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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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Leilani Kristina: A Force of Art, Activism, and Ancestral Power

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Leilani Kristina: A Force of Art, Activism, and Ancestral Power

Some artists entertain. Others inspire. But every so often, a singular presence emerges—one who does both, and so much more. Leilani Kristina is that presence: a fearless creative, a truth-teller, and a living bridge between culture, art, and justice.

A true polymath in the modern age, Leilani is a published model, gifted singer-songwriter, dancer, and passionate Indigenous rights advocate. Her path is not just one of performance—it’s one of purpose. She isn’t simply chasing fame; she’s building a platform for expression, healing, and impact.


Ancestral Legacy, Artistic Fire

At the heart of Leilani’s artistic expression lies her deep-rooted Indigenous heritage. Her performances aren’t just acts of creativity—they’re acts of remembrance. In Nanyehi, a musical staged by Tulsa Theater, she portrayed Betsey Ward, a descendant of her own ancestor, Nancy Ward (Nanyehi), a revered Cherokee woman and peacekeeper. Sharing the stage with Hollywood icon Wes Studi, Leilani brought her family’s history to life in a way that was both emotional and empowering.

This wasn’t just a role—it was a reclamation. Through her portrayal, she honored the resilience of her lineage and connected her audience to stories often excluded from the mainstream narrative.


Runways with a Message

Leilani’s influence stretches far beyond the theater. On the catwalk, she brings her cultural pride and commanding presence to international fashion weeks in Milan, New York, Los Angeles, and Miami. Her look is striking, but it’s the message behind the walk that truly sets her apart.

She doesn’t just model clothes—she models courage, authenticity, and representation. Leilani challenges narrow beauty standards by standing unapologetically in her identity. With each show, she redefines what it means to be seen and celebrated in an industry still learning how to embrace diversity.


A Sound that Speaks Volumes

In the music world, Leilani Kristina delivers more than catchy hooks—she delivers truth. Her original songs, distributed through United Masters, are rich with emotion and intention. Themes of strength, healing, love, and resistance pulse through every lyric, creating a soundscape that resonates deeply with listeners navigating their own struggles.

Her upcoming album promises even more depth, offering sonic experiences that serve as both refuge and rallying cry. Through her voice, Leilani isn’t just singing—she’s speaking directly to those who feel unheard.


Lights, Camera, Impact

Hollywood is beginning to recognize what audiences already feel: Leilani Kristina is a star in every sense. She’s performed at major industry events like the BET Awards Weekend and Big Game Weekend, capturing attention from influential circles in film and music. With auditions for high-profile roles such as Moana and Juliet in a musical adaptation, she’s poised for a breakout in film and television.

But Leilani’s rise in Hollywood isn’t about fitting in—it’s about breaking through. She represents the stories and voices that have long been missing from the screen. Her presence is not just refreshing—it’s necessary.


An Advocate First

Beyond the spotlight, Leilani is a powerful voice in advocacy. Drawing from her lived experience, she speaks on the realities of human trafficking, gender-based violence, and human rights abuses with rare honesty and conviction. Her activism is informed, urgent, and deeply personal.

Whether on stage, in interviews, or through her social media, Leilani uses every tool at her disposal to raise awareness and inspire action. She doesn’t seek attention—she seeks justice.


Defining Her Own Legacy

With representation by ADR Agency and Urge Management, Leilani Kristina continues to blaze her own trail—on her own terms. She’s not following trends or chasing validation. She’s telling stories, amplifying truths, and holding space for those often left out of the conversation.

Leilani isn’t just rising—she’s lifting others as she climbs.


To witness her journey and join her growing movement, follow her on Instagram: @lotus_pua

Because Leilani Kristina is more than a name.
She’s more than a performer.
She is a living movement—a beacon of culture, creativity, and change in a world hungry for all three.

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Kyng Pariah on Faith, Fire, and the Future of Hip-Hop

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Kyng Pariah

In a musical era often consumed by clout and commercialism, Kyng Pariah steps onto the scene with something more enduring: truth. Not the kind filtered for algorithmic favor, but an abstract, spiritual, and fire-forged truth rooted in faith, pain, and purpose.

Keeping It Abstract, Keeping It Real

“I want to keep the abstractness in my sound and creativity—if that makes any sense to you like it does to me,” Kyng explains.

And it does make sense—for those listening with more than just their ears. His music isn’t designed to be overly polished or industry-molded. It’s made to breathe, to sting, to heal. Every beat carries his fingerprint, every lyric shaped by both chaos and clarity. His upcoming releases aren’t just albums; they’re experiences—spiritually charged expressions of survival, soul, and sound.

Vulnerability Meets Resilience

There’s no performance in Kyng’s pain. Just presence.

Balancing vulnerability and resilience isn’t a contradiction—it’s a calling. “My father always told me, ‘Never tell someone anything that will hurt you.’ So I don’t,” he shares. “But I still want people to know they’re not alone.”

This isn’t trauma for applause. It’s truth for connection. Kyng’s vulnerability is sacred—shared only to bridge, never to break.

Collaborations & Creative Alignment

When Kyng talks dream collabs—Tupac, Kendrick, Lupe, Pharrell, Nas—you understand his ethos. “It’s the poetry behind the human spitting the bars,” he says. “They redesigned Hip-Hop with intellect and soul.”

