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Under the radar: 10 artists below 100k listeners to watch out for in 2022

In the digital age of music distribution, overabundance is a blessing and a curse.

Listeners have no shortage of fresh, interesting music to listen to, but hidden gems are often buried, lost in the shuffle of weekly releases. What about under-the-radar artists, going unheard by the masses?

Small, independent artists make some of today’s most exciting and forward-thinking music, but a lack of promotion can keep their music from reaching the ears of potential fans.

In the spirit of friendly recommendation, here are 10 talented artists carving out their own unique stations in the music industry.

These artists come from disparate genres– you can find sounds you know you’ll like, and expand your palate along the way.

Angel Bat Dawid

Instagram: @angeltheoracle

Listeners: 31,000

Genre: Avant Garde Jazz

Spotify: Top Tracks

Angel Bat Dawid sings, speaks, and screams if she needs to, expressing herself over a bold, cascading soundscape of horns and drums.

She is unafraid to lean into abrasive sounds to convey the pressing need for black liberation, stirring and surprising her audience.


Mel Bryant and the Mercy Makers

Instagram: @melbryantmusic

Listeners: 39,000

Genre: Alternative Rock / Folk

Spotify: Top Tracks

Mel Bryant and the Mercy Makers are a three-piece group from Nashville, Tennessee, cooking up a fresh blend of folk, rock, and pop.

Their confessional lyrics release the frustrations of adult life over raging, insistent guitar lines. Their songs are cathartic and honest.


Honey Butter

Instagram: @honeybuttertheband

Listeners: 59,000

Genre: Indie Pop

Spotify: Top Tracks

An EP and a series of singles have established Honey Butter’s style: smooth, clean pop grooves, overlaid with bright vocals.

All in all, a glossy, promising beginning, smooth and clear as water. Catch them on the way up!


Blood Incantation

Listeners: 32,000

Genre: Death Metal / Dark Ambient

Spotify: Top Tracks

Shifting from their prior sound, which was death metal woven with strands of psychedelic rock, Blood Incantation’s recent record “Timewave Zero” unfurls a dark, subdued ambient soundscape.

This bold shift in sound might foreshadow a future untethered to the genre, which is all the more reason to keep an eye on them.


Sobs

Instagram: @sobshaha

Listeners: 39,000

Genre: Dream Pop

Spotify: Top Tracks

Singapore-based trio Sobs showcases shimmering layers of sound on their debut “Catflap”, a collection of silky dream-pop tunes fringed with intricate guitar plucking.

The hazy vocals and laidback melodies are easy to drift through, but there’s plenty of complexity for the attuned ear to enjoy.


Maassai

Instagram: @Maassai

Listeners: 1,700

Genre: Rap / Hip Hop

Spotify: Top Tracks

Maassai delivers a thoughtful, raw perspective on life with her 2021 album, “With the Shifts”.

The beats are fuzzy and faded, infused with jazz and grit; her rap is peppered with clear-eyed observations on generational trauma, spiritual growth, and activism.


Jane Inc.

Instagram: @janeincmusic

Listeners: 7,600

Genre: Disco / Electronic / Pop

Spotify: Top Tracks

Carlyn Bezic, known for her work with U.S. Girls and duo group Ice Cream, brings fans a new solo project with Jane Inc.

Her 2022 project, “Faster Than I Can Take”, offers meditations on post-industrial life through glitchy, glistening synths, with elements of disco and rock.


Blanck Mass

Instagram: @blanckmass

Listeners: 44,000

Genre: Dance / Industrial Electronic

Spotify: Top Tracks

Get ready for grimy, pulse-racing beats that border on gruesome. Blanck Mass’s electronic sound is explosive and packed with character, using chopped vocal samples and ambient basslines.

The listener can never safely know what to expect: the music has moments both overpowering and quietly unnerving.


Marquis Hill

Instagram: @mhillsounds

Listeners: 29,000

Genre: Jazz

Spotify: Top Tracks

Marquis Hill’s dizzying technical skill has brought him acclaim as one of the most talented jazz trumpeters alive today.

Most notably, his Modern Flows series catapults classic jazz structures and sounds into the contemporary landscape, bringing hip hop and R&B influences to post-bop beats.


Royal Coda

Instagram: @royal.coda

Listeners: 81,000

Genre: Post Hardcore

Spotify: Top Tracks

Kurt Travis, the vocalist of Dance Gavin Dance fame, has lent his talent to Royal Coda’s expanding catalog of work.

These post-rock songs are driving, exciting, and packed to bursting with memorable riffs. The group shows great coordination and each layer of sound fits together seamlessly.

