Jordan Westlund, Author at Afton

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MyAfton Emerging Artist: LaQuent Hogg

Jordan Westlund — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 18:00:03 +0000

LaQuent Hogg Background

My real name is LaQuent Hogg From north side Richmond Indiana. And I still reside in Richmond!

6 Questions with Ryder Rhodes

When did you start playing music and what inspired you to give it a try?

I started playing music when I was 13! I heard the older kids rapping one day n tried it myself and fell in love with it.

Where do you see yourself in 3 years?

In 3 years from now hopefully I’m selling out stadiums. haha

If you could play a show with any artist or band, living or dead, who would it be? Why?

I would like to do a show with playboy carti or lil uzi vert ! The energy they will bring will be sumthen different.

Who and what inspires you the most to keep going?

Honestly I feel like Kodak youngboy n durk
Inspired me.

Have you played a show with Afton before? If so, what things did you enjoy about playing with Afton?

I haven’t gotten a show with Afton yet I’m ready for em tho

What’s one of the craziest things that has happened since you became a musician/artist?

The craziest thing that has happen to me as an artist is prolly the come up to be honest , this right now is up n down when it comes to getting my music around!

Album Review: No Pressure

Jordan Westlund — Mon, 24 Apr 2023 18:00:46 +0000

No Pressure

Just Jerick Artist Background:

Just Jerick is an up and coming artist from the Los Angeles area.

Album Review No Pressure

Just Jerick starts off the album full force. He skipped the intro take that some artists use for the first track and he dives directly into a full track which is titled ‘Lemons’. The second track on the album titled ‘Top Shelf’ starts off with a slower take than the prior song. The beat is pretty minimal with a piano loop through out that just adds so much to the track. Next up on the album we have ‘Cruise Through the City’ which feels a lot like an anthem. The chorus has a mood about it that very quickly can change your state of mind. Next, we are heading into ‘Clear’ which shows off a bit more of Just Jericks flow on a track. Through out the versus he speeds things up and slows it back down. It fits very well through out the entirety of the track. ‘Hunger Stroke’ has a sample that you cannot help but to love. It really helps the beat to pop and even better causes the lyrics to strike through even harder. So far this one has to be my favortie track on the album. Both the verses and the chorus hit hard and it even as ‘Jak Fann’ and ‘Akia’ as the features on the album.

Album Review: The Second Half

The second half starts off with ‘Take Me Away’ which is produced by Jay10K. The beat definitely has a different feel then the rest of the tracks but the way the lyrics are delivered also do so it works very well! Next we have ‘Reasons’ which starts off slow similar to the second track on the album. Simple beats and tracks this really help Jericks lyrics/vocals to shine. The tempo of this track is definitely his pocket that works best! The 8th track is titled ‘Turn My Headphones Up’ which features both King Osiris and Tonyg. Both artists add a great deal to the track both coming in with totally different styles. This is followed by the track ‘New School’ which brings Jerick back into his familiar pocket that works so well for him as an artist. Instead of just word play he ads a lot more to the way he pronounces words by slowing and speeding up all in the same word. New School is another track is another one at the top of my list. Track number 10 is titled ‘Never Again’ which is produced by ‘so special’. The song is a sleeper for sure. It starts off similar to other tracks on the album but then takes some very interesting twists and turns that work well for the song. The final track on the album ‘No Pressure’ is a genius pick as the closer. In terms of the beat, the vocals, the lyrics, the chorus and the versus it is easily the strongest track on the album. The hook in the chorus especially gets caught on repeat in your head.

Listening to this album has been a pleasure and it gets me excited to check out previous albums from Just Jerick. Go give him a follow and give this album a listen! You will not regret it!

Where To Follow:

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Afton Mixtape 2022 Part 2

Jordan Westlund — Fri, 23 Dec 2022 19:00:17 +0000

We are very happy to bring you the Afton Mixtape 9.5. This time a round we are putting out an Afton Mixtape 2022 featuring tons of great artists that barely missed the deadline for the Afton Mixtape 2022, so this is part 2 of that.

For this mixtape we picked some of the best song submissions and made them into a great mixtape for new fans!

Meet The Artists

Loonyumz

I’m Jarmell Robert, born in Chicago and raised on the north side of the city. Music runs in my family and it doesn’t stop at just plain old rap for me. I have hidden talents. Anyways, I’ve always wanted to do something outside of my comfort zone and just stop doubting myself. My music is just a vision of my past struggles in life and hopefully, you all can enjoy enough to select for your mixtape or any future openings for upcoming artists like myself.

