Yung Miami Takes Over the A During Major Press Run
By Sienna Atlantis | This Iz ATL ATLANTA, GA — One thing about the A, we know when somebody comes through making moves! Yung Miami, better known as Caresha, has been heavy in these Atlanta streets, making her rounds and keeping the city talking ahead of her highly anticipated solo album, Watch Dis, set to drop October 23. From tapping in with Atlanta radio legend Greg Street at V-103 to making an appearance during Clark Atlanta University’s homecoming festivities, Caresha has been outside. And of course, This Iz ATL was in the building for her exclusive Pandora Playback at SiriusXM Studios, hosted by Atlanta’s own FlyGuyDC. During the listening experience, Caresha gave us a sneak peek at what she’s been working on, playing a few records from her upcoming project. It’s one thing to hear about an artist’s next move, but it’s another to be in the room and actually hear the music before it drops. Now, one thing about Caresha, she’s never been a stranger to keeping people talking. From her days with the City Girls to building her own platform through Caresha Please, she’s continued to make a name for herself outside of music. But this time around, it’s about the music. We’ve watched her make headlines, build her brand, and navigate the industry in the public eye. Now she’s stepping out on her own, and this solo project gives her an opportunity to show another side of who she is as an artist. And let’s be clear, Atlanta isn’t just another city you stop through on a press run. The A has always been a major part of hip-hop culture. From breaking records to setting trends and influencing the sound of an entire generation, this city has played a major role in shaping the music industry. Our DJs, radio personalities, producers, artists, and clubs have helped turn records into hits long before the rest of the world caught on. So when artists come through Atlanta, tapping in with the people and getting their music heard, there’s a reason behind it. Caresha’s Atlanta run is a reminder that relationships and showing up still matter in this business. You can have the followers, the headlines, and the social media buzz, but getting out and connecting with the people who help move the culture is something different. And that’s exactly what this press run is about. With Watch Dis on the way, Caresha is making it clear that she’s ready for her next chapter. Whether you’ve been rocking with her since the City Girls days or you’re just waiting to see what she does next, she’s giving people a reason to pay attention. And as André 3000 of OutKast famously told the world at the 1995 Source Awards, “The South got something to say!” Thirty-one years later, Atlanta is still standing on that. Caresha came through the A, made her rounds, gave us a little taste of what’s coming, and now we’re waiting to hear what the rest of the project has to say.
Oct 19, 2026
More Music
Kirk Franklin Previews New Double Album at Atlanta Listening Event
Gospel legend Kirk Franklin gave Atlanta fans an early listen to his upcoming album, "I AM WHAT I AM," during an exclusive playback event on Oct. 12 at Sessions Atlanta in Uptown Records. The gathering, presented by Fo Yo Soul Recordings, TRIBL Records and Uptown Records, previewed the project ahead of its Oct. 30 release. Franklin, a 20-time Grammy winner, described the album as his first double project, blending seven studio tracks with live church recordings. He spoke candidly about shifts in Black church music, his struggles with anxiety and depression, and the pressure of public scrutiny over his 33-year career, drawing comparisons to criticism faced by artists like GloRilla. Standout tracks played for the crowd included a Jelly Roll-assisted opener, a mental-health-focused collaboration with TobyMac called "It Gets Better," a high-energy COGIC-inspired song, and "Hope in You," an Afrobeats-tinged duet with Davido. Another track, "It Is Well" featuring Isaac Carree, was dedicated to a friend battling pancreatic cancer. During a Q&A, Franklin urged young artists to stay authentic rather than chase trends, calling creative compromise "a creative hell." The night ended with Franklin greeting fans and taking photos, capping an evening that mixed new music with personal reflection.
Oct 19, 2026
21 Savage Celebrates His 8th Annual Birthday Bash With “Showtime at the Apollo 2,” Featuring G Herbo and SWV
By:Sienna Atlantis ATLANTA, GA — 21 Savage turned his eighth annual birthday celebration into a tribute to one of music’s most influential eras, embracing the nostalgia of ’90s R&B with a “Showtime at the Apollo 2” theme that brought together hip-hop, soul, and culture. Known for his unapologetic approach to music and his influence on Atlanta’s hip-hop scene, 21 Savage took a different creative direction for this year’s festivities, drawing inspiration from the golden age of R&B and the cultural legacy of the legendary Apollo Theater. The evening featured special appearances from Chicago rapper G Herbo and iconic R&B trio SWV, creating a crossover between generations of artists whose contributions continue to shape the sound of contemporary music. For a celebration centered around ‘90s R&B, SWV’s presence was particularly fitting. The Grammy-nominated trio, whose catalog includes classics such as “Weak,” “Right Here,” and “Rain,” helped define a decade when R&B was at the forefront of popular culture. Their influence remains undeniable, with their music continuing to resonate across generations. G Herbo’s appearance added a contemporary hip-hop element to the occasion, reflecting the connection between established musical legacies and today’s rap landscape. Beyond the celebrity appearances, the “Showtime at the Apollo 2” concept offered a nod to a defining period in Black music and entertainment. The Apollo has long represented a platform for Black artistry, making its legacy a fitting reference point for a celebration rooted in musical nostalgia. As 21 Savage’s annual birthday bash reaches its eighth year, the event continues to reflect his cultural presence beyond music. Rather than simply celebrating another birthday, the rapper used the occasion to bring different generations of entertainment into the same space. In a city where hip-hop remains deeply connected to its musical roots, the celebration served as another example of how Atlanta’s entertainment culture continues to honor the past while embracing the present. This Iz ATL | Entertainment & Culture
Oct 18, 2026
Shelovemal Is Carrying His Family's Sound Forward
Stone Mountain native Shelovemal is an R&B artist whose path into music began with family. His late brother, a producer, was the one who first brought him into the studio, and after his brother passed, Shelovemal decided to keep that passion alive and see how far he could take it. He released his first single not long after, then moved to LA following college to pursue music full time. That sense of family runs deep in his story. Shelovemal counts his brothers as his biggest inspiration, recalling growing up watching them perform with the whole city behind them. As the youngest, he carries a clear sense of purpose: to push things further than any of them imagined. These days, Shelovemal wears more than one hat. He's songwriting, vocal producing, and releasing his own records, all while continuing to develop as an artist in his own right. He's also currently working with a handful of LA-based artists, helping shape their projects, and stepping into new creative territory with a short film project that led him to write his first gospel record. Looking ahead, he has several singles he's preparing to release over the next few months, continuing to build out his catalog as both a writer and performer. At the core of it all, Shelovemal says he wants his music to make people feel something, whether that's love, nostalgia, or simply a vibe to escape into. He's aiming for records that connect on a personal level, the kind that pull listeners back for more. For an artist shaped by loss and legacy, that pursuit of real connection feels like the throughline: a reminder that his brother's influence lives on in every record he puts out, and that Stone Mountain's newest voice is just getting started.
Oct 14, 2026
DON’T BURN BRIDGES: WHY YOUR REPUTATION IS YOUR GREATEST BUSINESS ASSET
By Sienna Atlantis | THIS IZ ATL One thing about business is that you never know when your name is being mentioned in a room you’re not in. And depending on how you’ve conducted yourself, that conversation could either open a door or close one before you even get the opportunity to walk through it. That’s why I’ve always believed that the relationships you build and the way you treat people matter just as much as the work you do. Especially in entertainment, where everybody seems to know somebody. Sometimes one introduction, conversation, or referral can lead to an opportunity you’ve spent years working toward. But what people don’t always realize is that when someone recommends you, they’re also putting their own reputation on the line. Nobody is obligated to give you access to relationships they’ve spent years building. That’s why I believe appreciation, professionalism, and reciprocity are so important. And while I believe in supporting people without expecting anything in return, relationships should never be built solely around what someone can do for you. Another thing I’ve learned is that not every business relationship is going to work out. Sometimes people disagree, partnerships end, and people simply grow in different directions. And that’s okay. But everything doesn’t have to end on bad terms. You can disagree without disrespecting someone. You can walk away from a situation without creating unnecessary conflict. Now, don’t get me wrong. I believe in knowing your worth, establishing boundaries, and protecting your peace. But just because you choose not to cross a bridge again doesn’t mean you have to burn it down. I’ve always believed that real success isn’t just about what you accomplish for yourself. It’s also about the people you help, support, and pour into along the way. Never become so focused on where you’re going that you forget the people who helped you get there. At the end of the day, business is built on relationships, and relationships are built on trust. Success may introduce you to new rooms, but your reputation determines whether you’re welcomed back. And remember, your network may be your net worth, but your character is what gives it value.
Oct 10, 2026
DDG Shuts Down Atlanta’s Cascade Skating Rink for Birthday and Hit-A-Thon Deluxe Release Party
By Sienna Atlantis | This Iz ATL ATLANTA, GA — “Every time I go out, you know I gotta show out.” In the words of Atlanta’s very own hip-hop legend Jeezy, and DDG clearly understood the assignment. The rapper and entertainment personality brought his birthday festivities and Hit-A-Thon Deluxe album release celebration to Atlanta’s legendary Cascade Skating Rink, and this time, the celebration came with a little old-school Atlanta flavor. This Iz ATL was on the scene as DDG traded the traditional nightclub setting for one of the city’s most recognizable cultural landmarks. And he wasn’t just there to make an appearance. The birthday boy laced up his skates and hit the rink himself. The celebration drew a notable lineup of familiar faces, including 42 Dugg, K Camp, Domani, King Harris, Boston Richey, Karrahbooo, Gio, legendary producer Zaytoven, and industry executive Mike Norris. A Different Kind of Birthday Turn-Up There’s something about Cascade that Atlanta natives understand. The skating rink has long been part of the city’s social and entertainment culture, bringing together generations through music, skating, fashion, and good times. So when DDG decided to bring his birthday and album release celebration to Cascade, it was a fitting choice for a city where the culture has always extended beyond the recording studio. Rather than simply celebrating from the sidelines, DDG got in on the action, skating during the festivities. And with some of hip-hop’s recognizable names in attendance, the evening brought together the nostalgia of Atlanta’s skating culture with today’s entertainment scene. Hip-Hop Heavyweights Were in the Building The guest list was a reflection of the connections that continue to bring the music industry together. From 42 Dugg and Boston Richey to Atlanta favorites K Camp, Domani, King Harris, and Karrahbooo, the celebration drew talent representing different sounds and generations of hip-hop. Grammy-winning producer Zaytoven, whose contributions helped define Atlanta’s trap sound, was also spotted at the celebration, along with industry executive Mike Norris and Gio. Their attendance added another layer to an occasion that celebrated both DDG’s personal milestone and his latest musical release. DDG Continues to Bet on Himself Before the music industry knew DDG as a recording artist, millions knew him through YouTube. What began as creating content eventually developed into a career spanning music, entertainment, and entrepreneurship. And while transitioning from internet fame into the recording industry comes with its own challenges, DDG has continued finding ways to expand his reach. His Hit-A-Thon Deluxe project represents another chapter in that journey. One thing that stands out about DDG’s career is his understanding of the power of building an audience and maintaining a connection with the people who support him. In today’s entertainment industry, that kind of influence carries weight. Atlanta Always Understands the Assignment From the skating rink to the recording studio, Atlanta has never been short on culture. DDG’s celebration at Cascade brought together the city’s skating tradition, hip-hop community, and entertainment scene for an occasion that felt right at home in the A. With another birthday celebrated, a deluxe project to promote, and a room filled with familiar faces, DDG had plenty of reasons to enjoy the moment. And judging by his decision to hit the skating floor himself, he wasn’t about to let the night pass without having a little fun. For more exclusive coverage of Atlanta’s entertainment scene, celebrity events, and the culture that keeps the city moving, stay connected with This Iz ATL and follow @thisizatl on Instagram.
Oct 10, 2026
T Bo Davip Brings Southside Atlanta Soul to His New Project “Davip”
For T Bo Davip, music was never a far-off dream — it was the family business. Growing up on the Southside of Atlanta, he watched relatives make music up close, and that early exposure planted the seed for what would become his own path as a recording artist. Now he's stepping further into that legacy with the release of his new project, "Davip." The title doubles as a nod to his own name, a personal stamp on a body of work he's eager for people to sit with. He's not slowing down either — T Bo Davip says he has another joint project on the way before the month is out, giving fans back-to-back new material to dig into. Ask him what drives the music, and the answer isn't fame or numbers — it's his son. That inspiration shapes the intention behind his songs, which he says are less about flexing and more about feeling. "A vibe, a feeling," is how he describes what he wants listeners to walk away with, music he hopes can "touch your soul" rather than just fill a playlist. Rooted firmly in his Southside upbringing, T Bo Davip carries that neighborhood identity as part of his artistic foundation, describing himself plainly as a Southside, born-and-raised Atlanta recording artist. That hometown pride extends to his live plans too — he's set to hit the stage in Macon, Georgia on November 18th, sharing a bill with Fat Smack, YK Niece, Bally Baby, Bloody Jay and others. With a new project just out, another on the way, and a live date already locked in, T Bo Davip is keeping steady momentum as he introduces his sound — and his story — to listeners beyond his own circle.
Oct 7, 2026
Jacob Latimore Talks Authenticity and Trusting the Gift God Has Given You
By Sienna Atlantis | This Iz ATL ATLANTA, GA — This Iz ATL had the opportunity to ask Jacob Latimore a couple of questions on the red carpet at the Living Legends Foundation’s 35th Anniversary Awards Dinner & Gala on October 2 at Flourish by Legendary. The actor and recording artist spoke about authenticity and “trusting the gift that God has given you.” His message focused on staying true to yourself, finding what is meant for you and trusting God’s plan. Latimore touched on how people look at social media, where someone else’s accomplishments can become the measure of their own progress. He emphasized staying connected to who you are instead of allowing what you see online to determine your path. It is a message that speaks to anyone trying to find their footing. With so many careers, milestones and success stories on display, it can be easy to question your timing or overlook your own abilities. His words offered encouragement to trust the gifts you already have. Known for playing Emmett Washington on The Chi and for his recording career, Latimore has explored his talents through both acting and music. On the red carpet, his focus was on the faith and sense of self that can guide that journey. As the gala celebrated people who have helped shape Black music and entertainment, Latimore’s remarks offered something for those still building their own careers: encouragement to remain authentic and believe in what God has given them.
Oct 4, 2026
Ari Fletcher Cosigns Mia Snow New Single “Bags”
Atlanta’s Mia Snow just picked up a major endorsement for her new single “Bags.” Ari Fletcher is sharing the love, with a post that credits both her and Mia Snow and calls the track a “bad bishh anthem.” The clip shows Mia Snow performing on a downtown rooftop with her dancers, the word BAGS filling the screen behind her. The caption reads, “Just Made A bad bishh anthem!” Mia Snow has been building momentum around her new single “Bags” in Atlanta, and a cosign from Ari Fletcher puts the record in front of a whole new audience. Watch for more from Mia Snow soon.
