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Arizona-Based Emcee Cedrick Bogan Really Delivers With the Star-Studded EP, “Upper Echelon.”

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Arizona-Based Emcee Cedrick Bogan Really Delivers With the Star-Studded EP, “Upper Echelon.”

Cedrick Bogan, a top-rated emcee, is based in Tucson, AZ, and an artist who has surely graduated from a mixtape phenom to a rap star with his razor-sharp lyrical cadence and stunning flows, all pointing towards a hip-hop musician who is ready to receive superstardom. He comes through with a unique and unmatched combination of ferocity and street-smart flows that continue to distinguish him from wannabe rappers. As a 90s kid, he has always been attuned to the kind of conscious rap music that most of us grew up with. So as you listen to his craft, it’s like reliving some parts of yourself—safe to say, this is the real deal!

After hyping up the release of his star-studded EP dubbed “Upper Echelon”, the day has finally arrived, and we get to experience this timeless and epic body of work featuring some of the best in the game such as Juicy J, JADAKISS, Gucci Mane, Sean Kingston, Benny The Butcher, Drew Litty, Cam’ron, and Ace Mafia.

The opening track “I Go Hardbody” featuring JADAKISS is quite simply a lyrical powerhouse with an underground rap vibe with a sick and hypnotic beat. JADAKISS gets things going with his masterful flows and A+ rhymes to demand the listener’s attention.

Cedrick then argues his case successfully with his own thought-provoking and braggadocious bars, confirming why he is in a league of his own, referencing that he is in another universe and beefing with the likes of G Unit. He lyrically affirms that he’s got no time for BS; instead, he is out here negotiating big deals. So, if you’re trying to battle him, that’s a fool’s errand. The message is home!

“Down for Me” is another banger brimming with head-nodding energy from start to finish. Featuring Benny the Butcher, the wordplay unleashed here is fire over that hard-hitting trap production. And if you listen keenly, this is the case of starting from the bottom. Now we are here as Cedrick highlights his rise from the streets with nothing to now making a name for himself in hip-hop and collaborating with big names—his swag is different, and of course he flosses differently!

“Dat Anit No Money 2 Me” is a triple threat, with guest emcees Gucci Mane and Drew Litty leaving their stamp all over it. As you can expect, Gucci is just Gucci and he really did do wonders with that captivating hook that sets the tone for this masterpiece.

Cedrick then details why he is a boss with a leader mentality with his own punchline-heavy flows, razor-sharp wordplay, mercilessly blunt lyricism, and unique voice, as he goes on to exude a type of confidence that you can only earn. Drew then makes his presence known with his hardcore, gangsta-inspired lyricism to drive the message home.

“The Business Mane,” featuring Juicy J and Ace Mafia, is a highly decorated club-banging masterpiece to get anyone feeling the vibe as they request the DJ to play it one more time. Juicy J sets the tone with that memorable hook before Cedrick supplements the track with his own theme-perfect flows and erudite punchlines.

“Go” sees Cedrick bring the American-Jamaican legend Sean Kingston to the table, and he really injects this tune with those irresistible hooks, giving this tune that cross-genre appeal. Undoubtedly, this feels like the perfect summer hit for your playlist.

“Made Man” is the end to this fascinating chapter, with Cedrick and guest emcee Cam’ron taking it back to the basics of hip hop and rap music with this outstanding body of work. Bogan steps it up with some ice-cold rhymes and infectious hooks, backing his claim as a real-life ‘made man’ personified. I feel there was no better way to end this EP than with this head spinner!

“Upper Echelon” EP is guaranteed to leave you feeling like “yea yea” as Cedrick Bogan takes his craft to newer heights with his eyes set on the prize. With sky high ambition and a work ethic to match, he is consistently progressing with clarity and without compromise!

Follow the attached link to stream the “Upper Echelon” EP in its entirety and let the tracks you dig the most elevate your playlist.

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Mr.Reaper turns My Escape into a shadowed search for freedom through fear inner conflict and spiritual clarity

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Mr.Reaper turns My Escape into a shadowed search for freedom through fear inner conflict and spiritual clarity

In an era when plenty of hip hop chases whatever trend is loudest, Mr.Reaper arrives with something darker and more inward looking. “My Escape” is a haunting new single that moves between psychological pressure and spiritual reckoning, turning fear into the starting point for a deeper kind of release.

At 2 minutes and 37 seconds, the track wastes no time building its world. From the opening moments, the atmosphere feels cold, eerie, and cinematic, like a signal coming from somewhere far away. It pulls the listener into a shadowed mental space where reality feels unstable and escape is less certain than it first appears.

That tension comes through clearly in one of the song’s most memorable lines: “We’re in a simulation, I don’t think they understand…”

The line lingers because it feels philosophical without becoming abstract. It speaks directly to the song’s central struggle, the need to break out of unseen mental and emotional traps.