Track 1: The Score

Boss The Gemini Featuring Blu Hunna

I am originally from Mexico,Guadalajara. Moved to in East Los Angeles for a couple years. Then moved to the West Side of Sacramento. I just got recently got a distribution deal with legend Goldtoes called “GT Distribution“ partners with “Empire Records” in fall year of 2022.

Track 2: Venom Mobbin

Twitter

Bonafide Outlawz (Phantom SR, RDubs, SUBL!M!NAL)

We are 3 solo artists from across the United States now based in Austin, TX. Keep a watch as we are about to flood the industry with a legendary like sound.

Track 3: Smoked Out

Twitter

Miles Proctor

Miles Proctor was born and raised in Charlotte North Carolina, he found his passion for barbering in his younger teenage years he would cut his friends hair in the school bathroom, he has always been a entrepreneur and opened his own barber shop called Vango Artistry by the time he was 21 and with in the next few years had open two more. He always had a deep Love for the lord, Miles sought God but he just felt like he wasn’t living to his fullest potential in Christ and what God called him to do. So he prayed about it and started making Gospel music and preaching and found that was his true calling while Miles still has a love for Barbering and that will never leave his true heart’s desires is doing the Lord’s work with his whole heart.

Track 4: Abba Abba

Local And LiveStream Shows

YouTube

Facebook

Spotify

Thank you to all of the talented artists that made this mixtape happen! We couldn’t have done it without you!

Other Resources

Summer Mixtape

Fall Mixtape

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Album Review: Confessions Of A Ryder

Jordan Westlund — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 19:00:37 +0000

Confessions Of A Ryder

Ryder Rhodes Artist Background:

Ryder Rhodes, independent LGBTQ HipHop artist from North Carolina!

Album Review Confessions Of A Ryder

The first track on the album titled ‘Tell Em’ starts out with a bang with some great production mixed with a lyrically basic chorus that perfectly fits on the song. The versus on the song do show of some quality song writing though. Next up we have ‘I Ain’t a Bitch’ which starts of with a great flow. The production on this track has less going on then the first track but it lets Ryders lyrics come through. The following track ‘Senorita’ has the catchiest beat and chorus on the album so far. I can see this track being the best live track so far. It would get the cloud jumping to say the least. Waterfalls uses some similar to the first track on the album and it works even better for this track. It is mixed with a simple piano looping in and out through the track and really helps the lyrics to shine through to the front of the track.

Album Review 2nd 3rd

The second third of the album stars off with a song titles ‘Location’ that certainly starts off strong. Ryder has a great ear when it comes to mixing her flow with the production that is used on the songs. Next up we have ‘Lifestyle’ which is an all around fun track! It walks you through Ryders life and goes into great detail and yet again has a perfect flow. The 7th track on the album is titled ‘Hyper’ and the track does a perfect job of starting out slow and easing into a punch where the beat comes through in the perfect way. Even at the end the beat drops back down causing the perfect ending to the track.

Album Review The Final Third

The final section of the album starts off with ‘Overdoes’ which is another track on the album that I think would go off live at a show. “Body on fire, I need a fire hose’ is a great line from the song as well. Next up is the track ‘Nobody’ that I think is perfectly placed on the album as it starts things off slowly to mix up the listener. It strips things down and causes the lyrics to hit on a different level then previous tracks did. The 10th track on the album is ‘Taken’ which has to be my favorite production on the album. The subtle ‘Taken’ singing in the back ground of the song is the icing on the cake for this track. The final track ‘I Don’t Know (Freestyle)’ is a great closer on the album. it sounds like it started out as a Freestyle and then the production came afterwards. You can also check out this track on our most recent Mixtape that was released.

Where To Follow:

Twitter

Main Website

Other Resources

Local And Live Stream Shows

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MyAfton Emerging Artist: Ryder Rhodes

Jordan Westlund — Fri, 02 Dec 2022 19:00:36 +0000

Ryder Rhodes

Ryder Rhodes Background

Hey, Afton! My birth name is Katie Joyner & I mainly go by my stage name, Ryder Rhodes! I was born at Wilson Medical Center in Wilson, North Carolina on December 23rd 1993 so I’m 28 years old on the verge of 29. I still currently have a residence within my home town & I still live in the house that built me. Within my home I grew up around music, genres of all types.