Oct 4, 2026
Flo Milli Previews New Album at Intimate Atlanta Listening Party
Flo Milli gave Atlanta fans an early listen to her upcoming album during an invite-only event on Sept. 29 at Means Street Studios. The gathering, dubbed "Smoke Sessions with Flo Milli," was part of the Flo State Experience, presented by The Ayars Agency and sponsored by Backwoods. DJ Roots Queen opened the night before Flo took over, playing a stretch of unreleased tracks and staying engaged with guests throughout rather than simply observing from the crowd. The songs ranged widely in tone, from the laid-back "I'm Back In That Mode" to the alternative-tinged "Still A Fan," the melodic "Im P," and sultrier cuts built for the club. An unreleased collaboration with Megan Thee Stallion, "Need That," drew on a nostalgic ’90s-style bounce before shifting into a faster tempo. Producers RiotUSA and Project4fan were credited throughout the night's beats. Speaking with Bossip, Flo Milli said working with both was "great" and marked her first time collaborating with each. Backwoods branded the space with its Strawberry N' Crème product line, matching cocktails and décor, while Wingstop — including lemon pepper wings — kept guests fed. The low-key setup leaned more house party than industry showcase, giving attendees a preview of Flo Milli's next musical era.
Oct 2, 2026
ASO's Stutzmann Reflects on Bayreuth Triumph, Vision for Atlanta Sound
Nathalie Stutzmann, music director of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, recently conducted Richard Wagner's Rienzi at Germany's Bayreuth Festival, marking the opera's first-ever performance at the historic Festspielhaus. The production served as the centerpiece of the festival's 150th anniversary celebration. In an interview with Artsatl.org, Stutzmann discussed her four years leading the ASO, a tenure she recently extended by another three years. She described her approach as one of constant renewal, saying musicians must "restart" each day rather than rely on past success. She has also added 21 new musicians to the orchestra during her time there. Stutzmann elaborated on her goal of cultivating an "Austro-Germanic sound" rooted in composers like Beethoven, Bruckner and Strauss, aiming to give the ASO a distinctive identity rather than a generic international polish. She referenced her mixed German and French heritage as part of that musical connection. Looking ahead, Stutzmann said a concert version of Wagner's Tristan und Isolde remains on her wish list for Atlanta, an opera the city has never staged. She also previewed Wagner-related programming this season, including the first act of Die Walküre, and confirmed future Bayreuth projects slated for 2029.
Oct 2, 2026
Joaicon Is Building His Own Neon-Lit Pop Universe
Before Joaicon was writing songs, he was writing everything else. Growing up in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, he was a kid obsessed with reading, writing, and MTV, logging hours studying music videos and imagining a world of his own. At home, his father worked as a DJ, filling the house with salsa, merengue, and a sprawling CD collection that taught Joaicon early on that music was never meant to live inside one genre. That openness still defines him. Asked about his biggest inspiration, he describes himself less as someone chasing a single influence and more as "a sponge," pulling from music, film, fashion, and internet culture, then reshaping it all into something that feels distinctly his. That philosophy is front and center in his next move. Joaicon has just finished his second EP, due out in early 2027, and he's calling it a sharp turn from his previous, more pop/R&B-leaning project. This one leans into techno and electronic production, built around what he describes as a "dark party in neon lights" glittery, fluorescent, and relentlessly danceable on the surface, while the lyrics dig into something heavier and more emotional underneath. Much of that emotional core comes from his experience as a queer artist, though he's careful not to over-explain what listeners should take from it. His hope is simpler: that people find pieces of themselves in the contrast, lose themselves in the music, and feel free to be messy, emotional, and fully themselves on the dance floor. For Joaicon, the songs are just one part of a larger, ongoing visual world he's constructing, one he describes as colorful, glamorous, a little chaotic, and unapologetically fun. As he puts it, welcome to the party.
Oct 1, 2026
Boston Cheez Brings Haitian Pride and Boston Energy to Hip Hop
Boston Cheez isn't from Atlanta, but his story carries a message this city's culture scene knows well: build something of your own, and bring everyone along for the ride. Raised in Mattapan, Boston, he grew up with music woven into daily life — his grandfather was involved in the industry, and his Haitian heritage kept music and culture close at hand from the start. As he describes it, music isn't something he picked up later on; it's something he was born connected to. That connection shows up in family first. Boston Cheez points to his Haitian roots and his family's strength as the foundation of everything he makes, shaping not just his sound but how he moves through the world. He's entering a busy stretch. Boston Cheez is working on a distribution deal with EMPIRE and has a project on the way featuring a major hip-hop artist, details still under wraps. He's also developing music through his label, Pentagon, with Kurupt of Tha Dogg Pound — who he counts as both a collaborator and a mentor. Outside music, he created the reality series "Industry Girl," currently airing on the TRONIX Network, with a second season in the works. Beyond the studio, Boston Cheez has built CHVSE, his own clothing line, and describes himself as an artist, fashion designer, actor, and CEO in equal measure — a multi-hyphenate approach to entertainment rather than a single lane. Through all of it, he says the goal with his music stays simple: good energy. He wants listeners to feel uplifted, to celebrate, and to connect — music built for enjoying life rather than overthinking it. With new releases, a TV season, and expanding business ventures ahead, Boston Cheez is positioning himself as someone building across several lanes at once, with his roots never far from the center.
Sep 30, 2026
LynX Is Turning Dance Moves Into Songs
Philadelphia-raised artist LynX didn't set out to be a musician — he set out to dance. Before he ever picked up a pen to write a verse, he was moving to other people's records, and it was that time on the floor that eventually pushed him toward the booth. As he tells it, he got tired of dancing to somebody else's music and decided he wanted something of his own to move to. That instinct is where his hip-hop and R&B sound was born. LynX credits his team, Zeus Network, as his biggest source of motivation, saying they're the ones pushing him to give his best in everything he takes on. That support system, he says, has shaped how seriously he's approached the craft since those early days of just wanting a beat to dance to. Right now, LynX is in a writing groove. He describes recent months as time spent posted up in his room, working through songs back to back, and he says he already has enough material stacked up to put together a full EP. For now, though, he's choosing to hold off on a project and keep releasing singles instead, giving each song room to breathe on its own. Sonically, LynX pushes back against being boxed in. He doesn't consider himself a "hood rapper," and he's not interested in chasing anyone else's style or sound — his goal is simply to be himself on every track, letting that authenticity be the throughline of his catalog rather than a specific persona or lane. As for what's ahead, LynX is telling supporters to expect a steady stream of new music. In his own words, "it is go time," and fans should be ready to see him dropping more than ever in the coming months.
Sep 29, 2026
East Atlanta's Pushin Pooh Is Building More Than a Music Career
Pushin Pooh doesn't fit neatly into one lane, and she's not trying to. The East Atlanta artist, who also goes by P and Ms. DMMM, calls her genre "Pain Music," a term that captures how much of her life ends up in her lyrics. Her path into music started early, singing in chorus and honor chorus at McNair before she began writing and rapping. She remembers the moment things shifted: a studio session where everyone in the room got visibly emotional over what she'd written. That reaction told her this was something to take seriously. Her mother and her manager, @diamondxhayee, remain her biggest inspirations, alongside the kids she teaches every day — she's an Early Childhood Educator and Head Start preschool teacher who tells her students they can be anything they set their minds to, even if they don't know she's an artist outside the classroom. That dual life is central to who she is. Pushin Pooh describes her music as a mix of confidence, vulnerability, sexuality, and resilience, and she wants listeners to walk away understanding that hard times don't have to define you. She likes to point to an image: a flower blooming in the middle of the hood, surrounded by beer cans and debris, still pushing through. She's currently developing a reality game show that will use her music as its soundtrack, folding her artistry into a bigger entertainment concept rather than promoting it separately. Her upcoming project, Serpents Never Prevail, is slated for a February 2027 release and explores betrayal, survival, and transformation through a serpent-inspired world. Fans in Atlanta can catch an early piece of that vision on October 17, when she hosts a casting call for the TV project, with roughly $750 on the line for participants.
Sep 27, 2026
Dway Turns Years of Writing Into His First Music Video
Cincinnati-raised R&B artist Dway has been building toward this moment since he was a kid dancing in front of the television, mimicking Usher's every move. That early fascination didn't just stick — it shaped him. By 11 or 12, he was already writing poems and lyrics, and he says he never stopped creating from there, whether it was another song written, recorded, or performed for whoever would listen. Usher remains his clearest reference point, not just as a vocalist but as a full performer. Dway points to the way Usher composes music and moves on stage as the blueprint he's studied for years, the kind of artistry that made him want to chase this path in the first place. Now that pursuit has a new milestone. Dway has released his single "Discussions," paired with his first-ever music video — a project he calls a long time coming after years of writing and performing without one. He's planning to spend the rest of the year pushing the release, treating it as a real introduction of who he is as an artist rather than just another song drop. Thematically, Dway says he wants listeners to walk away with a sense of growth — pain turned into purpose, alongside fun, life, happiness, joy, and love. It's a wide emotional range, but he frames it all under one idea: real, authentic music that reflects what he's actually lived, not just what sounds good. For an artist who's been quietly writing since middle school, "Discussions" marks a visible arrival rather than a starting point. Dway describes his journey to this point as "crazy," and with a video finally out and a single quarter dedicated to pushing it, Atlanta listeners are getting an early look at an artist who's been in the making for a long time.
Sep 27, 2026
Lamar Boster Turns Late-Night Feelings Into Music, One iPhone Recording at a Time
Lamar Boster didn't start with a studio or a producer — he started with an iPhone and a need to get feelings out. At 16, unable to afford proper equipment, he began recording on his phone simply because the pull toward music was stronger than the obstacles in front of him. Years later, he's still making beats and vocals on that same device, except now he's teaching himself to produce, record, mix, and write every part of his own songs. The R&B artist, who is keeping his hometown private for safety reasons, traces his sound back to 2022, when he had zero technical knowledge and nothing but determination. Citing Frank Ocean's honesty and Kid Cudi's emotional creativity as his biggest touchstones, Lamar built his catalog from the ground up — releasing his debut single "In My Room" in fall 2023, followed by tracks like "Dream Girl," "Sad Mode," and "In My Dreams" that leaned into dark, atmospheric production and unfiltered lyricism. His music comes from a real place: unrequited love, depression, loneliness, and coping habits he's open about not being proud of. "This stuff came out of a hard time chasing someone who didn't feel the same," he says, "and using stuff I shouldn't have to cope with that." He's not interested in offering answers or life lessons through his songs — just company. As he puts it, if a track "makes one person feel a little less alone at 2am, that's enough." That intention is carrying into his next chapter. Lamar is currently working on his debut EP, pushing himself toward sharper production and a more developed sound than anything he's released before. For an artist who taught himself everything from scratch, on a phone, in his room, it's the natural next step — chasing authenticity over polish, and connection over perfection.
Sep 27, 2026
Atlanta Ballet Musicians Picket Over Cuts to Live Orchestra
Musicians from the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra picketed outside the Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre over the weekend as the company opened its season with "Passion and Pride," a mixed program performed to recorded music instead of live accompaniment. The demonstrators, members of the Atlanta Federation of Musicians Local 148-462, said they spent roughly six months trying to reverse the decision before going public. Cellist Alana Bennett said live music adds an energy dancers and audiences can feel that recordings can't match. Union secretary-treasurer Bill Johnston said the protest was meant to inform patrons rather than call for a boycott, and he stressed it was not a strike. According to Johnston, the orchestra's 48 positions will now be used only for the company's Nutcracker run and its new Swan Lake production, marking one of the smallest roles for the ensemble in about two decades. Atlanta Ballet said the decision reflects a balance between artistic ambitions and available funding, and it reaffirmed its commitment to the orchestra long-term. The dispute revives memories of 2006, when the company cut the orchestra entirely before restoring it for select shows in 2009 with help from a major donor gift. Musicians say they hope audiences will again pressure the ballet's leadership to prioritize live music and donate to support it.
Sep 26, 2026
Milkah Is Turning a Lifetime of Sound Into Volume III
Milkah didn't stumble into music so much as grow up inside it. Originally from Gary, Indiana, she says she was humming melodies before she could speak and writing stories as soon as she could hold a pencil, a habit her parents noticed early and encouraged by putting a microphone in her hands. From there, music became structure: choir carried her through elementary and middle school, and at Tri-Cities High School she folded in acting and musical theatre, building the layered, genre-blending foundation her work stands on today. That foundation shows in her sound, which she describes as a blend of R&B/Soul, Neo Soul, Jazz, and Hip-Hop — less a single lane than a full range she moves through depending on what a song needs. Ask Milkah what drives the music, and the answer isn't a person or a moment, but life itself. She calls it inspiration drawn from "every aspect of the hue-man experience," the vibrant and joyful stretches along with the flatter, harder ones where discipline is the only thing keeping you moving. That philosophy is shaping her debut album, Volume III: To Be Continued, the first installment of a planned three-part series. The project traces her own arc, she says, starting in childhood and following the thread up to where she stands now — a reflection on growth and self-discovery she hopes listeners will recognize in their own lives. For Milkah, the goal isn't a specific message so much as a feeling. She wants whatever emotion her music stirs up to be fully felt, not just noticed — to be lived in, thrived in, elevated in. With Volume III underway and two more chapters reportedly still to come, Milkah is positioning herself as an artist telling a long story on her own timeline, one volume at a time.
Sep 24, 2026
Brooklyn's Isis-Imon Brings Hood Work Ethic to the Pop Stage
Isis-Imon didn't stumble into music so much as inherit it. Raised in Brooklyn, NY, by a mother she describes as an artist, producer, and industry entrepreneur, she says making music felt natural from the start — less a decision than a birthright that also stretched into fashion and entertainment more broadly. That range shows in how she talks about her craft. Working across hip-hop, pop, and rap, Isis-Imon points to Teyana Taylor as her biggest inspiration, admiring how Taylor moves fluidly between artist, actress, model, dancer, director, and producer. It's a blueprint Isis-Imon seems to be building for herself — she describes having studied under unnamed veterans in the industry and having put in time across singing, acting, dancing, and developing other artists. These days, she's wearing another title: President of independent label D'Bold Records, which has recently linked up with I Swim With Sharks and Jus Jess ATL. As she frames it, the partnership is about smaller labels proving they can compete without the budgets of the majors — "all we need is just the chance," as she puts it, borrowing a line from artist Masicka. On the horizon is a new single, along with a performance booked with the NCVMA in Charlotte, North Carolina — a follow-up to what she says was a Pop Artist Music Video award win the year prior, raising the stakes for this year's show. More than a sound, Isis-Imon says she wants listeners to walk away with a sense of her work ethic. Coming from an environment she describes as one that wasn't built for minorities to reach further, she says she respects anyone striving beyond it — and hopes that grind is what resonates loudest.
