Author: Henry Niccodemus

Brooklyn-based outfit Social Robot goes back to the future with an 80s-inspired pop-rock album “Outreach Program”, released April Fools Day (SocialRobot.HearNow.com).  Inspired by Talking Heads and David Bowie, lead singer Bayard Russell sings about technology and alienation over grooves that invoke Erasure, Electric Youth, and Anoorak.

What reviewers said about Social Robot’s albums so far:

• “Brooklyn band Social Robot’s sophomore album “Outreach Program” brings tapedeck 80s synthwave vibes as vocalist Bayard Russell sweetly skewers the attention economy and data overload” says Nagamag Magazine.
• “US outfit showcase their debut album with this smooth and sweeping pop-rock delight, with hints of The 1975”, said Mystic Sons of Social Robot’s debut album “The Botz Sessions.”

What reviewers said about Bayard Russell’s solo album Selftitled:

• “Russell delivers simple, catchy songs with honest lyrics straight from his broken heart. He effortlessly takes what most of us would consider as bad situations and makes light of them, and in doing so he creates a responsive bond of some sort with his listeners.” -HotIndieNews.com
• “Mr. Russell sings in a warm, intimate style that avoids in-your-face anger or a passive aggressive demand you love him as a fan. “Living at My Mom’s” laments his lack of foresight in one failed relation, and “I Will Chase You” leads him into just such another learning experience. You may not learn much from Bayard yourself, but listening to him grope his way through life is a calming experience.” – Ink9
• “Here is some deliciously sweet indie pop from NY artist Bayard Russell — think John Mayer meets The Postal Service…some very honest lyrics that make you take light of a situation that would otherwise cause you to shudder in pain.” – AudioDrums.com
• “Should stardom befall on Russell, and there’s no reason to see why it won’t, this debut is a glaring reason for him to keep the music coming from his bedroom, as well as his heart.” -Northeast Performer Magazine

The world of music has always been spiced up when exceptional artists come along and surprise us. Once again, the world of music has been blessed by Hello Fiasco. Hello Fiasco is a fire-brand Pop Rock group of five that comes from both Canada and the USA. They are on the rise and without flattering them too much, Hello Fiasco is great! Their tracks have tons of lyrical quality and their overall sound is epic. Apart from the uniqueness that can be found in their tone, you might think they are Cold Play.

Their debut album titled “Find the Shoreline” is an absolute worldie and so is the first single from the album: “Hold me Close.” “Hold me Close” is not just a hit song in my opinion; it goes beyond that. It is a banger and a mix of indescribable artistic beauty all at once. The highly-rated and emerging band were fortunate enough to have worked with some of the best of producers and sound engineers in the music business, and the result is songs like “Hold Me Close.” Much to the delight of fans, topafricmusicvideo did an interview with Hello Fiasco, and this is what they had to say about themselves:

Q & A

Q: Can you please tell our readers your real name as well as your stage name?
We are a 5-piece Pop Rock band named Hello Fiasco from both Canada and the US.

Q: At What age did you start making music?
There are five of us so all different ages.

Q: what genre would you consider yourself?
We are definitely a Pop Rock Band.

Q: Tell us about your latest track or Video ( what is it all about)–Please explain the concept or message
We just released a song called “Hold Me Close” in May. It’s the lead-off single from our debut album and we are super excited that the song already hit 300,000 streams on Spotify and 100,000 views on YouTube, before we even release the album. The album itself, titled “Find The Shoreline, is officially released on August 4 but it has already had 1,000,000 plays on Spotify and been added to over 2,000 playlists there as well.

Q: Who wrote it and what was the inspiration behind it
The track was written by all 5 band members and our producer John Paul Peters. He writes and produces everything with us.

Q: If you were given a chance, which Artist would you love to perform with?
Well, that is a tough one, but there are a few of us in the band that would for sure like do a show with either The Killers, Muse, Pearl Jam, The Arkells or Cold Play.