My dad influenced playing instruments the most since he played himself. He had guitars, a banjo, a hand harp & a piano. I enjoy, & still do, playing instruments but my stronghold is with the piano! As a child I admired my father for playing & singing songs. I have always had the desire to learn & play music because of him. To me there was nothing better than hearing him on Sundays at my grandparents house.

9 Questions with Ryder Rhodes

When did you start playing music and what inspired you to give it a try?

I remember wanting to learn to play before my hands were big enough to stretch over the keys, my legs dangled from the bench so I would always chicken peck even if it sounded horrible lol. I didn’t care what it sounded like at the time I just wanted to make my dad proud of me for trying! I’ve come a long way since then & it definitely sounds more smooth to the ears! When I was in middle school, 6th grade I believe, I got an electronic keyboard for Christmas & it was one of the best gifts I ever gotten. From there I would just play one hand at a time until I was able to sync both hands together.

The first time I played a piece with both hands it was the main theme from Titanic, My Heart Will Go On. I did not stop there I started to become obsessed with the different instrument sounds on my keyboard, trying new things & would just get lost for hours at the time just making noise! As my love for HipHop grew I found myself playing the drum preset on my keyboard. By the time I was in high school I was really into House Music, Techno, Electro & any kind of instrumental bass music that I could feel.

I was studying them & I stayed with headphones on or in my ears. Even during class, my teachers let me listen while working or test taking, it enhanced my academic performance. (I wonder why lol) Besides my dad inspiring me, alot of my inspiration also came from inner self & the big man upstairs, God. By that I mean I feel in my soul that music is what I was born to do. When I start creating & writing I just absolutely get lost in time & find myself feeling relief. Its my therapy.

Who and what inspires you the most to keep going?

Along side family inspiration that keeps me going are some of my favorite HipHop artists I still listen to today. My first experience hearing HipHop was from both of my older brothers. They both showed me the roots & what real HipHop is. They showed me Biggie, Bone Thugs & Harmony, Lil’ Wyte, Tupac, Eminem, Three Six Mafia, Dre. Dre, NWA, Snoop Dogg, Eazy-E, Too Short & so many others. All of these artists are true legends that came from the mud with authenticity & true emotion from the their hearts. HipHop has evolved so much since then but my love for it stayed the same through the years of it’s growth. I find it kind of funny that there is a semi divide between old school & new HipHop. Very rarely do I find other people who love the old & the new. I can understand their reasons why on both sides, that the old is better or the new is better.

My goal in life is to one day bring both old & new together, to change the game with all the ideas I come up with everyday. What keeps me going also is just the power music has itself. Bob Marley’s music had the perfect combination of passion & love for music & people that when people came together at his performances, there was peace. There was love. There was relief. There was humanity. There was ganja lol. The shape of the world today is giving everyone less & less faith with ourselves. The world is in desprate need of love these days & I want to work towards bringing people together to turn off their heads & turn on their hearts. I believe music is very capable of doing so!

Have you played a show with Afton before? If so, what things did you enjoy about playing with Afton?

Yes! My first gig was at the Nuvo Lounge & Bar in Raleigh this past June. What I enjoyed about playing with Afton was how simple & easy it was to get started! I would get emails everyday of the podcasts you guys have that really helped the flow of my progress. All the tools that is available on your website is pretty much everything a new artist needs when starting out. The daily contact with my rep at the time, Amy, really helped me stay on track with promoting myself. The perks! Wow, I really enjoyed the perks that come with the ticket sales! When I got to Nuvo the day of my show, I was nervous but I felt ready because of the great things Afton has to offer for the artists.

Where do you see yourself in 3 years?

Mmm three years from now I see myself doing more shows more often than I am now. I’m working towards keeping content consistant & lively! I’m hoping that within three years from now I am building a great & loyal fanbase that believes in me. That is what it’s really all about. Helping people, giving them all the feels I get when I hear a love song, a break up song, an angry track or an inspirational one that many of my influences do for me. I’m hoping that within three years I have a growth of a solid team that also believes in me & my message to the world. I feel an honest & genuine team is just as important as the fanbase. In three years I feel I will be doing more of what I love & I can see it in my mind like a movie reel. I see me standing in front of a crowd mixed with blacks, whites, hispanics, Asians & all who feel the same way I do, who can connect & respect each other without knowing their names, their sexual orientation or where they come from. I see people coming together like a community, sharing smiles, tears, hugs, kisses, drinks & leaving feeling like they can do anything they put their mind to & maybe (a) new friend(s).

