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Giving listeners an atmospheric ride like no other, the Electro-Pop artist and Singer/Songwriter Camila Knight releases her empowering debut single, "Angels." Aiming to create a safe space for the misunderstood and unsettled, Camila Knight's music makes anyone feel right at home. Merging electronic soundscapes with powerhouse vocals and compelling lyricism, she makes it incredibly easy to connect with her messages and get lost in the celestial production. With her debut single "Angels," Camila Knight takes various pop sub-genres (Norwegian pop, folk-pop, soul-pop, art-pop, and electro-pop) to transmute her misty dreams into a musical reality. With each breath she takes, Camila Knight exudes independence through incredibly poetic lyrics of staying true to oneself and expressing the need for freedom. "Angels" gracefully opens through a dreamy and atmospheric pop intro with Camila Knight's powerfully warm vocals accompanied by serene production and a subtle bassline. Once the toe-tapping pre-chorus hits with soulful and jazzy piano, we're buckled in for the ride as the transcendent hook takes the listener onto new planes. The precise synth work and arrangement of melodies bring nothing but bliss, all while Camila Knight sings lyrics of her dreams where humans are meant to be free. Ending the track off with an exhilarating electric guitar solo, Camila allows for the listener to feel this sensation of relief and renewal. Chanting her protest and vastly accumulating a fanbase to sing along with her, Camila Knight's single "Angels" brings infinite power to achieve the dreams that haunt you. Hello Camila and welcome to BuzzMusic. Congratulations on the release of your powerful debut single "Angels." Why did you choose this song to lead the way of your discography? Thank you so much! I decided to release "Angels" as my debut single because of the message it carries. This song is very close to my heart and it came to me suddenly, like an epiphany. I wrote the lyrics in around 10 minutes as if someone dictated it to me. "Angels" conveys a message that I wanted to get out there and share with others. It gives an honest picture of how I feel about the world today. In the song, angels are humans waking up at last from a dream of life and waking up to a greater awareness of themselves. From now on I started calling my listeners "angels" and set up a community on my website (camilaknight.com), also for those who feel they don't fit in, don't belong, or feel misunderstood. Choosing this song as a debut single just felt right. Speaking on the lyrical content within "Angels," was the song inspired by an actual dream you had? What made you want to write a song expressing the need for freedom? Actually, "Angels" has been inspired by my mum's dream where humans were angels without the wings, fallen from the sky not being aware of their true nature. It somehow inspired me at once, I sat at the piano and started to play, then the lyrics came to me. Personal freedom has always been an important matter to me. I feel that we're capable of great things if only we could free our minds from destructive, limiting thoughts. Sometimes unconsciously we enslave ourselves by staying in uncomfortable situations, running up debts, social conventions, hanging onto dead-end jobs, or relationships. At times I feel an urge to get away, just be in nature, run away from the rules of this world and this song fully expresses this feeling. What was your creative process like when working with session musicians and producers/engineers for your single "Angels"? What was it like collaborating? It was great! I collaborated with some fantastic musicians in this song, my bandmates: Jorge Gandara Vazquez, Freddy Lane, and Alejandro Nin Gonzalez. The track came together during isolation. We started by recording the keys and drums shortly before the lockdown, but the rest of the instruments and vocals were recorded during the quarantine at our home studios. We did video chats, talked on WhatsApp, sent audio notes. Then a great producer/engineer Sam Ray rapidly grasped my vision for this song and managed to put it all together. I learned a lot during the process, defining soundscapes, sound textures, and brainstorming ideas for the production. We've heard that "Angels" is the first single released off your upcoming EP. What can you tell us about the forthcoming project, and how does the EP reflect who you are and what your music stands for? Yes! I'm so excited about my upcoming EP, still deciding on the songs that will be featured on it. I can say that it will definitely include a versatile mix of genres, happy and sad tunes, atmospheric soundscapes, and groovy beats. I write songs that are personal, and usually refer to stories from my life or overheard, so the EP will be a collection of some emotional experiences, memories, uplifting thoughts, little moments of happiness, and internal battles. I naturally write songs with a message, something to reflect on, or just be empowered by. What has been keeping you inspired in 2020?" This year has been very transformative on many levels. Going away from the city and being in nature has helped me a lot to reconnect with myself and find inspiration. It's been a very creative time, I spent it on writing new songs, making music, self-reflection, and meditation. It was a perfect year to stop in our ways, appreciate what we have, embrace uncertainty, and learn more about ourselves. instagram.com/camilaknightmusic facebook.com/CamilaKnightMusic #BUZZMUSIC

Lancelot Junior Dean Bravo is the Jamaican Born Emcee who performs under the cognomen, Clane Mathew. His Hip-hop career's inception comes about in 2018, when the menacing Rapper first introduced the world to his Debut, "The Unspoken Word," a mid-tempo burner that quietly devasted as he versified about Racial Division in America. "As a black man in the United States of America, the only things these folks appreciate is my athleticism and stamina," he explains, touching on the crucial sentiments that plague all minorities living in this country. From there, his ethos became one focused-in on providing awareness, and eventually, positivity to all his musical endeavors. His destiny didn't settle there. The young budding Musical entrepreneur went on to create a Record Label—L.B. Music Productions—and signed artist's from across the globe to join the mounting corporation. This year, with enough time and energy left within himself to release more of his own Emcee-flow and riffling-bars, Clane Mathew presents "An Immigrant Story"—a ten-track recollection of the story behind his nomadic and turbulent past. Clane Mathews distinguishes himself as a Rapper with an elevated mindset. He shovels over profound lyricism, elegist monologues, and honest, quietly devastating