Exclusive | J Hawk Talks the Release of His Latest Project 'Mixed Emotions'
North Carolina rapper, J Hawk talks family, having music as his therapy, and his recent project Mixed Emotions in an exclusive interview! Check it out here!
“My family motivates me and success to me is when they are all good and not just me.”
By: Adonis Armstrong
North Carolina rapper, J Hawk brings that late night, riding in the car vibe and it’s hard to find a bad track from this rising artist. His most recent project, Mixed Emotions, features 10 must listen to tracks; all fire, no skips! He also recently collaborated with fellow NC artist, Worve, on a hot new single “Out the Window”. J Hawk is one to keep an eye on and is set to drop more new music in 2023.
J Hawk ft. Worve - Out The Window (Official Video)
We talked with J Hawk in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
How long have you been making music and how did you get started?
J Hawk: I’ve been making music for about 10 years now and I got started back in high school rapping with friends.
Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?
J Hawk: One of my favorite artist is Drake. I like his delivery, flow and what he talks about in his music.
What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?
J Hawk: Drake, J. Cole, Tory Lanez, Bryson Tiller, The Weeknd, H.E.R., Big Sean, PartyNextDoor, Giveon, Beyoncé, Jhene Aiko, Bad Bunny, Lil Baby. The list goes on!
What inspired you to create your EP “Mixed Emotions”?
J Hawk: Just life. To help me vent. It’s my therapy.
What is your favorite track on the project and why?
J Hawk: Reasons, I like the way it all came together.
How do you generate new ideas for your music?
J Hawk: Sometimes conversations with friends, family, and certain vibes help me make new music.
What motivates you and how do you define success?
J Hawk: My family motivates me and success to me is when they are all good and not just me.
How do you describe your music to people and what separates you from other artists in your genre?
J Hawk: It’s more riding music, that certain people can relate to. I like to make my music meaningful.
Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?
J Hawk: I couldn’t tell you the formula. I’m not sure there is one.
J Hawk - Reasons
Who is your greatest inspiration?
J Hawk: Mom and pops.
In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
J Hawk: Drake for sure. He has timeless music and the numbers speak for themselves.
Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?
J Hawk: I would say “personally” I like to make every line I write down to be felt. Whoever has came in my life and has had a moment with me, I want them to be able to hear it and remember that moment we had.
What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
J Hawk: Going into the studio and laying it down and playing it back. Just hearing it all come together feels amazing.
J Hawk - Moving Forward
Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
J Hawk: On top like I’ve seen for years.
Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?
J Hawk: I’ve played in the NFL, I’ve acted on Hulu, in movie theaters and commercials. I’ve modeled for companies and been on billboards. I’ve made great music and now that I turn 30 this year I see that this will be my best year yet!
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Exclusive | Singer Zakiya Harmony Talks Creating Her Own Sound Through Neo-Soul
Atlanta singer, Zakiya Harmony talks making an impact on the world through her music, becoming a successful indie artist, and creating her own sound through neo-soul in an exclusive interview! Check it out here!
“I just want to impact the world through positive music and music that has helped me get through so many obstacles in life. Everyone has a purpose in life and I believe my purpose is to inspire others through music.”
By: Omar Cook
This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is Atlanta singer, songwriter, and musician, Zakiya Harmony! She began her music journey playing the saxophone in her elementary school band at the age of 9. Zakiya was a rapper for several years as an adolescent into adulthood, and it wasn’t until the birth of her son and losing her job as an educator in 2012 that she realized she needed to reevaluate her life.
She taught herself how to play guitar and wrote songs as as a way to express herself. Zakiya has performed at Sweet Auburn Festival, Yellow Daisy Festival, Callanwolde Arts Festival, Chastain Park Arts Festival, and The Piedmont Arts Festival, as well as many other venues around the Atlanta area. Zakiya’s unique style of music and her life story is what sets her apart from so many other artists as she brings a soulful and sultry style to her music.
Zakiya Harmony - Apology
We talked with Zakiya Harmony in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
How long have you been making music and how did you get started?
