What I love about having started this blog, second to featuring the up and coming, is checking out new music from different genres. Before I began working on Spotlight, I was pretty selective about the music that I listened to, focusing on R&B, hip-hop, gospel, and pop. With the widely different music submissions that we get, I was kind of forced to step outside my comfort zone and check out new music from other genres. I branched out into a lot of alternative, folk, blues, and electronic music surprisingly, and even some rock and country!

That being said, I definitely started regularly listening to some great artists this year, one of whom is actually nominated for three Grammys on his debut project! Definitely wanted to share them with you guys. I hope that you like them!

Check them out below!


James Bay

Quite a few of the artists I've started listening to over the past few years, I actually first heard on TV shows. Even if a show doesn't provide the artist and song name of a track that I like, I try to quickly type some of the lyrics I remember into Google so I can find it. That was the case when I was binge watching The CW's hit show Reign earlier in the year, and heard British singer-songwriter James Bay for the first time, loving his song "Incomplete."

James' music is a seamless folk-rock mix, energetic at times and mellow at others. His debut studio album, Chaos and the Calm, reflects that, and has been widely successful, with the album going platinum in the UK, and gold in other countries. Singles "Let It Go," and "Hold Back the River," have done well, and his work has garnered him Grammy nominations this year for Best New Artist, Best Rock Album, and Best Rock Song!



Bizzy Crook

I first saw hip hop artist Bizzy Crook as an opening act for Wale's most recent Simply Nothing Tour this past February. I really liked Bizzy's flow and material, and even bought a few of the songs I liked as he performed. The artist dropped his critically-acclaimed project, No Hard Feelings back in 2014, and is gearing up for his new project, From Everything Came Nothing, which will be released on Tidal Discovery.

Recently, the Miami rapper performed at the 2015 Made in America festival which was headlined by Beyoncé, The Weeknd, J. Cole and others!



Skye Townsend

The daughter of actor and director Robert Townsend, Skye Townsend has created buzz for herself as an R&B/pop singer, releasing two EPs, Vomit (2012), and Rocking Chairs (2015). I've seen her music circulating throughout my Twitter timeline, and decided to give her music a listen. The LA-based singer is pretty good!


NAO

I first heard Nao's (pronounced NAY-O) track, "Zillionaire," on the Samsung Galaxy Note5 S Pen commercial, and automatically loved it. I only had the lyrics played in the short snippet, but found her on Google as well, and became a fan! The British singer-songwriter brings a mix of neo-soul, electronic, and alternative R&B that I find really soothing.

Nao has released two EPs, So Good (2014) and February 15 (2015), and played Glastonbury Festival back in June. Her most recent track, "Bad Blood," is one that I play almost every day!


Tove Lo

I was introduced to Tove Lo after Wale tweeted about her music one day. The Swedish artist has been deemed as an indie pop singer with a dark tone. Her debut album, Queen of the Clouds, including singles "Habits (Stay High)" and "Not on Drugs," has gained various awards and nominations since the album's release in 2014. Her song "Moments" is one of my favorites!


William Singe
William Singe is an artist I found on YouTube, after looking up Drake's video for "Hotline Bling," To me, William's cover of the song is better than the original! His voice is so smooth!
William's done a variety of covers including TLC's "No Scrubs," Justin Bieber's "Sorry," and even Fetty Wap's "Trap Queen." A bunch of his covers are available on iTunes, and other music is on his website as well. 

What do you think of these artists? What are some artists that you started listening to this year? 

12:54:00 PM

London-based singer/songwriter Florieme has released her video for her song, "Lady Sings The Blues!"

This music video is different than many would expect, with a touching story behind it. "I have suffered from alopecia (hair loss) for the past 2 years," the singer admitted. "After reaching the end of my tether with it, [I] decided to not only shave my hair off, but be filmed doing so for my first music video." In the video, Florieme emotionally sings as she shaves her entire head, bravely sharing that vulnerable moment with viewers. "My hope is that the video will no only raise awareness of the autoimmune disease but inspire men and women with body image issues," she added.

Check out the emotional video below!




This couldn't have been easy for her, but I commend Florieme on showing that she is not defined by her hair. The song is a beautiful listen as well!

