ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Smith Almighty March 7th 2025 Describe the sound of your music for unfamiliar listeners indie pop/rock with inspiration from jazz and self reflection Describe your creative process Most of my songs start with my acoustic guitar. Once I have something I like on guitar I begin to add other instruments. Whether that be keyboard, synth, drums, brass, samples etc. Usually I write my lyrics as I am playing the guitar. Every time I get a new idea it gets put into my voice memos. I probably have over 50 songs on my voice memos. You’re new single, “so, what if i” is my personal favorite song of yours, describe how you made that song That is one of my favorite songs too! It started with the chorus actually. I loved the chord progression. After having the guitar part down for the chorus. I added the keys which gave the song a more somber and self reflective feel. The lyrics were inspired by something a friend of mine was going through. I took it to the abstract. How’d you first get into making music? i always loved listening to music. The Beatles, Queen, Billy Joel, Stevie Wonder and so many others have inspired me. I sang chorus for my high school and was even part of a band that performed annually. I wrote and put out my first song freshman year of college. I started taking classes on producing and engineering music. Since then i have been mixing and mastering all of my own music. Where do you find the inspiration to create music? I grew up in a super rural area, but went to college in Philadelphia. The blend of the extreme urban and the extreme rural definitely influenced my music. A lot of my songs spawned from life experiences, my imagination, and pop culture i have absorbed. What song / project would you suggest for unfamiliar listeners? Its honestly a tie between (Ode to Former Prospects), (so, what if i), and (Wreckage) What’s next for Smith Almighty? What are some goals for 2025? I have been making so much music these past few months and just enjoying the writing process. I will probably have another song coming out in the next few months. What music have you been listening to recently? I like to listen to albums in full. Recently I went through the whole The Smiths discography and also the Weezer discography. Very good stuff!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Isaiah Keaton August 23rd 2025 An in-person interview with Isaiah Keaton!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT 2Hats January 10th 2025 Describe the sound of your music for unfamiliar listeners My music is all over the place, honestly. It’s always gonna be rap, but the style can vary from Detroit-inspired relentless punchlines to Griselda/New York aggressive boom bap to Atlanta autotune-infested trap melodies. I’m always trying something new; basically clicking on one my songs is like a slot machine. You never know exactly what you’ll get. How has your discography transcended from “satire rap?” I started out recording music on my phone with no knowledge of producing or engineering whatsoever. In my mind, the easiest thing to do at that time was to make songs that had a bit of novelty since I didn’t have the assets to make a so-called “serious” record (Hence my most popular song: “Fuck Chili’s”). As my equipment got better and my production skills got sharper, I was able to show more and more of what I can actually do while still keeping it light-hearted. I think nowadays I’ve found a nice balance between the serious and the unserious. When creating the songs for your latest album, “The Hat Trick”, did you know you were going to put those songs together in an album? Or did that come afterwards? Or did that come afterwards. The original plan was to make a bunch of EPs over the course of a year, and at the end of 2024 I would compile the best songs from those EPs into one big album. But that changed as the EPs I released developed into their own standalone bodies of work. By the end of the year around late November, I just wrote and recorded new songs non-stop until I had 15 records that I was confident in releasing as a full-length album. Some ideas had been in the works as early as April 2024, and other songs were started a week before the album came out. How’d you first get into making music? I started making my own beats and writing lyrics in high school. And to no one’s surprise, I was trash. I never thought I could be good enough to actually write and record my own original material. As years went by, I noticed how accessible and simple it was to record on your own by seeing people online do it. So I tried it myself in 2022, and I haven’t stopped since. Describe your creative process, how do you come up with such clever lines? Usually, I’ll browse YouTube beats for literal hours on end. Every so often I hear a beat that inspires a flow or a chorus, and I’ll either write it down or make a voice note to remember later on. In my Notes app, I also have one note that just has endless one-liners in it. Any time I randomly think of a funny line or a good idea, I’ll put it in there. Some of my most memorable bars come from that method. Then, when it’s time to record I just go line-by-line until I have a full song. What song / project would you suggest for unfamiliar listeners As previously mentioned, my album “The Hat Trick” was just released, and I do consider that to be my best overall project. But I got 2 EPs released last year, “Free Agency” and “Getting Faded at Smile Grocery,” that are full of essentials and some true 2hats classics. “Prada for Me” and “NTSB Jacket” are two songs off those EPs that people seem to really gravitate towards. What’s next for 2hats? What are some goals for 2025? This year I want to focus on music videos. That’s an area I haven’t explored yet, and I already have some crazy ideas in the works as we speak. Also I plan on releasing 3 full-length albums along with miscellaneous EPs throughout the year. Hopefully the albums will be a little more cohesive in terms of sounds and vibes, but that remains to be seen. What music have you been listening to lately? What music have you been listening to recently? Recently been listening to a lot of Pierre Bourne(TLOP5 is peak), Earl, Rio, Jane Remover, Rome Streetz, and Kendrick(new and old). Vince Staples and SahBabii are probably tied for my favorite album of 2024, both of them went crazy.

