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Asheboro-based filmmaker Ty Bru returns home with a huge achievement following an award-winning exploit for his film “Skunk Season” at the TCL Chinese Theatre during the 2025 Golden State Film Festival.

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Asheboro-based filmmaker Ty Bru returns home with a huge achievement following an award-winning exploit for his film “Skunk Season” at the TCL Chinese Theatre during the 2025 Golden State Film Festival.

All that hard work, relentless self-drive, sacrifice, unwavering dedication, and unparalleled passion for his art and craft has resulted in this moment of pure bliss and huge pride for record-breaking Asheboro-based filmmaker Ty Brueilly alias Ty Bru. The magic that he unleashed on emcee ethemadassassin’s “Skunk Season” as a music director was the recipient of Audience Awards for “Best Music Video” at the glamorous 2025 Golden State Film Festival held at TCL Chinese Theatre. And that’s not all—Ty Bru premiered two other films, “Shucks” and “Do That” which were both filmed in Asheboro.

Winning this award is more than deserved for someone who wears his heart on his sleeve when it comes to making magic happen and breathing life into hip-hop and rap’s body of works. Ty Bru took an already intriguing musical idea to newer heights with that attention-grabbing visual treat that was deservedly acclaimed and showcased his keen eye for detail as well as the execution prowess that continuously allows him to invent scene-stealers such as these.

“Skunk Season” is an ear treat—laid-back with boom-bap influences, and the emcee ethemadassassin is equal to the task with his confident flows and bar-play, showcasing such lyrical prowess and dope cadence. The music video, which was shot in multiple places—TCL Chinese Theatre for the most part as well as in Hollywood is a Black and White visual treat that not only supplements this jam but also tells a unique story, making the music more of an experience.

This is a film drenched in identity and Ty Bru’s unmistakable artistic identity as he allows a listener to feel like they are part of this experience from the first note to the last one. Also, the visuals exude a certain indubitable nostalgia that effortlessly transports them back to sometime in the 90s and early 00s.

Safe to say that “Skunk Season” deserves this acclaim, and it was a moment to behold for Ty not only because he won but also because he was there in the auditorium, taking in the applause and watching firsthand the reaction from the audience. It was also nice to enjoy this momentous occasion and achievement with the emcee, ethemadassassin who was also in attendance.

The other two films “Shucks” and “Do That” received a positive reaction, hinting at a possible award-stealing exploit when this festival is held again.

Check out this visually striking, story-inspired, and generally innovative work of art to understand why it bagged the Audience Award for “Best Music Video.”

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MUSIC

TR Craze brings his South Sudanese story to the gritty drill anthem “Tule Tule” with Jamaican-UK rapper Caine Marko

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TR Craze brings his South Sudanese story to the gritty drill anthem "Tule Tule" with Jamaican-UK rapper Caine Marko

Sometimes a song shows up like that friend who kicks open the door without knocking, grinning and saying, “get your shoes, we’re leaving.” “Tule Tule,” the new single from South Sudanese artist TR Craze featuring Jamaican-UK rapper Caine Marko, moves exactly like that. The track is bold and charged, carrying the weight of lived experience while stomping over a dark, menacing drill beat that feels built for the streets as much as the club.

TR Craze’s backstory reads like a movie script Hollywood studios would fight over. He was born in South Sudan, shaped by the trauma of civil war, and pushed into the harsh realities of refugee life. He literally survived the treacherous routes through Libya and across the Mediterranean Sea to reach Europe. This man distills survival into rhythm. On “Tule Tule,” you can feel that heart, that urgency, and that fire in his delivery, channelled into a raw, assertive drill performance that cuts through even if you don’t understand a single word of the opening verse. At its core, “Tule Tule” is a raw, assertive drill track that isn’t afraid to bare its teeth.

The word “Tule” comes from Nuer. It refers to youth games and the electric thrill of chasing something, whether that’s victory, joy, or destiny. TR Craze uses that spirit like a drumbeat beneath his voice. The choruses hit with a communal, call-and-response warmth but here that playfulness is flipped into a gritty, chant-like hook – “Tule Tule” – that feels like the rallying cry of a crew on the move. Even without translating the lyrics, the tone tells you everything. This is about motion, pursuit, celebration, and refusing to stay stuck in the past, all wrapped in an unapologetic, high-adrenaline atmosphere. Lyrically, the track leans into street life, dominance and crew loyalty, matching the tension in the beat.

Behind them, producer Kyxxx builds a dark, tense soundscape, stitching drill drums with Brazilian bounce and Bhangra-flavoured rhythmic elements that keep the track constantly on edge. The result is a gritty, energetic and unapologetic atmosphere that pulls you straight into their world.

Then Caine Marko slides in for the second verse, and the whole energy pivots into a sharp, swagger-heavy bounce. His flow is clean but gritty, confident and confrontational, shifting between braggadocio and sly charm.

“She knows I’m a wolf and I run the pack,” he starts, classic alpha talk, but delivered with a laid-back grin. “She come first like running track,” he continues, flipping between affection and athletic metaphors like a man who’s too used to moving fast.

Then he opens up the verse more: “Doing dirt and getting with a bitty, I only pretty… then back to the city. Got me some liquor then it got me some weed.” It’s lifestyle rap, but the reckless, unapologetic kind. It’s the messy, outside-at-night, live-in-the-moment vibe that balances TR Craze’s more grounded narrative. When he ends with “you going to hang with the gang,” the energy snaps into a group-hyped finale, a reminder that music like this isn’t meant to be consumed alone, underlining the crew-first loyalty at the heart of the record.

“Tule Tule” works because it blends worlds without softening its raw, street-hardened edge. It merges East African emotion, Caribbean-UK swagger, drill and hip-hop grit, Brazilian and Bhangra textures in Kyxxx’s production, diaspora storytelling, and a spirit of joy that refuses to be dimmed by pain.