Q: Where can fans find you? List all your social media links
SPOTIFY
APPLE
WEBSITE
YOUTUBE
LINKTREE
TIKTOK
INSTAGRAM
FB
TWITTER

The Track: Hold Me Close

Since the track was released early to Spotify on the 5th of May, Hold Me Close has been streamed over three hundred thousand times of major streaming platforms. The album itself, “Find The Shoreline” now has 1,200,000 plays, even though it is only set to be released worldwide on August 4.

The song “Hold Me Close” is flavored with rhythmic synth beats, well timed rimshots and drum kicks, beautiful piano syncopation and a powerful but sonorous voice to match it all. At first, the song starts with a syncopation of synth beats as the voice of Hello Fiasco emerges into the background.

Fast forward to the end of the first verse, there is a moment of beauty, as the song explodes and spirals into the chorus. The sudden wave of sound hits differently and sends you straight to cloud 9. Click the link below to stream the track.
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Hold Me Close Lyrics

Lyrically, “Hold me close” is a masterpiece and can be found on Hello Fiasco’s official website. Overall, the hook of the song “We do the things that we’ve done over and over before, a new experience is all that I’m asking you for” paints the perfect picture of the what the song is trying to say. After all, we all remember that feeling of being locked inside with our partners during COVID, and we also remember how the whole experience of COVID caused strain on our personal relationships. Even more so, we also remember that feeling of wanting to escape and do something outside. This video is a beatiful representation of that sentiment.

Below is the lyric of the song

[verse 1]

Why don’t we step outside -Take a car ride

Why don’t we catch a flick – Maybe we will click

Like we used to way back when we were new

We do the things that we’ve done over and over before

A new experience is all that I’m asking you for

[chorus]

Hold me close and help me remember

Can you hold me close like there’s no other

I wish you would hold me close like there’s nothing else

[​verse 2]

Should I have shared the shame

Have I been wrong to blame

My courage it comes in waves

And then it pulls away

I never say a thing – I never say a thing

​We do the things that we’ve done over and over before

A new experience is all that I’m asking you for

​[Chorus]

Can you hold me close and help me remember

Can you hold me close like there’s no other

I wish you would hold me close like there’s nothing else

Can you hold me close and help me remember

Can you hold me close like there’s no other

I wish you

I wish you would hold me close like there’s nothing else

Like there’s nothing else

Hold Me Close Video​

On YouTube, the official video of Hold Me Close has recorded over one hundred thousand views since it premiered in May. The video has also received a lot of positive reviews from fans and music lovers alike. Visuals of the hit track involve alternating scenes of a couple who are struggling, but eventually they find their way to happiness. It’s great that you get to see the band performing the song in different scenes. All of this was somehow crammed into 3 minutes and 42 seconds of absolute delight.

Here is the video below

About the Artist

Prior to 2021, ex-members of The Mailman’s Children collaborated with other Canadian musicians to record 23 original songs. The freshly formed Pop Rock band, Hello Fiasco, made their public debut at the beginning of 2021. Hello Fiasco is primarily Canadian, but the music band is also referred to as a “North American” band  because their lead singer Eric LaBossiere was born in Canada and now resides in the US. The rest of the crew including Joel Couture on bass, Joel Perreault on lead guitars and supporting vocals, Ivan Burke on drums and backing vocals, and Guy Abraham on keys and Ableton all reside in Canada.

On August 4, “Find The Shoreline,” the group’s debut album, will be made accessible globally (2022). John Paul Peters, a renowned Canadian producer, and frontman Eric LaBossiere collaborated on its co-production.

Topafricmusicvideo.com

“Born Alone Die Alone” talks about a true fact of life which is that we are born alone and we will die alone. Duvee’s message in this song is crystal clear and resonates with those who understand the concept of “Man in the Mirror”. The man in the mirror doesnt wait for things to happen, he makes them happen. He is a little bit selfish because he looks after number 1 which is self. The message says hussle hard every day untill you die. Most people worry so much about others but Mr. Duvee Davis is telling them to worry more about themselves.

