Luna Elle is an emerging 16 year old Canadian artist from Mississauga, ON, who is making waves as the country’s new rising music star. Luna Elle’s artistry is a rich combination of mesmerizing vocals, narrative-driven lyricism and soft melodies that are influenced by R&B legends she grew up on including Brandy, Jazmin Sullivan, Toni Braxton, and Beyonce. Now the young artist is back sparking fan interest with the release of her latest single and music video, ‘Too Deep’.
‘Too Deep’ is a soulful R&B track written by Luna Elle which is meant to connect with people who have mixed emotions regarding their relationship. The song puts her unique vocals front and center as she sings about her issues committing to a relationship that’s progressing too deeply. The sultry slow burning instrumental with a catchy bassline finds Luna Elle analyzing.
her conflicted feelings about a relationship that she questions she’s ready to stay in. These themes in the music are also on display in the official music video for ‘Too Deep’ directed by Toronto filmmaker, Marcus Letts.
This track is Luna Elle’s first release in the year 2022, following a stellar debut in 2021 that included the release of 4 singles that saw positive feedback from fans and media platforms including Complex, Exclaim, CBC Radio, and BBC UK Radio. Furthermore, she even caught the attention of several celebrities such as Chris Brown and Shaquille O’Neal, who in his own words declared her to be “next up”.
‘Too Deep’ also serves as the first single off her upcoming highly anticipated debut EP set to drop this Spring.
Charlotte artist MESSIAH! came together with his friend and fellow label-mate Mavi who has steadily and tastefully curated one of the most loyal and devoted cult-following of fans young to old. His brand of alternative hip-hop is incredibly influential and is best recognized by the soulful sample-driven instrumentals and the charismatic wisdom of a bright young thinker. MESSIAH! Certainly mirrors many of these qualities in his own right and has built up an intriguing and dynamic catalog of releases, most recently being he and Mavi’s collaboration “So Much Hate” that features the pair over a triumphant and upbeat trumpet sample with Mavi opening the track up with a predictably great verse before rolling into MESSIAH!’s catchy hook.
MESSIAH! has a unique flow and transparent, boastful lyrics that are both playful and proud. The Charlotte music scene continues to grow and collaborate within itself and Mavi is leading the charge in exposing much of the scene’s music that is helping the city’s underground scene flourish.
Keep an eye out for MESSIAH!’s new project coming soon. In the meantime listen to “SO MUCH HATE” ft. MAVI below.
Blooming flowers, longer nights, and unbearable allergies: official signs that spring season is finally here! With the revival of warmer weather comes the return of live music. Anticipation is through the roof as most spring festivals were unable to be held due to the ongoing pandemic. Now, fans and the live entertainment are looking to kick off this spring with a bang. A lot of major festivals are looking to return in full force with a number of stacked lineups. Here are some of the best spring festivals you do not want to miss.
Dreamville Fest (April 2nd – 3rd in Raleigh, NC)
Dreamville Fest 2022
Easily, the Dreamville Fest is setting out to be one of the most biggest festivals of the year. The festival is bouncing back after having to outright cancel their shows in April and later August. To no surprise, the bill of performing artists is A-grade. The big headliners include Dreamville label head J. Cole, along with Lil Baby and Kehlani. The lineup has a great balance of having rap’s current heavy-hitters with classic acts and up-and-coming genre-benders. Of course, fans can expect to see a family affair as majority of the Dreamville will be performing. Tickets are still for sale on their website here.
Coachella (April 15th – 17th, April 22nd – 24th in Indio, CA.)
Coachella 2022
The festival giant Coachella is gearing to make its return after an absence last spring. Arguably the nation’s biggest festival is coming back to eager anticipation. Granted, the lineup is different than the one confirmed for last year. The most noticeable difference is the absence of Frank Ocean headlining, slated to perform in 2021 (he’ll headline in 2023). Still, the list of great acts performing stick out like a sore thumb. Festival goers can anticipate seeing Billie Ellish, Harris Styles, and ‘Ye (with Travi$ Scott) headline, along with a slew of artists during the three-day event.
Smokers Club Fest (April 30th in San Bernardino, CA.)
Smokers Club Fest 2022
Zaza enthusiasts definitely have a great lineup to look forward to with this year’s Smoker’s Club Fest. For a one-day event, they did a great job packing the roster with music’s most beloved stoner cult favorites (Berner, Larry June). The headliner list is great (Kid Cudi, A$AP Rocky, Playboy Carti) but it’s the supporting acts that stand out. One of the best performances fans can expect is Wiz Khalifa performing his classic mixtape Kush & Orange Juice. So bring your friends, your smoke, and get ready for the show! Tickets for the Smoker’s Club Fest are available now on their website.