Let “Tule Tule” run while you’re walking, cooking, texting, or plotting big dreams – or getting ready to step out with your crew.

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Mannie Mims channels his Ghanaian roots and global journey into “Mene Woaa” a warm Afrobeats track championing a mature and grounded real love

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Mannie Mims channels his Ghanaian roots and global journey into "Mene Woaa" a warm Afrobeats track championing a mature and grounded real love

A complete artist isn’t born; they are shaped, layered, and refined by the places they’ve touched. Mannie Mims is practically a walking passport with a beat. Raised in Ghana, polished in Italy, and sharpened in the UK, he carries the Ashanti rhythm in his spirit while blending it with the swagger of global sonic cultures. His sound, drawing from Afrobeat to dancehall, grime to drill, has a genuine sense of travel.

With “Mene Woaa,” he taps directly into that Afrobeats heartspace. The first few seconds feel warm, bright, and intentional. Mannie said the inspiration behind the song is “Real Love,” and you can hear it immediately. This avoids the performative, Instagram filter kind of love. It’s a soft, grounded, “come sit closer” energy, all wrapped in a mid-tempo Afrobeats groove.

The production carries a mellow Ghanaian bounce with steady drums, soft percussive taps, and a breezy melody floating on top. Mannie rides it with a voice that feels like sunlight on skin. Smooth. Gentle. His delivery is playful enough to keep you smiling, but sincere enough to make your heart do that tiny backflip.

His lyrical approach is clean and direct. He pours affection into simple lines without complicated metaphors or over-polished tricks. The man basically sings like he’s talking to someone he actually cares about. There’s no pretense, no pressure, just pure, honest feeling. When he says “Mene Woaa,” it hits like a quiet promise, the kind that doesn’t need fireworks to feel real.

What stands out is how naturally everything fits together. The beat isn’t trying too hard. Mannie isn’t stretching his voice into unfamiliar shapes. It’s all effortless, like he found a pocket made exactly for him and just melted into it. That’s the secret sauce of “Mene Woaa.” The song is simple but not empty. It’s romantic without being cheesy, and catchy without being commercial fluff.

You can hear Ghana in the rhythm. You can hear Italy in the warmth. You can hear the UK in the polish. But more than anything, you can hear Mannie himself, confident, evolving, and intentional.

“Mene Woaa” feels like a new chapter. It’s a moment where he steps away from the rowdy swagger of his earlier tracks, like Licki Licki, and leans into something that feels grown. It’s grounded and emotionally mature. This is the kind of Afrobeats record you play on long evening walks, late-night calls, or those quiet moments when you’re scrolling through your gallery and accidentally land on someone’s selfie too long.

Queue up “Mene Woaa” on your favorite platform.

Connect with Mannie Mims: Facebook | Instagram | TikTok

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Martone and Intelligent Diva turn a painful breakup into a powerful house anthem with their new track “Too Bad, So Sad”

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Martone and Intelligent Diva turn a painful breakup into a powerful house anthem with their new track "Too Bad, So Sad"

Martone isn’t one to tell his story quietly; he’d rather broadcast it until the walls shake. Known as “The Emperor of House Music,” the Detroit artist has built a career on putting himself on the line. For over a decade, Martone has been recognized as a dance-floor architect who is also a storyteller, a cultural activist, and a model of genuine authenticity. He has consistently pushed boundaries with tracks like “Chocolate” and his album The Evolution of Martone, blending club beats with emotional substance. His latest release with Intelligent Diva, “Too Bad, So Sad,” continues that work, proving a heartbreak anthem can be a weapon.

At its heart, “Too Bad, So Sad” is about a breakup, but it’s not the kind that hides in the shadows. Martone opens with lines that feel both personal and cinematic. “I gave my heart, you played it like a game. Thought we had forever, but you just brought the shame.” This is a blunt confession, the kind you make after the tears have dried, when all that’s left is the plain truth. The simplicity of his words makes them hit harder because they don’t rely on metaphor; they are the wound itself. The hook, “Too bad, so sad, it doesn’t mean that I didn’t love you,” feels like a sigh and a shrug at once. It honors the love that was real while firmly closing the door on someone who failed to value it. Martone finds strength in that raw clarity.

Then Intelligent Diva enters, and her verse is like a best friend storming into your room while you’re crying. Her flow is sharp and her tone is commanding, instantly changing the song’s direction. She raps, “Never let nobody treat you like a doormat. You’re a prize to be won, go boast, go brag.” Her words are a pep talk, delivered with the urgency of someone who won’t let you stay down. Martone voices the ache, and Intelligent Diva provides the antidote. Their collaboration creates a dynamic conversation, moving from grief to grit. Her verse transforms the track from a sad diary entry into a rallying cry.

What makes the song feel so immediate is its real-life backdrop. Martone released “Too Bad, So Sad” only days after his divorce was finalized. The timing wasn’t planned, but it feels poetic. You can hear the weight of lived experience in every note. This isn’t just a story crafted for a song; it’s a piece of a life pressed into rhythm and melody.

In a time when dance music can feel like pure escapism, Martone makes sure the beat carries something real. “Too Bad, So Sad” is fueled by emotional honesty, offering both catharsis and empowerment. It’s a reminder that even the deepest heartbreak can be the start of a rebirth. Intelligent Diva’s feature acts as a lifeline, a testament to the power of support when you feel alone.

If you’ve ever found yourself picking up the pieces, this song is for you. Put it on repeat, let it sting, let it heal, and let it remind you that heartbreak is temporary. Reclaiming your power is the real goal. So dance, cry, or scream along. Whatever you do, don’t skip this one.

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