This is post is completely out of the ordinary for me to post on NEW LEASE MUSIC, but this is a subject that is very close to my heart.
This beautiful woman in the picture is my mother, Evadney Dawkins, who died under suspicious at Newham University Hospital on 23rd August 2018. She was 77 years.
After retrieving her medical records, we (the family) discovered that there were evidence that some palliative medications were administered – without her or the family knowledge. At no point was my mother DYING.
Last month, there was a pre-inquest to into my mother’s death. To view the details of the pre-inquest, please read the article published by Newham Recorder:
Through my mother’s story, we want to campaign on behalf of other families who have gone through the same experience. Any type of support will be greatly appreciated, whether you can donate or simply share the crowdfunding link.
It’s time to welcome back one of NEW LEASE MUSIC’s dopest staples, KASTILANO into the interview seat.
The Philly rapper first appeared on the blog with track,‘Still Dreaming‘ in 2013, where the accompanied video received the most views on the blog that year. More recently, his track, ‘Heart & Soul’, was named Song of the Week by the blog in October 2019.
Find out what he’s been to up and how he’s coping with CoVid19 lockdown. NEW ARTISTS take note as this killer rapper have some valuable advice on how to stay ahead of the game during these challenging times!
NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. It has been some time since we last hooked up (last interview was back in 2014). What have you been up to? (include non-music projects, if possible)
K: Hello and thank you for having me back. It’s been a minute so of course I’ve been cooking up since we last spoke. I dropped at least 8 projects and I’ve even learned to direct and edit my own music videos releasing them on my YouTube channel “KillEm KaStilano”.
I’ve started vlogging this past year on different topics like battle rap, album reviews and other thoughts that came to mind. Those videos can be found on my “KillEmTv” channel on YouTube which I also sat behind the camera and became the interviewer which I actually enjoy so please make sure to subscribe to both if you haven’t already. Any and everything else is in the music so tune in.
NLM: So what track(s)/ project(s) do you have coming up?
K: I’m currently 90% finish the long awaited ‘S.H.I.E.L.D 2’ EP which is the sequel and I’m very proud to say I feel it’s even better than the first, filled with more reality rap at it’s finest mixed with elevated flows and some modern day type of beats plus that old school boom bap sound. Next, I will drop ‘The City’s Hero 3: Sinner Meets Savior’ mixtape which is about 75% done. This has a more conscious feel of approach where I touch on much more topics in detail raising the bar and challenging myself on another level. Switching my style of rap to the content and all. I feel with everything going on it would be a disservice to act blind and not acknowledge the more important things in life, so trust me this jawn will hit different. Expect both of these this year and I might have another project come 4th quarter of 2020.
NLM: For anyone who is unfamiliar with your work, how would you describe your sound and what inspires you to produce your tracks?
K: That’s a good question. I say my sound is uniquely independent of the majority of what you hear today. I remain in my own lane not sounding like anyone nor looking to conform to what is the in sound. I’m stubborn and will only do it my way so expect that. Expect non apologetic reality bars based on my life and those close to more or around me. I paint vivid pictures with a street point of view but also a common sense point of view. I’ll forever give you both sides of the coin.
Now what inspires me is still the beat, I mean it speaks to me 1st and foremost. Outside of that everybody and everything that’s not me inspires me to be me from the dope artist on down to those I’m not too fond of. It all fuels the fire in me to write for our youth and my peers bringing something different to the table creating some sort of balance out here. I always play my music to people, from old to new so they can see the growth. It’s that acknowledgement that inspires me for strangers to say they really respect what I do.
NLM: How has the current climate (CoVid19 pandemic) and lockdown affected you as an artist who is always pumping out music?
K: Fortunately, it hasn’t affected me at all. I’m always working and such a perfectionist, I usually have a bunch of unreleased music which allows me to drop music consistently whenever I want. Now I have only been to the studio once since Covid19 but I usually record about 3 songs per hour. Recently I haven’t been shooting videos nor performing even before this pandemic but my numbers have actually been up so I can’t complain.
NLM: What advice would you give to new artists who are trying to get noticed in these challenging times?
K: Take your time, dig deep and write your best material. Don’t force anything and if you’re able to record, do so and release some music old or new it doesn’t matter long as it’s good. Take advantage while people are in slow motion. Use your platform to the best of your ability to promote at least once a day. Lastly, but most importantly, believe in yourself and build strong solid relationships with those who believe in you. BE YOURSELF!!!
NLM: If there’s ONE mainstream artist you would like to spend time with during the lockdown period, who would it be and why?
NLM: I honestly was gonna say nobody, but after thinking a minute I’d say Kayne West. He seemed to have struggled spiritually for some time (as we all do or have at some point) but he is clearly gifted musically. Now for me I was never a fan of him nor his music (which I thought was OK). I really only heard his last two albums fully which I really enjoyed. For him to denounce the music he once made and proclaim JESUS Is King on his last album I feel is very courageous and I commend him for it. That actually inspired and gave me the confidence to do many songs on ‘The City’s Hero 3: Sinner Meets Saviour’ mixtape. I’d be honored to sit and bust it up with him about his journey and what led up to this point. I actually can somewhat relate and I empathise with the brother to give up what you once thought was everything only to realise it really meant nothing.