As founder of Team Dork Nation, Kyng takes collaboration seriously. “Authenticity, transparency, communication—those are my non-negotiables. The energy has to be right.”

This is art with intention, not ego.

The Message Behind the Music

Kyng doesn’t write from ego. He writes from spirit. Every track is a message in a bottle—reaching out to those who’ve battled doubt, trauma, identity, or silence.

His mission? To speak life into people who feel like outsiders. The misfits. The dreamers. The survivors. “It’s about the story behind the human who creates it,” he says. And Kyng’s story is one of redemption, resistance, and relentless faith.

Upcoming Releases to Watch:

  • Brown Skin Kids – June 19, 2025
  • Finna Trip – September 12, 2025
  • F.A.F.O. Starter Pack – January 30, 2026
  • God Given Gift 2 – TBA

Plus, new beats and visuals dropping monthly on YouTube @TeamDorkNation

“Kyng of Pariahs” – A Title Reimagined

“I’m the reject but the original design.”

That’s how Kyng defines the phrase “Kyng of Pariahs.” It’s not ego—it’s empowerment. A bold reclamation of identity. The “Y” in Kyng? That’s not just style. It stands for youthful spirit, eternal creativity, and nonconformity.

His identity holds duality—masculine and feminine energy, light and shadow, seriousness and play. It’s not a brand. It’s a movement.

Words for the Warriors

To every artist hustling through hardship, Kyng has this to say:

“Stay invested in your health—physical, mental, and emotional. Stay authentic. Allow yourself to forgive… especially yourself. Stay eager to learn and grow. Take time for yourself. You owe it to YOU to be great. You will achieve your goals. Don’t stop working—it’ll pay off. Be blessed.”

A Movement, not a Moment

In a world thirsty for something real, Kyng Pariah offers the Abstract Truth: Hip-Hop is still holy. Still healing. Still evolving. And with Kyng behind the mic, the genre’s future sounds spiritually raw, unapologetically Black, and beautifully fearless.

Stay tuned. The revolution is real—and it’s wearing a crown.

Follow the Movement
📺 YouTube: @TeamDorkNation
📱 Instagram / X / TikTok: @KyngPariah
🎧 Streaming Platforms: Coming Soon

The revolution is real — and it’s wearing a crown.

 

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Curstin Andrews: Redefining Success in Film, One Role at a Time

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Curstin Andrews

From modest beginnings in Augusta, Georgia, Curstin Andrews has carved out a name for himself in the competitive world of acting. Now based in Atlanta, this 25-year-old artist is not just building a career—he’s building a legacy.


Starting from the Ground Up

Curstin’s first foray into acting came in late 2022 when he stepped onto set life as a background extra. While these early roles were silent, they were far from insignificant. They gave him a front-row education in the rhythm of filmmaking, helping him absorb the nuance, discipline, and dedication it takes to thrive in the entertainment world.

By March 2023, Curstin was landing speaking roles—stepping out of the background and into the spotlight. With each new project, his sense of purpose grew clearer: storytelling through character is not just a passion but his calling.


Sharpening the Craft

Determined to evolve as a performer, Curstin began formal training at Mann Robinson Studios under the instruction of Dale Jennings. His journey continued under the guidance of respected acting coaches like Louis Stancil and Lucky Johnson, both of whom helped him refine his emotional range, presence, and authenticity on screen.


On-Screen Journey

From emotionally charged dramas to intense thrillers, Curstin’s growing résumé speaks to his versatility and drive.

🎬 Feature Films

  • Pure Pain (Lead) – Directed by Toine South

  • Trapoligy (Lead) – Directed by Micheal

  • My Killer Ex-Girlfriend (Supporting) – Directed by Johnathan Milton

  • Ryder The Movie (Supporting) – Directed by Jaloni Jackson

  • Illijah (Supporting) – Now streaming on Tubi

  • House of Hope (Supporting) – Directed by Marques Womack

  • Additional credits: Twisted Love, Bottle Girl, Callie, Three the Hard Way, and more.

🎥 Short Films

  • Who’s There (Lead) – Directed by Alexis Morrison

  • Blooming Hearts (Supporting) – Directed by Jasmine Alexander

  • Love on Delay (Supporting) – Directed by Jayla Re’Shon

📺 Television

  • Ms. Pat Settles It – Co-starred in an episode by 495 Productions

  • BMF (Season 3) – Stand-in role on STARZ

  • The House & Collective Trust – Co-starred

📣 Commercial & Music Appearances

  • Appeared in an Old Spice commercial as a prom-going teen

  • Starred in Derrico’s music video Do Not Disturb


Beyond Acting: A Visionary with a Business Mindset

More than just a performer, Curstin is an entrepreneur in the making. He’s the founder of a film production company and has future plans to build a full-service studio. His mission? To create access for underrepresented voices and open doors for new talent across the South.


What’s Ahead

With fame looming, Curstin remains focused on the bigger picture. While he strives for A-list status, his deeper goal is to be a catalyst for change—both on and off the screen. Whether through impactful stories or mentorship, Curstin Andrews wants to shape a more inclusive and dynamic entertainment industry.


Curstin Andrews is not just acting—he’s architecting a future. From breakout roles in Illijah, House of Hope, and Blooming Hearts to his ambitious behind-the-camera pursuits, this rising star’s journey is just beginning. And it’s one the film world will want to follow closely.

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