Zakiya Harmony: I’ve been making music for about 5 years now.
Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?
Zakiya Harmony: Tori Kelly, Brandy, Monica, TLC, H.E.R, and Ari Lennox.
What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?
Zakiya Harmony: I would love to collaborate with Babyface and Stevie Wonder. I feel like they are musical geniuses.
What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?
Zakiya Harmony: The best song I’ve ever released was the first song I wrote and composed called “Apology”. I feel like I was going through different emotions at the time and it’s so raw to me because I had just began to sing and play guitar 6 months prior.
What projects can we look forward to in the near future?
Zakiya Harmony: The Diary part.2 (My third EP)
How do you generate new ideas for your music?
Zakiya Harmony: I typically go off of things that I’ve gone through and life experiences that I can express through songs.
Zakiyah Harmony | Six | Session 9
What motivates you and how do you define success?
Zakiya Harmony: Seeing other artists who were indie artists become successful motivates me the most. I define success by making a living doing what you love.
How do you describe your music to people and what separates you from other artists in your genre?
Zakiya Harmony: I would say I’m a mix between neo-soul and R&B. What makes me different is my unique voice and sound.
Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?
Zakiya Harmony: Hard work + talent + faith
Who is your greatest inspiration?
Zakiya Harmony: My greatest inspiration is my son.
In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
Zakiya Harmony: I would have to say H.E.R she’s super talented and I have a lot of respect for her because she is a musician that plays multiple instruments.
Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?
Zakiya Harmony: I’d have to say passion because when I write most of my songs 9/10 I’m going through that exact situation in that moment.
What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?
Zakiya Harmony: I’ve had to give up sleep. I’m a teacher and I have to sometimes go from a late night gig straight to work the next morning.
What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
Zakiya Harmony: The aspect that excites me the most is being able to create my own sound from the beat/chords to the words in the song. What discourages me is what’s popular now in music. You really don’t have to have talent these days to become a successful artist.
Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
Zakiya Harmony: I see myself writing for major artists and performing my music all over the world.
What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?
Zakiya Harmony: Don’t stop. Don’t stop. Don’t stop. I was boo’d off the stage during my first performance. I had only been singing for about 6 months and wanted to go perform just to get my feet wet. I kept working on my craft and booked several gigs at that same location 2 years later as a headliner.
Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?
Zakiya Harmony: I started singing when I was 28. I started playing guitar 6 months after that. I write all my music and I play 2 other instruments.
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Exclusive | Dre Walton Talks Motivation From His Daughter and Making Feel Good Music
Cleveland singer, Dre Walton, talks being motivated by the addition of his daughter and making feel good music for his fans in an exclusive interview! Check it out here!
“What separates me from other artists in my genre is the fact that I’m a RAW talent. No autotune needed, I write all of my own material and sing it.”
By: Omar Cook
This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is Cleveland singer, Dre Walton! Dre brings a soulful R&B sound which reminds you of artists such as Lyfe Jennings, T-Pain and Tank. He recently dropped a new video to his song "WYDT" which stands for “what you doing tonight.” Dre Walton has a laid back vibe and relatable lyrics that anyone can get into. This is definitely an artist you should add to your playlist!
Dre Walton - "WYDT" (Official Lyric Video)
We talked with Dre Walton in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
How long have you been making music and how did you get started?
Dre Walton: I’ve been making music since probably around the age of 14. I always knew I could sing but I started to write my own music at that age. I just tried my hand at it and it sounded decent for a young teen.
Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?
Dre Walton: My biggest influences musically would have to be Tank and Avant. I believe I carry a little bit of both artists in my own bag. Avant being from Cleveland Ohio like myself and him being the last R&B artist from my city to be signed and recognized nationally. I met Tank via Twitter around 2010 or something and ended up opening his Savage Tour stop in Cleveland in 2017.
What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?
Dre Walton: I’d like to work with Ty Dolla $ign, Chris Brown, Tank, ASAP Ferg & Rocky…H.E.R., SIR, Anderson Paak. All these artists have significant sounds and hold down their perspective lanes in the music industry. I respect that. And they’re all original artists they don’t sound like anyone else.