If you could play a show with any artist or band, living or dead, who would it be? Why?

If I could play a show with someone who is dead, I would probably want to play with B.I.G & Tupac. They both told stories in a way that was very visual in the mind to the listener. The way that I write my lyrics was inspired by them the most. Alot of the songs I write are very detail oriented, very open minded & very emotional. Biggie & Tupac both had all of these elements that they wrote, recorded & displayed in their performances. They were not afraid to speak their mind in person, in the booth or on the stage. They both spoke about their hard times, their great times & the relief that the music industry has brought them as an individual & their families. I feel like this itself is essential for the capture of an audience, especially now in the Hiphop culture. I believe playing a show with either one of them would be epic, not because they are legends, but because of their message to the world. I feel alot within their songs & the way that I feel within my music would just bring a positive energy that could blow the roof off.

If I could play a show with someone who is still living, I would most definitely love to experience sharing the stage with Jack Harlow & Post Malone. Both of these HipHop artists have their own different places in the industry. They are both on opposite sides of the HipHop specrum but they both speak their truth. Jack is sleek & his vibe on stage is no different than himself behind it all. He has no problem giving recognition to his family, his team & his day ones. Everytime a new video gets posted on social media or YouTube of him performing, I am right there watching, studying & learning from how he handles & carries himself in front of a crowd. Jack’s engagement with his audience is so inspiring! He talks to them in a way that makes them (& myself as a viewer) feel like we already made it because he did. I could have a different passion for something other than music & I would still feel like I could go out & accomplish it! Post Malone. I have yet met another person who doesn’t like Posty. Just like Jack, I am right there watching all of his live performances & studying how he connects with his fans like they are all his friends. In one performance I watched someone in the crowd get hurt & he spotted it. He completely stopped his show so the staff could help this one hurt person out of a crowd of thousands. The whole time he watched & communicated with the staff to make sure everyone could get this person medical attention. Once the staff got this person out the crowd he told them to make sure they got the best of care & told them he loved them. The crowd was in utter silence until he said I love you to this person & then they just went into a complete uproar! The effect he has on his followers is insane & so loving. His roots have never went away or strayed with his success. That inspires me & reminds me that staying true to yourself is way better than any kind of fame or status. Performing with either one of them on stage would be such a huge milestone for me & my growth as an artist. I could learn so much from them. Performing with both at the same time, on the other hand, would be so grand I cannot fathom the experience right now.

What’s one of the craziest things that has happened since you became a musician/artist?

There are so many crazy things that have happened since I started my journey as an artist. A year ago I would of said that the craziest thing that has happened was the opportunity to connect with a real engineer in a real recording studio with a real booth. Reflecting on my first moment in that environment to now & what has been going for me lately, a crazy moment was when my producer informed me about Afton Shows & gave me all the information that led me to where I am right now doing this interview with you! Doing my show with Afton opened up my mind & creativity for future live performances & music videos. I branched off a love for performing live even though I had so much stage fright in the beginning. I would get stage fright performing other songs by artists & the fact that I swollowed it all when I got a mic in my hands for the first time & then getting so much praise from the crowd was insane. I had a fear of not being good enough or not being entertaining enough but when my set was done & I mingled with the crowd along with other performers of the night, I got so many compliments. I had gotten so much encouragement from the people to keep writing & keep going. Other performers of the night told me they had no idea it was my first time, I looked natural & I “set the bar” as a tough act to follow. When the club closed that night the management pulled me aside & told me that I really captured the room all the way to the back & that i was the best of the night! That is just mind blowing to me. My stage fright has not really been put to rest but was confidently put at bay. I’m sure I will get jitters before any show but I never thought I would see the day where my story & originality could overcome my ownself. That is the craziest to me. Thank you so much, Afton!

Do you have any pre-show rituals before taking the stage? What do you do after a show?

I feel like right now my ritual before a show starts days before I take the stage. I’m still new in the game & I am open to learning as much as I can with my time here. I practice every day, even when I don’t have a show. Whether I record myself on my phone or I reflect myself in real time in a mirror, I break down lyrics to my songs that are on my set list to have engagement or a reaction from my audience. I think about what I want to say to the crowd to make them be included. My ritual right before I take the stage is alot of breathing, praying & meditation to feel the energy I want to put out. If I go on with good positive vibes I know the audience will feel it too. I give myself a lot of positive affirmations. I remind myself that this is it. Its my shot, its my time to say my message. I remind myself that I’m unique, I’m not like anyone else & no body else is like me. After a show I love to mingle & work my way around the room. I want to know the experience that I was able to give to others. It fills my heart with so much water & transparency to know that my set has given someone a reason to carry on. The “after” of after a show is always a celebration! When I leave a gig I feel like I’m over the moon especially if it went well or better than I expected.

