Category: Artist Profile

Are Women Gaining More Power As Artists?

A question has been floated as of late: Are Women Saving New York Rap? The answer may not be as definitive as you think. Artists like Maiya the Don put forth lyrical bodies of work that provide refreshment and flavor to save the genre one song at a time. Do more of those individuals tend to be women?

Maiya the Don in a gold parka

No debate surrounds the fact that New York hip-hop could use saving. Much of what hits the mainstream airwaves recycles and regurgitates the same radio-friendly formulas. Therefore, I see the original question and raise it: Are Women Gaining more Power as Artists? While all signs point to yes, one Brooklyn individual, Maiya the Don particularly embodies the notion that women have become hip-hop powerhouses, not just an accessory.

Women Increase Industry Footprint

As hip-hop grew, opportunities afforded to female artists were often limited. Often, having a woman in your crew was seen as the thing to do. Eve from Ruff Ryders exists as a prime example. Known as “a pitbull in a skirt,” Ruff Ryders chose her because she fit their rough-and-tumble type mold and she could rap very well. Without ascribing status or making assumptions – it is fair to say women have elevated their role within the hip-hop ecosystem.

Cover Art for Maiya the Don’s hit single, Telfy

Maiya the Don stomped confidently into her spot as a New York star. After gaining a large following on TikTok with videos displaying her beauty, makeup and personality – her manager helped position her within the music industry. While on TikTok, she promoted her music as a piece to the content puzzle. Doing so granted her the ability to speak as a representative of Black Visionary Voices – a TikTok initiative that recognizes Black creatives, business owners and cultural changemakers.

@maiyathedon
Laquan Smith Sping show NYFW 2023 Rainbow room 🫶🏼
♬ original sound – Maiya The Don

Maiya the Don and Lola Brooke goof around backstage

TikTok serves as a primary vehicle to transmit any message given that it has the least amount of barriers or hierarchy. Many artists will tease a snippet of their song as a ‘sound’ so that users can create videos which may cause the song to reach more listeners. Once snippets of Maiya the Don’s hit single, “Telfy” started to make the rounds – the beast of a song became difficult to contain.

Starting from Scratch

Maiya the Don knows how to communicate what she wants while making music. Her novice knowledge of the terms producers use does not limit her process, whatsoever. She still finds a way to verbalize where she wants what sounds to be placed to invoke maximum effect. When making a hit, all elements must be on point and that deals directly with tasteful tactics employed by people with expertise.

Women who speak from the vantage point of strength and authenticity continue to receive their just due. As ladies become less of an accessory, Maiya the Don created massive viral buzz around her household hit, “Telfy.” Maiya’s fashionable accessory – the Telfar bag – served as the thematic cornerstone for the song that propelled her into the spotlight. The song carries all the core components of a hit sonically, makes fashion statements and most importantly – popularizing self-worth, confidence and hyper-femininity.

Women Evolve within Hip-Hop

Throughout hip-hop history, many people presented women to the world through a one-dimensional lens. Nowadays, women like Maiya the Don reclaim power, demand respect and utilize fashion to reshape their role as hip-hop artists. A person who owns their narrative and creates a unique adaptation of their own aesthetic continually dismantles stereotypes and evolves as a powerhouse.

Maiya the Don’s Second Single – Dusties

Women of today refuse to be treated as lesser. Maiya the Don firmly cements her feet in hip-hop concrete by embracing sexual objectification in order to use it to her advantage. Today’s women operate with liberation in mind, speak up for what they want and function as empowered sexual beings. Having her needs fulfilled cannot come second as Maiya the Don will not stop until she reaches her goals.

Catch her live in concert on Day 3 of Rolling Loud in Miami, FL on July 23rd, although Maiya has the best stage presence in New York.

Maiya spoke with BleuMag about her favorite performance, saying “Probably Albany, New York. It was a huge crowd, and I got to open up for Glorilla, who I love. I think she’s so hard. That was my best performance by the way. I’ve never felt like that before.. I was shocked because I was pretty far from home. The fact that they were going that hard for me had me, like, Period!”

@maiyathedon
light showwwwwww ALBANY NY💛💛💛💛💛
♬ original sound – Maiya The Don

July 28, 2023
Griselda Umbrella: Keisha “Paint the Town” Plum

Hip-hop artists are the most envied and least protected individuals on the planet. Many pursue a rap career without knowledge of the risks associated with the occupation. Keisha Plum could be considered a rapper, yet she never has to sound like one. She sounds sensuous and soulful as her poetic tongue glides down the back end of Griselda tracks. A true spoken word poet – this woman gives hope to those who speak their truth in the form of soliloquies.