As the production expands, heavy hip hop drums take control. Booming 808s, rumbling bass, and sharp hi hats give the track a tense, cinematic weight. The beat feels alive, built with purpose, and it gives Mr.Reaper the space to step fully into his darker lyrical persona.

Once he enters that space, he owns it.

Mr.Reaper moves across the beat with control and conviction. His voice is deep, steady, and commanding, carrying each line with emotional force. When he delivers:

“I can’t see, I can’t breathe, I’m surrounded by this mystery praying to God…”

“From darkness to light, we must choose what is in the light…”

“Walking to my destiny…”

the words feel like pieces of an inner conversation. They capture the pull between despair and hope, confusion and clarity, pain and transformation.

At its core, “My Escape” is a song about liberation. Not from a place, but from the prisons people carry inside themselves. It explores fear, betrayal, pressure, self doubt, and the identities that can form around pain. The track plays like a psychological and spiritual battle, where the hardest enemy to face is often the one within.

Still, there is awakening inside the darkness.

The title “My Escape” does not feel like a retreat. It feels like recognition. Freedom, in this song, comes from facing what hurts, understanding it, and turning that struggle into strength. The message is rooted in resilience, growth, and self mastery.

The cover art sharpens that idea. Its half human, half skeletal portrait reflects the tension between life and death, identity and shadow, reality and illusion. The skull suggests mortality and inner demons, while the human side points toward consciousness and awareness. Like the song, the image is bold, unsettling, and symbolic enough to stay with you.

With “My Escape,” Mr.Reaper delivers a release that feels deliberate, emotionally charged, and thought provoking. In a crowded musical landscape, his voice cuts through because it sounds committed to something real.

The journey inward may be the darkest path, but Mr.Reaper presents it as the one that leads toward true freedom.

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Eye’z launches Kickstarter campaign to fund debut album and bring fans into the heart of the creative process

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Eye’z launches Kickstarter campaign to fund debut album and bring fans into the heart of the creative process
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Eye’z launches Kickstarter campaign to fund debut album “…The Album…”

RICHMOND, Calif., May 3, 2026, Pop singer, pianist, actress, and creative artist Eye’z has launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund her long awaited debut album, “…The Album…,” a full length project rooted in soul, personal expression, and artistic independence.

The campaign is now live on Kickstarter and has raised US$1,145 toward its US$20,000 goal, with 7 backers and 38 days remaining at the time of this release. The all or nothing campaign must reach its funding goal by Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 9:03 AM UTC+3 in order to receive funding.

Supporters can view and back the campaign here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dmblk/the-album-0?ref=2rhwlg

For Eye’z, this album represents years of dedication, growth, and determination. After several attempts to record the project, she is turning to listeners, fans, and supporters of independent music to help bring the album to life with the care and quality it deserves.

“I’m Eye’z, a pop artist with my own style that rings through my soul,” says Eye’z. “I don’t like being compared to other artists even when there are similarities because what I create is my own.”

The album is intended to capture Eye’z as she hears herself, with more creativity, freedom, and emotional honesty than she has been able to fully realize before. Her influences include Judy Garland, Aaliyah, Michael Jackson, Fats Waller, Marian Anderson, and Jackie Wilson. While reflecting on the project, Eye’z says she was especially inspired by Jackie Wilson’s album “Beautiful Day.”

“Music isn’t just music from me, it’s artistry. It’s completeness,” she shares through the campaign. “This campaign is to help me finally create my full length album.”

Funds raised through Kickstarter will help cover studio production, recording in a studio with a grand piano, compatible audio engineers, music video production, marketing, promotion, and live performance expenses. Eye’z also plans to celebrate the album’s debut with a special live performance in the Bay Area, bringing together supporters, musicians, and fans for a release event filled with music, energy, and gratitude.

“One of the most exciting parts of this project will be celebrating the album’s debut with a live performance for fans,” says Eye’z. “I plan to organize a special concert in the Bay Area to mark the release, an unforgettable night filled with music, energy, and gratitude.”

The Kickstarter campaign includes several reward tiers for backers. Supporters can pledge US$25 for an early digital listen, US$50 for a sneak peek package, US$275 for exclusive VIP livestream access, US$300 for an album release party invitation, US$750 for limited exclusive merchandise and a personal call, US$1,000 for a personalized album shoutout, and US$10,000 for the opportunity to executive produce the debut album.

Eye’z says she plans to keep backers updated throughout the album making process and views supporters as an essential part of the journey.

“For the most part I plan on diving in and keeping in contact with all backers to update you on the progress of my album,” she says. “BECAUSE YOU ARE THE RECORD LABEL! LOL”

For Eye’z, the campaign is about more than funding an album. It is about creating a meaningful body of work and sharing it with the people who believe in her voice, her artistry, and her story.