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ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Mei Semones January 31st 2025 Describe the sound of your music for unfamiliar listeners jazz-influenced indie j-pop Kabutomushi is a project I continuously return to, what was the process of making each of those songs? Thank you! Most of the songs were written summer '22-winter '22, and we recorded winter '22-spring '23. My process for songwriting starts with chords first, then melody, then lyrics last. Once the guitar/vocals are set, I bring the song to my band and we arrange all the parts together :) How’d you first get into making music? I started playing piano when I was 4, guitar when I was 11, and started writing songs shortly after that. But I didn't write a song I really liked until the first single I put out in 2022, called "Hfoas." Where do you find the inspiration to create such captivating music? I'm inspired by the music I love, like John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Bud Powell, Charlie Parker, Jim Hall, Wes Montgomery, and João Gilberto. I'm also inspired a lot by my friends & bandmates, who are also all incredible musicians. I also find a lot of inspiration in my everyday life living in Brooklyn, NY. What song / project would you suggest for unfamiliar listeners I would suggest the Kabutomushi EP. I think it's a nice mix of genres and it showcases various aspects of our music well. What’s next for Mei Semones? What are some goals for 2025? We are putting out our debut album in May of 2025. I hope to do lots of touring this year, and hopefully do some international touring with my band :) What music have you been listening to recently? I have been listening to a lot of Michael Brecker & Wayne Shorter.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Leo Soloway June 13th 2025 Describe your music for unfamiliar listeners To sum it up, I’d say alternative rock/metal. I love ambient synthesizers and reverb-soaked guitars, but I’m also a sucker for huge distorted tones, epic orchestral elements, and wordy guitar solos. Describe your creative process For me, because I’m primarily a guitarist, it always starts with a riff or chord progression. From there, I add drums and bass as a guide to other places I can bring the song. If I continue to like the idea after a few days, I’ll begin to develop other sections that follow or precede the original idea. Vocals usually come last. Not everyone’s style, but it works for me. I’ve come up with riffs that were sat on for so long, and eventually just became the ending of a song. Your latest song, “Taboo” is super cool! What went into making it? That song is very special to me. It’s the only one of my songs that I recorded every part for. I always fully compose with lyrics and all, but this is the first time my own voice was on a track. The song features a groove that’s based around drums and bass, guitar playing a very little part in its initial phases. There’s a section where I (attempt to) rap. Rap is a stretch… How about… sing faster? As the song builds, a three part string ensemble takes the spotlight. Then, a melodic and soaring solo section, followed by a technical and uplifting “djent” style riff, which concludes the song. How’d you first get into making music? I was creating riffs and songs from a very young age. As soon as I acquired an electric guitar, I was playing stuff modeled after The White Stripes and The Black Keys. From there, I started to experiment with garageband. When my parents and music teachers saw my potential, I was given Logic Pro X, and an audio interface. It all escalated from there…(I have 7 guitars and no money) Where do you find the inspiration to create music? Being raised by my mom (a singer-songwriter) and my dad, (not a musician, but loves music) I was surrounded and immersed in music all the time. I think it was only natural that I had a desire to create it. What have you been working on lately? Any new music soon? I have quite a few unfinished songs in reserve at the moment. They’re all in