What advice would you give to a young artist just starting out?

I’m going to say the same thing I tell my niece & my nephew with their ambitions. GO FOR IT! Life does not have a reset or repeat button. If you feel like you were made for this & you’re willing to hustle to get yourself there then you ARE made for this. There is a big thing I like to point out called competition. I also call this the elephant in the room. Yes! The music industry has alot to compete with especially the higher you climb your ladder. BUT, competition does not mean poor sportsmanship. Not stepping on others along the way should be a given from the start. Staying true to yourself is very powerful. It sets you apart from anyone who tries to test you. In my journey so far I’ve learned that confidence is the better C word than competition. If you’re confident with yourself & believe that you can put yourself on a level to grow as an artist authentically then competion would never cross your mind. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you will not win. Don’t be hard on yourself, this is suppose to be the love of your life. Music for me is the love my life. When I write a song I look at it as conception. Its up to me to make my perfect “offspring” just the way I want it. Treat your work like it’s your baby & grow with your baby. Regardless of what shade gets thrown at you, nurture your art & see what happens.

What is one of the biggest lessons you’ve learned as an artist?

I’ve learned alot of lessons & I enjoy learning more. The amount of absorption my mind has is almost scary. I’m so open to it all my brain is like wet clay. One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned since I became an artist is that the work ethic to do this is way more than I thought it would be. No, I didn’t think that it would be “instant” or have “overnight success.” What I didn’t know was how much goes into a single track. There have been times I have spent an hour on a song because it just flowed on a good day, but there have also been times I’ve used a whole recording session for one song. I think the longest we have spent on a song was about four hours. Everytime I’m in the studio I don’t always look at it as fun & games, I’m there to work, but I do have fun while working hard because when I get lost, thats when it gets fun & don’t feel like “work.” I pay attention, ask Damien questions & I’m slowly dipping my hands into production knowledge. Every song i’ve done so far has been different & I learn something new everytime. I’ve noticed my ears are hearing little quirks in songs I didn’t know was there. Sometimes I hear some of my favorite songs by others for “the first time” with the new things that I’m training myself to listen for in my own music. One small detail can throw the whole song off! One of the other biggest lessons I’ve learned since I found my identity is that I was too hard on myself. I had a lot of insecurities at the start of my self discovery but, I learn more & surprise myself everyday. I went from caring about what other people think of me to what I think of myself. That is one thing that was probably harder than anything else I’ve tried to learn. If someone insulted or dissed me a year ago I would let it get to me, that is not the case today. Music, especially my music, has taught me my self worth.

Where To Follow Ryder Rhodes

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Featured Blog Article

Featured Blog Article2

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Afton Mixtape 2022

Jordan Westlund — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 19:00:22 +0000

Mixtape 2022

We are very happy to bring you the ninth Afton Mixtape. This time a round we are putting out an Afton Mixtape 2022 featuring tons of great artists!

For this mixtape we picked some of the best song submissions and made them into a great mixtape for new fans!

Meet The Artists

C.dabeast

C.dabeast is from Louisiana by way of Colorado been in the music industry for awhile still awaiting his day for stardom his flow has a intelligent rhythm with words bar for bar really one of the best doing it.

Track 1: Toxic

Big KeDre

KeAndre’ U also known as, Big Kedre or Big Scooby, was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. He is best known as a confident, energetic, smooth talker specializing in Hip Hop. With over 10,000 streams between Apple Music and Spotify, faithful listeners in the United Kingdom, France, and Ghana; Big Kedre looks to turn up the heat in year 2 of making music. Big Kedre has collaborated with Always Paid’s rising star AP Terry and F4L’s main artist 1Brucie, both Cleveland natives.

Track 2: Drug Party

Riio

Riio

Riio is an urban singer, rapper, and songwriter who was born in Mexico, yet raised in the US. Riio is attempting to breakthrough a powerful, Latin influential genre-Reggaetón.

Growing up in a musical family, a career in music was inevitable for Riio. Developing a love/hate relationship with music and the industry, Riio found early success with his childhood family band, made up of his father, siblings, and himself. Riio rediscovered his love of music after meeting an old friend who reignited his passion for music and set him on track for his debut EP ‘Capitulos’.

