Day: August 12, 2020

“Through my music I want to encourage my Latino community to start having conversations about Afro-latinidad and how we can start making a change together,” Melaner told Remixd Magazine.

Melaner brings a soulful R&B sound to Latin music and has been heating things up for the summer. The independent artist just dropped a new single called “Soltera,” which has a reggaeton fusion sound and shows off Melaner’s unique vocal range.

Her new song “Soltera” is the perfect summer song and puts Melaner’s abilities on display. After just one listen, it’s clear to see how Melaner is definitely someone talented that you’ll want to continue to watch. She is just getting started but already shows character and ambition throughout her social media platforms.

She attended Berklee College of Music and it was there where she discovered her passion for music. Now, Melaner’s main goal is to empower Latino culture through her music. She believes that the Afro-Latina woman is incredibly underrepresented in the Latin music market and is determined to step up and be the change she wants to see.

“As latinos we should be the first people supporting one another because our culture teaches us the importance of union,” Melaner said.
Keep reading to learn more about the independent artist and her debut EP “Soltera.”

What city are you from/ Where are you based now?

New Jersey

At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music?

I’ve always wanted to be a musician since I was a little girl. I go back to old videos from when I was young and i’ve always had this evident talent that made it impossible for me not to pursue this industry.

Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?

Growing up in a Dominican household I give thanks to my parents who introduced me to the sounds of artists like Juan Luis Guerra, Selena, and Jose Feliciano. Artists who without knowing were teaching me the foundations of music. Throughout my teenage years Juan Luis Guerra proved to be my biggest inspiration, so much so that I decided to follow in his footsteps and attend Berklee College of Music. It was there that I truly became the musician I always strived to be.

How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

I strive to bring my soulful R&B voice to Latin music fusing it to reggaeton creating a sound like no other. My sound is a fusion of cultures.

What ultimately inspired you to dedicate yourself to a music career?

After singing for my entire life I felt like if I didn’t pursue this industry I would look back at my life and regret it. I want to change how the Latino market sees the Afro-Latina. We still aren’t fully accepted in the front row of this industry with women like Natti Natasha or Becky G and that has to change.

What’s one reason you are passionate about music and what inspires you?

The Afro-Latina is misrepresented and misidentified and that lights such a fire in me to disrupt this industry and force them to see that we exist and we can be at the front line with all of the other women in Latin music.

Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

I actually do makeup and I am a curly hair blogger constantly creating content for women to help them embrace their beautiful curls and learn how to maintain them in a healthy way.

Who are some of your main musical influences?

A few current musical influences include Alaina Castillo, Jenn Morel, and Camilo.

What are some of your music career goals for the future?

Through my music I want to encourage my Latino community to start having conversations about Afro-latinidad and how we can start making a change together. We have to start supporting more of us Afro-Latina artists that have to work twice as hard as lighter skinned women to get noticed in this Latin industry. As latinos we experience twice the discrimination both for being Latino and for being of color. As latinos we should be the first people supporting one another because our culture teaches us the importance of union.

Tell us about the project that you are promoting. What is it about? Is it a single or EP? Also, what is the name of the last project you released?

Releasing my debut single called “Soltera” on July 31st. This is a women’s anthem uplifting all women especially my fellow Latinas to be single and proud and never let anyone make us feel less then strong and independent women.

What has the response been like to that project?

So far the people that have heard it cannot get the song out of their heads! After the first listen people are already singing the hook over and over again.

What are some projects you’ve done in the past that you are most proud of and why?

“Soltera” is actually my first debut single! But an accomplishment I’m most proud of is being able to make it to the Top 9 of Univision’s singing competition “Reina de la Cancion.” Being able to get critiqued by Daddy Yankee, Natti Natasha, and Olga Tanon really helped me hone in on the artist I want to be and how I want the world to know me. It was a life changing experience and propelled me to work even harder to get myself out there.

What message do you hope fans take away from your music?

That you can do anything you want even when people tell you they don’t feel like the genre is for you. I have been told to try and break through the American market and I refuse to. I want my Latino market to accept me and the uniqueness that I bring and I won’t stop until they do.

Where can we follow you on social media?

