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Interview: Hollis Jordan Shares Insights on His Musical Journey

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African Hype  w/ Hollis Jordan

 

We are happy to have you today. How has this time of quarantine been for you? What have you been upto?

Hollis: First, thank you so much for having me today. I am extremely appreciative to be here talking with you today. I haven’t stopped working one bit lol. My team and I have taken this time to correct some things within my brand and get prepared for another prosperous year in 2021.

 

Can you share more with our readers about your latest release “Runaway”?

Hollis: Sure! My new single “Runaway” is available on all musical platforms now! “Runaway” was written and produced by myself along with “Chris Muzikk” and the lovely, amazingly gifted, “Zaire Danae”.  It’s a song about a past relationship I was in. I really liked this girl and she just couldn’t make her mind up if we were going to be together or not. So I wrote the song “Runaway” and made this sad story into a positive, uplifting, dance tune.

 

How did you first get started in music? Run us through your story.

Hollis: I come from a family full of amazing singers. My sister, Lawanna, was really the first one in our immediate family who started taking it seriously and making a career out of it. So I was inspired by her. Also my brother, “Mostaxx”, who is a fantastic music producer, he inspired me on the production side of things. My mom was an amazing singer as well and she taught me really everything I know about singing. My mom was very supportive from the beginning when she discovered that I could hold a note lol. She started putting me in different school programs. There was one particular program at my middle school, “Malcolm X Academy”, called “God’s Little Soldiers”. When I auditioned for the group I was super nervous because I hadn’t really come out publicly and sung before, but I made the group but I didn’t know what to expect from it, which changed my life forever. I was introduced to a thing called, “rehearsal” and I had never heard of that before lol.  We would rehearse every single day after school, 10-12 boys singing. We started singing at different churches and schools. Before I knew it we were traveling the country singing every weekend in a different city. We eventually started doing concerts with big gospel artists like Kirk Franklin, Kierra Sheard, etc. From there on to TV shows and attending award shows and eventually winning awards ourselves. I worked with those guys for about 5 years until they decided they no longer wanted me part of the group for various reasons. Although we were singing gospel music, there were still some questionable characters behind the scenes and there was always some drama. I stopped working with them around 2011 and began my solo thing as an R&B artist. For years I struggled with trying to understand how the business worked and how I could make a name for myself. In 2020, I guess you can say I figured it out, and here I am talking with you today lol.

Interview: Hollis Jordan Shares Insights on His Musical Journey

What music played in your home growing up? Does it influence the music you create now?

Hollis: My mom played a lot of different types of music from Motown greats like Smokey Robinson, Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Anita Baker, The Clark Sisters and many more. These were the first artists whose music I was exposed to, so they definitely have a huge influence on the music I create.

 

Biggest lesson learned in your career so far?

Hollis: Work hard, be patient, be humble.

 

Tell us what inspires your music?

Hollis: People

 

What are your musical plans for the next 12 months or so?

Hollis: Continue to drop good music, more social media content, more music videos, and hopefully a tour.

 

Favorite guilty pleasure?

Hollis: I honestly don’t have any lol.

 

Thank you for speaking with us! For our final question, is there anything else you would like to add?

Hollis: Once again, thank you for having me today, I am honored. And to everyone watching, follow me on all social media @hollisjordan. Also, my single “Runaway” is available on all music platforms. Keep streaming, love.

 

Hollis Jordan Runaway Interview  Hollis Jordan Runaway Interview Interview: Hollis Jordan Shares Insights on His Musical Journey

MUSIC

After a Two-Year Hiatus, Detroit’s Own Shon Kash Makes a Triumphant Return With a Deeply Personal and Emotionally Charged Project Themed “Forever Cursed”

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After a Two-Year Hiatus, Detroit’s Own Shon Kash Makes a Triumphant Return With a Deeply Personal and Emotionally Charged Project Themed “Forever Cursed”

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After a two-year hiatus spent grappling with profound personal losses, including those of his uncle and grandma, two significant figures who helped shape his life, Detroit’s rapper and artist Shon Kash returns with the best possible tribute and ode to his lost loved ones, chronicling deeply personal and heartfelt tales of growing up from nothing and trying to navigate and make a mark for yourself in an environment that was not very suitable for growth—“FOREVER CURSED” is a project that encapsulates Shon Kash’s pain, resilience, and unbreakable spirit with lyrics that are as heartfelt as they are hard-hitting. Take a seat because this 12-track project is not just an album—it is a gripping memoir set to beats.