You can read more of Florieme's story here, as well as listen to more of her music on Bandcamp, SoundCloud, and YouTube. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

6:43:00 AM

Happy Friday y’all! We have another great spotlight for you today! As always, if you are or represent an upcoming artist, designer, producer, etc., and are interested in a feature on the blog, please visit our 
Features/Submissions page for more information. 

Today we have the multi-talented artist and musician Timothy J. Wilson! This star on the rise grew up in White Plains, NY, about 20 minutes from Manhattan. A pastor’s kid, Timothy started playing instruments as a child at church. “As a pastor’s child, you’re pretty much there all the time, [so] they’re putting you on instruments” the singer joked. In addition to the singing chops he inherited from his father and grandmother, Timothy began playing the drums, and then learned other instruments including the piano, guitar, and bass. His talent was being developed extensively as a kid for his journey as an artist. Even at a young age, Timothy knew that music would be his life’s path!


When he graduated high school, Timothy began performing at different open mic events and showcases around NYC, growing in his craft and letting his talent shine. In March 2011, he made the decision to move down to Atlanta after staying in Upstate New York for a while for his music career. “Atlanta has a great reputation for being a launching pad for so many artists,” he stated. Timothy acknowledged that the move has helped his career greatly, not only in terms of music, but also in TV and film! “You have some people moving from Los Angeles, coming to Atlanta, just because it’s so much production going on here,” he said. Not only has the singer performed at multiple cafes, colleges, and festivals, but he’s also been featured in BET’s Let’s Stay Together, branching out into some acting as well.

Inspired by top artists like Stevie Wonder, Prince, Michael Jackson, Jodeci, and Fred Hammond, Timothy really puts his musical talents to work, and has created truly great work! After dropping two EPs previously (Kiss Me and Born to Love), the artist released his third project, LOVESONGWRITER, in May 2015. “I felt that in R&B, I wasn’t hearing [love] as much,” Timothy said, acknowledging how different artists and groups in the past constantly sang of love but that times have changed. “In my mind, I [wanted] to do an EP that [had] the theme of love in every song.” As a songwriter, musician, producer, and singer, he literally created and produced the project by himself! “It’s like an artist that paints or draws, you know? You give them the canvas, and they get in there with those paints,” Timothy said of his creative process. “Give them some time, and what they’re gonna come out with is something that’s solely from them. Whatever you see on it is something that came from their heart.” Though he states that all of the songs on the project are like his “babies,” Timothy has a special place in his heart for the funk-infused track “Away,” which is definitely one of my favorites too. Timothy is using the gifts God gave him, and came out with an awesome project with this EP!





In addition to his music, Timothy has landed a role as Verdine White, legendary bassist of Earth, Wind & Fire in the upcoming Warner Brothers film, The Nice Guys, which stars Russell Crowe and Ryan Gosling (set to be released on May 20, 2016). “The role was so up my alley, because he was already one of my influences,” Timothy said. “We have the same skin complexion, [and] pretty much the same build, so all they had to do was put an afro on me, [and] some chops on my face!” He also has been cast in another musical role for the upcoming sitcom, Brothers In Atlanta, starring Maya Rudolph, Jaden Smith, and Bashir Salahuddin. “I’m actually playing in [Maya’s] band in the show,” Timothy said. The cast and crew have shot the pilot, which has picked up by HBO, and are currently waiting on the go ahead to resume filming. So many exciting opportunities and doors being opened for this multi-talented artist! “That’s several things that God has opened up just being here in Atlanta,” Timothy admitted. “I tell you one thing, it’s like being a musician actually helps open up roles even in television and movies.” Acting is definitely something that Timothy sees himself doing even more of in the future, being the total package as an entertainer.

