Gil Thompson is well known among Allentown, PA natives and yonder. He embodies the essence of Hip Hop and has released an array of projects throughout the years. Gil expressed, “Everytime I’m done making an album, I say to myself that this is the last one, and I’ll mean it at the moment. Then a few months later someone will play some beats and my brain will get flooded with concepts all over again. I guess it’s just my gift!” With each album release, Gil has gained a multitude of fans, ranging from various ages and backgrounds. He has the type of tone that instantly lures in listeners and his powerful messages keep them on their toes throughout the duration of each music project.
Earlier this year, Gil embarked on another Hip Hop journey where he laid his heart and soul down in the booth. “Conquer & Cultivate” did just that! This 8 track release consists of storytelling, word play, and passion, each song sounding different than the next. Gil never disappoints and his success as a music artist is proof in the pudding!
Fans and supporters can be seen under Gil’s posts honoring his passion for music and providing positive feedback in relation to his work! And you have the opportunity to listen to Gil Thompson’s newest album by clicking on your favorite DSP above!
When asked what his earliest memory of Hip Hop is Gil answered, “Probably being at a cookout when I was a kid, hearing “Looking at the Front Door” by Main Source, banging out the speakers! I swear that beat alone could be the backdrop to a lot of moments from my childhood. As for my recent favorite moment, probably the battle between Drake and Kendrick. I loved the back and forth of it all. That few months, when all those songs were dropping, had the planet in a chokehold!”
This down-to-earth, talented, and humble music artist genuinely loves music and his fans are already asking when his next project will be underway! Make sure to follow him on social media to stay up to date on his endeavors.
Chazz has become well known as a go-to figure who inspires and drives his collaborators to positive outcomes. While speaking with Chazz, he verbalized the importance of cross promotion and balancing the responsibility of marketing among each individual he works with. It is no secret among professionals in the entertainment business that marketing can be a daunting and expensive task. When evenly distributed among team members, this task becomes an enjoyable aspect of music.
In the beginning of 2024, Chazz hit the ground running with an eight song EP, “Janay Saxon”. While working with the talented singer, Chazz recalled how delightful it was to work with such a creative and passionate artist. The first single from Janay’s EP to be released was, “Can We”. This track sent the independent music scene into a frenzy. Janay’s soft and soulful voice in conjunction with Chazz’s choice of instruments painted a vivid picture for their listeners. Collectively, the two have nearly 30k followers on Spotify, alone. Additionally, the song, “Can We” has garnered nearly 40k streams on Spotify, not including streams from other prominent DSPs such as Apple, YouTube, Tidal, etc. This duo has become a force to be reckoned with and we are looking forward to their future!
Following the success of the EP, Chazz continued to work diligently to remain consistent with his content and release of music. He and Tiffany T’Zelle unveiled, “Right There,” a single that brought us back to the 90’s when soulful house music was at its prime. Throughout our interview, Chazz mentioned that Tiffany reminded him of Whitney Houston. While listening to the track, it was evident that Tiffany had soul and flavor similar to the queen herself. This song has also become a fan favorite with thousands of streams worldwide!
Chazz even creates Pop Rock! What doesn’t he do?! Shortly after the release of “Right There,” Chazz and Jay Nixxo premiered their single, “Without You”. Chazz opens the song with a guitar and flows perfectly into the lyrics of Jay Nixxo. This track is another radio ready number and displays Chazz’s versatility and willingness to collaborate with an array of creatives.
As the year continued, Chazz progressed immensely in a plethora of areas; streams, followers, opportunities, etc. With each project, he displayed a different component of his love for music. For instance, his Neo Soul track with Darrius Willrich titled, “All My Love Is”. Chazz initiated the single with a sample that drifted into Darrius’ sensual tone beautifully. This song allows listeners to air-grab and two step with no shame!