Track 3: Se Acabo

Supah Sayin

Supah Sayin

American Serfdom
Lizard King
Confidence is Ki
Texan
817

Track 4: Divulgence

Reggie So Kold & Yfn Tee

Reggie So Kold & Yfn Tee

Reggie So Kold started his journey as a Recording Artist and Professional Dancer over 12+ years ago when he was only eleven years old. Performing in front of large audiences, creating unique choreographies, and delivering private dance training. He was and still is recognized for physical coordination and strong memory.

He is gifted at communicating constructive feedback to a wide range of personalities both as a lateral team member and in a position of authority.

Track 5: Azz so Phat

REAL

REAL

REAL is an Atlanta based artist who has been honing her writing skills for the past several years. Originally a poet, REAL blended her talents to combine them with music and instrumentals. REAL is a rapper with heavy R&B influences and strives to write music her audience can relate to. REAL has been working on music and her craft since 2010, but ultimately decided to share her talents with the world in April 2019.

Track 6: No Lie

Reo 900

Reo 900

Robert Edmund Obelton Jr, known professionally as Reo 900 is American Rapper ,Singer and Songwriter. Reo 900 is a 21 year old, born and raised in Oakland Ca , but does not tend to have the “normal” Bay Area sound as some would say. His lyrics speak from the heart and can easily fit it into any music genre. He’s gained great traction with the drop off his single “ Can’t Stop” at the beginning of 2021. And gained even more notoriety with the release of his single “Puerto Rico “ in the summer of 2021. Reo is a true Legend in the making with a bright future ahead of him.

Track 7: Puerto Rico

Big Nic

Big Nic

Big Nic is a 22 year old visionary from Little Rock, Arkansas. His music is very diverse considering the fact that he embodies multiple personalities in his tracks. Anti-herO streaming now!!

Track 8: BBJ

Crazy Marko

Crazy Marko

I am a 20 year old rapper based in Columbus Ohio. I have been making music for about six years now.

Track 9: Top From The Bottom

TonyCam

TonyCam

My Name Is TonyCam. I am an artist From Tampa Fl. I Love to make music and play chess in spare time.

Track 10: Taxxin (Ft. Gmsc Dawk)

Ryder Rhodes

An independent LGBTQ HipHop artist from North Carolina!

Track 11: I Don’t Know (Freestyle)

Main Website

kali lu

kali lu

My name is kali lu and I love to share myself through music.

Track 12: Phoenix

Local And LiveStream Shows

Spotify

Where To Download

You can download the album HERE

Thank you to all of the talented artists that made this mixtape happen! We couldn’t have done it without you!

Other Resources

Summer Mixtape

Fall Mixtape

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Album Review: My Next Album

Jordan Westlund — Wed, 12 Oct 2022 18:00:07 +0000

My Next Album

RickeyDamnD Artist Background:

My life changed a few times over the past couple of years, from a car wreck, to my heart stopping, to believing I was having a child (paternity test result came in a month after the baby was born), to events that landed me in jail through Thanksgiving. And that was all in just 2019.

After being on, and released from house arrest and holding down a new job, COVID-19 hit. Fortunately I had been saving and investing so I’d been prepared to leave work already. I have chosen to make better use of my extended time on Earth by traveling and exploring new hobbies.
On 11/12/2020 I went into the studio for the first time to see what it would be like. Armed with a written freestyle and a cool beat I had just found that day, I met with Juan Rodriguez whose taken me under his wing with his 20+ years of experience; and together we created Special Brownies. I’m Grateful to be able to have made a song, and later create an entire mixtape entitled, ‘My Next Album’.

I’ve always wanted to make music, but just never tried. Imagine had I not gotten a second chance at life? Many times I feel that I am not worthy of such incredible blessings/luck/fortune, and I have Rayshon Jashaé Washington to thank for that! She randomly woke up 2/15/19 at 4am because she felt uneasy and just couldn’t sleep, and gave me CPR in the middle of the night. And that’s crazy luck! Along with the work of God. I am eternally grateful RayRay and my parents Rick & Rachelle Durham.

Album Review My Next Album

The first track on the album ‘What About The Intro?’ is a very cool take at an intro for an album. It it used at a bit of a back ground surrounding the making of the album. The second song on the album ‘Ike N’ Tina’ has a similar start to the into but then quickly gets down to business with the rest of the song. RickeyDamnD is definitely making himself known in this song.

