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Authentic – Kendra Erika @Kendra_Erika

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Pop singer Kendra Erika and Grammy Award winning producer Damon Sharpe are together again this spring on “Authentic,” their dreamy, progressive track about the deterioration of social media. “What was once an important tool for inspiration, connection and freedom of speech has become an emotionally addictive breeding ground for bullying, jealousy, and fear,” says Erika. “All stimulated by mental synapses that project a fictitious depiction of what life should be like, making us feel like the true lives we are living are not good enough.” She wrote the song’s lyrics against music produced by Sharpe and Eric Sanicola, the same duo behind her hit dance singles, “Oasis,” “Sublime” and “Under My Skin”. Where their dance tracks were full-throttle club bangers, “Authentic” is a more cruise control pop single with a stronger message.  “Authentic” is being released globally and is available for purchase on iTunes, Amazon, and all other major retailers, as well as through streaming on Pandora and Spotify. It’s music video is on Youtube.

“I stopped believing the hype of people’s posts and started seeing through the pageantry of it all two years ago,” continues Kendra Erika from her Miami-area home. “These days, social media is all about rank-related validation; the amount of likes you can get on phony pictures that have been filtered and on opinionated memes that aren’t your own. It’s all mass-manipulating and we are literally being brainwashed by the constant feed of disingenuous content.”

Kendra Erika depicts the control that social media has on the world in the music video for “Authentic,” inspired by Black Mirror, the sci-fi anthology series that explores a twisted, high-tech near-future where humanity’s greatest innovations and darkest instincts collide. “The message I’m trying to convey in the video is for people to listen with their ears because our eyes are deceiving us. We’re gradually becoming more visual beings. However, what we are being shown is controlled. The posts we are seeing are contrived. That enticing photo on your wall may contain beauty on the surface, but it’s important to listen to the deep and meaningful ocean beneath it. We have to remember that whatever is controlled is not real. The uncontrolled message underneath the pretty picture is what’s real.”

“I, for one, am tired of conforming to what the masses want me to be. I have come to learn that being authentic means not following an echo, but leading by my own voice… and that’s what I’m doing.”

Kendra Erika is a South Florida native singer/songwriter. Trained in classical and jazz, she draws inspiration from artists like Lana Del Rey, Solange, Ellie Goulding, and London Grammar who strive to make music that is written out of pure sentiment and felt in the bones. Erika implements bold and poetic messages in her music; a concept that is new to many of her club fans who often heed a song’s beat but pay less attention to its message.

“Authentic” is Kendra Erika’s fourth collaboration with producer Damon Sharpe, who has written and produced for a wide array of pop artists including Jennifer Lopez, Ariana Grande, Kylie Minogue, Kelly Rowland, Monica, 98 Degrees, Anastacia, and Natalie Cole. Their first single, “Oasis,” climbed to #9 on the Billboard Dance Chart in 2016. They followed it with “Under My Skin,” a song that climbed to #6 on the Billboard Dance Chart last summer. “Kendra and I have a chemistry that shines,” explains Sharpe.

“Ultimately, I hope ’Authentic’ opens peoples’ eyes to the real danger that is lurking in our pockets. Social media is a man-made monster that we have allowed to seize our minds and it is destroying from within by triggering all of our darkest insecurities.”

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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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