We all know that Hip Hop and R&B are the perfect couple! Chazz displays this couple front and center with his single, “Do It Up” featuring Janay Saxon, Myumi, and Ju$t AM. This track followed “All My Love Is”, which allowed audiences to grasp a new side of Chazz and his collaborating artists. When asked what his creative process is like, Chazz explained that it differs, depending on the circumstances. Many of his artists are international. FaceTime is utilized frequently between them. Chazz even attends recording sessions via FaceTime to ensure the collaboration and creative process run smoothly. This man will stop at nothing to make certain that his team remains on top!
“My Love” featuring Opelsings was the next track to be launched following “Do It Up”. Opelsings is a whole vibe! Her voice compliments Chazz’s production wonderfully. This is the kind of R&B track you can’t help but move to! Whether in the car, cleaning the house, or at the club…this track is suitable for every environment! “My Love” is a follow up to their track “Stay” which just reached 100k streams on Spotify!
House music is also on Chazz’s list of creations! “Feel It” featuring LaMarr Taylor provides listeners with a nostalgic vibe. It is soulful, repetitive, and catchy; a great mixture for a house/club track! This song was unleashed following “My Love”! Chazz has undoubtedly remained busy throughout 2024 and fans are looking forward to seeing what he has up his sleeve for 2025!
To conclude the last quarter of 2024, Chazz presented, “One Night” featuring Taj Dyami and Lou Big’z to the public! This is another Hip Hop and R&B banger which is a follow up to their well known songs, “Forever” and “Love”, both of which have reached over 100k streams on Spotify! Clearly, the fans are loving this dynamic trio!
As if all of this success wasn’t enough, Chazz announced that he was up for Grammy consideration in six categories!
1 Producer of the year non classical
2 Best R&B Song (All My Love Is)
3 Best R&B Album (Janay Saxon)
4 Best Dance/Electronic Recording (Right There)
5 Album Of The Year (Janay Saxon)
6 Best New Artist (Janay Saxon)
Be sure to follow Chazz Oliver on social media and Spotify! With his eclecticism, dedication, and ability to help artists, he has certainly become a prestigious asset to the music industry! We are excited to see what Chazz brings to the table in 2025!
]]>“Still Riding” hits the air waves via VIP Music Records and Warner Music, a match made in heaven. With two prominent music labels giving Gramzunkut the extra push, this will undoubtedly be a successful summer for the New York rapper.
Many of his loyal fans and supporters are in awe of his work ethic. Gramz ensures his own progression by remaining ahead of changes within the industry while simultaneously sustaining authenticity. As the owner of Self Made Leathers, Gramzunkut has worked assiduously to lock in with the right people. As a result of his cunning networking abilities, his brand has been seen throughout New York Fashion Week among other events! This multi-talented businessman never takes no for an answer which has guided him up the ladder within the entertainment realm.
Music, fashion, film….oh my! Gramz has finally premiered his documentary on YouTube titled, “For the Record” where fans worldwide can tap in to learn more about his journey thus far!
Be sure to stream “Still Riding” and click the follow button on Gramz’s Instagram to stay up to date with all of his business ventures and announcements!
When asked what his writing process consisted of for “GRFN”, CapCizza explained that he always asks himself, “What is your concept?”. He also conducts research and forms his findings into phrases. He is well known for his word play, storytelling, catchy hooks, and relatable content. This new album displays all of this and more! Last year, he embarked on the journey of recording at home. This worked out well for the talented rapper. Following the completion of his work, he outsourced each track to Lingo for mixing and mastering.
As our world has transitioned into the digital age, music artists around the globe have initiated their independence when it comes to perfecting their craft. CapCizza is a wonderful example of an independent artist who took matters into his own hands.
Approximately three years ago, CapCizza was titled, “Best Rapper Alive” after winning first place in a contest. As a result of this prominent title, he was the recipient of 15 beats, free promotion, and radio play. After dissecting a large library of beats, CapCizza was able to finalize his decision on 15 tracks for the album.
“GRFN” touches on a variety of topics such as politics, human behavior, control, and more. CapCizza stated, “I have some referential shit in the album that my long-time followers will catch and be like, ‘Ah! I see what you did there’.” CapCizza also captivates new listeners with his innovative lyrical techniques and perfect combination of old school and new school. He frequently asks himself, “How’s my listener going to look at this track?” He is always right on track when it comes to how is music is received.
