Annika Bennett finds a whole new world in “Universe”

Los Angeles, CA [March 25, 2022]Oftentimes a brutal break-up gives artists the lyrics they need for their next hit. For Annika Bennet, it gave her a whole new world. Her newest single “Universe” is out now!

“I remember feeling like losing this one person meant losing my whole world, so this song was me trying to convince myself that I’d eventually be okay again.”-Annika Bennett on “Universe”

Los Angeles-based Annika Bennett’s skills make her stand out amongst the sea of singer/songwriters. Spending time in Nashville, New York, and the city of stars, Bennett has not only zeroed in on how to make a hit but more importantly how to express the inner workings of her mind through intoxicating and unforgettable sonic offerings. “Universe” is no exception. With rich vocals, melodic piano, and lyrics that make everyone feel uniquely understood, the 4 minutes of the track feel like an entire album and then some. Inspired by a breakup that shook the ground beneath her, Bennett set out to write this song as a reminder to herself. Luckily, every time it plays it makes more than just one person remember that they’re going to be okay.

Bennett began with a solo-written project that fuses pop, country, indie, and a melodic instinct inspired by McCartney classic rock. For the singer/songwriter/producer, songs are a space to hear herself out, with quiet curiosity and a willingness to put words to complicated feelings. Following the success of her debut EP “Only Emotion,” Bennett went on a 10-week US tour. Her forthcoming EP, co-produced by Jonah Shy(Dermot Kennedy, Camila Cabello, Fletcher) will be released spring of 2022. She has written for the likes of gnash, Bulow, Ashley Kutcher, Goody Grace, Walk Off The Earth, Lexi Jayde, Catie Turner and more. Frequent collaborators include Omer Fedi, Danny Silberstein, Noah Conrad and Jonah Shy.

Bennett recently released “Every Color of The Rainbow,” the first single off her upcoming EP. Although distinctly their own, each song by Bennett blends into a beautiful portrait of female individuality and coming-of-age alongside lyrical maturity. She is set to perform songs new and old on the Penny &Sparrow Support Tourat the end of the month and will be releasing more singles off the EP soon. Be sure to listen to “Universe” and get familiar with all things Annika Bennett from the link below.

Rising DMV star Z-Wayne releases “Code Blue”

Washington, D.C.Z-Wayne from Washington, D.C. continues his push of amazing music in 2022 with the release of energetic new single “Code Blue” produced by Aye Kelzz You Made Dis!?. To go along with the new release is a trapped out new visual shot by CLD Visuals which features Z and his peers in the trenches reciting the track lyrics. 

The grainy effects give the single perspective and add more layers to Z-Wayne’s lyrics. Earlier this year Z released multiple videos to singles off his December 2021 release and the highly praised ‘Please Excuse My Absence’ project. 

“Code Blue” is available on all DSPs and the video is on YouTube.

Baby Stone Gorillas Say Don’t “Start Sumn,” Won’t Be Nothing

With their versatile group dynamic and effortlessly electric approach, Baby Stone Gorillas make every track feel like a prized posse cut, with Top5ivee, P4K, 5Much, and EKillaOffDaBlocck each offering a unique take as the rap representatives of the South LA streets. Today, the Baby Stone Gorillas assemble once again to share “Start Sumn,” the latest music video from their recent debut mixtape, BABYST5XNE GORILLAS. Over sinister, slow-burn, RonRonTheProducer production, the SoCal quartet runs a rap relay of increasing explosiveness with each baton pass, best exemplified by 5Much coming out swinging with the line, “I was never good at math, but you can’t match my skills.”

The “Start Sumn” video perfectly captures the essence of each BSG member, with Top5ivee posting up with his personal cash register, 5Much blowing blunts on a red-tinted throne, P4K doing his one-man money dance, and EKilla idling at the arcade because he doesn’t play games. Though the clip offers a glimpse of each member in their element, the group shines brightest when they’re together, huddled atop a police cruiser like the floor is lava. The “Start Sumn” video follows recent clips for BABYST5XNE GORILLAS highlights “Do It Up” ft. Wallie The Sensei and “That’s What You Supposed To Do.”

The four members of Baby Stone Gorillas have known each other since they were 10-years-old, and were friends far before they dreamed of music stardom. The rappers have distinct styles and roles: 5Much brings a hustler’s mentality and vents about his life, while EK packs the energy. P4K is the proud instigator known for slick-talking raps, while Top5ivee often comes up with B.S.G.’s catchy hooks. Last summer, the group’s self-titled video racked up views in the millions, precipitating a winning streak of viral singles that included the Pitchforkapproved Military,” which earned airplay on Drake’sOVOSound Radio, and Untouchable” ft. RJMrLA, catching the attention of Shaquille O’Neal.