Duvee’s rap style comes accross in a two step trap beat. One minute he is tongue twisting, the next minute he is rapping. He shows his multi-talent by also singing part of the hook which says ” I will die alone” and at the same time he replies with “Born Alone Die Alone, I hussle everyday untill im gone”  niccproject.com got a chance to ask the upcoming artist a few questions and here is what he had to say:

Q: Can you please tell our readers your real name as well as your stage name?
Real name and stage name – Duvee Davis

Q: Where are you from and Where are you based?
I moved around alot in America but I started my hip hop career in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn New York.

Q: At What age did you start making music?
15

Q: what genre would you consider yourself?
Hip Hop

Q: Tell us about your latest track or Video ( what is it all about)–Please explain the concept or message
My latest video is called “Born Alone Die Alone” and it is a song about self-reliance and the video is filmed in Chinatown in Bangkok

Q: Who wrote it and what was the inspiration behind it
Written by – Duvee Davis and the inspiration is based off of my experience in life and how when things are going bad and you are all alone you need to rely on yourself.

Q: If you were given a chance, which Artist would you love to perform with?
Ariana Grande because she is hot.

Q: Where can fans find you? List all your social media links

Duvee Davis’ Instagram

Duvee Davis’ Facebook

Duvee Davis Youtube

The track “Buttermilk” took me way back to 1998 when Mos Def & Talib Kweli released the album titled “Black Star”. “Aktu el Shabazz” sounds exactly like a mixture of Mos Def & Talib Kweli put together. Immediately after hearing 30 seconds of the track, my mind and soul went straight back to 1998 Texas Southern University which was the school I attended and I truly had an out of body experience.

“Buttermilk” brings back the euphoria and nostalgic feeling I had back in those school days when I would be driving in my Ford expedition with my hip hop music blasting really high from the car speakers and everyone on campus staring at me as if I was crazy. “Aktu el Shabazz” must be a reincarnation from this era because his voice and style of rap truly takes you back to the 90s.

The track is smooth and cool to any listeners ears as the baseline drops and “Aktu el Shabazz” drops his lyrical genius right on the beat. He starts the track with the hook which says “smooth like a buttermilk biscuit” and then drops a verse which is truly smoother than a Buttermilk biscuit. He further went on to dribble our minds with his rhythmic words and melodic flow. He truly can rap better and faster than most of the popular rappers we know.           

This is true hip hop at its best and a true rapper who spits really good verses that make alot of sense. He will have you glued to the radio all day long just with his slick voice, thoughtful words, and banging beats.  I have no doubt in my mind that he was heavily influenced by rappers like Lauryn Hill and Common
Dont only take my words for it but please listen to the track on Spotify and judge for yourself.

Dr. Alban releases the single ”CHANGE (I Have a Dream)” that addresses the current state of the world with a message that freedom is a human right, not a privilege, and that you should raise your voice against injustice and oppression. The lyrics for the song is inspired by one of his personal heroes, Martin Luther King. The single also features the GRAMMY-award winning artist/songwriter Whitney Peyton. With over 16 million sold albums that includes hits like ”It’s my life”,” Hello Africa and “Sing Hallelujah”, Dr. Alban continues his mission to spread the word about unity, that is beautifully manifested in the lyrics; ” We’re one people, one nation, one world”. 

PRESS RELEASE:

Hip Hop Artist Crunch Releases New Single While Highlighting Behind The Scenes Career L.A Artist Highlights His Behind The Scenes Career With Tupac & Christina Milian 

 Los Angeles based hip hop artist Crunch steps into the spotlight with his latest single. “Twerk & Roll,” is the lead single off the album Lethal, released to all major streaming networks on July 22, 2020. The single and album are also available on the artist’s website. The artist released a music video for the lead single to YouTube on August 2, 2020.