What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?
Dre Walton: I believe ALL of my work is BEST because the world hasn’t heard my sound yet. My personal favorite record of mine is “11.16” because it represents & signifies a shift in my life and career as a man and artist. All my work is based on True stories.
What projects can we look forward to in the near future?
Dre Walton: I have a few projects I’ve been working on. 2021 is going to be a ride for everyone who’s been supporting and everyone who becomes a fan of what I do!
How do you generate new ideas for your music?
Dre Walton: Everything I write is from experience so it might be someone I know dealing with something or me personally dealing with something rather good or bad. I write about it. That’s how I get my ideas out. After I roll a few joints of the “Pressure Pack” lol.
What motivates you and how do you define success?
Dre Walton: Life motivates me. My daughter Melody Rain recently came into the world so she’s added much more motivation since then. I love her life. Success to me is being able to do what you love , take care of your family and doing good with your people while doing it. I really want my gifts to be able to take care of my family for generations to come.
How do you describe your music to people and what separates you from other artists in your genre?
Dre Walton: I make music that feels good!! You can pop my songs on and every one of them will make you feel good, feel like dancing, making love or all the above at the same time. What separates me from other artists in my genre is the fact that I’m a RAW talent. No autotune needed, I write all of my own material and sing it. I’m also a Veteran of the US ARMY; I’ve been deployed twice to Iraq in my younger years.
Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?
Dre Walton: Yes, but it isn’t the same for all artists. The common thing is staying consistent. Repetition is another. Keeping God first is number one.
Who is your greatest inspiration?
Dre Walton: My Family.
In your opinion who is the most influential and successful artist in your genre today and why?
Dre Walton: Hmmmm. I’d say Beyonce and Jay-Z…like it or not they are the culture in black music.
Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?
Dre Walton: Joy, Passion and Love.
What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?
Dre Walton: I left the military in 2010 to make music. I could have stayed in and got a great steady paycheck and benefits after 20 years but my heart wasn’t in that. I’ve been without a car, a job, money, and a peace of mind. I’ve spent thousands in my career to do what needs to be done. I regret nothing.
What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
Dre Walton: Creating. The entire process from the idea to the finished product. The part that discourages me the most is when you’re independent and its hard to reach an audience outside your current area until you start to branch outside of your hometown.
Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
Dre Walton: I see myself Grammy award winning. Multiple accolades in the music industry, writing for some of the upcoming artists and eventually running my own record label.
What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?
Dre Walton: Don’t give up if it’s something you want, do whatever you have to do to make it happen. Its a Marathon not a sprint. Enjoy the ride have fun with your art.
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Exclusive | Singer Najj Andrea Is Proving That Age Is Just A Number
Pittsburgh singer, Najj Andrea talks navigating her music career as a teenager, and creating music with the emotions of pain, passion, in an exclusive interview! Check it out here!
“I want people to know that age doesn’t matter, people love to doubt, or treat you different than older artist just because you’re a little younger. If you love what you do, then do it, and don’t let anybody tell you any different.”
By: Omar Cook
This week's "Who's Hot?" Artist of the week is Pittsburgh singer, Najj Andrea! Najj is only 17 years old but has the voice of someone who’s been doing this for a long time! Najj’s real name is "Najjah" which means "success" in Arabic. Age ain’t nothing but a number and Najj Andrea is proving that her talent deserves to be heard! Najj has a catalogue of music that is second to none as just about every song is fire! She’s brings a soulful vibe to her music that you can hear on every track.
I've always had it hard when it came to knowing myself or having "self-confidence". It's hard when you know you're different than everybody else but you feel like you have to fit in with the crowd. Music became an outlet and a way for me to say how I feel without actually saying it. I make music for people who wish they were able to state their feelings but can't.
Najj Andrea - What U Want
We talked with Najj Andrea in an exclusive interview, check it out below!
QUESTION: How long have you been making music and how did you get started?
