Entertainment
“Mountaintop music: takeaways from RG43s newest release ”
Paintings Below is the concept album covers created by Reid Gardner.
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.
Billboard Top Hip-hop
From Small Town Dreams to Entertainment Powerhouse: The Rise of Dominique Danielle
Dominique Danielle’s journey from the slums of Alton, Illinois, to becoming a multi-talented entertainer is a testament to perseverance and passion. As a preteen, her mother moved her to Atlanta, Georgia, in pursuit of better opportunities in music and entertainment. This bold decision would set the stage for Dominique’s remarkable career.
Her love for music led her mother, who also acted as her manager, to approach Atlanta’s top hip-hop radio station, Hot 107.9. This serendipitous move unexpectedly launched Dominique’s career in radio. Under the mentorship of industry professionals, she became a skilled board operator, producing shows for renowned personalities like Michael Baisden and Rickey Smiley.
Over the next decade, Dominique expanded her repertoire, becoming a radio personality and hosting music-driven TV shows. Her ambition drove her to explore various facets of entertainment, including club events and college parties. She even worked as a personality for Streetz 94.5 before fully committing to her music career.
Relocating to Los Angeles, Dominique conquered the prestigious high school tour as a singer, rapper, and entertainer. Her talents extended beyond music, as she delved into theater, film, and social media comedy. Notable achievements include co-hosting CBS’s music variety show “Trap City ATL” and garnering recognition for her acting and comedic timing.
Dominique Danielle’s story is one of relentless pursuit and adaptability. Her diverse skill set, coupled with unwavering morals, hard work, and resilience, continues to propel her forward in the entertainment industry. As she expands her horizons, there seems to be no limit to what this multi-faceted talent can achieve.
Billboard Top Hip-hop
“VinChi Shakur: Rising Hip-Hop Star Making Waves”
VinChi Shakur, an official BMI member and major recording artist, has swiftly carved out a significant presence in the music industry within just two years of his release from prison. In this short span, he has impressively released one album, three EPs, 25 singles, and eight official music videos, demonstrating his prolific talent and unwavering dedication. His diverse portfolio includes movie sync licensing deals and substantial radio play on prominent stations such as Shade45, The Breakfast Club 105.1 & 102.1 LA, establishing him as a leading voice for Generation Z music.
As VinChi’s momentum builds, he has garnered attention through interviews with top digital radio stations and influential magazines. Notable features include appearances on @iHeartRadio, @TheRecBoys, @In_the_Den_with_Nala from @Power904, @The_Culture_Clvb, @RadioPushersTV, @HipHopSince_1987, @24Hiphop, and more. These interviews highlight his rising prominence and the broad recognition of his artistry.
Beyond his musical achievements, VinChi is the CEO of VSE VinChi Shakur Entertainment LLC and the host of “The VSE Live & Direct Music Review Show.” His multifaceted role in the industry underscores his commitment to hip-hop not only as an artist but also as a leader and influencer. Born in Jersey, VinChi initially gained recognition as an underground rapper, perfecting his energetic delivery and transforming his life stories into creative art forms. His dynamic performances have led him to open for notable artists like Rotimi from the hit show “Power” and perform at esteemed venues such as The Makinitmag Compound and SXSW.
VinChi has earned endorsements from respected figures in the hip-hop community, including DJ Envy from Hot 97.1 The Breakfast Club and Sheek Louch from L.O.X. (D-Block). His competitive spirit has shone through numerous victories in live review competitions hosted by PLAN-A-RADIO, MAKINITMAG, and TAYKELLEY LIVE. Recently, VinChi celebrated his first plaque award after reaching #20 on the Apple/iTunes Top 100 Hip-Hop Charts, marking a significant milestone in his burgeoning career.
VinChi Shakur exemplifies the resilience and passion of a true hip-hop artist, singer, and songwriter. He continues to push boundaries and inspire the next generation with his powerful music and unwavering drive, solidifying his place in the music industry.
Business
Free Thanksgiving Dinner on Crenshaw!
WestCoast Wingz & Sliderz collaborate with West Coast artist & producer “Mayjah Payne” for a Thanksgiving Holiday Food Drive in the heart of Los Angeles.
“Today was a good day” on Crenshaw boulevard, as a long line filled of all ages were given free thanksgiving dinner for the holiday season.
“We just wanted to give back to the community,” @MayjahPayne commented when asked why the event was put together.
On November 27, business owners from WestCoast Wingz & Sliderz organized an impromptu free dinner give away for the residents of the Crenshaw area. Promoted through social media and word of mouth, WestCoast Wingz & Sliderz brought together local business owners, entrepreneurs, artists, and volunteers to give out cooked meals to the community.
The event was held in the Crenshaw area “District 10” and brought together the residential community alongside family members from all walks of life. With 20 plus volunteers from all ethnicities it was a groundbreaking day for Crenshaw. People ate, talked, laughed, and walked away with free groceries! https://www.westcoastwingzandsliderz.com/
WestCoast Wingz & Sliderz is located in the Baldwin Hills Mall Food Court and the business is committed to the unity and empowerment of the residents in the community. Follow @wingznsliderz on instagram and visit https://www.