A Quick Chat With…Richi Camarena

When I heard RICH CAMARENA‘s uniquely blissful vocals on single, ‘Promise You’, my heart immediately melted…for some reason, on the single, he reminds me of a male version of Sadè…. and for that reason alone, I had to find out more about the Mexican singer/songwriter. I’m so glad I did, as Richi comes across as one of the most lovely and genuine person I’ve interviewed on NEW LEASE MUSIC. So please sit comfortably and get ready to be acquainted with this promising upcoming artist…

NLM: Hey, thank you for taking part in an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. How is 2024 treating you so far?

RC: Thank you for showcasing my music. It’s been a great year so far. I’ve got featured on your blog, I released a new single that was very well received, I’m also working on an EP and there’s a music video in the works for a future song.

NLM: You released your single, ‘Promise You’ back in March. What is the public perception of the single so far?

RC: I’ve received some DMs on social media about how they are using my song to tell their loved ones how they feel. This is song is on the list of some of my most streamed songs, so, I feel very very happy.

NLM: What inspired you to produce/write the single?

RC: My girlfriend was the reason behind the lyrics, she has been an incredible support and inspiration for my music. She was the one who suggested me to start making music. And, when she went through some rough times, I wrote her this song to make her feel better, it then became the full song itself.

NLM: How would you describe the single’s sound to potential fans?

RC: It is a love song that serves as a promise for your loved ones, one that you can listen to while driving with your partner, laying down with your eyes closed, or even when proposing to the people you want to spend the rest of your life with.

NLM: What message would you like the listeners to take away from your single?

RC: Love is as complicated as you want it to be. But, when you find the right person, loving is easy, everything just works. And, no matter how hard a situation might be, or how bad you might be feeling, the right person will always be there for you, and you will always be there for your special person.

NLM: Are there any plans to release an official video for the single?

RC: I thought about this at first, but I don’t think I will release a video for this song, I’m planning on doing one for a future song, but, for this one, definitely not.

NLM: If you had to feature one mainstream artist on ‘Promise You’, who would it be and why?

RC: This was a tough one, but I think Justin Bieber would be a great feature for this song.

NLM: What plans do you have in store for 2024?

RC: My intention is to release a few more singles, then an EP, an official music video and maybe, a small tour in my hometown.

NLM: How can potential fans find you?

RC: In every streaming platform they can find me as “Richi Camarena”, on social media, my handle for Instagram, TikTok and X is @richicamarena, for Facebook and YouTube is @richicamarenaofficial

NLM: Finally, if music didn’t exist, what other professional would you do?

RC: An actor for sure, I love acting, I love drama, so, maybe an actor.

Richi Camarena has a new single out called ‘That’s Okay’. Why not find out more here.

Song of the Day: High – Muva Of Earth

A spiritual soul inspired by nature, life and her experience living as an Afrikan woman, listening to MUVA OF EARTH is like planting your feet in rich warm soil; blending spiritual mantras and conscious lyricism, her music is truly transformative. The South East Londoner invites us into her Afro-spiritual world with single ‘High’ as she announces her signing to Brownswood Recordings.

A thought-provoking and harmonic single lush with muva’s ethereal vocals and a chugging hip hop drum beat produced by Stephen Wesley Holmes, ‘High’ encapsulates a human’s ability to shape, transform and play with their own point of view – reframing nervousness into excitement and making the most out of a negative situation, resulting in a value-creating experience that demonstrates the power of manifestation.

Speaking on the single, muva of Earth says: “I wanted to make a song about being high on life. You may initially think that this is another song about DrugZ however my artistry will always intend to push my audience to new and greater ways of thinking…. I remember writing ‘High’ in my bedroom whilst hanging out with my sister Angel. I had the hook in my mind for a while and would continue singing and writing more lyrics on my bus journey’s, drawing from London and my own personal experience for inspiration”

Born in Brixton to Nigerian parents as Davina Adeosun-Bright (Davina, which originates from the word ‘divinity’, Adeosun pronounced A – de – o – shu is yoruba tongue and means ‘Crown of Ọṣun’ which is a dedication to the orisha and goddess of the river, Ọṣun), muva of Earth was raised to be strong and independent. Influenced by everyone from Beyonce, Sade, Alice Coltrane, Fela Kuti, Nai Palm, Andre 3000, Blood Orange, Princess Nokia, Little Simz and more, muva of Earth left home in Kent to move back to London in her teenage years to give her the freedom to immerse herself into her music – studying at college whilst gracing stages around London with her soulful tones. By connecting to her Yoruba roots, muva of Earth’s music explores the complexities of identity, the self and human connections over a bed of afrofuturistic rhythms and atmospheric horns.

Have a listen to this beautiful single below…

Lauren Cruz Shares Break-Up Song, ‘Wonder’

New Jersey’s singer and producer, LAUREN CRUZ‘s new single, ‘Wonder’ captures that feeling of nostalgia after the end of a relationship. Whilst wishing the former other half the best, Cruz ponders and compares herself to the new flame over a soothing neon cut.

Despite being orphaned at the age of eleven, Cruz has forged a path as a promising female writer, producer and singer all from the confines of her bedroom. Taking inspiration from Sade, Majid Jordan and Tame Impala, her meticulously-crafted brand of neon RnB/pop has been featured on Spotify’s Fresh Finds and Fresh Finds: Poptronix.

So keep an eye on this 23-year-old intriguing upriser as she has more material coming out very soon…but for now, listen to the mesmerising single below…

Keltoum delivers a superb jazzy soul jam, ‘Stop To Play’.

Taken from her debut eponymous EP, ‘Stop To Play’ is the latest single to be released from KELTOUM. The fast-emerging artist from France is already being compared to leaders in her field like Sade, Jill Scott and Erykah Badu as her neo-soul and pop influences caress from all sides. An original composer and player KELTOUM also brings to the table a unique French sensibility which demonstrates the sort of warmth felt by Janet Jackson or perhaps Alicia Keys at their most impassioned. The list of greats she could be compared to could go on but KELTOUM herself has struck her own blend of jazz and smoky vocal which is hard not to melt away to.

KELTOUM has already picked up fans across the board including some distinguished influencers like Gilles Peterson among others at Jazz FM and beyond. Her live show is also on another level as the energy of her trio seem to get the best of her tantalizing subtle soul voice bringing emotion to all who see her play, such as those who attended Gilles’ Worldwide festival in Sète last year where she completely bowled over the crowd.

Check out ‘Stop To Play below…and while you’re at it…take out and listen to her EP – ABSOLUTELY STUNNING.