With a voice that effortlessly traverses the realms of emotion and melody, Tink has solidified her unique space in the music industry. Her latest release, Winter’s Diary 5 marks a triumphant return for the multi-talented Chicago native. Tink is celebrated for her ability to blend modern hip-hop sensibilities with old-school R&B charm.
Tink’s journey to musical prominence began with her breakout mixtape, Winter’s Diary, over a decade ago. Moreover, since then, she has continuously evolved her sound while staying true to her roots in heartfelt R&B. Her 2023 album Thanks 4 Nothing, produced by Hitmaka, exemplified her creative ability, amassing over 100 million streams and reaffirming her status as a force to be reckoned with in the industry.
Winter’s Diary 5 builds on this foundation, igniting excitement among her devoted followers who eagerly anticipated the continuation of her acclaimed mixtape series. Thus, the album showcases Tink’s profound gift for combining music and storytelling, evident in tracks like “Charged Up” and “Songs About U,” featuring platinum singer-songwriter Summer Walker. Furthermore, these songs dive into themes of love, self-discovery, and the complexities of relationships with raw emotion and melodic finesse.
Tink’s artistic vision extends beyond her music. However, she embodies a modern form of femininity that is both expressive and assertive. Collaborating with artists like Jeremih, Skilla Baby, and NoCap, and with production from Hitmaka, Bizness Boi, and SkipOnDaBeat, Tink curates a diverse musical landscape that resonates with authenticity and innovation.
Moreover, in addition to her compelling new album, Tink has embarked on The Magic Hour arena tour alongside Jhené Aiko, sharing the stage with powerhouse artists like Coi Leray, Umi, and Kiana Ledé. This tour not only showcases Tink’s dynamic stage presence but also provides fans—both established and new—the opportunity to experience her magnetic energy firsthand.
Furthermore, as Tink continues to push boundaries and redefine R&B, Winter’s Diary 5 stands as a testament to her growth as an artist and storyteller. With each track, she invites listeners into her world, where vulnerability meets strength, and musicality meets authenticity. Tink’s journey is a testament to the power of artistic evolution and the enduring impact of true musical talent in today’s ever-changing industry landscape.
In the heart of his latest single, “Don’t Cry,” Nige opens a window into the raw aftermath of a shattered relationship. He channels his emotions into a narrative that resonates deeply with listeners. Hailing from Washington, D.C., Nige, a rising singer-songwriter, continues to carve his path in the music industry with a blend of honesty and compelling storytelling.
Produced by Supah Mario and penned by Nige himself, “Don’t Cry” is more than just a song. It’s an expression of personal growth and resilience. Nige shares, “I remember when I first made ‘Don’t Cry.’ I went back home and played it for some of the homies, and they all said it gave them goosebumps.” This initial reaction affirmed for Nige that the song had the power to connect deeply with a wide audience. Teased on social media months prior, the track garnered over 4 million views on TikTok.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind “Don’t Cry,” Nige acknowledges the complexities of relationships. He captures both their highs and lows with unflinching honesty. “This song is about the good, bad, and ugly parts of the relationship I was in, and I’m delivering it as real and raw as possible to the world,” he reveals. This authenticity underscores Nige’s approach to his craft. Moreover, this distinguishes him as an artist who fearlessly explores the depths of human experience.
Listen to “Don’t Cry” by Nige
However, prior to “Don’t Cry,” Nige made waves with “War In The Trenches.” A track that dives into the harsh realities of urban life. This song was inspired by his father’s wisdom to be a guiding light amidst darkness. Furthermore, the song not only showcases Nige’s lyrical talent but also his commitment to shedding light on societal issues through music. The accompanying music video poignantly captures the resilience of Nige and his community.
Furthermore, Nige’s journey to musical prominence began as an internet sensation. In fact, his magnetic presence attracted millions of views and a devoted fan base hungry for more. With each release, he continues to elevate his storytelling, offering a fresh perspective on life’s trials and triumphs. Through “War In The Trenches” and now “Don’t Cry,” Nige asserts his place as a rising star in the industry.
As Nige navigates the complexities of fame and creativity, his evolution as an artist remains rooted in his unwavering dedication to authenticity. With “Don’t Cry,” he not only invites listeners to share in his personal journey but also reinforces his status as an artist to watch. With his sights set on the future, Nige stands tall, ready to leave a mark on the music world and beyond.
