Billboard Top Hip-hop
Rising Star: The Journey of Chaikey
Q. It’s an honor to speak with you today. Why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. How did you get to where you are today?
I’ve always loved the arts and spent a lot of time reflecting, so I started off creating for myself. I was raised by my mother and family in a large, loving, and crazy Caribbean household. It’s challenging to find peace and privacy in that environment, so I’ve always looked for it everywhere I’ve gone and in everything I’ve done and created.
Growing up, I read, wrote, drew, painted – and of course listened to music and watched TV; these were and still are my outlets. Around my middle school years, people started telling me I should model. I didn’t think I could model, and even though I loved music and movies, I didn’t seriously consider or pursue a career in entertainment; I experienced some of my worst years of social anxiety and depression in my teens.
I dual enrolled in high school and graduated in 2017. I was still unsure what to pursue but I knew I wanted prove the negative voice in my head wrong. I did; I started modeling in fall 2018. I graduated from PBSC with my A.A. in Studio/Fine Art around that time. Over the years as I got into modeling, I continued painting and writing stories, poetry, and music, mainly for myself.
I got where I am today by creating from experience, being inspired by other artists, leaving my comfort zone, collaborating, networking, getting mentorship, and sharing creations – both mine and others’ – via social media and in person at local events.
Q. I’m sure your success has not come easily. What challenges have you had to overcome along the way?
Success hasn’t come easily and it’s still on its way to me, but the obstacles are lessons. Some of the challenges are juggling my hats, businesses, creations, mental health, and personal life/relationships while I’m healing and getting to know myself as an individual and a creative.
For years, I’ve had an unhealthy relationship with myself and others I’ve let into my life. I was smoking and getting into “situation-ships” by my teens. Most people haven’t known this side of me but it shaped a lot of my story.
Fall 2020-spring 2021, I started converting some of my poems and journals into music and scripts for my show/short film/ebook The Diary of An Anxious Black Girl. Throughout that same time period, I experienced an unexpected pregnancy and my grandfather’s passing.
Summer 2021, I recorded a song and performed for the first time. Before and after summer, I fell in and out of depression and slowed down on creating.
I went to therapy for a few months then stopped. Since the end of 2022, I’ve been working on being healthier.
Q. Let’s talk about the work you do. What do you specialize in and why should someone work with you over the competition?
I’m a Neo-soul artist and creative director. My creations follow a young black artist’s experiences – my experiences – with health, alter egos, and vices.
It’s about creating more than it’s about competition for me – though of course competition is a factor to consider in any industry or business.
Someone should work with me because I’m making a conscious effort to be my multifaceted, original, honest, and authentic self. I’ve made a lot of my life about creating this angelic image to make up for my insecurities and anxiety. Now I want my image and creations to be truer to me and what I’m living, not some wave, some trend, or what I think other people want.
Q. What’s your best piece of advice for readers who desire to find success in their life?
Put your health first – before relationships – not just romantic but also platonic. Put yourself before social media and your business; what you pour into you is what you get out of anything else.
Network, get mentors – especially in your industry – and use guidance to create/get to know your own standards and story before immediately just trying to live like your mentors. Be true to self, always. I’m working on all this myself; when I live by it, things flow best.
Q. Speaking of success, what does the word mean to you?
In my eyes, success means peace, happiness, and freedom in every part of my life. Success means getting up and being able to live, to exist knowing we have more than everything we need. It means thriving consistently; being alive beyond day-to-day survival. Success is being able to be.
Q. What’s next for you?
What’s next is creating my first EP, music videos, and short films, and curating events for their releases. My EP “Divine Intervention” will be about overcoming and living a happier, healthier life. I want to focus on having more fun with the process this time.
Q. Finally, how can people connect with you if they want to learn more?
People can connect with me and learn more via email, my website, or social media. Email is the best way to get in contact with me for any business-related questions.
Email: iamchaikey@gmail.com
Website: www.ichaikey.com
Instagram/Tiktok/Twitter/
Facebook: Chai Key
Billboard Top Hip-hop
Ashwin Gane to Ignite the Intuit Dome with a Thrilling Primetime Performance at Lakers vs. Clippers Showdown”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Los Angeles, CA – Brace yourself for an unforgettable evening of music and sports as Ashwin Gane, one of the music industry’s brightest rising stars, takes center stage for a spectacular primetime performance. On February 4, 2025, the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers will clash in a high-stakes matchup at the state-of-the-art Intuit Dome, and Ashwin will set the tone for the night with an electrifying opening act.
Backed by an energetic crew of 20 young hip-hop dancers, Ashwin’s performance promises to turn the 18,000-seat Intuit Dome into an epicenter of rhythm, movement, and adrenaline-pumping beats. The blend of his symphonic hip-hop style with the intensity of one of basketball’s fiercest rivalries is guaranteed to captivate fans and set the stage for a night to remember.
