“I make music for women to feel confident about themselves, especially in their sensuality which for the longest time has been shamed and taken advantage of,” Le Ru says of her latest single.
Boston-based indie Kenyan singer, song-writer, recording and performing artist Le Ru delivers a playful yet sultry new single titled ‘Ginger’ where she is unapologetically the Sweet and spicy hummingbird; both vulnerable and sexy, over a highlife inspired Afro jazz and soul fusion instrumental produced by Random Beatz who too is the producer of her Hot Single ‘Forbidden Fruit’ that came out late 2019.
‘Ginger’ is Nigerian slang, specifically in Lagos that means to ‘make someone feel good or to spice them up.’
In the song, Le Ru shares a flirtatious story of passion where the man is submissive to her needs for ultimate satisfaction… “I make music for women to feel confident about themselves, especially in their sensuality which for the longest time has been shamed upon and taken advantage of. It’s time to turn the tables and reclaim back the woman.”
She is a singer, songwriter and creative director from Nairobi Kenya. She describes herself as a Sweet and Spicy Hummingbird for she finds freedom in her expression of self through Music and Art. Her sound can be described as Afro jazz/soul but she mixes it up with an alternative trap. She is greatly influenced by Artists such as Erykah Badu, Lauren Hill and Amy Winehouse. The rising Artist first got recognition with her debut single ‘Why” produced by popular beat maker and Artist Blinky Bill. She went on to collaborate and perform with other artists from Kenya, Uganda and Nigeria;Spicy SZN being one of her hottest collaborations where she featured on Kenyan rapper’s Valerie Muthoni’s track alongside Taio.
“The beat just felt so real to me. We just wanted to say how we really felt on this track, and get it off” Ekumbo unveils of his left field decision to speak on frowned upon topics on new song with Jovie Jovv.
Record producer and singer Ekumbo taps rapper Jovie Jovv (both based in Nairobi, Kenya) for the gushing record “Callback” produced by CAP.
The track sees the two dive deep into their emotions in an immersive record that sounds psychedelically rich. Cap also laces a subtle bass-line that comes through in the midst of the track as Jovie taps into his more sentimental dimension rapping about family, and loyalty.
Bars such as “I hope my father looking down proud of me, I still wonder why you left so suddenly” and “Only thing important to me’s family, look in the mirror all I see is you and me,” definitely strike a chord.
“It was just a normal day at the studio, vibing,” Ekumbo told Remixd Magazine. “Cap playing us beats and when that one came on, it just kinda felt real, you know? We just wanted to say some real stuff that we usually wouldn’t and we got one in. Sometimes the best songs just come out spontaneity, not through thinking the nitty gritties, and this was that.”
The song is a somber record, but is unique due to the two’s collaborations known for leaning towards a more trap, and feel-good pocket.
Don Gritty a native of Atlanta, Georgia, released a gorgeous new cheerful track named “The Way It Go.” The song can be described as a vibe, complete with smart lyricism, engaging melodies, and unusual genre-defying flows. Music is an art form, and Don has proven time and time again that he has perfected the art of music delivery.
The song is special, and has a deep meaning behind it.
“The track is special to me because it’s a song dedicated to my mom, I wrote it after she passed,” Don Gritty told Remixd Magazine.
His musical approach is an exploration of new genres and styles not typically found among younger musicians. It’s remarkable how he can blend his melodies with his rapping abilities at such a high level. All of the music that the triple threat artist creates is rapped, sung, and written by him.
Keep reading to learn more about Don Gritty and the inspiration behind his latest track.
What city are you from/ Where are you based now?
I was originally born in Chicago, Illinois. I’m based out of Clayton County, Georgia
What is your artist name? What is your real name? How did you get your artist name?
My artist name is Don Gritty, real name Darryl Adonte Moore. My artist name originated from my nickname “Donte” which everyone calls me, and “Gritty” is everything that I represent but also has a deeper meaning.
At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music?
I decided to pursue music once i realized its something that makes me happy and can also feed my family.
Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?