Sep 23, 2026
Zaire Danaé Is Ready to Reintroduce Herself
Pontiac, Michigan-bred R&B artist Zaire Danaé is preparing for a homecoming of sorts — not to a city, but to her own sound. After a few quiet years, she's gearing up to release her first single in two to three years, and she describes the moment as bittersweet: a chance to properly introduce her world and her voice to listeners. Danaé's path into music started almost by accident. Back in 2019, she was asked to lay down a hook for rap duo Treezy & Jay, a group formed by Tim McCall. That single feature was enough to convince McCall to get behind her as an artist. He connected her with writer Keeda, and at just 17 years old, Danaé recorded her first record, "Appreciate Me." It was the beginning of a career she's been quietly building ever since. Ask her about influences, and one name comes up immediately: Aaliyah. Danaé points to her as a timeless artist and beauty who could captivate a room the second she opened her mouth — the kind of presence she hopes to channel in her own work. Now, with manager Justine helping guide the next chapter, Danaé is set to release her new single "G.I.B." in October 2026, alongside live performances. She's already a regular on stage, and she teases that fans might catch her on tour before long. More than anything, Danaé wants her music to move people rather than just narrate a story. A song like "Got It Bad" is built to make someone feel obsessed and romantic, while a breakup song might leave them feeling empowered instead. Her underlying message: that transformation itself is beautiful. As she puts it, this new era is just the beginning.
Sep 22, 2026
Nathaniel The Great Set To Host Daze Summit Finale Again with Special Guest Jadakiss
Nathaniel The Great is set to host the Daze Summit finale for another year, and this time he's bringing Jadakiss along for the ride. The annual hip-hop gathering runs October 20th through October 25th, stacking multiple nights of performances and appearances from Vado, Cassidy, Fergie Baby, Pvnch and more before closing out with the finale night headlined by Jadakiss. Nathaniel The Great has built a reputation in Atlanta for pulling together lineups that mix seasoned legends with rising names, and Daze Summit is no different -- six days of programming built around the idea that hip-hop's history and its future belong on the same stage. Details on venues and ticket information for each night of Daze Summit are expected to be announced as the October dates approach.
Sep 21, 2026
P.Dicey Brings Jos, Nigeria's Sound to the Afrobeats Conversation
P.Dicey is an Afro-hip-hop and Afrobeats artist from Jos, Nigeria, whose music leans on rhythm and message in equal measure. Though details of his rise are still coming into focus, his sound points to an artist steeped in the current wave of West African music making its way into global rotation. Among his biggest influences, P.Dicey points to two of Afrobeats' most recognizable names: Burna Boy and Wiz Kid. It's a telling reference point -- both artists built careers on blending indigenous rhythms with genre-crossing ambition, and it's not hard to hear that same instinct shaping P.Dicey's approach to blending hip-hop cadence with Afrobeats groove. He's currently working across multiple formats at once, with an album, an EP, and a single all in the pipeline. That range suggests an artist looking to introduce himself from a few different angles rather than betting everything on one drop -- giving new listeners a fuller picture of where he's coming from and where he's headed. At the center of it all, P.Dicey says he wants his music to leave listeners with one thing: motivation. In a genre often built around celebration and energy, that intent gives his catalog a bit of a different center of gravity -- less about the party for its own sake, and more about what people carry with them after the song ends. For Atlanta listeners who've watched Afrobeats and Afro-hip-hop become a bigger part of the city's musical fabric, P.Dicey is one more name worth tracking as his upcoming releases start to surface. With a project lineup already in motion, there should be plenty of chances to hear how his sound develops in real time.
Sep 21, 2026
From Bar Mitzvahs to the Apollo: Cheeko's Independent Rise
Cheeko, born Nelson Pastoriza in Gary, Indiana, has been performing since he was a kid in the third grade at Fulford Elementary in North Miami Beach. His mother, Myrna, moved the two of them to Miami when he was just 2 years old, after leaving Indiana on foot through the snow to give birth to him — a piece of family history Cheeko carries as part of his story. Of Puerto Rican descent and now associated with Stone Mountain, he's built a career almost entirely on his own terms. By 11, he was already performing for crowds, with his very first paid shows coming at bar mitzvahs. From there, things moved fast: MTV appearances by 16, two trips to the Apollo's Showtime stage by 19, and his first arena show that same year — all without a label behind him. By 24, he considers himself a fully developed independent artist who's toured throughout the United States. Musically, Cheeko works across rap, trap, hip-hop and pop, pulling inspiration less from what's currently playing — he says he hardly listens to music — and more from his own family and background. He cites Master P, Michael Jackson and Bone Thugs-N-Harmony as his biggest influences, artists who built lanes of their own rather than following trends. Cheeko describes his shift in mindset simply: he's "stopped selling dope, and started selling hope." That idea runs through what he wants listeners to take from his music — keep going, don't let past decisions define you, and don't be afraid to own where you came from and where you're headed. Beyond music, he's stepping into sports media as the creator of the "ROCK'da Arena" podcast, where he works as a broadcaster and analyst. On the music side, he's got three new videos planned over the next two months, with a goal of releasing 30 songs by the new year.
Sep 21, 2026
Brutal Younginn Turns a Hard Road Into Raw Hip-Hop
Joshue Stephens didn't come up in the studio -- he came up in juvenile centers, foster homes, and lockup, and that history is stamped into every bar he raps as Brutal Younginn. Now 24 and going by the name Brutal Younginn, he lost his mother at age three and was raised by his aunt on Cape Cod, Massachusetts, before finding himself on his own at just 14. That's also the age he started rapping. Music runs in his family, even if his path to it wasn't easy. His mother rapped and performed shows of her own, and his father is a music producer credited with the old-school hit "Oh Sheila." Brutal Younginn didn't grow up with a stable house, but he grew up around people who made records -- and he found his way to the mic through his own turbulence, moving between programs and boys' homes while still staying committed to his education. Ask him what inspires the music and he doesn't point to another artist or a sound he's chasing. It's his own life and struggles, full stop. That shows up in a flow that's raspy and lyrical in the same breath -- poetic one bar, punchy the next -- built around stories of survival rather than fantasy. He's also the founder of Poetic Music Records, an independent label he started in 2023 to give space to voices like his own. Brutal Younginn is currently working on a new album titled "KIMBERLY," the next chapter in a catalog built on turning pain into something listeners can actually use. He's said he wants people to hear his music and relate to what he's been through -- to walk away with understanding, and maybe learn something from how he made it out the other side. No shows or additional plans have been announced yet, but with "KIMBERLY" on the way, there's more of his story still to come.
Sep 20, 2026
Robert W. Drake: The Ear Behind Atlanta's Sunday Variety Series
Robert W. Drake didn't set out to become one of Atlanta's steady hands behind the soundboard. He picked up guitar at age 10, later became what he calls a "mildly competent" trombone player, and might have stayed strictly a performer if not for a formative stint apprenticing at the Great Southeastern Freight Room in the 1990s. It was there, tinkering with mixing boards more than his instruments, that he found his real calling: engineering sound for other people's music. That path led him into touring work with Gwen Hughes, and later Mac Frampton, Capitol City Opera, and Drew Lafferty. Along the way, Drake credits engineer Blaise Leoni as a guiding influence -- someone who took the craft of sound seriously without ever taking himself too seriously, and who taught Drake how to think not just about mixing a show, but about the artists standing in front of the mic. Since 1996, Drake has engineered thousands of concerts and sound-designed hundreds of theatrical productions, work that's made him a quiet fixture of Atlanta's performing arts scene since 1993. These days, Drake serves as Artistic Director of the Academy Theatre and of Improvability Theory, while continuing to produce and engineer the Academy's Sunday Variety Series, a recurring showcase bringing musicians like Nancy Gaddy, Nathanael Smith, and Keith Harkin to Atlanta audiences. For Drake, the point of the series -- and of his work generally -- comes down to attention. He wants listeners to actually hear the music and the performers behind it, forming a real, intimate connection rather than half-listening in the background. In turn, he wants the artists on stage to feel that the room is genuinely locked in. It's part of a bigger goal: giving up-and-coming acoustic and jazz artists a rare kind of stage -- one with a crowd that's actually there to listen -- and, in doing so, helping keep Atlanta a city where musicians can grow and stay.
Sep 20, 2026
KingDez Turns Pain Into Purpose on the Road to "The Come Up"
Inkster, Michigan isn't exactly known as a music hub, but it's where KingDez found his voice — literally. He got his start in the booth as a way to process depression tied to abandonment issues and other struggles from his upbringing, raised by his grandparents and left to figure out resilience on his own. What began as an outlet for pain, he says, turned into a genuine passion, and that origin story still shapes the R&B/pop sound he's building today. KingDez points to T-Pain as his biggest inspiration, not just for the sound but for the story — an artist who took adversity and turned it into a lane of his own. That same throughline runs through KingDez's own catalog, including tracks like "City," "Picasso," "Grateful," "No Favors," and "Far Ahead," which blend Pop, R&B, and Hip-Hop into what he calls a reflection of "pain, perseverance, and triumph." Right now, KingDez is heads-down on his next album, "The Come Up," which he describes as a feature-heavy project. He's also worked with artists including 10kAce, StyJay, WAVVYVONN, and FeeNom Davis, and says his music has picked up radio play in Atlanta alongside touring dates. At the center of it all is a simple message he wants listeners to walk away with: believe in yourself, chase your dreams no matter what, enjoy your life, stay positive, and hustle for greatness. It's a mission statement as much as a mantra — the idea, as he puts it, that darkness can be transformed into light. For an artist who says he's self-taught and self-made, KingDez's story so far reads less like an overnight arrival and more like a slow, deliberate build. With "The Come Up" on the way, Atlanta listeners will get another chapter of that journey soon. Fans can keep up with him on Instagram (@_kingdeztv), TikTok (@kingdez03), Facebook (@kingdezroyal), and YouTube (@kingdez).
Sep 20, 2026
West Atlanta's Rx Cash Prepares to Cast a Spell with New Tape "Wizard"
Out of Fulton County's West Atlanta corridor comes Rx Cash, a hip-hop and rap artist building his sound one honest verse at a time. His introduction to music wasn't a grand plan — it started young, at 13, when his older cousin Mike would bring him and another cousin into his home studio. That early exposure stuck, and what began as tagging along turned into a genuine pull toward the craft. Rx Cash points to Michael Burse as his biggest inspiration, a reference point that shapes the raw, lived-in feel he brings to his music. Rather than chasing a polished, radio-ready sound, he leans into authenticity, describing his own approach as music that stays true to where he's from and what he's been through. That intention comes through most in what he wants listeners to walk away with: life experiences. For Rx Cash, the music is less about spectacle and more about documenting real moments — the kind that shape a person growing up in West Atlanta and translating that into bars. Fans won't have to wait long to hear more of that perspective in full form. Rx Cash is preparing to release a new tape called "Wizard," expected before the end of the year. It's set to be his most substantial project to date, a chance to string together the personal storytelling he's been developing since those early studio sessions with his cousin. In the meantime, he's not slowing down — Rx Cash says fans should expect a steady stream of new music, with daily drops on the way as he keeps building momentum ahead of the tape's release. For an artist still early in his journey, the goal is straightforward: stay authentic, keep working, and let the music carry his story beyond Atlanta.
Sep 20, 2026
IX Nino Stackz Is Bringing Memphis Energy Straight From FL Studio to the Stage
IX Nino Stackz didn't start out chasing a rap career — he started out messing around with software. As a kid at his auntie Keta's apple boutique, he watched his uncle KP work through FL Studio, and something clicked. That early curiosity turned into a lasting obsession with making music, one that's carried him from Memphis bedrooms to his own catalog of releases. His style pulls from street narratives and lived experience, mixing a gritty, aggressive delivery with melodic touches — a combination that's shaped a steady run of projects, many released under or alongside the DGS imprint before he began working with The Liquid Chrome / Terrific Tunes. That collective, he says, is one of his biggest inspirations, right alongside family: his grandfather Johnny Allen and his cousins Azya and Kenny. Most recently, IX Nino Stackz dropped "IX Luv" on his birthday, September 16th, and he's already looking ahead to what he calls his best work yet — an album titled "The Life Of R5." Details are still under wraps, but he's made clear he's aiming high with it. Whatever the project, the goal behind his music stays consistent. He says he's always in a good mood when he's creating, and he wants that feeling to transfer directly to whoever's listening — music as a mood-lifter, plain and simple. Memphis fans will get a chance to feel that energy live on October 30th, when IX Nino Stackz takes the stage at Hi-Tone from 8pm to 1am. Tickets are available through The Liquid Chrome's Instagram bio. For an artist who got his start just messing with software for fun, it's a full-circle moment — turning that early spark into a room full of people vibing with him in real time.
Sep 19, 2026
Dooley KP Brings "Koetry" From Valdosta to the World
Dooley KP has been rapping since he was seven years old, and he talks about it less like a career choice and more like a calling. "I was chose," he says of his start, and in the years since, performing has stayed woven into his life without pause. Originally from Valdosta, Georgia and now based in Phoenix, Arizona, Dooley KP works in a lane he's named himself: "Koetry," a blend of Kountry and Poetry that fuses Southern rap traditions with storytelling. It's a style that makes sense given his influences — he points to Outkast, 8Ball & MJG, UGK, Luke, T.I. and the broader lineage of Southern legends, alongside 2Pac, as the artists who shaped his ear. But when asked about his biggest inspiration overall, he keeps it simple: living life itself. Dooley KP is preparing to release a triple-disc EP titled "The Return 2 Olop," a project sizable enough in scope that it hints at an artist thinking beyond a single song or moment. Details on release timing are still to come, but it's positioned as his next major statement. Live, fans will be able to catch him — going by the moniker "the Olopian Don" — on the "R&B Loves Tequila" tour, which he says is headed to a city near you. At the center of it all, Dooley KP says he wants his music to do a few specific things for listeners: bring enjoyment, offer knowledge, and help people feel good about themselves. It's a modest but clear mission statement from an artist who's been doing this since childhood and doesn't seem interested in stopping. As "The Return 2 Olop" approaches and the tour dates roll out, Atlanta-area listeners will have their first real chances to hear where Koetry goes next.