With ALL of this going on, Timothy is already writing and recording new music, and continuing work with his own label, Tim’elody Records. He even launched a 100-day business challenge (from July 5th to October 12th ) for other entrepreneurs, challenging them to post something about their businesses for 100 days straight somewhere on a social media platform. “Sometimes when people have businesses, [they] slack on the promotion,” Timothy said. The challenge is to help build consistency and growth in other businesses, which is very commendable. In terms of what sets him apart, Timothy believes part of his uniqueness lies in being a multi-instrumentalist in this industry. “I definitely use that in promotion, because, when you’re out here, you’ve got to use whatever to your advantage as far as marketing,” he stated. In the future, the artist would like to continue to take his career to the next level, including writing and producing for other artists, performing at different awards shows and snagging leading roles in movies. “Just being successful as a man, and as an African-American male, continuing to be an example, making great music by the help of God,” Timothy said. “The promotion comes from God, [but] we have to put in the work, though. That’s what I believe is going to happen as I continue to keep doing what I’m doing.”

You can check out more from this talented singer on his official website as well as SoundCloud and YouTube. You can also connect with him on Facebook, Twitter,and Instagram! 

9:10:00 AM

I was honored to be able to cover Kollaboration DC's 6th Annual Showcase & Competition this past weekend!

Kollaboration DC is one of many chapters of the non-profit organization Kollaboration, which seeks to empower Asian Americans pursuing artistic paths. A fellow Loyola alum, Shanika Jayakody, serves as Associate Director of the organization and invited me to come out to check out the showcase. I love music of all genres, so I really enjoyed myself!

Held at the F. Scott Fitzgerald Theatre in Rockville, MD on Saturday, August 8, the showcase featured upcoming artists from the DMV competing for a chance to advance to the Kollaboration STAR event in Los Angeles. The event was hosted by Adriel Luis, with guest performances from him, Sam Ock, and last year's competition winner Paradise. After scouting and audition artists in the area, it came down to six finalists: pianist Nan, music duo Santa Jaca, singer/pianist Abby Rose, singer/songwriter Alicia Rae, singer Audrey,  and singing duo 2Parkz. The winner, announced that same night, will compete in LA against champions from other chapters across the country for a $10,000 grand prize! With this group of great talent, the judges, Tim Ma, Joe Kim, and Tanner Chung, definitely had a hard decision to make in determining this year's winner!

Check out a video recap of the competition below!



I had a great time at the show! There were definitely a lot of talented artists there, all passionate about music and performing. I also love Kollaboration's mission to truly assist Asian-Americans with their artistic pursuits, helping to build up their craft and confidence. Plus, if we're honest, the entertainment industry as a whole could definitely use more diversity!

Congratulations to this year's winner Audrey, as well as to all of the finalists for making it this far and sharing their talent on stage! 

You can view the entire interviews with each of the finalists as well as Sam Ock and Paradise, as well as full performances from the showcase on YouTube. Be sure to follow Kollaboration DC as well on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Instagram! 

10:32:00 AM

Happy Friday yall! We have another feature for you all today! As always, if you are or represent an upcoming artist, designer, model, etc., and are interested in a spotlight on the blog, please visit our Features/Submissions page for more information!

Today, we have hip hop artist Von Dupree! The artist began playing the piano around 12 or 13 years old, participating in various recitals and competitions, and also playing and singing in church. "When I was 18, when I went to North Carolina Central [University], that's when I actually started rapping, when I made my first song," Von Dupree said. "From there, it just kind of took off." The rapper listened to and was inspired by several artists including OutKast, T.I., Slick Rick, and especially Tupac Shakur. "Some people may fall in love with Tupac's thug life, the hard part of his music," Von Dupree said of the late rapper. "[For me,] it was more so the way he talked, the poetic parts. Even when he had his interviews, he was talking about things that people never ever said." He also draws inspirations from other genres like rock, country and pop, determined to never limit himself.

Von Dupree released his first mixtape, By God I Am, back in 2010. Putting in hard work and releasing several mixtapes over the next few years after, the rapper is still going strong, having released his most recent mixtape, HIStory in September 2014 (buy it on iTunes now!). "I was really thinking on the music, you know, God's story for me," he said of the title. "From there, I just hit every aspect from that point of view." Having formed his own label three years ago, Dupree Fam Productions, Von Dupree has signed other artists Rio and Unc, who were both featured on the mixtape as well. He also worked with engineer Chaka Harley and a few other producers to develop the project. Check it out below!