Smart Ways Musicians Can Sell Their Music in 2022

Today, there are more ways than ever before for musicians to take control of their work and make money from it without the need for studio bosses, record labels, and the like to act as middlemen.

From making the most of merchandising opportunities to live streaming to selling NFTs, the sky is the limit right now in terms of the potential of bands and solo artists to monetize their output and secure investment if they’re new on the scene.

Sell Royalty-Free Music

Musicians can make money by selling their work as royalty-free music, which can be used by people who want to find music for their promotional videos, for example, or an online advertisement.

This is usually done by signing up to a platform specializing in the selling of royalty-free music; when your track is bought, you’ll receive a percentage of the sale price from the platform. 

This can be an easy, passive way to make money from a track that you’ve written, especially for the royalty-free market, that has the potential to continue to generate revenue for years to come.


Create and Sell NFT

The term music NFT stands for Non-Fungible Token and relates to a digitalized, unique item. In contrast to their Fungible cousins, NFTs can’t be exchanged for an item of the same value – each token is totally unique.

They are an effective way to establish or confirm ownership, too: NFTs are underpinned by blockchain technology, and as such, they provide rock-solid proof of this ownership.

An NFT could be the one-off digital version of an album, alternative album artwork, or an unreleased track; they can also relate to experiences, such as a backstage pass at a certain concert.

Many artists like NFTs because they represent a way to connect directly with their fans; this can lead to some important symbiotic relationships.

For example, a fan could invest in the new band they love by buying an NFT – as well as injecting funds into the band; this NFT could be a very lucrative investment if the act makes it big. All parties win!


Use Dropshipping to Sell Merchandise

Selling merchandise isn’t just a great way for bands and solo artists to make money from the actual items up for sale but an important way to boost music sales. Dropshipping can be a good way for small or newly emerging musicians to cash in.

This method of selling means that the operation is undertaken by a third-party company that specializes in this model; the band or artist doesn’t need to keep the product or stock or even handle it directly, as this is all taken care of by the dropshipping company.

And if you need any more convincing? Today, up to 35% of a band’s generated revenue is via sales of merchandise.


Get on a Streaming Platform

It’s a great idea for musicians to get their tracks on a popular streaming platform to make money from their work, as well as to help get them noticed.

Streaming is becoming one of the main ways that people discover new music, so making sure the music is there to be discovered in the first place is crucial!

While musicians will only receive a tiny amount of money per stream, this can quickly add up – especially if your track suddenly surges in popularity.


Make the Most of Live Streaming 

Musicians can also use live streaming to sell their work – plus, it allows them to play to audiences worldwide. Bands and solo artists can use live stream shows to raise money through the sales of tickets and by using online tip jars.

To get an idea of just how lucrative live streaming can be, in the first six months of the pandemic, the platform Bandzoogle generated around $400,000 from these events.


Licensing Opportunities

Getting a track or a selection of music featured in a film, TV show, or advertisement means that musicians will likely be entitled to receive a licensing fee.

These fees can vary a great deal, and you’ll need to ensure that, legally, you fully understand the details of any licensing agreement before signing a contract.


Use Youtube

Making the most of Youtube to sell music can be a very lucrative idea indeed. As well as using the platform to grow an audience, if an artist’s music is used in any video that runs ads, Youtube pays some of the advertising revenue generated to the rights holder of the track.

Some bands use the services of a digital distributor to help them ensure they’re collecting all the money they’re entitled to, and to capitalize, where possible, on this market.


Back to Basics

And it’s not just through innovative new means and methods that musicians can sell their work. There’s a big market for vinyl now, and pressing a small run of records can create a valuable artifact that fans will want to own while potentially bringing in some substantial funds.

Live performances, session work, and publishing royalties are all ‘traditional’ methods that remain an effective way for musicians to get their creations out into the world while making money.

The future of music NFTS is here

Music NFTs are one of the fastest-growing branches within the NFT realm. If you’ve been closely following NFT news, you surely came across a wide range of original, bold, creative, and even downright crazy NFT drops.

From memes to bored apes, to artwork signed by Stan Lee—there’s no end to the ways in which NFTs can be applied, dropped, and promoted. Of course, NFTs aren’t limited to digital art. It’s fair game for any digital asset, including music.

The Kings of Leon was the first band to release an album as an NFT, featuring tokens that unlock special perks such as special albums, limited-edition vinyl, exclusive art, and front row seats to future concerts—for life.

When NFT’s become musical, and profitable

According to an article on CoinDesk, “Bajan rapper Haleek Maul made $226,800 in music NFT sales on Catalog, while his annualized Spotify earnings are just $178.” Maul went on to tell CoinDest that he “…made 81 ETH from five Catalog sales, which at the time was worth more than $250,000.”