My upbringing has molded me into the person I am today, therefore I’m able to express the good and bad in my music without feeling any regret because I know that there’s people in the world who has also experienced similar situations.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
I would describe my sound as raw and passionate, I tend to talk about things that most artists don’t.
What ultimately inspired you to dedicate yourself to a music career?
Knowing that I have a gift to inspire people with words has pushed me to dedicate my all into my music career.
What’s one reason you are passionate about music and what inspires you?
Being able to channel my creativity in a positive way and also having a positive effect on people is what make me passionate about music, also seeing how my music affects people is inspiring.
Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?
Outside of music I’m also deeply into poetry and art, doing those things help me stay creative.
What were you doing before music?
Before music I was into sports until eventually I just lost interest in it. Other than that I’ve always been a cool popular guy within my community and a hustler.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
Tupac, Lil Wayne, Kanye West, Jay Z and Andre 3000.
What are some of your music career goals for the future?
I plan to grow even bigger as an artist and accomplish a lot more throughout my career. I also plan to give back to the people as much as I can.
Tell us the name of the project you are currently promoting? What inspired this project?
The name of my single that I’m promoting is “Waste No Time” which is from my most recent project titled L.I.F.E. The track is special to me because it’s a song dedicated to my mom, I wrote it after she passed.
Date that this project dropped or is set to drop?
The song and video was originally released in November of 2020, but I’m actually preparing to re-release the single version.
What is this project about in your own words?
The song is basically expressing my love towards someone special to me that I lost but I also wrote it in a metaphorical way so that more people can relate to it.
Is there a specific song on this project that speaks to you most? If so, what’s It called and what’s it about?
Another favorite song of mine from the project is “Got It Goin On,” the track is very elegant and just gives off an amazing retro vibe that people love
What’s one of your most proud moments of your music career so far?
I would say receiving my first royalty check from music is one of the most proud moments I’ve had, everything else is pretty much a cherry on top. I started from humble beginnings therefore I always try to keep a positive mindset.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for? Include some dates if you have them.
I’m currently working on my upcoming project entitled My Reign Has Just Begun which will be dropping in November.
What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from this project?
I only want to inspire people to be great by leading by example and providing the best music I can provide.
Where can we follow you on social media? Include links.
Where can we follow you on social media? Include links.
Where can we follow you on social media? Include links.
Introducing Tatianna Maenza, pop-alt’s fresh voice from Orlando, Florida
(Photo taken by: @arikares)
Tatianna Maenza is a music-loving vocal instructor born in Milwaukee has a range of gifts in her arsenal. She is a meticulous song-writer, all-round art enthusiast, and a huge ambassador of quality and consistency. With her 2019 Blue EP follow-up track “Make It Unforgettable” still on rotation, she talks up her next projects with us to shed some light on her current direction and process, being all inclusive with the LGBTQ community, the power of finding the right people and tribe to build with.
Check out our conversation with Tatianna Maenza and what she had to say about her endeavors below:
What city are you from/ Where are you based now?
I am from and currently based in Orlando, FL but was born in Milwaukee, WI.
What is your artist name? What is your real name? How did you get your artist name?
My artist name and real name are Tatianna Maenza. Originally I was going to go with just “Tati” but decided I wanted to stay true to my name.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
For people who haven’t heard my music, they may think it’s a little on the sadder side because I have so much in the vault. But, once my new music is released it will be more so in the area of Pop-Alt R&B which is what I love. I always try to incorporate something that can get people moving and happy because that’s what I want to feel when performing with an audience.
What’s one reason you are passionate about music and what inspires you?
The one thing that really keeps me passionate is how I hope to change the music industry especially for women and people who are part of the LGBTQ+ community. I also love the energy and environment I know I can create with a crowd because at the end of the day I feel like I’m just doing the thing I love most with a big group of friends! I am deeply inspired by the people around me and the life I want to create. A lot of my music is actually inspired by stories I am told or moments and people I have lived through.
Who are some of your main musical influences?
I would say my biggest influences are Billie Eilish, Maggie Rogers, Olivia Rodrigo, and a lot of older artists that my parents and sisters put me onto as a kid such as their old disco music and bands like Earth, Wind, & Fire.