In Plum Poetry We Trust

Keisha Plum – a.k.a Buffalo Jill – drips Tears of Honey onto every page. A great deal of her poetry began when she would send meaningful letters to her brother who was serving in the military.

Growing up in Buffalo made her gravitate toward the African American Cultural Center to express herself. Within the AACC compound, she learned what she could do with her craft. A young Keisha Plum learned about her roots through various mediums of cultural black excellence.

“If Rakim & Nikki Giovanni did the nasty, they would have had me.”
K.Plum on Flygod

She learned that she could write poetry and talk shit at the same time. Obviously, it is much deeper than that but it is evident that she enjoys to paint vivid pictures with her poems. Drawing incredible inspiration from the likes of Maya Angelou, this phenomenal woman lays down piercing poetry that encapsulates the entire Griselda movement.

Griselda the Behemoth

Griselda Records hits you from so many different angles. With nearly 30 artists on roster – each one brings something different and puts the listener into a different perspective on each and every track.

Not to mention, they are the head of the umbrella to all of these spectacular artists that hear their work and strive to go harder than the day before. It is such a blessing to discover all of these underground talents adjacent to Griselda who just want to put their own spin on it.

Clearly, Westside Gunn never even had to touch a mic and he would still be set – his kid’s great-grandkids would be set. But we are so glad he did. His lead-by-example no nonsense approach, creative direction and guerilla marketing tactics place him head and shoulders above the competition.

Estee Nack, Keisha Plum, 1000Words, Rome Streetz

Westside Gunn is the type of individual who ensures that his legacy will carry on for generations. Ultimately, humans judgment ultimately occurs as a result of outcomes. Did you push yourself every day to ensure that your work will live on when your physical form no longer can? WSG pushes him and his team to their furthest extent – hence all of the new artists and real rap that has risen to the forefront in the past decade.

Buffalo Kids Stick Together

Westside Gunn and Keisha Plum attended Grammar School for the Gifted & Talented together. When Keisha had to settle for a retail job, Wes pulled up on her at the mall to recruit her talent. He wrote poems for Keisha to lay down in the booth as everything came into fruition with meticulous planning and preparation. It was just up to her to fine tune the content, plug & play words that she saw fit and ultimately execute the vision laid before her.

The most impressive part about Keisha Plum and her ascension is the way that she bends the genre backwards and flips hip-hop on its headpiece. She is living proof that if you know yourself – know your worth – know what you’re capable of doing – and act upon ideas you can be successful. This woman is single-handedly rearranging the constructs of hip-hop one spoken word at a time.

Interested in hearing her live? Catch her at The Cookout in September.

July 20, 2023
Delaney Silvernell: The Voice, New Music, and Upcoming Tour

Delaney Silvernell is known best in New York State for ascending from a Queensbury local to a sensational contestant on NBC’s The Voice. Delaney has made notable strides in her musical career since her debut at age 21.

Playing shows in Los Angeles and New York, Delaney has put her singer-songwriter skills on display, amassing over 350k streams on Spotify alone through her signature blend of pop and R&B. Five years – and many captivating singles – since the voice, Delaney is planning a Northeast Tour at the end of the summer, which will feature her newest EP, Blue Dream.

While Delaney Silvernell is currently an independent artist based in Los Angeles, her journey began many miles away. Originally from the Adirondack region of Queensbury, Delaney knew from a young age that music was her passion.

I’ve been a musician for as long as I can remember, and it doesn’t really feel like a conscious decision I made to become one. Music was really the only thing that fueled me and helped me make sense of the world around me. So, it seemed like my natural path.
Delaney Silvernell

Following her natural trajectory, Delaney moved away from her hometown at 17 to pursue her musical education, studying Songwriting at Berklee College of Music. After graduating in 2017, Delaney was immediately cast as a contestant on season 15 of NBC’s The Voice. Her audition immediately caught the attention of coach Kelly Clarkson. Primarily coached by Kelly Clarkson, Delaney was further coached on screen by music industry greats such as Mariah Carey, Adam Levine, and Thomas Rhett.

After Delaney’s debut at age 21, Delaney has spent the past few years crafting her own space in music. She has played shows in Los Angeles and New York, while independently releasing original music which has been widely successful – amassing over 350k streams on Spotify alone.

Delaney’s music explores her emotions in a real, raw way that captivate audiences with a combination of vulnerable lyrics and powerful vocals. She rides rebelliously on the borders of genres such as R&B/Soul, Pop, Alternative, Blues, and more as she doesn’t believe her artistry can be confined by the boarders of one category. Delaney tries to create music that gives people space to feel deeply and unapologetically, and find peace in those emotions. Such music is often created alongside those who support her musical growth.

I draw inspiration from my life experiences, as well as that of those around me. I find inspiration in sorting out complicated emotions, and truly hope my songs help others do the same. My creative process varies, but my creative team is a pretty consistent group of my friends, which makes it that much more fun.