Not too long after the release of HIStory, the rapper was signed to Famous Records under Universal Music Group. "My management sent my music and information over to the label," he said. "At the beginning of January [2015], they had emailed back and said that they were interested and wanted to distribute my music." Von Dupree made his deal official on February 17, and released two singles with the next month, "Don't Cha" and "I'm Alive."




Currently, Von Dupree is working on developing and releasing new music for the summer.  "I have so much music that's been done between the release of my last mixtape [HIStory] and the single that just came out," the rapper admitted. He'll also be releasing new music videos so be on the lookout for that! He also has a comedy TV show that he wrote that has gotten picked up as well.

In terms of what sets him apart from other artists, Von Dupree believes his content is what makes him stand out. "My content is not being told right now, especially on the [mainstream] platform," the artist stated. "I have different styles, so whether you listen to straight R&B or you listen to pop artists, I'm going to be able to speak to you." In the future, Von Dupree wants his music to have a serious impact. "It's amazed me how you can affect somebody [with music]," he said. "It's bigger than awards. My goal with my music is to change the world."

You can check out more from Von Dupree on his official website, and hear more of his music on SoundCloud, ReverbNation, and YouTube. You can also follow him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

1:14:00 PM

Last month, I had the opportunity to interview a great upcoming artist Ridock King. He has released a new song called "Divine Energy," which I want you all to check out! "Divine Energy is that energy that you cannot necessarily explain but you like how it feels," Ridock said of the track. The uptempo track is really fun and great to dance to! Ridock himself is a positive artist that seeks to create good music for himself and listeners, and encourages everyone to enjoy life on the song.

Check out the track below!

6:24:00 PM

Another spotlight for you all...and more on the way! I tweeted earlier today that doing spotlights is probably my favorite part of blogging. I get the chance to be able to connect with other people and share their work and stories, and that's really special to me. As always, if you are or represent an upcoming artist, producer, designer, etc., please refer to our Features/Submissions page for more info!

Today, on The Spotlight, we have hip hop artist Ridock King! Ridock began writing music at the age of 9, inspired by artists like LL Cool Jand Tupac. “They created music that reached your soul and could also stimulate your mind to help you think more critically about life in general,” he explained. Growing up in Philadelphia, he admitted “many of the ‘street horror’ stories were not unusual to see.” However, he also began to educate himself and connect with other scholars and professionals, which he says gave him great balance. Ridock effortlessly uses a great blend of all of his experiences to create his current sound and lyrics.

Ridock began recording music for fun in 2003 with his cousin in a friend’s basement. However, it wasn’t until 2011 that he began to take his craft seriously.  Also influenced by Public Enemy, Nas, and Lupe Fiasco, Ridock released his projects Dreamy U.N.conscious and the Ridock King EP in 2013 and 2014 respectively. Speaking out a variety of topics, he strives to create music that can inspire and motivate other people. “I have experienced so much in life I have learned many things and I feel like music, particularly hip hop can be that conduit to not only tell my story but to help encourage others to tell theirs,” the artist said. 

Ridock is currently working on his upcoming project S.A.F.E. Combination, which is set to released in April of this year. This EP is a “three-headed concept,” which Ridock explained further in detail. “Safe combination could mean a “safe” combination of songs (conscious, party, urban tales, and relationships. A second concept is the ability to finally crack the combination to the safe that will open doors financially,” he said. “The third and final piece of the concept is the acronym S.A.F.E. standing for a very motivational idea that, in order for you to reach any level of success, you must have a combination of these four things: S = Sacrifice A = Ambition F = A serious will to obtain true Freedom [and] E = always striving for Excellence.” Connecting with a few producers from Philly like Stashbokz, Pace-O, and Taji Aqib, as well as singer/songwriter Belle and Ghingy “Songbird” Miles.

In terms of what sets him apart from other artists out right now, Ridock listed examples of what makes him stand out. “I would definitely have to say my vision, my work ethic, my innovative skills, my life experience, and my ability to always remember what my purpose and mission is without compromising my art for temporary gain,” he said. In the future, his goal is to have security and freedom in his career. “I would like to be very financially well-off with total control of my art and career with very solid business relationships formed with companies and organizations that are dedicated and passionate about helping the black community,” Ridock stated.        