Tell us the name of the project you are currently promoting? What inspired this project?
I’ve been working on this single named “call me” for about a couple months now. I was working with some people who didn’t love it the way I did so I met with a friend of mine who’s an amazing producer and he loved it so we got to work. We are almost ready with the final version and I am so excited to release something that I came up with from scratch. I originally wrote the song back in February 2021 about someone I was involved with. The song represents a type of unconditional love that was taken advantage of. This song is a story that shows a realization within a toxic relationship. I believe a lot of people will be able to relate to this single because sadly, it happens too often.
Date that this project dropped or is set to drop?
Well, I was originally going to drop it on Halloween but unfortunately got a slight cold in the recent weeks so I have had to push it back. My goal is to drop it in November 2021 and finally give this baby to the world!
What is this project about in your own words?
It’s all the things I wanted to say but never did.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects we should be on thelookout for?
The next things I have coming up are going to be great. I work with an amazing producer named Chico (@dachico12 on Instagram) who’s got a bright mind and a great ear. I am hoping to release a bigger project with him such as an EP with about 5-7 songs in the beginning months of 2022. I also will be working on a music video to go along with the song, “call me”, and hope to have it come out towards the end of this year. In addition, I have been collaborating and writing songs with a writer named Olivia Ordonez (@oliviaazo on Instagram) who’s beyond talented and I am honored to say we have stuff coming out together soon. Along with the drop of the EP, I will be performing shows with all my music and show everyone what I bring to the table.
What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from this project?
I hope whoever this song reaches, it’s there for them in the way I wish someone had been there for me. Hopefully this song will help them make healthier decisions in their relationships and along with that they will realize when people just aren’t good for them anymore. It’s one of the hardest things to do when it comes to a relationship but Lord knows that you are so much better off without them and that you will prosper as an individual.
Rising rapper The I Of A Genius releases his debut project! The Paterson-bred artist is here to drop off his highly anticipated Thank you, for being you: Deluxe Album. While penning a letter to himself this new piece of art comes as a staple for self-love. The 12-track Thank you, for being you :Deluxe Album reflects the The i of a Genius’ self-awareness and growth. As a result, the NJ rhymer hopes to utilize this project to spread the importance of loving oneself.
Genius not only showcases his distinctive musical sound as he delivers impressive wordplay, but unleashes his personality as well. In fact, the tone of the album is a blend of poetry and authentic hip-hop/rap. There’s a wide set of influences buried deep within each of the instrumentals he goes in over. But, it rests deeper than that. The hardcore days of his past are evident in his delivery, as well as heard in his raspy, chilled lyricism.
The I Of A Genius Raps 4 Da Soul …
The album opens up with a skit about how the truth is in the youth & in the ghetto before transitioning seamlessly into the “InnaCitiKid” track. Following up with tracks like “Skies The Limit Pt. & 2” and “Highbeam” the versatility and talent continue to shine through. Next, comes as a Jersey link up with the Roper Williams-produced “Rap 4 da $oul” track. In fact it’s the first installment to the hot new release.
While records like, “B.F.W.B.” (Bullets Fly With Birds) and the Poe The Wizard-produced “Feed The Power” really solidify the project’s significance. To wrap up, Genius harmonizes on the outro before it leaves off on an old school fruit loop commercial.
His thought-provoking rhymes are laid over a variety of beats from start to finish. Although the rapping is what will reel you in, the production is what will keep you around. Additionally, his eclectic taste in production ranges from traditional to futuristic; with Jazz undertones and synths pairing perfectly with raw hip-hop elements. The project’s approach is daring yet still paying tribute to the norms of hip-hop.
Bringing creativity, impeccable lyricism, and out-of-the box production and beat selections, this is a no-skip necessary project. Overall, The i of a Genius dropped a well crafted project and will really get you in the vibe. Pungently direct, yet shrouded in intermittent poeticism, his endearing character carried his early releases. Now he has just become a part of the stellar package with the release of Thank you, for being you: Deluxe Album. Press play here for the premiere! Let us know what you think!