At the core of this project is an unfiltered look at grief, survival, and gratitude. The title track, “Forever Cursed” sets the tone with piercing lyricism that paints a vivid picture of the realities of growing up in Detroit’s unforgiving streets where there are no handouts and it’s every man for himself. The lyrics depict what it is like to grow up in poverty, each day evading venom from snakes, swimming through sharks; metaphorically capturing a reality akin to being raised by the wolves and the toughness that requires. Showcasing his lyrical strengths and unmatched knack for wordplay, Shon Kash is as earnest as he is captivating.

“Forever Tankful’s” essence is encapsulated by those powerful hooks—“Thankful for today, because we don’t know about tomorrow,” resonating as both a cautionary reflection and a daily mantra, reinforcing the album’s central theme of appreciating life despite its hardships. Lines like “Cutting corners trying to corner us” are a case example of top-tier wordplay, depicting a stark yet clever relentless struggle to escape life’s traps. This jam is a soulful declaration of appreciation for each moment amidst the chaos.

“Forever Down” is a gut-wrenching track that encapsulates the harrowing weight of watching loved ones succumb to crime and addiction and the loss this brings along with it. His melancholic words are captured by lines that depict the circles getting smaller and carrying around that smile as a disguise. The haunting question “Is it depression or anxiety” poignantly captures the mental battles that often remain unspoken in communities plagued by violence and loss. The backing female vocals inject that R&B syndrome that further elevates the track’s emotional depth.

The album’s thematic depth is further explored in “Forever Us,” another standout collaboration with a phenomenally talented female emcee. Shon flexes his lyrical prowess with clever double entendres like “reality checks don’t bounce,” which depict the daunting reality of growing up in a poverty-stricken hood where bills come before a check and only the strong survive. Also, this track is a testament to resilience and the ability to thrive under pressure, embodying the very essence of turning pain into power.

The emotional weight of the album culminates in its closing track, “Forever After”—a touching tribute to Shon Kash’s late uncle Curse and grandmother. Through vivid storytelling, he reminisces about late-night drives and heartfelt conversations with his uncle, who instilled in him the importance of education and ambition. The song also serves as a letter of gratitude to his grandmother, who provided him with spiritual guidance and unwavering support in a world where it’s all too easy to lose oneself.

With “FOREVER CURSED,” Shon Kash doesn’t just return to the rap game—he reclaims his voice. This album is an unfiltered reflection of pain, love, and perseverance, masterfully woven into powerful storytelling and sharp lyricism. For anyone who appreciates hip-hop that comes from an authentic place of raw emotion and lived experience, “FOREVER CURSED” is not just an album—it’s an experience.

Support Shon on his creative endeavors by streaming and purchasing this digital album, sharing it, and adding the tracks you dig most to your favorite playlist.

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Fast-rising hip-hop artist and songwriter Moo-You delivers a personal and empowering anthem dubbed “Nothing.”

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Fast-rising hip-hop artist and songwriter Moo-You delivers a personal and empowering anthem dubbed “Nothing.”

Growing up in Houston, Texas a hotbed of multiple cultural and artistic influences impacted Moo-You positively seeing that he had his eyes set on becoming a musician who would appeal to diverse audiences. His coming up is nothing short of inspiring and phenomenal, characterized by his own relentless dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering discipline that has allowed him to concentrate on being better at every turn, making the kind of music that is not only entertaining but also has replay value. If you admire the kind of music that has been drenched in both authenticity and sincerity, you couldn’t have picked a better time to get acquainted with the lyrical maestro that is Moo-You.