Blue Dream

Delaney’s most recent EP, Blue Dream, features 4 songs ranging from folk-pop to soulful genres. The project has already been premiered at one of LA’s most famous venues, The Troubadour, and will be performed in multiple cities throughout New York State through Delaney’s upcoming Northeast Tour.

While each song featured in Blue Dream is a work of art in its own right, when asked about her favorite piece, Delaney described her favorite song as one that has truly come full circle.

It’s impossible to pick a favorite, because they all have a special place in my heart. I do love “Wildflower,” though, because it was such a unique process to create it. “Wildflower” originated as a poem I wrote during a sleepless night back in college. A few years later, I stumbled upon the lyrics with a whole new perspective on life, and was able to put them to music and grow the song into what it is today.

Upcoming Projects

Blue Dream is only the first of many ambitious projects Delany’s future holds. Delaney has already begun writing her first full length album, and plans to return to the studio to finish recording it following her tour at the end of the summer. In the meantime, she will be releasing a live album from her recent performance at one of Los Angeles’ most famous venues, The Troubadour.

Delaney’s successful singles and EPs hold promise for equally engaging full length albums. In her continuous journey of exploring complicated emotions, Delaney detailed one of her unreleased songs as one of the most difficult to write in her career.

My most difficult song to write is actually still unreleased. It’s called “Dark Side of the Moon,” and I co-wrote it with my friend and producer, Alisse Laymac. “Dark Side of the Moon,” details my healing process from self-sabotaging the good things in my life. Being honest about that and putting that feeling into words was difficult, but so healing and cathartic.

Tour Dates

Currently, Delaney Silvernell is building a tour around the following dates in New York State:

Friday, August 25th at Fuze Box: Albany NY

Sunday, August 27th at Charles R. Wood Theater: Glens Falls, NY

Additionally, Delaney is securing a date at Rockwood Music Hall in NYC in late August or early September, the date to be announced. She plans to visit other New England-area venues as well. Once all tour dates have been secured, an official press release will be announced.

Delaney’s authentic approach to music, alongside her captivating, soulful lyrics and sound truly make her one of a kind. Be sure to listen to her music on Spotify, and check out her website for more tour updates.

July 17, 2023
Lowkey Legends: Your Old Droog

Coming from New York – you either got it or you don’t. Plain and simple. Some of the most prolific New York hip-hop penmanship comes from Your Old Droog. The word Droog serves as a synonym for buddy or pal as this Brooklyn-based Ukrainian writes, ideates and executes with the best of them. Magnetically, Droog’s mild mannerisms and downright delicate delivery separate him from the pack.

Initially, many thought that Nas voiced Droog as some sort of concealed alternate persona. Also, Mass Appeal [Media Platform owned by Nasir Jones] posted one of his early singles, “Nutty Bars” further propagating the alias. Nevertheless, this man transcends time with his collaborative contributions to the overarching grand scheme of hip-hop. Particularly, his work with Tha God Fahim proves incredibly extensive.

To discover the intriguing parts about Your Old Droog (or any artist for that matter) one must immerse and grow with the music over time. Alas, YOD makes music that elicits immersive qualities and allows a person to intrinsically reflect. After all, Droog loosely translates to friend. Listen to the song below to hear about how Droog ended up going the independent route.

Choosing What is Right

The directions by which life twists and turns represent a common denominator. To truly understand what fate means to you – look inward. Subsequently, Your Old Droog refused to put down the microphone after declining many major label deals. Instead, he remained independent and pivoted by way of artwork with Mach Hommy. Recording radio-friendly music via releases to satisfy a record deal do not amount to creative fulfillment in this day and age.

Zoom into 2019 alone – two years after Droog meets Tha God Fahim and Mach Hommy. The three mixtapes that hit Soundcloud in 2019 are lowkey legendary classics within the underground hip-hop hemisphere. Jewelery has since been removed but It Wasn’t Even Close and Transportation still knock through any stereo.

Distinguishing Factors

Furthermore, Your Old Droog’s evocative lyrics vastly distinguish his content from his counterparts. His approach captivates the crowd with cohesive and atmospheric energy developed according to lyrical circumstances. As a humble individual, Your Old Droog promotes conversational and self-deprecating content. Humorous humility and comedy comprise the well-balanced nature of this New York artist. Your Old Droog maintains a balanced homeostasis throughout the fulfillment of his earthly obligations.

Droog uses a stream-of-consciousness flow that doesn’t always require syllabic rhyme. By piecing together double entendres and using words in a nontraditional fashion, Droog consistently tries to best himself on every track. Particularly, his use of tonal perception as a mind-altering agent allows him to pair words and phrases in a fashion that many have never heard before.