Be sure to check out more from Ridock on his official website and SoundCloud, and connect with him on Twitter and Instagram.

4:28:00 PM

New music to check out! Toronto's own Jhyve has released a new track, "Cocaine," and no, it's not about the powder. The singer uses the drug as a metaphor to describe addiction to love, and has come up with an emotional track that I think you guys will really love.

 Check out the beautiful ballad below!

You can learn more about Jhyve on his official website, hear more from him on SoundCloud and YouTube, and connect with him on Twitter and Instagram.

Let me know what you thought of the track below! And, of course, if you would like to feature your music on The Spotlight, email me BrittanyShawnte@gmail.com.

3:51:00 PM

I consistently find myself hearing about or getting invited to a bunch of different industry events, and now I'm starting to actually go check some of them out. As I've stated before, it is my goal to get out there and learn and network with people, all in the hopes of growing professionally and personally, and having a good time too!

Today was the first annual Made in the DMV Conference, which featured music and media professionals in various workshops and panel discussions, giving their advice to mainly upcoming music artists but also bloggers as well. Some of the panelists included Tony Lewis, Jr. (DCorNothing), DJ Heat (WPGC 95.5), DJ Money (WKYS 93.9), Zechariah Wise (Depth Charge), Angela Byrd (IGotIt4Free), DJ Marauder (The Fader), Kayenecha Daughterty (Grammys DC Chapter), Rob Markman (MTV), and so many more! Topics included monetizing your movement, branding, submitting your music to media, and a ton of other great material that was absolutely FREE! The best way to really make it in this industry is to learn how it works and then take that information and hustle. It was great to see so many people out, and it wasn't just artists. I saw fashion designers, graphic designers, bloggers, and a bunch of others all there to learn, discuss, network, and grow. It was amazing.

There was also a concert/showcase for handpicked upcoming artists tonight as well, though I wasn't able to make that. I'm sure it was amazing though! Check out some of my pictures from the Made In The DMV conference below!

...

The conference was a great experience, I'm sure, for upcoming artists that were present, especially from the DMV where it's a struggle to break into entertainment. They got to listen to seasoned vets in the industry who know what they should and shouldn't be doing from production, to licensing and publishing, to interfacing with the media. AND IT WAS FREE. Seriously, if you are an artist from here, and you didn't go, you missed out! It was also good for me because there were two blogger panels that gave me some insight on what I should be doing for Spotlight, reminder points on the basics and why I do what I do, and overall encouraged me to keep working towards my goals as an entertainment blogger. Every year, things get bigger and bigger, and, at the same token, harder and harder, but being surrounded by these talented professionals reminded me that I can do this.

Looking forward to next year's conference! Great job to all those involved! 

6:57:00 PM

Happy Friday everybody! I have a spotlight to start the weekend. As always, if you or someone you know is a talented artist, designer, producer, etc. looking to be featured on The Spotlight, please email me at BrittanyShawnte@gmail.com (please see my Contact/Disclaimer page for requirements)!

Today, we have Russian-born/LA-based soul singer Cooper Phillip! I featured Cooper’s great song “Silence” on the blog last week, and had to have an interview with her to find out more about this great talent! Cooper was born into a family of musicians, so she has literally been around music all of her life. “I grew up going to the theater where my mother performed on the violin with the orchestra,” Cooper reminisced. “She put me on stage when I was two as part of Tchaikovsky's opera.” Even at that young an age, Cooper’s excitement and interest in being a performer began. She started out as a classical pianist, but didn’t believe it to be her purpose, and ultimately moved on to singing. “I realized this was my passion and where I wanted to grow,” the singer said. She won her first international singing competition at 11 years old, and immediately realized that singing was her destiny. “I felt such energy and recognition from the crowd [and] I knew this was the right path for me,” Cooper said.  