different places. Will they be out soon? Maybe? Who knows? Other than music, what else have you been up to? Eh, the usual stuff… wine tasting, watch shopping, driving my Pagani. That reminds me actually, the McLaren F1 needs maintenance. What music have you been listening to lately? My favorite band at the moment is Thank You Scientist. They’re a seven-piece jazz/metal fusion band from New Jersey. Absolutely astonishing music. The guitarist, Tom Monda, cracked out of his mind. Aside from that, bands like Periphery, Haken, Protest The Hero, Dance Gavin Dance, and Knocked Loose have been in the rotation lately.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Zoo St. October 9th 2025 Describe your music’s sound for unfamiliar listeners. How did you come across that sound? Dez: Mmmmmmmm.. maybe modern day Wu-Tang with south/midwestern roots. Not the same but similar. We have a bit of an attack style of approach with less emphasis on catchy hooks and more focus on deep-cutting lyricism and witty execution. Also Kendrick. Always Kendrick. Dee: I’d say a blend of Wu-Tang and OutKast and just being exposed to all different kinds of music from Wu-Tang to India arie to Odd Future. Kwon: I think we all developed our own sound from different pieces and paths which you hear in our songs. We’re built similar but made from different circumstances so it gels well. Honestly, I just liked free-styling, but then i wanted to sound better, so i started writing. I began to experience more in life and had something to talk about so i jotted it. Odd future was the initial group inspiration but personally, lil herb, earl, & mac miller, had me thinking maybe i could try writing. Your latest album, “DR. dr.” Has such chill vibes. What was the creative process behind that album? Rick: It’s funny you ask that. I was discussing this the other day with a colleague of mine. A lot of the tracks i made on ‘DR. dr.’ are sample free and that honestly is a step in a different direction for me. I think the difference in my production process kinda motivated how melancholic the vibe of the music is. I decided to explore untouched sounds that I normally wouldn’t fool with and what you hear in ‘DR. dr.’ is ultimately what manifested. Dez: To add onto that a bit, ‘DR. dr.’ stands for Dee, Rick, Dez, Rae. A simple acronym, but it’s a title we’ve used for a project far before we started doing public releases, and this time around we just felt it was a fitting title for what we had put together. What made you decide the album cover for that album? Dez: “The Leak” mixtape by Lil Wayne which were songs originally intended to be on the iconic Carter III. We referenced the color-way for the album from that cover and then we added some flavor with a spin on our first project ‘Zoology’. Using a neutral, paper-like color for the base and overlaying scientific drawings of different breeds of animals that may have been referenced in previous projects and/or in lyrics of ours. Finally, the mountain theme coming from a 4 song stretch in the middle of the album (Track 4 (Horsemen) to 7 (SmarterMan/CotterMan)). Where do you find inspiration to create music? Dez: From daily life experiences, to the sounds from Rick’s beats, to eachothers verses.Alliterations get the best of me a lot of times too. Dee: Yeah, man. LIFE! Life is the ultimate inspiration. Maybe it’s something I randomly heard that day or a one liner Dez sent in the chat. Sometimes the names of Rick’s beat can get me lyrically inspired. Kwon: Same thing really. Just my life and sometimes listening to other artists inspires me. But it’s more just me writing my thoughts or feelings, im not a rapper. How’d you get into making music? Rick: Beatmaking & engineering were basically handed down. My dad always stayed in the studio & I think I got a beatmaking machine for my 12th birthday. By the time I was 16 the studio was given to me too. I’ve built my own now, but all of that was originally inherited, really. ALL: For us; we’ve been rapping together since we can remember lowkey. Our older brother, Julius