With BABYST5XNE GORILLAS, the four South L.A. spitters put on a clinic in street rap rawness. Spanning 23 tracks with nary a dull moment, the tape establishes BSG as the kings of the jungle in SoCal and beyond.

Buy/Stream BABYST5XNE GORILLAShttps://music.empi.re/babyst5xne

BABYST5XNE GORILLAS Tracklist:
1. B$G Intro
2. Flame Strangs
3. Body For Body
4. Keep Goin
5. On To Tha Next (ft. WeezGotti)
6. Back Up
7. With That (ft. COLDGAME)
8. Blitz
9. 5:05 (ft. Baby Stone Gorillas, Twinn Red, BoogieFrmDa8 & Rosecrans Dame)
10. That’s What You Supposed To Do
11. Pause!
12. Do It Up (ft. Wallie The Sensei)
13. Brag Different
14. Stick Squeezers (ft. Zona Man & Slumlord Trill)
15. Wit Me (ft. 1TakeJay)
16. Lights, Camera, Action
17. Pop A Perk
18. Members Only Reloaded (Richmond2LA) (ft. Bla$ta, WaymoBandzz, BtherGangVonnie, BoozaKeepsScorin & Slumlord Trill)
19. Start Sumn
20. Soldier Musik (ft. Zona Man)
21. Felt A Lot Of Pain
22. In A Circle (ft. BandGang LonnieBands & Youngaveli)
23. V.I.P.

Interview: PxRRY talks latest single “More Than A Little Bit,” musical inspirations, and what’s coming next

PxRRY has eyes set on hitting the big stage one day, on all levels. For the Connecticut-bred songwriter, making music is something that seemed inevitable as he grew up.

“I started out rappin, dancing, and acting and stuff… My father [and] my mother was into music,” PxRRY said in an interview with Remixd Magazine. “My mother put me in a performance arts group and I was in there since I was ten years old. So that just motivated me to basically be who I am today.” 

On paper, the group sounds like an after-school program exposing kids to creative expression. To him, it was a borderline boot camp that he credits for putting him in the best shape of his life. Regardless, it was the thing that keep him focused cemented his path towards who he’s become today. His heart lies within his music but his passion shines brightest when he’s performing live. 

It even shows in his biggest influences, citing Usher, Jamie Foxx, and oddly enough, Stephen Curry. While Steph might not be an artist in the traditional sense, he’s an artist in his own right every time he hits the floor to perform — Similar to how PxRRY feels with how he carries himself as an artist.

“The confidence and the competitiveness speaks volumes,” he says. “I like basketball and I always kind of related music to basketball in a way of it being a competitive sport. It’s the same thing for me.”

As an aspiring artist, that analogy is perfect to understand the work ethic and mindset required to make it. Just like Steph is consistently putting in hours in the gym, PxRRY is in the studio logging in hours in the booth. 

That mentality is what has led him into accumulating so much unreleased music that’s ready to go. PxRRY says there’s no project on the way just yet, but it’s not like he doesn’t have the music to put one out. He just understands that timing and execution is everything. Especially when you’re trying to establish your own sound in the ears of listeners. He knows his sound is impactful, but the rapper would much rather build brick-by-brick for a solid fan base.

Currently, he’s in a space where he’s ready to become more open with those around him and listeners who don’t know him. PxRRY expressed being a natural introvert, which usually causes him to remain reserved until he’s comfortable. Especially when it comes to dealing with women. The same thing that drove him into making his current single that’s buzzing heavy, “More Than A Little Bit.” The jam sounds like it was made for PxRRY to surf across the wavy instrumental while expressing his difficulties with easily being vulnerable.

Ironically, the same struggles he finds with being open with others is also what usually inspires him to record.

“Basically when I’m in the studio, I already have song ideas kind of written down on my phone,” he said. “Just like little ideas or conversations I’ve had throughout the week or the month that I just jot down quickly. So when I go in the booth … I have a place to go and find quick inspiration, writing down the concepts and stuff I already had.”

Well, there is one thing that inspires him more than anything else: women. “Conversations with women, being around a group of women. If I’m out there and me [and my lady] going through something, you know what I’m saying? I want to go to the studio to release, and it just depends on what I’m releasing.”

If you ask the vocalist, the rest of the year is set on releasing more songs and getting back to performing again. PxRRY knows once he gets back in his routine, balancing his career in the studio and the stage is going to be like clockwork. “Once I get [back to] consistently doing shows, I’m going to be addicted. Just moving around, that energy, all of that, that’s what I grew up on.”