Will Singe on Saturday, February 11th, 2017 (Benjamin Esakof/Roman's Rap-Up Media Group,LLC)
Roman's Rap-Up caught up with music-sensation William Singe backstage before his recent show in Boston. The singer talked about his much anticipated RCA Records debut single "Rush," his current tour, and upcoming music plans.
Check out the interview below:
Just when you think she is fading away as most do after their prime, she's back!
Lady Gaga delivered a knockout performance at Super Bowl 51 Sunday night, leaping from the roof of NRG Stadium in Houston after a uniting intro (with the help of hundreds of Intel-powered drones). The Interscope-singer went on to sing her greatest hits, as well as new track from her newest album, Joanne.
Check out the performance above.
(G.O.O.D Music / Def Jam Recordings)
Big Sean’s 4th album, I Decided was Friday. The album cover has two men standing parallel to one another, solidifying the idea that remains throughout the album showing his old self and who he is now. The album features an intro and 13 songs that boast a collection of raps and classic hip-hop vibes.
Check out our track-by-track run through below:
"The intro" brings in an older man talking about his life, and tells a wisdom and experience to a younger demographic.
"The Light" sends the message that nothing can stop what’s inside you, and the light that inspires oneself comes from one's core. The harmonic and uplifting vibes come through to stimulate and motivate.
"Bounce Back" gives off the vibe of the unwavering persona that Big Sean encompasses and takes the skill of recovering and turns it into a fresh radio hit. The verses put across the skill and expertise of fusing the rap with a catchy energy.
"No Favors" brings in esteemed rapper, Eminem, who joins Big Sean on the song. The dynamic between him and Sean plays throughout. His laid back verses seem to contrast nicely with Eminem’s mile a minute and belligerent words. The song personifies the idea of getting to where a person is without a helping hand.
"Jump Out The Window" is a chill song, that provides a laid-back vibe. The song is about a guy who can’t seem to get a girl, so he’s ready to move on.
“Moves" is another radio friendly single as it explores all that Big Sean has to offer. From his progress in the industry, to what a female presence has to offer, is all discussed in the song.
"Timing is everything," and it shows in Big Sean’s “Same Time Pt.1” which takes listeners on a tour of two people that unite over and over again. The track also features Jhene Aiko of Twenty88, the duo Sean belongs to with Jhene.
"Owe Me," the piano led song tells the story of a girl that was involved with the rapper, who didn’t fulfill all that he wanted, and who is now trying to reenter his life. The relationship seems to be volatile, and plays into the back and forth feeling of the lyrics and rhythm. The song gets put on hold at the end by a paparazzi reporter who seems to be trying to figure out what the relationship is between the two people.
"Halfway off the Balcony" makes as a smooth melody of beats and verses. The intense track, covers and talks about the challenges of being an artist in this day and age. It explores themes like the temptation of being in artificial relationships over platonic ones, upholding the image that parents have in their minds, and keeping a stable mind in the music industry. The song ends with a voice ignoring the call from his mother, because he is too busy.
"Voices In My Head/ Stick To The Plan” showcases Big Sean going on about the various speakers in his brain, that tell him various distractions and thoughts on actions he has done or is going to do. The song covers a mental overload and it translates to a relatable and comprehensive exploration of the mental psyche.
The song “Sunday Morning Jetpack,” is a feel good tune that shows how grateful Big Sean is. He recalls old memories, chanting about the nostalgia and how it has stuck with him.
Big Sean talks about his extremely impactful mother in “Inspire Me.” The ‘son-to-mother’ song shows a real authenticity and almost seems like the listener is hearing a beautiful letter of love and appreciation to his mother.
“Inspiration” features acclaimed rap group Migos, including heated production and heated verses that talk about all the forfeits the artists have made to make this music.
The last song on the album, “Bigger Than Me” featuring The Flint Chosen Choir & Starrah, is a personal favorite. The soulful performance puts forward a realization theme of everything being left up to a larger force. The choir and Starrah round out the song and deliver powerful and pleasurable sound. The song’s ending features a voice recording from a cellphone talk with Big Sean and his mom, relating and appreciating one another.
I Decided is a strong contender for one of the best projects the Detroit-rapper has released. On each track, Big Sean proves he is not to be reckoned with. Leading the album with the previous release of singles “Bounce Back” and “Moves,” the bar was set high, and it does in fact live up to the expectations.
Big Sean is hitting the road this Spring! See tour dates below:
Max Schneider poses for RRU staff (Mike Zahar/Roman's Rap-Up).