A Legacy of Greatness
Performing at a primetime NBA event is a coveted honor shared by music legends like Drake, J. Cole, and Travis Scott. These performances have become cultural milestones, celebrating the intersection of sports, music, and entertainment on a global stage. Ashwin Gane now joins this illustrious lineage, bringing his innovative sound and boundless energy to one of the NBA’s most anticipated games of the season.
Ashwin Gane: A Star on the Rise
Known for his cinematic storytelling and urban beats, Ashwin has quickly become a force to reckon with in the hip-hop world. His ability to create immersive musical experiences has garnered him fans worldwide, and his upcoming performance at the Intuit Dome is set to be a defining moment in his career.
As Ashwin follows in the footsteps of stars like Kendrick Lamar and Megan Thee Stallion, his primetime performance solidifies his place among music’s elite emerging talents.
Don’t Miss It
February 4th promises to be more than a game—it’s a cultural event. Join Ashwin Gane as he lights up the Intuit Dome, delivering a high-energy performance that will elevate the Lakers vs. Clippers rivalry to legendary status.
Contact:
Melissa, Global Billboards LLC
(470) 902-8487
On February 4, 2025, Ashwin, a talented artist, will grace the Intuit Dome with a remarkable performance as the opening act for the highly anticipated game between the LA Clippers and the LA Lakers. Directed and choreographed by the brilliant Destiny Frye, this visual spectacle promises to be extraordinary, showcasing a groundbreaking concept within the state-of-the-art $2.1 billion stadium.
This performance marks a significant milestone for Ashwin as it will be his debut appearance at an NBA event. The excitement surrounding this first-ever NBA performance is palpable, with fans eagerly anticipating the innovative and electrifying presentation that Ashwin is set to deliver.
Destiny Frye, the visionary behind this event, is the owner of Hip Hop Dreamz and the Origin Performing Arts Dance Studio. With a decade of experience in orchestrating NBA primetime performances, Destiny is celebrating her 10th anniversary of collaboration with the NBA, making this event even more special.
Destiny and her team are thrilled to bring Ashwin’s music to the forefront, promising an unforgettable experience for the audience. Although this is Ashwin’s inaugural NBA performance, it marks the beginning of a promising journey, and fans can expect many more captivating collaborations in the future. Ashwin is recognized as a trailblazer of his generation, and the anticipation for his future projects is already building. This event is not just a performance; it’s a celebration of artistry, innovation, and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead for Ashwin and Destiny Frye in their creative endeavours.
Billboard Top Hip-hop
Platinum Audio Engineer & Award-Winning Writer Mark “Savage” on Entering Management and Tackling Patriarchy
For years, Mark “Savage” Sanders bold, dynamic mixing style has landed him work behind the boards of major tours and hit records alike. Working with artists like Shordie Shordie, Lizzo, Coi Leray, Kevin Gates, Fetty Wap, Kelly Rowland and more, Mark sports an ever-expanding discography of cutting edge of popular music. We spoke with Mark to get insights into his career arc, workflow, and to understand how his unique sound is built upon a firm foundation of technical skill, knowledge and deep listening.
For starters, could you tell me how you got into engineering?
So at my high school they had an early college program where you could get your associates or a certificate by graduation. I wasn’t looking to be an audio engineer. I don’t even think I really knew what an audio engineer was, which makes it all the more crazy. I saw music production schools, but I went for audio engineering at Full Sail University.
What boards were you working on when you were doing live sound?
It was whatever the house had. Working on Mackie boards or Yamaha boards that only had seven inputs that worked—Avid and Midas consoles, the M32s, the Behringer X32, a lot of different stuff. Being a live sound engineer taught me so much signal flow and having to adapt to different spaces and different gear all the time. If I’m on tour and we’re generally using the same board, we’re probably never using the same monitors for front-of-house. The rooms are bigger or smaller—different places have different problem areas—being in a stadium or doing a festival where you have delays and all that stuff is just insane.
So you were ghostwriting, engineering, producing, and rapping in the beginning?
Yes I did it all except play an instrument.
Now today you’ve received a BMI Award, 2x Platinum, and over 12,000 sync placements how does it feel?
If I had to be honest I don’t care about any of it anymore. I want to see my Son win big like this. I’m more into family these days. I did everything I wanted in life and overachieved. I’m good!
We see you have Royalty ENTERTAINMENT & managing as far as entertainment goes what else can we expect?
Whatever God does. I’m not chasing anything anymore. Focused on living life, family, and wealth/health. Definitely support my DJ, DJ King, Ashley Blaire, and Pretty Liyah. Other than that I’m about to be out the way. (He laughs) I’m so burnt out. I’m chilling.
Last question, seeing that you did everything you wanted is there anything left that you haven’t 2025 going forward?
No just travel more that’s it. Like when I say I’ve given life everything I’ve had. I’ve given it everything. Plus I think most people are waiting for me to be famous or something which I’m avoiding and praying never happens.
Ashwin Gane to Ignite the Intuit Dome with a Thrilling Primetime Performance at Lakers vs. Clippers Showdown”
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