Sep 18, 2026
Key Vhani Is Turning Her Story Into Strength
Miami's Key Vhani has been building toward this moment since childhood. She started on piano at age 8, was writing full songs by 11, and cut her first recording at 16. By 19, she'd planted her flag as a working local artist in Miami's hip-hop and R&B scene — a slow, deliberate climb that's given her music a lived-in depth. That depth comes from her own life, which she describes as full of ups and downs, and from her faith. Between the two, she says she never runs out of something to write about. It's a simple formula, but it shows in how personally she talks about her work — less about chasing a sound and more about documenting what she's actually been through. That mix of vulnerability and resilience is at the heart of her concept of the "Pretty Thug" — someone who can go hard through life's struggles, but do it with grace. It's a phrase Key Vhani uses to describe both herself and the effect she wants her music to have. She wants listeners to walk away feeling strong and powerful, like they can accomplish anything, and to find their own strength reflected back at them through her songs. As for what's next, Key Vhani is keeping details close for now. She says she has music ready to release, but for the specifics, she's asking fans to follow her rather than wait for an announcement — a bit of mystery that fits an artist who's clearly more interested in building a real connection than making noise for its own sake. For Atlanta listeners just discovering her, Key Vhani represents a familiar story with a personal twist: an artist raised on the fundamentals of songwriting, turning her own life into music meant to make other people feel a little more powerful in theirs.
Sep 18, 2026
Mikey Smit Brings "Soul & Gutta" Hip Hop to the Forefront With "Money Need Me"
Los Angeles-based MC, producer, and songwriter Mikey Smit has spent years building a sound from the ground up, and he's got a name for it: Soul&Gutta Hip Hop, music he describes as something you feel in your chest. It's a fitting label for an artist who's been recording since age 15 and has since taught himself nearly every part of the process, from writing and production to engineering and visual storytelling. That do-it-yourself instinct traces back to Mikey's early years, when a love of hip hop turned into a deep study of the craft. He cites Prince, Nas, Stevie Wonder, DJ Quik, J Dilla, and Flying Lotus as touchstones, artists he admires for refusing to stay in one lane. That same refusal shows up in his own music, which blends East Coast roots with West Coast soul into something distinctly his own. Mikey is preparing to release "Money Need Me," hosted by DJ Lazy K, on September 26, 2026. The track marks the first single from his upcoming mixtape, The Cloak, and the next step in a broader creative rollout that includes new visuals and continued work under his label Not For Everybody, along with Soul&Gutta, a music division he founded under Ha La Entertainment. Both platforms reflect the same guiding idea: individuality over conformity. For Mikey, the music itself is meant to carry weight beyond entertainment. He wants listeners to feel something honest, to think differently, and to see their own lives, ambitions, struggles, growth, and love, reflected back at them. As he puts it, you don't have to fit into one box to be yourself, a philosophy that runs through his multidisciplinary approach as much as his lyrics. With "Money Need Me" on the way and The Cloak taking shape behind it, Mikey Smit is positioning himself as an independent artist building his own lane, one record, one visual, and one chapter at a time.
Sep 17, 2026
Yung Princey Keeps the Toxic One Series Alive on The Toxic One 6
Long before he was recording in studios, Yung Princey was performing for crowds at poetry nights and open mics his mom would bring him to as a kid. That early stage time planted the seed for what's become a growing R&B and hip-hop project rooted in Phoenix, Arizona, though his story actually starts in Minnesota, where he was born Abdul-Aziz Muhammad before the family's move west. His sound draws from two different eras at once. On one side are the R&B voices he grew up on -- Lloyd, Prince, Day26, and Sammie -- artists whose influence shows up in his melodic instincts. On the other are the songwriters and hitmakers who pushed him to actually start making music himself: Jacquees, Chris Brown, and Drake. That blend of classic R&B feel and modern song-craft is what he's aiming for as he tries, in his words, to bridge different genres into something dynamic and well-rounded. Princey's next release continues a project he's been building for a while: The Toxic One 6, the latest chapter in his ongoing Toxic One series, which he calls the R&B run that started his whole journey. Rather than a one-off single, it's a continuation of a world he's been developing release by release. For listeners, he says the goal is simple on the surface but personal underneath -- music that's catchy enough to get stuck in your head, but that also works as an escape. Beyond the hooks, he wants people to hear the work behind it, the perseverance that's gotten him to this point. With The Toxic One 6 on the way, Yung Princey is continuing to build out his catalog one entry at a time, betting that consistency -- and a sound shaped by both old-school R&B and current hip-hop -- will be what sets him apart.
Sep 17, 2026
Raivex Brings Nigerian Roots to Atlanta's Trap Scene with New Single "GO"
Trap artist Raivex is carving out his own lane, blending the emotional edge of the genre's late-2010s icons with a message he hopes resonates far beyond the beat. Originally from Nigeria, Raivex got his start in music back in 2020 on the platform RapFame, a launching pad that gave him early space to experiment and find his voice. That voice draws heavily from artists who reshaped modern trap and melodic rap: Juice WRLD, XXXTENTACION, and iann dior. It's not hard to hear the throughline -- all three are known for wearing emotion openly in their music, and Raivex points to them as the foundation of his own sound and songwriting approach. Now he's preparing to add to his catalog with "GO," a new single set to drop October 2nd. Details on the record are still under wraps, but for Raivex, the specifics of any single song matter less than the bigger picture he's building toward. He's said what he wants most is for listeners to walk away from his music with something positive -- a message, a mood shift, a reason to feel a little lighter than before they pressed play. It's a simple goal, but one that speaks to where Raivex sees his place in trap music: less about chasing a specific sound trend and more about using the genre's intensity as a vehicle for something uplifting. As he continues to release music and build out his catalog, that intention -- positivity delivered through a genre often associated with darker themes -- may end up being what sets him apart. With "GO" on the way, Raivex's story is still in its early chapters. For now, Atlanta listeners get a first proper introduction to an artist whose influences are clear, but whose own sound is still taking shape in real time.
Sep 17, 2026
Lavender KiiNG Is Building a Legacy, One Lane at a Time
Lavender KiiNG has been writing since the third grade, but he traces his real start to 2023, when he released "Danny Phantom," the track he credits with laying the foundation for his sound. Born out of Watts, California and now calling Las Vegas home, he describes his music as a blend of hip-hop and new age, shaped by that West Coast grit paired with Vegas hustle. He points to a wide range of influences — Lil Wayne, Tyler, The Creator, Eminem, Nicki Minaj, and NLE Choppa among them — artists he admires for refusing to blend in. That same refusal shows up in his own approach. Above all, though, he says his biggest inspiration is God, framing his music as less a career move and more a calling he's here to fulfill. Things have picked up speed for the artist lately. He recently appeared on the CWETV show Loyalty Test and signed on as a brand ambassador for RYZE Mushroom Coffee and STFU Design. He's staying tight-lipped on what's next, saying he prefers to let his faith guide the timing rather than force an announcement. Music is only one piece of what he's building. Lavender KiiNG also runs Living Life Lavishly, a lifestyle brand that includes The Lavish DuRag, his own line of premium velvet durags, and he's released a debut album, Raps Dynasty, directing his own videos along the way. At the center of it all is a simple message: be yourself, unapologetically. He says he grew up without a role model who made his dreams feel possible, and he wants his own path — as an artist, entrepreneur, and father — to serve as proof for others that theirs are, too.
Sep 17, 2026
Dre' from Jerz Is Building a World Where Music and Film Collide
Montclair-raised, independently minded, and not content to stay in one lane, Dre' from Jerz makes hip-hop and R&B that doubles as world-building. He started out as a songwriter and recording artist, but he says he was always drawn to something bigger than the song itself — the idea of creating complete worlds around the music. That fascination has since pulled him into audio production, visual storytelling, and independent media, reshaping how he thinks about what a "release" even is. That expansion is now taking shape through Elexo, an original urban micro-drama Dre' is preparing to launch that blends cinematic storytelling with music and experimental visuals. Its first episode, "Some Things Happen," is set to premiere October 9. Rather than treating music as background noise for the series, he's building it into the project's identity — including an upcoming R&B-leaning entry called "Velvet on Ten" that lives inside the Elexo world. He's not stopping there. Dre' is also developing a second original series, Chrono-Knight, and both projects fall under a visual storytelling approach he calls Artistic Vizion™ — a concept he says will reveal itself through the work rather than through explanation upfront. Across all of it, Dre' describes his guiding intent simply: he wants the music to feel like an experience, not disposable content. Emotion, atmosphere, accountability, relationships, an adult perspective on life — those are the threads he's chasing, whether they show up in a verse or a scene. For Dre' from Jerz, music, film, and digital media aren't separate pursuits competing for attention — they're pieces of one ongoing creative practice. With Elexo's first episode on the way and Chrono-Knight already in development, Atlanta audiences curious about where hip-hop storytelling can go next have a new independent voice worth watching.
Sep 17, 2026
J.Dhaf Brings Multilingual Rap and a Message of Self-Love to ATL
Growing up in Tunisia, J.Dhaf's earliest memories of music came from his father, who would bring him along to concerts as a kid. Those nights left a mark early — he started singing at weddings, and by 7 years old he was already immersed in music. It wasn't until 2018, though, that he recorded his first professional song, turning a childhood pastime into a real pursuit. J.Dhaf's sound moves fluidly across rap, trap, and reggaeton, and just as fluidly across languages — he raps and sings in Arabic, English, and Spanish, often within the same body of work. That blend is at the center of his next move: a solo album that weaves all three languages together, a project he says reflects the different sides of who he is rather than sticking to one lane. His father remains a guiding force behind the music, though the inspiration has evolved. Where he once looked to what his father lived through and overcame, J.Dhaf now says his son has become his biggest motivation — a shift that shows up in the themes running through his catalog: love, how to live, and how to love yourself. That message is intentional. Ask J.Dhaf what he wants listeners to walk away with, and he doesn't point to a hook or a hit — he wants people to love themselves, chase what they actually want, and put in the work on their own growth. He's performed at concerts along the way and, as he puts it, guarantees fans will enjoy his live show. With a solo album in the works spanning three languages and a story rooted in family, J.Dhaf is one to watch for listeners in Atlanta looking for something that crosses borders — musically and otherwise.
Sep 17, 2026
spookyguava Is Turning Bedroom Beats Into a Rallying Cry
Toronto's spookyguava didn't set out to build a movement. He started the way a lot of alternative artists do: bouncing between bands and teaching himself production in early high school, right as the world shut down during Covid. That isolation became a workshop. He spent the time recording himself, refining songs in private, and by the summer after graduation he was finally playing them out loud, taking original material to shows for the first time. That path from bedroom experimentation to live stages shapes how he talks about his music now. He cites Ken Carson, Twenty One Pilots, Green Day, and Uzi as touchstones, but when asked about his biggest inspiration, he points somewhere bigger than any single artist: the world itself. As he describes it, the old world is dying while a new one struggles to be born, and his generation is stuck being told nothing ever changes. For him, the response isn't resignation, it's music as a kind of frequency, something meant to connect people, comfort the lost, and give the abandoned somewhere to belong. That mission is the throughline of his upcoming project, a follow-up EP to his previous release, Wish You Were Here Pt. 1. He's not revealing much about the specifics yet, but the intent behind it lines up with everything he's said before, that he wants listeners walking away with a simple charge: don't let the world turn you into something you're not. Take pride in who you are and what you believe in. For an artist still early in his career, spookyguava is already thinking in terms of community rather than just output, using alternative music's rawness to say something to a generation that feels unheard. Atlanta listeners just getting introduced to him now are catching him at the beginning of that arc.
Sep 16, 2026
Dope Boi Carter Turns Struggle Into Motivation on Upcoming Single
California-born artist Dope Boi Carter has been making music since his early years, but it's only in the last two years that he's pursued it professionally, building a sound that moves fluidly between hip hop, rap, trap, pop, dance, and house. For Carter, the stage name isn't just a moniker — it's a stand-in for his whole story. "It represents my story, my experiences, my creativity, and the person I'm continuing to become," he says, describing his own identity as his biggest source of inspiration. Music, for him, became an outlet for things that don't come across in regular conversation, a way to translate lived experience into something listeners can feel rather than just hear. That intention shows up clearly in how he talks about his catalog. Carter describes his songs as more than entertainment — reflections of real life aimed at people who've dealt with struggle, pressure, setbacks, and doubt. The throughline across his music is a reminder that circumstances don't define the future, delivered with an emphasis on confidence, motivation, and resilience. He's hoping that message lands with listeners on a personal level. Carter says he wants people to walk away from his music feeling confident, motivated, and free, while also relating his experiences to their own and finding their own meaning inside the songs. Carter has new music on the way, with a single set to drop September 18, 2026, followed by what he calls "more bangers" leading into a full album planned for March 2027. It's an ambitious runway for an artist just two years into doing this professionally, and one that positions Carter to keep building out his sound — and his story — in real time for Atlanta listeners just getting introduced to him.
Sep 16, 2026
Nevik Wright Turns Life's Struggles Into Purpose-Driven Rap and Dancehall
Nevik Wright has been making music for 16 years, and the roots of that journey trace back to his own neighbourhood in Kingston, Jamaica. He started writing as a way to process what he was living through at home, hoping the lessons he found along the way could help someone else going through the same thing. Music, he says, became the way he made himself heard when words alone weren't enough. His path took him from working with Lion Brothers Entertainment around 2008-2010, then briefly with American record labels, before those contracts ended and he decided to go fully independent — teaching himself Pro Tools and every other piece of the production process. Eventually he relocated to the UK, where he built a home studio and kept developing his craft on his own terms, writing, recording, mixing, and producing his own work from concept to master. That independent streak runs through everything he does. Beyond music, he's also been writing short books and comic books, extending the same storytelling instinct into other mediums. His sound blends the reggae and dancehall he grew up on — he points to Bob Marley, Peter Tosh, Capleton, Sizzla, Vybz Kartel, Mavado, Beenie Man, and Bounty Killer as key influences — with hip-hop touchstones like 2Pac, Biggie, Busta Rhymes, and Rakim. Right now, Wright is focused on his new single "BIG STAR," a collaboration with Brazilian producer DJ Rchagas (Ronaldo Chagas de Paula), releasing through Bentley Records. He's also deep into work on a new full-length album, building it entirely on his own. For Wright, the goal isn't just sound for sound's sake — he wants listeners to walk away with a fresh perspective, real guidance, and the sense that they can rise above whatever they're facing. As he puts it, if his music helps even one person move forward clearer and stronger, he's done what he set out to do.