Breaking Down the Language

Droog represents the Beastcoast and provides a deeper meaning to the complexities of our language in his music. Clearly, this unorthodox artist venerates and redefines the art of storytelling. Listening to tunes by Droog, it would prove useful to become familiar with the rewind button. This “rap revivalist” makes an impact with powerful opening lines and punchlines that stand among the likes of Big L, Prodigy, and Kool G Rap.

Hence, intonation and modulation are some of the crucial components of Droog’s vocal renditions. Modern artists tend to fill vocal space with adlibs and attention grabs, but Droog steers clear of filler material. Rather, he prefers to exert precision, accuracy, and intonation to his trademark raspy delivery.

As a “self-aware slang slinger,” Your Old Droog’s presence captivates countless city slickers worldwide. He radically explores the historical implications and inclinations of our complex lexicon. Through virtuosic analyses, in-depth comparisons, and brilliant metaphors, Droog makes his message clear.

July 10, 2023
Lowkey Legends: Roc Marciano

When it comes to making music, everyone charts different territory through various methods of approach. Some people choose to pay homage to those that came before them in order to emulate and reciprocate greatness. Such is the case with Roc Marciano, a smooth operator out of the 100 Block of Terrace Avenue in Hempstead.

Growing up in Hempstead was rough for this New Yorker but he managed to climb his way out of the, “city in the suburbs.” His residing area receives major attribution for the direction of his approach, style and taste within the genre of hip-hop.

Alchemist x Roc Marciano

Six Degrees of Separation

Coming up, many people were hip to Marciano’s talents and abilities. Once he linked up with Busta Rhymes – those recognizable traits started to gain major traction. Marciano attributes his Busta Rhymes connection to the “six degrees of separation” theory. Subsequently, he went to school with Busta’s younger brother who caught wind of some early musical efforts and passed them along to Busta.

Obviously, both of them thought highly of his capabilities and gave him the chance to shine on a brighter platform. Around 2000, Roc Marciano sparred bar for bar with some of the hardest artists in the game. Along the way, he bestowed the utmost respect to legendary artists who paved the way for him to thrive. He paid homage to those before him but also would gauge where they set the bar and try to surpass that. When he contributed to “The Heist” on Busta Rhymes’ album, Anarchy – he exchanged verses with the likes of Ghostface Killah (fresh off classic album Supreme Clientele) and Raekwon, both from the Wu-Tang Clan.

UN or U Out?

In 2001, he formed his own clique called “UN Crew” with his Uniondale High School counterparts, Dino Brave, Laku and Mike Raw. They received cosigns from major influential artists such as Large Professor, Madlib and Just Blaze. The group rapped over Pete Rock beats called, “Petestrumentals” and navigated their way into a record deal.

After their deal with Loud Records fell through, the UN Crew would ink an agreement with Carson Daly and 456 Entertainment. Roc Marciano grew tired of obeying commands and having to rap over beats chosen for him and eventually disbanded from the UN Crew and the record label they were signed to.

After a while, Roc began to truly differentiate himself from his peers. Rather than constantly trying to rap over the “hardest” beat, he strayed from the typical path and shifted the paradigms of his artistry. Large Professor played a monumental role in the encouragement of Roc Marciano’s solo career. Large Professor encouraged this burgeoning artist to tap into the twisted sounds within his brain and individually produce every track for his forthcoming album.

Often, rappers have a leg up on their competition when they are able to rhyme over self-produced beats and melodies. Furthermore, Roc Marciano executes his verses well with an off-kilter and complicated form. He received widespread internet acclaim when he dropped Marcberg in 2010. On his debut album, he received high amounts of underground reception because he was able to display the intricacies of his artistry. By rapping over his self-produced beats, Marciano was able to deliver sounds in pristine form and enter a zone that made him truly stand out.

Smooth Maneuvers

Roc Marci exists as a New York individual that keeps it fresh – stylistically, metaphorically and within his approach to the genre. His casual intensity makes what he does seem effortless, with a highly stylized stream of consciousness. Alas, every move made on wax and between the scenes requires a great deal of calculation, rehearsal and craftiness. Being both smooth and strange has yielded beneficial results for this New York artist. Roc Marciano puts forth masterful bodies of work regardless of theme/concept, ultimately serving the hip-hop ecosystem with compositional lyricism.

