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“Mountaintop music: takeaways from RG43s newest release ”

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Mountaintop music
Leonard magazine

Paintings Below is the concept album covers created by Reid Gardner.

mountaintop music

Reid Gardner, more commonly known as RG43, is a 17-year-old singer/songwriter from Ottawa, Ontario who has started to build a noticeable fan base over the past two years. The artist’s debut release was a single titled “the chase” which was released on April 2nd, 2021. Since the release of the chase, RG has not slowed down one bit and has continued to work hard behind the scenes, releasing two projects within 8 months.

RG43’s newest project “Mountaintop Music” was released on all platforms on March 4th, 2022. The project is an EP featuring 4 unique pieces of music that have been carefully selected for a deeper meaning. “Mountain top music” is a large change sonically from anything the artist has released before and features experimental and genre-bending tracks that have elements of Country, Folk, Alternative R&B, Pop, and Emo rap. The ep starts with the song “summer’s end” which was released as a single on February 18th,

2022 along with a music video as part of the ep rollout. The song details the struggles people face during the cold winter months and the heartbreak of a failed relationship. “Summers end” starts with wind sound effects which signify the changing of seasons and cold weather approaching. The first lyrics are: “Summers end feel the wind as it spins closing in winters coming back again winters coming back again”. Those lyrics allow the listeners to feel the change of the seasons and set the vibe perfectly for the rest of the ep.

The second song on the ep “How many days” is a song about two people that have feelings for each other but a relationship never forms between them. The guy doesn’t want the relationship to get in the way of his career and the girl is waiting for the guy to make a move. This track has a very unique song structure and does not have a repeating chorus which in today’s mainstream music is practically unheard of. With that being said the song could be interpreted as a love letter over drums. The instrumentation in this song is also very unique as it features multiple layers of distorted guitars that take the listener inside the mind of RG and allow the listener feel the emotions RG feels.

The third song on the ep “Freeze” brings the listener to a snowy mountain in the heart of winter. The name of the ep stems from the content matter of this song. Freeze tells the story of a broken relationship where the guy can’t love himself enough for the girl to love him so she eventually leaves. This song covers darker themes of depression and

self-hatred. The lyrics “ Feed me to the wolves let them all be full and free up my soul oul oul oull” really speak to the sad nature of the song. In those lyrics above RG is saying the character would rather see the wolves eat than live because he feels as though he is worth nothing. In the end, He feels as though he is a burden to everyone and begs for the girl to leave him despite knowing that she is the only one that can save him.

The last song on the ep “20 seconds/match” is the only song on the ep to not feature drums. The song has a very slow guitar that is paired with soothing soothing vocals to create the perfect outro. The song starts with the character saying he wants love even if he knows it’s fake and has a very sad undertone. The song continues in this manner until the beat switches.

In the second half of the song “match”, the character seems to be enlightened and comes to the conclusion that he can love himself and the girl he was hurt over is in the past. This is a much more positive RG than seen previously on the tape and lets the listener see the light at the end of the tunnel. This half of the song wraps the project up wonderfully and leaves the listener feeling happy and hopeful for the future.

All in all, this is a very impressive work from an artist so young and displays a great amount of progress from RG’s first project “INDEX”. I’m very excited to hear what this young man comes up with next as I feel as though his creativity and dedication to the craft will take him to new places never heard before and his love for music will continue to be reflected in his work and bring a positive energy to the world.

 

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Dual Diagnosis Returns With Dark New Anthem “You Eva Have” Featuring Danny Diablo — Out May 22, 2026

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Dual Diagnosis Returns With Dark New Anthem “You Eva Have” Featuring Danny Diablo — Out May 22, 2026

Underground horrorcore artists Dual Diagnosis are preparing to make a powerful statement with their upcoming single “You Eva Have” featuring hardcore legend Danny Diablo, officially releasing worldwide on May 22, 2026. Combining dark storytelling, cinematic production, and emotionally charged performances, the record promises to deliver an unforgettable experience for fans of underground rap and hardcore music alike.

Known for their aggressive sound and disturbing visual style, Dual Diagnosis has continued building a reputation for music that explores pain, trauma, mental instability, and inner conflict. Their latest release dives even deeper into those themes, creating a haunting atmosphere filled with chaos, anger, and raw emotion. “You Eva Have” showcases the duo’s ability to blend horror-inspired imagery with authentic lyrical intensity, producing a track that feels both cinematic and brutally personal.