Sep 16, 2026
CP Baby Brings Cincinnati Roots to Trap With "Standing on Business"
CP Baby is a trap artist out of Cincinnati, Ohio, now building his catalog through Starpower Ent. His path into music didn't start in the booth — he first worked as an A&R for On Impact Entertainment before stepping into the artist role himself, a background that shapes how he approaches putting a project together. His new release, "Standing on Business," arrives in a digital version featuring Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne, Twista, Lil Flip, Obie Trice, D4L, and TBoss, with Cash Money also part of the rollout. It's a lineup that reflects the wide net of artists CP Baby says he's worked alongside throughout his career so far. Family runs through his story, too. CP Baby points to his brother — who produced for the Young World album "Da Wake Up," released through FYE — as his biggest inspiration, a reminder that his musical footing was built close to home before it ever reached the studios where he now records. As for what he wants people to walk away with, CP Baby keeps it grounded in numbers and geography: he wants listeners to know it's possible to make it out of Cincinnati's 513 area code, pointing to what he describes as five projects that have sold 100,000 units combined as proof of concept. It's less about flash and more about showing hometown artists a blueprint. With "Standing on Business" out now, CP Baby continues to lean into the collaborative, feature-heavy style that's defined his catalog. For Atlanta listeners just discovering him, the new release doubles as an introduction — both to his sound and to the network of artists he's aligned himself with along the way.
Sep 16, 2026
Bliss Babyy Brings Church Roots and Faith-Driven Rap to Atlanta
Houston-born artist Bliss Babyy is bringing a sound shaped by choir pews and band rooms to hip-hop and rap. His musical foundation started in church, and carried through his school years, where he spent time in both band and choir — an upbringing he credits as the true origin of his artistry. Since releasing his debut album, "This Ain't Even The Start," in 2022, Bliss Babyy has stayed steadily productive, following it up with two more full albums and a deluxe edition. That consistency has let him build out a catalog while keeping his message centered: he wants listeners to walk away with faith, and with the reminder to always choose themselves first. These days, he points to his grandmother as his biggest inspiration, a personal touchstone that runs alongside the spiritual grounding he's carried since his church days. It's a throughline in his story — from gospel harmonies as a kid to the rap songs he makes now, the emphasis stays on belief, resilience, and self-worth. Bliss Babyy isn't slowing down. He has a new album on the way, set to drop November 13th, 2026, continuing the momentum he's built since 2022. Fans in Atlanta and beyond will get a chance to see him live before that, though — he's set to open for UnoTheActivist on October 10th at The Secret Group. For an artist whose musical roots trace back to the church choir stand, Bliss Babyy's path forward looks like an extension of where he started: rooted in faith, shaped by family, and built one album at a time. As his catalog grows, so does the throughline connecting all of it — a message about believing in something bigger, and believing in yourself along the way.
Sep 16, 2026
From Cell Walls to V103: The Rise of Wildlyfe 1Hunnud
East Atlanta artist Wildlyfe 1Hunnud didn't find music in a studio—he found it inside DeKalb County Jail, singing and rapping for fellow inmates while knocking out beats on the cell walls. Raised by a single mother and pulled into the streets not long after high school, he was incarcerated for robbery just four months after graduation. It was there, behind the walls, that other inmates gave him the encouragement to take his talent seriously, and gave him the name "1Hunnud" for always keeping it real. When he got out, he made a decision that changed the trajectory of his life: instead of going back to the streets, he went straight to the studio. That choice became the foundation for what he calls "Trap&B," a sound that blends smooth R&B melodies with hard street narratives drawn straight from his own experience. His breakthrough came when "Ride Wit The Sac" landed in the 2018 film River Runs Red, alongside Taye Diggs and John Cusack. Since then he's built out his catalog with collaborations including Derez De'Shon, Johnny Cinco, and the late Snootie Wild, and has appeared on BET's Tales and We Made It in America. Right now, his focus is "Blue Flame," a single featuring Jeremih that's been gaining traction on TikTok and SoundCloud and got a premiere on Atlanta's own V103. He's also looking to grow further into television and film as more entertainment projects take shape. Through it all, what Wildlyfe 1Hunnud says he wants most is simple: for listeners to feel something. He wants people to vibe with the music, and when someone hears a piece of their own life reflected in his, that's the connection that matters most to him. For an artist whose sound was literally born on cell walls, that kind of connection is the whole point.
Sep 16, 2026
FINAO Is Building His Sound From the Ground Up
For Baltimore-born artist FINAO, music didn't start in a studio — it started at home, singing with his mom while they cleaned the house. That everyday ritual became the root of everything he does now, a reminder that a career in hip hop and R&B doesn't need a grand origin story, just a willingness to keep singing. That early influence still shapes him. FINAO credits his mother with teaching him to be himself and to sing without holding back, an ethos he carries into every session. On the other side of his sound is Tory Lanez, whose genre-hopping approach taught him to stay versatile — never settling into one lane, always shifting the vibe to keep listeners engaged. Between those two influences, FINAO has landed on a style that values range as much as authenticity. He's currently working on a new track with a jazz and soul-leaning vibe, a shift that suggests he's continuing to stretch beyond the boundaries of straightforward hip hop and R&B, in keeping with the versatility he says he strives for. What FINAO wants most is for listeners to walk away believing in their own process, however humble it starts. He points to his own path — from a bedroom closet setup to professional studio time — as proof that the gap between the two isn't as wide as it looks. His message is simple: do what you love, and don't look back. It's a fitting outlook for an artist still early in his rise, building his catalog one session at a time. With new music on the way and a sound that's actively evolving, FINAO is one to keep an eye on as he figures out just how far that versatility can take him.
Sep 16, 2026
From Córdoba Battles to Atlanta Dreams: The World of JOKHA
Long before he was JOKHA, he was a 15-year-old in Córdoba, Argentina, stepping into freestyle sessions and written battles, sharpening the writing and delivery that would become his foundation. That grind led to his first release, "El Reloj," in 2016, and the slow, independent build of a project that refuses to sit still — moving through rap, trap, R&B, reggaetón, dembow, dancehall, and RKT rather than settling into one lane. His grandfather, a tango musician, was JOKHA's first real connection to music, and he counts that influence alongside a wide range of artists — 50 Cent, Drake, The Weeknd, Jay-Z, Young Thug, OutKast, Daddy Yankee, and Wisin & Yandel among them — as pieces he's absorbed and reshaped into his own sound over the years. That international pull became real with "Bailando Twerk," released in 2021, which he says has become his most-streamed track in the U.S., now his leading international market according to his ONErpm data. It's part of why he's looking toward Atlanta specifically, pointing to the city's influence on hip-hop, trap, and R&B as a throughline in the music that shaped him. Since the start of 2026, JOKHA has been releasing steadily as an independent artist and producer — "More Money More Problems," "Habitación 420," "Antonio Banderas," and "Dance Down" — under a more conceptual, mature direction he's calling Foresi. A reggaetón single, "La Almohada," is due September 21, 2026, with "Foresi Vol. 1" set for January 2027, alongside collaborations with artists from different countries. For JOKHA, the goal isn't just output — it's connection. He wants listeners to hear their own experiences in his songs, treating his catalog as a running document of who he is and how he's changing, and inviting fans to feel like part of that evolution rather than just an audience for it.
Sep 16, 2026
Big Tigger Set to Return to V-103 Morning Show
Big Tigger is heading back to Atlanta radio. The longtime host, whose real name is Darian Morgan, resumes "The Big Tigger Morning Show" alongside co-host Francesca Amiker on V-103 starting Monday, Sept. 14. The program airs weekdays from 6 to 10 a.m. Morgan stepped away from the show in July after being arrested in June by Sandy Springs Police on charges of aggravated battery and third-degree cruelty to children, stemming from allegations involving his estranged wife. He denied the allegations at the time and said he needed to focus on his family while his legal team addressed the case. Earlier this month, the Fulton County District Attorney's Office announced it would not pursue prosecution, according to a Sept. 4 court document. Morgan thanked supporters on Instagram, saying he could finally "exhale and close this chapter." During his time off the air, Morgan stayed active in the community, completing a 300-mile cycling challenge with the American Cancer Society to benefit his Big Tigger Foundation, which supports youth education and fitness. He also spoke about adjusting to fatherhood after welcoming a baby boy, saying his focus going forward includes raising his son in a positive environment alongside his on-air work. Atlanta listeners can tune in Monday morning for his return.
Sep 15, 2026
Call Me Quita Turns Feelings Into Songs You Can Laugh About Later
St. Louis-born artist Call Me Quita doesn't box her sound into a single genre — she describes it simply as "no limits." That openness has shaped her music since she started making it back in 2019, when a melody stuck in her head turned into her first real song. She called up her friend and producer, Timothy McGimpsey, hummed out the idea, and he built the beat around it. As she describes it, that was the moment her first "baby" was born, and the start of a project she's still building on today. Her sound draws from a lineage of soul and R&B voices she grew up loving — Anthony Hamilton, Jagged Edge, Lauryn Hill, Erykah Badu. What ties them together for her isn't a specific style so much as a feeling. "Music is magic," she says, "and I'm someone who appreciates magic." That reverence for the emotional pull of music shows up in how she talks about her own songwriting — less concerned with genre lines than with capturing a feeling honestly. That emotional throughline is central to what she wants listeners to take from her work. Quita writes toward moments where her feelings and her listeners' feelings run parallel — the kind of songs you can look back on, laugh a little, and recognize how far you've come. It's a reflective, almost diary-like approach to songwriting, built for revisiting rather than just a single listen. Right now, Quita has a new single out and is working on her first EP, a bigger step in introducing her sound to a wider audience. For Atlanta listeners just discovering her, it's an early look at an artist still shaping her identity in real time. She's been documenting the process on Instagram at @callmequita for anyone who wants to follow the journey as it unfolds.
Sep 14, 2026
Veeta Venom Turns Lived Experience Into Bars
Long before she had a stage name, Veeta Venom was freestyling at lunch tables. The Washington, D.C.-raised rapper and singer, who blends rap, hip-hop, and R&B, says she was always a tomboy growing up, and those elementary school cyphers became the first spark of something she'd eventually take seriously as a craft. That instinct for turning everyday moments into rhyme has stuck with her. Ask Veeta Venom about her biggest inspiration and she doesn't point to another artist -- she points to life itself. Everything she's been through, the people who've shaped her, and the experiences she's lived all become raw material, filtered into music she hopes feels honest rather than performative. Right now, her focus is less about a single moment and more about momentum. Veeta Venom says she's concentrated on releasing new music consistently, building out visuals and content around each drop, and treating the process itself as the project. It's a steady, workmanlike approach for an artist still introducing herself to wider audiences. What she wants listeners to walk away with is simple: a sense of being understood. Because her music is rooted in real experience, she hopes fans hear themselves in it too -- that someone going through something hard can press play and feel less alone. That relatability, more than any flash, seems to be the throughline of her artistry. As for what's ahead, Veeta Venom is promising more of everything -- more music, more visuals, more creative projects -- while describing herself as an artist who's always evolving. For now, she's still early in building that catalog, but the foundation is clear: real stories, told plainly, for anyone listening who needs to hear them.
Sep 14, 2026
P KILLA: From Bedroom Recordings to the Big Stage
Before she ever set foot in a professional studio, P KILLA (born Pricilla) was just a kid in Austin, Texas dressing up and choreographing dances to Disney Channel songs, imagining herself performing. That early love of performance didn't fade — it turned into a craft. At 15, she began teaching herself to record on her phone using BandLab, writing down her feelings in poems before turning them into songs and playing local shows around Texas. By 18, she'd released her first official song, and things started to move. After connecting with a professional studio, she found her sound and started building a team around her vision. Her music blends hip hop, R&B, and indie influences, and her travels have taken her from Austin to Houston, Dallas, California, New York, Miami, Seattle, Portland, Santa Cruz, and San Diego, performing alongside and appearing with names like No Jumper, Foo Community, Corner Store LA, Young Drummer Boy, Bravo The Bagchaser, Trippie Redd, and Kodak Black — including a stage moment at Rolling Loud Miami and a set with Trippie Redd at Toyota Arena. P KILLA says she doesn't lean on idols much these days — "having idols will disappoint you," as she puts it — though she'd love to eventually collaborate with Bruno Mars and Calvin Harris on an EDM or pop record, and with Cardi B on the hip hop side. Right now she's sitting on a full album and two additional projects, all in the works. Fans can catch her live next on November 13 in San Diego, performing alongside ohgeezy. At the center of it all is a simple message: chase what you want, work for your money, have fun along the way, and don't let anyone talk you out of your dreams. For P KILLA, there's no backup plan — just the one she's building, one show at a time.
Sep 13, 2026
Carolyne Scott Is Building a Legacy, One Voice at a Time
Carolyne Scott's story starts the way a lot of great R&B stories do: in church. At five years old, she was already singing at Lighthouse Gospel Chapel in her hometown of Milwaukee, the earliest sign of a voice that would carry her well beyond it. As a teenager, that early passion turned into something more deliberate — she started recording music and working at a record station, learning the industry from the inside before eventually releasing her first record and stepping fully into life as an artist. That throughline, from gospel pews to the stage, still shapes how she thinks about music today. Scott points to the women who came before her — artists who used their voices to create change and leave something lasting — as her biggest inspiration, alongside her own lived experience and the people she connects with through performance. These days, Carolyne Scott wears more than one hat. She's a singer and songwriter working on original music, and she's also a professional tribute artist and Las Vegas live entertainer, currently running a one-woman residency as both the city's Tina Turner and Whitney Houston tribute performer — a run she says has continued for three years. Rather than treating those two lanes as separate, she's leaning into the balance between them, using each to sharpen her range as a performer while she builds out her own brand and original catalog. What ties it all together is intention. Scott says she wants listeners to feel seen and empowered when they hear her music — reminded that their experiences matter, their voice matters, and they have the strength to push through hard moments. As she keeps developing new performance opportunities and pushing her original songs forward, that's the mark she's aiming to leave: music that makes people feel something real.