As an unpredictable, risk-taking and edgy performer, Roc Marciano keeps it very interesting when it comes to creating tunes. In order to change the landscape of the genre and push culture forward he consistently tests the boundaries and takes risks to improve himself as an artist. He chronicles his endeavors extravagantly and uses a hyper syllabic percussive flow. By doing so, he extricates great detail through the use of imaginative imagery.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNxCljW2uWQ
Verse Starts at 1:03

He paints narratives with specific skill and prolific penmanship by layering images via dense wordplay. Hence, he masters his entire process with non-traditional methods. Roc Marciano illustrates so well that his verses could be translated into movie scenes. With carefully crafted concoctions, he aims to develop scores for cinematic production.

With psychedelic wordplay, Roc is a hip-hop natural. By proceeding upon an organic path, the music that he releases allows the audience to follow the voyage of a time traveling wordsmith who is magic whenever he graces the mic. As a lowkey legend, Roc remains recluse and observant. In general, he does not care for radio spins as long as the checks come in and those who truly appreciate the music continue to catch wind of his endeavors. He has extremely high standards and tries to outdo himself every time he steps in the booth. He is constantly reinventing his craft and submits his ultimate contribution to the game by submitting songs that sustain with longevity.

Roc Marciano x Flee Lord Delgado

Verbal Technician

Roc Marciano nonchalantly devastates his opponents. As a descriptive and introspective emcee he illuminates the virtues of a true player in the game. His stone cold delivery accentuates elements of linguistics and exuberance. He flourishes with precise timing, cadence and tonality. His hyper-controlled nature allows for him to direct the process in the direction he sees fit for his persona.

He amassed a significant following in part to his extremely impressive flair for storytelling. He attributes his gravitation to the art of rap to the group, Ultramagnetics. They showed him the “scientific” aspect of rap and Roc was highly intrigued by the possibility of evolution within the genre. With an innovative approach, authenticity and discrete nature – no wonder why people appreciate him and his music.

June 30, 2023
Zoomo Digs in the Crates to Make Unique New York Music

It’s tough to Google “Zoomo” and find anything other than World Class E-Bikes. Perhaps intentionally and synonymously, Zoomo – from the New York hip-hop group Real Recognize Real – maintains a low profile. Operating as a soulful crate digger, Zoomo achieves success through a subtle, steady emergence onto the scene.

Left to Right: Starker, YL and Zoomo sell merchandise at Supply and Demand 2021 Hosted by Top Shelf Premium and Peter Rosenberg [Photo By Mos Neammanee [img.mos]

Zoomo glues the R.R.R. Music Group with gorilla cohesion. His meticulousness leads him to piece through countless old-school records to find and fine-tune the exact sound he provides. The works of art speak for themselves as anyone can see his name often placed right alongside the artist in album titles. Technicalities aside, Zoomo stands out because he creates timeless art bound to leave a legacy.

Let the Beat Build

Zoomo often finds one word or phrase and lets that serve as the basis for the entire beat structure. Then at the end, sporadically in the middle or even at the beginning he plays the entire phrase sequence to give the listener a better idea as to the source of that word loop.

Working your way up through tinkering, crate-digging and experimentation proves worthwhile for any producer. The difference inlies within the fact that not just any producer loops soulful melodies together the way Zoomo does in New York.

Image from Video Shoot of Out My Head

While Zoomo’s beats definitely have a theme – you could never consider them repetitive! Beat structures in modern mainstream hip-hop regurgitate the same hi-hats, sounds and patterns – Zoomo always infuses something new. Whether that be different placement or rotating the parts where he draws emphasis – this man carries many tools in his arsenal.

Hence, his latest project – Cloyd represents a milestone for this man. As every Zoomo-stamped project adds value to the underground ecosystem – this one seems like a culmination of several aspects of his career. Zoomo hosted this mixtape release and multiple different artists hopped on the track. Most times – the artist hosts/promotes the mixtape and the producer receives a credit.

Let the Beat Speak

Zoomo makes the beat sing. What does that mean? Well, consider the songs “Oh Boy” by Cam’ron [Prod. by Just Blaze] “By Your Side” by Jadakiss [Prod. by Baby Grand] or “Hold You Down” by Prodigy [Prod. by and feat. Alchemist]

In each of these songs, the artist may take a breath or irregular pause to let the beat complete their sentence. Thus, these types of songs like prove innovative and allow Zoomo to fulfil his role masterfully as his beats provide a story of their own.

Furthermore, as a hip-hop head I wake up with a different song floating through my cranium daily. Whenever a R.R.R. song makes its way through those precious grooves – the Zoomo sing-sample almost always pops up and plays on loop.

Undoubtedly, Zoomo carved his own path and continues to kick down doors for him and his team. To hear his latest offering, check out, “More Life” with YL from recent album, Don’t Feed the Pigeons which hit the airwaves on June 16, 2023.