Keith, had us rapping from a very young age (Dee & The Easywey). Big bro had us believing we could rival any pen. I think we do. Kwon picked up the pen once we established ourselves as serious artists, but has literally always been there rhyming with us and just in the studio. Any new music coming out or being worked on? Anything else you’d like to promote? ALL: Z44 is meant to be the next release coming out of the Zoo St. camp. We’ve flirted with the idea of a solo EP for Kwon too but… Dez: I intend to rollout a solo catalogue soon. Including an EP executive produced by myself, with beat production from a talented young Donesunk. I also have a single scheduled to release this coming spring featuring a guest verse from Detroit’s own; Junii & production from TAKN. Dee: Was in the lab with Rick the other day talking about a possible EP. If the Lord wills it I’m with it. Kwon: Kwonny world tour suppose to be something im working on but the motivation hasnt really been there since i stopped hooping. Other than music, what else have you been up to? Dez: I’m committed to investing my time into my young family. I spend most my time heading to, or at work. Otherwise i’m making time for my family. In any spare time, if I’m not getting out to try and engage with the Chicago music community, I’m trying new foods in the city or even cooking. Dee: “Really I’m provider yeah I put that on my soul.” Dez: So yeah dee on the same thing. Kwon: 2k26 3-level scoring dimer. Dee: Bro being modest though, he the same archetype in real life and been playing pro ball for like 3 years. Rick: Trying to make a house a home if you know what I mean. Plus, I been in the gym a lot, really. Traveling a bit more for work in the past few years too. What music have you been listening to lately? Dez: Whew.. always a lot of unreleased from the family. Uhh Lifeofthom, Kaicrewsade, DC2Trill, 454, Jay Elec and Oddie Strangelove. Dee: Obviously, Zoo St. Forrest Frank, Jx.Zero, and that Malice record was tuff. Kwon: I’ve been on Steve lacy, Domo genesis, LUCKI, khamari. Rick: For me; I rediscovered my love for Radiohead hits like Nude & Videotape on my most recent vacation trip.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT MAMA'S FUNK PALACE March 28th 2025 Describe the sound of your music for unfamiliar listeners Groovy, Funky, Upbeat, Feel-good, Soul Rock, R&B, Pop, Subliminal, Alternative, and Experimental Describe your creative process Our creative process is usually presenting a melody we created, and building upon it. After the melody is set in stone, we try to add layers of instruments or vocals. Lyrics usually come naturally with the creation of the song. Your new single + music video , “Queen Kung fu” shows great potential from the group. How was it created? Originally we were trying to emulate the comedic energy from the “Rush Hour Series” we wanted our debut song to be fun, catchy, comical, and universal How’d you first get into making music? We got into making music as a group quite spontaneously. Each of us always individually had a passion for music since we were young. But when we met, we knew we could create something greater as a collective because of what we each bring to the table. Where do you find the inspiration to create music? We find inspiration for creating music in many things. At times, inspiration comes from other artists, past and present. We also find much in our daily lives to take inspiration from. Whether it’s interactions with other people, the sunshine, pains we’ve faced and seek to overcome, and the prospect of being able to share our hearts with the world- and in turn possibly inspire others. Describe how you created your upcoming album, Queens N’ Kingdoms We produced some songs all on bandlab and others in professional studios. Conceptually, we wanted to remind ourselves and empower others that we are royalty by nature being the descendants of The Heavenly King. What music have you been listening to recently? Led Zeppelin, Prince, Paul McCartney & The Wings, StereoLab, Queen, The Sundays, and Steve Lacy!