The addition of Danny Diablo brings another level of energy and authenticity to the record. Widely respected in hardcore and underground music culture, Diablo’s signature delivery perfectly complements the dark tone of the song. Together, the artists create a relentless collaboration driven by powerful emotion, heavy production, and unapologetic aggression.

The single’s artwork visually captures the terrifying mood of the release, featuring an asylum-inspired nightmare scene that reflects psychological breakdown and emotional torment. The imagery reinforces Dual Diagnosis’ unique artistic identity while creating a visual world that matches the intensity of the music itself.

As anticipation continues to rise leading into the release date, “You Eva Have” is already gaining attention among fans of horrorcore, hardcore, and underground hip-hop communities. The song represents another major step forward for Dual Diagnosis as they continue carving their own lane in dark underground music culture.

“You Eva Have” featuring Danny Diablo will be available on all major digital streaming platforms beginning May 22, 2026.

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Azazel The Marine: The Voice of Survival, Truth, and Independent Hustle

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Azazel The Marine: The Voice of Survival, Truth, and Independent Hustle

In an era where authenticity in hip-hop is becoming harder to find, Azazel The Marine is emerging as one of the most compelling independent voices in the culture. A former United States Marine turned recording artist, Azazel is building his name through raw storytelling, emotional honesty, and relentless dedication to his craft. His music doesn’t come from manufactured industry formulas—it comes from lived experience.

Born in Trinidad and raised in New York City, Azazel The Marine represents a different kind of artist. His records are shaped by military service, personal struggle, PTSD, resilience, and survival. Instead of hiding those realities, he turns them into music that feels cinematic, personal, and deeply relatable.

What separates Azazel from many rising artists is the combination of discipline and vulnerability. The same mentality that carried him through military service now fuels his independent music grind. His lyrics speak openly about trauma, freedom, pressure, perseverance, and purpose. Whether he’s delivering aggressive bars or reflective storytelling, there’s a level of sincerity in his music that immediately stands out.

That authenticity has begun translating into real momentum. Azazel The Marine has continued expanding his audience across streaming platforms, building a growing fanbase on Spotify and social media while independently releasing projects that reflect both his life experience and artistic evolution. His catalog includes releases such as War Money, the Smoke EP series, One People, and the recent single It’s Going Down.

The visual identity surrounding his music also plays a major role in his rise. His artwork and branding blend futuristic aesthetics, military influence, street culture, and cinematic energy into a recognizable signature style. The cover art for “It’s Going Down” captures that perfectly—mixing neon cityscapes, fast-paced visuals, and high-energy imagery that mirrors the intensity of his music and mindset.

But beyond the visuals and streaming numbers, Azazel’s biggest strength remains his message.

Tracks like “One People” showcase an artist willing to speak on unity, struggle, systemic pressure, mental battles, and personal freedom while still keeping his music engaging and replayable. Industry attention surrounding the record has reportedly highlighted both its commercial potential and its emotional depth. The song’s repetitive hooks and chant-like structure create an anthem-driven energy while maintaining deeply personal themes underneath the surface.

That balance between accessibility and substance is becoming increasingly rare in modern hip-hop. Azazel’s growing recognition has also led to increased media coverage and online visibility. Publications have described him as an artist who transforms pain into purpose while carving out his own lane through “raw storytelling, real-life experience, and relentless grind.”

One of the most anticipated developments in his career is the upcoming album No Sleep, a project that already carries strong buzz among his supporters. The title itself reflects the nonstop work ethic behind his movement—the hunger, sacrifice, sleepless nights, and independent hustle required to survive in today’s music industry. According to recent coverage, the project is expected to push his sound even further while continuing to focus on themes of survival, discipline, mental health, and ambition.

Outside of music, Azazel The Marine has also built a reputation for perseverance and adaptability. From performing in Austin during SXSW events to continuing to grow his digital presence independently, he embodies the modern independent artist mentality: self-made, self-driven, and unwilling to wait for permission.

His story resonates because it’s real.

In a music landscape often dominated by trends and algorithms, Azazel The Marine represents something different—a voice forged through hardship, sharpened through discipline, and elevated through creative expression. He isn’t trying to imitate anyone else’s blueprint. He’s building his own legacy one release at a time.

And with No Sleep on the horizon, it’s clear that Azazel The Marine is only getting started.

