Kshoya has been in the game for over a decade. She has made a name for herself over those ten years in various genres including reggae, dancehall and of course hip hop. Through Kshoya Entertainment, her and her team have provided services for artists to get their music and brand out to a wider audience. Her resume is extensive and includes hosting, singing, modeling, acting, producing, scouting talent, executive producing, amongst several others. In 2011, she was featured on a reality tv show alongside Vybz Kartel. She has been in various ads, commercials, modeling shoots and music videos. Kshoya has Jamaican roots and is coming to us from Brooklyn, New York.
Thoughts on How He Hit It
Kshoya describes the song as a “twerk type stripper song”. The song was produced by Zach on The Track and Baby Breeze. So let’s hop right in to the song.
The song gives me some old cash money records vibes with the way it is put together and Kshoya’s delivery. The beat definitely has twerk vibes to it. She rides the beat smooth on the chorus which is very catchy. The chorus is quotable which is very important in the social media age. I felt like the verses were missing a little something for me personally. I think this is a great song for the underground hip hop scene but am unsure of how mainstream it can go.
Want more?
You can follow Kshoya on Instagram here and find her song on all streaming platform here:
If you have a song or hip hop project you want considered for a feature on the top hip hop blog site send it over to MellyStarzSubmmisions@gmail.com or head over to our contact page.
Heading over to Los Angeles, CA, let’s meet AUS10, an independent Hip Hop Artist, label owner and entrepreneur. He has been creating music since the age of 14 and has dropped various mixtapes and videos. He has also performed (on his own dime) in Los Angeles, Atlanta and Miami. In Los Angeles, you may have seen him at the Belasco Theatre along with other smaller venues in the Downton LA and Hollywood areas. In Atlanta, You may have seen him inside of the Black Ink Crew tattoo shop. If you live in Miami, ‘Miami Live’ is where you would have found this underground gem.
Thoughts on Matter of Fact
“Matter of Fact” is his most recent project and is said to capture the listener. So let’s take a listen for ourselves.
Dope Forever: AUS10 has a very clear delivery, you can understand every word he says. I think the beat is difficult to work with and you can get that sense with his delivery. His lyricism is not an issue whatsoever but I would have preferred either a different beat or different delivery method.
Million Dollar Mind: This is the song where you truly see his talent shine through. He speeds up his delivery and keeps the energy throughout. The beat isn’t overpowering at all but instead complimentary to his words. He talks about needing to make it and his million dollar mind and I hope you continues to hone in on his talents to do just that.
Work You: I chuckled at several of his lines and references. I love the chorus and lyrical theme of the song. There were a couple times during the verses where it seemed like AUS10 tripped up a bit on the delivery. The song is a jam and I can see men vibing and quoting it.
My Own: The song takes you a bit deeper into AUS10’s life. The beat is smooth and he tells you how he is going to do this on his own.
Family Tree: This song discuss the plights of Black people in the United States. This song is meant to make you think and motivate you as well. This might be my favorite song thus far.
Feeling Myself: My favorite line is the Pac Man reference (childhood fav). The song is low key and smooth. He is talking to a girl during some parts and feeling himself in others. We all have to hype ourselves up. He also discusses day to day struggles.
All Day Long: To end the project, AUS10 goes dark on the beat. We get an even deeper dive into his background and his family.
The production value is what I feel needs a bit of work overall on the project. AUS10 has the lyricism and professionalism to make it far. Although I believe this was made during the pandemic so studio time hasn’t been easy for any of us. with just a few tweaks in the future AUS10 will be sure to shine.
You can follow this link to hear the project in it’s entirety and let me know if you agree or disagree with my thoughts in the comments below.
If you have a hip hop contribution you want feature on a top underground hip hop site send it over to MellyStarzSubmissions@gmail.com or head over to our contact page.