“Let’s make some memorable music together,” says Eye’z. “It’s SHOWTIME!”

To support “…The Album…” on Kickstarter, visit:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dmblk/the-album-0?ref=2rhwlg

About Eye’z
Eye’z is a pop singer, pianist, actress, and multifaceted creative artist based in Richmond, California. Her music is shaped by soul, pop, theatrical expression, and classic performance influences. With “…The Album…,” Eye’z is working to complete her debut full length project and share a personal, emotionally honest body of work with listeners around the world.

Media Contact
Eye’z
Email: [email protected]
Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/dmblk/the-album-0?ref=2rhwlg

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Dutch 3Times turns love lust and heartbreak into a neon charged world of melody and temptation

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Dutch 3Times turns love lust and heartbreak into a neon charged world of melody and temptation

Let me tell you about Dutch 3Times, a genre-fluid lyricist and melodic craftsman whose music sits somewhere between Southern reflection and Detroit pressure. He has a sharp instinct for rhythm, moving between rap, melody, and tightly cut lyricism with ease. Whether he is working over heavy trap drums or slow, atmospheric production, Dutch 3Times knows how to make a beat feel alive. He does not simply settle into the pocket, he reshapes it. Welcome aboard, ladies and gentlemen.

The independent artist returns with “Distant Lover 4: Love, Lust & Heartbreak,” a bold and intoxicating 9-track project that runs 24 minutes and 14 seconds. It marks another strong chapter in his ambitious six-part “Distant Lover Saga,” a conceptual run built around the emotional extremes of love, lust, longing, and heartbreak. Seductive, reflective, dangerous, and thrilling, this latest release is a genre-bending statement from an artist willing to blur lines, bend sound, and follow feeling wherever it takes him.

Before the music even begins, the cover art sets the mood. Washed in luminous neon green, it feels like a futuristic dreamscape where passion and heartbreak have become their own coded language. Three glowing feminine silhouettes stand at the center, part muse, part memory, part mirage. They suggest desire, mystery, and emotional complication, while streams of digital text form a matrix-like backdrop repeating the album’s core themes, love, lust, heartbreak. The image is sleek, haunting, and cybernetic. In Dutch 3Times’ world, romance feels electric and elusive, deeply felt yet always slightly out of reach.

The music is just as immersive.

The opener, “No Stress” featuring Neisha Neshae, sets the tone with futuristic minimalism that actually works. Over a clean, sharp beat built from rubbery basslines, crisp percussion, and spacious melodic restraint, Dutch 3Times shows one of his strongest gifts, his ability to lock into the production until he feels fused with it. His flow moves with smooth confidence, calm and unbothered, while Neisha Neshae brings a sharper feminine edge that strengthens the chemistry without breaking the track’s hypnotic cool.

Then comes “No Secrets,” an explosive, hook-driven anthem powered by booming 808s and sliding drill basslines that tap into the raw force of UK and New York drill. Its refrain, “Girl you know what I mean, don’t keep no secrets from me,” gives the song instant replay value. Dutch’s commanding cadence and unmistakable voice push it even further, making it one of the project’s clear centerpieces.

“BackStreet Girls PT2” moves into darker territory, a woozy nocturnal trap trip that feels like wandering through a psychedelic after-hours haze. Warped synth textures, rolling low-end, and a slow hypnotic bounce give the track its pull. Dutch 3Times leans into melody here, letting his voice dissolve into the atmosphere until he feels less like a rapper in front of the beat and more like another instrument inside the mix, ghostlike, fluid, and intoxicating.

Tracks like “All Day All Night” bring polished modern rap swagger. Dark atmospheric keys sit against punchy, clean drums, leaving enough space for the bars to breathe. The song’s stripped-back confidence and easy hook give it anthem potential. It is simple, catchy, and hard to ignore.

“Do For Me” is one of the project’s most compelling moments. Cinematic, haunting, and experimental, it carries real danger in its DNA. The production feels deep, drugged, and immersive, covered in shadow and dramatic tension. Its repetitive hook stays with you after the song ends, circling in the mind like a temptation that refuses to fade.

What makes “Distant Lover 4: Love, Lust & Heartbreak” land is its range. Dutch 3Times builds a world where sleek hip-hop minimalism, explosive drill energy, hazy trap psychedelia, polished rap bravado, and cinematic experimentation sit together naturally. There is sensuality here. There is swagger. There is vulnerability. There is edge. More than anything, there is intention.

This is music for late-night drives, smoke-filled thoughts, reckless passion, quiet obsession, and every blurred feeling in between.

With “Distant Lover 4: Love, Lust & Heartbreak,” Dutch 3Times keeps shaping the “Distant Lover Saga” into something bigger than a sequence of releases. It is starting to feel like a living universe of emotion and sound.

There is something here for everyone. Find it now by streaming this project.

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