NYS Music 202​2

Tag: r&b

  • Josh X Rings In ‘Cuffing Season’ With ‘Forever Love’

    Multi-platinum recording artist, songwriter and producer, Josh X, brings in winter season with his heartwarming new single “Forever Love.” The snappy, swooping single sees Josh X affirm his feelings of “forever love” in passionate croons. The catchy chorus and bridge confidently shows the singer-songwriter’s evolution as an R&B artist, able to capture the heart in quick wails. Moreover, “Forever Love” gives fans a glimpse of what they may expect on his anticipated forthcoming album, The X Project, expected in early 2023.

    I wanted to release “Forever Love” because when it’s cold outside it’s time to cuddle. With everything that’s going on in the world, love is hard to find, and I want people to fight for love when they find it.

    -Josh X

    The Rise of Josh X

    The the KSR Records signee and producer has seen his career ascend since his breakthrough in 2016 with the release of his multi-million streaming hit, “Heaven on My Mind,” featuring Cardi B. All in all, Josh X has been prepping for his time in the limelight since childhood. The Queens native began playing the classical piano at the age of six and attended The Juilliard School’s summer program after receiving a scholarship from the prestigious musical institution. Inspired by music legends Stevie Wonder and Brian McKnight, Josh X’s music is brimming with themes of love and forgiveness, something he shares with his idols.

    Prior to stepping in front of the mic, he served as a writer and producer, working with upper echelon artists such as Jadakiss, Swizz Beatz, Cardi B, Nipsy Hussle and Lil Wayne. After signing with Epic Record in 2018, Josh X released his single “All on Me” featuring Rick Ross. The ensuing music video has since been viewed over 5 million times.

    Moreover, the Haitian-American singer and producer released the street smash, “Eskize Mwen” in 2020, featuring Haitian superstar, BAKY. The record showcased his diversity and the music video saw Josh X once again eclipse the 1 million views benchmark. During the pandemic, he picked up the role of Derrick in the Amazon Prime series, Sister’s Keeper.  Although bitten by the acting bug, Josh X has not forgotten about his forever love.

  • Austin Jay Brings the Passion to R&B With ‘Loving on You’

    Manhattan-born pop/r&b singer, Austin Jay, brings the heat with his latest single, “Loving on You.” Released in anticipation of his debut EP, “Loving You” follows the release of “All I Wanna Do,” his debut single. In a short period of time the passionate wailer has amassed over 50 thousand streams on each of his singles.

    After graduating from Morehouse College in Atlanta, Austin Jay embarked on his musical career. Classically trained in piano and voice, he earned his promising newcomer status in 2019 with covers of Khalid’s “Location” and Billie Eilish’s “Ocean Eyes” gaining a significant following on Instagram for his soulful and imaginative Gen- Z reinterpretations of popular songs.

    Stylistically, Austin Jay can fill a void within the r&b realm. While the too-cool-for-school crooners have their place, they don’t fully encapsulate the love and vulnerability that r&b is rooted in. A proper love ballad requires a certain kind of indifference to public perception. A generational trend that Austin Jay is aware of, yet embraces.

    Loving on You is about the infatuation of new love. It’s about finding someone that you really care about and telling them, and not being ashamed of love. A lot of people think dramatic declarations of love are corny/cheesy, but really it’s healthy and needed more in life.

    – Austin Jay

    On “Loving On You” Austin Jay reverts to the impassioned, romance-laden croons of r&b’s heyday. In fact, the music video itself is a nod to r&b hits of the past, as Jay shirtless-ly serenades his love interest on a secluded California beach.

    Despite his r&b talents, Austin sees himself growing into the likes of Dominic Fike, Khalid, and Bruno Mars, an aggressive, all-genre artist with strong vocals. He performed as the lead singer of the nationally touring band ‘Earth to Mars’, growing his fanbase and earning his performance chops. Now a more complete artist, Austin Jay looks to cement himself as a player in the r&b world.

  • Staten Island-born Louyah Drops New Single “Peter Pan”

    Staten Island-born singer-songwriter Louyah dropped his newest music with a single release called “Peter Pan” on June 24.

    Louyah

    Growing up in southern New Jersey, Louyah, also known as Louis Attillio Vigorito, found his passion for music. He began as a vocalist and guitarist in popular metal bands and now is breaking away to form a solo career with a growing fanbase.