The third track on the album titled ‘Ridin’ takes a much slower angle with both the backing beat and the delivery. It works very well through out the track though. The next track ‘Special Brownies’ packs a punch right from the start of the song. Rickey added some perfect vocal affects to this track that makes each line stand out and hit where it needs to. Next up we have ‘Shake It’ which is clearly a song that would pop off at a live show. The catchy-ness of the vocals combined with beat just works for the track.

Album Review My Next Album: The Second Half

The second half of the album starts off with the track ‘Drill’, which shows off some impressive speed from Rickey. The beat has a subtle approach that helps the vocals to really shine. It also includes (If I am not mistaken) a sound bit from Golden eye which is perfectly timed in the song. Next up is ‘Every Day’ which continues to use a well timed pitch change through out the song that was visited earlier in other tracks and it continues to work on the current track.

Now we are onto the 8th track on the album ’20/20′ which puts a positive spin on the shitty year that was 2020. Everything about this track from the beat to the lyrics fits perfectly for this track. It is definitely an upper on the album and is my personal favorite. The 9th track is titled ‘You’ which is a simple name for a very complex track. There is a lot to the beat in this one and the vocal affects are switched up for this one as well. The whole track just flows well together and breaks down in certain pockets which helps some of the lines to pop even more. The closing track on the album is ‘Special Brownies Kids’ which seems to be a repeat of the 4th track on the album ‘Special Brownies’ but that is fine with me as it is a great track!

My Thoughts

This album was a blast to listen to. It was creative, fun, complex, simple where it needed to be and an all around pleasing album. It definitely left me wanting more from the artist. I will anxiously be waiting to hear RickeyDamnD’s Sophomore album to be released!

Where To Follow:

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Album Review: Anti-herO

Jordan Westlund — Fri, 07 Oct 2022 18:00:20 +0000

Anti-herO

Big Nic Artist Background:

Big Nic is a 22 year old visionary from the capital of the A, Little Rock. His unique choice of beats is accompanied by his multiple personalities. No two Big Nic songs are alike!

Album Review Anti-herO

The album starts off with the track ‘Kripy II’. Some albums start of with just a clip or a skit for the album but instead Big Nic dives right in with a full track. This track also has a feature that goes by the name of ‘Cris Roccc’. The second track on the album ‘BBJ’ (which is also to be featured on our upcoming Mixtape) is all over the place in the best possible way! Everything from the back track to the chorus to the catchy chorus is just on point. Definitely an early standout on the album. With the third track ‘Go Hard’ it slows things down on the album and has the second feature on the album from ‘Guapo Rob’. The 4th track is titled ‘Rebel Heart’ and definitely has some dream wave elements in it as the backtrack fades in the background of the song.

The 5th track on the album ‘P’ seems to be a simple track but at the same time is packed with so many interesting elements through out the track. The icing on the cake is the guest vocals from 5ive Marly. The 6th track on the album ‘Spinna Night Bag’ starts off with some throw back instrumentals with some newer affects for the vocals. The combo fits perfectly on the track. The 7th track on the album is titled ‘Elevator Music’ is a perfect closer for the first 3rd of the album.

The 9th track on the album titled ‘NFT’ seems to be the perfect intro to the second third of the album. The 10th track on the album ‘bEtTeR tHaN mEe’ featuring the artist 3K Fazo has to have one of my favorite instrumentals on the album so far. They shine through the whole track! The 11th track on the album ‘Big Drop/River Styx’ definitely takes advantage of some perfectly timed pitch changes through out the song that really make it pop.

Album Review The Second Half

The 13th track on the album is lyrically one of my favorites on the album so far. The backing instrumentals are subtle but it makes the vocals pop even more which fits well for the song. The next track is titled ‘Anti Hero Anthem’ which goes over just that and it fits perfectly where it is placed on the album. The 15th track titled ‘Trap Magic’ seems to be the deepest track so far, but with the normal Big Nic flare that I have come to love. The 16th track ‘SYD’ starts off with a big punch as the instrumentals power through. This track is also featuring the artist So3lo which is a great fit for the track.

The next song on the album (17) is titled ‘Pressure’ and is an all around solid track. Everything from the flow to the instrumental just works great. The 18th track titled ‘Fidgeting’ has a feature by the name FNO 6 and is my favorite track with a feature on the album for sure. The change from Big Nic to FNO 6 is just pleasing to the ears. Next up we have ‘AWARD’ which has a great sample on it that plays throughout the song and makes the track really pop when it needs to.