June 23, 2023
Neighborhood Heroes: Billie Essco, Buffalo Pioneer

Billie Essco flourishes within the hip-hop and fashion scene on his own terms. Holding it down for Buffalo, NY – which he also describes as a “hyperbaric chamber.” Essco is a Buffalo kid through and through. The city of of Buffalo is known for its grimy-ness and is known to make men out of boys by placing individuals on the frontlines and running them through the gauntlet. Hence, some get chewed up, spit out and booed off stage – others accept the challenge and emerge war-ready. Billie Essco stands tall amidst the onslaught of adversity as a true Fashion Rebel in every sense of the word.

Twitter/@BillyEssco

Subsequently, Griselda Records x Fashion Rebels encompass everything that hip-hop has been missing. The way that they have ushered in their own style, adornment, musical influence and mastery resembles the way that A$AP Mob emerged to fill a void in the 2010s. Griselda Mob carries the torch in a valid manner through top-tier excellence and curation.

Surging Buffalo Renaissance

Beautifully, Billie Essco blossomed under the Griselda umbrella as a contemporary curator. His brand, Cafe spurned from the idea that local cafes felt outdated without contemporary taste. To coincide with Cafe, his brand Czen specializes in repurposed garments and consciously progressive graphic design.

-Recently, Cafe announced a collaboration with New Era.–

Nonetheless, the way he designed the brand represents meticulous construction. Drawing from his Fashion/Textile technology experience at Buffalo State – Billie came up with two four-letter brands. The brevity and impactful nature of these eight letters combined with the color schemes and exquisite patterns create the ultimate consumer’s dream.

Multihyphenate Ghetto Couture

Incredibly, the most beautiful part about Essco’s creations lies within their multifaceted roots. Everyone gets their start from somewhere – it just so happens that Billie arose from Buffalo’s trenches. Essco’s vision received the ultimate boost in 2020 when he styled Westside Gunn for the Off-White x Louis Vuitton Paris Fashion Show. Working with Virgil Abloh encouraged him to double down on his efforts.

A political-conscious contemporary brand, Cafe represents the times and adapts accordingly. Similarly, Cafe + Czen releases merchandise that deconstructs racist policies and politics. Auspiciously, with youthful aura and purity, the Cafe trucker hat gives off a Midwestern type vibe. Geographically, this makes perfect sense given Buffalo’s proximity to Cleveland. Foundationally, this brand performs well and resonates heavily with consumers because of its underlying message and the creative connections associated with its core brand elements.

Undoubtedly, the world needs more people like Billie Essco – a critical thinker with historical prowess, tried-and-true methodology and contextually colorful design schemes. In like manner, the young designers continues to elevate with a collaboration with New Era symbolizing a major milestone. Essco’s journey can serve as inspiration for many Buffalo natives. A person who pursues spiritual and mental growth will never plateau in regards to their potential. No matter what age, color or creed – you have limitless abilities – just tap into your gift and never stop working toward your destiny.

June 16, 2023
Roam Out of Your Comfort Zone – A Rome Streetz Profile

Not all those who wander are lost. If you’re wondering, Rome Streetz travels far into well-versed pockets of the universe, never one to remain stagnant. His nomadic nature has landed him within several sectors of New York City and London. Nowadays, his rhymes are beginning to land him on concert flyers. Is Jerome in the house?

Nah. Jerome is out and about. At a young age his family sprung Rome into action. Moving back overseas and embodying change might have been his biggest blessing.The T-Mobile Sidekick LX inspired the rhyme writing at an early age but it wasn’t until he ended up back in London did the rhymes start to resonate. It’s almost like you don’t get love until you leave your hometown?

On the verge of a European record deal, Rome’s family moved him back to NY. It is impossible to name an exact region of NY where Rome roamed as he inhabited nearly every borough and bounced throughout every block in his lifetime. Alas, he has resided in Queens, Long Island, Brooklyn – say what you wish – this man is one of the most raw NY lyricists in the game today.

Rome Streetz goes from Mud to Moet

Rome Streetz emerged via DatPiff circa 2011. His mixtape, “Vagabond” earned a Coast to Coast Mixtapes title belt. At this moment, he began to align himself so that the chips would fall in his favor. As a result, Coast to Coast promoted the tape which sent his bars swirling within countless underground hip-hop circles. Unfortunately, Rome could not stake an ownership claim on any of the beats. Although this victory did not come with a paycheck – it symbolized the fall of the first domino for this lucrative Griselda Records Artist.

You might not understand yet
👉🏿😵💨 pic.twitter.com/EZSUECPyPB
— ROME STREETZ (@Rome_Streetz) July 7, 2021

Fast forward to the present moment, Rome Streetz cannot miss. His tangential progression showcased a project per quarter last year which normally indicates an artist on a tear.

Creativity Breeds Consumption

Many artists harbor and labor over their projects as perfectionists. To each their own – those who consistently drop projects receive more placements, engagements and impressions.