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Bundy Santana January 3rd 2025 Describe the sound of your music for unfamiliar listeners the best way i’ve heard someone describe my music is “mystic street poetry” which feels pretty fitting, but i simply like to call it “warlock rap”. alternative and traditional hip hop elements blended with lyrical themes of spirituality and brujeria How and when did you get into music? i started writing songs when i was 7 because my parents used to manage a close family friend that made music. i never really planned to do anything with the songs i was writing until one day i was about 13 and i downloaded rapchat to see what recording a song was like. from there, i got immediately hooked and i eventually moved on to garageband, and then going to an actual studio Your latest single, "Steamy Windows", was a song that I was really excited about being released, how was that song created it’s a song about a girl i was involved with two years ago. i was working at a Pet Supplies Plus and a girl i recognized from back in high school came in and we caught up. we continued talking for a few more weeks after that and i can vividly remember her being the only thing i thought about all day long. when we finally got the chance to spend some time together, my stomach full of butterflies. i wanted to make a song that described exactly what i was feeling during those times Where do you find inspiration? for me, inspiration can comes from from anything. i’ve got a list of song titles/concepts in my notes that i add to periodically so that’s where i go whenever i quickly wanna start working on a song Describe your creative process. i go through my list and see if any of the concepts jump out at me while i go through beats. depending on the subject of the song and the specific emotion i’m trying to convey, the writing process can take anywhere from an hour to six. admittedly, sometimes i don’t even wanna stop writing What song/project do you recommend for unfamiliar listeners? i feel like heddhunnerz and duppymon* are staple tracks in understanding exactly what “warlock rap” really means and how diverse i can be with it. some clever wordplay, spiritual reflection, and of course brujeria and ghost imagery making their way in too Any new music soon? Anything you'd like to promote? i’ve got two new singles dropping this month (pardon my slime & island) i’m also working on a project that’ll be dropping before the end of the year called BRUJO. it’s a deeply reflective piece about my spiritual journey and how my upbringing and environment influenced said jorurney. to summarize it as simply as possible, this album is all about growth and development not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. one of the biggest questions i asked myself when i first started writing for the album was “is growth something that i truly desire for myself? and if so, what would i be willing to do to achieve it?”

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Mawysashe January 17th 2025 Describe the sound of your music for unfamiliar listeners Sometimes I rap over soul samples with no drums, sometimes I sing over pop instrumentals. You never know what you’re going to get but it’ll always be good. That’s the only thing that must remain constant. Earlier in your music career, you were rapping quite a lot, why do you think you transitioned to singing more recently? When I first started making music , I could not sing at all, it was horrible,like imagine the worst sound you ever heard….that was me! But I had good ideas so I kept practicing and stuff and now I’m lowkey like Beyoncé …. New Blue is my favorite song personally, how was that song created? Whew that song was quite a process. I recorded the melody 3 months before I started writing it and then it took me 2 more months to write it because the words just weren’t hitting right. I knew I wanted to make a song that was poetic with a lot of moments that hit hard and when you set a standard like that, word choice becomes very important. I don’t know if it’s a sad or happy song though, that’s up to whoever’s listening , I just wanted it to elicit some type of emotion. I love that song, I listen to it and be like damn I really made this. And then I reply to myself and say “yes, yes you did. “ How’d you first get into making music? One of my best friends in 8th grade made music and I was inspired by him. I’ve been recording ever since then. What song/project should unfamiliar listeners start with? Cyberfriends. It has a little bit of everything we do in it. Describe your creative process. It’s all over the place!! There’s no real methods besides focusing. When I’m making music that’s all I care about in that moment. I try my best to not settle for mediocre takes or lyrics , so sometimes it can be a lot when it’s 1am and you’re doing a take 20+ times, but I love the process. One thing about me though is that I need light. I don’t make music in dark settings, I need it to be a bright room, I’m really picky about that. What’s next for MawySashe? What are some goals for 2025? I’m going to drop a lot more music this year and take this whole thing to the next level. I’m looking forward to putting myself out there more and really promoting my stuff. What music have you been listening to recently? Hmmm….Bad Bunny’s new album, Stevie Wonder, Kendrick, Lauryn hill, and MawySashe