CapCizza has become widely known for his involvement in Grind Mode Cypher, where he’s had the opportunity to travel and partake in a variety of cyphers. This has enhanced his visibility in the world of Hip Hop and allowed him to network more extensively. CapCizza expressed that this has assisted in boosting his confidence due to the frequent need to be in front of the camera.
In addition to his years of experience as an independent artist, CapCizza is enrolled at Pendulum Ink Academy founded by Mickey Factz! Throughout his first year with the academy, CapCizza has learned how to transform his craft by improving his metaphors and utilization of a double and triple entendre. As he continues with his education, his fans will undoubtedly witness yet another positive transformation.
When concluding our interview, CapCizza was asked what advice or positive statement he wanted to share with other artists seeking success. He explained, “Good karma comes to people who focus on what they put into the universe.” Not only is CapCizza a phenomenal artist but he surely puts positive vibes out into the world!
Be sure to check out his new, 15-track album “GRFN”! You won’t be disappointed!
As listeners make their way through the project, they will notice catchy hooks and captivating lyrics. Moreover, his ability to test his range and take risks is evident.
The album begins with a smooth track titled, “Vibez”; perfect for an introductory piece. Secondly, Reece added a fan favorite… “Green Light”. This track reminds me of a summer romance. You’ll find yourself singing along to the chorus almost immediately.
While speaking with Reece, he expressed that “Mirage” is a collection of tracks over a long period of time and is a perfect reminder of the growth and change he has experienced in his personal life. The collection of songs takes listeners on a ride of emotions; lust, love, loss, and a plethora of storylines.
Reece provides the perfect visual of what an independent artist is supposed to be; consistent, creative, authentic, and melodic. Be sure to check out “Mirage” on your favorite music platform! You will not be disappointed. This album has something for everyone and every mood!
The newly added performances will take place on April 4th and 5th at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Tickets will be available for purchase on March 8th at 10AM. Additionally, a pre-sale for Cash App cardholders begins today and a Live Nation presale starts on March 7th.
Wayne took to his Instagram to inform fans around the globe that he will be co-headlining with Drake at a variety of venues, initiating his performance at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. Lil Durk, who has taken part in the tour since its beginning will be performing also.
More information about this 2024 tour can be found on Drake’s website.
March 8th
“Eternal Sunshine” is Ariana’s seventh studio album following “Positions”. The project will be unveiled through Republic Records.
Bleachers is their fourth studio album and introduced the upcoming project with their new single, “Alma Mater”.
“Invincible Shield” is Judas Priest’s NINETEENTH studio album! It will be released through Epic Records.
This collaborative album was announced on January 23, 2024 via Ye’s Instagram.
Norah Jones will be unleashing her ninth studio album, a 12-song project, following the release of its lead single, “Running”.
March 15th
“Everything I Thought It Was” is Justin’s sixth studio album and will be released via RCA Records. This comes to fans following his single, “Selfish”.
Lenny Kravitz will be releasing his 12th studio album through Roxie Records with distribution handled by BMG Rights Management.
We may all know Scott Stapp as the lead singer of popular band Creed. His single, “Higher Power” revealed his near-death experiences. Now, his 10 track album “Higher Power” is coming to you following three solo albums.
March 22nd
“Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” will be Shakira’s twelfth studio album and will be unleashed through Sony Music Latin. The project will be her first album release in 7 years.
“Tyla” is her debut album which will be released by Fax and Epic Records. She rose to fame following her 2019 single, “Getting Late”.
This Scottish alternative rock band will be releasing their eighth studio album through Fuzz Club. “Glasgow Eyes” is their first project to be unveiled in the last 7 years.
March 29th
“Act II” was announced on Instagram following Beyonce’s Verizon commercial during the Super Bowl. The album will be released through Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records. She also released two new singles, “Texas Hold ‘Em” and “16 Carriages”.