NLM: What is the first thing you would like to do once the lockdown period is over?
K: Go to the house of prayer and worship with fellow believers! To be truthful I’ve
been having the time of my life being able to spend time with my family I don’t
normally have the time to. I’m working out more not as stressed because my
worries of fast life have come to a halt.
I’m so grateful my family and I are still blessed during these times so, most
importantly, I can study God’s word more than I ever have during this time right
now. I encourage all to take advantage I mean store bathrooms are clean now,
people are giving you 6 feet in line, life is being taken more seriously. It’s a
beautiful time to be alive I’m in no rush to get back to what is so called normal.
NLM: So what are your plans for the rest of the year?
K: I wanna put these next few projects out and drop some videos along with it.
Continue to build solid relationships with the right people and even collaborate
with more talented dope artists. Hopefully I’d like to bring more great content
vlogging more and doing more interviews with those who bring forth greatness
that I can share with my followers. Most importantly, I wanna continue to grow
level up and mature.
NLM: Finally, if music didn’t exist, what profession would you do?
K: Since a youth, I would have normally said a basketball player but now I would
probably say an author or an artist of some sort because I love to create
bringing different thoughts and ideas to life.
Before I slide I gotta say thank you for the continuous support you have shown
me I really appreciate it. Also I want to acknowledge all of your hard work put in
throughout the years and encourage you to keep going. I’m outta here so until
next time it’s KillEm!!!
JOSHUA LUKE SMITH‘s latest mixtape, ‘Beats And Pieces Volume Two’, stemmed from a difficult time when his wife and his father were in hospital – at the same time.
The result of his latest set could have been predictably dark and melancholic. Instead a soothing and comforting presence of soulful boombap runs throughout the best part of the collection, with Joshua’s lucidly smooth delivery adding some hope and optimism.
Tracks ‘Joy’ and ‘Circles’ provides another dimension to the set with intensively imitate arrangements, prompting the prospective listener to really home in and resonate with the message in each productions.
Now this guy has produced the entire mixtape under a month – he wrote the lyrics of each song in a hospital waiting room whilst being with his wife and father. Joshua gets my utmost respect as, in a time of distress, he produced a stunning collection that displays an unflappable appreciation for life.
‘Beats And Pieces, Vol.2’ should be a reminder to us all that there’s always light at the end of the tunnel…no matter how hard life gets…Check it out below…
Hailing all the way from NYC, indie rapper KINGMONEYMARK makes his entry onto today’s limelight with this super smooth, summer-ready track titled ‘Get Away’.
Although this banger is clearly for the lovers, the title of the track can also apply to anyone at the moment, as we all dream of getting away from the current climate.
Time to escape from the craziness and check out ‘Get Away below…
ASANDA JEZILE‘s debut single ‘Photogenic’ may be a summer charged banger, but beyond the boastful R&B/trap arrangements, there is a serious message that we all need to take note of….
‘Photogenic’ was came to fruition after Asanda appeared on Britain’s Got Talent at the age of 11, when she came under criticism following her first televised BGT audition. Her cover of ‘Diamonds’ by Rihanna was praised by many including the star judging panel consisting of Simon Cowell, Amanda Holden, Alesha Dixon & David Walliams…however some viewers criticised the performance for being too mature for someone who was so young, especially given the sexualised theme of the track. Despite the criticism, Asanda went on to capture the hearts of the nation with a series of show stopping performances on the hit ITV talent show. The young talent – who is now 18 years old – made it all the way to the live grand final attracting over 13 million TV viewers.
Speaking out on why the talent show inspired her the write ‘Photogenic’, Asanda said, “I had a lot of negative comments after my BGT performance, but I was just being real. At the time ‘Diamonds’ was one of my favourite songs, and Rihanna is an artist who I truly respect, so why wouldn’t I want to perform it on national TV? I totally understand why some people may have thought that I was pushed into singing that song by the TV company, but the negativity taught me that even if you do the right thing you’ll never be able to please everyone. ‘Photogenic’ is my way of saying “this is me, I don’t care what you think, I’m proud and I’m confident of who I am, I hope you like it, but if you don’t – that’s fine too.”
Citing British urban powerhouse Stormzy and female MC Steff London as inspiration, Asanda hopes that the her inspiring, self confidence fuelled lyrics in ‘Photogenic’ will become the soundtrack to the lives of young people at a time when the “be kind” message has never more relevant.
“We love to capture every moment of our life and look back through the memories in years to come. We all want to look good on the outside, but being photogenic is about inner beauty and confidence as well. In today’s world of social media, you have to be confident in yourself as there’s so much negativity and judgement online”, she says.
Later this year Asanda is planning to take her “be kind, be you” message into schools as part of a nationwide initiative raising awareness of cyberbullying and online safety.
‘Photogenic’ is out now on all major platforms…check it out below…
