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W.A.D.E. – “Loyalty Over Royalty” Video + Interview | @wadetherapper

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W.A.D.E. is a rapper straight out of Harlem who is starting to blaze his own trail in the indie rap scene. His visuals to his new single “Loyalty Over Royalty” dropped last Friday with 3.5K views and climbing. I speak with the rapper about himself and his views on artistry during the pandemic.

Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is W.A.D.E. which is an acronym for Wise And Dangerous Era, which is basically just talking about my generation and all the things that we overcome as one because I speak to the voice in my area. Also, I engineer, so I mix down all my records and I also help other artists, and before Corona, I was throwing showcases so the artists can showcase their talent.

Where and when did you get your love for music?
I got my love for music from watching my older brother rap in the back of my house. He’s had all of his friends in the back and they be freestyling that I used to be too young to get in and I used to always want to know what that was about. And that’s what kind of pushed me into really getting into music because I want to be able to prove myself at first, and then I just fell in love with it.

So you’re originally from Harlem. How has the city made you? What was it like growing up in Harlem?
That’s a good question. Growing up in Harlem is just a vibe, and what I mean by that is like, you know, everybody out there is worried about being in that lituation and having a good summer, you know, being fly, but also, there’s a treacherous side, but it’s mostly a flashy vibe. It’s a good vibe. Yeah.

I was listening to your latest single that you have out “Loyalty Over Royalty,” and that’s pretty dope. So tell us a little about the song and its concept.
Yeah. Basically, just talking about some of the things that we’ve got going on in my life currently no problems. That doesn’t have anything to do with money, like things that can’t be changed by money also, certain things are going on around with some of the young brothers dying in my neighborhood. We just lost a young kid named Bugatti to street violence.

So do you feel that artists should be more involved with their community, especially when it comes to the BLM movement?
I most certainly do, and the reason why I feel that way is because when it comes to hip hop culture, don’t get me wrong, I love it, but we feed off of a lot of negativity. You see how on Janelle Monae is talking about protesting on hip hop because it brings females down and stuff like that. It just so much stuff that brings us down. We need to be able to shed more light on the positivity and things that have gone that could further us.

As a culture, I wholeheartedly agree with you 100 percent, but due to the fact of this generation, like the way that like these companies are now, they’re not interested in anything positive. They’re only interested in the negative because the negative is what brings in the money. So with that being said, do you feel that labels should sometimes be held accountable for things that are happening not only in hip hop but with the urban communities?
I wouldn’t give the labels 100 percent to blame for this. It’s also the people’s choice. It’s really about what the people want because it’s so sad how nowadays You can play a Kendrick song and it would be so dead, but you could put on something else, like drill or trap and have everybody turned up. It’s really the people’s choice at the end of the day. It’s all about how you do it, so I can’t really give that all to the labels.

So as an artist, you know, everybody is going through the pandemic. And I want to know, like as an artist, how did the Covid-19 situation affect you and what do you think are some of the ways that artists can work on their craft during the pandemic?
To be honest, all the way, it affected my income for a split second. Some of my friends’ family members that died, I had a family member that died from it. I actually feel like I focused up a little bit more when this happened. I made better of the whole situation, I made around six and seven music videos and stuff like that. So I think I focused on everything that’s been going on.

I think like with the pandemic going on, like with artists, it seems to bring out more of their creativity because, everything is shut down and all you got is time, so I think that it really helps artists get on the get on their creative more. And they probably found out something about themselves that they never thought that they had. I look at it as a good thing. I look at it as, you know, especially go on social media. Everybody got their freestyle videos out. Yes, it is awesome.
It’s awesome. It’s bringing out the hunger in everybody.

And then on top of that, since everybody is indoors. You never know who is watching. You never know who is looking at you and be like, “You know what, I want to rock with this artist right here.” As unfortunate as this pandemic is, it’s a really good thing, for artists. It’s kind of like a catch 22, but it’s leaning towards the positive side because more artists get noticed doing what they do, especially when it’s at a consistency.
Yeah. Consistency is definitely key. dropping musically. Don’t go too crazy on it. I feel like people need to be able to get more of a vibe a lot of new artists, like myself, coming out. You know, they want to hear more music. Like if you got a vibe going on, keep it steady. That’s my advice for any other artist.

What is the agenda for the rest of 2020 for you?
I got this record right now that I’m ready to take to the moon. I’m not even gonna lie to you. So I got a record coming up. Real party banger, real vibe. Of course, more vids. It’s possible if schools open back up and stuff like that, I’m trying to be into shows I’ve been talking about that with my manager. That’s really just it. Heat in the streets, more tunes, and stuff like that.

And last but not least, give all of your social media.
Follow me on Instagram and Twitter at @wadetherapper. I’ve got a fan page on Facebook. Just WADE You know, you go check me out. Check out my latest video, “Spooky Winter”, and I dropped the “Loyalty Over Royalty” video, where it’s coming from the heart. Also, I speak about my brother who is wrongfully incarcerated. I’m able to give you a piece of me on that.

Anything else that you might want to add?
So I want to be able to tell the world that it’s a new movement coming out of Harlem we call L.M.G. (Live Motivate Generate) and that’s all we going to be doing. You know, it’s a few of the artists you gonna be hearing about and just stay tuned.