The element of profitability doesn’t necessarily have to be limited to the creators themselves. The holders can also get a piece of the pie, as in the case of UK-based FRESHA Records.

FRESHA Records is the combined entity of legendary UK 90’s dance labels, Fresh and Freskanova Records, to celebrate 30 years of dance hits. On March 25, the combined entity will release a collection of royalty-share (LDA) NFTs, dubbed 90’s NOW, based on some of the labels’ all-time biggest chart and club hits.

FRESHA will tokenize 10 classic singles and 2 albums as NFTs for the collection on the OpenSea marketplace, including some of the labels’ all-time biggest hits. 

Holders of the NFTs will be entitled to a 10-year royalty share of the proceeds generated from the source song or album, earned at an annual rate of 15% net prorated all label income and label share, excluding publishing.

The future of music NFTs

This just might be the dawn of a new era in the NFT space, serving as a win-win for everyone in the music industry, from labels to artists, to holders.

It’s safe to say that music NFTs have come a long way since their early days, which mainly consisted of an underground following made up of producers, DJs, and other players in the music industry itself.

It has gone on to become a transformative force, which also creates dialogue as it unites each respective fanbase on Discord who shares the same passion. As stated in TIME magazine, “Before, your fanbase couldn’t be in the label meetings with you. But now we all are the label together.”

There is still plenty of room for disruption for music NFTs because even remixes can be incentivized as an upgradable NFT.

According to the digital agency Blue Manakin, “Upgradable NFTs open the possibility of more efficient distribution of music, that does not have to go through intermediaries and that facilitates the creation of exclusive material, collaborations, and remixes, without the legal implications that often arise.”  

Considering all the opportunities that have yet to be tapped, we have barely scratched the surface of the potential of music NFTs.

Sports and Music: The Relationship and Benefit

Numerous sports athletes rely on music to help them achieve the optimal mentality for training and competition. The issue is, how effective is music in enhancing an athlete’s performance? For many athletes, the answer is VERY.

Slow-tempo music might persuade individuals to remain longer in a game. This implies that when you play at FanDuel Casino, for example, you may put more bets and play for longer periods than while listening to music with a quicker tempo.

Music has been found in recent research to aid athletes in reducing tiredness, increasing their pain tolerance, and improving their mood and motivation.

Additionally, sports athletes who listen to the right music can filter out terror and concern and, in certain situations, refocus their attention on emotions of confidence and achievement.

Coaches have recently increased their use of music in their training programs as a technique to ease the experience of difficult and sometimes tedious physical exercise. 

One strategy for improving team performance is for the coach to utilize inspiring or uplifting music during high-intensity training and quieter music during rest intervals. Music must be changed constantly, and athletes should be polled to determine their musical preferences. 

Coaches may be more successful by having each athlete construct and listen to a playlist of their favorite music for certain sections of their training and visualizing the impact of each song at those periods.

Both music and athletics provide invaluable skills and advantages that not only enhance one’s lifestyle but also complement one another. 

Musical training has been shown to enhance physical coordination and motor skill abilities, and vice versa, that being an athlete may help musicians improve their skills and performances.

While there’s presently no research on the outcomes of those who study music and sport concurrently, some fascinating discoveries provide musicians and athletes insight into how to elevate their performances.

The following are some examples of how music might improve athletic performance for athletes during training and competition:

  • Music that’s viewed as motivating has been shown to boost ratings of perceived effort (RPE), motivation, and arousal.
  • Music has been shown to motivate athletes to strive harder during exercise and for longer durations until they fail.
  • Because music’s rhythmical properties elicit a strong reaction, one might increase their skill and coordination of their kinetic chain.
  • Stimulating music has been shown to impact positive self-talk and “in the zone” (flow state) states.
  • Music may affect the heart rate in two ways: it can slightly increase it with stimulative music, or calm it down with sedative music.

Is music always the answer to enhanced performance and training? No. Music has been demonstrated to reduce an athlete’s attention span while they are learning new abilities. Additionally, the effects of music are contingent upon how athletes relate to their surroundings. 

Certain athletes want to be associated with everything in their surroundings, while others prefer, and even need, diversions or means to disassociate themselves from a large portion of their environment.

Music has been demonstrated to aid sports athletes who need to disconnect from their surroundings (and, in many instances, their views of their environment).

As an adult, combining music and athletics may open up several opportunities for developing one’s talent and satisfaction in one’s chosen line of employment.

For what seem to be two opposed areas of enjoyment, music and sport are more connected and create the ideal balance for improving and optimizing one’s life.

In general, all sports athletes are advised to include music in their evaluations of their training and competitive experiences.