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Rivan July 12th 2025 Describe your music for unfamiliar listeners The music I’m currently creating is a blend of alternative rap with jungle / drum and bass production. Describe your creative process I create most when put under pressure. Whether it’s working in person at the studio where we only have an hour to record, or when my producers are pressing me with deadlines to send vocals, I’m a pro procrastinator. Pressure makes diamonds. Your EP, “birdz n planez” released this Tuesday. What went into making it? Do you have a favorite song on it? “birdz n planez” is my latest and final single leading up to a project I’ve been working on called RUDEBOYRUFFS. I’ve been doing a waterfall style rollout to give the listeners a glimpse of what they can expect from the project. I don’t have a favorite song yet — they’re all my babies lol. How’d you first get into making music? I first got into making music in like 10th grade. I was writing and performing a lot of poetry at the time, and I just started writing raps for fun. Where do you find the inspiration to create music? I take most of my inspiration from visuals — everything from movies, to graphic design, to music videos, to live performances. When I make a song I envision a world around it. What have you been working on lately? Any new music soon? My producer LACHV and I are super focused on finishing up RUDEBOYRUFFS. There’s gonna be a lot of really cool dance music on there — and A LOT of distortion. Other than music, what else have you been up to? I’ve been doing design and video work for a bunch of other artists (cover art, posters, music vids, etc.) and have also been hosting a monthly artist showcase for this series I call ME & MINE. Pop out July 17th for the next one! What music have you been listening to lately? I’ve been listening to an absurd amount of jungle and DnB. LACHV just put me onto FUTUREGIRL and I’m obsessed. Outside of that, I’m really rockin with the new Bickle album. Also my dog Syrosis is on a hot streak right now — every song he drops is a banger.

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT Curt Tha Kreator August 6th 2025 Describe your music for unfamiliar listeners “ Lyrical Music Theater ” a fun, whimsical, Disney Fairytale sound but when you actually pay attention to the lyrics you realize I’m a Lyricist Describe your creative process I play with words until I get a Bar or a Phrase that I like. Then I freestyle & build a song around it i.e. “Teal until, un-Teal it wasn’t teal” “if I break my AirPods do they heal in a Pod- Cast” Then I add a bunch of harmonies & play with my Delivery My personal favorite song of yours is “Broken AirPods”, what went into making that song? I got these knockoff AirPods for Christmas that started glitching. I heard this sad beat & I was like “I’m going to make a heart wrenching break up song about these AirPods”. I was focused on capturing the emotion in my voice How’d you first get into making music? I grew up around music. My grandmother was a piano teacher. I used to played violin, piano, & sing in church. I started writing raps in elementary school for school projects & it kinda became my thing. I would just rap for fun about Anything ( the Water Cycle, Digestive System, Thomas Edison vs Albert Einstein ) You’re well known for videos of you dancing to your music. How’d you get into dancing? Did you take classes? I’ve never taken any dances classes. Growing up in the 2000s we all used to do dances i.e. Crank that Soulja Boy, Dougie, Jerk, Hit them Folks. Once social media came around I started making dance videos on Trillers. Also I Growing up watching So you think you can dance, Americas Best Dance Crew, the Step Up Movies, Shake it Up, etc … What have you been working on lately? Any new music soon? Right now I’ve been putting myself through Artist Development. Writing a song a week, recording 3 times a week, Cover Songs, studying Music Theory, Voacl exercises. The goal is Not to just make a Hit & Blow Up. I’m growing with my audience & building a team. Your music has a super original sound. How’d you come across this sound? Being exposed to different types of music growing up. Gospel, Rap, Pop, Dance, Jazz, Soul/RnB, Classical, and whatever genre Avril Lavigne considers her self to be lol. What music have you been listening to lately? Nat King Coal, Dionne warwick, Stevie wonder. I want to hear the Legends that have come before Michael Jackson, Whitney Huston, Mariah Carey, & Beyoncé. What inspired the people that Inspire me.