Sep 13, 2026
Alauna Maree Is Building a World, Not Just a Sound
Thomasville, Georgia native Alauna Maree makes music that blends R&B, Pop, Afrobeats and Dancehall into something distinctly her own — sensual, bold and unmistakably feminine. For her, the pull toward music started as a way to say things words alone couldn't capture. Somewhere along the way, that turned into a bigger vision: not just songs, but full experiences built around them. That instinct shows in how she talks about her influences. Rather than naming a single artist, Alauna Maree points to life itself — love, heartbreak, confidence, desire, growth — as her deepest well of inspiration. She's also drawn to artists who build an entire world around their music, and she's chasing that same idea for herself: a record, a visual or a performance that feels recognizably hers the moment you encounter it. That world-building is exactly where she says she's headed next. Alauna Maree describes what's coming as one of the biggest creative eras of her career so far — new music paired with cinematic visuals, choreography and storytelling meant to reveal a side of her fans haven't fully seen. She's keeping specifics close for now, but she's clear that every piece of it, from the sound to the styling, is meant to connect into something intentional. Across all of it, she's chasing a single feeling. Alauna Maree wants listeners to feel free to own every part of themselves — the confident side, the vulnerable side, the soft side and the powerful side — whether that means dancing, falling in love or just feeling like the best version of themselves in the room. She's framing herself not just as a singer, but as a complete entertainer, with fashion, performance and visuals as central to her identity as the music itself. For Atlanta listeners just discovering her, the message from her camp is simple: pay attention, because the next chapter is coming soon.
Sep 12, 2026
Lil Durk Found Not Guilty in Murder-for-Hire Trial Over Quando Rondo Plot
A federal jury in Los Angeles found Chicago rapper Lil Durk not guilty Friday of murder-for-hire, stalking and conspiracy charges tied to a 2022 shooting near the Beverly Center that killed a cousin of Atlanta rapper Quando Rondo. Prosecutors alleged Durk, born Durk Banks, set in motion a plot to stalk and kill Quando Rondo, whose legal name is Tyquian Bowman, in the aftermath of the 2020 killing of Durk's close friend and fellow rapper King Von. The shooting instead struck and killed a relative of Bowman's on Aug. 19, 2022. Jurors deliberated for three days before clearing Durk of every count against him, a verdict that could have carried a life sentence. His co-defendants, David Lindsey and Deandre Wilson, were convicted on stalking and conspiracy charges but acquitted of murder-for-hire. The verdict doesn't close out Durk's legal troubles. He still faces separate federal racketeering charges alleging his OTF label operated as a violent criminal enterprise, with that case still pending.
Sep 11, 2026
Alantra Turns Pain Into Purpose on the Road to "Claim to Fame"
For Alantra, music was never a plan — it was a lifeline. Raised with a Caribbean parent and exposed early to different cultures and sounds, she grew up with music woven into everyday life. But it wasn't until she went through a heartbreak that forced her to rebuild herself that she found her voice in it. Writing became a way to say what she couldn't otherwise express, and she credits that period with teaching her a lesson she still leans on: her hardships didn't have to define her, they could fuel her. That mindset shows up in how she talks about her inspiration, too. Rather than pointing to a single artist or moment, Alantra says life itself — the people she's loved, the challenges she's pushed through, the person she's still becoming — is what drives her. She says knowing her story might help someone else keep going is what motivates her most. The Atlanta artist is currently building out her "Yedda Mami" identity, a persona she describes as embodying hustle, resilience, and self-respect. Her new single "Freak Show" is out now on all platforms, with an unreleased album, Claim to Fame, on the way. She calls this stretch her "boots on the ground" season — networking, making connections, and introducing herself to new rooms and audiences. Coming from a background in dance, Alantra says she wants listeners to move past surface-level assumptions about her music and actually sit with the lyrics. She frames her perspective as that of a woman in control — setting the tone, running the room, being the boss — and hopes fans who stick with her will see more layers to her as she grows. Above all, Alantra wants her music to carry a simple message: circumstances don't determine outcomes. She believes consistency and showing up, even without perfect conditions, can outweigh raw talent alone — a philosophy she's hoping listeners take with them well beyond the songs.
Sep 11, 2026
Mike Mixer: From Latta, SC Beats to Atlanta's Producer Circuit
Michael McWhite didn't set out to become a producer — it started as a hobby during his sophomore year at Coastal Carolina University, when he discovered Fruity Loops and began making beats in his dorm. What followed was, in his words, an obsession. After graduating in 2016, he spent his time on Twitter and Instagram cold-connecting with established rap artists, submitting beats and hoping something would land. Something did. On October 31, 2017, he got his first placement, co-producing "Potato" on Plies and Kodak Black's joint project "F.E.M.A." Four days later, he packed his Jeep and moved to Atlanta to chase music full-time, launching the career now known under the name Mike Mixer. Since then, the South Carolina native has built a catalog of placements and partnerships. His most recent is a production credit on track 11 of Hoodrich Pablo Juan's debut album "The Bloprint," alongside co-producer QuisGotHitz. He's also continuing to work with Hoodrich on upcoming mixtapes, and he's been active with a wide network of rising artists from Atlanta and beyond, including Mia Snow, DJ Stussy, K Alley, Shaudi Man, Bri Biase, Que Dawg, 4Fargo, and FYB. Alongside his production work, he releases his own lo-fi music under the Mike Mixer name, available on streaming platforms. For Mike Mixer, the goal isn't just placements — it's staying power. He describes his work as an attempt to bridge memory and imagination, crafting sounds meant to evoke deep nostalgia while giving listeners' minds room to drift. Now signed to Warner Chappell and part of the Winners Circle Music group, he's also plugged into the local scene in a hands-on way — the group hosts weekly Tuesday sessions at Arabian Cafe on Roswell Road, open to artists, producers, and songwriters looking to network and get heard. The next one lands September 22nd.
Sep 11, 2026
IMSEV7N Turns Discernment Into Song
Before IMSEV7N ever wrote a lyric, she was learning music in the womb. Her father, a DJ in the 90s, used to press headphones to her mother's stomach so she could absorb every genre before birth. Born to Ugandan immigrant parents in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania, she grew up finding it hard to connect with peers — she is autistic, though she wasn't diagnosed until adulthood — and turned to poetry and humming melodies in class as a way to process the world. Those scribbled notebooks eventually became songs. Her real entry into music came in college, when she reinvented herself under a new name and DM'd an acquaintance to ask if she could play them a song she'd made. That track, "Mukwaano" — a Ugandan love song whose title translates to "my love" — ended up on college radio. Strangers began asking her what the lyrics meant, and for the first time, she says, she felt seen. She credits her mother, who endured financial hardship, illness, and separation from family in Uganda, as her biggest inspiration — a steady example, she says, that faith and love matter more than what you own. Now recording as IMSEV7N, she's preparing her album "Discernm3nt," which traces her own transformation — from the name Acklynn to Seven — through songs tied to the seven deadly sins. Its lead single, "MMDA (Man My Daddy Ain't)," features Nigerian artist NiinetyNine, with each artist recording their verse an ocean apart before stitching the song together across time zones. For IMSEV7N, the point isn't chart success — it's connection. She writes, she says, for the voiceless, the autistic, and anyone who has ever felt misunderstood, hoping listeners find in her lyrics the words they didn't have for their own feelings.
Sep 10, 2026
DJ Stussy Brings South Central Roots and Gospel Roots to New Single "Thick & Natural"
Los Angeles-based artist DJ Stussy has been building toward a music career since before he could really remember choosing one. He started playing drums at three, was performing professionally by six, and was holding down two church services a Sunday by age eight. By ten he'd taught himself piano, and by fifteen he was experimenting with production. That foundation led to his first released song, "Highschool," at seventeen, and eventually a full-time pivot to music after college. A singer, rapper, songwriter, and self-described creative storyteller, DJ Stussy (he/him) blends hip-hop with social commentary, drawing on his South Central upbringing and gospel background to explore identity, culture, and resilience. He points to Chance The Rapper and Phife Dawg from A Tribe Called Quest as his biggest musical inspirations, citing their lyrical comprehension and stylistic range as what pushed him to carve out his own sound within hip-hop. His catalog so far includes projects like "BLACKER.," "A Kid From South Central," "Overnight Celebrity," and "Until Further Notice." His newest single, "Thick & Natural," just dropped, and he'll be performing it live at Miles College's Homecoming Concert on October 3rd, along with an appearance on Fox 26 Houston's The Night Cap. For DJ Stussy, the goal behind the music is bigger than any single release. He says he wants his songs to embody Black culture, good feeling, and genuine faith, giving listeners lyrical expression they can see themselves in. With a catalog he describes as versatile, he hopes fans can find a song that matches wherever they are in life — their mood, their vibe, their story. As his live schedule picks up this fall, DJ Stussy looks to keep expanding that catalog while staying rooted in the gospel and South Central influences that shaped him from the start.
Sep 10, 2026
Tony Winner Shoshana Bean Bringing 'Only Smoke' Tour to Buckhead Theatre
Broadway star Shoshana Bean is set to perform at Atlanta's Buckhead Theatre on Tuesday, September 15, as part of her 14-city "Only Smoke" Tour. Doors open at 7 p.m., with the show starting at 8 p.m., and tickets are available through Ticketmaster. The tour supports Bean's album "Only Smoke," released in November 2025 — her seventh recording project and fourth full-length album, all put out through her own label, Shotime Records. Bean is well known to theater fans for stepping into the role of Elphaba in "Wicked" back in 2005, taking over from original star Idina Menzel. Her Broadway resume also includes Tony-nominated turns in "Mr. Saturday Night" (2022) and the Alicia Keys musical "Hell's Kitchen" (2024). This year, Bean finally claimed her first Tony Award, winning Best Featured Actress in a Musical for "The Lost Boys." Her Tony win capped a big night that also saw her join host Pink onstage for a memorable performance during the ceremony's opening number. Now Bean brings that momentum to Atlanta audiences as part of her current tour, with the Buckhead Theatre located at 3110 Roswell Road.
Sep 10, 2026
MYART FABIO Is Turning Being Counted Out Into Motivation
Hip-hop has always been a vehicle for turning lived experience into something bigger, and that's exactly the space MYART FABIO is working in. Raised in Cleveland on a steady diet of hip-hop and R&B, he says music was never really a choice — it was something he felt in his soul. Writing and recording became a way to process his life, and eventually that hobby turned into a purpose he's been chasing for years. His sound draws from his hometown's musical DNA, with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony and the broader Cleveland tradition cited as key influences. But he points to something less tangible as his real muse: life itself. The people who believed in him, the ones who didn't, the mistakes and the wins — he treats all of it as raw material, writing music meant to make listeners feel something real, whether that's motivation, pain, love, or just the urge to turn up. That mission extends beyond his own catalog. Alongside his solo work, MYART FABIO has been building MYART MUSIC GROUP, a brand he describes as an extension of his own perseverance and growth. Right now he's out on the Going Viral Tour, using the stops to promote his new single "Buss It Down" and connect directly with audiences discovering him for the first time. What he wants people to walk away with is simple: proof that they can still win, still dream, and still become who they're meant to be, no matter who's counted them out. He describes himself not just as an artist but as a writer and entrepreneur building something from the ground up — and by his own account, this chapter is only the beginning. With new music in the works and MYART MUSIC GROUP continuing to grow, MYART FABIO says he's focused on enjoying the process as much as the destination.
Sep 10, 2026
Kendricke Brown Steps Into the Spotlight, In His Own Name
For Cartersville native Kendricke Brown, music was never a side interest — it was the family language. Growing up, he watched his father book shows for major acts during his time in the Air Force, and holidays in the Brown household were built around music. His father had once pursued being an artist himself, part of a group before he shifted focus to raising a family. Kendricke has spent his career, in a sense, picking up where his dad left off. That throughline shows up in how he talks about inspiration, too. Ask him what's driven him this far, and the answer isn't a song or a scene — it's family. "We've been through so much, and without their support and love, I wouldn't have made it this far," he says. Known previously as K-Major, Brown has built a reputation behind the scenes as a songwriter and producer. Now he's rebranding under his own name, Kendricke Brown, as he steps forward as a solo R&B artist. It's a shift he describes as chasing something that's been the goal since day one: finding his core audience as a performer, not just a writer for other people's records. Lyrically, Brown says he leans into honesty and vulnerability, with a simple aim — to remind listeners that being different is more than okay. He wants his music to push people toward self-love and away from chasing trends, encouraging fans to lead rather than follow. With a new artist bio in the works to match the rebrand, Kendricke Brown is entering this next chapter on his own terms — an R&B voice out of Cartersville with a story rooted firmly in family, and eyes set on connecting directly with an audience that's been waiting for him to step out front.
Sep 9, 2026
BDB 9081 Turns Border-Life Grit Into Motivation on Wax
BDB 9081 didn't come up through a single scene so much as a stretch of geography. Raised between Holtville, California and Mexicali, Baja California, with time in Calexico too, he's spent his life moving between rural quiet and city pace, and between the U.S. and Mexico. That back-and-forth shaped how he sees the world, and it still runs through the music he makes today. He started writing lyrics and poetry back in middle school, but music didn't become a formal pursuit until he co-owned a music studio in Mexicali. That hands-on studio experience gave him a foundation in Hip-Hop, R&B, and Reggaeton, genres he blends rather than picks between. Eventually he left home for college in San Diego, a city he now calls home and refers to affectionately as "Daygo." Ask him about influences and he'll point to Drake, Immortal Technique, and Linkin Park, artists who, in different ways, turned personal experience into something bigger. That's the model BDB 9081 is working from himself. By his own account, the goal behind his music is motivation: he writes from personal hardship and how he pushed through it, or from the discipline of the work itself, hoping listeners find something to apply to their own lives. He's also using his platform to look outward, with an ongoing effort to spotlight other artists and music coming out of the Mexicali/Calexico region, a corner of the map that doesn't always get its due. Fans can expect a run of new singles between September and October, some paired with mic drop releases, with more writing and recording happening in between. Beyond that, BDB 9081 is keeping details close for now, simply saying: stay tuned.
Sep 9, 2026
Romee Rombe Turns Life Into Therapy, One Track at a Time
Fort Lauderdale-born rapper Romee Rombe makes music the way some people keep a journal — as a necessity. Born Jerome Baubien, he found his way into hip-hop and R&B not through some grand plan, but through the realization that music was his clearest way of communicating. "It's my best way of communicating," he says of the pull that first got him writing and recording. That instinct runs through his catalog, which includes tracks like "White Peacock" and "Don't Mean To," along with his 2023 album Kleaning My Room. The project title alone hints at the process — sorting through what's inside and laying it out plainly. Rombe describes his songs as addressing personal struggles directly, using the studio as a therapeutic space rather than just a creative one. Ask him about inspiration and he doesn't point to another artist or a specific sound — he points to his own life. That autobiographical thread is central to how he approaches every release, treating his own experience as the material worth building songs around. Right now, Rombe is working on a new project built around remixes, alongside plans for more shows and a push to reach listeners on more platforms. He calls it simply "growth," and it fits an artist who seems more interested in expanding his reach organically than chasing a moment. For listeners, the message he hopes lands is straightforward: they're not alone, and there's a reason to keep moving forward. "We all have a purpose, and it's right in front of you," he says. "Utilize it. Fly." Atlanta will get a chance to hear that message in person — Rombe has shows planned in the city this November, bringing his particular brand of confessional hip-hop to local stages as part of his broader push outward.