“Hope on The Street Vol. 1” will be released in conjunction with the docuseries titled, “Hope on The Street”. This will be available on Prime Video. According to sources, the project touches on his J-Hope’s life as a street dancer.
Singer and songwriter, Sheryl Crow, will be revealing her twelfth studio album, “Evolution” through Big Machine. The album’s lead single, “Alarm Clock” is out now!
The Canadian rock band, Sum 41, will be releasing their eighth and final studio album through Rise Records!
We strive to display all genres of music on SoundKonnect! Know about an upcoming album? Let us know! We’d love to hear from you! Stay tuned for these upcoming album releases and keep in touch to stay in the loop!
]]>
Jackson’s nephew, Jaafar Jackson, has been crowned the king of pop for the movie. Additionally, Juliano Krue Valdi was handpicked as the younger Michael. Oscar-nominee, Colman Domingo, has been chosen to play Joe Jackson alongside Nia Long who will assume the role of Katherine Jackson. Also, Miles Teller has been casted as the lawyer, John Branca.
The eight talented actors who have been brought on board as the Jackson Five have a variety of accolades and experience, making them the ideal team for the job. Without further ado…here they are!
According to sources, Jayden Harville is a 15-year-old actor who initiated his career in a commercial for “Doc McStuffins” with Disney Jr. At the time he was five and now…he will be making his film debut in this movie!
Jaylen Hunter (14) is well known for his Broadway career as young Simba in 2021. Moreover, he played young Marlon for the national tour of MJ: The Musical. It’s safe to say he’s a natural performer and ready to take on yet another exciting role.
While on the prowl for details, we learned that Judah Edwards is no stranger to the spotlight either. This young actor voiced characters for an array of productions such as, “ADA Twist” on Netflix and “Blaze And The Monster Machines” via Nickelodeon. He also made an appearance on Hulu‘s “Saint X”.
Younger Jackie is being played by Nathaniel McIntyre who is also a stage veteran. He was casted in Netflix‘s “Barry,” Disney+ movie, “Magic Camp,” and OWNs‘ “David Makes Man”. Additionally, he is known for his role as young Simba in Disney‘s “The Lion King” (on tour and Broadway).
As we look to the cast for the older Jackson Five brothers, it is clear these actors were solid selections. Jamal Henderson has been seen in a plethora of productions such as, BET’s “South Central Love” and Netflix’s “Mindhunter”.
Tre Horton has starred in theater productions such as, “Beauty and the Beast,” “A Chorus Line,” and “Amen Corner”, making him the right talent for the job!
Tito will be played by Rhyan Hill who was featured in Childish Gambino‘s “This is America” official music video. Hill was selected as a feature in “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Lovecraft Country”. Furthermore, BET+ appointed Hill as a regular on “The Michael Blackson Show”.
Lastly, Joseph David-Jones will play the older version of Jackie. David-Jones has been seen as the Green Arrow on CW‘s “Arrow” and “DC’s Legends of Tomorrow”. We will soon see him starring in “The 4400” with CW.
The co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate, Branca and John McClain, will be taking part in the production and the script being utilized for the film was written by Oscar-nominee John Logan. Lionsgate will be distributing the film domestically.
While fans display their anticipation throughout social media, worldwide, these phenomenal actors are preparing to debut their abilities on the big screen as the Jackson 5!
]]>
We’ve allowed the fireworks to silence and the dust to settle to dive into this project, listing some of our favorite tracks. Montana has done an outstanding job of leaving breadcrumbs and increasing the anticipation in the past few months pertaining to this mixtape.
The project begins with French and Amber Run with the “Dirty Bronx Intro”. Soothing vocals, captivating lyrics, and harmonies consume the first minute of the intro and then…..a switch up! French Montana includes clips of interviews and prominent figures speaking highly of his work while simultaneously giving us glimpse of his career throughout the years.
The second track comes in effortlessly and is titled, “Talk to Me”. “Million dollars for a show started from a cypher.” This track makes it evident that French Montana has not forgotten where he came from. He incorporates clips from movies and news reporters which add depth to the song.