Listen up: Some of the best sports podcasts you need to hear

What’s your favorite sports podcast?

Sport is best enjoyed visually, as our eyes and brains are able to process the intricate tactical decisions, glorious passing movements, and outstanding moments of individual brilliance incredibly quickly.

However, many fans are not able to make it to live events, or watch games on TV, for a number of reasons, so they, therefore, rely on the audio commentary, such as live radio, to follow along with the action.

There are some absolutely fabulous commentators out there, who do much more than just describe what is happening in front of them. They are also able to give us the context of these events and focus on the bigger picture than just what they’re seeing.

If you’ve got a long drive coming up in the next few weeks, and have to schedule it during your team playing live, find the radio station that is broadcasting it, and sit back and enjoy.

Of course, these days live radio isn’t the only audio medium that we can listen to hear all about sport. In the past 15 years, podcasts have become an essential part of our everyday lives.

They can be listened to in your own time, meaning people will often tune in to their favorite shows when they are traveling to work, whilst exercising, or whilst trying to go to sleep.

The range of sports podcasts varies widely. Some will recap recent games. Some will focus on specific teams. Some will talk about the best sportsbooks for finding odds on live games. Whatever you like to listen to, there will be a podcast out there for you.

We will attempt to cover some of the best podcasts out there, for each of the major sports. Many of you will have heard them already, but these can act as great entry points for people who are new to the world of sports podcasts.

sports podcasts

What’s your go-to sports podcast for American football?

It’s a huge sport, so obviously it is tough to choose between the hundreds of NFL podcasts out there. There is of course an official NFL one, but we don’t want to choose that. Instead, why not give The Ringer NFL Show a listen. It comes out several times a week, with the first show breaking down all the weekend’s action, whilst the mid-week edition focuses more on the wider NFL stories.

It has some great hosts in Kevin Clark and Jason Goff and has former NFL players such as James Jones and Ryan Shazier give their insights too. It is a great listen, whether you have a passing interest or burning passion for the NFL.

Keeping up to date with soccer podcasts

Where to start? There are a number of great shows that recap the action several times a week, such as Football Weekly and The Totally Football Show. The Athletic has a number of shows, some more general ones, whilst others focus on specific teams. 

Then there are also some soccer podcasts that don’t take things too seriously, such as the Athletico Mince, hosted by Bob Mortimer, or Quickly Kevin, Will He Score?, hosted by Josh Widdicombe. Both are very funny shows and explore a very different side to the world of soccer.

Why are you including a sport that we’ve barely heard of, let alone watched? Yes, many people in North America or parts of Europe have never gotten into cricket, but there are 2 billion other people on the planet who absolutely adore it. It is the second most viewed sport in the world, so there are certainly a huge number of cricket podcast fans out there.

Given it is an English sport, it is fitting that two of the best podcasts come from the BBC. The Test Match Special podcasts perfectly blend the main highlights of the days’ action, with some of the best cricket commentators on the planet, as well as interviews with former players and celebrity fans.

TMS is the more traditional choice, whereas Tailenders is aimed at a younger crowd. Radio DJ Greg James is joined by musician Felix White and the world’s greatest fast bowler Jimmy Anderson to talk about the world of cricket, Jimmy’s experiences, and muck around making fun of each other. Once you ‘get it’, you’ll be a fan for life.

Baseball fans love a good sports podcast

With the World Series going down to the wire, baseball fans will be eager to find a podcast to listen to, so that they are kept up to date with all the recent goings-on.

Baseball Tonight, a spin-off of the ESPN TV show is one that you can’t afford to miss. Hosted by Buster Olney, he perfectly mixes the hot topics, his own views, and listener interaction, to make a very listenable podcast. It is an absolute must for anyone who is a fan of America’s pastime.

Music

Our favorite NBA players are bumping this music before games

NBA players inspire us daily but what music are they listening to in order reach the highest level of focus?

Music can have an incredibly powerful effect on both our bodies and on our brains. If you need to concentrate whilst working, classical music has been known to help maintain focus.

If you are going out for a run, or any exercise that requires you to maintain a constant rhythm, finding dance music that has the right beats per minute has been proven to be incredibly effective. If you are hosting a dinner party and you want to create a chilled-out atmosphere amongst your guests, soft jazz could be the way forward.

Nerves can affect anyone before an important meeting or event, especially for those people who find these sorts of situations uncomfortable.

That is why it can be useful to get the adrenaline pumping and to go into these challenges head-on and feel energized, instead of meekly showing up. That is why fast music, such as rock, heavy metal, or rap, can be effective genres to try out in these sorts of situations.