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CERTIFIEDSTUNNA: The Sound of Survival, The Feeling of Healing

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CERTIFIEDSTUNNA: The Sound of Survival, The Feeling of Healing

There’s a certain kind of artist you don’t just hear — you feel

The kind that doesn’t need to exaggerate pain, because it’s already written into their voice. The kind that doesn’t chase moments, because they’ve lived enough of them to create their own. That’s where CertifiedStunna exists — somewhere between scars and ambition, between silence and melody.

Before the name, before the sound, there was Austin Scott.

And before the music, there was Utica.

WHERE IT STARTED

Utica isn’t the type of place that waits for you to figure life out slowly. It introduces you to reality early. Pressure, struggle, emotion — all of it comes fast, and it sticks. For Austin, growing up there wasn’t just a phase — it was a foundation.

You learn how to read people. You learn how to move smart. And most importantly, you learn how to feel everything deeply, even when you don’t say it out loud.

That silence eventually needed somewhere to go.

WHEN MUSIC STOPPED BEING JUST MUSIC

At first, it wasn’t about a career. It wasn’t about streams, placements, or attention.

It was survival.

Music became a place to unload everything that couldn’t be explained in conversation. The thoughts you keep to yourself. The weight you carry when nobody’s watching. The nights that feel longer than they should.

That’s when Austin realized something real:

This wasn’t just something he liked.

This was something he needed.

And that’s when CertifiedStunna was born — not as an alias, but as a version of himself that could speak freely.

“Certified” because nothing is fabricated.

“Stunna” because even through it all, there’s elevation — a presence you can’t ignore.

THE SOUND: PAIN WITH PURPOSE

If you listen close, you’ll hear it immediately.

The influence is there — the emotional vulnerability of artists like Juice WRLD, the melodic confidence of Tory Lanez, the relatable storytelling of A Boogie wit da Hoodie — but none of it feels copied.

Because it isn’t.

CertifiedStunna’s sound sits in that space where melody meets truth. It’s introspective, sometimes dark, but never empty. Every record feels like a page torn from real life — not polished for perfection, but left raw on purpose.

His process reflects that.

It starts with a beat…

Then a feeling…

Then a moment.

No overthinking. No forcing it. Just honesty in real time.

LEAVING, BUT NOT FORGETTING

Now based in North Carolina, there’s distance from where it all started — but not detachment.

That shift brought balance.

A clearer mind. A bigger perspective. A chance to move smarter, not just harder.

But Utica is still in the music. Still in the tone. Still in the way certain words hit heavier than others.

You don’t outgrow where you came from — you carry it differently.

THE FIGHT NOBODY SEES

There’s a version of the artist journey people don’t talk about.

No co-signs.

No instant spotlight.

No major hub backing you.

Just you… and belief.

Consistency becomes a battle. Doubt creeps in quietly. Progress feels slow when nobody’s watching.

But that’s where CertifiedStunna built his foundation — in the unseen work.

Staying locked in when it’s quiet.

Trusting the process when it’s unclear.

Creating anyway.

That’s the part that makes it real.

THE TURNING POINT

The biggest moment wasn’t a show.

Wasn’t a placement.

Wasn’t a viral clip.

It was internal.

The realization that music was actually helping him — mentally, emotionally, spiritually.

That changed everything.

It gave the journey purpose.

Because now it wasn’t just about making songs…

It was about making something that could reach someone else the same way.

MORE THAN MUSIC

CertifiedStunna isn’t selling an image.

He’s building connection.

Every record is rooted in something real — pain, growth, reflection, survival. And that honesty creates something a lot of artists spend years chasing:

Trust.

Listeners don’t just hear the music — they relate-to it.

And in a world full of noise, that kind of connection stands out.

WHAT’S NEXT

Right now, it’s about building.

Catalog.

Consistency.

Presence.

New music. Visuals. Expanding reach.

No shortcuts — just stacking moments the right way.

Because this isn’t about a quick run.

It’s about longevity.

THE MESSAGE

At the core of everything, the goal is simple:

Make people feel understood.

If someone hears a song and realizes they’re not alone in what they’re going through — that’s bigger than numbers.

That’s impact.

FINAL WORD

CertifiedStunna is still in the early chapters.

But the foundation is already there — authenticity, discipline, and a story that doesn’t need to be exaggerated to be powerful.

From Utica to North Carolina…

From silence to sound…

From survival to expression…

This isn’t just music.

This is real life — translated into something you can feel.

And this is only the beginning.

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