Erica Banks, who is also known as “ Da Flow Queen” continues to win over the industry with her energy and distinctive style. Known for her bold and confident lyricism, she expands upon this energy with her new single “Extra” featuring Memphis breakout rapper, Big Boogie. Erica has been steadily gaining attention since her breakout hit “Buss It” took TikTok by storm in 2021. She followed up with singles such as “Toot That,” “Real Rap B*tch” as well as “On His Face” to name a few. This past year, she made her reality tv debut as a cast member on VH1’s popular series, Love and Hip-Hop Atlanta. Surely, Erica continues to display her versatility as more than just a music artist.
Furthermore, Erica’ latest release, “Extra,” showcases her signature confidence and attitude. Throughout the track, celebrates her womanhood while flaunting her ability to provide for herself. Everything else to her is just extra. Organically, Big Boogie adds fuel to the single as his verse compliments here’s seamlessly. Additionally, Erica accompanies this release witch further depicts how she is about her bag. Throughout the video, you can catch Erica and Boogie inside a money vault surrounded by money.
Remixd Magazinehad the opportunity to speak with Erica Banks more about her career thus far and the inspiration behind “Extra.”
Watch “Extra” by Erica Banks ft. Big Boogie
Remixd Magazine: Before we discuss your current single, what does your current playlist look like? Who are some of your favorite upcoming artists?
Erica: On my playlist there’s some Summer Walker, Jhené Aiko, Nicki Minaj, Drake, Lil Wayne. I listen to a lot of Gunna these days, I’m liking him a lot these days. Future is always on my playlist, he’s actually my favorite rapper and Erica Banks of course!
Now that you are years into your career, you’ve obtained tons of success even outside of music. From 2020’s “Buss It” along side a challenge, “ Toot That,” even more recent singles such as “On His Face.” You also ventured in to TV as a Cast Member of Love & Hip Hop ATL. What inspires Erica these days ? How are you able to balance it all?
I always say just self growth is the motivation for me because like you said at one point I had “Buss It” and now I’m on TV you know? Seeing myself grow and just realizing wow, I am able to do this just like everybody else. It’s inspiring to me to just keep doing my thing outside of seeing other artists thrive as well. But, for me it’s really just self motivation and continuing to grow as an artist.
Being that you are “The Flo Queen” essentially your ability to get on any beat and make the song of your own stands out about you. You’ve done freestyles to “Get In With Me” by BossMan Dlo “Get Silly,” by V.I.C and “Peaches & Eggplants” by Young Nudy, more recently. How do you decided what song you want to remix? Is that process the same as when you record your music?
I make the decisions on what song I remix just off of what I typically like. If I personally like the song a lot, it’s probably what I’m going to do. Even if it’s a new song from the 2000’s. I also did the “Get Silly” freestyle. “Get Silly” was back in like 2006 you know I think I was like 5 years old but I knew the song. So yeah, I just base it off of what I personally like. As far as recording in the studio, I pretty much record all my songs the same. I mean with freestyles I don’t choose a topic I kind of just write everywhere. But, when I’m making a real song, I sit down, I choose a beat, I decide what I’m going to talk about, then I record according to the topic.
You recently dropped your latest single “Extra,” which further embraces confidence and essentially having it your way. Can you tell us a little more about the inspiration behind the song?
Just exploring that as a woman, well the woman that I am rather, anything that I do for myself, I strictly do because I am an independent woman. I’m blessed to be able to do that. Then, I’m speaking on what a man does for me it’s just extra. You know? I don’t need it but I’ll take it. That’s kinda where I’m going with that to just kind of inspire women and let them know hey girl you can do it for yourself, but if he does want to do it, we can consider it extra.
In the spirit of the name of the song being “Extra,” what are some things that in your opinion make you extra? Are there essentials you need day to day that others may believe is extra?
I don’t think I do anything on the daily that’s super extra. I think everything I do on the daily bases is kind of normal. Unless you think getting a black truck from the airport to home every single time you fly anywhere is extra. Right now I prefer black trucks to go really everywhere but especially the airport because it’s always right there as soon as I walk outside. I don’t have to walk down the rail, they for sure have a phone charger. It has it’s perks. Other than that, everything else on a daily bases I pretty much got normal stuff going on.
For “Extra,” you teamed up with Big Boogie. The two of you match each other’s energy perfectly throughout the song, what was it like working with him on this record?
He’s always been a fun guy just to work with in general. But working on the song was actually a time too. It was kind of like just having a good time it wasn’t really work for us. His personality is very bubbly, very open, very humorous. It’s kind of like we just teamed up and did something fun together. He has always been a good friend of mine for about three or four years, so it wasn’t our first time. He’s just great to work with, fun to work with, easy to work with and we were able to get it done.
This record for sure adds on to your versatility through collaboration with other artists, is there anyone else right now you want to collaborate with? Any genre?