 Originally from Russia, Cooper eventually moved to New York (and finally to LA) to start her career, which she acknowledge was a huge and difficult transition. “The move to New York was very hard because it was such a change in environment from Russia, and I didn’t physically have anyone there to support me,” Cooper admitted. “On the flip side, this was a brand new start and the right path for me to peruse my dream.” The singer also admitted that she never wrote a song until she made that decision to move. “It wasn’t until coming to the states, where I had to start my life from scratch and survive, that I felt inspiration,” Cooper said. She stated that her not wanting to let down her friends and family is what kept her going after her dream. “These are people that believed in me and supported me emotionally and thus there was no chance I was going to let them down,” she said. “Continuing on this journey led me to LA, where I live and perform now. The transition to LA was less of a challenge and I am so unbelievably happy here.”

The singer, inspired by artists like Bruno Mars, Adele, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, and Stevie Wonder, has been doing quite well. She has released her Walk A MileEP, in which the title track details her struggles in New York, as well as others. “It made me feel much stronger when I started sharing this story through my music,” Cooper said. “I hope the listeners of will be inspired to continue to peruse their dreams and overcome and obstacle in their path.”  

Cooper also noted that her song “Silence” stemmed from her own “personal heartache and failed love story,” she disclosed. “I was filled with emotions that needed to escape.” You can watch the awesome video again here, and purchase “Silence” on iTunesnow! Cooper also just recorded an original Christmas song for Swedish artist Andreas Aleman, which will be released December 13^th in Europe.

In terms of what sets her apart, the singer stated, “I don't know of any other Russian artists with my background making this type of music,” she stated. “I think my story will inspire and stay front of mind in my fans.  I really want to make each person to feel connected and special when they listen to my voice and music. In the future, she would love to play Madison Square Garden, which she knew she wanted the first time she watched a recorded performance of Mariah Carey performing there. "This is still my goal, but I also want to travel the world touring and sharing my inspiration with all cultures,” she said.

You can check out more from Cooper on her official website, as well as connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!

8:34:00 AM

Though The Spotlight is an overall entertainment blog with celebrity news and reviews, I love to feature the up and coming. I get requests now literally from all over the world, and I want to give these talented people their due shine! As always, if you are or know of an upcoming artist, designer, producer, etc looking for a feature, please email me at BrittanyShawnte@gmail.com! 

Today, we have alternative R&B artist Bow Promise! Hailing from the UK, Bow’s creativity and talent within the arts came out as a child. “My mum got me involved in a lot of activities including ballet, drama, modelling, and more,” the singer said. Bow also loved drawing and writing, eventually transitioning from stories to poems and songs. “My first song was influenced by Omar's 'There's Nothing Like This' and the intro to Mya's 'Fear of Flying' album,” Bow stated.

Inspired by artists like Jhene Aiko, The Weeknd, Miguel, and Beyoncé, the artist admits that her musical inspirations are of an eclectic sound, and refuses to become a clone of what’s already out there. Being from the UK, Bow believes that the area is creating great sounds in R&B especially. “The UK has been breeding some amazing sounds that I believe help bring the genre forward,” she said. Speaking of her own sound, Bow acknowledged, “I think this new sound is American but it has the grit and sharpness that the UK can relate to.”

Though she was involved in music for over 10 years, she finally believed that she could have a serious career after graduating from university in 2010. “I studied Music and Arts Management and I was working with my current producer on a management project,” Bow said. “We wrote four songs for an artist but it fell through. {However,] we continued working together and have grown as musicians because of it.”

On her latest track, “Bisous,” Bow worked with her producer Lostchild to develop the song. “He sent me the track and I liked it instantly but didn't like the XO drug reference so I called it ‘Bisous,’ which is French for ‘kisses’,” she said. “Bisous seems like it could be about the intoxicating feeling that comes with falling in love but I would hope anyone who knows scripture might recognize the lyric "I don't rely on my own understanding [hailing from Proverbs 3:5 in the Bible]." Bow continued about the song, saying, “It's really a song for anyone who ever questioned my strength to overcome difficulty, in faith, or to persevere as an artist. I lean not on my own understanding.”


Currently, Bow is working on some new ideas, creating a new video for another track, as well as organizing her own headline show, with the potential to release a video for “Bisous” as well, which would be amazing! In the future, Bow would love to spend her days focused totally on her music career. “I want to be a professional songwriter and an artist with a fan base that feels what I do and takes something positive from it,” she said. “I want to travel and learn new skills. I want to reach Paris, the Netherlands, the US, without a shadow of a doubt!” She continued, “If I'm meant to be a pop star, it's because God needs me to, but I would rather be international on an independent scale. I need the freedom to write what I want, portray what I want and make it my livelihood.”