    The artists’ music blends together with alt-pop, rock, and elements of R&B is something completely Louyah’s own. “Peter Pan” brings listeners over a two-minute journey of energetic beats, empowering lyrics and vocals, a catchy melody, and leans more into incorporating hip-hop.

    Peter Pan is honestly a shot at the labels. I’ve been ducked/pushed and always set back as an artist. I’ll never let anyone judge me for what I am and who I’m supposed to be. It’s fine they don’t want the music now. I’ll keep pushing and making my dreams come true!

    -Louyah

    The track deals with Louyah’s want to live life unapologetically, with uplifting and empowering lyrics clearly sharing that message. He firmly sings that’s just how I roll / putting on for my team, we gone / lost you in the smoke on the closing lines.

    With music influences such as Young Pwavy, Kevin Boris, Gervs, Dakun and Nick Zullo, as well as the people he surrounds himself with, Louyah has crafted an impressive career thus far. His recent 13-track debut LP, 6FEET hit No. 4 on the iTunes Pop Charts, and based on this new single, this is just the start for the up-and-coming artist.

  • Get Some Mo’ Love on Winter Nights

    They say love is all-around. Sometimes the feeling is as palpable as an embrace. Yet, finding the accurate words to frame love into its proper context remains one of the world’s greater mysteries. Love can be all-encompassing, it can be selfless, it can blossom out of desire and it can even be fickle. Only one thing is certain, once love is in the air, it builds its own cocoon within the consciousness waiting to be explored. And on Winter Nights, we get a first-hand look into how Mo’ Love handles his ever-changing disposition. 

    Lately I’ve been f****d up, all these feelings got me worked up.

    In five swift songs we see the enchanted crooner jostle between lust, desire, commitment and emotional weariness. Beginning with the anthemic “Pgp,” where he wastes no time addressing the point of contention. The record opens with voicemails from various women looking to get in touch demanding that he call them back. Instead, he makes himself readily available to all, where his promiscuous flair is captured.

    She think I’m a player cause she like what I’m saying. I’m not into selling dreams, you should buy what you like. And if you don’t, you can return me after the night.

    Mo’ Love – Pgp

    While the project intros with an emotional free-for-all, the more tightly wounded “The Same” is the inverse of its predecessor. With his distinct singing voice and sultry delivery, the r&b singer confronts the feelings of complacency that comes from a long-standing relationship. From fighting about the same things, noticing changes in a partner’s feelings and behavior, while dealing the subsequent yearn for the person responsible for your pain.

    Comparatively, “Slow Dance” is next on the queue and sees the South Bronx native do a complete 180. While “The Same” left him picking up the pieces of his dissolved relationship, on “Slow Dance” he goes from prey to vulture, picking at the remains of a woman’s freshly severed union as he looks to seduce her. As the third of five records on the project, the song placement seems to be indicatory of the middle ground between committed and spending time, as he lulls,

    flowing through the vibes, I can it in your eyes, Oh I love.

    – Mo’ love, Slow Dance

    Mo’ Love shows his talents for performative arts with his thespian-like display of character arc, going from player, to sucker and back to the life of easy virtue in just three songs.

    Won’t you slow dance for a n****a yea, if you want these bands from a n***a yea.

    We keep fighting about the same thing, I need some space so I could maintain Since you left, I haven’t been the same. 

    – Mo’ Love, The Same

    Winter Nights follows this ebb-and-flow throughout all five records, where each mirrors its predecessor and vice versa. It’s a Ying and Yang of commitment versus freedom and promiscuity, with an intermission to ponder giving up both on “F****d Up Anthem.”

    Who doesn’t want to be in a nice healthy relationship? But then, also I like my peace. I’m on a journey, I’m trying to get somewhere and there’s distractions. A lot of people are distractions more than help. Me knowing that, I definitely battle with being in relationships, wanting to take one serious. It takes a big, big person to make that leap and I battle with that all the time.

    – Mo’ Love

    It can be played frontward or backwards and the same message still echoes, combine that with the concise length of the EP and it is a reflection of the fleeting emotions that we share with one another.

    I’m losing myself. The only thing I want in this life is bad for my health.

    – Mo’ Love, Dirty Diana

    Such is the uncertainty that surrounds many modern-day relationships, with not only the number of options, but the availability of it all. Lust can turn to infatuation, which metamorphoses into commitment, yet can just as quickly transform into weariness.