Finding girl groups today can be a few-and-far between task nowadays, especially in the modern world of R&B where the soloists have been hogging the limelight in music & pop culture. When you think of the commercial stars in the space; Kehlani, H.E.R, Summer Walker, Teyana Taylor, SZA, Snoh, Ari Lennox, Jazmine Sullivan and the plethora of names, what the game needs is that group energy that forged an era with Destiny’s Child, TLC, Xcape, Pussycat Dolls. However, born and bred in Atlanta, urban pop and R&B trio Mako Girls has been keeping the streets buzzing with their edge and flavor of music and performance cutting through, oozing uniqueness.
Their style is fresh and undeniable. They are multi-talented from singing, to dancing, song-writing, heck they are even entrepreneurially inclined with a teen cosmetic line – Kissable Lips Cosmetics. More so, they are entertainers and innately passionate about the music just as they are about the culture through events and other dynamics of their brand.
Having made a name for themselves on social networking site TikTok nearing a 1Million following alone over there, solidifying their name in the music halls of Atlanta, the sibling trio of A-Ni, Mimi, and Kena had a sit-down with Remixd Magazine to discuss their career, music, ventures and more.
Check it out below:
What city are you from/ where are you based now?
We are based in Atlanta and from here as well.
What is your artist name? What is your real name? How did you get your artist name? Our group name is MAKO Girls! MAKO is an acronym of our stage names: Mimi, A-Ni, Kena…and our last name Ochoa. Our real names are Amina, Micah, and Kelena Ochoa. Our initials spell out MAKO, either way. Our mother came up with the name, “MAKO Girls”.
How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?
MAKO Girls’ sound is urban pop and R&B with tons of ATL swag and dynamic harmonies. With each song we love to add messages in the lyrics to help others feel confident and simply have a good time.
What’s one reason you are passionate about music and what inspires you?
One reason we are passionate about music is that we can express ourselves and connect with so many people who have been through similar situations as us. Through our songs, we get to motivate others to go for what they want. We are inspired by the vision we have to be the next legendary girl group and make our mark in the music industry. We also draw inspiration from our family and team who continuously support us, as we make strides in our career.
Who are some of your main musical influences? Overall, our music and style are both influenced by fellow Atlantans, TLC. We admire their swag and the longevity of their music. We are also inspired by Destiny’s Child with their beautiful, tight harmonies. Individually, we look up to many talented artists: For Kena, it is Melanie Martinez, because of the creativity and messages in her music; for A-Ni, Ariana Grande because of her effortless runs and wonderful stage performances; and for Mimi it is Doja Cat because of her amazing stage presence and unique musicality.
Tell us the name of the project you are currently promoting? What inspired this project?
We are currently promoting our latest single, “Leverage”. We were taught that guys who try to shoot their shot, have to come correct. “Leverage” is inspired by this advice. We let ‘em know, if they aren’t on our level they better go and hit the road. The single is very upbeat, while emphasizing self confidence and really owning who you are and what you’re worth.
Date that this project dropped or is set to drop?
Our single “Leverage” was released on January 29th, 2021 and is available to stream on Spotify, Apple Music, and all of your favorite music streaming platforms. Be sure to add “Leverage” to your playlist!
What is this about in your own words?
Our single, “Leverage”, is about letting people know it is okay to be selfish when it comes to self-care. It is also okay to have standards and not settle for less than you deserve.
What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects we should be on the lookout for? Include some dates if you have them.
We are currently finishing up our new EP titled, “Levels to This”. We have been working hard on this project for over a year and now we are excited for you guys to hear it! Also, we are on the road to 1 million followers on TikTok. Please, follow to help get us there! Our next live performance will be opening for Dondria in ATL, October 30th, 2021.
What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from this project?
We hope that fans will take away that “go get it” energy and feel more self-assured after listening to our music.
Where can we follow you on social media?
Please follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @makogirls. Subscribe to our YouTube channel “Official Mako Girls ” and check out our website www.makogirls.com