Rome Streetz exists as a flaneur – an ambivalent figure of affluence with the ability to wonder; an acute observer of industrialized contemporary life (UGHH.) In other words, he has spent his time opening doors. Furthermore, when you think of Rome Streetz the word sonder comes to mind. Likewise, his rhyme patterns make you truly contemplate the fact that each and every passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own.

Last November, Rome Streetz represented Griselda Records to the fullest as the headliner at the Crib in Providence, RI. Ramon Lazo better known as 1000words hosts shows for those that rose from the underground concrete. The sacrifices that Lazo [More than just a Polaroid Photographer] makes for the underground culture cannot be undermined – only appreciated.

Warrior-like on a tape with Ransom – Rome sparred with an extraordinarily dense and picturesque emcee. His collaboration tape with DJ Muggs broadened reach to the West Coast. His verses on Westside Gunn’s eighth installment of Hitler Wears Hermes Side B (mixtape title is a play on Devil Wears Prada) were head and shoulders above other guests.

Capturing the Crown

Subsequently, the independent blueprint is alive and well thanks to non-gatekeeping individuals like Westside Gunn. Rome Streetz’ Joyeria mixtape released via Daupe! Media and for heads who know – not everyone receives placement via that platform. We’ve noticed that he loves to use imagery and alliteration while delivering art and storytelling. Furthemore, Rome Streetz clearly showed he can get his mixtapes poppin’ on his own. What Westside Gunn did was recognize his ability and accelerate the rate by which he could represent his region.

-Listen to Rome Streetz’ Griselda debut, Kiss the Ring–

The likening of his music to that of addictive substances cannot be overlooked. Many of the recanted tales could not be told if they hadn’t been lived. Undoubtedly, Rome knows how to add the right amount of seasoning to infuse the track with the proper flavorful adrenaline. His imaginatively infectious bars increase intention and interaction. Therefore, a hyphy energetic approach coupled with stamps of approval and strong rapport seal the deal.

Moreover, Streetz will continue to combine and intertwine laced rhymes for years to come. Especially with how the vinyl culture continues to flourish. Why sign to a major label when people are collecting CDs, cassettes and vinyls for $50 to $100 a pop?

June 8, 2023
JazzBuffalo Hosts Event To Celebrate The Work Of Phil DiRe

JazzBuffalo is hosting a free event to commemorate the legendary jazz artist Phil DiRe on Sunday, June 25. The celebration will take place in Slee Hall at the University of Buffalo.

Before passing in May 2021, DiRe wrote and composed a collection of original music titled Legacy. Attendees will receive a free copy of the project at the event. A concert with many of DiRe’s fellow musicians and friends will also take place.

The performing ensemble will be under the direction of George Caldwell, and will feature the likes of Tim Clarke, Preston Brown, Risk Strauss, Wendell Rivera, Nelson Rivera, Sabu Adeyola, and John Hasselbeck Jr.

Throughout the years DiRe had the opportunity to share the stage with artists like Duke Ellington, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr, Gerry Mulligan, and Dizzy Gillespie. Despite his success as a studio musician and as a member of the White House Jazz Quartet, DiRe was best known for the impact he had on others’ lives.

Phil DiRe was a pioneering force in Buffalo, founding the Buffalo Jazz Ensemble in the early 1970s. With the direction of DiRe, Buffalo was able to establish the non-profit Association for Jazz Performance. The organization looked to finance a series of concerts in parks, a cultural center, and a school in the city. Buffalo became one of the first cities in the nation to receive city, state, and federal funding for jazz performances.

Phil DiRe performing before an audience at the steps of the Albright-Knox Art Gallery in 1975

Thanks to the contributions of DiRe, Buffalo has fostered some of the great jazz musicians over the years. The jazz fusion group Spyro Gyra, and artists Joe Ford and Sabu Adeyol all emerged in the city as a result of Buffalo’s commitment to the genre.

As DiRe began to age, he moved down to Florida where he continued to play and enjoy music. Between performing at reunion shows and for his friends, Phil DiRe recorded Legacy while in Florida.

Tickets and information here.

June 8, 2023
Tuning In With The Lost Radio Rounders

Remember the days before Spotify and Apple Music? The feeling of huddling besides a radio as you waited for your favorite song to maybe come buzzing across those tinny speakers? Even if you don’t, you can find a bit of that old-time magic by listening to the Lost Radio Rounders, an acoustic-Americana trio giving a bit of polish and shine to historic tunes.

From left to right, Michael Eck, Tom Lindsay and Paul Jossman – The Lost Radio Rounders

The Lost Radio Rounders are composed of Michael Eck, Tom Lindsay and most recently Paul Jossman, who joined the band in 2021. Together, they play a range of instruments from banjo, to mandolin and even a dobro (a type of resonator guitar).