Sep 9, 2026
Spyda Wave Is Turning Everyday Energy Into Hip-Hop You Can Feel
Spyda Wave has been writing music since he was eight years old, and that early habit has grown into a full-fledged independent hip-hop project built on confidence, catchy hooks, and personality. Born in Queens Village, NY and raised in Freeport, he carries that New York foundation into a sound designed less for chart chasing and more for connection — the kind of music made to soundtrack a night out or a memory in the making. Ask him what drives the music, and he won't point to a single artist or moment. For Spyda Wave, the inspiration is music itself. He sees hip hop as more than a genre — as he puts it, it's "the umbrella," a lifestyle that shapes how people move, eat, watch, and dress every day. That perspective shows up in his own records, which lean on real-life experience and humor as much as energy and swagger. Right now, Spyda Wave's focus extends beyond his own catalog. He and his team are building out Wavey Motion Media, a production company meant to expand what he can offer creatively — more visuals, more music, and support for smaller platforms trying to grow alongside him. It's a move toward building infrastructure for himself and others in the scene, not just chasing a single hit. At the core of it all, he wants listeners to walk away feeling something specific: energy, confidence, and authenticity. He describes his music as made for turning up, relating to, and creating memories around — catchy enough to keep people coming back, real enough to keep them invested. With his sound, visuals, and brand still very much in development, Spyda Wave is treating every release as a building block, aiming to turn each one into a full experience rather than just a song. For an artist rooted in independence, that patience-with-ambition approach might be the clearest signal of where he's headed next.
Sep 9, 2026
King Scudda Turns Florida Roots Into a Sound Without Borders
King Scudda is building a catalog out of lived experience. Coming up out of Florida, he cut his teeth as Scudda Caz before evolving into the artist now known as King Scudda — a shift he describes as one of maturity rather than reinvention, with the mission staying constant: inspire, elevate, and leave a legacy. That mission shows up in the music itself. Blending Afrobeats, hip-hop, and trap, King Scudda writes from a place of real life — business mindset, relationships, pain, success, and spiritual growth all show up in his catalog. He moves comfortably between high-energy anthems and more reflective storytelling, aiming for records that hit just as hard in the streets as they do anywhere else in the world. His output has been steady. The "Ace of Spade" album, an Afrobeat-leaning project, arrived in September 2024, and singles like "Talk" (2025) and "Fire" followed, alongside earlier cuts such as "No Surrender" and "Niggaz Aint Right." He's kept the momentum going into this year, with "Dolla For Dolla" and "Shoot Dice" just released, and a new project called "Money Lubricate Love" now available for pre-order. Along the way, King Scudda has shared stages with G-Unit's Tony Yayo and Uncle Murda, and has headlined multiple shows in New York — reps that speak to a fanbase and network built beyond his home state. With new music already dropping in 2026 and more said to be on the way, King Scudda's throughline remains the journey itself: evolution, consistency, and faith, turned into records meant to travel far past where they started.
Sep 9, 2026
Klazik Is Making the Case for Grown-Up Rap
Klazik has lived a few lives before this one. Raised in Cleveland and now based in Des Moines, he started writing raps as a teenager, but it was during his time in the military, stationed in Virginia, that he began recording and performing seriously. That path — soldier to songwriter — shapes the perspective he brings to his music now. He calls what he makes Adult Contemporary Hip Hop, a lane built for listeners who grew up on rap but want music that reflects where they are now: relationships, responsibility, staying power. His biggest inspiration is The Notorious B.I.G., and you can hear that lineage in his focus on storytelling and lyricism over trend-chasing. Right now Klazik is working on a batch of relationship-focused songs — the kind of material, he says, "you can recite to your partner or at your wedding." It's a deliberate pivot away from rap's usual preoccupations, aimed instead at romance, commitment, and the everyday work of loving someone long-term. That focus ties into the larger message he wants people to take from his catalog: that getting older doesn't mean your story is finished. Klazik wants listeners who feel like they've aged out of certain dreams — in music, in love, in life — to hear his work and reconsider that math. Keep living, as he puts it, is the whole point. In his own words, he sees himself as an educator and visionary as much as a rapper, someone trying to bridge generations by making music rooted in experience rather than image. It's an ambitious frame for a still-emerging artist, but it gives his songs a clear throughline: growth, resilience, authenticity. Fans curious to hear where that's headed next can find his links at linktr.ee/klazified.
Sep 8, 2026
KEE.ZEE Steps Into a New Era of Afro-Dancehall
Born in London and raised in Queens, KEE.ZEE has spent years shaping a sound rooted in his Jamaican and Caribbean heritage. He credits his family and culture as his biggest inspiration, calling that background one of the most amazing experiences a person could have — and it shows in the rhythms he builds his music around. His path into music started small: freestyling and singing over instrumentals with his best friend of more than 15 years. That informal, exploratory habit eventually pushed him to experiment across genres until he landed on the Afro-Dancehall sound he's known for today. KEE.ZEE is also a reintroduction. He previously performed as Superlative Sain, building a following through high-energy live shows that blended Afro-influenced production with R&B, soul, funk, and hip-hop, and taking stages in Paris, London, and cities across the U.S. As he describes it, the shift to KEE.ZEE isn't a restart but a progression — the same foundation of rhythm and storytelling, now with sharper focus and more intentional songwriting. Up next is a new single, "Bougie," along with a project he's keeping largely under wraps for now. He's also gearing up for his first hour-long live set with a full band on October 2nd, 2026, in NYC — a milestone moment for an artist who has built his reputation on performance. At the core of it all, KEE.ZEE says he just wants listeners to feel good. Whether someone catches his music through headphones or live with the band behind him, he hopes it delivers a genuine experience — something that lifts people up, even briefly. With new music on the way and a big live show on the calendar, KEE.ZEE's next chapter is just getting started.
Sep 8, 2026
Mo Dubb Brings Flatbush Honesty to the Mic
Mo Dubb didn't grow up in Atlanta, but his story starts the way a lot of great rap stories do: a kid in Flatbush, Brooklyn, scribbling raps at 12 years old, long before he ever stepped into a booth. He didn't start recording until 18, giving himself six years to sharpen his pen before putting his voice on record. That gap shows in how he talks about his music. Mo Dubb doesn't box himself into one lane — he moves across hip-hop and R&B, switching flows and altering his tone and voice from song to song. It's an approach he describes as unpredictable, built less around chasing a specific sound and more around chasing feeling. His inspirations reflect that range: Michael Jackson and Lil Wayne, two artists who each reinvented what performance and delivery could look like in their genres. But when asked what really drives the music, his answer is simpler — his own life. That personal lens is the throughline of everything he's building toward. Mo Dubb says his goal is to give listeners a real, honest, genuine perspective — one that makes space for vulnerability and authenticity rather than performance for its own sake. His music pulls from his own experiences, but he's also said it draws from the lives of people around him, aiming for relatability over spectacle. Right now, he's in build mode: new music, visuals, and events are on the way, with a full project he's targeting for 2027. It's a long runway, but it gives him room to keep refining that unclassifiable sound before the bigger rollout. For now, his message to listeners is straightforward — he is who he says he is, and he's asking people to stay tuned for what he calls more greatness ahead.
Sep 8, 2026
Kamaria Sarai Is Bringing the Soul Back, One Soft Kiss at a Time
Kamaria Sarai's voice first found its footing in church, where she began singing at seven years old. Raised on Long Island by parents of Jamaican and Haitian descent, she grew up steeped in soul, jazz, hip hop and R&B — a musical foundation that would shape everything to come. It wasn't until her early twenties, when an older cousin brought her into the studio, that things clicked. As she describes it, that session was the first time she felt truly free and in control of her own life. Her path hasn't been a straight line. In 2016, serious respiratory health issues and other health scares put her music on hold for several years. After recovering, and after having her son Heruquinn, Kamaria says she recognized it as a second chance to walk in her purpose. She returned with her first EP, "On Purpose," released in November 2022 with production from Dj Monay, D.V Alias Khryst and Guaranteed Hitz, and has since worked alongside collaborators including Dj Mathematics of Wu-Tang Clan. Since then, she's carried her sound across stages in Miami, Los Angeles, Austin, Washington D.C., New York, San Diego, and internationally in the U.K., the Netherlands and Paris — including a stop performing in Europe, a longtime dream of hers. Her music has also reached radio, from Hot 97 and WBLS in New York to an interview on Global Soul Radio overseas. Now Kamaria is working on her second album, "Soft Kiss." She cites Erykah Badu as her core inspiration, alongside Lauryn Hill and Brandy, and she's direct about what she wants listeners to feel: deep love, the kind that makes you want to reach down and hug yourself. "R&B is dead? It's time to breathe life into it again," she says, tying her name — which means "like the moon" — to her own idea of moving through stages, sweet and mellow, sensual and vibrant.
Sep 8, 2026
2k Fasa Is Chasing Authenticity, One Bar at a Time
Jacksonville, Florida native 2k Fasa didn't stumble into rap — he grew up in it. He started making music at just 10 years old, cutting his teeth as part of a group called Youngboys, or YB for short. Music ran in the family, too: his older brother was deep in the scene as part of a group called Top Three, and watching his brother build something with his crew lit a fire in him. That early exposure set the tone for everything that followed, and he's been recording ever since. Ask him who shaped his approach and the answer comes quick: J. Cole. It's not just the music that draws him in, but the way Cole has carried himself through the business side of the industry — a kind of steadiness 2k Fasa clearly hopes to carry into his own career as it develops. Right now, that career is pointed toward a new single called "Not Tryin," the next step in what's been a years-long build from those early group days to a solo voice of his own. Details on release plans are still close to the chest, but it marks a fresh chapter for the Jacksonville artist as he continues to define his sound. More than anything, 2k Fasa wants his music to be felt, not just played in the background. Authenticity and creativity are the two words he keeps coming back to — the idea that a listener should walk away from one of his songs feeling like they know him a little better, not just having heard a beat go by. For an artist who's been at this since childhood, that pursuit of connection over noise feels like the throughline. As "Not Tryin" takes shape, it's worth keeping an eye on where 2k Fasa takes it next.
Sep 8, 2026
Jerzey Julz Brings Jersey-Rooted Energy Into New R&B Territory
Long before Jerzey Julz was recording songs, he was singing them — in the kitchen, alongside his mom, before ever stepping near a microphone. That early, informal introduction to music grew alongside a stint playing trombone and years of writing, eventually shaping the melodic, hip-hop-and-R&B sound he now carries as an independent artist out of Orange, New Jersey. Julz, who uses he/him pronouns, describes his sound as a blend of hip-hop, melodic storytelling, and what he calls "Jersey-rooted energy" — a mix of smooth delivery and lyrics meant to feel relatable rather than performative. It's a sound he's built out release by release, with a catalog that includes tracks like "What's Up," "Show-N-Prove," "Got It All," "Hold Up, Wait, Chill," and "'Til The Casket Drop," along with the "Chess Moves" single and his "Love Cycle" project. Asked about inspiration, Julz points inward rather than to another artist. He calls himself his own biggest inspiration, framing his run in music as proof of persistence — a way of "living my dreams even when people didn't believe in or support me," as he puts it. That throughline of resilience carries into his next move: an upcoming EP titled "What's Love?", which he describes as a majority R&B project — a shift that leans further into the melodic side of his catalog while still keeping his hip-hop foundation intact. For Julz, the goal isn't spectacle — it's connection. He says he wants listeners to walk away with something that feels authentic and relatable, music people can actually see themselves in. As he continues building his brand through visuals and live-ready presentation, "What's Love?" looks like the next step in that ongoing introduction — Jerzey Julz, still very much in motion, expanding his sound one release at a time.
Sep 8, 2026
414 Jay Turns Personal Struggle Into Purpose
Milwaukee-born, Houston-shaped, 414 Jay has spent more than eight years quietly building a sound rooted in introspection. The rapper's path into music started after a move from Wisconsin to Texas, where he began recording with a group of friends from his school at the time. That early collaboration set him on a path of personal expression that has carried through nearly a decade of work. His music leans into ambition, uncertainty, and self-reflection — themes that come through in songwriting he describes as emotionally honest above all else. He points to Lucki as his biggest current inspiration, specifically the way pain gets translated into music. "The way he expresses his pain through music is something I wanna recreate," 414 Jay says, and that pursuit of emotional honesty shapes how he approaches his own catalog. 414 Jay isn't just handling the mic — he's hands-on with the visual side too, from cover art to overall creative direction, treating each release as a full artistic statement rather than just a song drop. Up next is "Through the Rim," a new single accompanied by a music video, both slated for a late September release. It's the latest step in what he describes as a commitment to originality and consistency as he continues refining his sound. At the core of it all is a simple message he wants listeners to walk away with: no matter what you're going through, you can always get back up and keep working toward your goals. It's a perspective that runs through his music as much as his own story — an independent artist, self-directed and steadily building, one release at a time. Atlanta audiences catching wind of 414 Jay now are getting an early look at an artist still in the process of defining himself — introspective, hands-on, and intent on turning personal experience into something listeners can recognize in their own lives.
Sep 8, 2026
Lyric The Art Is Building More Than a Voice — She's Building a Catalog
Lyric The Art's musical education started in church pews in Akron, Ohio, watching her grandmother — well-known around the city for her singing — take the lead. That early exposure pulled her into choirs, solos, tell-it shows, and citywide performances, planting the roots of what would become a genre-blending career in R&B, pop, Afrobeats, Jersey Club, and soul. Her path since has wound through the United States Air Force, where she continued performing during her service, and onto stages including a National Anthem performance for the VA Annual Homeless Stand Down and an opening slot at the Denim Festival in Erwin, North Carolina, at the invitation of the city's mayor. She's opened for Slim of 112 and worked alongside producer Chris Parker of Bang Village, racking up more than 50 live performances along the way. Now, Lyric The Art is looking beyond her own mic. She's developing a platform designed to streamline songwriting pitch packages, connecting writers like herself directly with industry executives — an effort to create real opportunities for talented songwriters who don't always get a straight line to the room. It's a natural extension of an artist who pairs commanding vocals with emotionally honest songwriting centered on love, confidence, healing, and personal evolution. That evolution is front and center on her upcoming album, Becoming Her, which explores divine femininity, vulnerability, and emotional maturity. Fans should keep an eye out for its release. Ask her what drives all of it, and the answer isn't industry ambition — it's her sons. She wants them to know they can do anything they set their minds to, and she'd rather show them than tell them. Her message to listeners follows the same logic: be yourself, break the status quo, and do something with the one life you're given.