The final three songs on the album start with ‘Contradiction’ which is another favorite of mine. The whole song just feels like a story that you want to continue to hear. The 21st track is an Outro that has so much to it that it feels like a stand alone track. Big Nic could not have picked a better closer for this album than ‘Humility’. It is filled with a mix of a voicemail from his grandma, some great instrumentals and a final vocal closer from him at the end of the track.

My Thoughts

All in all this was another great album from Big Nic. It showed a lot of growth from the artist but at the same time kept the wild, unique, and catchy style that we know so well from Big Nic. I would highly recommend giving this album a listen!

Where To Follow:

Main Website

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Summer 2022 Afton Mixtape

Jordan Westlund — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 19:00:46 +0000

Afton Summer Mixtape

Summer 2022 Afton Mixtape

We are very happy to bring you the ninth Afton Mixtape. This time a round we are putting out an Summer 2022 Afton Mixtape featuring tons of great artists!

For this mixtape we picked some of the best song submissions and made them into a great mixtape for new fans!

Meet The Artists

Katie Belle

Katie Belle is an American singer – songwriter. Belle works with Track Star Entertainment and Worldwide Music Consultants. Her team is excited to announce 2022’s first release, “Now That I Know”. The tune is sassy and confident, the lyrics keep the tempo going and the fingers snapping. “Now That I Know” kicks up the beat and follows nicely behind Belle’s single “Daughter” (Fall 2021 ) which was a touching song about heartbreak, solace and salvation. 2022 will find Belle focused on finishing up tracks written throughout the past year. Katie, an avid songwriter along with her producer Josquin Des Pres (Jason Mraz, Bernie Taupin, Gipsy Kings et.al.) and Utonium Songwriting Team ( Jason Mraz ) are pulling together tunes to engage Belle’s growing fan base with fresh sounds and spunk.

Track 1: Now That I Know

SoundCloud

Anthony Tenacious

I’m Anthony Guy, My act name is Anthony Tenacious, I’m 33 years old, I’m Currently in Seattle. I can Play many instruments but the one of choice is the Drums. It allows you to express yourself in a way that most can understand without asking.

Track 2: Baddie Pt 1.

Facebook

Chima Nice

Chima is a multi-talented musician who dons the moniker of Chima Nice. The enigma is at the fulcrum of an evolving Afrobeats scene. Chima Nice is a very different and uniquely wired musician who isn’t afraid to break the rules and push the boundaries of our perception with his deeply layered and well-crafted production. Born in Nigeria and raised in east point, Atlanta Ga, his drive, focus, and tenacity will lead him to become a relentless and unstoppable force in the independent circuit.

Track 3: JUMPIN

Twitter

Rich Menace

Rich Menace is an up and coming artists from the Las Vegas area.

Track 4: Tell Me

SoundCloud

King Lyric

I’m a hip hop artist from Greenville SC. I can be reached on platforms such as iTunes and Spotify.

Track 5: I Been

SoundCloud

Rich Pedro

An Artist in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Born in Chicago, Illinois. I also Own a clothing brand titled “real za”.

Track 6: Flicky

Twitter

Allodium

We are Allodium, our unique style of country rap and rock will grip onto your heart as the lyrics penetrate your inner being …. ( I love the rapping part though ).

Track 7: The Struggle

Facebook

YouTube

OKC Big G Big P

I’m The Rookie Of The Year, An Underrated Female Rap Artist From Southside OKC Representing The Linwood Neighborhood.
OKC BIG G BIG P.

Track 8: Blocc Beaters

Sound Cloud

Facebook

FreshMayneGouda

An independent artist /CEO of the independent label Team lottery Entertainment, Freshmayne Gouda is constantly blessing the industry with jewels to vibe to.

Track 9: Tryna See It

MickyNicky

I am 20 years old and I’ve been songwriting for 6 years. I’ve been singing my whole life but didn’t take it seriously till 2 years ago. I want to make music and be the voice for others during hard times. Other artists have done that for me with their music and I want to do that for others.

Track 10: It’ll Be Okay (feat. MOTIVE)

TikTok

YouTube

Castrisse

Upcoming artist from Detroit Michigan Songwriter signed to ethika music been writing music for over 10 years and performed at major events for big artists in the industry.

Track 11: Meekflow