Najj Andrea: I have been making and writing my own music for 2 years now. I started singing in the church when I was 5 years old. It started off as something I loved to do for fun and then eventually people actually started to pay attention so I decided to take it seriously.
QUESTION: Musically, who has been your biggest influence in helping you along your journey and who are your favorite musicians?
Najj Andrea: My biggest influences have been H.E.R, Summer Walker, Lucky Daye, & Snoh Aalegra. All of their music is somewhat different in a way but somehow still the same genre and very smooth.
QUESTION: What artists would you like to collaborate with and why?
Najj Andrea: I would love to collaborate with H.E.R., Brent Faiyaz, Bj the Chicago Kid, and Kehlani. I want to collaborate with them because all of their music inspires and pushes me to make more and better music.
QUESTION: What do you feel is your best song/project ever released and why?
Najj Andrea: I feel that my best song ever released probably would be my song called "What U Want". I say this because I was going through a crazy time with an ex of mine and while making this song, I was just so angry and confused and I just poured out my feelings and stated everything I wanted to say to him but couldn't say it directly.
Najj Andrea - Toxic (feat. Treble NLS)
QUESTION: What projects can we look forward to in the near future?
Najj Andrea: I'm actually working on a project now and it's about the 10 Stages of love. Each song will be titled and will be about a certain stage you go through during a relationship. During relationships sometimes we tend to either skip steps or spend to much time on a specific step which derails or complicates the relationship and makes up give up.
QUESTION: How do you generate new ideas for your music?
Najj Andrea: It honestly depends, sometimes I'll simply go off of how I feel, how I've seen others feel, or what I think feelings are. I usually listen to a beat, come up with a melody and then put words to it later.
QUESTION: What motivates you and how do you define success?
Najj Andrea: What motivates me is the fact that how hard I go now will pay off later on when I'm fully invested in my career, when I am even bigger and I get the recognition I deserve.
QUESTION: How would you describe your music to people and what separates you from other artists in your genre?
Najj Andrea: I would describe my music as the things people wish they had the guts to say. What separates me from other artists is the fact that I'm young and not afraid to say how and what I feel in my music.
QUESTION: Do you believe there is a formula to being a successful artist?
Najj Andrea: Timing, Demand, Image, Experience, Work Ethic, & Talent.
QUESTION: Who is your greatest inspiration?
Najj Andrea: Honestly myself, I inspire myself to go harder everyday. I've seen what I'm already capable of and it makes me push myself.
QUESTION: Which emotion more than any other, currently dominates your music? Joy, sadness, anger or passion etc. , and why?
Najj Andrea: Pain, Passion, and Pleasure. Even though I can switch it up my music is mostly about love and usually about the bad parts of it and I think that's because that's all I've seen rather it was me, my friends, or through my family.
QUESTION: What sacrifices have you had to make, to make your dream a reality?
Najj Andrea: I've had to turn down certain things because of my age, and because I'm still in school. I've also had to sacrifice nights of sleep because I had to stay up and finish features, or songs that had to be done.
QUESTION: What aspect of the music making process excites you most, and what aspect discourages you the most?
Najj Andrea: Finding different melodies excites me the most, I love making and trying out new melodies because they're so many. Actually writing the words takes time and constant focus and sometimes discourages me.
QUESTION: Where do you see yourself and your music in 10 years?
Najj Andrea: I see myself on tour for maybe the 3rd time, managing other artists, and living a happy and fulfilling my dream.
QUESTION: What advice would you give to other up and coming artists or people looking to break into the music industry?
Najj Andrea: It's going to be a bumpy road, you're going to lose people along the way and sometimes you're going to want to give up but if you work hard until you get what or where you want, you're going to be so happy with the results.
QUESTION: Is there anything else you would like people to know about you or your music?
Najj Andrea: I would like people to know that all of the music I have I wrote and came up with the ideas myself. People love to discredit me and assume that somebody else wrote my music, but I take my time and make sure that I put out good quality music. Also, I want people to know that age doesn't matter, people love to doubt, or treat you different than older artist just because you're a little younger. If you love what you do, then do it, and don't let anybody tell you any different.