Professional athletes aren’t immune to these sorts of nerves. In fact, some of them will have to go through this sort of process on a semi-weekly basis, as they will have numerous important fixtures to contend with each week.

That is why the locker room is off-limits to fans and the press, as it is seen as a sanctuary for the players to get into the right headspace, so they can focus on the game itself, and ignore everything else around them.

While post-game the locker room will probably have music being blared out from a loudspeaker, beforehand most players will have their own headphones in, listening to their music of choice.

Ever wondered what music it is that athletes, such as NBA players are listening to before they run out onto the court?

It is something fans and bettors will be considering when they are searching for sports betting odds on the NBA, as they want to place bets on players and teams who clearly look pumped up for the game, which will be directly influenced by the type of music they listen to pregame.

nba players music

Let’s see if we can’t uncover a little more information on this topic.

A few years ago, the NBA asked the teams who had made it to the playoffs to have some of their players share a few songs each, so fans could get a good idea of what was pumping through their headphones before these big crunch games.

A lot of the same artists cropped up, such as Kendrick Lamar, Jay-Z, N.W.A and 2 Pac. Justin Timberlake and Rihanna also made frequent appearances, as did 50 Cent and Lil Wayne. Given how popular the hip hop/ rap/ r&b genres are these days, it is no surprise to see them being mentioned so often by the current top NBA players. 

That’s not to say that other genres aren’t represented at all. J.J. Redick, the former shooting guard for the Philadelphia 76ers and the Orlando Magic was more into alternative rock, stating that he listened to bands such as Alt-J, Silversun Pickups, and Imagine Dragons before each game.

Rock music was certainly a more popular genre 20 years ago, but it’s good to see that some players still use it to get them motivated for a big game.

If LeBron is listening to it, it clearly works

LeBron James has arguably been the best NBA player for the past 15 to 20 years. He has won the NBA championship 4 times, in 2012, 2013, 2016, and 2020.

Not only that, but he has also been named as the NBA MVP on 4 separate occasions, in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2013. So clearly he knows what he is doing on the basketball court, as fans of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the Miami Heat, or the LA Lakers will attest to.

Therefore, his pregame playlist, which he shared with people back in 2017, should certainly be listened to by anyone who needs to get the blood pumping before a big event.

The playlist, available on Apple Music, contains a lot of hip-hop and rap, from artists such as 2 Chainz, the Notorious B.I.G, and SZA. It is interesting to see a number of Drake songs on there too.

In fact, Drake was one of the most popular artists for a lot of the NBA players who shared their playlists, so clearly his music is just right for getting in the mood.

However, given that Drake is a huge Toronto Raptors fan, we’re not sure how happy he would be to see his songs used to inspire players who often do so well against his beloved team!

St. Louis bred, LA based artist Brandyn Burnette

As we slowly come out of these unprecedented pandemic times, it was an honor to sit down with Saint Louis-born singer-songwriter Brandyn Burnette to talk about his upcoming EP “F.A.T.E” and the rollercoaster that is life.

The St. Louis artist spoke of how he continued to develop his sound stronger than ever when the pandemic hit. But much like everyone else, he was forced to do things differently.

“The music industry shut down.”

Brandyn Burnette

Before the pandemic hit, Burnette was spending a lot of time in studios. And was starting to build a new sound, after recently signing with a new management team.

“I’m very social,” he explained.

“I love hanging out with friends, love being in the studio, giving and feeding off energy to my collaborators. Before people started getting into zoom, the music industry pretty much shut down. All my sessions got canceled, trips to other countries, songwriting camps… So it was pretty hard, early on, just navigating life indoors.”

Brandyn Burnette

But within those doors, Burnette had recently gotten into a new relationship which revealed itself to be truly inspiring. “I had so much to pull from…” he said.

From going outside mindlessly to suddenly being stuck inside, we were all confronted with this unpredictably insane amount of time to spend with the same people. Brandyn explained how grateful he was to thrive as a pair with his newfound love in that unprecedented setting.


Making music in a digital space

Music is a feeling and energy-based art form and there was definitely something strange about engaging through a screen when it became the only way to create.

“It was a whole new world to navigate,” Burnette explained.

Before that, working with other writers, producers, musicians, “you’d get excited, you could feel it in the room.” Indeed, the digital universe presents a whole new set of challenges.

But the singer-songwriter embraced it: he could work with new collaborators and find comfort in recording from home.

“It felt like a safe space to kind of like explore and to try out different sounds or write about different parts of my life. Some of it was very personal, about what I was experiencing, being somebody who loves being around people, and suddenly being alone with myself.”