Sol Blume (April 30th + May 1st in Sacramento, CA.)
Sol Blume 2022
In comparison to other spring festivals, their lineup is smooth like butter. Looking at the names, it’s hard to not explain the fest as a vibe. Where Smoker’s Club plays like a sativa turnup, Sol Blume features an indica aura of silky sounds. The performances are R&B and lo-fi heavy, with names like Jhene Aiko, Smino and SiR covering the bill. The Kitty Ca$h and Esta-hosted festival is definitely one that you don’t want to miss.
Broccoli City Festival (May 7th – 8th in Washington, D.C.)
Broccoli City Fest 2022
This is easily one of the most overlooked festivals that’s happening this spring. Anticipation for the festival is through after having to cancel shows the past two years. So you can expect for the DMV to set off Broccoli City’s return with a bang. The lineup has a number of the industry’s hottest acts in rap (Lil Durk, Don Toliver) and R&B (Summer Walker, Tems). For anyone familiar with the regional sound, you can expect go-go giants and rising artists to make appearances. It’s also important to note that this is Broccoli City’s first time hosting two days. As festival organizers pull out all the tricks, this is one you don’t want to miss. Tickets for Broccoli City Fest are available now on their website.
Lovers & Friends Festival (May 14th – 15th in Las Vegas, CA.)
Lovers & Friends Fest 2022
Easily, the Lovers & Friends Fest is one of the most anticipated lineups of the year. Anticipation for this festival began in 2020 when their inaugural year was cancelled. Due to the pandemic, the festival never got a chance to officially kick off. This year, it looks like that’s finally about to change. The nostalgic festival heavily features some of the most popular rap and R&B from the ’90s and ’00s. From top to bottom, the bill is filled with veteran acts with strong catalogs that can have fans singing for hours. When this year goes crazy, please tell your lovers and friends that Usher, Jon, and Luda that they have to do it again. Tickets for the Lovers & Friends Fest are now available on their website.
Nicki Minaj makes her return to music since having her son with “What That Speed Bout?!” Youngboy Never Broke Again and Minaj trade hard-hitting verses over a high octane Mike WiLL Made-It instrumental for a surefire hit.
Florida’s Dee Watkins delivers a menacing yet catchy performance on “No Evidence”. The track is the Alamo Records signee’s first single since dropping his album Problem Child 2 back in August.
Since transitioning from Youtube, Aries has exploded onto the scene with indie pop inspired singing and rapping chops that have cultivated a die hard fanbase. “FOOL’S GOLD” is the first single since his highly successful debut album Welcome Home.
Nigerian singer Omah Lay releases his second “Damn” remix, this time featuring 6lack. Despite success in his home country, Lay’s music hasn’t quite entered the American conscious yet but that may change soon with this track.
While Omah Lay introduces himself to an American audience, 24kgoldn looks to establish himself as an international superstar with the edition of J Balvin and Justin Bieber on “Mood”. Biebs and Balvin kill their verses per usual and add to the buzz of the already electric track.
Switching back to international artists, New Zealand singer Benee teams up with English singer Lily Allen and Flo Milli for “Plain”. The three artists give their own flavor to a bubbly, indie influenced trap beat.
Throughout the last year, The Kid LAROI has emerged from being Lil Bibby’s protege to growing into his name and getting his first RIAA certified gold track for “GO” ft. Juice Wrld. “Without You” features LAROI’s trademark raspy, high pitched singing over a heart-tugging slow instrumental.
Atlanta heavyweights 2 Chainz and Mulatto team up for a bouncy, strip club anthem. 2 Chainz catchy chorus and Mulatto’s alternating flows make you want to dance along no matter where you are.
Gunna and NAV go absolutely ballistic over a Wheezy beat for the producer’s self titled track. Gunna begins the track hammering in Wheezy’s name just in case Gunna’s affinity for the YSL producer’s beat wasn’t clear. NAV finishes it off with a rapid fire yet melodic flow that finishes off a surefire standout from NAV’s new project Emergency Tsunami.
Up and Coming pop sensation Sara Kays delivers a nostalgic performance on “Remember That Night?” The track is soft and floaty but packs a punch with heartfelt lyrics over a guitar leaning instrumentall.