Sep 8, 2026
Rayko Myers Turns Real Life Into Music You Can Lean On
Rayko Myers didn't rush into music. The Pittsburgh-born artist, who describes his sound simply as "worldwide," says he always felt a pull toward music but waited until he had himself together before taking it seriously. That patience shows in how he talks about his work now — less about chasing a moment, more about building something that lasts. His influences trace a clear emotional lineage: DMX, 2Pac, Styles P, and Juice WRLD, artists known for turning pain and honesty into something listeners could hold onto. That same instinct drives Rayko's own writing. His debut album, "Small Town America," marked his first real statement, and he's now back in the studio working on a follow-up project. What sets Rayko apart isn't a gimmick or a sound — it's intent. He says he wants listeners to know they aren't alone in hard times, and he leans on real-life emotion and his own ways of working through it to get that message across. It's a simple goal, but a rare one to hear stated so plainly: not fame for its own sake, but connection. There's not much flash in how Rayko presents himself — no bio full of accolades, no manufactured buzz. Just a Pittsburgh native with Atlanta ties to the scene, pulling from hip-hop's most emotionally direct voices and applying that same rawness to his own story. As he puts it, "You won't be disappointed." With a new album in progress, Rayko Myers is still early in his arc, but his focus is already set: real talk, real feeling, and music meant to sit with people long after it plays. Keep an eye out for what comes next.
Sep 8, 2026
ROBJ Is Bringing '90s R&B Harmony Into a New Era
Virginia-raised singer and songwriter ROBJ didn't set out to build a career in music—it found him early, in church pews and Black History programs, where his mother first noticed the gift and pushed him to nurture it. He tried other paths along the way, including sports and traditional trades, but music kept pulling him back until he accepted it wasn't just a hobby. It was who he is. That foundation shows in his sound. ROBJ cites Boyz II Men and New Edition as the groups that taught him harmony, songwriting, and how to genuinely connect with a crowd, while more modern voices like Ne-Yo, Usher, Chris Brown, and Tank shaped the smoother, contemporary edge he brings to his music today. The result, by his own description, is R&B rooted in the '90s and early-2000s soul era but built for right now. On the road, ROBJ has toured with Trevor Jackson and shared stages with Keith Sweat, Ginuwine, and Soul for Real—experience that's clearly informed how he thinks about performance and audience connection. He's currently working on new music and visuals, and says he's looking to branch into short films and shows as well, embracing the idea that today's artists have to wear multiple hats. Through it all, ROBJ says the goal stays the same: making people feel something real. Whether it's love, confidence, vulnerability, or just a moment they recognize in themselves, he wants listeners to hear his own experiences in the music while making the songs their own. With new releases and visual projects on the way, ROBJ is positioning himself to keep building his lane in R&B—one rooted in tradition, but not stuck in it.
Sep 7, 2026
Kashaveli Turns Being Different Into a Sound of Its Own
Kashaveli didn't grow up chasing rap as much as he grew up surrounded by music itself. Raised in Henderson, North Carolina in a family full of musicians, he picked up instruments early — trombone, piano — before writing his first song in high school. That was enough to hook him, and he's been rapping ever since. His biggest inspiration isn't a fellow artist but his father, who moved to America at 19 and built a life from the ground up. That story of grinding and working with what you have shapes how Kashaveli talks about his own path: independent, self-built, and unwilling to wait on permission. That independence shows in his resume. Kashaveli is a college graduate with degrees in Marketing and Music, and he's the founder of Kashway Marketing LLC, running his career as both artist and entrepreneur. He calls his style "Speed Music" — songs meant to soundtrack every part of life, from celebration to setback, built to be authentic and versatile enough for listeners to see themselves in it. That approach has carried him to stages in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, Atlanta, Philadelphia, and Virginia. He just released a remix of his fan-favorite track "Locked In," reworked by producer David Sisko with electric bounce and breakbeats woven into the original. It's a bridge to what's next: his upcoming project "Alienomics," which he's been building with producers spanning New York to Atlanta, promising sharp production paired with lyrics and storytelling he's putting extra weight behind. The title captures his message. Kashaveli wants listeners to understand that being yourself is the most "alien" thing you can do in a world that rewards sameness — and that you don't need to fit the social norm to succeed. His advice is straightforward: get educated, take risks, and work hard. Alienomics is coming soon, and it sounds like Kashaveli is ready to make his case.
Sep 7, 2026
James Artissen Is Building His Own Lane, From Songwriting to Label Head
James Artissen has worn a lot of hats in the music business, but he traces it all back to a single encounter. Born James Allen Worthy in Queens and raised with New York's influence baked into his sound, he began pursuing music at 16 after meeting Michael Jackson at Webster Hall — a moment he cites as his biggest inspiration and the push that set his career in motion. That path eventually led him to Atlanta, where he entered a high school recording studio through a mentoring program tied to Dallas Austin. He started as a songwriter, then moved into production, teaching himself to sing along the way while studying artists like A Tribe Called Quest, Whodini, and The Weeknd. A bachelor's degree in audio production from The Art Institute of Atlanta helped turn that foundation into placements with mainstream acts. By 2017, Artissen stepped from behind the boards into artistry, first with the duo Kings X2 and later as a solo act, releasing EPs including "Blu Leisure" and "Kaleidoscopes," and collaborating with Goodie Mob's Big Gipp on the joint project "Gipp N Worthy." Alongside his own catalog, he's continued building as a music executive, founding Humble Sound Records in 2024 in partnership with The Orchard, a Sony Music division, with a roster that includes Tynisha Keli and B Angie B. Now he's looking ahead. James is working on his debut album, "Nevermind What U Said," slated for 2027, alongside a documentary chronicling his own story. Across all of it, he says the goal stays the same: authenticity and relatability, the throughline he wants listeners to walk away with regardless of genre. For a career that's spanned R&B, hip-hop, pop, and dance, that intention — more than any single record — is what he hopes defines him next.
Sep 7, 2026
LaGrange's LKWKAI17 Is Building Her Sound One Late Night at a Time
For LKWKAI17, music started as therapy. Back in 2020, the LaGrange, Georgia native found herself scrolling through free beats late at night, just looking for something to quiet her mind. What began as a way to unwind turned into a habit, and that habit turned into a catalog. "The rest just naturally came to me," she says of those early sessions. Since then, the independent rapper has been steadily building a discography rooted in confidence and what she describes as Southern energy. Her output so far includes "CASHFLOW" featuring YNG IZZ, the solo cut "DND," and a guest feature on Kunoichi Mulan's "Run Me My Money." Each release leans into the same core identity: bold, unbothered, and built for a good time. That identity isn't just a performance for LKWKAI17 -- it's the whole point. She wants listeners to walk away from her music feeling her confidence and personality as much as hearing it, describing her sound as music people can turn up to, feel good to, and see themselves in. It's meant to make people feel motivated and unapologetic about who they are, whether that's blasting through headphones or filling a room. Interestingly, the drive behind all of it isn't fame or numbers -- it's family. LKWKAI17 points to her unborn daughter, due soon, as her biggest inspiration, a reminder that the catalog she's building now is one she'll eventually inherit. Right now, she's focused on expansion, pushing her music into Atlanta's strip club circuit as a way to widen her reach across the city and beyond. It's a grassroots approach, artist-run and hands-on, matching the DIY spirit that's defined her career since those first late-night beats. For LKWKAI17, growth is the plan -- one city, one record, one listener at a time.
Sep 7, 2026
Miriam Turns Inward on New Single “All Me”
Raised in Cobb County, R&B artist Miriam Robinson has spent her career blending genres rather than sticking to one lane. Her sound moves through bass guitar and violin, trap-soul textures, and synth-driven pop, resisting easy categorization in favor of something she calls "Ear Candy." Her latest release, "All Me," marks what she describes as her most vulnerable track to date. Written as an exercise in self-reflection, the song sits with both the lows and highs of Miriam's own journey, centering self-love and nurturing as its core message. The timing wasn't accidental. Miriam chose to release "All Me" during Mental Health Awareness Month, hoping listeners could use it as a space to process their own insecurities and struggles. "This track is meant to heal from within, never forgetting how far you've come and where you're going," she said. "I felt this song could help people express and release some of their insecurities and struggles." For Miriam, the message boils down to accountability and grace in equal measure: "Even in the end, I can't give up cause it's all me and neither can you." With "All Me" out now, she continues building a catalog defined by genre-blending and emotional honesty.
Sep 6, 2026
Grammy-Nominated Atlanta Producer James Artissen Launches His Own Label
James Artissen, a Grammy-nominated producer and songwriter who built his career behind the scenes, has launched an independent record label and stepped into the spotlight as a solo artist. Artissen founded the new imprint, Humble Sound Records, in partnership with Sony Orchard, positioning it as a home for multiple artists and collaborative projects within Atlanta's music scene. A graduate of the Art Institute of Atlanta's audio production program, he's spent years producing and writing for major names including Justin Bieber, Meek Mill, Lil Jon and Rick Rubin — work that stayed largely uncredited to the public despite its reach. The label's launch comes alongside his debut solo single, "Blank Face," with a collaborative follow-up called "Whole Room Lit" — featuring Khujo Goodie, Lil Jon and Rick Rubin — still to come. Artissen discussed the shift from producer to artist in a recent appearance on ATL Live, framing the label as the next phase of a career spent mostly out of frame. More independent releases are expected from Humble Sound Records in the months ahead.
Sep 5, 2026
V-103 Marks 50th Anniversary With Raphael Saadiq and Ari Lennox at Chastain
V-103 is celebrating 50 years on the air with a Labor Day weekend concert at Synovus Bank Amphitheater at Chastain Park, headlined by Raphael Saadiq and Ari Lennox. The show, presented with Live Nation, lands on September 6 and doubles as both an anniversary celebration for the long-running Atlanta radio station and a showcase for two of R&B's more consistent voices. Saadiq, a Grammy winner with a career stretching back to Tony! Toni! Toné! and Lucy Pearl, brings decades of songwriting and production credits to the bill. Lennox, the Dreamville-affiliated singer known for "Shea Butter Baby" and her more recent project "Vacancy," represents the newer generation of Atlanta-adjacent R&B talent V-103 has helped build audiences for. For a station that's been part of Atlanta's Black radio landscape for half a century, the concert functions as a full-circle moment — pairing an artist whose career the station has covered since the 90s with one it's championed more recently. Tickets remain available through Ticketmaster and Live Nation for the Sunday night show.
Sep 5, 2026
Sweet Auburn Music Fest Set for Late September on Historic Auburn Avenue
The Sweet Auburn Music Fest returns to the Historic Auburn Avenue District September 26-27, running 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. both days with free admission. The festival spreads across four stages along Sweet Auburn, mixing R&B, hip-hop and gospel acts in a lineup organizers describe as spanning up-and-coming performers alongside established genre veterans. Past years have leaned on the neighborhood's history as a center of Black business and culture, and this year's event continues that theme with an international food court and space set aside for local art vendors and small business owners. The fest has grown into one of the fall's larger free music gatherings in the city, drawing crowds to a stretch of Atlanta that played a defining role in the civil rights era and remains a hub for Black-owned businesses today. A full artist lineup had not been announced as of this week, with organizers expected to release performer details closer to the event.
Sep 4, 2026
Shaky Knees Returns to Piedmont Park With Strokes, Gorillaz, Twenty One Pilots
Shaky Knees Music Festival is set to take over Piedmont Park September 18-20, with each day of the three-day run getting its own headliner: The Strokes, Twenty One Pilots and Gorillaz. More than 50 acts are booked across four stages for the weekend, rounding out a lineup that also includes Wu-Tang Clan, LCD Soundsystem, Blood Orange, Turnstile, Geese, Japanese Breakfast and Santigold. The festival has become a fixture of Atlanta's fall concert calendar, drawing a mix of rock, hip-hop and alternative acts to the Midtown park each September. This year's booking leans heavily into genre-crossing pairings, putting Wu-Tang Clan's catalog alongside indie rock and electronic-leaning sets on the same weekend bill. Organizers have not yet released set times or a full stage-by-stage breakdown, which typically arrive closer to the event date. Tickets remain available through the festival's official site for those who missed the earlier presale window. For Atlanta music fans, Shaky Knees remains one of the city's biggest draws of the year, pulling national touring acts into a single weekend without requiring a trip out of town.
Sep 4, 2026
Remembering Dolly Parton's Sharp Wit and Timeless Wisdom
Dolly Parton, the country music icon who died Tuesday at age 80, left behind a legacy defined not only by her chart-topping songwriting but by decades of quick-witted, self-deprecating humor that endeared her to fans across generations. Parton racked up 25 No. 1 hits on the country charts and two that topped the Billboard Hot 100, showcasing her gift for storytelling in song. But interviews and writings over the years revealed another side of her talent: a knack for turning a phrase and poking fun at her own glamorous image. She often joked about her appearance, once quipping that it "costs a lot of money to look this cheap," while insisting her rhinestone-studded persona masked a genuine, hardworking person underneath. She embraced comparisons to a diamond, saying a rhinestone "shines just as good." Beyond the jokes, Parton shared reflections on ambition, faith and legacy in books like "Songteller: My Life in Lyrics" and her upcoming "Star of the Show," writing that she hoped to leave behind something that could help lift others up. Her humor extended to pop culture rivalries too — when asked about Whitney Houston's famous cover of "I Will Always Love You," Parton simply said she was happy to let Houston have the credit, "as long as I get my cash." Source: WSB Atlanta.
Sep 3, 2026
Lionel Richie Hospitalized After St. Louis Concert
Lionel Richie was admitted to a St. Louis hospital's intensive care unit following a weekend performance, according to multiple media reports. The 77-year-old singer was reportedly held for observation out of caution and evaluated for dehydration. The scare came after Richie's Saturday show at The Muny, an outdoor amphitheater in St. Louis, part of his ongoing "Sing a Song All Night Long" tour with Earth, Wind & Fire. During the closing number, "All Night Long," he asked his crew for a chair so he could finish the song seated, a moment captured on video by fans. This isn't the first health issue Richie has faced on this tour. He cut short his June 24 opening show in Minneapolis after experiencing dizziness, later postponing dates in Chicago and Columbus, Ohio, on doctors' orders before returning to the stage on June 30 in Pittsburgh. Richie, a four-time Grammy winner and Oscar recipient for "Say You, Say Me," is scheduled to resume touring Sept. 26 in San Francisco. He's also set for multiple "King of Hearts" residency shows at the Wynn in Las Vegas this October and November.
Sep 3, 2026