Insta @melaner

TikTok @melanerofficial

Youtube @melaner

Facebook @melanerofficial

Check out Melaner’s new song “Soltera” below.

Co-hosts Chris Catlin and Ashly Valenzuela put together a panel that featured Teddy Riley, Vincent Bragg, Remonde Laroy Levy, and J. Carter to address racial inequality in the music industry.

Meet Chris Catlin – one of the co-creators of a virtual panel called “Magic in the Madness” that occurred on July 11th to address the issue of racial injustice within the music industry. In a recent interview with Remixd Magazine, Catlin shared what it meant for him to be able to put together the event and the intent behind it.

Catlin, along with co-creator Ashly Valenzuela, put together a panel that was originally birthed as a result of the #BlackOutTuesday hashtag became a trend.

“We really just wanted to have an open discussion where we can talk about these issues and the state of the industry in these crazy times — shed light, and see how we can move forward,” Catlin told Remixd Magazine.

The event featured several panelists such as Teddy Riley, Vincent Bragg, Remonde Laroy Levy, and J. Carter, who helped shed knowledge and light on their experiences facing racial injustices in the music industry.

Catlin said that during the panel, he felt as though the group genuinely had “deep meaningful conversations, and addressed the right things.”

Keep reading to learn more about the event as well as Catlin’s response.

Tell us about the event and what it was about.

Magic in the Madness basically started as an event to address these issues of racial injustice within the music industry. While at the same time addressing how to move forward during and after a pandemic. When #BlackOutTuesday started trending, it was originally to address racial injustice within the music industry. But I feel like it got blown out of proportion and no one really talked about that.The event was kind of part of the inspiration behind it.

What was the overall goal and mission of the event?

We really just wanted to have an open discussion where we can talk about these issues and the state of the industry in these crazy times — shed light, and see how we can move forward. The George Floyd protests and the pandemic both changed the industry tremendously. So I think it’s important to band together and talk about how to progress. And how we can make positive change. There’s a lot of people who see the entertainment industry and only see the pretty picture that’s painted for them. The entertainment industry does a great job of that. But I wanted to give people an insight to what really goes down behind the scenes and what it really means to be in this industry.

What role did you play in making the event come together?

I really birthed the idea, had that initial light bulb in my head. Then I hit up my friend Ashly Valenzuela, who is an entertainment lawyer out in Los Angeles, and I told her my idea. I basically passed her the rock and she ran with it. I booked the venue and she co-hosted the event with me. She ended up getting Teddy Riley, Vincent Bragg, Remonde Laroy Levy, and J. Carter, all to be a part of the panel. Each one of them really dropped some gems, and gave insight on their areas of expertise .

What’s your involvement like with this organization/group?

I’ve known Ashly for a while, but hadn’t seen her in years until she moved out to LA. But as for everyone else, we literally met on this panel, at this event. It was amazing being in the same room as so many talented, influential people with such amazing things to say. I really felt like everyone was an expert in their areas. It was especially dope getting to speak with Teddy Riley about his experiences and his opinions, as he’s been such an influence in the game for such a long time. He shed a lot of light about the truth behind the scenes, and gave some advice to young artists who hope to achieve his level of success. As a whole, everyone on that panel I wish I had more time to talk to.

What were some of the key takeaways of the panel that you took away and hope others did as well?

I really just hope people can get a more realistic view of the industry. But at the same time be inspired to step foot in here and change it for the better. This industry can be so dark at times so I just really hope to be able to shed a positive light. If people gained anything at all from this event, we did our jobs. The plan was never to gain from this event financially or in any way. We really just wanted to give back, and give people something positive. As for me I had a great experience just understanding everyone’s unique perspectives. I feel like we genuinely had deep meaningful conversations, and addressed the right things and that’s all I can ask for.

What do you want audiences to know about you/the event.

As passionate as I am about music I’m extremely passionate about education, and I want to keep educating people stepping foot in here. I really hope we can do more of these but I don’t even deserve all the credit . All the people I mentioned before really made this happen. Ashly Valenzuela, Teddy Riley, Vincent Bragg, Remonde Laroy Levy, and J. Carter.