“Nothing” is so much more than just a catchy and infectious hip-hop anthem; it is Moo-You’s personal story of coming up packaged lyrically and in a way that allows a listener to connect with their own life’s journey.

His vivid lyrics and verses encapsulate his ambitious artistic journey—starting from absolutely nothing and forging his own path, backed by his own relentless hard work, discipline, faith, and above all, unfaltering dedication to his musical passion.

“Nothing” is an ode to life’s journey and trusting the process; going all in and making it on your own without no handouts or expecting anything from anyone because that right there can be a recipe for failure!

His flow and delivery is nothing short of impeccable—laid-back, confident, and assertive, his unique vocals slinking with surgical precision with the beats to create this memorable cadence that makes the jam an unforgettable one.

“Nothing” is as empowering and motivating as it is infectious and entertaining; the very signature ethos Moo-You seeks to maintain with his music.

“Nothing” is a timely reminder that you can go on to win even when the odds have been stacked against you; even when everyone around you is doubting and treating you like you are ‘nothing!’

LISTEN HERE

This is a great addition to any hip-hop playlist and an inspiring anthem meant to encourage you on your own goal-chasing journey…you’ve got to keep pushing and moving. Just never stop!

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Neoclassical Music Composer Michele Nobler Envelops Us in a Warm, Beautiful Embrace With His Latest Release “Shore Whispers.”

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Neoclassical Music Composer Michele Nobler Envelops Us in a Warm, Beautiful Embrace With His Latest Release "Shore Whispers."

Imagine the mere fusion of time and space—where the elegance of neoclassical piano meets the vastness of ambient soundscapes, where the grandeur of the organ transforms into something both ethereal and modern. It is the sort of music that breathes, expanding and contracting, just like a living entity, each note carrying the weight of introspection, nostalgia, and quiet revelation. Now imagine no more because this is the sonic offering of one neoclassical piano composer Michele Nobler, based in the Marche region, an Italian region along the Adriatic Sea. As a music composer and passionate photographer, his artistry mirrors moving images, transforming them into melodies with universal appeal.

How beautiful can his kind of music be? I mean, his latest release Shore Whispers captures the melodic whispers of the shore as much as the scenic beauty of French coastal towns and spots, showcasing a profound sense of stillness in the compositions and yet, they are not static. The melodies here move like ripples across water, unfolding with a delicate patience that allows the listener to drift between the past and the present.

His deft fingerprints exude a warm comfort, touching the listener deep in their heart and soul; it is almost impossible to put these feelings into words. The minimalistic and crystalline piano serves as the emotional core—whispering rather than declaring, inviting rather than demanding. It is the language of longing, of fleeting moments captured in sound.

Shore Whispers consists of 14 tracks with a runtime of 35 minutes and 1 second. It is fascinating how the music deeply immerses you to the point where you lose track of time, and by the time the project is over, you feel like time has eluded you… it feels like half the time has passed because of just how comforting, tranquil, and ethereally beautiful the melodies are.

“Cap Gris Nez” captures the warm, friendly, and welcoming demeanor of this town located in Cote d’Opale in the French department of Pas-de-Calais, in Northern France. The piano melodies mirror the beautiful shores in the distance that are just as inviting as its people. The gentle melodies speak directly to the soul, exuding a timeless feeling that is guaranteed to stay with you even after the sweet, comforting tones are no more.

“Isola Luce Del Mare” captures the light of the sea, maybe at night—something that is indescribably beautiful. The touchingly beautiful piano exudes this warm, pulsing melodic presence, evoking a sacred-like feeling. It is as if Michele Nobler puts you right in that specific moment—a moment of rare, pristine beauty to relish.

“Making Bread” feels exactly like art and is reminiscent of a close, intimate setting with people you love and value dearly. The mellifluent piano melodies offer you an escape into a world of your own making… As long as you can imagine it, the music transports you right there!

And through it all, he also manages to capture the essence of romantic imagination with the gentle “Kisses on Tiptoe” and the livelier “Kisses on Tiptoe (Bright Version).” I mean, what a project!

What more can a listener possibly want?

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