You can check out more from Bow on her official website, as well as connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Also, listen to more of her music on SoundCloud!

8:59:00 AM

Another interview! As always, if you are or know of any upcoming artists, designers, producers, etc., that would like to be featured on The Spotlight, please email me at BrittanyShawnte@gmail.com!

Today, we have hip hop artist Kenn Retro! Hailing from Chicago, Kenn stated that he grew up in a family with a passion for music. “Me and my cousins, when we were young, used to tour the West Side of Chicago performing Jodeci, Shai, Boyz II Men songs,” the rapper said. As he got older, Kenn continue creating music, switching over to a more “Alternative/Urban” sound. He fell in love with hip hop after first hearing A Tribe Called Quest through his uncle. “In 1999, I was inspired to develop my craft of rhyming with the guidance of my uncle, and he has been pushing me ever since,” Kenn said.


The artist also credits his hometown of Chicago for inspiring him and his music. “Chicago has diverse talent, and I believe [also] a very innovation selection of artists,” Kenn stated. Using his own life experiences in the area in his music, the rapper believes that his lyrics are relatable to everyone and can have a strong influence.

Also inspired by artists like Common, Mos Def, Pearl Jam, and more, Kenn released his debut album, The ID, EGO and SUPEREGO, independently in October 2013. He collaborated with artists Etta Mae and Gabriela Francesca on a few tracks, overall creating a great project that has garnered rave reviews! He hopes that listeners are motivated “to live life and go for yours, but do so consciously.”


Currently, Kenn is working on an EP, as well as a few singles, with a full album to follow, so he’s busy grinding! He believes that his persona is what makes him stand out from other artists, and the way he entertains. “People can connect with me musically because they enjoy and can connect with my personality,” the rapper said. In the future, he wants to be a great entertainer in music, but also venture out into possibly acting as well. “My overall goal is to reinvent myself creatively and capitalize on the Kenn Retro brand and entertainment aspect [globally],” he concluded.

You can connect with Kenn on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as hear more of his music on Reverb Nation and YouTube! Also check out his label’s website, ZobeRecords.com, for more information on him and his other label mates!

9:15:00 AM

Always happy to feature artists and more on The Spotlight! If you are or represent a talented singer, rapper, designer, etc., please email their bio, quality pictures, and copies of their work to BrittanyShawnte@gmail.com (please allow time for response).

Today, we have talented Jamaican artist Bryan Art! Born in St. Ann, Jamaica, Bryan got his start in music at an early age, and learned to play the guitar at the age of eight. His mother actually taught him his first three primary chords that he continue to build upon throughout his life! The songwriter and producer graduated from the Edna Manly College of the Visual and Performing Arts, majoring in guitar (Caribbean, Latin American & Jazz Studies). Bryan spent his time there balancing guitar with photography and graphic art. He also took the time to teach music in Jamaican schools.

In his career, Bryan started out as a guitarist and touring member of the Legendary Fire House Band. The experience with the band gave him the opportunity to supporting artists like Luciano, Mikey General and Sizzla. In 2001, Bryan branched out on his own as a recording artist, releasing his first single “Soon Come Back,” which he produced along with Courtney (John) Morrison. He was eventually signed to Chris Smith Management / FIWI Music Label, making a name for himself in Jamaica with hits like “Rock and Come In,” and “Get It.” Bryan has performed locally and internationally throughout the Caribbean, the U.S., Canada, and Europe. He has also used his songwriting skills to pen songs for artists like Etana, George Nooks, Bushman, and more!

Inspired by artists like Dennis Brown, Toots Hibbert, Stevie Wonder, and Al Green, Bryan gives great vibes through his music. Obviously his music has a reggae/dancehall feel, but Bryan is great at creating songs with a positive message for listeners, so I definitely want you all to check him out! Listen to his Fresh Start EP below!

You can listen to more of Bryan's music on SoundCloud, and connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram!