Brandyn Burnette

Sources of inspiration

No artist this year wanted to find themselves writing only a series of COVID-related songs about being in lockdown. And simultaneously, human as we are, there came a point where we just couldn’t get on another Zoom call.

So what are you left with to put into a song? Burnette shared those exact frustrations but sought inspiration from them.

“I started finding myself writing about what I wanted life to be like, which was interesting because I’m usually writing about what life is like. But, you know, I had those memories in the back of my head, so I started thinking about what it was going to be like when things opened up again. It was definitely challenging creatively.”

Brandyn Burnette

Grateful for his creative outlet though, whether on Zoom, FaceTime or simply at home, the artist found peace in just being able to make a song.

“I was expressing myself and it really helped with my anxiety… Without knowing where the world was gonna be, with tons of people getting sick around me, people losing loved ones, it was [a] very dark time. But to be able to pump up some creativity and kind of still keep moving through that was amazing, it really got me through… Writing songs got me through COVID.”


F.A.T.E (From Anxiety To Euphoria)

Not only did writing songs help Burnette deal with daily life during the pandemic, it led him to his new, upcoming project: a 7-track EP called “F.A.T.E.,” put together entirely during his time in lockdown working with different producers and musicians from home (including B-Sams).

“I’m so glad to be an artist in this day and age because I feel like a lot of artists are taking more risks and collaborating more with others outside of their genre.”

Brandyn Burnette

The non-conformity in genre is something that is as present as ever in this upcoming project. Pulling from genres that accompanied him throughout his life, he’s kept with him a mentality he learned from his first ever collaborator, the multi-talented musician Jon Bellion.

Burnette constantly finds himself breaking boundaries and doesn’t limit himself to what his music can be; and he still creates his distinct sound palette.

The journey from “anxiety” to “euphoria” reflects the emotional shift he experienced between broken heart and new love, and all those months in between. He explained it ultimately as an “epiphany moment”, when falling in love pulls you out of the darkness.

“F.A.T.E” is about coming out of extreme sadness and anxiety, into a whirlwind of serotonin and euphoria with somebody new.”

Brandyn Burnette about his upcoming EP

For Brandyn Burnette, it is all about being 100% present

As he continues to create, the ever-evolving Saint Louis musician is digging for even greater levels of honesty than he recently achieved.

Admitting to spending time under the influence, as it is often conceived and true of the music industry, Burnette recently said goodbye to having a foggy mind and somewhat distorted thoughts. After 5 years of smoking regularly with his former partner, he did feel connected to his music but “not super connected to myself,” he said. “So I decided to live a sober life.”

Writing with a clear head is allowing him to dive into deeper parts of himself and tell his story in a clearer way. “It lets me explore things I’ve gone through that I used to think weren’t cool to put in my music but that are actually really important to talk about. Things I never really explored before, because I wasn’t in the best headspace to do so.”

Rather than glamorizing drinking or smoking as he might have done, the singer-songwriter is looking to dig into more personal things such as overcoming anxiety and other mental health issues, peer pressure, and continue writing to help those around him through hard times.

“My emotions are at the surface of my body now.”

Brandyn Burnette

It is a challenge, because of the environment that the entertainment industry provides. But as Brandyn explains, “I’m excited see what it’s like to write about life, without something distorting my headspace. Sometimes it’s painful, but it’s thrusting me towards more honest songwriting.”


Stay tuned for more from Brandyn Burnette

If you haven’t heard them yet, Burnette recently released two of the singles from his upcoming EP “F.A.T.E (From Anxiety To Euphoria): “Addicted” and “Punching Bag”. But there’s more coming.

His new single “Swish” is out today. You can stream it now to get lost in his fresh groove.

And take a minute to follow him on social media and more, and stay tuned for his EP “F.A.T.E” coming to all platforms soon.

Theravada speaks on the underground NY hip hop scene

A few months back, we got the opportunity to chop it up with Theravada on the cusp of releasing his most recent project, “Xenophon.”

The album, Xenophon, symbolizes introspection and showcases tremendous content and perspective. 

“I pray my friends don’t fade into obscurity.

The sun rise – better make your bread lift.

Don’t try to front like I’m not telepathic.”

Theravada on Xenophon
https://soundcloud.com/theravada/xenophon

Theravada’s Xenophon

Kulture Hub: So Xenophon is the name of your most recent album and you dropped it on your birthday?

Theravada: I dropped it on my name day. In Greek tradition, most names are tied to a saint and there is a specific day when these saints are observed. This is often celebrated like a birthday in American culture.