Where can we find more info/get connected?

Through my Instagram @iamchriscatlin or Ashly’s @Legalqueenla.

And check out the panelists – @teddyriley1 @jcarteresq @iamvincentbragg @rlaroylevy

Independent artist G Premacy from Buffalo, New York says his persistence, patience, and genuine love for music has gotten him to where he is today in the music industry. G Premacy is not new to the game in fact he has been hustling for more than a decade to achieve some of his biggest accomplishments yet. From touring in the U.S. to earning the title for “Colorado’s Solo Artist of the Year,” his motto “live your life how you see fit” is something that he turned into his lifestyle.

G Premacy began making music in 2004 with a makeshift microphone he made with a durag and a USB Skype mic. During this time, he learned how to fully structure a song, leading him to build his first home studio. As he learned more about music his drive grew along with his experience and talent level. Initially he had no real goals when it came to writing and producing music, but it was undeniable that he had found his calling.

Fast forward to 2010, he received his first confirmation that he truly had a talent for music after opening a show for Maino in Brooklyn, New York.

“Well, here we are in the heart of hip hop… I guess we’re about to see where my skills really lie.” He recalled, “My first song dropped, I started bobbing, dropped a verse, the hook, and thought… ‘They’re not booing. Ok, ok… wait, they’re actually vibing hard!”

Following that performance, he began opening shows for Futuristic, Lil Bibby, and Tory Lanez. He also booked a tour with with Fresh Kils and Chuckie Campbell from Toronto to SXSW in Austin, TX. His career was already on the rise when he decided to make a big jump to focus more on his music journey!

“After a great run in 2014 and early 2015, I went to one of my best friend’s wedding in Florida.” He explained, “While out on my balcony in the Florida sun, I found a flyer in my travel bag from the artist’s lounge at ‘SXSW 2015’, 2 months earlier. There was a guy having the time of his life, confetti falling from the sky, money in his hand, and a huge smile on his face. Even if I don’t want all the same exact things, I wanted the happiness of living out what I was meant to do.”

It was then where he changed his flight which would have taken him back home to Buffalo, New York to Denver, Colorado. He felt that he had no room to grow in Buffalo which led him to move to Denver with his two travel bags and 500 dollars cash.

The hip hop artist known for bringing energy, confidence, and charisma to the stage was grinding his way to the top in the new city. In fact, 7 months after G Premacy moved to Denver he was named “Colorado’s Solo Artist of the Year!”

Following that huge accomplishment, G Premacy’s unique sound and incredible work ethic landed him another nationwide tour with Chuckie Campbell. If there is one thing to learn from G Premacy’s amazing career is that you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it!

Currently the independent artist is working on his next album titled, The Transition which is coming out in October.

Listen to G Premacy on all major streaming platforms and follow him on social media on:

IG: @G_Premacy

TikTok: @GPremacy

SnapChat: gpremacy

YouTube: G Premacy

FaceBook: @GPremacy

“‘Come Together’ is about the social unrest and the struggles we continue to face everyday,” Sim Simah told Remixd Magazine.

Meet Los Angeles-based independent artist Sim Simah. He just released the music video to his new song called “Come Together,” which is a visual showcase that speaks to America’s current battle with race and police brutality.

“This song goes out to the Breonna Taylors, the George Floyds, and the many brothers and sisters around the world we have lost to police brutality,” the caption of the YouTube video says.

The visual uses powerful imagery from the recent nationwide protests in order to convey the deeper message of unity. “Come Together” has an overall sorrowful undertone as the slow melodic beat plays over the accompanying visuals — which have been credited to news footage.

Keep reading to learn more about who Sim Simah is, and the inspiration behind his music and this music video.

What city are you from and where are you based now?

I am from Redondo Beach. I spent 4 months studying abroad in Seoul, Korea. I spent a year and a half living in San Francisco. I moved back to LA around Thanksgiving 2019 and have been in Redondo ever sense.

What is your artist name? What is your real name? How did you get your artist name?