I would have to say Future for one. Like I mentioned earlier that is my favorite rapper. If I was to go female I would want to switch it up and go Jhené Aiko.
You have been dropping consistently this year with singles such as “On His Face,” “I Ain’t Fresh,” as well as a series of freestyles. What can we expect next from you?
Of course you guys can expect the project from me, more videos, features on the project, merchandise, a tour. Every thing my fans have been on my *** about the past two years. Im about to get it. So, I’m exited about that.
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In conclusion, Erica Banks continues to extend her name throughout different areas of the industry as she continues her many ventures. Currently, she is gearing up for the release of her upcoming project and tons more surprises. To keep up with Erica Banks, you can follow her on Instagram linked here. Additionally, you can stream “Extra” featuring Big Boogie below.
London-based artist NILE is an artist to watch. His newest song “Sailor Moon (Aktion Jackson remix),” dropped on July 5th, 2024 and he’s making it known that it’s a love song at the core. Known for his enchanting blend of soul, R&B, and house music, NILE describes his sound as “dream-soul.” He describes it as a genre that fuses soulful music with fantastical lyrical elements. He explains, “When writing, I try to channel my inner magical anime protagonist and hope listeners can feel their inner fantasy personas when they hear my music.”
The story behind NILE’s artistic name is a testament to his musical heritage. Named after Nile Rodgers, thanks to his father’s admiration for Rodgers’ work during David Bowie’s Serious Moonlight tour in 1983, NILE embraces his namesake with a sound that’s both nostalgic and innovative. “I grew up reading comics and fantasy novels and watching anime,” NILE tells Remixd Magazine. “So these stories and visuals have really influenced me and shaped my writing.”
NILE’s single Sailor Moon (Aktion Jackson remix), stands out as a heartfelt homage to his partner. The track, which NILE originally penned during the Covid-19 lockdown, serves as a love letter and a tribute to the beloved anime series that provided solace during a challenging period. “I wanted to write something that captured the essence of Sailor Moon,” he shares. The remix by Aktion Jackson, discovered through a serendipitous encounter in a South London flower shop, adds a new dimension to the song, enhancing its dreamy appeal.
Stream “Sailor Moon” by NILE below
The remix reflects NILE’s broad range of influences. From Motown legends and 90s pop icons to modern innovators like Janelle Monáe and Solange. These inspirations have profoundly shaped his music. Leading him to collaborate with Berlin-based duo Lovebirds on the track Shut The Lights Out, released in April. Moreover, NILE hints at more exciting projects on the horizon, with new material set for release in September.
Through his music, NILE aims to offer listeners an escape into their own fantasy worlds. “Escapism is important to me,” he says. “I hope that Sailor Moon gets people dancing and takes them on a journey to their own fantasy land.”
For fans looking to follow NILE’s journey and stay updated on his latest releases, you can find him on TikTok, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, and Facebook under @nilejustnile. Dive into his dreamy universe and experience the magic of NILE’s sound today.
Ian has been making his presence felt all year, he continues his hot streak by teaming up alongside Lil Yachty for a certified speaker-shaking banger paired with a music video directed by Cole Bennett.
The two rappers trade verses throughout the single over a trance-inducing beat with braggadocious bars. Yachty and Ian complement each other’s flows with seamless transitions sparking a new potential dynamic duo. Additionally, ChildBoy, who’s experienced in working with Yachty, produced the song. He is well-known for his production work on Drake’s “Another Late Night.”
Fans across social media have been showing love to both rappers for their efforts on the single. This overwhelming support is shaping “Hate Me” into an undeniable hit and a strong contender for 2024’s hot summer songs list.
The single’s music video features trippy and fun visuals by Cole Bennett. The visuals perfectly encapsulate the song’s exciting and energetic vibe. Bennett, a director from Chicago, is known for his frequent collaborations with Lil Yachty. He also worked with Ian on his breakout single. The chemistry between the group is palpable even behind the screen. In addition, the music video debuted at number 1 on YouTube’s trending music list, quickly gaining over a million views in under 24 hours.
Ian’s impressive year
Ian has been having an impressive debut year, making his mark with “Figure It Out“. Earlier this year, Ian launched his debut project Valedictorian and followed it up with a deluxe. He hasn’t shown any signs of taking his foot off the gas. Ian received one of his first big cosigns from Yachty. The duo initially showed their chemistry when the Atlanta rapper brought out Ian as a special guest at Summer Smash where he recreated Yachty’s iconic entrance.
Lil Yachty has been feeding his fanbase consistently as well. Last week, he released the banger “Let’s Get on Dey Ass,” which followed his alternative collaboration project with James Blake. Moreover, this new track showcases his versatility and continued innovation in the music scene.