You may remember him from the world of Nickelodeon or Youtube, but his current work is at the forefront of a new phase. Max Schneider’s grounded nature and raw relationship with music allows him to explore different facets of his artistic capability that have not yet been shared. While drawing inspiration from singers such as Etta James, Stevie Wonder, and James brown, his soulful voice and musical stylings contribute a richness to his pop sound. He has been very hard at work, promoting himself as MAX, an independent artist, with his latest single, “Lights Down Low” featuring Gnash, while working on a new project, “Party Pupils” which takes a more anonymous approach.
Max Schneider poses for RRU staff (Mike Zahar/Roman's Rap-Up).
“It’s been so cool because I think, on a solo thing with ‘MAX’ it’s like the least googleable thing ever which it was it is. On the other hand, when it’s your solo thing you want to be able to brand yourself but at the same time it’s like, the only thing you can really do is be yourself… so with this, it’s been so natural… from the name, to the artwork, to the visuals to like the whole concept of the whole project wanting it to all be animated. People sometimes won’t know what I go by or what I sing but they may know me but with this world, they fuck with the name party pupils and they don’t even know who we are, which is kind of fucking awesome.”
“Lights Down Low,” is a stripped down love song written for his wife of one year. With a very raw and simple sound, Max’s sentimental lyrics work with a carefully placed melody that demonstrates his innate vocal inclination and undeniable musicianship. “Lyrics are everything to me,” Max said, “in that it allows you to realize there are so many songs being written, and there’s only so many ways you can write certain songs with certain words in a certain language and of course that brings into melody and how melody is obviously the most universal language in music.” Max approaches his projects as a genuine, mature and seasoned musician as shown in the material he releases.
“There’s a part in the bridge of Lights Down Low where I kept thinking to myself, what am I giving this person I want to spend the rest of my life with?... It’s this energy that travels throughout time that somehow finds itself again and in that line, it’s a simple thing I’m like ‘can you feel this energy, take it.’ That’s where the lyric comes into play in being so important, in finding what’s the way to convey the melodic emotion and to find exactly what you want to say to that person.”
Max continues to discuss his relationship with his wife, and how it has molded his perspective on love and life. He talks about the word “urge” tattooed on his finger: “I just got this in Hawaii with my wife it’s a matching tattoo,” Max said. He said they knew they loved each other only a matter of weeks in, but they felt it was too early to say it. “So we would say ‘the urge’ and we would say it all the time… It’s important to remember why you started being with this person,” he said. His entertainment and life experience provides a solid foundation for his upcoming projects and exploration of his own music. In the true sense of the term, Max is a renaissance man, exploring a new stage of his career with the same undying passion.
Check out more photos from Digital Cover shoot below:
(Atlantic Records)
SweetSexySavage, the long-awaited debut album from R&B songstress Kehlani, was released Friday. The album follows a long list of singles, and of course, the Grammy nominated mixtape, You Should Be Here, which was released in 2015 to much critical acclaim. The much anticipated album, which announces her presence in powerful and raw ways, boasts lyrics dealing with love and embraces the notion of being a sweet, sexy, and savage woman.
The lengthy track listing of eighteen songs offer appealing in-house production and catchy lyrics that draw in the listener. In the “Intro”, Kehlani brings in an uncredited woman who recites words from her heart, which is a common theme that follows throughout the album. She tackles her emotional past, life lessons, and how she has found herself. “Keep On" addresses how she feels about a guy who takes her back after all she has put him through. "Piece Of Mind" shows her trying to distance herself from all the stress and feelings that go into relationships.
The sexy songs "Distraction" and "Undercover" provide hits fit for the radio and boast strong vocals and repetitive verses. The album also offers "CRZY," which gives an unapologetic outlook of how the young singer deals with negativity, and how she sees a silver lining. The Savage comes out in the songs, "Not Used To It," "Too Much," and "Do U Dirty," where she sings in a more lewd and raunchy way.
The record showcases sweet and intimate ballads like "Everything Is Yours", "Escape," "Personal," and "Hold Me By The Heart", where she puts it all on the line and delves into the romantic love aspect of life. She thanks her fans in the emotional song "Thank You" and ends on the silky R&B song, "I Wanna Be."
SweetSexySavage is a phenomenal debut album that solidifies Kehlani’s place in the music industry. Coming out from a year full of drama, including cheating rumors, and a suicide attempt, this project shows that regardless of your situation, you can turn it around for the better. With SweetSexySavage, Kehlani created a passion-filled album that reveals a fragile, yet strong and confident artist who is destined to rise to the top.
Kehlani will embark on a massive world tour this February. Get tickets to see Kehlani in a city near you over at Ticketmaster.