    I deserve more than this, hurt on my mind so it’s hard to reminisce.

    I’m hoping they [fans] go through the rides of emotions that I felt when I made it and the attention that I put into it. I know I wanted people to dance to it, I know I wanted people to feel good to it, but also, I wanted people to understand that there’s always a message in everything that I’m saying. There’s a message in every song that I put out and that means the most to me.

    – Mo’ Love

  • Danielle Ponder wraps six shows in three nights at The McKittrick Hotel & Nubulu

    Singer-songwriter Danielle Ponder closed out Wednesday night at The McKittrick Hotel with a stunning performance after Sleep No More.

    Six shows in three nights ladies and gentlemen!” Danielle exclaimed, addressing the crowd in-between songs. “Amazing crowds, amazing people. This has just been really a great moment and it actually has been very surreal, but I’m going to get into these songs. Hope you enjoy them!

    Singer-songwriter Danielle Ponder singing at The McKittrick Hotel's Manderley Bar.
    Danielle Ponder at the McKittrick Hotel’s Manderley Bar

    The Rochester-based singer confidently radiated her powerful voice throughout The McKittrick Hotel’s moody Manderley Bar. This performance was the last of Ponder’s three-night run in New York City before joining St. Paul and the Broken Bones on tour later this month. Before exiting, Ponder concluded the set with an inspiring personal anecdote.

    I quit my successful job as an attorney to be a broke musician because I absolutely love you, and I absolutely love this stage. I completely live for it. I truly believe in following your purpose, I think that when God gives you a gift, a way you can show gratitude is committing to that thing. Amen, amen, amen! You all feel me? So a lot has happened in the past year that has really changed my life, even to be here with this audience in New York City listening has been so affirming for me and lets me know I made the right decision. I really feel like I’m a living testimony of that and that’s the only reason I’m telling you I’m 40! Because I want you to know my knees hurt, I’m old, but I’m here! So this next song is called “So Long.”

    “So Long” is Ponder’s latest single, released on March 11, an anthem about letting go of fear and being the best person you can possibly be.

    Singer-songwriter Danielle Ponder singing at The McKittrick Hotel's Manderley Bar.

    You can learn more about singer-songwriter Danielle Ponder on her website and listen to her Tiny Desk Contest submission, a recording of her song Poor Man’s Pain, here.

    St. Paul and the Broken Bones with Danielle Ponder Tour Dates

    April 23 – Dallas, Texas – The Granada Theater
    April 24 – Austin, Texas – Stubb’s
    April 26 – Tulsa, Okla. – Cain’s Ballroom
    April 28 – Denver, Colo. – Mission Ballroom
    April 29 – Aspen, Colo. – Belly Up
    April 30 – Salt Lake City, Utah – Commonwealth Room
    May 3 – Seattle, Wash. – The Neptune
    May 5 – Portland, Ore. – Crystal Ballroom
    May 6 – San Francisco, Calif./Oakland, Calif. – Fox Theater
    May 7 – San Diego, Calif. – Humphreys Concerts By The Bay
    May 10 – Los Angeles, Calif. – The Theatre at Ace Hotel
    May 11 – Pioneertown, Calif. – Pappy & Harriet’s
    May 12 – Phoenix, Ariz. – The Van Buren

  • Adekunle Gold Announces Catch Me If You Can Tour, Apollo Theater Performance

    Nigerian born and bred Adekunle Gold has just announced his “Catch Me If You Can – The Tour,” kicking off on Thursday, June 2nd at Big Night Live in Boston. This tour will also make a stop at Apollo Theater in Manhattan on Friday, June 3rd, 2022. 

    Adekunle Gold Announces Catch Me If You Can Tour

    Adekunle Gold is a Nigerian singer-songwriter based between Lagos, Nigeria, and Los Angeles. He gained recognition from his very first release, ‘Sade’ a love song which sampled instrumentals from One Direction’s ‘Story of My Life.’ Just two weeks after its release, Adekunle was contacted by one of Africa’s biggest acts, Olamide, to join his music imprint for two years. 

    Adekunle Gold is one of the most innovative artists to come out of Africa. He is one of the most recognizable and exciting pioneers of the vibrant Afropop genre, currently dominating this genre across the globe. His music consistent of mixing and influences of Afrobeat with Pop, Hip-Hop and R&B. 