 Crunch has had a long-standing career behind the scenes tied to some of music’s biggest acts. He was a stand-in and double for Tupac Shakur in his movies. This includes John Singleton’s: Poetic Justice, Above The Rim, and Menace to Society. Crunch made cameo appearances in Tupac’s music videos “I Get Around,” and “Keep Your Head Up.” He describes his time with the infamous rapper as “A cool learning experience, I learned what to do; what not to do.” He had his hand in Madonna’s current manager Guy Oseary getting his start. Guy is currently Madonna’s manager and the owner of Maverick Records. Crunch also worked behind the scenes with Christina Milian. She appeared in his music video “Turn It Up,” at thirteen years old.

 To date Crunch has released four records and two mixtapes. He plans to make an impact with his latest release and also highlighting his years behind the scenes.

XXX

www.iamcrunch.com

PRESS RELEASE:

By CW Ross March 12, 2021

For as long as they can remember twin sisters, Sephora and Senora Bateman have always enjoyed music. That’s resulted in them forming their group Echo Mirror. They choose that name based on being twin sisters and being each other’s echo and mirror. The group’s tagline, “When my melody meets her harmony, we get a perfect symphony,” also shows the tight musical connection that comes from them being twins.

I like that they are open to learning and growing in their musical craft with this invitation for comments that is found on their website’s front page, “Welcome any comments! While the negative ones will refine you, the positive ones will strengthen you.” Too often I’ve found young artists are closed off to any criticism, even if meant positively and thus aren’t able to grow and get better.

Even though the Bateman sisters had a love for music and performed in several groups while growing up it wasn’t until after graduating from high school that their education first family gave their blessing to start recording music. Over those years of waiting the sisters honed their musical talents learning how to play several instruments and writing songs.

While Echo Mirror’s music is built on a straight-up pop sound you can also hear their other musical influences that include, Taylor Swift and Enrique Iglesias to Sega from islands in the Indian Ocean.

The twin sisters have a noble cause that they hope their music will achieve, “We hope we have a chance to keep sharing our music with the world through these tough times and after. We want to be composing, performing, and singing together across the world and bring the world together in unity.”

The Bateman sisters produced and wrote all of the songs found on their first album, ‘Break Out,’ which is now out. 

I got to listen to several of Echo Mirror’s songs and found them to be well done and will act as a solid base to build on with future projects.

You can learn more about Echo Mirror at their website, https://echomirrormusic.com/. There you will also be able to find links to their, Facebook and Twitter sites along with their YouTube channel.

“High Frequency Freestyle” is definitely a lyrical bomb and its blast can only be compared to the Hiroshima bomb which the United States dropped on Japan.  Yes! this freestyle by “Dre The Great” will hit you hard and direct once you listen to it.

“Dre The Great” has a unique way of sparking up a fire with his lyrics. I truly believe that he can hurt a fly with his lyrical genius and intricate beats. He goes hard on the beats than any other rapper I have ever heard.

The track “High Frequency Freestyle” truly sounds like he is freestyling. It sounds like he just woke up one morning with a vengence on him mind and went straight to the studio and started started dropping lyrical bombs from the dome. This means that he didnt write nothing down and just went hard on the musical playground and smoked each bar. Each time he drove down the musical court, he dunked on all of us with his musical talent.

Listen to it on Apple – Music

As I listen to the track for the fifth time, I have no doubt that “Dre The Great” had some kind of beef with someone or some people because the force in his tone can be felt from the speakers. He raps as tho he is directing this song to a particular individual or individuals. We might not know the true answer to this assumption but we hope to hear from him someday about clearifying his state of mind while making this track.

Dre the Great was born on the 9th of April, 1989 in the Bronx, NY. He is an Atlanta based Hip Hop recording artist. Although he is still fairly brand new to the culture, he has been sharping his skills since his younger days. Its quite difficult to believe that he is a freshman in the rap game because of his raw talent.

Feel free to listen to the track and drop your own conclusion.