8:03:00 AM

I have a lot of spotlights coming up, and even more submissions to look through soon. I plan to
hopefully have at least one spotlight a week for a bit, while I catch up (*fingers crossed*). As always, if you or your client is an upcoming singer, rapper, actor, designer, etc., please email me at BrittanyShawnte@gmail.com (Please give at least two weeks for response). 

Today on The Spotlight, we have singer/songwriter Constance Renoir! Raised in Brooklyn, NY, Constance got into music at a very young age. “I would say, by 9 years old, I had written my first song, and I knew that I could really sing,” she said. In junior high, the singer had what she called “sort of a life changing experience,” when she was asked by her music teacher, Ms. Christie, to perform in a talent show. “I had never performed before, and so I didn’t know which song to sing, so she recommended to me that I perform Mariah Carey’s ‘Hero,’” Constance recalled. “Once I grabbed that mic, and sang those specific lyrics, I knew that was what I wanted to do.” From there on, she started following Mariah’s music, trying to match both her vocals and songwriting skills.

In addition to Mariah, she’s inspired by some of the great artists that also call NY home, including the Notorious BIG, Jay Z, Lil Kim, Mary J. Blige, and Aaliyah. “My sound is a fusion of all those people,” the singer said. “I call it hip hop soul, or ‘soul pop.’” Her music has a fun, 90s’ chill vibe, which is definitely inspired by her Brooklyn roots. “I believe that you can make mainstream music that still has some meaning. It doesn’t have to sound fake or forced,” she said, expressing that when she makes music, she makes it with a purpose. “I mean what I say in my lyrics. They are things I’ve seen and experienced,” Constance added.

In our interview, I asked Constance specifically why she thought it was important to bring back that hip hop soul feel from music back in the day. She gave a honest answer. “There is no real distinction between hip hop and R&B on the radio. Rappers sing and singers rap,” Constance said. “When I sit with kids my age (16-21), all they do is complain about how much trash they hear on the radio. They want to hear music that doesn’t aim to disrespect women, or make them want to do negative things. They just wanna vibe.” Taking “Can’t You See,” by 90s R&B group Total ft Biggie as an example, the artist continued: “That first line makes me jump out my seat. ‘Give me all the chickenheads from Pasadena to Medina!’ That line is fun without being over done. Simplicity needs to make a comeback.” I definitely agree. It’s clear that Constance is doing just that with her own music!

In November of 2013, Constance released her first single, pop/R&B track "Rain,” which was originally sung by Brooklyn artist Razah. The song got great feedback, and was featured on several urban blogs. In February of this year, Constance released her first original single, “Still Lonely,” on Valentine’s Day. Telling the story of being caught in a love triangle, Constance’s vocals and raw emotion truly shine on the track, letting her true experiences shine through in her lyrics.

When Constance emailed me her most recent track, “Around The Way Girl,” over to me, I immediately was jamming. Inspired by her own life and how she likes to have a good time partying with her friends, being “the baddest girls in the building all for fun,” the singer decided to make a song for the girls “who aren’t too stuck up to hang.” The track was recorded at Brook Brovaz studio with Constance’s favorite engineer Kia. Check out the fun track below!


Currently, the singer is working on a 2 part demo called R and Beat, which will be released sometime later this month. “Around The Way Girl” was the first single from the “Beat” side of the demo, while Constance will release her newest single “You and I,” from the “R” side, which will “feature a softer side and focus on vocal harmonies.”

In terms of what makes her stand out from other artists, Constance believe it’s her edge that puts her above the rest. “I’m not cutesy or super polished,” she admitted. “But I think that’s what my fans will love about me. Everything I sing about is really from me.” She has dreams of really making an impact on this industry, make exceptional music and growing as an artist. Many artists, of course, have dreams of getting signed, sell records, winning awards, and going on tours, and Constance doesn’t count herself out from that. However, she also wants to “inspire, spread love, and be inspired.” The singer is truly working towards her goals solo, and doing a great job so far. “All I have is music right now and I’m just trying to bring my visions to life while staying true to myself. I know if the world gives me a chance, I won’t disappoint,” Constance said. It’s only upwards from here!

Be sure to check out more from Constance on her official website as well as SoundCloud, and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram! 

6:41:00 PM