Newcomer ISIS is making some serious waves with her latest single ‘UNDERGROUND’, earning a hotspot on this blog. The Brannew Entertainment recruit’s offering was recently placed first in the Push Power Hits unsigned song contest.
This Philly female emcee is not playing around, check out her fire production.
A lot of serious music fans tend to dismiss reality competition shows. They can certainly seem very commercial, and there are indications that they’re ultimately more scripted than they look on TV. That said, the talent on display is real, and a lot of the artists who get the opportunity to perform on these shows don’t have fan bases, radio play, or studio connections to their names. The Four is the latest of these shows, and we just got word that Fox would be renewing the series after the conclusion of a successful first season. So does this mean it’s going to be the next great indie artist mine, a la American Idol or The Voice?
If you saw promos for this show and dismissed it as something less than serious, you could be forgiven. For one thing, it seemed more or less like a ripoff of The Voice at first glance. There were to be four celebrity judges, various stages of competition between contestants, and even the staging vaguely resembled that of The Voice. Naturally the competition works a little bit differently, but The Four looked like (and is) more of an imitation than an original concept. Plus, it sort of has a silly name.
You might also have thought the show looked like a sort of vanity project for P. Diddy (or Sean Combs, or Diddy, or whatever it is these days). The iconic hip-hop artist is known for tackling different pursuits and staying in the public eye. He’s guest starred with younger rappers, appeared in films, and even gained a name for himself on the poker circuit. In fact, Diddy was asked to place the first bet on brand new blackjack tables in Atlantic City once – perhaps the perfect example of how his mere presence can enhance a project. Thus, you might wonder if The Four is more or less a money-making win-win between Fox and the rapper.
I know at least that these are some of the reasons I didn’t initially take The Four seriously. But having actually tuned in to some of the later episodes, I was hit with that same realization: that as commercial and promotional as these shows can look, they still showcase some extraordinary talent. As every struggling musician well understands, there are just more artists than there are career opportunities in this business, and these shows tend to highlight that fact. Fielding competitors from countrywide auditions and competitions, they tend to find countless people who are every bit as talented as the artists topping the charts.
I’ll issue a slight spoiler alert here in case you haven’t seen the finale yet or you’re interested in watching the whole first season. But if you want an idea of the kind of performer The Four is uncovering, take a look at this piece on the finale, and the artist who won it all. Her final performance of “Ain’t No Sunshine” is about as impressive as anything you can hear on a radio these days, and it’s wonderful to see another previously unknown artist get her moment.
Here’s hoping The Four continues to be a helpful tool for discovering artists and bringing them the success they deserve.
Adding to the lineage of talent emerging from the Midlands, Coventry native ICEY STANLEY join forces with Ironik in his latest single ‘SNM’. Having previously worked together on Ironik’s album ‘Truth Be Told’ the pair bring a new dimension to their sound by delving into smooth R&B influences where the tantalising melodic flow compliments sleek piano loops that echo throughout the track.
Establishing his roots within Coventry’s Hip Hop scene, ICEY STANLEY garnered initial attention via his local music community. His recognition began to spiral as he was seen supporting UK artists including JME, Fuse ODG, Meridian Dan, Big Narstie, Lady Leshurr and Devlin whilst his electric performances and aptitude at stage delivery awarded him with the opportunities to play shows in Africa, Europe and America including sets at The Global Youth Conference in Carolina and Loveworld Music Festival in Nigeria, exposing his musical prowess to different audiences across the world.
Delving into reminiscent state of mind with ‘SNM’ the track is fuelled with “Late night feels; when you’re left alone with your thoughts”- Icey Stanley
Vocal powerhouse JEORGIA delivers stripped-back sultry vocals in her retrospective single ‘Think Of Me’. Reflecting on the turmoil of past relationships JEORGIA delves into an introspective mind-set as she reiterates the million-dollar question; does he still ‘Think Of Me’.
Her emotive vocals echo through the depths of the track, which is laced with a crisp yet delicate tone that showcases her fine tuned vocal range. The stripped back, piano-led instrumental remains the backdrop of the track and the isolation of her vocals creates a sense of vulnerability, yet a strong sense of strength rises through as her compelling tone is given the space to shine.
JEORGIA‘s incredible vocal ability is unquestionable and the south London native was the one of the first artists to be signed to the recently created Amy Winehouse Management. Having built a loyal following via the release of standout YouTube covers, she also received recognition on Link Up TV where she performed her own renditions of Adele’s ‘Someone Like You’ on the hugely popular ‘Behind Barz’ series.
Music is the catalyst that fuels JEORGIA’s creativity and her stunning voice harbours her passion for the art. Delving into the realities of moving on and heartbreak ‘Think Of Me’ paints the perfect picture
Check it out!
Producer DIZZY RAMBUNCTIOUS continues his run of tracks, this time with sizzler entitled ‘Bamboozled’, coming from his upcoming album ‘Lightheaded II’ dropping on Valentine’s Day..check it out!
If you’re a musician and you’re feeling this piece of instrumental, why not hit him up on Twitter or Facebook.