But it’s their collective voices that are the star attraction, more specifically the songs they sing and the stories they tell.

The Lost Radio Rounders have carved out a niche with shows that are presented as “themed programs,” each of which covers different aspects of America’s rich and varied musical history.

“We wanted to do something a little different, which was present these collections of songs, themed programs that sort of told a story,” band member Tom Lindsay said.

One such program titled, “Cowboy Songs and Frontier Ballads” finds the band pulling western ballads and folk music from the ranch and tv shows depicting the lone rancher life. “Song of Our Empire State” pulls listeners from the Big Apple to the relaxed rolling hills of upstate.

Politics and Patriots is another unique program featuring American presidential campaign songs.

“White House Blues” as performed by the Lost Radio Rounders.

“We look back to the early 1800s and there’s no PA system, there’s no TV, there’s no radio when the politicians were trying to get their message out,” Lindsay explained. “They would create these little pamphlets called songsters and they’d have sent some lyrics in them about how great their candidate is and how terrible the other guy is.”

None of the songs or programs feature original tunes; rather they’ve been passed down through the generations. Lindsay has also served as a teacher of New York State cultural and music history among other things. He has devoted much of his free time to cataloging old songs typically passed through word of mouth or through books.

“What we’re trying to do is keep the songs alive to keep the viewpoints of those people who created them alive,” Lindsay said.

But he also isn’t opposed to making a few stylistic tweaks of his own.

“With 20 verses of a song, we’re going to look at that song, we’re going to say which six of these verses tell the story in the best and linear way,” he said. “We are not going to be “Mr. Authentic” and bore audiences in 2023.”

The Lost Radio Rounders performing live.

The band still keeps some “old-timey” traditions though. When they play live, all three members huddle round a single condenser microphone to give a vintage sound.

But covering American folk tunes isn’t where Eck or Lindsay saw themselves nearly half a century ago. The two met on the local gig circuit and collaborated on a punk rock album in the 80s.

Now their audience is a bit different. The Lost Radio Rounders mostly play private shows, a lot of which are at senior centers and libraries.

“I think that if you talked to Michael and I, when we were 18 and told us we’d be doing this when we’re older, we’d be horrified,” Lindsay admitted. “But it’s wonderful, because you go in, and you play for these people … and the focus is on you.”

The Lost Radio Rounder’s first album, released in 2009.

Put simply, the raucous energy of a crowded bar isn’t conducive to their play style, Lindsay said, which relies on giving a detailed history of the song’s origins.

“We will not get the attention in a bar and nightclub situation most of the time, to give context to material … and we just feel that that’s our strongest point,” Lindsay added.

A private audience on the other hand is more open to the holistic experience the Lost Radio Rounders offer.

“They want to hear more than just the songs,” Lindsay said. “In other words, it’s our philosophy, a good song is nice, but a good song with a good story behind it is even better.”

The band took a brief hiatus when member Michael Eck suffered a stroke in 2021. This prompted the addition of Paul Jossman on banjo, who like Eck is an inductee to the Capital Region Thomas Edison Music Hall of Fame.

Jossman’s addition added new life to the band’s sound, Lindsay said.

“It really injected new life and took us to some places we hadn’t been before and maybe made us look at how we arranged older songs and arrangements,” Lindsay explained. “Quite frankly, after Michael had the stroke, Paul Jossman saved us. He’s the guy who pretty much saved this duo and made it a trio.”

“The Bluestone Quarries” as performed by the Lost Radio Rounders

Eck still holds his own however. Although he needs to sit down at times during live performances, his playing is just as strong as it once was.

“Michael is one of those human beings who have to play music, you know, it’s like, it’s like oxygen for him,” Lindsay added.

But if you are interested in hearing Lost Radio Rounders live, they have a few public shows on the agenda. The band will be playing at the Bennington Museum in Vermont on June 9th at 5pm. On August 27th, they will play at The Linda WAMC Performing Arts Studio in Albany at 8pm. And just announced, they’ll be back at Troy Savings Bank Music Hall on October 10.

The band also has four studio albums, the most recent of which was released in 2016.

Upcoming Lost Radio Rounders shows
Friday, December 22 @ 8:00 – Caffe Lena

Rounders co-founder Michael Eck can’t wait for the bands December 22 Caffe Lena presentation of
the Holiday Sampler, a program he says is “A wonderful mix of songs about the winter season, sacred
and secular Christmas carols, familiar tunes and hidden gems.” Banjo man Paul Jossman added that
“Tom has created a musical setting Robert Frost’s “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” that
people will really enjoy, and all in all, it will be a great way to close out the musical year!”

June 8, 2023