“Stand United” is the third track on the project which features Kanye West, SAINt JHN, and Buju Banton. “If you only work on sunny days, you’ll never reach your destination.” This track has strong and soulful background vocals while the artists speak life into the listeners.
Lil Wayne and Rick Ross join Montana on the fourth track titled, “Splash Brothers”. Listeners will not be disappointed with this song. Lil Wayne begins his verse with witty word play; didn’t expect anything less. Ross brings it in throwing shots, “Boy, I can turn you ni**as up and that’s the bottom line.”
Lil Baby and ATL Jacob collab with French Montana on the next song, “Okay”. “Ended up dropping’ my top, okay. My ex told me she needed space (space). I guess we both goin’ to Mars, okay.” The flow and cadence of this track make it more appealing to the listener. It was produced by ATL Jacob, Hendrix Smoke, Royal808, and Duce.
Montana hit the booth solo for “Casino Life 3” and delivered perfectly. “O Ten, New York fell off, we brought the wave back. I’m Benny Blanco when he met Carlito by the train tracks.” He’s a great storyteller who fills his lyrics with punch lines, references, and confidence. The song has a hint of rock and roll, as the word starrider is repeated with the mesmerizing sound of a guitar in the background.
“Where They At” begins with Kanye yelling, “Don’t take no photos!” This song marks number seven on “Mac & Cheese 5”. Westside Gunn joins in on this track. “Reverse the odds, silk Versace on Big in hypnotize. California love, but New York my blood. Can’t pick a side.”
It was a breath of fresh air to hear skits playing throughout the project. Some would say this component is a dying additive within hip hop mixtapes and albums. However, I feel it brings more dimension to the blueprint of an album.
“Money Ain’t A Thing” featuring Lil Durk is an eye opener. Throughout the song, both artists talk about money in different ways. They also speak on things they’ve witnessed such as, someone they know getting shot and killed, people snitching, and others keeping their mouths shut when it mattered most. It’s safe to say, that money ain’t a thing when your life is on the line or when you’ve witnessed life slip away in a variety of ways.
Jeremih adds flavor to French Montana’s song, “Goals”. With the sounds of a Spanish guitar and Jeremih’s vocals, listeners can truly get lost in this track. “Doors open up like wings on an angel. She bend on me like her hands doing angles.” French Montana is on his lustful and sexy vibes with this one….certainly for the ladies.
Bryson Tiller begins “Fake Friends” with his unique style: “Hunnids coming in, too many fake friends. Ran me up on some millions, tryna run ’em up times ten. Where should I begin? “ We can all resonate with this song, as many of us have encountered what I like to call “pseudo friends”.
“Mac & Cheese 5” concludes with the song, “Documentary” featuring Mikky Ekko. “Guess I got a real habit of killing ’em all for the taste. It’s a life so savage, where all of your prayers go to waste. Take me by the hand, take me by the hand, let me lead you honey, to the pearly gates, oh.” This was a really nice surprise, an unexpected outro track. “Documentary” was a beautiful way to end the mixtape.
Lately, I’ve come across many projects that include similar sounding songs, very few features, no skits, and a lack of authenticity. Just a recommendation…stream “Mac & Cheese 5” if you haven’t already. Guaranteed, you will like what you hear. If you have already, which songs are your favorites?
Make sure to check out more content on SoundKonnect!
]]>
“Love On” has come just in time for Spring. It is bubbly, soft, and makes you want to drive with the top down. With sexual innuendoes, lustful performance, and fashionable attire, the song and visual will certainly gain the attention of onlookers. It is apparent that Selena is displaying her self-love and appreciation for all walks of life.
The track was produced by The Monsters & Strangerz and Isaiah Tejada. Selena Gomez co-wrote the song with well known singer and songwriter, Julia Michaels along with Michael Pollack, Tejada, Jordan K. Johnson, and Stefan Johnson.
Be sure to check out the single and music video by clicking below!