The name day is the day that relatives will reach out to you and see how you’re doing, send you gifts, etc. 

theravada
Photo by Ken Kwaku Jr

Theravada offers some game within the health realm 

KH: “Everything seems cool until you giving into simply what’s tempting.” (Xenophon’s lyric)

How do you overcome temptations and what might be some good universal coping mechanisms for aspiring artists or people in general? 

THRVD: Keep a healthy routine especially now with all of the bureaucratic disaster. Wake up early and make tea. Eat fruit every day. Give yourself the small victories so that the bigger victories don’t feel so big anymore and the larger goals don’t feel so large anymore. 

When I arrange my projects – I literally treat them like a mixtape – like I play all the songs through and cut them up – start them in the middle and bring them back in real time.

Theravada

Discussing discography with Theravada

KH: Labels are boring to me but I know you have Xen Griffey, Xenny Hardaway and Xennis Rodman. Would you consider those as a mixtape trilogy and Xenophon your debut album or what? Because I know you have dropped “State of the Art” and other projects as well.

THRVD: Yes. You are seeing that through and I appreciate that. Xen Griffey, Xenny Hardaway, Xennis Rodman that was definitely the mixtape run… Xen Griffey is very much so a mixtape by industry standards – and even the way that I arranged it. When I arrange my projects – I literally treat them like a mixtape – like I play all the songs through and cut them up – start them in the middle and bring them back in real-time.

theravada
Photo by Brownsville Joey

THRVD: State of the Art felt like it required a bit more prowess involved during the recording and arrangement process. I didn’t feel like as much of a novice as I did with Xen Griffey.

Xenny Hardaway is its own beast because I recorded that in 2 days with mostly Rob Chambers beats. Xennis Rodman is an amalgamation of some old songs – mostly new songs recorded over a 9 month period.


Know yourself & apply your worth 

KH: You’re an artist that strikes me as someone who really nurtures their tracks and production as you decide when to stash it and when to hatch it. Would you say it’s better to become a producer before you become a recording artist and what’s the importance of keeping music in the vault?

THRVD: Before even making that distinction of what should be done first, I think it is a matter of doing what you want to do. I started as a DJ for my rapper friends. That knack to be able to manipulate audio in real-time and even keep a party going or engage a crowd at a show – I began to realize I can engage a crowd in real-time even if I am just behind the turntables.

xenophon
Photo by Suo

KH: What is it like being firmly within the throws of the underground NY hip-hop scene?

THRVD: The new underground to me means functioning at the same standard as a label, or how we may believe a label should or could have operated. I try to treat 2000 Entertainment like I don’t run it. Like I have to keep up with what 2000 expects from me as the CEO, Producer, Engineer, shipping & handling and doing all these things. I treat it like I might get fired if I’m not clocking in at the right time.


Theravada’s Xenophon is intimately personal

Nothing happens randomly. Occurrences are a byproduct of fate, faith and work ethic. Theravada knows the places he prefers and chooses to work with those that exhibit professionalism and flavor. Hence, he serves as a pivotal component within underground New York hip-hop spheres.

Theravada’s latest self-titled offering, Xenophon, could be the most cohesive project that he has released to date.

The album is called Xenophon which is not some “self-dubbed nickname,” but rather the artist’s actual name anointed at birth. 

We appreciate Theravada’s time speaking with us, and implore you all to consume his art here.

4 reasons why a music marketing agency may be exactly what you need

Are you searching for a better way to promote your music online?

You’re not alone – millions of indie artists are trying to tap into the $15 billion recording industry. If you want to stack the odds in your favor, you need to hire a great Music Marketing Agency.

The best music promotion companies use statistical data and organic marketing techniques to help their clients succeed in a competitive industry.

And if you are just getting started, they will work with you to develop a music marketing plan, set goals for your career, and help you achieve tangible results (like getting your music on Spotify playlists).

Here are four reasons why you should hire a music marketing agency:

You Aren’t Having Any Luck On Your Own

Like many indie artists, you may dream of becoming a famous musician. If you aren’t having any luck on your own, a music marketing agency can help. Your agency will have a team of experts that can analyze industry data and create a plan for your career based on your personal needs and professional goals.

You Want To Build A Loyal Fanbase

With millions of competitors, it can be difficult for new artists to stand out from the pack.

A music marketing agency can help you claim your own slice of the market – approximately 68 million people paid for music subscription services in 2015, and live music revenue has grown to more than $10 billion in the United States alone.

You’re Ready To Invest In Your Future

If you want to get results, you’re going to have to invest in the future of your music career. A reputable music marketing agency is committed to producing results for their clients, and will use the money that you give them to connect you with your target audience.

You Want The Perfect Marketing Partner

One of the most difficult things about being an indie artist is that you are in charge of every aspect of your professional career. If you hire a marketing partner to help you grow your fan base, increase your royalties, and get discovered, they will take over a lot of the tasks that can keep you from focusing on your No. 1 priority – creating new music.