disclosures about the country we live in; and it's all packed into a Record format that renders like a director's commentary. Each track has an attached Monologue and a profound sentimental down-pour of crucial life introspections, enabling a deeper connection to this Emcee's true essences. All the struggles and turbulence he describes doesn't come without an appreciation for the lessons he's learned throughout Life's process. "I thank god for everything that's happened in my past and everything I was able to witness," he recounts, over the prologue to the Records eponymous opening track. Here, the meandering mid-simmer Hip-hop escapades render Clane in an ominous candescent tinge, as he buzzes over his vibed-out cantor. It's a production that features scintillating hi-hats that disperse over the 32nd note scatters that exude over every bar's downbeat. There are moments where his verbiage is punctuated with an ominous manifestation of a demonic-sounding harmonic that synergizes with his final words. "This an immigrant story of how a little boy from a little town won a victory," Clane resounds over his fervently monochromatic words. It's an intoxicating introduction and an appropriate representation of the type of steadfast work he's already gained notoriety for. "Silent Night" manifests like the downshift gear on "An Immigrant Story's" excursion. Clane Mathew sounds like the contrasting variation to his opener here. He operates, smoothly weaving himself between the delicate fingerings of a nostalgically reverberant piano. Even synergizing over his vocal doubles as if to accentuate each dissolving syllable that leaves his lips. It's a propensity for storytelling that hasn't been readily available amongst the mumble raps, hoodlum boasting, and curt language featured over Soundcloud these days. Here, Clane reminds us of depictive narratives mirroring André 3000 during his Prime. His ingenuity doesn't stop there. On "I.O.U," our lyricist swipes past the revolving doors and enters into the liquefied territory; where pianos, electric guitars, distorted horn drones collude together in an attempt to embellish Clane's steadfast display of Topline affluence over his captivating chorus. It all borders on the verge of feeling congested, but somehow, his presence—front and center—never feels lopsided or squabbled with. Over the third Monologue, Clane sets us up with a mindset that makes us feel like we're on top of the world. He talks about overcoming adversity and accepting that he can accomplish what he sets out to do in his career; it all culminates over the next track, "The Greatest." Clane Mathew floats buoyantly over hymn-like resoundings with render decorated with weighted vocal effects that convey reminiscence to some of the best R&B cuts from the 2000s. He sings over his hook here, and it feels like the moments of praise we used to get in Church—where flocks from back and front congregate together to celebrate over a bouncy measure and an uplifted spirit. It's much of the same sentiment here, only Clane isn't praising the powers above necessarily; he's jovially cogitating over his own new-found fervor. It's a track that stands out from the rest as a prime opportunity to get out of our seats and to vibe-out while dancing to the progressive R&B and Hip-hop production of shimmering toplines, crunchy percussive beats, and keys that dance across prismatic majors. The last few moments on "An Immigrant Story" conjures up some of the most profound sentiments from us as an audience. Monologue #4 facilitates the hard-earned mindset that Clane Mathew now manifests through every aspect of his creative career. Even despite the ghoulish nightmares, he recalls experiencing as a result of the demons of his past. What comes attached is the last number on this deeply touching Record, "Keys to the Kingdom." Here, Clane channels his Jamaican roots over a swerving production that influences dance-hall vibes. There's a heated intoxicating island-like articulation found within the hook, and as we head-bob along to the sunny-side of this finale, there's only one thing left to ask. What will Clane do next? Dive into "An Immigrant Story" here. Hello Clane, thank you for taking the time to catch up with us at BuzzMusic. You describe your Life's story through this Record with the veteran cantor of an Emcee from the Golden Era of Hip-hop, but who inspired this type of aesthetic and character for you as an artist? Eminem and Kendrick Lamar (mostly Kendrick Lamar) are the ones who inspired my character as an artist. When I started out in music, I used Eminem‘s flow and wordplay as a reference to start my career. Over time I started getting into Kendrick Lamar, and once I heard his work, he made me see my music in a different light. He helped me to figure out who I was as a person, and made me ask the big question: is your music-making a difference? And ever since then, I strived to become the person/artist I am today. What what the thought process behind the curation of this Record, and where did the idea of each track having its own attached Monologue come from? Well as the title suggests, I wanted the album to parallel the art of storytelling. Yeah, words on a beat are great and all, but I wanted more than that. I really wanted the audience to connect with me on a personal level like never before. I wanted them to feel everything I felt at the exact moments I felt it, and that’s where I got the idea of the monologues. After each song, I made the monologues into second parts of the song that came before it. With this at play, it would give the listener a more in-depth understanding and a deeper connection to my story, as if they’ve experienced it too. With that in place, I was able to tell my story and my experience piece by piece in a creative way that would keep listeners engaged and wanting more; and so far it worked tremendously. I’ve gotten countless messages of fans crying throughout the album since it’s release on Sep. 1, and countless other messages saying this is my best work yet. When you think back to the writing, recording, and release process behind "An Immigrant Story," what stands out as one of the most impactful lessons you've learned about yourself as an artist? The lesson I learned is to never second guess yourself. I’ve done so much deleting and re-recording during the making of this album, and so many different mixes and masterings. I was exhausted because I wanted it to be perfect. I talked to the chief engineer of my label and I said to him “I don’t know man, I feel like this isn’t enough. I feel like this isn’t good enough.” He told me “we’re all gonna think that because we take our art very seriously. The best thing to do is to try your best and after you know that you’ve done your best, leave it at that, because if you continue to change and change, you’ll ruin what you’ve got.” I took his advice and I did it to the best of my ability, and boom! I’ve created my best work yet! That’s a lesson I’m gonna hold on to for the rest of my life. Every creator has their own individualistic Milestones that they aim to achieve throughout their career. Did you feel like, after this Record, you have gained some footing over the mileage it takes to achieve those goals? Yes, I do! Honestly, this whole year I’ve exceeded my expectations, and I am truly grateful. I wanted to start a record label maybe when I was 30 years old. I’m 22, and I have a record label now with artists signed across the globe, so I think I’ve definitely passed some of my milestones. In regards to the album, I think I’ve reached a milestone as well. I’ve always wanted to create the best work I can; something that would rock audiences off their seats, and I’ve finally done it so I’m very proud of myself. Even though I thought I would have achieved it sooner, I always believe that God’s timing is right and in sync with my destiny and his plan. If you could leave your audience with a few words that would render up as a fleshly prologue for the profound experience they are about to plunge into on "An Immigrant Story," what would you feel the need to say and why? Be prepared. And the reason why I say this is because this album digs deep into my personal life and it could relate to anyone who listens. Be prepared to feel joy, sadness, and hope in one sitting. I hope this album inspires anyone who hears it, and I hope it assures them that whatever they lay their hands to, will prosper in due season. instagram.com/clanematthew clanematthew.com #BUZZMUSIC

Skyler Reed is the Atlanta-bred, genre amalgamating songstress whose heart feels most at home when performing in the limelight. Since an early age, the young intoner realized an au courant infatuation with music's greatest Contemporary R&B influencers—Whitney Houston, Luther Vandross, and Lauren Hill—thanks to her late Mother. It's a bestowal that would encourage Skyler to follow her artistic passion to the earth's ends. Based in Los Angeles, she creates Musical fantasias festooned with conjurations of her classically trained vocal capabilities. On her most recent creative largesse, "Are We There Yet," a song that moves with ageless pleasure, transversing the copulating genres of Soul and R&B. On "Are We There Yet," Skyler Reed tucks us into a terrene of lyrical suave that resembles that of an elegist. Her narrative is one that's derived from introspection. She sings about a metaphorical car-ride through the fast-paced and unpredictable trajectory of the world we live in, and as each warm and supple melody leaves Skyler's lips, there's a brief moment of bliss that embellishes our lulled mind-sets with a warm prismatic sense of delight. Behind her, a crooning-bass guitar synergizes with an earthy, tight-spaced drumset amongst a melodic orchestration of delectable chord progressions, a felicitous flute, and jaunty electric guitar. What's even more infatuating about the entire playthrough is the lightly carbonated up-swells of Skyler's background harmonies, that in intervals, produce a synergistic opus of cascading vocal bliss. "Are We There Yet," is a boon in the magnification of Skyler Reid's already proven talents. And as if it were destiny, her Mother's memory lives on through the fluency Skyler displays in her artistry. Hello Skyler and a warm welcome to BuzzMusic. What's been the most consequential lesson you've learned about yourself during the writing and recording of "Are We There Yet" My most consequential lesson is that it takes really digging deep to create some of the most meaningful music. The pandemic, like I'm sure for most people, has put me in a more introspective place. With everything slowing down, there's more than enough time to be with my thoughts, reflect, and be reinspired. I've also learned that I am more capable than I've let myself believe. I worked on the production for each song for my upcoming EP, and some I drafted the original composition for. In the past, I would limit myself and only focus on the lyric and melody aspect of the music. I believe that working with my co-producer/songwriter, Jessica Lloyce, has given me more confidence in my musical ability. The "Are We There Yet" single is a dream of mine, with live instrumentation and amazing lyrics. It's an example of me stretching myself as an artist. If you could try to describe some of the sentiments you aspired to highlight throughout this track, which defining words would you use, and why? I would say journey and hourglass. This song compares the innocence of childhood coupled with the carefree spirit and lack of awareness for the construct of time, with adulthood and swiftly passing moments. This song stemmed from a great conversation that focused on how different time appeared and the mentalities between childhood and adulthood. As a child, you're constantly going somewhere in the backseat of a car, with no control of your journey. As an adult, you have full control, but you realize it's not as easy as going from point a to point b. How do you maintain your fervor and prowess when it comes to your vocals? Is there a ritualistic practice you abide by that helps endow your vocal cords with the warmth they exude? I'm a vocal coach, so I'm constantly warming up my voice with my students. I also take regular voice lessons with my own vocal coach, Dionne Osborne, who was also Drake's vocal coach. She's amazing and has extremely helped me this past year on tapping into more tones and enhancing my weaknesses. On recording days I drink a vocal healing tea I created as a product for my studio, and I eat light. I don't talk much and I do a few light vocal warm-ups. I'm really big on vocal health, and I just make sure my voice is in tiptop shape when I need to record or have a performance. I'm naturally pretty expressive when I sing, and I focus on expressing each line to embody the lyrics. It's something I picked up while studying classical music in college, but I use it every time I sing. Can you tell us about some of the milestones you are aiming for this year concerning your Music career and the steps you've already taken to reach those goals? This year has been an unpredictable one, which alters what I would have aimed for with my music. Nevertheless, I am aiming for more blog and playlist placements, so "Are We There Yet" can get the exposure it needs. The single has already been placed on several playlists and been featured in several blogs, which I am grateful for. I'm looking forward to the music video shoot later this month, which I almost did not do due to COVID. My next big goal is to get it placed in TV and Film. What has been keeping you inspired in 2020? I'm inspired by art. Reading, music, and movies fuel my mind with ideas. Lately, I've been reading a super insightful book on Whitney Houston titled "A Song For You: My Life with Whitney Houston" by Robyn Crawford. I absolutely love learning about my favorite artists. I've also been studying music and watching documentaries on Billie Holiday, Phyllis Hyman, and more. Since wrapping most of the music for my upcoming EP, I started getting back into discovering music through my mixes on Tidal, listening to artists' full discographies, and checking out blogs. I've been really inspired by Emily King lately, and I can't get enough of Jhene Aiko's Chilombo album and John Legend's Bigger Love album. instagram.com/iamskylerreed facebook.com/iamskylerreed #BUZZMUSIC

Hailing from Leeds, United Kingdom, the 19-year-old electronic music producer Absolute Zero releases an invigorating progressive house single titled, "Have You Back (feat. Jamie Moorehead)." With a sound described as upbeat, energetic, and emotional, Absolute Zero's music has been compared to the likes of Martin Garrix, DubVision, and Manse. Regarding his recent single "Have You Back (feat. Jamie Moorehead)," Absolute Zero has crafted a thrilling electronic experience while Jamie Moorehead delivers relatable lyricism of wanting someone back. Absolute Zero has rounded this song out to perfection with notable organic instrumentals from an electric guitar to supporting piano chords, and without further ado, let's dive right in. "Have You Back (feat. Jamie Moorehead)" begins with a mesmerizing electric guitar melody that brings instant chills. Once the subtle supporting beat kicks in with bright piano chords, Jamie Moorehead begins singing a reminiscent story of lost love and having trouble moving forward. Instead of creating a single that sits in sorrow, Absolute Zero decided to turn these heavy emotions into an exhilarating musical experience. The song's progressive house beat drop brings powerful melodies through blistering synths that take us back to the festivals we miss dearly. Ending the song with Jamie Moorehead's strong vocals and Absolute Zero's exhilarating production, it's without a doubt that any listener will feel something with this single. Absolute Zero has purely created perfection with his track "Have You Back (feat. Jamie Moorehead)," which will inevitably leave its mark on you. Hello Absolute Zero and thank you for joining us at BuzzMusic. What initially inspired you and Jamie Moorehead to create your single "Have You Back (feat. Jamie Moorehead)?" How did your collaborative process begin? I started producing the track back in February this year. I was inspired by the track ‘Stay Until The Sunrise’ by Impulse and I wanted to create a track in that style. I loved the idea of having emotional and relatable lyrics in an upbeat and energetic EDM track. I spent a few months creating the instrumental and I sent it over to Jamie at the beginning of June. He sent me the vocals almost instantaneously and I love what he did with them - his vocal took the track to another level! The lyrical content within "Have You Back (feat. Jamie Moorehead)" is incredibly vulnerable and relatable. Did Jamie Moorehead write all of the lyrics, or was the process equally split? The lyrics were written by my flatmate, Alex, and I. We wanted to convey the idea of someone looking back on memories with a person who meant a lot to them, and how they’d do anything to re-live them. Many people, including myself, can relate to this - so we thought it would be a suitable topic for the track. Regarding the production within "Have You Back (feat. Jamie Moorehead)," why did you want to create this thrilling atmosphere instead of something softer to match the lyricism? The progressive house typically has dreamy and atmospheric verses that build up to big, energetic drops - which is something I enjoy a lot. I wanted to ensure that both the verses and the drop had energy so that it flowed well. However, softer instrumentation could be done in an acoustic version of this track, which I plan on doing in the future. Seeing as you and Jamie Moorehead are music production coursemates at Leeds Conservatoire, do you think this chemistry will allow for more collaborations between the two of you in the future? Hopefully, yes! We started this collaboration during the middle of lockdown, so we could only do it by sending audio files to each other. I hope I can collaborate with Jamie using the studio facilities at our university, but because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this may prove difficult. I should also mention that another one of my coursemates, Max, recorded some guitar for the track. I blended it with a MIDI guitar and it helped me get the right tone for the track. He’s very reliable, and I am sure we will collaborate again in the future! I am also working on a lot of tracks with producers like Samuriium and Daniel Lev - some of which may be released this year. I enjoy collaborating and I think it is one of the best ways to improve my production skills. What is one goal that you'd like to achieve with your music by the end of 2020? I want to release a lot of music by the end of this year so that I can create a sustainable fanbase and further develop my musical style. As I go back to university soon, I want to make sure I take full advantage of the facilities available to me on campus. As mentioned earlier, this may prove difficult due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but one of my main aims this year is to create a large portfolio of music that I am proud of. instagram.com/absolutezero_music facebook.com/absolutezeromusicpage #BUZZMUSIC

Akil B. Strange is the Flatbush-born, Queens-raised Rapper taking the music world by storm with his captivating new-wave aesthetic. Brought into this world by Jamaican and Guyanese parents, music was always an established norm in his household, and it was here that life would foreshadow his future as an artist. Taking most of his influences from the Golden-era's of yesterday, the young budding creative-mind had a rhyme book by the time he was eleven full of inspired lyrics and narratives. Naturally, it was destiny when he released his Debut as Akil B. Strange in 2015, and his career saw its trajectory skyrocket. Fast forward to today, after the success of 2019's "Strange New York:12AM-3 AM," Akil B. Strange has returned with the bestowment of new music, and we're itching to get immersed in his sonics. Straight from his anticipated Album release, "Everything You've Heard Is True," the song titled "Avenue," comes as a welcomed departure from the smooth Flatbush-Emcee cantor of his previous sonic outlines. This track festoons his urban silhouettes with a pumping production that draws resemblance to electronic dance music; there's an oscillating sub that warbles in the backdrops of this mystifying mix, a mid-tempo that rolls in and over itself with the help of scintillating hi-backbeats and a sound-scape background that produces a sense of wonder. When Akil B. Strange's enigmatic and morphing vocals surface overtop of the swindling and resound sample pads, it garnishes "Avenue," with a sense of spectacle and excitement that could only be described as infatuating. The crooning intro is a softly carbonated tease before the Queen's Rapper manifests as the familiar Emcee notoriety we all know and respect by way of his fervent attitude over the mic. The hook here is a play on a line from "Captain Philips," were the simple words, "Look at me, I am the Captain now," resound and fluctuate with a prismatic echo over Akil's raspy tonality. What's most enticing about this track is that Akil B. Strange. Strange has managed to re-invent himself here. He's less so worried about long-winded verbiage and incandescent bars like before. On "Avenue," it's more about creating a panorama of magical atmospheres overtop an electro-inspired production, While our protagonist's creative flow engraves the Top-line melody with his own distinguishing hue. The entire experience leaves us with one thought; what will he do next? Hello Akil B. Strange., it's awesome to sit down and chat with you about what's been keeping you busy. What inspired the new variation in your sound and aesthetic in "Avenue," and has this unique style and character taught you anything about yourself as an Artist? Once upon a time, When Kanye was still great, he said something along the lines of: ‘Anything can be a hook. It doesn’t have to be the chorus. It’s any part of the song that people repeat.’ What I heard was: fuck traditional song structure. While I love and value traditions. I also love disregarding and deconstructing them. So, when a beat inspires me to deviate from the regular verse/hook/bridge I love to take full advantage and see how many ways I can play with the structure but still make it repeatable. How did you go about creating such New-age vibes over "Avenue," while still drawing nostalgia from Pop-culture references? Is this something you're focusing on more this year for the upcoming Album? That just comes naturally. I’m an old soul. But I’m all about constant progression. As a result, all of my music is an endless exercise in navigating the delicate balance between the old and the new. What are you hoping your audience will learn about you when they listen to Avenue and the other tracks soon to reach us from the Album? That I’m the greatest hip hop artist of all time. I’m here to shift the culture. Can you give us a few words that would act as the prologue to some of the newest Music coming from you this year? What would you say, and why? Hello. I’m Young Strange. Nice to meet you. Everything you’ve heard is true. What has been keeping you inspired this year? Life. To me, everything sounds like music and every experience feels like a larger life metaphor. And it all can be rhymed because it’s all connected. Inspiration is everywhere, all the time. #BUZZMUSIC

Los Angeles-based rhythmic Hip-Hop artist KUNAL releases his expressive and wise-worded single, "Angelic & Devilish." Living in Los Angeles but coming from New York, New Jersey, and London has allowed KUNAL to grow with a wide array of musical routes to push him to new planes. With a sound ranging from Eminem and Kanye to Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Bob Marley, KUNAL pulls listeners in with his unique and rhythmic lyricism that continuously pushes authenticity. With his recent single "Angelic & Devilish," KUNAL brings forward a storyline of living in limbo between heaven and hell, where he inhibits this dynamic and versatile state of mind. Produced by Better Livvin, the track's sonics grasp the listener with each transcendent synth, perfectly giving a taste of modern west coast hip-hop production. "Angelic & Devilish" begins with haunting and slowly escalating production through eclectic synth melodies and an eerie organ's touch. Once KUNAL starts rapping with this authoritative and dominant flair, he tells a story of a woman who deceived him yet who continues to intrigue him through their similarities. We're profoundly impressed with KUNAL's textured flow within this track; he brings such confidence that naturally exudes from his tightly-wound lyricism. The double entendres and use of alliteration bring us back to hip-hop's prime, while he rides over the haunting and semi-psychedelic production. Ending the track off with what sounds like Tame Impala meets Travis Scott's Astroworld, the outro soars into the distance with powerful synths, a haunting organ, and a naturally intriguing ambiance. We're deeply captivated by KUNAL's powerful single "Angelic & Devilish." Not only does his delivery take us back to hip-hop's prime, but the blistering production gives an incredibly modern flair that pulls you in for more. Hello KUNAL, and a warm welcome to BuzzMusic. We're genuinely impressed with the deep and reflective message you've created with "Angelic & Devilish." What inspired you to write a track about our good and bad qualities? Growing up, my life had a dark side and a light side. I am sure a lot of people can relate to the idea that there can be a facade of happiness and success while behind closed doors there is struggle and sadness. Leaving everything and everyone I know behind on the east coast reframed my life and forced me into a place where I had to reflect on the ways my experiences shaped me. I wanted people to know that just because they have a dark side, or just because they have struggles that may highlight the dark side at times, that doesn’t define who they are. It is good and bad in all of us. Regarding the production within "Angelic & Devilish," what made you choose to go with a beat by Better Livvin? Was the production a collaborative process, or was the beat pre-made? Better Livvin is a band of two exceptional musicians, David Greenwood and Nick Terzic. I have the honor of calling them great friends and because of this, we were able to create a collaborative environment. I entrusted them to be by my side in this endeavor because they understand who I am both as a person and as a musician. The beat was actually not premade, David and Nick listened to my lyrics and cadence and produced something that took it to another level for listeners. Seeing as you've lived in Los Angeles for the past five years, do you feel that the culture out west has made an impact on your sound and music? Do you still represent your New York/Jersey roots? Well, first of all, I will always represent my east coast roots because they are integral to the person that I am today. I was born and raised with the empire state of mind and that’s a large part of why I embraced the possibilities that the world had to offer me. That being said, LA is where I found my authentic self and that undoubtedly impacted my sound. The people I met here encouraged my journey and the culture here fostered dreams I may not have had the courage to pursue had I not moved. What sort of messages and content do you plan on delivering to your fans in the future? What do you want listeners to associate your brand with? As long as I am making content, you can bet it will be bonafide KUNAL. Who I was, who I am, and who I want to be. I will cover every version of myself and my human experience. In my opinion, there is no better way to relate to people than honesty. I neither am nor do I have a brand. I don’t want to be put into a box, I just want to express myself and I am grateful that people have been connecting to my music. What has been keeping you inspired in 2020? That’s a really easy one, my friends and family. 2020 has been a ride for everyone and personally, it gave me a chance to reconnect with the people I love on levels that none of us had the time for in quite a while. So a big thank you to my friends and family back home and abroad, as well as the friends who I call family here in LA. instagram.com/kunalmusicla facebook.com/kunalmusicla #BUZZMUSIC

Describing it as "The Take Over," Shawn JL returns from his musical hiatus to make his dominion over the connecting cornerstones of Alternative R&B and club Pop-Soul very clear. With influences that channel the greatest intoners of past and present—The Weeknd, Michael Jackson and Chris Brown—this Montreal-bred Singer/Songwriter makes his moves up the industry ladder with buzzing versatility and vocal supremacy that carve out notoriety of his own. This month, Shawn JL releases a Tropica-Club R&B slip and slide called "Spanglish," and it's scintillating with rousing sensuality, a magnetizing beat, and top-line that enamors. "Spanglish" opens over an intoxication soft-tethered percussion that ruminated under an infatuating melody oozing from Shawn JL's warping vocals. As the oscillating filters fade and the accented melodic downpours paint the expanses of this mix a sumptuous hue, the real rhythm manifests itself as a soca beat that propels the wheels of this fleshy R&B cut. The top line melody here renders so vividly, it's almost as we're in the same room as the Canadian singer as he infatuates us with his vocal prowess over the hook. "Better come and show me loving, bend over, hope you drinking tequila," he swoons as blithe harmonies dissolve from above him, "keep on dancing and moving, appreciating your movement," it's clear his attention is focused on one thing, and we're invested in the vibe he's providing over the buzzing dance floor he's rendered up. There's an abundance of tasteful flashes of brilliance as the individual instrumentals seamlessly weaving between themselves like self-operating cogs in a meticulous clockwork—every single component has its purpose.  When we look back, it's deniable that Shawn JL is back to business, and there's no doubt he'll be jogging across the stream counters on our playlists this month. Hello Shawn, welcome to BuzzMusic, it's great to hear what you've been up to. Have there been any challenges getting back into the routine of things now that you are writing and recording most of the time? No, the pandemic actually helped me in terms of my musical career. I took advantage of it by writing and recording a lot since I had a lot of time on my hands. The routine now is to wake up, write, and hit the studio at night. I feel like I record best during the night. Sometimes I will be working overnight just to make sure the single is to my standards. My standards are pretty high so I sometimes will work so hard on a song and still feel as though it isn't perfect. It can be a challenge and quite time consuming, but I do not feel it is right to release a song just for the sake of releasing. There needs to be a certain consistency as well as quality when preparing for a release as these songs identify you as an artist. We really enjoyed your new single "Spanglish." What was the inspiration behind the creation of it? ”Spanglish” is set in a bumping, crowded club. On the packed dance floor, Shawn bumps into a girl who looks familiar, though he can’t tell where he’s seen her before. Still, their bodies seem to gravitate towards each other, as their eyes stay locked and the vibe to the beat. Shawn realizes that he knows this girl from the past, but she looks different; even better than he remembers. Their energies collide like chemistry, though that doesn’t stop him from seducing her even more. He wants her to be his, and he can feel it – she wants him too. This was the inspiration, as I pictured this type of scenery when I was recording. However, I have something quite different in store once the video drops. I wanted to allow the videographers to get creative with it. Do you feel like you have a new and invigored spirit behind your creative musical intuitions this time around, and has it introduced any new Milestones to aiming for in your career? I feel like I do have a new approach to my creative intuitions which is my worth ethic. Now that I am constantly working on my craft, I feel like it is easier to pave the path towards success. Milestones of mine include dropping an EP shortly as well as some new singles. I also have some stuff in the works in terms of local artists. Overall, I am working extremely hard on a constant basis to deliver high-quality music on a consistent basis. Consistency is key in this industry. However, I have already reached one major milestone in my career. This was the feature with Sean Kingston titled "Treat You Right". Working with a major artist in the industry and releasing a song we were both proud of was an exciting moment. I feel as though this made me realize what type of worth ethic was needed and how the industry really worked. This allowed me to set new milestones, ones that I believe will be reached soon. What's been the most enlightening part about stepping away from music? And was there a lesson you discovered about yourself as an Artist during your downtime that you feel may be profiting you now? To be honest I’ve been working hard on my sound. I’ve been writing a lot and recording a lot of singles for the year 2020. Many tracks are ready to go but I want to make sure that we drop music correctly in terms of timing and preparation. I am now comfortable with my sound and so I believe this will be my time to make my own dent in the industry. Yes, I've learned that consistency is the key and if you aren’t consistent, you’re going lose your fans and your listeners. What has been keeping you inspired this year? I’m excited to deliver my new music to my listeners. It felt like a weight off my shoulders to show what I've been working on for my people all over the world. That is why I have so much in store, ready to go. I am confident that people will relate to the songs or at the very least appreciate the work behind them. The genre of music I do, which is of course R&B, tends to relate to all different kinds of people from different backgrounds as well as age groups. That is why I feel like if one doesn't relate to one of my songs, they will relate to another. I am very excited to show what I've been working so hard on these past few months. instagram.com/shawnjlofficial #BUZZMUSIC

Lloyd Carter was no stranger to music growing up. Being raised in a family that collaborated together as Gospel musicians, the Georgia-bred artist developed an unbreakable connection to songwriting and its appended sonics. He's infatuated by the sounds of his Country influencer—which range between Keith Whitley to Conway Twitty—and over the years, it's been part of his ethos to render up a definite narrative on each song he adorns with his dynamic emotions—hugging like adhesive to his audiences' hearts, since day one. This year, Lloyd Carter continues his pure steel-string pleasure spins through scintillating instrumental upswell that festoons his Country productions with a sense of vibrance on "His Last Chance." It's a mid-tempo rush of resolving southern-tinged melodic progressions interweaved between a punchy drumset and a bass guitar that oozes with a cordial texture. Carter's voice presents distinctly pure over the string orchestrations that border the expanses of this buzzing mix. As he croons over the descriptive story he paints with his low-rumbling tone, he versifies about getting one last chance at love. "I just wanna be the man to hold you, tell you it's alright," Carter sings, glides over his words with a subtle drawl, "I wanna heal the pain and build something that last, be the man to take you home." Here, there's no doubt that the Georgian songster has natural affluence for captivating his audience with his lyrical prowess. Even as the veteran band accompanying him take turns in the spotlight—Steve Cummings on the Drums, Jason Roller for the Electric Guitar, Henry McGill blessing the Acoustic Guitar, and Gary DiBenedetto covering everything else—it's impossible not to get swept off your feet, and thrown into the vivid picture that Lloyd Carter paints with his lightly-carbonized single when he resounds over top of "His Last Chance." Listen to "His Last Chance" here. Hello Lloyd Carter and welcome to BuzzMusic. Can you tell us a little more about the bond you have with the musicians who play on this track? What was it like working with this band for “His Last Chance?” My writing partner and producer Gary DiBenedetto should be a national treasure, honestly, I would consider him to be one of the best music producers in South Georgia and he has a track record to prove it. My other writing partner, Henry McGill, is a great friend that has been in the music business for a long time as well. He is a fantastic guitar player and even a better lyricist. Steve Cummings played all the drum parts as well as mastered the entire album. That gentle giant is a wonderful drummer with playing dynamics like no other. Mike Delk is a seasoned bass player that never misses a lick. I love playing live with him because he has such an infectious smile that nobody can refuse to smile back at. What’s the real story behind “His Last Chance?” Was this a song introspective of your own past experiences, or merely a rendering of a sentiment you were trying to embellish your audience with through a fictitious narrative? The song is basically a tribute to the single mom out there struggling to make ends meet. The poor woman is so wrapped up in trying to take care of herself and her family that she doesn’t even notice the good man that admires her and wants to be a part of her life. She’s made so many mistakes in her life picking the wrong guys that make promises in the dark only to leave. What’s been the most memorable experience this year regarding writing, performing, and recording with the musicians and collaborators you call friends? Oh, there’s so many it’s truly hard to pick one.  We have writer’s night on Tuesday nights with my good friends Gary DiBenedetto and Henry McGill. I can’t imagine creating music with any other guys. It never fails on those nights we get together somebody always comes through with an idea and here we go. As far as one of my favorite collaborators, Colt Ford is with me on my song “It’s Friday Night.” What an awesome performer that’s been at it for so long. Colt is what you see is what you get, in an age where what you see ain’t what it is.  What a privilege to have him on this record. If you could leave your listeners with a few words to enhance their experience during this single’s playback, what would you say, and why? I just want to thank anyone who takes the time to give our music a listen. As I grow older, I realize how precious every moment truly is, the fact that someone took time out of their day to give us a listen I’m eternally grateful for. This song and music video is about the good guy that wins in the end or is it that they both win? What has been keeping you inspired in 2020? Just watching how all the talented performers out there are stepping up their game to be heard. Let’s face it, 2020 will go down in history as the year that will make or break people. The music business has literally changed before our eyes. At the beginning of the year, everyone was out playing tour dates, now we’ve had to adapt and play live on social media with a virtual tip jar. It’s tough times out there, but I have faith in the ones that love to perform music and the ones that love to listen. instagram.com/lloydcartermusic lloydcartermusic.com #BUZZMUSIC

Originating from the lakefront city of Toronto, cjvd is the most innovative addition to the emerging talents coming out of the blossoming Eastern-Canadian metropolis to date. His Trap-Soul career effectively took its first flight in early September of last year with the release of the Hip-hop and Soul amalgamating single, "Never Satisfied," and since then, the budding artistic flame behind the 'cjvd' moniker has been providing steady musical excellence ever since its metaphorical conception. This year, with eager enthusiasm and a rallying focus, the aspiring songwriter is on the course for the same impact his last cut influenced his ensuing single, "HONEST." Here, over a tropical vibe provoking samples and cjvd's enamoring reverberated croons, we impart on a Trap-centric banger that produces sensual warmth through a pulsating soca rhythm and the top line vocals upholstered over the edges of this bouncy track. The Torontonian's voice is saturated in tasteful vocal-effecting influences and automation as his all-embracing swoons tip-toe between the lines of