Plugstar ENT present us with a Billboard charting, platinum selling artist and American Hero Iamkeynotes. “Buss it Down” (featuring DaBaby and Petey Pablo), had been climbing the Billboard charts rapidly since its April release, peaking at number 1 in June 2020. Now, its sales have gone platinum.
IAmKeyNotes states that working with the two rap stars was, ”unbelievable feeling at first”. He also added that, “It’s always love shown and a lot of energy. I definitely look forward to the future with those guys and this record.”
The record was produced by 20 and Crash and was released through GT Digital/Megatron Muzik LLC. It is said that the track offers a smooth vocal delivery by IAmKeyNotes and has a grind-worthy vibe. The track is also accompanied by a video directed and choreographed by Bryant Anderson.
Thoughts on Buss it Down
I can immediately hear the Chris Brown influences. I was pleasantly surprised by his voice and had to catch my breathe. IAmKeyNotes didn’t even need the other artists on the track because he could have carried that song all his own. The first verse was classic DaBaby delivery. He was quick and to the point, throwing some designer names in there and talking about street shit. I could have done without his verse honestly. Verse two was all about KeyNotes, and he truly showcased his talent. His lyricism was appropriate for the topic of the song and he delivered it exceptionally well. I love when he talks about “smearing off the chap stick” that was slick and unique. Petey Pablo did his thing on the final verse and added more content than DaBaby had. He definitely played off of KeyNotes’ verse and tied both verses together.
The video too short and I wish it was more accessible because he shows IAmKeyNotes dance skills and sex appeal. After watching the video, I can see the star that KeyNotes is. He is destined for great things and I am on the journey with him.
About IAmKeyNotes
IAmKeyNotes was born in Portsmouth, VA and is currently calling Charlotte, NC home. He began his journey to stardom at an early age. At age 12, he began freestyling and began writing his own lyrics at the age of 16. This is also when he began honing his dance moves at family gatherings to start. His inspiration for pursuing a career in entertainment came from Chris Brown in 2007. Some of his other influences include Trey Songz, Michael Jackson, among other big names.
IAmKeyNotes joined the U.S.Military which he credits for his leadership style and for keeping him out of trouble. If adding a musical career and a military career wasn’t enough, he also become the president of Megatron Muzik. In this role, he will oversee management practices and will strive to “bridge the gap between the artists and their goals.” He joins CEO Brandon Carter (aka Big B) and co-CEO Yung Digz.
While the social distancing prompted by Covid-19 has made touring difficult this year, IAmKeyNotes looks forward to performing “Buss It Down,” and his previous releases, “Whip” (featuring Ty Dolla $ign) and “That’s My Dawg” for live audiences in the future. He also hopes to release an EP. In the meantime, his summer chart-topper can be found on all digital streaming platforms.
If you have a hip hop project you want to be considered for a feature on the top hip hop blog site send it over to MellyStarzSubmissions@gmail.com or head over to our contact page.
Hip hop culture does not only include music, it also has art, clothing and lifestyle attached to it. Dan Lish is a English illustrator who lived in New York for several years prior to resettling in the UK. He now is bringing us a collection of hip hop inspired commissions in one cohesive project. Learn more about his upcoming project by checking out the entire press release as follows.
Egostrip Vol 1 – The Essential Hip Hop Art Book, by Dan Lish
Illustrator’s stream of consciousness series led to collaborations with world-renowned music artists. Now it’s set to launch as a collectible hardback book, digital book and lithographic prints, after a Kickstarter campaign launching 3September for one month.
English artist Dan Lish is acclaimed in the hip hop world for his recasting of MCs and producers as mages and cosmic forces. His 2017 album cover for Raekwon’s The Wild sees the rapper envisaged as a giant, towering over New York. This, commissions for De La Soul and Omar, and support from names like Pharoahe Monch and Pete Rock came about through his art series Egostrip. The project sprang organically from Lish’s irrepressible imagination, masterful pen craft and deep love for the genre’s music and culture.