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Dee-1 Calls Raheem DeVaughn To “Purify My Eyes”

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Fresh off his Breakfast Club appearance after having “Lines Drawn” with help from Billboard and successfully migrating From The Hood To Harvard, NOLA native Dee-1 taps Soul singer/songwriter Raheem DeVaughn for “Purify My Eyes.” Continuing his theme of counter-culture centered messaging the timely track, which was produced by Anonymous, urges listeners to replace images of corruption and cynicism with lifegiving content to reprogram our thinking for the better.

“This is easily one the most important songs I have ever done because it provides Hip-Hop with a solution-based perspective meant to combat some of the problems we face as a culture. It’s honest, raw, and transparent. I’ve been friends with Raheem Devaughn for a long time, so to finally collaborate on a song feels great. When I played the record for him, he fell in love with it and instantly added his parts; which took the song to another level,” say’s the David Found His Slingshot author in a exclusive statement to Medium Creative Agency.

Award-winning rapper. educator, host, activist, business owner, and keynote speaker are synonymous with Louisiana’s Dee-1. The Nasir “Nas” Jones Hip Hop Fellow at Harvard University is a Billboard Top 10 charting, game-changing MC with a persona to match his penmanship. He’s transitioned from being a middle school math teacher in The Boot to a Hip-Hop heavyweight with much more to accomplish. He has released 10 albums and 21 projects thus far in his career.

Dee-1’s music is part of a bigger lifestyle movement called Mission Vision, which centers around three core principles: Be Real. Be Righteous. Be Relevant. In 2020, Dee received the prestigious NAACP “Power of Influence Award,” highlighting his community activism and commitment to inspiring the youth. In 2021, he was nominated for an Emmy Award for his work on “The Manhattan Project,” but he lost to Michelle Obama. Later that year, Dee was appointed to the “Louisiana Council for the Success of Black Men and Boys” by Governor John Bel Edwards, making him the first rapper in Louisiana history to become a governor’s appointee.

After addressing critics and fans alike in the official music video for the Danny Beats-produced single for “Lines Drawn” and following his viral interview on Sway In The Morning centered around industry hypocrisy, Emmy-nominated educator turned entertainer Dee-1 released his latest project to date From The Hood To Harvard. The 8-track body of work includes guest features from Skyy Brooks as well as P3RK and is anchored by supporting records “Impostor Syndrome” & “Dr. Freshh.”

Stream “Purify My Eyes” on your DSP of choice below and watch Dee-1‘s interview with The Breakfast Club | HERE.

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Chelsea Pastel Releases Motivative New Single “Price Going Up”

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To celebrate “Greener” pastures, following the announcement of her joining Kid Cudi’s ‘Insano World Tour,’ Cleveland native Chelsea Pastel releases the Cassius G-produced single “Price Going Up.” Marking CP’s explosive entrance into 2024, the empowering anthem resonates with anybody pushing forward with resilience and determination. With infectious beats and powerful vocals, she asserts her presence as a rising star to watch. Setting the stage for an exciting year ahead, the brand-new track is a bold declaration of Chelsea’s unwavering commitment to excellence.

“I jumped off that porch, I’m not going back to that house and I mean just that. I’m never looking back. I took a leap of faith and where I land is where I’m staying,” says the talented triple threat in a press statement to Medium Creative Agency about her latest release.

Born and bred in Forest City, Chelsea found her passion for music early on, which led her to enroll in the Cleveland School of Arts. After graduating, Chelsea begin to make a name for herself throughout the Midwest and beyond. Her unique sonic style, catchy hooks, and lyrical prowess have earned her the title of Cleveland’s Next Up talent.

Apart from accolades, which include spotlight spots regionally on WKYC and Dirty Glove Bastard as well as national recognition on top-tier entertainment networks like BET, Chelsea is a self-taught instrumentalist who often handles her production, writing, and engineering. Her unique brand of ballads can be best classified as a fusion of Rap and Pop with a touch of Rock accented by old-school flavor.

Press play on “Price Going Up” on your DSP of choice below and watch the visual for “Greener” | HERE via Pastel Productions LLC / Vydia.

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Chill Vibes and Sultry Melodies: Exploring iazY’s Latest Release “Pink Leaf”

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Hailing from the vibrant city of Irvine, the rising artist iazY is making waves with her latest single, “Pink Leaf,” released under her own label, iazY Music Ent. This track, produced by The Real Mapa and engineered by Troy “R8dio” Johnson, introduces listeners to iazY’s signature sound—a fusion of Urban pop rock melodies.

iazY shared her motivation behind crafting “Pink Leaf,” revealing, “I just had this vision of just a chill vibe, something for my ladies.” This intention shines through in the song’s laid-back groove and sultry lyrics, creating an irresistible atmosphere that invites listeners to unwind and groove along.

What sets “Pink Leaf” apart for iazY is not only its sound but also the emotions it evokes. She explains, “I think just how the song sounds and how it makes me feel. It just puts me in that ‘have fun chill’ vibe.” With its catchy hooks and lush production, “Pink Leaf” effortlessly captures iazY’s essence as an artist, marking a milestone in her musical journey.

As iazY continues to captivate audiences with her unique blend of genres and infectious energy, fans eagerly anticipate upcoming shows and releases. To stay updated on iazY’s latest endeavors, follow her on Instagram @iazyofficial and keep an ear out for future announcements from iazY Music Ent.

Visit iazyMusic.com

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