intensity and passion. Still, without feeling complacent in the aesthetic that others have achieved through the same nonchalant savory vocal swoon effect. And yet, it's a picturesque reimagining of what a modern Summer hit should sound like, vibing with dripping sensation produced on every corner, from the memorable topline melody to the expansive airiness found in the atmosphere of this Trap-Soul Pop jangle. Hello cjvd, it's great to have you with us at BuzzMusic. If you were to describe your journey so far as an up and coming artist, which words would you use to describe it and why? If I were to describe my journey so far as an up and coming artist, the words I would describe it would be: a roller coaster ride. As someone who hasn’t particularly been an artist for long, I’ve learned to understand to appreciate my wins, but as well not be too hard with my losses. Patience is key to building what I envision in my future, and to take each opportunity to learn and become better at my craft. What is the most challenging part of your writing "HONEST," and what do you think helped you overcome those hindrances? The most challenging part of writing “Honest” was completing it. For most songs I’ve done, the easiest part was envisioning an idea at the moment then humming melodies to help listen to what works. However, days after the initial idea creation, it is difficult to help stay focused on Honest and usually I would start songwriting other songs before finishing this one. I stuck this one out by just letting the music come naturally rather than forcing lyrics or melodies down instead. Where do you think your musical influences embody most, in your beat productions and orchestrations, the lyrics to write or the melodies you impose? My musician influences vary from everything I’ve listened so far in my life from my parents listening to country and rock to growing up as a big Hip-Hop and R&B junkie. From Chris Brown, Bryson Tiller to Taeyang, Drake, I’ve curated and understood what I want to accomplish as an artist myself. What else has been simmering in your creative oven this year? Can we expect a sneak peek of things to come? The most I’ll let you guys know about my upcoming songs/projects so far is that I will be experimenting a lot with different sounds and genres! I want to expand myself and figure out how I can get better, while not trying to box myself in with one sound! What's been keeping you inspired in 2020? What has been keeping me inspired in 2020 is being grateful for every moment I have and just learning to live life. I understand 2020 has not been the best of years so far, however, I tend to use this as an opportunity to hurdle another obstacle and be grateful. At the end of the day, I know I’ve experienced hard struggles as well, but also prevailed against them! instagram.com/cjvd_ cjvdmusic.com/epk #BUZZMUSIC

In his most recent releases as Ridd!k, The North Carolina artist reflects over the perpetual conflicts associated with a hot and cold relationship. Here, on Same Shit, the newest songs featuring a dynamic instrumental orchestration, finds Ridd!k's settlements with the past amidst his eloquently flow and leisurely succor in his approach. Contemplating the interiors surrounding his personal intimate life, he molds the tone and texture of this track, slathering it up as a formidable R&B taster. Ridd!k dispatches the incantations of electric guitars that remain forward in the mix, as he supplies Same Shit with compelling R&B-soul infusing textures. The beat is stacked up like dominos, and Ridd!k moves across his verbals with a nonchalant, almost slurring method. "Why you fucking with me, said it's the same old, same shit," he repeats. The slow-strutting tone speaks for itself, disclosing his business openly as Ridd!k permeates the atmosphere of this track with an amalgamation of soaring echos and delays. Most distinguishing is the fact that the production never takes too much concentration away from the noise of Ridd!k's psyche. Here, his slinking lyrical flow sublimely compliments the tone and minimalism of the production; moving adrift a tired-drunk state, bending the aesthetics to his own will for this song flawlessly. "It's the same of the same shit, yeah," he declares over the addictive hook in the chorus. Alongside an upfront and a low-end that envelopes the room you're in, the North Carolina-based rapper Ridd!k, turns this melancholic topic into a self-reflection, laying out his grievances with a laid-back cantor as his saturated croons feel like they're second nature to him. The song zooms in on Ridd!k's ability to take hold of his presentation and makes it work for his character, instead of the other way around. With a healthy mental, Ridd!k grapples over losing his partner over "the small things" and uses that emotion to envelop his persona with a more restrained edge. This song runs quickly at a fast two minutes and thirty seconds. Was this something that happened naturally, or do you usually like to keep things short and more concise? It happened so naturally that I didn't even pay attention to the time frame. The song was basically a freestyle with how the vibe went as soon as I heard those guitar chords, I wrote it so fast in the booth off the top of my head. That was just the vibe that I let take me over. What gave you that final push you needed to fully commit to your solo career as an artist? There were several producers I was working with as a songwriter, who kept mentioning to me that I should release my own music because I had something that people would love. There was one producer in particular who really believed in me just as much as I myself. His constant urging and confidence in me to do it really gave me that big push causing the leap. Are there any influences you still feel like you source from today to recenter yourself with the aesthetic, persona, and textures surrounding your records? Yes indeed! I feel the need to get better and challenge myself more every time I hear one of these new acts that have a crazy pen to them. Songs that really make me think like damn how did they even come up with that. This being your first time as a solo act, can we still expect to see any collaboration from you for your next upcoming singles? Shhh yes, there are some things in the works that I have up my sleeve and I've been getting contacted by some artists who wanted to do collabs with me as an artist. So yes it is on the way. What has been keeping you inspired this year? I've been inspired by the fact that this musical playing field has seemingly evened out for artists. It's given a chance for a lot of up and coming artists to be heard even more as everyone has been home sitting on their phones and computers all the time. instagram.com/riddikmusic facebook.com/RiDDiK-429040697658828 twitter.com/riddikmusic #BUZZMUSIC