    Since releasing his first single “Sade,” a love song which sampled instrumentals from One Direction’s “Story of My Life,” Adekunle has gone on to release four albums – Gold, About 30, AfroPop Vol. 1. His newest album, Catch Me If You Can, includes collaborations with an array of world-class talent including Ty Dolla $ign, Stefflon Don, Fatoumata Diawara and Fousheé. Altogether, featuring his one-of-a-kind combination of addictive melodies and razor sharp lyricism.

    Adekunle Gold

    CATCH ME IF YOU CAN TOUR DATES:  

    Thu Jun 02 – Boston, MA – Big Night Live 

    Fri Jun 03 – New York, NY – Apollo Theater 

    Sun Jun 05 – Montreal, QUE – Corona Theatre 

    Mon Jun 06 – Philadelphia, PA – The Theatre of Living Arts 

    Wed Jun 08 – Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring 

    Thu Jun 09 – Cleveland, OH – The Cambridge Room at House of Blues 

    Fri Jun 10 – Toronto, ON – The Opera House 

    Sun Jun 12 – Minneapolis, MN – Varsity Theater 

    Tue Jun 14 – Atlanta, GA – Buckhead Theatre 

    Thu Jun 16 – Houston, TX – House of Blues 

    Fri Jun 17 – Dallas, TX – Echo Lounge & Music Hall 

    Sun Jun 19 – Denver, CO – Marquis Theater 

    Tue Jun 21 – Chicago, IL – House of Blues 

    Thu Jun 30 – Phoenix, AZ – Crescent Ballroom 

    Fri Jul 01 – Los Angeles, CA – Regent Theater 

    Sat Jul 02 – San Francisco, CA – The Fillmore 

    Mon Jul 04 – Seattle, WA – Neptune Theatre 

    Tue Jul 05 – Vancouver, BC – Commodore Ballroom 

    Fri Jul 08 – Edmonton, AB – Union Hall 

    Ticket sale starts Friday, April 8th at 10am on Catch.ag 

  • Peter Stone’s Debut EP “Unlabeled” Delivers Eminently Listenable Artistic Vision

    Peter Stone’s debut EP, “Unlabeled“, delivers an eminently listenable and creatively integral album. It’s a work whose influences are clear—R&B vocals, 80’s synthesizers, pop beats—but who’s originality and creative vision are even more evident.

    Stone’s work features a knack for melodies that are sonically complex and rich with texture but that are, nonetheless, earworms that stick with you as you listen. Even though he recorded the album in 2020 during lockdown in his native Italy “when he couldn’t have any contact with anyone [which] was a really tough time” his ability to guarantee head-bobbing tunes belies the conditions under which the EP was recorded.

    Although his ability to do so appears effortless the quality of the music suggests it likely wasn’t. Rather it was the product of a detailed process of intentional musical choices from his myriad influences. On “Cold,” the album’s likely hit, his mix of R&B crooning and 80’s synthesizers combine to make what is ultimately a pop song of the highest order.

    Stone doesn’t have an aversion to pop music. Even if we admits that it’s not one of the guiding inspirations of his musical process.

    “Pop is one of the genres I’m up to put myself in even though [I’m not] mainly inspired by it when it comes to the writing and the production of my songs,” acknowledged Stone.

    Even if it isn’t his main inspiration there’s no denying that it’s the outcome. On “Lead Me”, the first song on Peter Stone’s debut EP, he sings “She’s dancing on the floor/She’s moving on the floor” over pulsating synths and basses.

    His obvious talent for creating uniquely creative, yet accessible music is on delves into new spaces with “Save Me” and “Trust.” The first is an emotional piano ballad, with Stone playing the keys, that while still feeling slightly like a young artist’s imitation of what they think an emotional song should sound like; has lyrics that effectively portray a person that’s fractured and realizing that they have to put themselves back together.

    pietro

    On “Trust” Stone exhibits a mature understanding of song composition that is reflexive of a clear creative vision, executed with purpose. The song is a three-parter but to say more would spoil the mix of delight and intrigue one feels at its transitions. All of which are unlike both each other and the rest of the songs on Unlabeled offering a glimpse into Stone’s multidimensionality as an artist.

    His multitude of influences might have created a genre blending debut but ultimately all that matters is that once you listen to Peter Stone’s debut EP…you’ll want to listen to it again.