My artist name is Sim Simah. My real name is Simeon Phillips. I got my name in 2015 when I used to walk around and freestyle everyday because I use to not really be good at it. But one day it was just coming out and I thought everything I said was gold. I was going for like 30 seconds straight and then I got to this point where I was like, “Cause I’m that n—a, Sim Simah.” And was like, “Oh s–t! That’s it.” Been rockin’ with that name ever sense.

At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music?

Somewhere between my freshman and sophomore year of college. I was known as the kid in the dorm that was always bumping Chance the Rapper’s Acid Rap, Donald Glover’s Because the Internet, Vic Mensa’s INNANETAPE, and Kanye’s Yeezus. At some point I would get so passionate when I was listening to songs that I would imagine myself performing them in front of other people. My sophomore year in college, I actually met Chance the Rapper at a rugby party and ended up smoking with him. It was chill and I told him about how he was the first concert I had ever been to and he that was dope.

My sophomore was when I really wanted to perform because my friends starting to going to concerts and I have never really to been to any besides the Chance one. And then I went to Travis Scott and everything changed lol. They way he used his platform to talk to people and make them feel better really stuck with me and I just thought I want to do the same thing for other people. I always felt like I couldn’t give anything back to the world until I really started messing with music.

Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?

I grew up play with piano when I was a kid and picked up the drums in college. I was going through a lot in middle school as a teen and I remember going home and listening to Kid Cudi on Myspace everyday. He really helped through a lot. My Mom had a great selection of CDs that include India Arie, Alicia Keys, Stevie Wonder, Luther Vandross, Michael Jackson and many other greats. In college I started listening to more alternative music like inner wave and Tame Impala. During my last semester at LMU, I ended up working for the local radio station KXLU and was able to hear what’s going on in the under rock scene and that was really cool.

How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you? What genre does it fit into best?

I haven’t really found a way to describe my music. Sometimes I like writing about fun stuff and “being cool” and sometimes I make songs like ballads about social issues. I’m like a Vic Mensa, Kanye West, XXXTENTACION. I don’t like to pin myself into one thing.

What ultimately inspired you to dedicate yourself to a music career?

I’ve spent a lot of time trying to figure out what my purpose is in life and I believe regardless of whatever your profession is, it should be to give your gift to the fullest. At times I would have these thoughts or rhyme schemes that would stick with me for a long period of time, and that led me to writing songs. If I died and people never got to hear them, I wouldn’t think anyone would get the chance to truly know me or understand me.

What’s one reason you are passionate about music and what inspires you to make it?

The emotional connection it can have and how it can bring people together. How it can empower and set your mind at ease. Songs to me, can be like them perfect remedy you need to alleviate yourself of what you don’t want to feel and bring you to a desired state.

Tell us about your latest release, a music video called “Come Together.” What’s it about?

“Come Together” is about the social unrest and the struggles we continue to face everyday. It’s taxing on the mental and in the song, I am just having a conversation with God.I am also releasing a cover to XXXTENTACIONS “UGLY” but only on YouRube. This song is also about the systematic mental illness that breads hate in our country.

What was the inspiration behind “Come Together?” And what has the response been like so far?

So far the response to “Come Together” has been phenomenal actually. My mom cried when she heard it. My aunt said it was beautiful and heartbreaking. All the homies said it was fire so I think this is what the word needs right now.

What are some projects you’ve done in the past that you are most proud of and why?

My latest project, Blue Light Anthems, is most definitely my favorite project. When I was staying in San Francisco, I was dealing with a lot of mental health issues and I had a lot of things I needed to get off my chest that I felt were bogging me down. Even while I was working a full time job, I still wanted to turn that into something that was so ugly inside of me into something I loved and was beautiful. The project is sad and has a lot of raw emotion in it — with a lot of sonically different tracks.

What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for?

My next project should be an EP with five or six tracks coming out in the next two to three months. I’m working with a single executive producer named Entropy and am getting a feature for each track. I want the upcoming EP to show that we have strength in numbers and there’s a lot to be said that we can’t say.

What message do you hope fans take away from your music?

Don’t be afraid of s–t. Don’t take no s–t. Invest in the Black dollar. F–k the police, but also get involved and help out in the community. Go change the world for the better.

You can watch the video for “Come Together” below and follow Sim Simah on Instagram @simsimah_sound.