Get Your Music On Spotify Playlists, it doesn’t matter whether you’re a new artist or a label executive. Playlist Streams can help you get more Spotify streams with organic marketing.

Learn More

Who is Sprado? The ‘Magic’ rapper ready to take 2021 by storm

Sprado is seemingly establishing himself as an artist to watch out for.

Having already collaborated with Jeremih on his song, “American Dream,” the Chicago-based musician goes to prove that hard work pays off in the long run.

Subsequently, the talent speaks for itself and has gotten a thumbs up by multi-platinum producer Hitmaka and rapper O.T. Genesis, to name a few. 

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At a lyrical standpoint, Sprado makes good use of his bragging rights, shedding light on his accomplishments and the work he put in to get to where he is today.

Additionally, Sprado opens up to fans about what he’s seen and heard, all while thanking the man upstairs for everything. Not to mention, he encourages others to be their most authentic selves and to follow their dreams. 

Sprado said during an interview with Hype Off Life

“I want the end of 2020 to be like, ‘We see Sprado. He’s blowing up. He’s doing his thing. The city loves him, and everybody is picking up on him.’ By the time 2021 comes, I want to be a household name, established, and people know who Sprado is.”

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Sonically, Sprado keeps an array of cadences up his sleeve. Regardless of the soundscape, he’ll go for a melodic approach or throw out some swaggy rhymes. 

“I try to let my mind go wherever the beat takes me. Let my mind freely flow on top of the beat I choose.”

Sprado continues with Hype Off Life contributor, Keish Monique.

His musical journey begins as early as 2017. Sprado left a notebook full of lyrics at home, which his father came across.

After further analyzing his bars, Sprado’s father told him that he has the power to be the greatest of all time. It also helped that music became Sprado’s safe haven, following some trying situations in his life.

Rather than being boxed in, the “They Know” rapper aims to use his artistry for positive change. In the span of his career, he’s caught the eyes of XXL, Lyrical Lemonade, Revolt TV, and more.

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More recently, Sprado teamed up with 2020 XXL Freshman, NLE Choppa, for his song, “Magic.” Between lyrics, the two rappers wonder if their significant others are ride-or-dies. Elsewhere, both Sprado and NLE Choppa do a humble flex, speaking about their exclusive drip, foreign whips, and ice. 

During Sprado’s verse, he uses a soft auto-croon to boast about his excellence while reminiscing about the “days I had nothin’ to lose.” As the song continues, he speaks about those who once doubted him and are suddenly supporters.

Double back when they see me improve/But I never cared ’bout approval/Yeah, yeah (Yeah, yeah) /Ain’t no talkin’, but we ’bout that action/Talkin’ friendship, but we talkin’ faction,” he spits.

Before the infectious chorus makes its way back, Sprado details his resilience to become successful. 

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Matching Sprado’s energy, NLE Choppa goes in about a soulmate that has him “reminiscing ’bout the shit that we had did.” Although he and his lover had a few rough patches in their relationship, NLE Choppa finds himself still captivated by her.

Ayy, are you for me?/ I’m mad when I’m with you, I’m coolin’ without you, so I’m ignoring/Catch you with that nigga, I’ll post at your house and knock the door in,” he raps in a singsong flow.

As the chorus makes way once more, NLE Choppa takes a moment to forewarn shit talkers, saying his chopper is as big as Kevin Hart. Surprisingly, NLE Choppa opts for a softer tone instead of an aggressive one. Usually, NLE Choppa carries a cadence that’s in-your-face rather than cool and collected. 

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The ethereal hip-hop offering is led by a flute arpeggio and a booming bassline. 

“It was a feel-good vibe when I made “Magic.” I had just dropped my EP, Bases Loaded and was excited, so I just got in the booth and made the song,” says Sprado. “Once my team heard it, we all just got more excited, and they were saying, ‘Oh man, you just dropped a project and you’re following up with this?’ It was just good energy and good vibes in the creative process. With the collaboration, my team and Choppa’s team linked up, we talked about the record, talked about Choppa hopping on the record and it came together.”

The visual for “Magic” is directed by WaterWippinEvan. Using a kaleidoscopic lens and other cool camera effects, “Magic” sees Sprado riding through the city in a drop-top.

Additionally, the music video gets shots of a beautiful woman modeling in a red-tinted room, Sprado showcasing his bars while standing in front of a graffiti wall, and NLE Choppa rapping as he dons a black turtleneck and some bling. 

Watch the visual for Sprado & NLE Choppa’s song “Magic” below: