I refuse to be stopped or to be diverted from my artistic track. I invested a lifetime in it and envisioned my future. I try to find inspiration in that. I do what I can. A few days ago I wrote two new demos and new material is coming. I don’t have a big record label that tells me what to do, or their budget so I do what I can when I can. The most important thing is that all my music and everything around it comes from my obsessive love for music, creativity, the performing arts, and authenticity with only one desire in my soul - to entertain. Instagram Website #BUZZMUSIC

Christopher Mofield is a multitalented artist who creates Hip-Hop music under his musical persona DA CULPRIT. The Rapper, Producer, and Film Director work tirelessly to create something new for his audience; and with his new single “36 Bars” – he does. DA CULPRIT’s recent release feels like the soundtrack to a lifelong flex. Picture something like a 1972 Chevrolet Monte Carlo bouncing to the sound of a heat-filled Hip-Hop banger. The single “36 Bars” opens with a recording of a mind-numbing smoke session, which introduces the risqué tone that is maintained for the rest of the track. The conversation is interrupted by a substantial, bass-heavy beat. DA CULPRIT thoughtfully engineered his beat to highlight the intensity of its bass as it switches dynamically between subtle and powerful bumps. “36 Bars’” blown out 808 trap beat is seamlessly layered underneath an electronically engineered flute. The melody of the flute is repetitive and catchy as it adds a comforting consistency to the backtrack of “36 Bars.” One of the most alluring qualities of DA CULPRIT is his unique rapping sound. He has a throaty, deep voice that is comparable to that of Hip-Hop legend The Notorious B.I.G., which gives him an aura of tenacity and power. DA CULPRIT showcases his intrinsic ear for Hip-Hop through his ability to flawlessly combine electronic production with his vocals. You’re influenced by a variety of successful artists including Jay Z, Timbaland, Swizz Beatz, The 45 King, and Hype Williams. Can you tell us what you’ve learned from these artists, and how they inspire your music style? Being influenced by Jay Z inspired me to start my own label, so I created my brand that started from a 10 block radius, releasing mixtapes, documentaries, a clothing line expanding globally, putting on other artists, building a studio, perfecting my craft, and giving back to the community. Being a Producer and working with other Producers and Engineers such as Swizz Beatz, Timbaland, and The 45 Kings stood out to me. Swizz worked with the Ruff Ryders, I always respected them business-wise. Timbaland inspired me, from the tracks he produced for Aaliyah, Jay Z, and Justin Timberlake. When I write a song or create a melody, I visualize the beat as an idea. It’s open to all genres. I create music. The 45 kings created the Anne track from the shard Knock life. From Hip Hop, Gospel, R&B, Street Documentaries. DVDs such as Hood Tv, We On Fire & Hood Politics Documentary, Hype Williams inspired me to do music videos. From studying and watching the Music Videos Hype did for  Nas, Puff, Busta Rhymes, Biggie, it was a movie, and Belly it was definitely a game-changer at the time. After becoming an Actor and landing a background cast in the movie National Treasure, I started to take my craft seriously by writing scripts and working more on the creative side. What was your inspiration when you were creating the song “36 Bars?” My inspiration for "36 Bars" was intended to be an album cut for the 'Closer To My Dream 4' project. While recording the song, I envisioned doing the record straight through with no hook. When I started laying the song down, it surpassed my expectations the impact and magnitude of the record have had. I pay homage to the pioneer while showing my growth and range, all while embracing the new generation and solidifying my position as a Rapper/producer. Release the music video GTA theme has been embraced and receiving heavy rotation, and AirPlay since it’s release. What does the title “36 Bars” represent? Can you tell us more about the lyrics and the message hidden within them? 3"6 Bars" represents excellence. The message in the song is to read between the lines. You don’t have to do what everyone else is doing to be successful or accepted. We all have our own journey and style. "36 Bars" is a lifestyle. It’s an upgrade lyrically with the cadence wordplay, and surpasses all expectations and proves that DA CULPRIT is on the level of Hip Hop Influencers. As an artist, you have experienced many ups and downs throughout your career. Are there any experiences that have stood out to you that you would like to mention? What did you learn from them? Throughout the ups and downs, it’s been a learning experience... like shopping my demo with Def Jam. Having a hot record on the street and in the club at the time - “Relax and Chill,"  traveling back and forth from Philadelphia to New York, it humbled me when I didn’t get signed. I took the time to perfect my craft and as I grew, I became more seasoned. I appreciate every opportunity and experience that has made me who I am today. What has been keeping you inspired in 2020? Today, I'm inspired by music. Touching the fans and listeners, working with the DJ's and venues, performing live gigs (pre-COVID). realtalkofthemusicbiz

This past March, R.O Hutch dropped an E.P. worth diving into; this month, the robust sonic escapades continue with "Hammertime." On the new slammer, "Hard to Hate," the North Carolina notoriety carousals with his meticulous stratagem of using trap rhythm and rap hustle to facilitate his come up. He's invested in what his latest Hip-Hop productions can impart to his audiences, and with the help of his argumentative flow, his latest single displays a fervent Rap approach that stimulates from your feet and all the way to your dome. "Tell me what you want, and I supply, too legit to quit, its hammer time," he croons, with tantalizing reverberations dissolving back into the voids of the scintillating backgrounds from which they came. Hutch's powerful uttered symmetries glide between modern the Hip-hop aesthetics of J. Cole and a new-age rapper semantics you haven't heard yet, and it all lands from the song's initial rambunctious origins. Bold 808s come inlaid beneath his gratifying hook, and tasteful adlibs facilitate the 32nd note hi-hat rolls, gleaming pads, and twinkles of moody tones that circumnavigate the drippy atmospheres of his festering sonic backdrop. He finds purpose in making the kind of musical sorcery that stimulates the mind, and when he's not commanding over your head's bobbing motion, he's speaking to your soul. "Extendo clip locked, when we ride, it's a long night, out the window, tint dropped, when we slide know it's on sight," he versifies with a veteran MC cadence. COVID-19 may have paused R.O Hutch's live-show escapades nationally, but Raleigh's home-grown hot-shot still manages to rep his state and family with every modish Hip-Hop track he drops. Listen to "Hammertime" here. How did the idea and aesthetic behind "Hammertime" present itself to you initially? I was literally looking for a particular type of song to finish up my project/EP (H2H) and came across the production, I was intently intrigued and the lyric wrote themselves. What were some of the key emotions you found yourself channeling into for your performance on "Hammertime?" Extreme confidence. The feeling or desire to prove why you are who you say you are. I found it challenging which only added to my desire to deliver. Does "Hammertime" have a particular message you wanted to convey to your audience? What sorts of sentiments were you trying to bring out in listeners? Although I wouldn’t say there is a particular “message” I was trying to convey, however far as sentiment, it was just aimed to invoke a fun, party, dance energy. If you could prefix "Hammertime" and the "Hard to Hate" E.P. with a few words that would highlight the intention behind your latest musical catalog, what would you say and why? Hard to Hate. What has been keeping you inspired in 2020? The challenge to drop multiple projects and show consistently why I am an artist worth investing time and attention in. I am also driven by the passion to make good music. I feel my latest is always my greatest, so it excites me to think of how my next project will be. Instagram Facebook

Hailing from NYC, the city's acclaimed post-millennial piano man and Singer/Songwriter Craig Greenberg releases a single with a sound message through his recent hit, "Face the Fire." Craig Greenberg has been an essential Manhattan club performer over the past fifteen years, capturing elements of greats like Billy Joel, Ben Folds, and Randy Newman. Listeners can instantly recognize a piece from Greenberg, as his larger than life personality and soulful musical twists are a staple in his sound. With his recent single, "Face the Fire," we hear Craig Greenberg's profound message come to light through his in-depth lyricism surrounding equality and the consequences of irresponsible and reckless actions. Through soulful mid-tempo instrumentation and Craig Greenberg's passionate and hearty performance, we encourage listeners to delve deeper into his lyrical concept, as we're doing some analyzing of our own. "Face the Fire" opens with soft piano melodies and Craig Greenberg's clear and warm vocals. While he begins depicting scenes of a harsh being who has lost their followers through unjust actions and decisions, we're starting to recognize who Greenberg might be singing about with this single. As the song continues, the instrumentals swell to be incredibly lively and light-hearted, that is, until the scorching hot bridge with magnetic, electric guitar whaling away and the exploding drum patterns that heighten the song's energy. Craig Greenberg's performance is genuinely exhilarating, as we can't help but preach and relate to his lyricism regarding the lack of leadership our country has seen these past four years. Ending the song off with passion and enthusiasm, we highly appreciate Craig Greenberg's single "Face the Fire," as it reminds listeners to think twice of who they should trust and who/what they should avoid. Listen to "Face the Fire" here. We're very appreciative of the reality pie you serve within your single, "Face the Fire." Could you take us through what inspired the song? Well, it was basically a rage-filled songwriting session that came a few weeks into Trump's daily coronavirus briefings in late April. I've never been a fan of this president, but his handling of COVID-19 (while NYC was going through hell) was my breaking point. It was definitely one of the quicker lyrics I've written. It just poured out. Were we correct when analyzing your lyrical concept? Yes, reality pie served with a side of condemnation fries. Regarding the hefty and soulful instrumentals within "Face the Fire," why did you want the song's instrumentals to offer such dynamic range, from the song's gentle intro to the heated bridge/outro? Sonic range is one of my favorite things in music, and something, sadly, that has been lost in much of what's currently considered popular. I really can't listen to so much modern music because my ear gets fatigued when there's no dynamic range. On the record, I’m really proud of how the very soft touch of the string section leads into the in-your-face guitar solo... it may be my favorite thing on the recording. Speaking on your creative process for "Face the Fire," did you have any session musicians or producers help craft the song's instrumentals? Hiroyuki Matsuura, who's been performing with me for the last few years, played drums, and Wayne Silver, who co-produced it with me, played a couple of the rhythm guitars.  I did everything else. I probably shouldn't give away the secret, but the instrumental string section was all done on a synthesizer. And actually, this recording is the first time I've ever played bass on one of my own songs. Was this an in-person process, taking the world's circumstance into account? Yes, it was in-person. Fortunately, Wayne (at his studio The Ice Plant) is currently a one-man operation, so other than the day tracking drums, it was just the two of us there. What did your songwriting process look like when crafting your lyricism for "Face the Fire"? What did you want listeners to grasp from your lyrical content, and did you want to encourage anything in particular with your lyrics? I wanted it to be very straight ahead, actually, I've written several political songs in the past, but this one is definitely the most direct and the most transparent as to who and what it's about. I don't want listeners to grasp anything other than my own discontent with Trump. I'm definitely not trying to persuade listeners, nor do I care about them agreeing with my take, I just want my take to be clear (and hopefully hummable). What has been keeping you inspired in 2020 and what can we expect to see from you as we enter 2021? Well, even though it's been a tough year, it's also been a very productive and creative time for me, in part b/c of the increased amount of free time I've had. After my album 'Phantom Life' comes out on Dec 4th (“Face The Fire” isn't on the album incidentally.. those tracks were recorded prior to the pandemic), I'm gonna start planning the next release—probably an EP of the songs I've finished since COVID. And as well for the country, I think we're on the verge of coming out of this very dark period more hopeful and (ultimately) united. If you notice, this song has a happy ending. I guess I'm an eternal optimist. Instagram Website #BUZZMUSIC